Presidency at odds on CAR

The Presidency appears to be at odds on whether South Africa will be sending troops back to the Central African Republic (CAR). President Zuma must urgently provide clarification on whether the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to the CAR.

Yesterday in the National Assembly, in response to a question by DA Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe, told Parliament that "With a very straight face, clear conscience, I deny that the government is planning to send more troops to the CAR".

Only a few hours later, President Jacob Zuma contradicted this statement. In an interview, he said that he was awaiting a formal request from regional leaders in Central Africa to redeploy our troops. He confirmed that he had already had a verbal request but was waiting for a written request. He said: "That will be considered by us when it is formally put. If that request comes, if we did not go, it would not be in keeping with our policy."

There appears to be a clear indication that the President, if not the government, is considering sending our troops back to the CAR.

The DA will be submitting a parliamentary question today to ask for clarification on whether our troops will be sent back to the CAR.

South Africans have a right to be informed as to whether the government is planning on sending our troops into a conflict zone.

The DA supports the SANDF being deployed to support peacekeeping missions particularly in the SADC region. However, we remain opposed to the SANDF being deployed back to the CAR.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, April 25 2013

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