The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been granted permission to deploy in the Western Cape’s residential areas to enforce COVID-19 regulations.
The army has been patrolling since Tuesday [January 5], with the main focus in patrolling compliance on the Cape’s beaches under Level 3 regulations.
Beachgoers apparently only comply when there is a visible law enforcement presence and return when the beaches are empty, Police Minister Bheki Cele said during an interview on January 6.
“For that reason, today we expect to be reinforced by the South African National Defence Force to be here today to assist SA Police Service members to enforce the regulations that says people should not be on the beaches,” he said.
In a response to a query from News24, SAPS confirmed that the SANDF has been deployed in the Cape metro since Tuesday and the Garden Route since Saturday [January 9].
“The areas the deployments already covered include, among others, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Delft, Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Lentegeur, Samora Machel and Philippi East. In addition, the deployments focused on the Disaster Management Act regulations in relation to enforcing the curfew between 9pm and 6am”, said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
Picture: Facebook / SA National Defence Force