President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated that soldiers attached to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will continue to be deployed in parts of the country to assist the police, fight crime and maintain law and order.
Ramaphosa previously deployed 25 000 soldiers from July 12 to August 12 to parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal following protest and looting action. However, the latest extension from August 13 to September 13 will cost the government around R225 million, News24 reports. In a letter addressed to the National Council of Province’s (NCOP) chairperson Amos Masondo, Ramaphosa said that the soldiers’ main objective is to be there to assist the SAPS in combating crime across the country.
This isn’t the first time it will cost the South African government a huge amount to deploy soldiers after the country sent 1 495 troops to Mozambique in July, following unrest in the northern Cabo Delgado region. The deployment reportedly cost around R984 368 057.
Meanwhile, EWN reported that victims of the Marikana massacre are planning to take the president and mining company, Sibanye, to court for comments they made regarding the massacre. Monday, August 16, marked nine years since 34 mineworkers were killed by police during a strike over pay.
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Picture: Cape{town} etc gallery