President Cyril Ramaphosa has dispatched 880 soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to protect Eskom power stations throughout the country until October 17th. The move is aimed at safeguarding power stations against crime and sabotage.
Previously, Ramaphosa had deployed 2,700 soldiers to protect Eskom power stations with their deployment ending on April 17th. The deployment of the 880 SANDF members is expected to cost the government over R146 million.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the SANDF members will collaborate with the South African Police Service in securing the power stations and preventing any criminal activities that may disrupt the functioning of power stations and electricity supply.
The deployment of SANDF members comes at a time when Eskom is facing significant challenges, including power outages that have been affecting businesses and individuals throughout the country. The deployment is a significant step towards ensuring that Eskom’s operations are protected and that the electricity supply is not disrupted.