Ramaphosa authorises deployment of 2,700 soldiers until March
President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed parliament on the authorisation of 2,700 troops to work with the police.
The troops will assist the police in the prevention and combating of crime and preservation of law and order within the country.
25,000 soldiers were deployed to violence-torn KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng during the July unrest.
The soldiers were reduced to 10,000 after the looting and riots.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed that the current deployment will cost over R233 million.
“The employment is done in accordance with Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of South Africa of 1996 and Section 18 (1) of the Defence Act of 2002. The expected expenditure to be incurred for this employment amounts to R 233 296 240,” he says.
The deployment is effective from 18 December 2021 to 18 March 2022, says Mothapo.
ALSO READ