Media Release: SANDF to arrive in the Garden Route tomorrow, 8 January 2021

For Immediate Release
7 January 2021

Members of the South African National Defence (SANDF) force will arrive in the Garden Route tomorrow, 8 January 2021 to assist the South African Police (SAPS) to ensure that communities comply with regulations. Police Minister Bheki Cele yesterday visited the Garden Route and confirmed the SANDF’s arrival in the Garden Route.

According to Mr Otto, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Manager: Disaster Management, SANDF and SAPS will meet to discuss particulars about their deployment. Mr Otto said, “This intervention comes at a time when more than 350 members of SAPS are in isolation and close to 800 SAPS member in quarantine. Those in quarantine were in close contact with others who tested positive for COVID-19”.

A total number of 40 SANDF members are expected and they will be housed in Hartenbos and Sedgefield. Mr Otto said that he can’t confirm exactly what areas SANDF will patrol, but he suspects that it will change as time goes by and intelligence is received about areas of non-compliance. “It is important for the public to ensure that they comply with the lockdown regulations, or else they could end up with criminal records,” Otto concluded.

Picture: GCIS

ENDS