DA: Police must be ‘less passive’ in enforcing lockdown regulations

This comes after videos circulating on social media of troops forcing civilians - who are allegedly not abiding by the regulations - to do squats and push-ups.

There are also videos of the SANDF allegedly physically assaulting people who are roaming the streets.

DA MP Kobus Marais says the party has written to the Military Ombudsman Vusi Masondo to request an independent investigation.

"Upon viewing these videos, the DA immediately wrote to the Military Ombudsman, General (Ret) Vusi Masondo, to request an independent investigation as the SANDF actions are a gross violation of the military's mandate and of the Bill of Rights.

"I also engaged the acting Chief of the Army, Major General M.J. De Goede, who confirmed that the matter had been registered for investigation," says Marais.

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Marais says the SANDF has a mandate to uphold the constitution.

"While we have empathy with the shoulder and why we understand the frustrations, obviously we are in a. constitutional democracy and we must protect the rights and privileges  of the civilians."

He believes this would not be happening if the police to control of the situation.

"Somewhere down the line the police must take more leadership and they must make sure that the defence force act in support of them and not the other way around.

"The police must be less passive and take a leading role."