Question NW1509 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) whether, with reference to a recent report on the situation in Mozambique (details furnished) wherein the Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, refers to rebels in the region as jihadists and Islamic insurgents, which is simplistic and offensive to Muslim citizen in the Republic and in other parts of the world, it is her position that by the SA National Defence Force using such simplistic terms which emanate from a unidimensional construct of terrorist violence is intended by the SANDF to stereotype Muslims in a similar way that 70% of US security policies after 9/11 targeted Arabs and Muslims as they were seen to be associated with adherents of extremist movements; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether she will consider a ruling by House Chairperson of the National Assembly, Ms M G Boroto (details furnished), calling for wisdom and not to be hurtful in referring to persons and implement for all media spokespersons of the SANDF to avoid using hurtful and offensive terms such as jihadists and Islamic insurgents which engenders negative stereotypes towards particular groups of religious persons among the public and policymakers, when in fact the persons are terrorists; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?