Reaction by South African National Defence Union on flight expenses of Chief SANDF.

Monday, 25 August 2014, SANDU HQ

Pretoria.

SANDU is disgusted at revelations that flight costs to Malaysia for the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke, amounted to R100 000. Equally disgusting is the brazen defence of such despicable behaviour by the SANDF, in its reaction to these reports. While troops work daily in dilapidated buildings and commanders struggle with budget constraints, the top echelon of the SANDF apparently think nothing of living in opulence with taxpayers money. Defending their behaviour by dishonestly hiding behind 'operational necessity' of ridiculous expenses.

There is no military operational reason in the world which necessitates generals flying business class to any destination. There is no honour in arrogance and self importance and there is even less respect to be gained from troops in such behaviour. The Chief of the SANDF should provide detailed reasons to parliament and to the South African tax payer, for his alleged insistence on flying business class, this at a time where the SANDF operational budget has severe constraints.

Statement issued by Adv JG Greeff, SANDU national secretary, August 25 2014

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