KZN premier backs army deployment after anti-immigrant violence

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he has no regrets about asking for the army to be deployed after violent protests against undocumented immigration in Durban.

Ntuli said on Tuesday that he had asked for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to protect vital businesses, jobs and infrastructure, and that the decision was driven by public safety and economic stability in the province.

Violence on 8 and 9 October left 14 vehicles torched and shops looted in Durban’s city centre. The protests followed a Constitutional Court ruling that people must be given a fair opportunity to apply for asylum regardless of their documentation status, eNCA reported.

The ruling concerns access to asylum procedures, which is separate from whether an applicant ultimately qualifies for refugee protection.

Ntuli announced his request on Friday 9 October, saying police needed more resources. National government approved it by Saturday. DefenceWeb reported that the SANDF said soldiers would remain until 31 October.

It added that only the President can authorise such a deployment, under section 201 of the Constitution, with Parliament informed, and that the soldiers are there to support police, who are responsible for public order.

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement has urged Ntuli to withdraw his request, saying the army should never be used against peaceful civilian protests.

Sources: IOL, SABC News, News24, DefenceWeb & eNCA.