AfriForum demands answers from Minister on militia training

The civil rights initiative AfriForum has given the Minister of Defence, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu till 17:00 today (1 September 2010) to answer certain questions about military training for ANCYL and YCL members, due to start soon at the naval training base in Saldanha, Western Cape.

AfriForum is concerned that the proposed military training for "nominees of political parties" contravenes Section 199(7)(b) of the Constitution, which states that "neither the security forces, nor their members shall further any interest of a political party".

Minister Sisulu and representatives of the ANCYL and the YCL announced plans to hold military training camps for youth members in May 2010, shortly after a controversial courtesy visit by ANCYL President Julius Malema to Zimbabwe in April 2010.

"After a public outcry, the minister issued a statement saying that the training camps were open to all political parties, but representatives of the three main opposition parties already confirmed to AfriForum that their parties' youth structures have not received any formal invitation from the Defence Department", said Willie Spies, attorney of AfriForum, in a statement today.

"It is critical that we should not repeat the mistakes of our northern neighbours in South Africa.  There was good reason for the drafters of the Constitution to specifically prohibit political partisanship in the National Defence Force.  In Zimbabwe, youth members of Zanu-PF trained in militia camps established by the Zimbabwean army became a feared force of violence and intimidation during election times.  We should avoid such a situation to develop in South Africa at all costs", Spies said.

If no response is received from the Minister's office, AfriForum will issue court papers for the judicial review of the Minister's plans tomorrow.

Statement issued by Willie Spies, Legal Representative: AfriForum, September 1 2010

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