#Covid19inSA: One of the biggest SANDF deployments in history
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of over 73 000 South African Defence Force (SANDF) members in the fight against Covid-19.
A letter from the Presidency has confirmed that the deployment will take place until the 26 June 2020.
The SANDF officials will include the Regular Force, the Reserve Force and Auxiliary Force.
This will cost the state over R4 billion.
Co-Chairperson of the Defence Committee, Cyril Xaba, says the letter will be presented before the committee at noon on Wednesday.
"The President has launched an unprecedented war on the virus, I consider this to be full scale war. We will be looking at it and considering the implication of the letter this afternoon," he said.
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A day before South Africa went into lockdown in March, Ramaphosa initially authorised the deployment of 2820 soldiers.
The latest addition brings the total deployment to more than 76 000 officials patrolling the country.
"This letter we are talking about released an additional 73 000 soldiers. That is a total of 76 000 to work with the police."
"We have a responsibility to our borders to make sure our borderlines are controlled as to curtail any movement into or out of the country," adds Xaba.