As the country prepares to go into a nationwide lockdown, the South African Defence Force (SANDF) was seen rolling into parts of Cape Town to help ensure that residents take the next 21 days seriously.
SANDF will assist the local police in enforcing the lockdown with street patrols on foot and general presence up until the lockdown ends on April 16.
Once the lockdown begins at midnight on Thursday, March 26 residents will be expected to stay at home at all times, except in the case of essential travel or emergency.
No one will be allowed to go into work except those employees involved in the provision of identified essential services. Grocery stores, pharmacies, clinics, petrol stations and blood donation banks will remain open.
More forces are expected to move into Cape Town and other parts of the Western Cape over the next two days.
Additionally SANDF has ordered infantry battalions around South Africa to deploy to each province with two being deployed in Gauteng and one in Johannesburg as well as Tshwane.
Roughly 140 soldiers are expected to be present within each deployment, minimal force will be applied with arrests being handed over to local police forces in each province.
Roadblocks are also expected to be set up in the coming days to check vehicles on route to various locations.
SANDF troops were also seen moving through the Cape Town CBD this week:
President #Ramaphosa: I have accordingly directed the South African National Defence Force be deployed to support the South African Police Service in ensuring that the measures we are announcing are implemented. #COVID19 #CoronaVirusSA
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) March 23, 2020
Picture: Screenshot from YouTube
