Pretoria - Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has praised members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for availing their services at the various country's hospitals during the public service strike.
SANDF teams have been deployed at hospitals to provide not only medical relief but protection and security. Over 3500 soldiers have been deployed in 57 hospitals at the request of the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi.
Sisulu said President Jacob Zuma, as Commander in Chief, Cabinet and many South Africans had expressed how they appreciate the presence of the SANDF at this critical time.
"Our soldiers deployed and those on standby must know that their government and all South Africans appreciate and value the work that they are doing, many lives would have been lost if it was not of the SANDF.
"Many health workers who did not want to strike but to help patients would have been intimidated, but the presence of the SANDF prevented this, and the leadership of the SANDF and all soldiers must be very proud of what they are doing for their country" she said.
The minister added that those who are on strike must not intimidate those who are not striking. "As we respect the rights of others to strike, they in return must respect the rights of other not to, as law enforcement agencies we will respond appropriately to all reports of intimidation, the lives of our people takes priority" the minister said.
Responding to comments that the SANDF might be over stretched, she said the SANDF is a disciplined and well organised force of international reputation.
"The SANDF was deployed for the World Cup, we are currently deployed in the border, we just finished an operation with the SAPS to stop intimidation of foreign nations, within 24 hours of approval granted the SANDF was deploying in hospitals, we are always ready and very capable," she said.
