Well, following the President address Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa on Sunday, he extended the Covid-19 level 4 lockdown until 25 July and many, expected him to address the violence that has erupted especially in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng by declaring the deployment of SANDF.
Although he did not, this morning in Pietermartizburg, the capital city of KZN, soldiers were seen all over directing traffic.
This follows thecabinet decision to deploy members of the military, as widespread protests, which have resulted in the looting and torching of shops and trucks, has attracted the attention of the cabinet.
“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,” according to sources.
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.
“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.
“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
Although the deployment of army is welcome the question still remain on, where is the intelligence and how effective it is?
Meanwhile, reports are protesters will be making inroads to areas such as Balfour Park Mall, not far from Alexandra, Kew, Houghton, Norwood and Orange Grove.
Sources confirmed the looters intend to overtake some of the suburbs and hinted with a tongue-in cheek “demand houses” in those areas.
Such threats should be taken into consideration and police force should be on high alert, including private securities.
Johannesburg CBD is still quite but tense as shops and businesses were looted last night.
Image (Set to roll. Army deployment ready to deal with anarchy in SA).
