Military Training: Keep ANCYL away from the SANDF
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, should make a public statement explaining whether reports are true that youths recruited through political parties - most probably the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) - as well as the rural development and land affairs department will receive military training provided by the South African Navy (SAN).
Earlier this year on 13 May 2010 the minister agreed to make arrangements for Julius Malema, together with other senior members of the ANCYL, to undergo two weeks of military training. The agreement was reached after a meeting between the minister and the national executive committee of the ANCYL to discuss the voluntary national service proposal.
Moreover, it was confirmed today by an official that a period of military service - perhaps up to six months - may be provided to youths recruited to be part of the new National Rural Youth Service Corp being established by the rural development and land affairs department.
The constitution makes it very clear that the defence force may never be used to further, in a partisan manner, any interests of a political party. The defence force should therefore never be drawn into party politics: a two week period of military training for Julius Malema and senior members of the ANCYL risks politicizing the military and undermining the constitutional principle of non partisanship of the defence force.
The minister is playing with political fire and should not allow her political ambition and close relationship with the ANCYL to impair her political judgment and risks politicising the defence force.
The DA therefore calls on the minister to make a public statement explaining whether it is true that the reported military training is going ahead and if it is true to immediately stop the military training reportedly being provided by the SAN.
Statement issued by David Maynier, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence and military veterans, September 2 2010
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
