The South African National Defence Force says it has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces.
That’s to quell the unrest and looting that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days and which has led to a number of deaths and scores of arrests.
The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place.
The duration and number of deployed soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies.
SANDF says it must be emphasised that their 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.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry was among those who had called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the SANDF in KZN and declare the province to be in a “state of disaster”.
Initial violent protests on Friday morning, that included the burning of tyres and blocking major roads in Durban, were linked to the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma.
However, this has since escalated to criminal activity with dozens of incidents of looting and destruction to property in Durban and other parts of KZN.
On Monday the Spokesperson for the Police Ministry Lirandzu Themba says so far police have arrested 96 people in Gauteng and 123 in KZN.
