South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to KwaZulu-Natal to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) under Operation Prosper.
The province has experienced violent anti-immigrant protests, resulting in the death of one foreign national, several injuries, vehicles being set alight and shops being looted in Durban.
The SANDF personnel will assist the SAPS in maintaining law and order across KwaZulu-Natal, particularly following recent violence linked to a misinformation campaign concerning the Constitutional Court’s judgment on the Refugees Act.
“The members of the SANDF will be on standby to support the police for any eventuality that may occur,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Magwenya confirmed that Ramaphosa had informed Parliament of his decision. The deployment began on 9 October and is scheduled to continue until 30 November 2026.
The deployment is expected to cost R34 million.
