On 15 July 2021, the army began deploying 25,000 additional troops to areas affected by the recent riots over the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, the primary sites of unrest. Likewise, the South African National Defense Force engaged its 12,000-member reserve force, moving troops and equipment to the areas, while the police minister stated that police officers have been stationed at key institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, including airports and power stations. The increase in security forces has coincided with improved conditions following a week of unrest, although small-scale attacks did occur in Durban — located in KwaZulu-Natal province — earlier in the day on 15 July.