President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to support police efforts against anti-migrant protests, at a cost of about 34.1 million rand, after violence in Durban that the Presidency linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court asylum ruling.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the deployment of 510 soldiers to the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal to support police efforts to control anti-migrant protests, his office said on Tuesday. The deployment, made under Operation Prosper, runs from 9 October until 30 November and is expected to cost 34.1 million rand, about 2.05 million dollars.
The Presidency said the deployment followed recent violence linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers. The July ruling held that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to South Africa's asylum system solely for procedural reasons, a decision that was misrepresented in some quarters as granting undocumented migrants sweeping legal protections.
Protests in KwaZulu-Natal's biggest city, Durban, and in Johannesburg's Soweto township turned violent this month, with vehicles torched and shops looted. A foreign national was allegedly beaten to death by a crowd in Durban last week, and police used rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Authorities have arrested dozens of people in connection with the unrest, including five men over the Durban killing.
Ramaphosa informed parliament of the deployment, as required by the Constitution, writing to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the soldiers would assist police in maintaining law and order, particularly in light of recent violent actions arising from the misinformation campaign.
The deployment comes before local government elections on 4 November and after calls by anti-migrant groups for nationwide protests. South Africa has seen months of anti-migrant marches this year that have drawn international criticism, and thousands of African foreign nationals have fled the country.
The decision has also drawn criticism at home. Some South Africans questioned on social media why soldiers were needed when police were already monitoring the situation, and asked who the army was expected to protect, arguing the government should engage with protesters instead of what they saw as a show of force. The Presidency said the soldiers would remain on standby to respond to potential security threats.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Negative
- Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya: soldiers will assist police in maintaining law and order amid violent actions arising from a misinformation campaign
- Social media users: questioned the R34 million cost and why soldiers were needed when police were already monitoring
- Social media users: asked who the army is protecting and urged the government to listen instead of threatening violence
- Anti-migrant protesters: raised concerns about undocumented foreign nationals and immigration enforcement