KZN’s Thami Ntuli defends call for SANDF deployment in Durban

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has defended his decision to request the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in Durban following violent protests.

The request came after violent protests erupted in Durban’s central business district (CBD), during which buildings, houses and vehicles belonging to foreign nationals were set alight by mobs protesting against a Department of Home Affairs directive concerning asylum seeker applications.

Meanwhile, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) deputy mayoral candidate in eThekwini, Sizwe ‘Mavava’ Skhakhane, publicly criticised Ntuli for calling for the army to be deployed to quell the unrest. Skhakhane argued that the decision could negatively affect the IFP’s prospects in the 4 November local government elections.

Mavava Skhakhane has criticised Premier Thami Ntuli for calling in the military during protests, saying he never did the same over crimes allegedly committed by foreign nationals. He claims Ntuli appears to prioritise foreign nationals over South Africans. pic.twitter.com/OFuBIjv5ji

— Durban Network (@Durbannetwork) October 12, 2026

THAMI NTULI DEFENDS SANDF DEPLOYMENT REQUEST

Responding to the backlash, including criticism from members of his own party, Ntuli said his critics failed to understand that there was an alleged plan to destabilise KwaZulu-Natal.

“These protests started in Durban and would have spread throughout the province as they had already started in Pietermaritzburg with burning tyres. No one would vote for the IFP because shops were torched, some are now lying and saying because the army has been deployed people will not vote for the IFP. Does that mean they should vote for the IFP because shops are being torched, there’s looting and other criminal activities?” Ntuli said.

Ntuli maintained that he did not regret his decision, citing the looting and vandalism of businesses and vehicles belonging to both foreign nationals and South Africans during the protests.

“We will protect KwaZulu-Natal, whoever has planned to destroy job opportunities because they have a selfish agenda to destroy businesses, they will not succeed,” he added.