President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 880 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to safeguard a number of Eskom power stations around the country.
In a statement, the Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa had informed Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo, in writing of the deployment of SANDF in cooperation with SAPS.
“Members of the SANDF employed will assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in protecting Eskom power stations around the country where sabotage, theft and other crimes may threaten the functioning of power stations and the supply of electricity,” the statement read.
The deployment is effective from 17 April 2023 to 17 October 2023.
Previously, 2700 members of the SANDF were deployed to assist the SAPS in protecting Eskom power stations under Operation Prosper from 17 March 2023 to 17 April 2023.
According to the Presidency, the current deployment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
It said the expenditure expected to be incurred for this operation is R 146 718 427.
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