Defence Bill: deliberations

Meeting Summary

Department of Defence personnel: Generals J van der Poel, Coetzee and Delmonte and Admiral M Trainer, Mr Ratebe and Mr Motumsi

The meeting was called to finalise the amendments to the Defence Bill following discussions over the past several months.

Mr Ndlovu (IFP) and Ms Modise had expressed concern about Clause 78, and the possibility of uncontrolled use of the SANDF. A new clause (zC) was adopted to read:

The support that the Department of Defence may give to recognised youth organisations and movements in respect of youth and community development programmes.

Clauses 100 - 104 were approved.

There was prolonged debate over amendments proposed by Mr Ratebe to Clause 105 (20) regarding penalties for theft/negligent loss of SANDF property. Admiral Trainer noted that many of the provisions were covered in the Code of Conduct applicable to both members of the SANDF and civilian personnel. Nonetheless, the amendments were eventually adopted, except for clause 2 which was deleted.

General Coetzee proposed that the definition of "order" in the definitions listed in Chapter One should be deleted given the confusions over the distinctions between "order," "instruction," "command" and "directives." These had prompted extended debate in earlier meetings. The Committee in due course decided to leave the definitions in Chapter One.

The finalised version of the Defence Bill will be adopted at a meeting on Tuesday 25 June.

Meeting adjourned.