South Africa to deploy soldiers to quell unrest over Zuma’s imprisonment

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it is set to deploy soldiers in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to assist law enforcement in their efforts to calm the ongoing unrest.

Violence had erupted in the provinces during protests which began on Wednesday against the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa.

Shops were looted and roads were blocked as the protesters marched through the city.

The police also said three officers have been injured, and the body of the 40-year-old man recovered from a shop in Johannesburg.

In a statement on Monday, SANDF said the deployment will commence as soon as all pre-deployment procedures are in place.

“The South African National Defence Force has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence 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 reads.

“The number and duration of deploying soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies.

“Furthermore, it must be emphasized that the SANDF’s deployment objective is to provide safety and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their constitutionally mandated law and order duties. SANDF deployment-related information updates will follow in due course.”