The SANDF is calling up members from the Reserve Force to complement the already deployed SANDF in the fight against the Covid-19 virus in line with the National Disaster Management Act of 2002 section 27, sub-section 2, which provides that the SANDF must release its personnel to a national Organ of State for rendering of emergency services. Sub-section 2(f) provides for the SANDF to assist with the movement of persons and goods to and from or within the disaster stricken or threatened area(s).

The SANDF will be deployed in various capacities in the implementation of the National Lockdown in order to execute a broad plan of urban and rural operations.

Similarly, the SA Military Health Service has called up Reserve Force doctors, nurses, operational emergency care practitioners together with teams to work with other health practitioners in various fields.

The SANDF is grateful to the Reserve Force members for their willingness to serve and appeals to civilian employers to release their staff members called up for Reserve Force Service.

Issued by Siphiwe Dlamini on behalf of Department of Defence, 28 March 2020