SANDF: Members NOT deployed to Nkandla to confront Zuma supporters

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied some of the reports claiming its members have been sent to Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), to prevent the situation outside of former president Jacob Zuma’s home, from spinning out of control.

“The SANDF would like to condemn the numerous false reports on social media and other platforms of soldiers and sympathisers of former president Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma following the judgement of the Constitutional Court ruling on a matter between the former president and the Commission of Inquiry on Allegations of State Capture,” the SANDF said in a statement.

There’s one day left before Zuma is scheduled to present himself to authorities, and start serving his sentence. Earlier in the week, the Constitutional Court found Zuma guilty of contempt of court – a ruling which was in favour of the State Capture Commission. The commission had approached the apex court, after he refused to appear – in violation of another ruling handed by the same court. The former president was then sentenced to 15 months in prison and has until Sunday, 4 July 2021, to hand himself over to either the Nkandla police station or Johannesburg Central police station.

SANDF on Nkandla ‘deployment’

Some social media users had claimed members of the SANDF had been deployed to Nkandla, in the wake of the ruling – this was apparently to prevent chaos from ensuing, as Zuma supporters have been making their way there, as a show of solidarity to him. Some of his supporters have warned of unrest unfolding, should police attempt to arrest him.

“We would like to reassure South Africans not to be misled by these malicious reports intended to cause panic and chaos. The SANDF has not been deployed for any role at Nkandla”

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF)

“There are competent agencies empowered by our Constitution to be deployed at any stage, time and place in the country as situations demand,” the SANDF further said.

It added that it remains resolute and committed to its mandate to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of South Africa, which does not extend to unleashing brute force or violence against citizens.