Mapisa-Nqakula: SANDF ‘regrets’ death in Alexandra
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says the government regrets the death of an Alexandra man who was allegedly beaten by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
She was speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
The man was reportedly assaulted by soldiers while he was having a drink in his yard over the Easter weekend.
"There is an investigation by the SAPS, the military police and the military ombuds office,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
“We are therefore unable to comment at this point what the next course of action will be but we are saying to South Africans we are saddened by what happened. We regret what happened and we don't know what circumstances led to this.”
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"The ministry sadly announces the first death of a COVID-19 patient, who was admitted to (a) treatment facility on 13 April," Nkosi said. The 59-year-old man was diagnosed on admission with pneumonia, with diabetes as an underlying condition. He died on Wednesday after his condition suddenly worsened.
She also appealed to South Africans to stay at home.
"Our appeal is that our people should stay indoors, people should remain at home and not venture out to see what the soldiers, police and metro police are doing to check or provoke them. They are not there because of instability in the country, but because of a pandemic that has gripped the world."