'Deployment' of soldiers at Cwecwe march raises eyebrows

THERE was widespread condemnation and outrage after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was reportedly seen assisting police at the march to demand justice during the #JusticeForCwecwe march in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

- XOLILE MTEMBU, MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA and WENDY DONDOLO

As political parties demanded answers from the African National Congress (ANC), President Cyril Ramaphosa and the SANDF reacted swiftly to explain the presence of the soldiers in the vicinity of the march on Tuesday.

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini stated on Wednesday that despite reports suggesting the military's involvement in monitoring the protest, the soldiers in the vicinity were solely conducting border safeguarding duties.

“We would like to express sincere regret regarding the incident where our soldiers were seen during the march against gender-based violence in Matatiele,” Dlamini said in her letter.

The GOOD Party expressed its dismay at the situation, highlighting that peaceful protests are a constitutional right for South Africans and asserted that there was no apparent threat that warranted military presence.