The police minister made the revelations in written answers to a parliamentary question from the opposition Democratic Alliance.

BBC: Oscar Pistorius case: South Africa police phones seized

But there was opposition to the British troops presence from the Northern Alliance.

CNN: UK troops set to be stood down

The opposition Democratic Alliance could wrest the province from the ANC at the election if it manages to join forces with a flurry of smaller opposition parties, as it did to win control of the city of Cape Town.

ECONOMIST: South Africa