SANDF ropes in Reserve Force to fight the spread of Covid-19

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has called on members of the Reserve Force to assist in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

On Thursday midnight thousands of soldiers and members of the police service were deployed around the country to assist and enforce the president’s 21 days nationwide lockdown. The lockdown which came into effect on March 16 is expected to end on April 16. To date, South Africa has reported 1187 confirmed cases and one death as a result of Covid-19. The first death was recorded in the Western Cape on Friday. In a statement the Defence Force said the call for the reserve force is in line with the National Disaster Management Act.

“The SANDF is calling up members from the Reserve Force to complement the already deployed SANDF in the fight against the Covid-19 virus in line with the National Disaster Management Act of 2002 section 27, sub-section 2, which provides that the SANDF must release its personnel to a national Organ of State for rendering of emergency services. Sub-section 2(f) provides for the SANDF to assist with the movement of persons and goods to and from or within the disaster stricken or threatened area(s).”

The Defence Force has been deployed in various capacities in order to execute a broad plan of urban and rural operations during the lockdown. The Defence Force also revealed in its statement that the South African Military Health Service has also called on Reserve Force doctors, nurses, operational emergency care practitioners together with teams to work with other health practitioners in various fields. President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the members of the army to serve the nation with great respect and humility.