Defence Minister Slams Soldiers For Using ‘Excessive Force’ During Lockdown

Nyakallo Tefu 

Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has warned members of the South African National Defence Force against using excessive force during the 21-day national lockdown.

Mapisa-Nqakula was reacting to complaints from irate South Africans who accused soldiers of beating residents in the townships and forcing them to do ‘military-style’ push-ups and squats.

There has also been reports of unbridled brutality at the hands of the soldiers and police, including a man who was shot and killed in Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni.

A number of videos have also surfaced on social media of either the military or police using excessive force against South Africans on the streets.

“I want to strongly reiterate the message delivered by the Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF to the deploying of the soldiers to desist from using excessive force against citizens of the country, regardless of the level of provocation they may face,” she said.

“I have