The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is busy deploying a whopping 10,000 troops to help conduct clean-up operations in flood ravaged KwaZulu Natal. A massive tent camp has been constructed at 5SAI in Ladysmith.

“The SANDF will provide medical support, transport food parcels and carry out rescue missions,” says the army’s Brigadier General Sandile Hlongwa.

During a tour of flood-ravaged Durban, he told reporters that he was with engineers who are examining water, roads and infrastructure issues.

“The aim is to identify the affected areas and then decide what assistance is actually required. We, as the military, will decide on what we can effect on the ground,” Hlongwa says.

He confirmed that the main base of operations for the relief effort would be Ladysmith’s 5 South African Infantry (5SAI) Battalion army base, with hundreds of soldiers arriving every day.