Election troops cost R38m to deploy

President Jacob Zuma has confirmed that the deployment of hundreds of troops to secure the local polls cost millions.

|||

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has confirmed to the National Assembly the deployment of hundreds of troops to secure the local polls amounted to millions of rands.

Zuma said in a letter to Parliament on Thursday that R38 million had been allocated for the duration of the municipal poll period.

He said he would give a report to the joint standing committee on defence on the troop deployment. The National Council of Provinces will also be informed.

The troops were deployed across the country with several areas identified as hotspots.

A total of 2 300 troops were deployed for this poll to work with the SA Police Service.

Early last week Police Minister Nathi Nhleko told the media in Cape Town that 100 000 policemen and women were deployed to protect voters during this period.

Zuma said the soldiers would be pulled off the streets next week Wednesday.

Election Bureau