Cyril Ramaphosa Deploys SANDF to Eskom Power Stations Nationally to Fight Crime

• President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed the South African National Defence Force to various places in the country
• He deployed soldiers at Eskom facilities in the country and in other areas nationally to combat crime
• The total deployment will cost taxpayers R203 million and will last until next year

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, service delivery protests and heritage in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed members of the South African National Defence Force to different Eskom power stations nationwide to protect them from crime.

Ramaphosa deploys soldiers to protect national key points

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According to TimesLIVE, Ramaphosa's deployment is expected to continue until March next year and will set the taxpayers back by R203.9 million. He revealed that the members would work hand-inihand with members of the South African Police Service to protect national key points like its power infrastructure. The operation is called Operation Prosper Eskom Power Stations and according to Ramaphosa, it came into effect in April this year.

Ramapbosa also revealed that 746 members of the SANDF have been deployed. They will work with the police to prevent and fight crime and maintain and preserve the law. Ramaphosa had previously deployed soldiers to Eskom infrastructure in 2022 when criminals were targeting power stations. This led to the loss of diesel and cables and malicious property damage.

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South Africans unconvinced by deployment

Netizens on Facebook were not moved by Ramaphosa deploying members of the SANDF.

Mashele Bongani Bang said:

"Deployment my foot. They should do that permanently."

James Saltana said:

"They are fighting crime for their re-election and not for us. They are guarding Eskom because they are afraid of sabotage and loadshedding."

Charlene Andrews Jood said:

"They like locking themselves inside the police station during dangerous situations anyway, so why not?"

Noto Rapulana Sejosengoe said.

"Good. It's not like they got many other gigs going on anyway."

Hlubi N Hadebe said:

"The president of extension."

Ramaphosa confident in 2nd term

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa was confident he will get a second term in office.

Ramaphosa revealed during a recent interview that he would like to take the country in a different direction.

Source: Briefly News