The Military Command Council met in the early hours of this morning to assess the current situation as it affects the lives of our people in hospitals. A decision was taken to roll-out and increase our deployment of military personnel to the hospitals in the affected provinces to save lives of the ill and vulnerable citizens.
This was done in conjunction with the mandate given to the SANDF in terms of Section 200 sub-section 2 of Chapter 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act No. 108 of 1996 as well as section 18 of Chapter 3 of the Defence Act 42 of 2002 which spells out the terms of the employment and utilisation of the SANDF.
Section 18 mandates the defence force to preserve life, health or property in emergency or humanitarian relief operations and ensure the provision of essential services.
The citizens of our country should feel free to access medical and health services in any of the hospitals without fear of intimidation.
In the event of any intimidation members of the public can call the following toll free number: 08 800 68 44.
