President Ramaphosa: SANDF Deployment KwaZulu-Natal Amid Refugees Act Unrest

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 510 SANDF members to KwaZulu-Natal under Operation Prosper.
• The deployment, costing R34,082,720, is scheduled from October 9 to November 30, 2026, to support SAPS in maintaining order.
• This action follows violence in the province, triggered by misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act.
• The President authorized the deployment under Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution.
• The government clarified that the court ruling does not grant blanket amnesty or citizenship to undocumented foreign nationals.

The deployment of the SANDF to KwaZulu-Natal underscores the severity of the public unrest and the government's commitment to restoring stability, particularly in response to actions stemming from false narratives.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of 510 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to bolster the South African Police Service (SAPS). This military intervention, known as Operation Prosper, is scheduled to run from October 9 until November 30, 2026, and carries an estimated cost of R34,082,720. The Presidency announced this decision on Tuesday, October 27, specifying that the SANDF's role is to assist SAPS in maintaining law and order within the province.

The deployment directly responds to a surge of violence that erupted in KZN, fueled by a misinformation campaign concerning a Constitutional Court judgment related to the Refugees Act. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya clarified that the SANDF members would be on standby, ready to support police in addressing any potential eventualities. The unrest, which began on October 8, saw significant disturbances in Durban and Soweto, where 24 vehicles were reportedly torched—14 in Durban and 10 in Soweto—and various shops were subjected to looting.

President Ramaphosa formally notified National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tipane of his decision to deploy the SANDF. His authorization for this deployment was made under the provisions of Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the power to utilize the defence force in conjunction with the police services. This constitutional clause provides the legal framework for military assistance in domestic law enforcement scenarios.

Adding to the complex legal landscape surrounding the unrest, the Department of Home Affairs withdrew a directive concerning asylum applications on October 9. This withdrawal occurred concurrently with the initial outbreaks of violence. The government has also proactively clarified the scope of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the Refugees Act, emphasizing that the judgment does not confer blanket amnesty, citizenship, or refugee status upon undocumented foreign nationals, directly addressing the core of the misinformation campaign.

The deployment of the SANDF to KwaZulu-Natal underscores the severity of the public unrest and the government's commitment to restoring stability, particularly in response to actions stemming from false narratives. The substantial financial commitment of R34,082,720 for this operation highlights the significant resources being allocated to address the consequences of the misinformation regarding the Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act. This situation exemplifies how the spread of inaccurate information can directly lead to tangible security challenges and necessitate extraordinary measures.

Furthermore, the involvement of the military in domestic law enforcement, even in a supportive capacity, signals a heightened level of concern regarding the capacity of civilian police to manage the situation independently. The government's explicit clarification regarding the Constitutional Court's judgment is crucial in countering the false claims that ignited the violence, aiming to dispel misunderstandings about the legal rights and status of foreign nationals. The arrests of 30 suspects, including 25 in KwaZulu-Natal and five in Gauteng, in connection with public violence and unlawful protests, demonstrate ongoing efforts to hold those responsible accountable.

Lawyers advising clients with operations in KwaZulu-Natal should assess potential business disruptions and security risks arising from the SANDF deployment, which is a direct response to public unrest linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act. This also highlights the need to monitor evolving legal interpretations and directives from Home Affairs regarding asylum applications, given the recent withdrawal of a directive.

Source: Reporting based on Scrolla and AllAfrica