Africa-Press – South-Africa. The South African Defence Force (SANDF) said that its focus will be to look out for drug kingpins in the communities where they will be deployed as part of an anti-gang strategy, and not to chase after petty peddlers.
The heads of the deployment operation to help stem gangsterism in the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape say their troops are on track for their deployment on the first of April with training camps winding up.
Appearing before Parliament on Friday, the army chiefs however faced a grilling from MPs on how they will measure their success and whether troops are suitably trained to work in tandem with police, and in civilian areas.
The SANDF said despite the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) announcement in February, the deployment of troops could not be rushed.
Director of Operations Brigadier-General Martin Gopane said that a strategic plan had to be drawn up and troops had to receive proper training.
He’s moved to assure Parliament that there will be no blurring of lines with the police service.
“Each entity shall remain its distinct command authority throughout the operation: that is, commanding its own forces,” said Gopane.
Gopane added that the defence force will be focused on actionable intelligence, and if it makes any arrests, suspects will immediately be handed over to the police.
“We are not looking for the man on the ground. We are looking for the kingpins,” said Gopane.
He said that all troops who are being trained at bases across five provinces have been issued with strict guidelines on how to perform their duties.
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