SANDF plans to establish disaster unit

RICHARDS BAY - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it will establish its own internal disaster management and response unit to help provide an adequate response to disasters countrywide.

The government declared a National State of Disaster over the energy crisis and ongoing floods in seven provinces.

READ: SANDF deployed at numerous power stations

This puts the army at the centre of responding to these disasters -- but the availability of resources remains a major challenge.

The Chief of the South African National Defense Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, says soldiers are already responding to flood victims in affected provinces while safeguarding Eskom’s infrastructure.

READ: State of Disaster declared over floods

He briefed the media during the official launch of the Armed Forces Day commemoration in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

* eNCA’s Siphamandla Goge reports.