Johannesburg-The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) has withdrawn the earlier statement on the deployment of the military during the planned EFF national shut down on the 20th March 2023.
According to the earlier statement the ‘SANDF elements’ were to be deployed under “Operation PROSPER” as from 17 March 2023 to 17 April 2023.
The statement had indicated that General Rudzani Maphwanya has been tasked and authorised to deploy various South African National Defence Force (SANDF) elements to render assistance to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other State Departments in anticipation of the planned National Shutdown protest marches across the country.
It was not clear at the time of publishing the story as to why the statement was recalled. EC Today understands that the deployment of the military has drawn mixed views with some calling it early signs of dictatorship while others viewed in a proactive move on the part of the government to prevent the repeat of the looting that has characterised protests in the recent past.
The new statement suggests that a revised one will be issued soon.
