Where is the SANDF?

13 July 2021

The IFP believes that the number of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops deployed to KwaZulu-Natal - in particular to Pietermaritzburg and surrounds - will be woefully ineffective to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in quelling the violence, looting and destruction of property in the province.

We are extremely concerned that nothing has changed overnight since the President addressed the nation.

While we have issued a statement on the President's hollow response to the violence gripping our country, it appears that the SANDF is nowhere to be found.

Furthermore, the IFP strongly believes that the mere deployment of the SANDF is not enough to contain the situation, as we stand on the precipice of a national crisis.

A contingent of only 2 500 troops deployed nationwide, versus the 70 000 SANDF troops deployed during the lockdown, speaks to a Government that doesn’t seem prepared to tackle this anarchy on our streets head-on.

Government appears to be fast asleep at the wheel while the country burns. It is imperative that the President, together with the Cabinet Ministers responsible for the Justice and Security Cluster, act with urgency in working to restore peace, justice and to uphold the rule of law. Millions of lives and livelihoods are being destroyed and our economy is losing billions each day due to indecision by the Executive.

Issued by Velenkosini Hlabisa, President, IFP, 13 July 2021