Final call for soldiers to return
2012-08-22 20:18
Johannesburg - A final call to report for duty was issued on Wednesday to soldiers put on special leave by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) after an illegal protest at the Union Buildings.
Some soldiers had ignored or defied an order by the chief of the SANDF to report to their home units, Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said in a statement.
Those who had not yet returned to their home units had until midnight to do so.
Department action would be taken against members who failed to comply with this instruction, Mabanga said.
The SANDF commended those soldiers who had obeyed the directive by reporting for duty.
Last week, Mabanga said members who could not be reached because of change of address or other administrative matters needed to contact their units.
Last Tuesday, the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) resisted the general recall, arguing that an announcement made through the media was unofficial.
"The defence corporate communication section of the SANDF seems to be under the misapprehension that the military chain of command could be conducted through the media," said Sandu national secretary JG Greeff.
Any action taken against members would be opposed, including with legal action, he said.
- SAPA
