Parliament receives President’s correspondence on deployment of SANDF members to protect Eskom power stations

8 May 2023

The Presiding Officers of Parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr. Amos Masondo, have received correspondence from President Cyril Ramaphosa on the authorization of 880 members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the prevention and combating of crime, maintenance, and preservation of law and order within the country under Operation Prosper.

According to the correspondence, the employed members of the SANDF will assist SAPS in protecting Eskom power stations identified around the country. It further states that 2700 members of the SANDF were previously employed to assist the SAPS in protecting Eskom power stations under Operation Prosper from March 17 to April 17, 2023.

The employment is done in accordance with Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of South Africa of 1996. The expected expenditure to be incurred for this employment amounts to R146 718 427.

The deployment was effective from 17 April 2023 to 17 October 2023.

Issued by Moloto Mothapo, Media Officer, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, 8 May 2023