Parly committee casts doubt on preparedness of SANDF deployment

Members of Parliament’s Joint Defence Committee have cast doubt on the preparedness of the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) deployment to help the police combat crime in three provinces.

Members of the committee also said it's become evident that there's a disconnect between the SANDF's submission and the police's briefing from earlier in the week.

The SANDF and Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa briefed the committee on Friday on the deployment and their levels of preparedness.

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Parliament received its second briefing of the week on the deployment on Friday, after the police gave the first update on Wednesday.

But members of the Joint Defence Committee were left with more questions than answers following Friday's briefing by the SANDF.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Lisa Schickerling complained about the lack of details in the plan.

“In actual fact, you haven't given us any dates of when you deploy. So, I don't know. It’s just like there's a massive disjoint here between what is going on.”

Committee member Nicholas Gotsell said, “We need answers. So at least give us that today. Training, has it taken place is it taking place?”

The defence force confirmed that the deployment would cost more than R800 million.

But acting Secretary of Defence Thobekile Gamede said they won't divulge the strength of "boots on the ground" for the deployment so they don't compromise their plan.