Hon Chairperson and
hon members, the SA National Defence Force was not designed or aimed at being utilised internally. But it should be understood that whenever state control and state authority is being undermined to such an extent that it endangers the lives of the citizens of the
Republic of South Africa and the destruction of properties belonging to citizens, it is equally mandated in terms of the law to address such as part of the whole government approach in support of other state departments, and in this case in support of the Police.
The SA National Defence Force was mandated to deploy as part of Operation Prosper and Operation Lock Down from 12 July to 16 September this year. The deployment of the SA National Defence Force in the Cape Flats is a success because where other state entities had lost access into areas engulfed with violence, the Defence Force has made it possible for them to access such areas as part of their service delivery mandate. Statistics and details can be made available to indicate what has happened and what is happening currently within the communication policy on operations by the police. It must be taken into consideration that stabilising a hostel environment is not an overnight or instant occurrence. The SA National Defence Force remains committed to address and perform its mandate within the given task. We do have statistics and I am sure the Police will provide it when time comes. Thank you very much, Chair.