• The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) is facing allegations of poor discipline and misconduct.
• Minister Angie Motshekga said the entire SANDF could not be blamed due to a few isolated incidents.
• South Africans don’t believe a word the minister says, saying she is not qualified for the role

There is no general misconduct within the South African National Defense Force (SANDF).

This was stated by the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, who dismissed the allegations against the SANDF.

Motshekga defended his department following a question from Economic freedom Fighting MP Carl Niehaus in Parliament.

Minister says misconduct is not the norm

While admitting that it was aware of incidents in which members were found guilty of disciplinary breaches and misconduct, the minister said this did not mean the entire SANDF was to blame.

“The issue of poor discipline should not be taken as a generalization, as if it concerns the majority of our troops. There is no widespread poor discipline,” she said.

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Motshekga was referring to an incident last year in which eight soldiers dismissed from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following allegations of serious misconduct, including sexual abuse.

Disciplinary measures in place

The minister added that the SANDF mechanisms were in place to deal with such issues and that severe disciplinary measures were also available.

She added that disciplinary measures could involve penalties imposed by military courts, including prison terms, and even possible dismissals.

South Africans don’t believe Motshekga

Social media users surveyed the minister’s experience in running the SANDF, saying her statement meant nothing.

Sandra Cunningham said:

“She has absolutely no experience in this area, so what does she know? Any sane person knows she has no place in this position, but she is an ANC official, so that’s fine.”

Grégory Garcez added:

Minister, why do you think so many SANDF personnel left the various forces a year or two after integration? No discipline.

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Gibbs Mjoli Gibisa asked:

“What does she know about the army?”

Lefu R Ramatla asked:

“Who would expect her to agree?”

Neels De Bruyn said:

“She can dismiss all this as much as she wants. We know the truth.”

SANDF accuses foreigners of abusing social benefits

In a related article, the SANDF claimed that pregnant women entered the country illegally benefit from social assistance.

In brief News reported that the SANDF claimed the women deliberately had their children in South Africa just for the grants.

South Africans are wondering whether it is possible for foreigners to register their children as citizens of the country.

Source: In Brief News