PRESS STATEMENT BY
THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY

IFP TO URGE ACTION AGAINST INDISCIPLINE IN ARMED FORCES

CAPE TOWN :  17 JULY, 2000

IFP National Parliamentary Safety & Security Spokesperson, Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP, will urge the Defence Department to take strong action against indiscipline and insubordination in the armed forces, when he meets Defence Minister Lekota in Pretoria on Thursday to discuss the current situation at 7^th SA Infantry Battalion, Phaloborwa.

Mr Ndlovu said: 

"I am very concerned about recent examples of insubordination by state employees towards the political heads of Departments. Most recently an army sergeant swore while Defence Minister Lekota was speaking to SANDF personnel at 7^th Infantry Battalion. The sergeant reportedly confessed to having said: 'Nou praat jy kak.' (Now you are talking shit.)"

"This is just another example of a worrying trend where State employees show lack of respect or downright insubordination to the political heads of Departments."

"At our meeting on Thursday I will be asking Minister Lekota to ensure that the Defence Department takes strong action against the officer concerned and that it is made clear to all state employees that such behaviour will not be tolerated."

"I will also discuss with the Minister the IFP’s deep concern that SANDF officers covered up for one another during the recent visit of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee to the 7^th SA Infantry Battalion’s base and attempted to pull the wool over the eyes of MP's."

"I hope an investigation will look closely into the way in which personnel at the 7^th SAI base where treated by their superior officers and that any officers found to guilty of misconduct will be swiftly punished."

For Further Information:

Mr Velaphi Ndlovu, MP 083 625 0803

Media Office 083 506 8639