STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS

Statements issued by officials, that have not been approved by their Minister do not reflect the views of the Minister or Department concerned.

Administrative processes are being instituted against an official of the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans involved in the distribution yesterday of an unauthorised statement concerning the Ministry of Human Settlements (see here).

While we understand that the intentions of the official involved were to correct what he regarded as distortions and misperceptions being propagated in the media, the tone and language were unfortunate, and he had no sanction to express himself under cover of an official statement - albeit not on a letterhead.

It is not befitting of an officer of government to speak in that fashion of a Minister, whatever his or her views.

The Department will take the necessary remedial steps to ensure there is no repetition.

Statement issued by the Head of Communications: Department of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Siphiwe Dlamini, November 28 2009

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