Jan

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South Africa's biggest army deployment since 1994

South Africa is expected to deploy the largest number of defence force members in the country since 1994 to help law enforcement officials clamp down on the rampant looting and public violence that has plagued much of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng in recent days.

Launched on 12 July, Operation PROSPER initially saw 2,500 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops deployed to assist police with restoring law and order in areas affected by the attacks.
 
Thanks @Jan. So many people have been complaining about the higher deployment last year, which is impossible since the entire SANDF is only 75000 strong (Army, air force, navy etc). So they could not deploy 70000 troops last year.
 
Well we're all learning, and its nice to see the clarification on numbers.

Personally I was aware we hadn't deployed 70000 soldiers on the ground, but had "deployed" all the soldiers and support staff and such...
 
I wont believe any articles I read unless Jan the man has published them
 
@Jan / @Hanno Labuschagne

article states: "Oliver also reiterated that there would be no change to the legal powers assigned to the force."

different opinion here that unlike for lock down military is now deployed with same powers as police (power to arrest etc.)

 
@Jan / @Hanno Labuschagne

article states: "Oliver also reiterated that there would be no change to the legal powers assigned to the force."

different opinion here that unlike for lock down military is now deployed with same powers as police (power to arrest etc.)

He contextualises his statement as follows:

“This deployment is still one in cooperation with the SAPS, not replacing it, and many of those called up would not be well-suited for patrols in cities anyway,” he stated.

You are correct that the SANDF is deployed with the power to arrest, though the Code of Conduct also makes it clear that this is a mission to support SAPS and not replace them.

As a point of interest, the Code of Conduct highlights that the SANDF does not have the power to investigate crime.

I'll double-check if the SANDF had arrest powers during lockdown, thanks!
 
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