SANDF calls for reinforcements
Videos of SANDF soldiers assaulting people have led to a social media outcry.
THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has called up for more reinforcements. In a statement, the SANDF announced they would be calling up members of the Reserve Force to complement the already 2820 deployed soldiers.
‘The SANDF will be deployed in various capacities in the implementation of the national lockdown in order to execute a broad plan of urban and rural operations,” the statement read.
“Similarly, the SA Military Health Service has called up Reserve Force doctors, nurses, operational emergency care practitioners together with teams to work with other health practitioners in various fields.”
Reserve Force members are qualified soldiers, trained under SANDF, who the government contracts in emergency situations for extra manpower.
There have been a lot of videos on social media showing SANDF soldiers assaulting people or making them do squats or roll on the floor. The videos have led to a social media outcry leading the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to finally address the issue.
“The Minister wishes to strongly reiterate the message delivered by the Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF to the deploying soldiers to desist from using excessive force against citizens of the country regardless of the level of provocation they may face whilst deployed,” said the Department of Defence. “Such heavy handedness is not in the interest of safeguarding our people.”
These are the numbers to report cases abuse during the shutdown.
071 466 2333 – South African Human Right Commission for KwaZulu-Natal.
079 895 2741 – Independent Police Investigative Directorate for KwaZulu-Natal
012 676 3800 (WhatsApp) or a written letter to intake@mlombud.ord – The South African Military Ombud
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