POLITICS

Investigation into ex-solders inappropriate – Pieter Groenewald

FF Plus MP says that having driven military experts from the SANDF, ANC govt wants to prevent them making a living elsewhere

 Investigation into former soldiers inappropriate

28 August 2015

The deputy minister of defence and military veterans, Kebby Maphatsoe’s statement that an intelligence investigation into South Africa’s military experts who assist foreign governments in war, is in an advanced phase, speaks of jealousy and racism and the investigation is inappropriate. His pleas that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) needs this expertise attests of his hypocrisy,” dr. Groenewald, the Freedom Front Plus’ chief spokesperson on defence said.

“The ANC government has by way of transformation gone out of its way to get rid of military experts form the former South African Defence Force (SADF). In 2004, 77 experienced colonels, of which 76 were white, were retrenched and in 2006 officers training courses of the army were set up specifically just for black, brown and Indian soldiers. These steps, and especially affirmative action, had forced former soldiers of the SADF with years of experience and expertise to find work internationally.

“The fact that these former soldiers are now being successful against Boko Haram in Nigeria, while the SANDF and the Nigerian Defence Force are struggling against such terror groups, proves that the government is now paying the price for its policy of transformation. This also speaks of jealousy and racism against these former soldiers. These former soldiers should rather be thanked for their good work in giving terror groups a bloody nose,” Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: Defence, August 28 2015