Coronavirus in SA: SANDF preparing to deploy army around the country

Members of the SANDF were seen in the streets of Johannesburg. Picture: Twitter

Members of the SANDF were seen in the streets of Johannesburg. Picture: Twitter

Published Mar 23, 2020

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Johannesburg - South Africa reported a

sharp jump in confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday to 402, from

less than 50 just over a week ago. This, as the army prepared to

deploy in each of the country's nine provinces, according to an

official document seen by Reuters.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the

steep rise in cases in a statement on Monday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national state of

disaster and imposed measures such as travel bans to curb the

spread of coronavirus. He is expected to address the nation

later on Monday on new measures to mitigate its impact.

A South African Army memorandum seen by Reuters on Monday

detailed plans to deploy at least an infantry "sub-unit" to each

of the country's nine provinces and two in Gauteng, which

includes the capital Pretoria and commercial hub of

Johannesburg, where roughly half of the infections have been

reported.

The deployment will last from March 23 for 21 days, but

could be extended for a further three months, the memorandum

said.

Siphiwe Dlamini, spokesman for the South African National

Defence Force, said he would not comment on any plans to deploy

the army until Ramaphosa's address.

The memorandum states that army staff may arrest someone

they see committing a crime.

South Africa confirmed its first coronavirus case on March

5, and analysts expect Ramaphosa to announce stricter measures

to slow its spread in the country of around 58 million

people. 

Reuters

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