SUBJECT: SANDF WARNS AGAINST THE MOBILISATION OF ITS MEMBERS IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE SANDF PRINCIPLES AND REGULATIONS

It has come to the attention of the SANDF that SANDU is trying to mobilise and incite SANDF members to participate in picketing outside its establishments as form of registering their concern about allowances for members deployed in external missions, which will culminate to a big march to the Union Buildings late in the year. Furthermore, the SANDF is aware of a SANDU's plot to disrupt the programme of the defence force by targeting certain senior generals.

The SANDF views these threats in a serious light and would like to state that there will be serious consequences to any member found to have contravened any rules and regulations which govern the management of the defence force. The SANDF would like to inform all concerned that the deployment of SANDF in external missions is not a money making scheme but is in pursuance of RSA national interests.

It must be stated that the DOD and SANDF in particular has promulgated a number of regulations regarding the channels and processes of administrating of grievances. There is a new grievance procedure which was promulgated in 2011 and is being implemented throughout the establishment. Members of the SANDF are reminded that they volunteered as individuals to be enlisted to serve in the SANDF and to be subject to the Defence Act and Military Disciplinary Code, which govern the conduct and behaviour of SANDF members.

In the same vein the SANDF would like to remind its members especially those who belong to the union that the SANDF is not a private company, therefore does not believe that its members are workers but that they are committed and disciplined service men and women in uniform. These men and women enlisted with the SANDF because of the love they have for their country and nothing else.

Therefore these members deserve to be treated as professional soldiers who are prepared to lay their lives in defence of their country and its territorial integrity. The SANDF has always raised a concern about the credibility of SANDU. It was not surprising that SANDU called a meeting to try and mobilise members of the SANDF to complain about allowances on Freedom Day, a very important day in the history of this country.

Once again the SANDF appeals to both members of the SANDF and public not to be misled by such action of SANDU.

The SANDF believes that SANDU is in a campaign to discredit, undermine and create a state of anarchy within the SANDF in particular and putting the security of the state at risk. This is unacceptable in the defence force; the SANDF should be respected as an instrument of state responsible for the security of the country.

The SANDF is not a wing or an extension of a political organisation and therefore it does not promote or harm interests of any political organisation in the execution of its duties. If SANDU is a wing or an extension of any political party then it should not try to stretch its wings within the SANDF but rather go to where politics are played. Ends

Statement issued by Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga, Defence Corporate Communication, April 30 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter