Four hundred and forty one members of the South African National Defence Force will be deployed until Friday‚ the presidency said in a statement.
The SANDF members will help police “maintain law and order” during the opening of parliament‚ the Presidency said.
The military deployment will last until February 10.
Security is expected to be unusually tight at this year’s address.
At least seven streets are expected to be closed surrounding the parliamentary precinct‚ according to an internal memorandum from secretary to parliament Gengezi Mgidlana to all staff members.
Staff who are not performing any specific duties on the day of the address have been told not to come in.
Meanwhile, there has been a public outcry following the decision, reports Sydney Morweng, news editor.
Various opposition parties have slammed the move as ‘unconstitutional’ and borders on ‘cowardness by the president’.
It’s been years’ since such a move to have military and police on guard at SONA.
Some even lamented the president might be fearing for his life, following confirmed reports that protestations and marchers by civic organizations will go ahead.
SABC political correspondent Ntebo Mokobo during interview this morning, said he was also surprised by the move and went on to reiterate it was promulgated by the office of the Presidency.
Honestly, speaking this is a waste of tax payers’ money.
