As the COVID-19 surge of infections reach an overwhelming 500 000, the (SANDF) has acceded to the call to protect the nation by state departments and the people of South Africa against the COVID19 pandemic. The SANDF deployed its capabilities to assist the SA Police Service and other state departments to stop illegal entry of undocumented persons, contraband, illicit cigarettes and smuggling of stolen vehicles and numerous other lockdown related transgressions.
During the month of July, the SANDF has confiscated illegal cigarette with the approximate value of just over R10 million; Alcohol amount to R180 000; clothing items valued at R579 000, and various other contraband goods valued at R4.8 million. The confiscated goods are in total defiance of
lockdown restrictions and deprive the country’s Revenue Services needed for government programmes.
Troops deployed on the borders recovered livestock (Cattle and Sheep) to their owners. Along the borders of Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape dagga weighing over 1 648, 857 kg to the value of 3 555.309 million was confiscated. Narcotics with a street value of R2, 4 million were seized and handed over to customs officials and the police. Linked to these narcotics and contraband, 38 people have been apprehended. A total of 12 vehicles were recovered and handed to SAPS.
Provinces have regions with water shortages and the SANDF Engineers has supported impoverished sections of society by providing clean water for home usages and not just for COVID19 purposes. Over 3.8 million litres of water has been purified by the SA Army Engineers in cooperation with the Department of Water and Sanitation, and distributed to distressed communities across the country.
The National Department of Health has seen members of the SANDF providing professional support in terms of Doctors, Nurses, and many other areas where shortages existed. A total of 99 440 people were screened and 4 926 of them were referred for testing. Over 10 585 troops from various force structure elements in the SANDF are deployed in support of other state departments to bolster the government’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Of the troops deployed in the front line against COVID-19 are 7 731 soldiers and 2 845 are tasked to conduct border safeguarding operations between Zimbabwe, eSwatini, Mozambique and Botswana.
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Connie Silwer
Cell: 084 579 5016
Issued by
More from
More on
