President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police in the province. The deployment comes after anti-immigration unrest in Durban resulted in the death of a Ugandan national. The soldiers will operate under Operation Prosper and are expected to remain in the province until November 30. The deployment is estimated to cost around R34 million.
The unrest in Durban saw 14 vehicles set alight and foreign-owned shops looted earlier this month. Police used rubber bullets to disperse crowds during the protests. On October 22, a Ugandan man was beaten to death during a protest march in central Durban. Five men have been arrested in connection with the murder and the attempted murder of foreign nationals. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in the area.
The protests have been fuelled by misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on asylum applications. The ruling restored access to the asylum determination process for certain applicants, but it did not automatically grant refugee status, permanent residence, or amnesty to undocumented migrants. Authorities have urged the public not to take immigration enforcement into their own hands.
President Ramaphosa notified Parliament of the deployment in a letter dated October 21, stating that soldiers would be on standby to assist police if further unrest occurred. The deployment is intended to support police in maintaining law and order as tensions continue in KwaZulu-Natal. The SANDF will work closely with the police to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents.
The situation in Durban has been closely monitored by authorities, with efforts to address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest. Misinformation and xenophobic sentiments have been cited as key factors fuelling the tensions. The government has called for calm and urged the public to respect the law and the rights of all individuals.
The deployment of soldiers has been met with a mixed reaction from the public, with some welcoming the move as a necessary measure to restore order, while others have expressed concerns about the militarisation of policing. The government has assured the public that the deployment is a temporary measure aimed at supporting the police and ensuring public safety.
The unrest in Durban serves as a reminder of the complex issues surrounding immigration and xenophobia in South Africa. The government faces the challenge of balancing the need to enforce immigration laws with the need to protect the rights and safety of all individuals, including foreign nationals. The situation in KwaZulu-Natal remains a priority for the government, with efforts ongoing to address the root causes of the unrest and promote social cohesion.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 510 SANDF members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid anti-immigration unrest in Durban.
