Johannesburg – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has moved to clarify misinformation circulating on social media claiming that soldiers will be deployed ahead of planned protest action on 30 June 2026.
The claims come amid growing online mobilisation linked to demonstrations calling for the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals.
The clarification follows reports and social media posts suggesting that security forces have been placed on standby after protests in parts of the country over the past week, where some South Africans have demonstrated against the presence of foreign nationals in their communities.
These protests have largely centred on concerns over immigration, service delivery pressures, and unemployment.
In this context, further claims have alleged that the SANDF is preparing for mass deployments ahead of upcoming demonstrations. However, the defence force has firmly rejected these assertions.
“The SANDF dismisses these claims as false, unfounded and deliberately misleading. At no stage has the SANDF issued any directive or made preparations for deployment in relation to any protest action or calls for the repatriation of illegal foreigners,” the statement read.
The force emphasised that while South Africa’s Constitution protects the right to peaceful protest, any deployment of the military is strictly regulated and only occurs under lawful authorisation when required to support civilian authorities such as the police.
It said there is currently no authorised deployment linked to any anticipated protest activity and warned that misinformation on social media risks fuelling unnecessary public fear and tension.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
