A leaked South African National Defence Force document anticipates the need for soldiers to help police impose law and order, because ‘situation in the Republic of South Africa is gradually deteriorating into unrest’.
The document is dated 6 August, according to News24. It also reports that the SANDF has pointed out that only the President has the executive power to deploy soldiers in collaboration with other state actors.
SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Andries Mahapa said the document was never intended for public consumption, as it was an internal document for planning and coordinating purposes within the SANDF.
Mahapa said the document was released on social channels and landed in the wrong hands. The document was then taken out of context in terms of the warning and operation order, according to News24.
He said the SANDF, as a security apparatus, was concerned about insecurity that required an urgent and robust intervention to calm the situation and protect inhabitants.
The 6 August document stated that soldiers might be called ‘to play their secondary role… to support or cooperate with the South African Police Services (SAPS)’.
‘The situation in the Republic of South Africa is gradually deteriorating into unrest due to criminality that is taking place with the borders, which has been exacerbated by a perceived lack of action from security forces to combat criminality,’ the document stated.
It went on: ‘It is in this regard, the SA Army Infantry Formation has been ordered to go on 25-hour standby in anticipation of deploying in support or cooperation with the SAPS.’
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