The President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deploy 25, 000 troops following the violent protests in South Africa.

Defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula requested the deployment of an additional 25,000 defense personnel to restore order in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng amid ongoing violence, looting, and the destruction of property in those provinces following the arrest of the former president, Jacob Zuma.

The minister told parliament on Wednesday that she is seeking approval from the National Security Council and president Cyril Ramaphosa.

In a virtual address to Parliament’s defence committee, Mapisa-Nqakula said that the president was not satisfied with the initial deployment of 2,500 soldiers.

A proposal for 10,000 soldiers was made during an earlier meeting between the president and party leaders represented in the National Assembly.

Parties represented at the meeting included the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement, Freedom Front Plus, Congress of the People, African Christian Democratic Party, the Good Party, Al-Jamah, the African Transformation Movement, National Freedom Party and the Pan Africanist Congress.

During the meeting, the president said the government is intensifying its efforts and working in partnership with civil society in an effort to stem public violence affecting various parts of the country.

Political leaders called for greater coordination among the police, the national defence force, intelligence agencies, private security services and community-based safety structures.

As of yesterday, more than 72 people were confirmed dead due to the ongoing protests in South Africa.