Opposition parties weigh in on army's deployment with mixed reaction

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's national address on Monday, saying he is not doing enough to quell the violence. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), however, say he has been too extreme in sending the army. 

On Monday, Ramaphosa addressed South Africans about the violence that has been rocking parts of South Africa and formally announced that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed in a bid to restore peace and order. 

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DA leader, John Steenhuisen said: "Very little in his address offered anything new or significant in terms of measures to curb the violence, looting, and destruction of property.

"It was clear that the President and his government have no real plan and that citizens will have to face the mobs of rioters and looters entirely on their own," said the leader of the official opposition. 

The EFF said: "The only possible solution to the widespread uprisings in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng is decisive political intervention and engagement with our people.

"The deployment of the SANDF, must not pre-empt attempts to make political interventions. 

They added: "We will not collaborate in the bloodshed to come with this government, by walking behind guns that enter our communities. A government that deploys the army against its own people, has essentially conceded that it is no longer a government of the people."

The one thing the two parties agreed on is that there should have been more consultation with parliamentary structures. 

The EFF added that their lawyers will inquire as to what Ramaphosa meant when he said “by all means necessary” in his speech in referring to bringing calm where there are widespread protests.

"Ramaphosa has 12 hours to respond to the EFF’s legal letter, after which we will take appropriate action," they said.