Government has denied accusations that South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were deployed to Matatiele, in the Eastern Cape, this week, where protestors demanded justice following the alleged rape of a seven-year-old child.

On Tuesday the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA called for transparency on the alleged presence of soldiers at the march.

The EFF and ActionSA said any deployment would have been unconstitutional as no notice was given to Parliament, as is required by law.

“The SANDF has noted with concern reports and allegations of a so-called ‘deployment’ in Matatiele to monitor a community march against gender-based violence (GBV). The SANDF can confirm that there has been no such deployment. We wish to clarify that SANDF members are currently in the area solely for border safeguarding duties,” government said.

It expressed regret for the presence of any soldiers seen during the march against GBV and said the SANDF was a gender-sensitive organisation that supported gender-related programmes.

“We are fully aware of the unacceptably high levels of GBV and the widespread violence against women and children. The SANDF supports all efforts by institutions and citizens aimed at addressing this national crisis,” government said.