26 August 2019

The African National Congress (ANC) Study Group on Defence and Military Veterans is shocked by reports that the burnt body found in a boot of a car last Sunday, was that of a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The soldier was deployed to Cape Town as part of Operation Lockdown, which is an on-going operation that is combating rampant gang-violence in the Western Cape.

We as the ANC Study Group on Defence and Military Veterans condemn this senseless killing and other acts of violence against our country’s soldiers, who have been deployed to our communities in the Cape Flats with the objective to maintain peace and safeguard the rule of law. We welcome arrests made by the South African Police Services (SAPS) on the two assailants who are accused of this egregious crime. We call upon the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to work hand-in-hand with our police, to ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime meet the full might of the law.

Gang violence has claimed the lives of too many people in our communities and has to be brought to an end. Therefore, we urge members of the community to assist and support the SANDF and the SAPS in efforts to bring about an end to this violence, by reporting incidents of violence against soldiers and other law enforcement agencies, to the nearest Police Station.

The ANC Study Group on Defence and Military Veterans sends heartfelt condolences to the SANDF, the family and friends of the slain soldier.

Issued by the ANC Study Group on Defence and Military Veterans Whip, comrade Thabo Mmutle.

Enquiries:

Andile Mdleleni
0826941232