World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
South Africa deploys 510 soldiers to help control anti-migrant protests
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to support police during anti-migrant protests.
The deployment runs from 9 October to 30 November and is expected to cost about 34.1 million rand.
The protests have included violence in Durban and Johannesburg, with vehicles burned and shops looted.
They followed misinformation about a Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers cannot be refused access to the asylum system solely for procedural reasons.
The ruling has also prompted public debate and disruption at refugee reception offices.
The unrest comes before local government elections on 4 November, as anti-migrant groups have called for further protests.
The soldiers will assist police in maintaining order and are to remain on standby to respond to further unrest.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid anti-immigration protests.
The deployment runs from 9 October to 30 November 2026 and is expected to cost about 34.1 million rand.
The Presidency said the troops would help maintain law and order after violent actions linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.
The ruling, handed down on 7 July, struck down procedural barriers that had prevented undocumented migrants from accessing the asylum system.
The deployment comes ahead of local government elections on 4 November, as anti-immigration protests are expected to intensify.
- Who
- President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed 510 members of the South African National Defence Force.
- What
- Soldiers will support police in responding to anti-immigration protests and maintaining law and order.
- When
- The deployment runs from 9 October to 30 November 2026.
- Where
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Why
- The Presidency said it followed violent actions linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Constitutional Court ruled that procedural barriers could not prevent undocumented migrants from accessing the asylum system.
The military deployment period began.
Anti-immigration protests in Durban and Soweto turned violent, with vehicles torched and shops looted.
The Presidency’s deployment of 510 soldiers was reported.
South Africa is due to hold local government elections.
The military deployment is scheduled to end.
- Soldiers deployed
- 510
- Deployment area
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Deployment period
- 9 October–30 November 2026
- Expected cost
- R34 082 720
- Court ruling
- 7 July 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
The members of the SANDF will assist the SAPS in maintaining law and order in KZN, especially in light of recent violent actions arising from a campaign of misinformation about the Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugee Act
unintended consequences