SANDF to receive R800 million boost for anti-crime deployment

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is set to receive more than R800 million to fund the deployment of soldiers tasked with assisting the police in combating crime across several provinces.

The scale of the military deployment is significantly broader than initially outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

During his State of the Nation Address, the President indicated that the army would primarily provide support in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

However, the collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the SANDF will now extend to the Free State, where operations will specifically target illegal mining activities.

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence met today to receive a briefing on the SANDF’s preparedness.

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Parliament has been informed that soldiers are currently undergoing specialised training to ensure they are equipped to handle interactions with civilians appropriately during their operations.

Thobekile Gamede, the Acting Secretary of Defence, briefed Members of Parliament (MPs) on the financial requirements for the operation.

"It’s almost above R800 million," Gamede stated. "It is in the employment papers that have already been submitted to the Minister, and I’ve learnt that the employment papers are already with the President. Once the President signs the papers, they will be sent to the National Treasury."

Despite the high cost, Gamede noted that the deployment is currently unfunded. Because the mission was announced after the national budget was passed, the Department of Defence will be required to tap into other available resources to cover the initial costs.