By: Natasha Archary
Some 200 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been placed on standby, due to possible threats of unrest in the country.
This after protests in Kagiso and Tembisa have sparked public outcry for SANDF to be deployed in order to restore order.
In a letter that was reportedly authorised by Maj-Gen Patrick Dube, general officer commanding the Army’s infantry formation, SANDF may be deployed within a 24-hour standby notice.
A military council meeting held last week, in anticipation of further unrest, have pushed the decision. Before SANDF is deployed, President Cyril Ramaphosa would need to sanction the move in Parliament and sign off on the order.
SANDF may be deployed in areas that are crime and riot hotspots, where the communities have taken matters into their own hands.
Last week, residents of Kagiso burnt down the dwellings of illegal zama zamas in the area, following the rapes of 8 women.
Residents of Tembisa took to the streets and burnt down many municipal buildings and vehicles over a lack of service delivery.
Four people were killed in the Tembisa protests, one by a police nyala vehicle.
The current situation in the country is volatile and there are fears these unrests will spread to other parts of the country without intervention.
News that SANDF will be on standby, comes just days after it was announced that 3000 SANDF soliders will be laid off within 3-years.
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