Question NW57 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
20 March 2017 - NW57
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to the incident that took place on 4 November 2016 on the square outside the Nelson Mandela Bay City Hall (details furnished), why (a) were the SANDF members armed, (b) was the specified site targeted and (c) did the SANDF members allegedly attempt to drive over a municipal vehicle occupied by a member of the Mayoral Committee at the time; (2) whether the SANDF members were acting on orders from the SANDF headquarters; if not, on whose orders were they acting; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any of the SANDF members involved in the incident will be court-martialled for their actions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
(a) Officer Commanding SA Army Support Base Eastern Cape instructed the members to be armed as per Army Doctrine.
(b) No, there was no specific site targeted. More than one family who stayed illegally was evicted. The Officer Commanding reported that the choice of delivering near the municipality was as requested by the lady being removed out of the military house.
(c) When the SANDF trucks were leaving, someone tried to block their way by putting a vehicle in front of them. The vehicle was left unoccupied, trying to block the way.
Orders were given by the Officer Commanding SA Army Support Base Eastern Cape.
The Board of Enquiry is currently at LEGSATO for legal advice once returned actions will be taken as been advised by LEGSATO.