×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Military to be deployed in KZN and Gauteng as looting spreads

Police were outnumbered by looters in parts of Durban on Monday.
Police were outnumbered by looters in parts of Durban on Monday.
Image: Sandile Ndlovu

The cabinet has taken a decision to deploy members of the military in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in the wake of the protests against the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.

The widespread protests, which have resulted in the looting and torching of shops and  trucks, has attracted the attention of the cabinet.

Insiders have told SowetanLIVe's sister publication TimesLIVE the decision to deploy the army was taken at a special meeting of the justice crime prevention and security cluster of the cabinet on Monday.

Sources also revealed the meeting is still ongoing but the process of informing parliament and other relevant stakeholders has started.

In terms of the law, President Cyril Ramaphosa, as commander in chief of the army, is obliged to inform parliament about military deployment within the country or abroad.

TimesLIVE has it on good authority that the army is likely to be deployed by the end of Monday.

“There will be shoes on the ground. By end of the day I’m convinced there will be shoes on the ground,” said an insider familiar with the discussions.

It is understood the army will initially be brought in to assist police to quell the protests which are seemingly getting out of hand.

“The deployment will be according to the police plan. It’s not necessarily a deployment of soldiers. They will go where the police are saying they need a hand,” said an insider.

This is a developing story.

TimesLIVE


Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.