South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the deployment of 510 soldiers to the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal to support police in containing anti-migrant unrest that has intensified ahead of next month's local elections.

According to a statement from the Presidency, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed from 9 October to 30 November, with the operation expected to cost 34.1 million rand (about US$2.05 million). The deployment comes ahead of the 4 November municipal elections and follows renewed calls for nationwide anti-migrant demonstrations.

Violence escalates in Durban and Johannesburg

South Africa has witnessed months of anti-migrant demonstrations, some of which have turned violent and drawn international concern.

Recent protests in Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, and Johannesburg's Soweto township saw vehicles set ablaze, shops looted and clashes reported in several areas. Authorities have also launched an investigation into the killing of a foreign national who was allegedly beaten to death by a crowd during a protest in Durban last week.

The unrest has prompted thousands of foreign African nationals to leave South Africa in recent months, while neighbouring countries have expressed concern over the safety of their citizens.

Government blames misinformation

The Presidency said the troop deployment followed recent violence linked to misinformation surrounding a ruling by the Constitutional Court on asylum seekers.

According to the government, the court ruled that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to South Africa's asylum system solely on procedural grounds. Officials stressed, however, that the judgment does not grant automatic refugee status or permanent residence and accused false claims circulating on social media of fuelling tensions.

Migration remains a politically sensitive issue

Immigration has become one of the most contentious issues ahead of South Africa's local elections, with several anti-migrant groups accusing undocumented migrants of contributing to crime, unemployment and pressure on public services.

President Ramaphosa has condemned violence against foreign nationals while acknowledging shortcomings in border management and immigration enforcement. The government has repeatedly urged the public not to take the law into their own hands and said law enforcement agencies would continue to address illegal immigration through legal procedures.(ILKHA)