“The president has noted reports that he gave an order for the army to be deployed in Cape Town, and it is not so.”
|||President Jacob Zuma has not given an order for the army to be deployed to gang-ridden areas in the city and is continuing his discussions with the ministers of police and defence.
Presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj confirmed that Zuma met Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega on Wednesday to consult with them on recent gang violence in areas like Hanover Park and Lavender Hill.
Last month, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille wrote to Zuma appealing to him to deploy the army, saying that gang violence had reached “crisis level” and the temporary employment of the army would bolster law-enforcement capacity.
Zuma asked for reports on the gang violence from the national Police Department and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
The departments would not divulge details of the assessments and recommendations in these reports, but confirmed that the information had been sent to the president.
On Thursday, Maharaj told the Cape Times: “The president has noted the media reports that he has given an order for the army to be deployed to certain areas in Cape Town, and it is not so.
“He is still consulting on the matter. I can confirm that he met with the minister of police and the national [police] commissioner.
“He advised them in the meantime to ensure that there is adequate, efficient and visible policing in the affected areas, and he is continuing his discussions with the minister of police and defence.”
National police spokesman Brigadier Lindela Mashigo told the Cape Times earlier that police had plans to enlist help from the army if and when it was needed.
He said police would lead operations targeted at gangs and that there were plans for the military to be called in when needed for airborne support. - Cape Times
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