Operation Prosper: SANDF's R250M Effort to Secure Eskom and Curb Load-Shedding

Amidst South Africa's ongoing energy crisis, characterized by persistent load-shedding and energy shortages, a substantial government intervention involving the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has made headlines. Defence Minister Thandi Modise recently addressed Parliament with an assessment of this critical mission.

Since December 2022, the SANDF has been actively deployed to secure Eskom's power stations on President Cyril Ramaphosa's instruction. With this strategic move authorized under 'Operation Prosper', a national initiative aiming at keeping law and order, the military's presence has been vital in guarding against theft, vandalism, and criminal activities that exacerbate the energy crisis.

The financials underlying this deployment are substantial. Initially, the state incurred R146 million to protect Eskom's assets. This translates to a considerable investment in safeguarding the nation's energy provider, with costs averaging R165,909 per soldier over the duration or R27,651 monthly.

Notably, the operation's requirement for longevity prompted an extension. President Ramaphosa communicated to the head of the National Council of Provinces that a six-month extension would involve 880 SANDF members in a continued effort to defend Eskom from persistent threats. The estimated cost for this extended mission is R111 million, which breaks down to R125,000 per soldier over the tenure.

As the current deployment is slated to go on until the end of March 2024, the impact of the military's intervention has been significant. Minister Modise stated the positive outcomes, emphasizing a reduction in load-shedding occurrences and a fortified capability of the government to stabilize and invigorate the Energy Action Plan.

However, sustaining the military's heightened involvement has financial implications for the Department of Defence. The deployment has amplified the department's reserve force man-days and, in turn, its cost of employment budget. Discussions have been underway to address this monetary challenge, with the expectation that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) may facilitate a reimbursement through the assistance of National Treasury.

The resolve to deploy the SANDF underlines the severity of the threats against Eskom and the criticality of energy security for the nation's livelihood, economic stability, and international standing. This article, originally published by Daily Investor, underscores a key chapter in South Africa's approach to restoring energy resilience and the lengths the government is willing to go to protect its infrastructure.