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.