Outrage over deployment of troops at SONA 2017
Opposition parties are livid after President Jacob Zuma's decision to deploy soldiers ahead of his State of the Nation Address tomorrow evening.
President Jacob Zuma has authorised the deployment of 441 soldiers to assist police in 'law and order' activities for the Opening of Parliament tomorrow evening.
The Presidency says the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will be employed together with the police from 5 to 10 February.
The DA's Chief Whip, John Steenhuisen, says their legal team is considering a possible urgent court interdict.
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"I will accordingly seek an urgent meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, as the Head of the Legislative arm of the State, over this worrying development and seek a definitive response on behalf of Parliament that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated by the executive," says Steenhuisen.
Cope's Denis Bloom agrees that the President has no legal grounds for the deployment.
"It is only in a state of emergency or a war that you deploy soldiers on civilians," says Bloem.
The EFF's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says the presence of the SANDF at Parliament is a declaration of war.
"It must be seen as the declaration of war on citizens, which means Zuma is planning to murder those he disagrees with at the SONA. The military has no place in the maintenance of law and order as the South African Police Services are given such a mandate. The military are people who get deployed for war and whose training is about killing the enemies of the state," says Mbuyiseni.
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The party has vowed that its MP's would not allow Zuma to deliver his speech, calling him an illegitimate President.
"We know for sure that this initiative by Zuma is done to intimidate the media and the EFF. Zuma no longer has confidence on the rank and file, including captains with the SAPS to execute his illegal decisions and instructions. He now hopes to use SANDF to suppress opposition to his illegitimacy as a constitutional delinquent," says Ndlozi.