“Only the President can deploy us to fight crime” – SANDF          

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it is only President Cyril Ramaphosa who can deploy them to curb crime.

CELE TELLS COMMUNITY HE WILL CONSIDER DEPLOYING SANDF

During an Imbizo in the West Rand at the weekend, the communities urged Police Minister Bheki Cele to deploy the SANDF to curb crime in the area.

Cele told the community that their request will be considered should the need arise.

He said the process of deploying the defence force would take a long time.

ALSO READ: Minister Bheki Cele orders a CLEAN-UP of police in the West Rand

SANDF SAYS THEY CAN ONLY BE DEPLOYED BY PRESIDENT

The SANDF says it is concerned about the current insecurity which requires an urgent and robust intervention. This is to calm the current violence and to protect citizens.

But only the President of the country has the executive authority to deploy them, says spokesperson General Andries Mahapa.

This deployment is in collaboration or support with other state actors to curb the current security instability, Mahapa said.

“Chief of the SANDF would like to reiterate that should the deployment of the SANDF be authorised according to Section 201(2) of the Constitution, it will mainly be for the preservation of life, health and property and not against the people of South Africa.”

General Andries Mahapa

ALSO READ: SANDF plans to lay off 3 000 members

DOCUMENT OF DEPLOYING SOLDIERS WAS NEVER MEANT FOR THE PUBLIC

A document issued by Major General Patrick Dube, dated 6 August 2022, has been making the rounds in the media.

It states that the SANDF has ordered about 200 soldiers to be on standby for deployment as the country is “gradually deteriorating into unrest due to criminality”.

The document further states that soldiers will be on standby in anticipation of cooperating with the police.

But Mahapa says this document is internal and meant for internal planning purposes.

“The SANDF wishes to state that the document… currently making rounds in the media was never intended for public consumption. It remains an internal document meant for planning and coordinating purposes internally within the SANDF.”

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