The provinces defence force to go on strike

By Tando Mfengwana
26 January 2007

The Defence Force Union will embark on strike action on Saturday against restrictions imposed on its members by the South African National Defence Force, to partake in strike action relating to labour issues.

Union Chairperson Mbulelo Mabala says that the reasons for the strike include member’s displeasure about government’s 2010 strategy for the defence force.

The union is demanding that government evaluates women's rights on the national defence force.

Mabala says that there will be no gender equity in the SANDF as long as female soldiers are dismissed when they are pregnant, especially members who are busy with military skills development.

They union will be calling for the reinstatement of members who were dismissed by military court marshals, that were declared unlawful by the High Court.

Mabala said that they demand the radical transformation of the SANDF, by giving competent black soldiers opportunities to fill management posts.

“It’s an open secret that the middle management of the SANDF is composed of whites, and that blacks are not given the opportunity, this might give the impression that black members have no capacity to be in a position of management.”

The strike will start this Saturday near the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town campus, formerly known as the Cape Technikon.