GAUTENG.- Reports coming in is that President Cyril Ramaphosa has just declared a State of Emergency in KwaZulu Natal. Ramaphosa is said to be mobilising the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) to fly from Waterkloof, Pretoria to Durban. Section 37 of the Constitution allows a State of Emergency to be declared  when (a) the life of the nation is threatened by war, invasion, general insurrection, disorder, natural disaster or other public emergency; and (b) the declaration is necessary to restore peace and order. 

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said that it has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days. The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place.

“The duration and number of deploying soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, it must be emphasised that the SANDF`s deployment objective is to provide safety and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their Constitutionally mandated law and order duties. SANDF deployment-related information updates will follow in due course.”