Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed the National Assembly and the Acting Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli on the extension of the employment of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) in various international obligations.
“The extension, which is in accordance with section 201(2)(C) of the constitution, is for services in fulfilment of significant international duties in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South African Development Community (SADC) Maritime security strategy,” the Presidency said Wednesday.
“The President has extended the employment of 1 495 members of the SANDF for service in fulfilment of an international obligation of the Republic of South Africa towards the SADC Region.
“The deployment will help combat acts of terrorism and violent extremists affecting the northern areas of Mozambique under Operation VIKELA.”
President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, explained that members of the SANDF employed will continue with their responsibilities of combating acts of terrorism and violent extremism, over the period 16 April 2024 to 31 December 2024.
The expenditure was estimated at R984 368 057.
The Presidency said the extended employment of 1 198 members of the SANDF at the estimated expenditure of R805 057 755 is for service in fulfilment of an international obligation towards the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (“MONUSCO”) in the DRC.
“Lastly, the 200 members of the SANDF extension of employment is for the fulfilment of an international obligation towards SADC Maritime Security Strategy,” the Presidency said.
This deployment will help counter the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities along the Southern African coast of the Indian Ocean.
The expenditure to be incurred for this deployment was estimated at R35 325 852.
“President Ramaphosa will communicate the report to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP),” Magwenya said.