The South African National Defense Force (SANDF), deployed to support Mozambique in the fight against Islamic terrorism in Cabo Delgado province, is to remain in the field of operations until April 15, by decision of the South African President (PR), Cyril Ramaphosa.

The South African Parliament published a letter from Ramaphosa, signed on February 28, 2022 and released this Friday (04/03), where the PR explains that "the SANDF military will continue to support the Republic of Mozambique for the period January 16, 2022 to April 15, 2022."

A government source connected to the South African defense cited by Lusa revealed that the local parliament was informed about the letter the night before, that is, on Thursday (03/03).

"I requested the chairman [of the parliamentary committee] to inquire of the President as to why he only informed us with a letter dated February 28 when the extension was authorized with effect from January 16," the lusa source said.

"He argued that the Constitution does not define 'promptly' or unreasonable delay. He wanted us to accept it as not unreasonable delay and not to question the President of the Republic. I refused to accept that," he stressed.

According to the head of state's letter to the president of the National Assembly, the deployment of 1,495 military personnel will cost about R985 million.

"The current high-risk circumstances, the limited resources to support our soldiers, the death of Colonel Radebe a short time ago, and our constitutional responsibility and duty to ensure that soldiers are not unreasonably exposed to high risk, certainly require that we all have relevant information at all times."