The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) says they deploying soldiers in Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal Provinces to assist law enforcement agencies in the local protests that were sparked due to the arrest of former president, Jacob Zuma.
Over the weekend there have been violent protests throughout the province, with Zuma’s Supporters burning vehicles and looting shops.
In a statement today, SANDF said the deployment is meant to provide safety, and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS (South African Police Service) and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their constitutional mandated law and duty.
“The South African Defense Force (SANDF) has commenced with pre deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligent Structure (NATJOINTS) to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days.
“The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place.” The statement read in part.
The 79-year-old Jacob Zuma was jailed for defying a court order to testify before a state-backed inquiry probing allegations of corruption during his term as president from 2009 to 2018.
His bid to be released from the Estcourt Correctional Centre was rejected by a regional court on Friday.
The rioting by Zuma’s supporters began in his home region of KwaZulu-Natal province last week and spread during the weekend to Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city.
