Question NW1533 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
10 August 2021 - NW1533
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether, following the handing over of the report to her after the appointment of the Ministerial Task Team in 2019, which investigated the reporting of sexual harassment and sexual abuse cases in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), there has been communication by her department with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to redress the injustices in situations where children were born out of instances of sexual misconduct in foreign countries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether her department has taken any measures to redress injustices meted out against victims of misconduct by the SANDF that was identified since the beginning of the lockdown on 26 March 2020; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether she will furnish Inkosi R N Cebekhulu with a detailed report on such measures to show her department’s censure of misconduct and the overall legitimacy of the Republic’s protective body; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
(1) Liaison between the Department of Defence (DOD) and other role players, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation took place in this regard to streamline diplomatic and protocol procedures that will allow the Department to proceed with measures to hold the individuals accountable and to remedy the situation. Diplomatic processes are considered according to the Memorandum of Agreement to ensure that the Department’s actions are embodied thereon and are binding to all the affected parties involved.
(2) Yes,
(3) I have asked the CSANDF to provide same.