President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 10 000 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service during the upcoming local government elections, at a cost of just over R47-million.

The deployment is effective from the kick-off of special votes on October 30 until November 3.

Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo said on Thursday that they had received correspondence from the President regarding the deployment.

“SANDF members are employed in cooperation with the South African Police Service for the establishment of a safe and secure environment during the elections,” they said.