Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has justified the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to KwaZulu-Natal, following criticism from members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
The soldiers were deployed as part of a joint law enforcement operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), known as Operation Prosper.
Committee members raised concerns that they had not been adequately informed about the Ministry’s decision to deploy the troops.
However, Motshekga maintained that escalating tensions linked to protests against illegal immigration had necessitated the urgent deployment of soldiers to the province.
“When we got the request, it was an emergency. I had to call the Chief of Defence to get joint operations to prepare our people overnight. It was actually within the early hours to quickly deploy people to KZN,” Motshekga said.
The Minister acknowledged the Department’s responsibility to keep Parliament informed about such decisions, appealing to committee members not to interpret the steps taken as an attempt to undermine their oversight role.
Motshekga also responded to questions about the preparedness and capabilities of the deployed troops, insisting that the soldiers were adequately trained and combat-ready.
“We don’t pick up people in the streets. It’s unfortunate that these are the questions we have to answer. We don’t just collect people in the streets and say they must get into the van and go assist in Durban. These people are trained soldiers and they are combat-ready,” she said.
The Minister expressed confidence in the plans to manage the situation, adding that SANDF members would work alongside other law enforcement agencies to maintain stability in the province.
