WATCH: Govt equipped, ready to deal with any threats - Modise
Defence Minister Thandi Modise has moved to assure South Africans that the government is equipped and ready to deal with any potential threats to the country’s security.
Modise spoke to Jacaranda FM News ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening.
The SONA comes amid concerns from some quarters that South Africa could face security threats following its decision to drag Israel to the International Court of Justice.
South Africa believes Israel has committed acts of genocide against the Palestinian people during its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Modise says the government is aware that challenging Israel, and by extension powerful allies such as the US, UK and Germany, does come with risks.
"I want to assure South Africans that in whatever we do, our priority is always South Africans.
...protecting our industries, making sure that our economy grows, making sure that our babies are safe at night- that is our job, and we will do that as diligently as we can," said Modise.
Modise said the government won’t be caught by surprise the same way it was when the July unrest broke out in 2022.
"Those preparations are always 24/7. We are always on the lookout. Our ears are open. Our eyes are wide open.
“So we are watching, and we want to say to South Africans, it will be very difficult for us to see that repeat of the July unrest and if anybody dares, they will get us," said Modise.
#SONA2024 [WATCH] Defence Minister Thandi Modise has assured South Africans that the government is equipped and ready to deal with any potential security threats.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 8, 2024
She says the government was aware that challenging Israel at the ICJ does come with risks. pic.twitter.com/ANhThbGRmv
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