South Africa has deployed over 3,000 soldiers to assist police during nationwide anti-migrant protests. The military presence aims to maintain order following threats from groups vowing to march every week.
A letter from President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday confirmed the deployment of 3,405 members of the South African National Defence Force. The operation began June 28 and carries an estimated cost of 54.6 million rand.
Troops are on standby to prevent a repeat of past violence. Demonstrators have demanded all undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by June 30, a date that sparked significant unrest across several cities.
Protesters in Johannesburg and other hubs recently marched with clubs and flags. While many demonstrations remained peaceful, some descended into looting and clashes with law enforcement, resulting in more than 900 arrests.
Thousands of foreign nationals have since fled their homes or sought repatriation. Embassies from countries like Malawi and Zimbabwe have organized evacuations as fear grows over potential surges in xenophobic violence.
The government faces intense pressure regarding high unemployment, which exceeds 40%. Activists claim undocumented migration strains public services, though authorities warn that vigilantism and intimidation will not be tolerated.
The deployment marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to rising tensions. Officials are now bracing for recurring protests, aiming to balance the constitutional right to demonstrate with public safety.
