President Zuma must inform Parliament immediately of any new SANDF deployments

President Jacob Zuma must immediately inform Parliament about any new deployment of the defence force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, linked to the Central African Republic (CAR).

The President is making a big mistake if he thinks the defence force can be deployed - B.J. Vorster-style - in secret without informing the public and Parliament.

Ten days ago General Solly Shoke, Chief of the South African National Defence Force, said he was awaiting a "political decision" about how to proceed in the CAR. Yesterday, President Jacob Zuma, said that "We will be guided by the continent as to what to do next".

However, this statement seems to be misleading and it appears to be that a political decision has been made and that the SANDF are in the process of deploying a significant force to Gemena, DRC and Entebbe, Uganda (see Beeld report).

The deployment reportedly includes Gripen fighter jets and Rooivalk attack helicopters and was airlifted to the region by chartered Illuyshin 76's and Antonov 124's. The concern is that these forces may be used to "hit back" in the CAR. If the defence force is being deployed in the DRC and Uganda, why has Parliament not been informed?

The President has an obligation to inform Parliament "promptly and in appropriate detail" about any deployment of the defence force including the: 

• reasons;
• place;
• number; and
• period for which the defence force will be employed.

The President must comply with the Constitution and immediately inform Parliament of any new deployments of the defence force in the DRC and Uganda.

We will continue to ask the hard questions about the deployment of the defence force in the CAR, DRC and Uganda, despite the President's monumentally inappropriate threats at yesterday's Memorial Service for the thirteen soldiers who died in the CAR.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, April 3 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter