Emergency meeting was held with the South African National Defence Union (Sandu) following a growing outcry over unpaid allowances to troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [Image by The Citizen]
(The Post News)- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) summoned a crisis meeting with the South African National Defence Union (Sandu) following growing pressure on the non-payment of soldiers’ allowances who were deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under Operation Thiba, which is part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
The brawl erupted after Sandu publicly accused the SANDF of short-changing soldiers deployed in volatile eastern DRC. Some South African troops complain they are owed as much as R600,000 for 15 months on duty, reports say. A soldier complained they were entitled to R100,000 monthly but were paid a total of R58,000.
In a 29 June statement, SANDF verified the meeting, saying the union had issued a public statement and video release without first engaging in negotiations through prescribed military communication procedures. SANDF spokesman Rear-Admiral Prince Tshabalala cited the earlier-than-needed public announcement as a risk to demoralizing troops and disrupting command and control structures.
Though tensions were initially present, the sit-down led by Lieutenant General Malungisa Sitshongaye and hosted by officials Sandu Advocate Pikkie Greef and Jeff Dubaza was dubbed constructive. Both parties agreed that they would continue to meet to attempt to finalize matters like out-of-country allowances as well as administrative errors. A further meeting is scheduled for sometime later this week.
Dispute over SADC deployment compensation has driven the saga. While SADC remunerates R108,000 monthly for each deployed soldier to TCCs, SANDF clarified that it is covering a wide range of costs — including allowances, logistics, and equipment — and is not disbursed directly into soldiers’ pockets.
The SANDF pays troops deployed overseas according to internal policy,” the Directorate Corporate Communication (DCC) replied, with soldiers averaging a R34,000-a-month allowance.
The criticism has not been confined to money. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), in spokesman Carl Niehaus, condemned what it termed the SANDF’s “callous treatment” of the troops who had returned, and they cited inadequate medical and psychological treatment.
“Wounded soldiers are being treated poorly because 1 Military Hospital collapsed, Niehaus said. “They were abandoned without help, and now they are being abandoned.”
Sandu also had serious concerns about health. Greef, who made a separate statement, pointed out that some wounded and mutilated soldiers were not properly supported by on-duty injury and psychological examination, either.
“Troops feel abandoned,” Greef had asserted. “Such disregard is unacceptable. As a union, we will struggle to see that they receive what they ought to receive — care and compensation.”
The SANDF struck back by reiterating its commitment to the welfare of soldiers, affirming that it values “open dialogue with organised labour” and would address issues through internal means.
The issue of outstanding military allowances for troops deployed on foreign missions is set to remain in the news as public, media, and political pressure mount. A resolution can be expected to ensue in the wake of this week’s planned follow-up meeting between the SANDF and Sandu.
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