NNP, DA support commandos

2003-02-16 20:54

Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance and the New National Party on Sunday leapt to the defence of the army's commandos after an announcement by President Thabo Mbeki that the government would phase out the present civilian defence system.

DA rural safety spokesperson Andries Botha urged the government to thoroughly canvas the opinion of rural communities before implementing the phase-out.

He also urged the defence ministry to clarify its intentions and explain what would replace the commando system.

"Phasing out the commando system before an effective alternative is in place just does not make any sense. This announcement by the President will definitely send a very negative message to rural communities."

Mbeki said in his state of the nation address to a joint session of Parliament on Friday that the proposed phasing out of the commando system was necessary for the proper regulation of the security services.

Move could compromise defence capabilities

In his reaction, NNP defence spokesperson Adriaan Blaas said the move could "well compromise the defence capabilities of South Africa."

He said ensuring rural security was only one of the commandos' functions.

"In the defence planning the commando's form part of the Reserve Force earmarked for rapid force expansion in case of a threat against the Republic. They are tasked for rear defence and trained, amongst other task, to do this," Blaas said.

"Phasing out the commandos and replacing them with local security units will result in the rear area defence capability being abandoned," he added.

"The decision to phase out the commandos stems from a historical perspective and the fact that in isolated cases right wing extremists abused the system.

"This only happened because the defence force did not pay sufficient attention to the Reserve Forces and more specifically to the commando units.

"Senior officers were not properly screened. Transformation in these units only took place on the initiative of local commanders. No support for the transformation process came from the defence force.

"To phase out the units is to cure symptoms and not to solve the problem," Blaas said.

Move will 'shatter morale'

He warned that the move would shatter the morale of many for whom the commandos are a form of life.

He said the majority of those serving voluntarily in the country's 183 commando units were dedicated and loyal South Africans with an affinity for the military. They were also doing a superb job.

During 2000 and 2001 commandos executed in excess of 44 000 operations.

Approximately 27 000 individuals solely depended on the income derived from part-time duty in commandos.

"Within the scope of the White Paper on defence and the Defence Review, commando units must be retained to ensure rear defence capabilities in case of conventional threats against South Africa and should not be compromised by of political agendas. A rethink on this issue is needed.

"The phasing out of the commandos will also result in many people losing their primary source of income.

"Many of the serving members will lose interest in participating voluntarily any form of military activity placing the principle of a reserve force in jeopardy," Blaas said.

- SAPA