South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced more than 70,000 extra soldiers will be deployed in the country to help enforce a lockdown intended to stem the spread of coronavirus, reported BBC.
In a letter addressed to the parliament, President Ramaphosa said the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the country and the troops will ensure that the citizens maintain law and order and adhere to the lockdown restrictions.
Ramaphosa imposed a 21-day lockdown from March 27 and has since extended the shutdown until April 30. During the lockdown only essential service providers, such as health workers, financial services providers, journalists and retail workers, are allowed to work.
The South African president had initially ordered for the deployment of 2,280 troops on the streets in support of police and medical personnel last month but decided to increase their numbers as some people continue to flaunt the rules. He said the additional troops will be deployed until June 26.
“We need to tighten and foresee (and) make sure that our people understand fully the dangers of getting this virus,” Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said, adding that soldiers were also deployed to assist the public and medical personnel.
The operation is expected to cost around 4.5 billion rand ($2.4 million), said the letter, which was dated Tuesday.
South Africa has so far reported 3,465 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 58 deaths, the continent’s second highest number after Egypt, as the country enters its fourth week of a 35-day lockdown.
The country has some of the most stringent coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the world. But security forces have struggled to enforce them. According to latest government figures, 118,000 people have been charged with breaking the lockdown restrictions.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced a $26-billion relief package to support the economy and the vulnerable during the pandemic.
