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Members of the SANDF line up the Buitekant Street in Cape Town ahead of the State of the Nation Address.
Political parties have expressed mixed views regarding the deployment of the South African National Defence force to some of the crime-ridden areas in South Africa to assist the police.
Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum are currently debating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA)).
UDM leader and Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa says his party welcomes the deployment of soldiers in provinces ravaged by crime.
The troops will assist police in combating gangsterism and illegal mining. They will be deployed to the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape and Gauteng.
“Development cannot flourish without security. We, therefore, welcome the deployment of the SANDF in support of SAPS in crime epicenters such as the Cape Flats, Western Cape in general, as well as on issues relating to mining as well,” says Holomisa.
BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane has told the National Assembly that the deployment of soldiers to some of the country’s provinces that are ravaged by crime will not reduce the rate of murders.
Dr Maimane says President Ramaphosa’s speech was for two states, one that is turning the corner on the economic front and one that is facing high unemployment and poverty.
Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema says the deployment of soldiers to assist police in gang-ridden areas demonstrates that President Ramaphosa has failed to combat crime in the country.
His comments come after the president last week announced the deployment of SANDF officers to Gauteng and the Western Cape to help combat illegal mining and gang violence.
“Under your term, crime is out of control and your deployment of the army is the last resort. You are admitting that you have failed to fight crime. The people of Gauteng have been terrorized for too long by the so-called zama-zamas and on the deployment of the army, we have no choice but to support you. Because you have destroyed law enforcement capacity. Our concern is how do you deploy the military, which has been crippled by austerity measures, to fight crime,” says Malema.
The debate is taking place Tuesday and will continue Wednesday.
The president will reply to the debate on Thursday.
Parliament debates SONA 2026:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxBHeqMb80Y
