SANDF dismisses claims of defence force members refusing to repatriate South Africans from China
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) has dismissed claims by the weekly newspaper, Mail & Guardian, that its officials are refusing to fly to China to repatriate South African from the epicentre of the coronavirus.
The paper states the plane organised to fly back the South Africans in Wuhan is ready; however, a source close to the operation allegedly revealed to the paper that SANDF personnel are refusing to undertake the potential 'perilous' mission.
SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini, describes the report as 'deceptive' and 'absolute nonsense.'
"We have been at the forefront of this operation from the time when the decision was made to repatriate South African from Wuhan China. We have been day in and day out planning the operation or the mission itself.
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"I find it extremely ludicrous that today one wakes up and sees such a story in the newspaper while we were on the forefront of planning the mission," says Dlamini.
He adds all the personnel from the defence force are ready and willing to go ahead with the mission as planned to ensure that their countrymen in Wuhan are brought home.
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"We have given our lives to the South African people, we have given our lives to the government to saying we are willing to die to ensure that the country is secure," adds Dlamini.
He does not want to elaborate on the plans for the mission, saying it cannot be disclosed to the public
