This as Yam and his commanders from around the country are in Bloemfontein this week for an Extended Army Command Council held at the Mangaung Metro Municipality. He referred to an incident where SA soldiers who fought against Central African Republic rebels and as a result, 15 soldiers were killed in that war in 2014. Yam says in the case of warfare, all sectors and operations of the army will be mobilised from Bloemfontein.

Yam, however, says due to the financial constraints the army has since been forced to hold the command council only once a year as opposed to previous years when it was held twice a year. "It is not good as you may go a little bit weak on the good governance issues because you do not consistently look into them," he says.

Speaking to OFM News, Yam highlighted that they don’t have the capacity and financial means to carry out the current operation in the Western Cape to other gang-ridden provinces. He, however, said they are hopeful soldiers’ deployment there will not be expanded to other provinces.

Responding to OFM News’ inquiry on their state of readiness to combat crime in gang-ridden areas, Yam highlighted that crime prevention is the mandate of the SAPS and they will assist however they can when called to do so.

OFM News