SANDF dismisses information on social media that says leave for members cancelled

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has dismissed as fake news information circulating on social media that they have cancelled leave for all members to come back to assist in enforcing the law as cases of COVID-19 are increasing.

The country has passed the 1 million mark of positive cases of the coronavirus whereas the number of death has reached over 27 000.

We have now breached one million cumulative #COVID19 cases in South Africa. We must adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the further spread of the virus. pic.twitter.com/GopO3bJZp8

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 27, 2020

Brigadier General Mafi Mgobozi says the information on social media is not true.

“The SANDF would like to inform all its members that the news about the cancellation of their leaves is a fake news. This is circulating on various social media network and General Solly Shoke the Chief of the SANDF and Lieutenant-General (Lawrence) Mbatha the Chief of the army have never issued any instruction to say members leave have been cancelled.”

Fake News | SA Army.#sandf#SANDF#SAArmy pic.twitter.com/cEq6NdkKnD

— SA National Defence Force (@SANDFCorpEvents) December 27, 2020

The Coronavirus Command Council met yesterday to decide on whether further measures such a tighter lockdown or stricter rules on public movement should be imposed.