SANDF flies cops to 'hot spots'

2008-05-22 17:06

Johannesburg - The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will supply helicopters to deliver police to xenophobia "hot spots" and will also help with cordons and searches, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday.

On Wednesday President Thabo Mbeki gave the go-ahead for the SANDF to be deployed to areas hit by the violence, which has left at least 42 people dead, following a request by the Safety and Security Ministry.

They would also help with foot and vehicle operations.

Mbeki authorised the deployment of regular and reserve force SANDF members to work with the police to prevent crime and maintain law and order, Brigadier General Kwena Mangope said.

Earlier, the army helped guard the perimeter of hostels being searched around Johannesburg.

Twenty eight people were arrested during the operations at the Wolhulter and George Goch hostels in Jeppe, and the Denver hostel in Cleveland.

Security rings

"Members of the SANDF from 21 South African Infantry Battalion were tasked with forming outer perimeter security rings while SAPS members entered the premises and carried out search, seizure and arrest duties," police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said.

She said the men were not arrested in direct connection with the xenophobic violence that erupted in those areas, but further investigations and interrogation would reveal possible involvement.

Although there has been a widespread call for army assistance, the SA National Defence Force Union (Sandu) said it was concerned about involving soldiers in dealing with the current wave of xenophobia-related attacks.

"The calling of the military to deal with a situation which falls directly within the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies of South Africa is undesirable," said secretary Pikkie Greeff.

Not a law enforcement agency

"It is morally, legally and politically indefensible and would carry with it the message that soldiers were free to be abused for political ends."

He said SANDF was not a law enforcement agency.

"Its first and foremost task in our democracy is to defend our country against military aggression. To this purpose SANDF members are trained in conventional warfare which is not compatible to law enforcement doctrine.

"To deploy our soldiers in the ambit of law enforcement and expect them to apply SAPS doctrine and training, places them at risk legally and politically."

Opposition parties said the deployment was "long overdue".

- SAPA