Madam Deputy Speaker, the recent events of the SANDF soldiers protesting, striking and rampaging through the Union Buildings, are a matter of great concern to the public, and should be to the members of this House.
Given the power of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, these events are as a result of her failure to act in line with regulations governing defence and be more sensitive to the issue raised by the soldiers.
Nonetheless, her failure is no excuse for the ill-discipline displayed by the soldiers who were tasked with protecting our Constitution and the people of South Africa.
The silence of the commander in chief of defence, President Jacob Zuma, is of concern. We want to hear from the commander in chief in this regard. Cope calls on the President and the Minister to meet with these soldiers and settle the issues that they have raised. We call on the soldiers to maintain the highest discipline.