MEMBER STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT

PIETER GROENEWALD

10 SEPTEMBER 2009

The Freedom Front Plus respects the right and takes note of the agreement between the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and SANDU. We however call on the Minister to do everything possible to ensure that the members who went on strike are dismissed from the SANDF.

The striking members prove that there is extremely poor discipline in the SANDF and has to be thoroughly investigated. The Freedom Front Plus had already in 2004 warned that the shooting incident at the time in Burundi, in which a South African soldier had shot and killed another member, attests of poor discipline in the Defence Force. We also said at the time that the poor discipline does not only exist amongst the lower ranks, but proves that senior officers are as slack to enforce discipline. Senior officers are continually in the news about their misconduct and in this set a poor example to their subordinates. It could rightfully be asked how senior officers can enforce discipline if they themselves are ill-disciplined.

Ill-discipline can not be tolerated in the Defence Force, as it puts other soldiers’ lives in danger. Ill-disciplined behaviour of some soldiers also tarnishes the good name of other disciplined and well trained soldiers. The bad apples have to be removed.

The Freedom Front Plus therefore calls on the Minister to institute an investigation into the current state of discipline in the SANDF and to take corrective steps.



PIETER GROENEWALD (MP)
Contact no.: 083 627 4397