SANDF deployed to support other govt departments amid Covid-19 outbreak

CRAIGHALL – Busloads of SANDF members have arrived on Jan Smuts Avenue.

March 23, 2020

Sarah Koning 1 minute read

A truck from the army base on Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park. Photo: Ilda Dalton

Update, 23 March, 4pm

The South African Army has released a statement saying that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to support other government departments in terms of disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and crisis response at this time.

This after members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrived in busloads on Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall this afternoon (23 March).

Two sub-units are to be deployed in Gauteng. One in the City of Johannesburg, the other in the City of Tshwane.

The duration of this operation is 21 days, but this may be extended for three months, according to the statement.

Initial report, 23 March 3.30pm

Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been seen arriving in busloads on Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall, ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation this evening.

It is still unclear why they were there but an eyewitness suggested that it looks as if they were simply being transported but not deployed. The troops arrived at the Rand Light Infantry Regiment base in Craighall.

A large group of SANDF soldiers has been spotted at the suburb of Craighall in Johannesburg ahead of president Ramaphosa's speech #CoronavirusInSA pic.twitter.com/NOIePIa3mj

— Kunapa (@KunapaReporter) March 23, 2020

My advice to @CyrilRamaphosa

Lockdown the country IMMEDIATELY and arrest those who don't comply

Limit movement through the deployment of SANDF & SAPS TRTs

Give people Flu vaccines (especially those with lungs and respiratory problems)

Avail food parcels to poorest of the poor pic.twitter.com/gx8nBAjqhT

— Kagiso Monyadiwa (@KagisoMonyadiwa) March 23, 2020

SANDF members in Rosebank. Arrived by bus ahead of Cyril Ramaphosa's address tonight.#Covid19SA pic.twitter.com/pOiRr1k4Da

— QAnton (@antonnies) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/cooklet/status/1242062330969632778

His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa will address the nation this evening on the corona virus pandemic . At that stage the President would have finalized measures to be undertaken to mitigate impact of the virus to our people and the economy .

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) March 23, 2020