The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it will deploy soldiers in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to assist law enforcement in calming the ongoing unrest in the provinces.
On Wednesday, protests began in the provinces against the imprisonment of the former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, but violence erupted.
Shops were looted and roads were blocked as the protesters marched through the city. The police said three officers were injured, and the body of a 40-year-old man was recovered from a shop in Johannesburg.
In a statement on Monday, the South African National Defence Force said the deployment will commence as soon as all pre-deployment procedures are in place.
The statement read, “The South African National Defense Force has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days. The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place,”
“The number and duration of deploying soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies.
“Furthermore, it must be emphasized that the SANDF’s deployment objective is to provide safety and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their constitutionally mandated law and order duties. SANDF deployment-related information updates will follow in due course.”
