President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid recent violence linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act. The deployment began on October 9 after Premier Thami Ntuli requested assistance following widespread protests that led to the destruction of property and the closure of businesses in the Durban CBD.
The army's deployment to the province is expected to cost R34,082,720, with troops remaining until November 30. Ramaphosa said the soldiers would assist the South African Police Service in maintaining law and order under Operation Prosper. The deployment addresses violent incidents arising from what the Presidency described as a campaign of misinformation about the court judgment.
The deployment also comes amidst unverified threats that there are groups who seek to disrupt elections next week. SANDF members will remain on standby to support police in the event of further incidents, the Presidency said. The government has insisted that South Africans can continue expressing their views and that the presence of the army and Saps is merely a measure to protect the rights of protesters and non-protesters.
More anti-immigration protests are expected across the province this week as protesters continue to insist that foreign nationals are stealing jobs from South Africans and placing a strain on essential services such as healthcare and education. The protests have been linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act.
Leaders of the movements, such as Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, have criticised the deployment of the army as an unnecessary measure meant to oppress South Africans. However, the government has maintained that the deployment is necessary to maintain law and order and protect the rights of all citizens.
The protests in Durban and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal have resulted in the destruction of property and the closure of businesses. The government has called for calm and urged citizens to exercise their right to protest peacefully.
The situation in KwaZulu-Natal remains volatile, with more protests expected in the coming days. The government has assured citizens that it is working to address the underlying issues driving the protests and to maintain peace and stability in the province.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid recent violence linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act.
- The deployment of the army is expected to cost R34,082,720, with troops remaining until November 30.
- The government has insisted that South Africans can continue expressing their views and that the presence of the army and Saps is merely a measure to protect the rights of protesters and non-protesters.
