Army and police still to decide on the deployment of army
ALEXANDRA - The Ministers of Defence and State Security held talks with representatives of migrant community in Alexandra with regard to the earlier announcement of the deployment of the army.
UPDATE 10PM
This, they said, is still to be determined from the on-going assessment of the security situation on the ground. In addition to disturbances that happened in Alexandra yesterday during the visit by EFF leader Julius Malema, there was a shooting.
In the briefing, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula said there was also a concern of illegal guns in the possession of residents and the foreign nationals.
She said this was unacceptable and required police attention and if necessary to also seek the support of the army to help maintain the law and create an environment conducive to co-existence.
Maphisa-Nqakula said criminals exploited an environment where there was stress and tensions between citizens and nationals from other countries. State Security Minister David Mahlobo added that since the outbreak of the xenophobic attacks seven lives were lost, three of them South African national and four, foreign nationals.
Mahlobo said this was indicative of the violence not being limited only to attacks on foreign nationals but it also affected the locals, though the number was not large but still unacceptable, it is of concern that lives were lost and this require a collaborative approach between the police and the army.
Mahlobo requested both citizens and non-citizens to play a more active role in helping to reduce whatever tensions may be existing in the community. This he said in reference to the pamphlets said to be circulating in the community promoting xenophobia.
He said the pamphlets should be turned over to the police to enable investigations into their origin. Some of them were in fact attempts by criminals to scare foreign nationals from their business so they could rob them, hence the need for everyone to co-operate with the police.
Maphisa-Nqakula also urged foreign nationals who may want to return to their countries of origin to seek government’s assistance but those were committed to staying should know that the state will protect them as it is a Constitutional responsibility.
Other government departments were also available to offer shelter and other services to those who may require them.
UPDATE: 8.36PM – State Security Minister David Mahlobo said they were not just deploying soldiers into Alex but this was a nationwide operation designed to curb any flare-ups of attacks on foreign nationals.
“We are launching it in Alex because of the horrific killing of Mozambican national, Emmanuel Sithole last week. What will happen is that we shall hold discussion with various stakeholders to assess the situation and also determine whether there is a need to deploy the army.
“If there is no need for their deployment now, then they will be standby for any need that might arise, so they can act quickly and decisively to protect lives and restore order and normality to communities,” the Minister said.
He also spoke about the cordial relations they have with countries affected and those sympathetic to the plight of foreigners and what was happening in South Africa at the moment.
“We are in constant touch with their various diplomatic representatives and missions in this and they have also expressed their gratitude for the actions we have taken to stabilise and normalise the situation on the ground and to protect their nationals living in this country.”
The issue of deployment will come from the current press conference being addressed outside right.
Army officials can be seen outside the Alex Police Station
UPDATE: 6:30PM – According to the spokesperson of the SANDF, Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga, the army has not yet been deployed in Alexandra.
Mabanga, told our journalists at the scene that the soldiers currently in Alexandra are there to meet with the Alex Police force and asses the situation.
They are discussing logistics with the police, to find out how many soldiers are needed in Alexandra. Mabanga further stated that the army is there to assist the Alexandra SAPS.
At this stage it is still unclear as to when the army will be deployed.
UPDATE: 5.45pm – The first signs of an army presence have been seen at the Alex Police Station, where the Defense Minister is expected to address media and residents within the next hour.
This comes after an earlier announcement by Defense Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
DA leader Helen Zille encouraged the announcement, saying if deploying the army in Alexandra can save lives it’s the right thing to do, but expressed her disappointed in government for not deploying the army in gang affected areas in the Western Cape when she has requested help.
Alex News is on the scene and while the journalists say there is a heavy police presence, no army troops are visible at this moment.
UPDATE: 3:25pm – According to an officer from the SANDF,, it is believed that the army is assessing the situation and will decide later today if the SANDF is needed in Alex.
The warrant officer is currently in Alexandra and says that he has not received any order yet to be deployed in the area. Updates to follow.
UPDATE: 3pm – Our journalist is currently driving around Alex in an attempt to spot members from SANDF.
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UPDATE: 2pm –According to a press release sent out by the South African Defense Union it has been confirmed that the SANDF will be deployed to Alex.
The statement reads:
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s announcement today that SANDF personnel will be deployed in areas plagued by on-going xenophobic violence.
SANDU wishes to place on record that it has no objection to the deployment of soldiers, wherever required, as long as this is done within the prescripts of the Defence Act (No. 42 of 2002) and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
According to reports, it is believed that the army has been seen arriving in Alex and soldiers will conduct a walk about later in the area, this evening.
INITIAL REPORT: It is believed that the South African Defense Force will be deployed to Alexandra to try and control the xenophobic attacks taking place in the area.
According to News24, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said that many people on the ground will appreciate the decision to bring in the defence force.
The report further stated that the soldiers would not be taking over the work of police but would be assisting them in maintaining the peace.
View some tweets about the army being deployed in Alex:
The media is being mischievous in the comparison of the SANDF deployment to Marikana & that being done now to Alex.
— Nonceba Mhlauli (@NoncebaMhlauli) April 21, 2015
If you don't comply with our Constitutional Order, then you are an Enemy of the State. I fully support the SANDF deployment #NotoXenophobia
— Mbatini (@ArnoldShelez) April 21, 2015
No nation sits and watch criminals butcher innocent human beings. SA is not gonna be ruled by anarchists. I support Nqakula #DeploySoldiers
— Zikhali Tiyeka 🇿🇦 (@Siya_Blanco) April 21, 2015
Army being sent into Alex despite M.Nqakula telling @gwalax SANDF wouldnt be deployed; werent trained in 'crowd control' but 'shoot to kill'
— Kate Stegeman (@KatesCurious) April 21, 2015
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