SANDF deployment to Mozambique should be put on hold

17 July 2021

The DA calls on the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, to temporarily delay the deployment of the South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) to Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region, as part of the SADC Standby Force.

South Africa is currently facing an urgent national security risk in KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng following the ruinous looting and arson that characterised the politically motivated ANC riots of the past week.

The planned deployment of 25 000 SANDF members to the two Provinces is a huge commitment and proceeding with the Mozambique deployment will stretch our national defence capabilities to the limit. Priority should be placed on stabilising the security situation in the country and restoring law and order.

Following the announcement that Mozambique has finally signed the Status of Forces Agreement that will mark the start of troop deployment to Cabo Delgado, the participation of the SANDF in the SADC Standby Force is no longer tenable because of the prevailing security situation in South Africa.

The characterisation of the ANC riots as an insurrection by President Ramaphosa raised the stakes of the internal security challenge that the country is currently facing. As part of its constitutional mandate, the SANDF is now obliged to act on its primary responsibility to protect the country from further instability.

South Africa’s ability to meet its international military assistance obligations is only possible if our own internal security is stable and secure. For this reason, the Mozambique deployment should only proceed when there is an absolute certainty that that internal security threats have been contained.

Issued by Kobus Marais, DA Shadow Minister of Defence, 17 July 2021