South Africa has deployed 140 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the Kingdom of Lesotho to ensure long term political and security stability.

“Immediate Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervention was required in the Kingdom of Lesotho following the escalating tensions and the subsequent deterioration of political and security situation in August 2014,” said Minister in the Presidency for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town, he said the deployment of the 140 SAPS members commenced on 2 September and was expected to end on November 30.

He said this period could be extended if required.

“South Africa deployed the Police in Lesotho in terms of the South African Police Service Act 1995; (Act No.68 of 1995) provides that the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service may deploy police members outside the borders of the Republic, with the permission of the minister,” Radebe said.

He said there would be no Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa and the Government of Lesotho since the officers were deployed under the SADC mandate.

Ebola

Meanwhile, Radebe said health and port authorities were on high alert to identify and contain Ebola.

“To date approximately 525 health and laboratory workers and 13 hospitals and approximately 270 officials at nine high risk ports of entry are trained to deal with any eventualities,” he said.

Minister Radebe reaffirmed there were no incidents of Ebola in the country.