Watch: SANDF vehicle flips on its side, narrowly avoids taxi smash

No, pictures of a militrary vehicle lying on its side outside of a petrol station in Mthatha (Eastern Cape) were not part of an April Fool’s prank. The SANDF Casspir was caught on CCTV as it swerved to avoid a collision with a taxi, injuring several of the soldiers within the armoured motor on Tuesday.

SANDF vehicle flips itself over

The incident took place late last night. The video footage – shared on social media earlier today – shows how the two vehicles came within inches of a devastating head-on crash. The civilian behind the wheel of the taxi got a lucky escape, although army spokesperson Thabo Sello says the taxi was “in the wrong lane”.

As the Casspir veers off the road, it comes to a crashing halt when it knocks a signpost down. There were no fatalities in this bizarre exchange, but it could have been so much different if our SANDF soldiers didn’t take evasive action. Ten soldiers from the 14 SA Infantry Battalion were on their way to deployment in Mthatha when the accident happened. We understand one serviceman is now receiving hospital treatment.

Watch: Soldiers in Mthatha narrowly avoid taxi smash

1/2 : SANDF AV CRASH. MTHATHA. EC pic.twitter.com/nZeBCvfN5q

— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) April 1, 2020

SANDF and the lockdown: Mixed results from deployment so far

Although not SANDF’s finest hour, the fact that no civilians were hurt will be their saving grace here. The deployment of the army to help enforce the law of lockdown has proved to be controversial already, with several soldiers accused of going ‘overboard’ with their new-found mandate.

Several non-advised punishments have been given to citizens who allegedly broke the strict social restrictions. Some South Africans were forced to do exercise, whereas others were physically assaulted. The government have implored SANDF to make sure no soldiers are committing acts of brutality while on patrol.