President Cyril Ramaphosa is deploying 510 soldiers to support police in KwaZulu-Natal
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized 510 South African National Defence Force members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid anti-immigration violence. The presidency attributed the violence to misinformation about a Constitutional Court asylum ruling. Police said a foreign national was beaten to death by about 50 people during a march last week. Eastleigh Voice said deployment runs until Nov. 30.
More context
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized 510 members of the South African National Defence Force to support police in KwaZulu-Natal amid anti-immigration violence, the presidency said Tuesday. In a letter, Ramaphosa informed National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza that the troops would support Operation Prosper. The Eastleigh Voice reported that the deployment is scheduled to run through Nov. 30. The presidency said the violence followed “recent violent actions arising from a campaign of misinformation” about a Constitutional Court ruling. The ruling prevents asylum claims from being rejected or disqualified because of immigration-related procedural errors before they are assessed on their merits. Protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng on Oct. 8 opposed the decision. In Durban, shops owned by foreign nationals were looted, according to state broadcaster SABC. Police said a mob of about 50 people killed a foreign national during last week's march.
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Reporting
- The New York Times — South Africa Deploys 500 Soldiers to Quell Anti-Immigration Violence
- ABC News — South Africa's Ramaphosa orders 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal after asylum ruling violence - ABC News
- The Eastleigh Voice — Ramaphosa deploys 510 soldiers to support police in KwaZulu-Natal province amid anti-immigrant protests
- iol.co.za — Ramaphosa deploys 510 soldiers to quell anti-migrant violence in KwaZulu-Natal
- express.co.uk — 500 soldiers deployed to huge anti-migrant protests
Verifier’s note
IOL, The New York Times, Express, ABC News, and Eastleigh Voice all report South Africa’s deployment of about 500 soldiers amid anti-immigrant violence. The reports are dated October 27, 2026, consistent with the proposed event’s timing.