Head of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), General Solly Shoke, as well as Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, admitted during the parliamentary session that SANDF has financial difficulties. It is also said that the deployment of the military to counter gang violence on the Cape Flats is not feasible because the army is not trained to combat urban civilian violence. SANDF troops have been in Cape Town for a week, but have not yet left the barracks because they are waiting for intelligence reports and still waiting on a withdrawal strategy.
Maroela Media reports that Shoke confirms that the SANDF is currently experiencing a major problem with the defense budget and that there are insufficient funds available to carry out their duties . According to Mapisa-Nqakula, only 15 companies were deployed at SA borders for effective border control, where 22 companies are needed. The shortcoming leads to the influx of illegal immigrants. When asked what those soldiers could do practically to stop immigrants, she just said better technology should be used.
Over the deployment of the Cape Flats army, Mapisa-Nqakula express her conceded and confirmed that troops were not trained to combat urban civilian violence and that SANDF has been in Cape Town for nearly a week. During this period where the army was sitting in the barracks, 43 people were killed violently on the Cape Flats. In answer to questions, they were uncertain whether the army would have the power to search homes and seize illegal goods. Nevertheless, the minister made great claims.
“We expect robust action. The army will not be intimidated by criminals. The expression is that the army only understands three things: boot, barrel and bullet, ”she said.