SANDF labour action

When the blanket threatens security

Last week's protest by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at the Union Buildings and their violent clash with the Police Force have laid bare some dangerous fault lines in the country's security structures.

An in-depth report done for Leadership Intelligence Bulletin reveals that the soldiers are probably not the biggest culprits in the spectacle that saw two arms of the security forces confronting one another.

The report reveals some fancy, belated and suspect footwork by both the Minister of Defence & Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu and the SANDF's acting chief and chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Themba Matanzima.

There are even indications that the lieutenant general may have been playing a dangerous game of misinformation by suggesting that there were elements within the SANDF that had plans to kidnap the minister.

The report further reveals that while the aggrieved soldiers are among the poorest paid civil servants - with an average income of only R5 000 per month compared to the R6 500 entry-level salary per month for a police constable - very little has been done to address their plight despite it being acknowledged as far back as 2005.

On the days immediately preceding the fateful march by the soldiers, some extremely bad timing led to a situation that could have been worse than it was. The municipality of Tshwane originally gave permission for the march and then withdrew it at the last minute. A court decision about the legality of the march came at a stage when the soldiers had already assembled at the Union Buildings.

It would also seem that Lieutenant General Matanzima was stretching the truth in the reasons he gave to the court, in his application to have the march disallowed.

The incident has brought into sharp focus the relationship between the ruling party and trade unions, as well as the wisdom of allowing the unionisation of the security forces.

The report further exposes the extreme dangers involved with the recent "shoot-first-talk-later" attitude being displayed by the Police force.

It also lays bare the severe staff shortages in the SANDF, the lack of experience and proper training, dangerously low reserve levels and lack of morale.

For the full report, click here