Foreigners in SANDF a threat to national security: union

Foreigners in SANDF a threat to national security: union

Sapa | 2013-07-23 17:29:21.0

SANDF soldiers. File photo.

Employing foreigners in the defence force is a threat to national security, the SA Security Forces Union (Sasfu) said.

"This has a potential to allow infiltrating foreigners to advance into the leadership of the SANDF and might even lead to a coup d'etat against the democratically elected government of South Africa," Sasfu president Bheki Mvovo said in a statement.

"The union calls [on] the commander-in-chief and Cabinet to take a serious look at the management of this institution."

Sasfu represents workers of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).

Mvovo claimed that a Congolese national was employed to serve in the navy's elite submarine flotilla.

"This is against the backdrop of high unemployment rate amongst the South African youth."

The SANDF said the union's statement was "without context".

"It is fashionable of the Sasfu to discredit the defence force and find fault at every given opportunity," spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said.

He said the person in question was a Congolese national, but had parents living in South Africa, and had a South African identity document and residence permit.

"It must be clearly stated that this matter was picked up by the navy and dealt with accordingly with other stakeholders."

He said the person underwent a selection process and medical screening.

"The applicant was found to be suitable for possible enlistment."

However, during the administration process, it was discovered he was not a South African citizen and was being withdrawn from the SANDF. Dlamini explained there was a difference between being a resident in, and a citizen of, South Africa.

"He has all the documents that allow him to do everything in the country except join the defence force," said Dlamini.

Source: http://avusa.feedsportal.com/c/33051/f/534658/s/2f0f1dfa/sc/20/l/0L0Stimeslive0Bco0Bza0Clocal0C20A130C0A70C230Cforeigners0Ein0Esandf0Ea0Ethreat0Eto0Enational0Esecurity0Eunion/story01.htm

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