‘Co-operate with SANDF deployees’
Wholehearted support from government
THE PUBLIC has been urged to co-operate and obey the members of the SANDF deployed to support the police in ensuring the national lockdown is implemented.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa invoked the Disaster Management Act, which allows for the SANDF to mobilise any available resources, including human resources, stores, equipment, ships, aircraft platforms, vehicles and facilities and ensure the delivery of essential services.
The number of soldiers that will be deployed in each province is not yet clear.
The chairperson of the defence and military veterans portfolio committee, Cyril Xaba, meanwhile said they were pleased and wholeheartedly supported Ramaphosa’s decision.
“We call on all South Africans to fully co-operate with the directions of our troops. These troops, along with health workers, members of the SAPS, emergency personnel and all those on the list of essential services who will be exempted from the lockdown are serving the country at the risk of their health and lives to ensure that millions of South Africans are saved from infection,” Xaba said.
Institute of Security Studies senior researcher Johan Burger said although the soldiers would have the power to make arrests, they would provide support to the police.
“We now have a constitutional dispensation where the Constitution remains supreme, where Parliament plays a supervisory role to ensure the executive does not abuse the state of disaster for other purposes,” he said in an interview with NewsAfrica405.
He added that people were still free to approach the courts should they feel there was an unfair limitation of their rights.
“So access to the courts remains open and free, as well as the supervisory role of Parliament,” Burger added.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa’s announcement of the new National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) units to fight corruption during the Covid-19 crisis received applause from Corruption Watch.
According to Ramaphosa, the units would investigate and prosecute companies and individuals caught looting money set aside as a stimulus package aimed at assisting businesses and the vulnerable during the lockdown.
“I have absolutely no doubt that there will be people willing to try to take advantage, which is why I think he has to be very vigilant,” said Corruption Watch executive director David Lewis.
NPA spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke said the prosecuting authority had by yesterday not finalised the details of forming the new units.
“The details are being worked on. The president’s announcement was only last night (on Monday).
“Consultations within the justice cluster must unfold, and details will be firmed up soon,” said Makeke.