Ramaphosa extends deployment of 20 000 troops
President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the green light for 20 000 soldiers to keep their boots on the ground until the end of September.
Ramaphosa has informed Parliament of his decision to extend the soldiers’ deployment, which forms part of the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Their service is in co-operation with the South African Police Service to maintain law and order, to support other state departments and to control South Africa’s border line to combat spread of Covid-19 in all nine provinces,” parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Friday.
The extension is expected to cost the taxpayer some R1.5 billion.
“The president has asked the speaker and the chairperson to bring the contents of the report to the attention of their respective houses,” says Mothapo.
“On 25 March, the president authorised employment of 2 820 SANDF members and this number was increased on 21 April to 76 000.”
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