The African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC) - following its 31 August 2009 meeting - condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent illegal strike action by members of the South African National Defence Union (SANDU). The march on 26 August 2009 represented a blatant defiance of the court interdict, which ordered the soldiers against the protest.

Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are the custodians of the Constitution and the actions of SANDU members which led to violence in the form of vandalism and destruction to property, undermined the country's national security.

We are confident that the Minister of Defence and the Military Command will take appropriate and urgent action against those who defied the order, ensuring that further acts of lawlessness do not recur.

The NWC thanks those members of the SANDF who - in their majority - continue to respect the country's Constitution and their obligations.

Statement issued by Gwede Mantashe, Secretary General of the African National Congress, August 31 2009

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