Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are seen outside the Rand Light Infantry Regiment Base in Craighall Park, Johannesburg, on March 23, 2020, ahead of an address to the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa on steps to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the country, which now has the highest infections in sub-Saharan Africa. – On March 23, 2020, South Africa announced 402 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, an increase of 128 from the March 22, 2020 tally. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP)
Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are seen outside the Rand Light Infantry Regiment Base in Craighall Park, Johannesburg, on March 23, 2020, ahead of an address to the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa on steps to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the country, which now has the highest infections in sub-Saharan Africa. – On March 23, 2020, South Africa announced 402 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, an increase of 128 from the March 22, 2020 tally. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP)
With the prospect of a total lockdown looming large, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have mostly kept mum on what is to come from them. However, batches of SANDF troops have been spotted in several areas of the country, appearing to mobilise.
On the evening of Sunday 22 March, a voice memo that was supposedly intended for internal SANDF use, was widely circulated. In the unverified message it was declared that all SANDF staff leave would be immediately cancelled, and that the army would mobilise to change its status from a peace-keeper to a “war-ready” force.
The memo made mention of roadblocks being enforced during the upcoming operation and called for troops to become organised at various locations.
The SANDF could not comment on the memo, and told The South African that they would act according to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions which he would announce later this evening in his address to the nation.
Forces could be seen occupying barracks in Rosebank, Gauteng. The province is the epicentre of South Africa’s growing coronavirus crisis, where there have been 207 confirmed cases up until now.
There are 402 confirmed cases nationwide.
Can the SANDF be mobilised at this stage?
With the country currently in a state of disaster, the growing suspicion is that with coronavirus numbers rapidly mounting, a state of emergency will be declared sooner rather than later.
If this is the case, the SANDF could very well be used as an intermediary force, with the jurisdiction even detailed under a state of disaster.
“[The SANDF] must for the declared national state of disaster release and mobilise any available resources, including human resources, stores, equipment, ships, aircraft platforms, vehicles and facilities; and ensure the delivery of essential services,” according to the Government Gazette (number 43107) under the authorisation of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Department of Defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said over the weekend that the SANDF would be ready for any eventuality.
“We are waiting for the multidisciplinary team leading government’s response to say there is a need for the SA Defence Force to enter. We will abide. We are part of planning throughout and part of meetings daily,” he said.
Can SANDF manage the state of disaster?
The Sunday Times reported over the weekend that the SANDF would not be able to afford the cost of a state-of-emergency operation.
“For an effective lockdown, we need much more than what we currently have. Otherwise it’s as good as nonexistent. Its chances of success are minimal,” a SANDF official reportedly told the newspaper.
It is not yet clear exactly what the cost of such an operation might be, but with the SANDF’s budget being consistently whittled down year-on-year in the state budget, it comes as no surprise that they might find themselves overburdened.
