Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has authorised the deployment of some 2 000 troops to assist the police during the May 7 elections and the presidential inauguration, his office said on Wednesday.
Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said 1850 members of the SA National Defence Force would be on duty around the country on election day to help maintain law and order.
A further 247 would be deployed in Gauteng on May 24 to step up security in the province for the inauguration at the Union Buildings.
Sapa