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Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has confirmed that South African troops have been deployed in countries neighbouring the Central African Republic.
But, she said this was merely to support the withdrawal of SA force from the troubled state.
Addressing the Cape Town Press Club, Mapisa-Nqakula, said after South Africa suffered 13 fatalities in a rebel attack near Bangui in March, soldiers had been sent to the region while the Defence Force considered whether or not to withdraw its troops from Central African Republic.
She said the soldiers deployed in neighbouring counties had been part of a 400-strong contingent approved to go to the C-A-R, but stayed home after fewer than 300 were sent.
