The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) calls for decisive action upon serious allegations of looting by senior Generals and other persons involved with the South African Army Foundation.  The Foundation is legally mandated to manage army and other military personnel’s pension, funeral and insurance benefits. 

Reports by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) into instances of the illegal diversion of large amounts of money from the Fund into various Generals and other persons’ private bank accounts for personal self-enrichment are extremely concerning.

It is essential that the FSCA swiftly lay charges with the South Africa Police Service (SAPS).  SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must immediately charge, seize assets and prosecute those implicated.  For far too long workers, including members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), have seen their hard-earned pensions treated as slush fund by their employers, fund managers and businesspersons.

Continuous allegations of serious corruption implicating senior SANDF officers need to be dealt with if our military leadership is to enjoy the confidence of rank and file personnel and the nation at large.  The Presidency and Parliament need to crack the whip upon the SANDF’s leadership under whose watch such incidents of wanton abuse of positions of authority and public finances are becoming increasingly routine.

Whilst the FSCA, SAPS and NPA must urgently act upon the reports of massive amounts of pilfering at the SA Army Foundation, the rot in the SANDF goes far deeper and must be dealt with accordingly.  The Federation has received numerous complaints from SANDF personnel alleging that they are no longer receiving three meals a day, are compelled to buy their own uniforms, vehicles are no longer working, training hours requirements are no longer met, personnel on deployment are not receiving the necessary equipment, supplies or support; and suppliers are left unpaid.  These are threatening the ability of the SANDF to fulfill its constitutional obligations to the nation.

COSATU will be formally requesting that the President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, task the Special Investigations Unit alongside the Auditor-General to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the SANDF and related institutions, and that law enforcement ensure that any persons implicated in criminal activities be immediately dealt with.  Our military personnel dedicate their lives to serving the nation.  This is the least that government can do for them.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za