Motlanthe says no new CAR deployment

Image: GCIS

Replying to questions in the National Assembly, Motlanthe rubbished weekend reports that government was considering a new mission to the country.

This followed reports of an urgent request by the Economic Community of Central African States to send in SA troops.

"With a very straight face and clear conscience, I deny that the government is planning to send troops to the Central African Republic," Motlanthe said.

Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier wanted Motlanthe to "agree with him" that President Jacob Zuma had not properly informed Parliament about the real reasons behind the CAR deployment.

Motlanthe disagreed, insisting Zuma followed all the necessary parliamentary procedures before the deployment.

South African troops were withdrawn from the CAR following a bloody battle with rebel fighters last month, which left 13 SA National Defence Force soldiers dead.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge