Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 510 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to support police operations following recent violence linked to misinformation about a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugee Act.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, Ramaphosa said the deployment would support the South African Police Service (SAPS) under Operation Prosper, with soldiers placed on standby to assist in maintaining law and order.
“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,” the statement said.
The Presidency said the soldiers would remain on standby to support police in responding to any incidents that might arise.
The deployment was authorised in terms of section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
According to the Presidency, the deployment period runs from 9 October to 30 November 2026, meaning the authorisation covers a period that began before the announcement was issued.
The operation is expected to cost R34.08 million, with the Presidency estimating expenditure at R34,082,720.
Ramaphosa formally informed National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane of his decision to deploy the troops.
The deployment comes amid concerns over violence associated with misinformation surrounding the Constitutional Court’s judgment on the Refugee Act. The Presidency did not provide further details about the incidents or specify the areas in KwaZulu-Natal where the soldiers would be deployed.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
