More than 70,000 extra troops will be deployed in South Africa to help enforce a lockdown intended to stop the spread of coronavirus, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.
South Africa has had 3,465 confirmed coronavirus cases – second only to Egypt in Africa – and 58 deaths.
The country has some of the most stringent coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the world.
But security forces have struggled to enforce them.
Since 27 March only essential service providers, such as health workers, financial services providers, journalists and retail workers, are allowed to continue going to work.
Businesses that provide essential services have been applying for a special permit from the government that allows their members of staff to go outside.
The restrictions include no jogging outside, no sales of alcohol or cigarettes, no dog-walking, no leaving home except for essential trips and prison or heavy fines for law-breaking.—BBC
