Five hundred and 10 soldiers have been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to support police operations.

Earlier this month, violent protests and looting were reported in parts of KZN and Gauteng (GP)  following misinformation surrounding a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.

The deployment began on October 9 and will continue until the end of November. It is expected to cost more than R34 million.

President @CyrilRamaphosa has informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Honourable Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of his decision to deploy five hundred and ten (510) members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), for the service of cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in support of Operation Prosper. https://t.co/NFh8ILxVZA

— The Presidency (@PresidencyZA) October 27, 2026

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the soldiers will assist police in maintaining law and order.

“The members of the South African National Defence Force will assist the South African Police Service in maintaining law and order in KwaZulu-Natal, especially in light of recent violent actions arising from a campaign of misinformation about the Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act. The members of the South African National Defence Force will be on standby to support the police for any eventuality that may occur,” Magwenya says.

-Reporting by Natasha Phiri

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