President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to assure communities and businesses in eThekwini that government is ramping up efforts to ensure safety following a spate of looting and vandalism of small businesses in the metro as well as the murder of a foreign national in the Durban CBD over the last few weeks.
The President delivered the keynote address at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 170th Annual Gala Dinner in eThekwini on Wednesday evening.
To bolster law enforcement, the President has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal in support of Operation Prosper.
“An investigation is underway into the killing of a man in the Durban CBD last week.
We understand that this has created uncertainty for business, for whom the memories of 2021 are still fresh. While these incidents have been isolated, we are taking no chances.
“I have authorised the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in the province until the end of November. This demands vigilance from all of us, including the business community,” he stated.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that “prosperity depends on social stability”.
“Business cannot flourish where there is violence, where there’s intimidation and where there is lawlessness. Investment cannot thrive where communities live in fear or where communities are divided against one another.
“The events of July 2021 reminded us of the terrible consequences of instability. They also reminded us of the importance of protecting the democratic institutions and constitutional values upon which our society rests.
“In recent weeks, we were once again witnesses to disturbing incidents of violence, intimidation and attacks on businesses. These acts cannot be tolerated. Whatever grievances people may have, there can be no justification for violence, for looting, for destruction of livelihoods.”
The President noted that the Local Government Elections are “just days away…and the political climate is charged”.
“Concerns about illegal immigration cannot be used as a pretext for criminality or for turning communities against one another. There are those who are exploiting public sentiment around illegal migration to stir up communities and to provide cover for criminality.
“Just as we refused to be turned against each other before, we will refuse to be divided now,” President Ramaphosa asserted.
The President noted that eThekwini is the economic heart of KwaZulu-Natal, which requires stable, forward-looking leadership to consolidate the gains made after a difficult period.
“I call on all of you to go out and vote. Let it be a vote for progress. Let it be a vote for recovery. Let it be a vote for shared prosperity for the people of eThekwini,” President Ramaphosa said.
The 2026 Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November. – SAnews.gov.za
