DURBAN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal to assist police with law enforcement operations under Operation Prosper until the end of November.
The deployment, announced just days before the local government elections, is expected to cost more than R34 million.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the safety of refugees and foreign nationals in the province, following a series of protests and violent incidents targeting alleged undocumented foreigners.
Authorities have also raised concerns about a campaign of misinformation surrounding a Constitutional Court judgment on the Refugees Act.
Last week, a crowd of approximately 50 people reportedly murdered a foreign national in Durban.
Earlier this month, protests against illegal immigration brought parts of the city to a standstill, raising further concerns about public safety and social stability.