An SANDF soldier patrolling the Cape Flats in 2019.
Picture: Brendan Magaar/African News Agency (ANA)
If you’re wondering how the SANDF will assist police to implement safety measures during lockdown, you’ve come to the right place.
An SANDF soldier patrolling the Cape Flats in 2019.
Picture: Brendan Magaar/African News Agency (ANA)
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, during the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster briefing on Wednesday 25 March, echoed what many of us already knew — that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will assist police during the lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday, that the South African Police Service (SAPS), with the assistance of SANDF would monitor the nationwide lockdown on Friday and make sure the measures for safety are implemented by all citizens.
“The SANDF [South African Defence Force] will be deployed to support the SA Police Service, to ensure the measures are observed. This lockdown will be accompanied by a programme which increases screening and contract tracing,” said Ramaphosa on Monday.
Many of us wanted to know how SAPS would enforce a lockdown, where they would be stationed, what they would be doing and so on. Mapisa-Nqakula did not specify exact operational details, but she did announce how the military would assist police.
Mapisa-Nqakula announced that SANDF will assist in the following ways:
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize initially said dog-walking during the lockdown would be allowed, but a few hours later, Police Minister Bheki Cele said it would be prohibited. He said that if unnecessary movement takes place, the SAPS and SANDF will intervene.
Here are the things you should not do during lockdown:
Cele said that an “operational plan” for the SAPS and SANDF so to speak, would be announced at a later stage.