SANDF on standby to assist in Covid-19 mitigation efforts

The South African Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to assist and support state departments in their efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

In a memo signed on on Sunday seen by Moneyweb, the army’s ground forces have been instructed to “prepare, provide and sustain one sub-unit per province” to provide support for state departments from Monday “until the outbreak is contained”. 

The memo comes as the number of confirmed cases of people with Covid-19 infections surged to 402 on Monday and teh nation waits to hear an update from President Cyril Ramaphosa on how the current regulations will be strengthened to mitigate the spread while salvaging the economy.

A week ago Ramaphosa declared a national disaster in response to the rapidly spreading Covid-19 virus which resulted in a number of departments issuing regulations pertaining to limits to gathering numbers and restrictions on international travel and alcohol sales in restaurants and stores.

The SANDF would not confirm and refute the authenticity of the memo stating that they would comment once Ramaphosa makes his announcement. 

Read: Covid-19: Averting a national disaster

The document makes provision for one subunit to be deployed to seven provinces except for Limpopo. Gauteng will receive two subunits at the of which one will be at the  City of Tshwane and the other in the City of Johannesburg. 

The SANDF will provide coordinated assistance to the South African Police Service (Saps) on the ground and ensure that there’s a consistent presence of either law enforcement body. 

The memo states further that neither force “must be used to the detriment of another” or trespass on another’s authority.

Source: moneyweb.co.za