Justice4Cwecwe: SANDF dismisses reports!

SOUTH African National Defence Force (SANDF) dismisses reports.

It was reported that soldiers were in Matatiele, Eastern Cape to monitor a community march against gender-based violence.

But on Wednesday, 9 April, SANDF spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said there has been no such deployment.

"We wish to state that the SANDF has members in the area on border safeguarding duties and nothing else. We would like to express sincere regret regarding the incident where our soldiers were seen during the march against gender-based violence in Matatiele," he said.

Scores of people took to the streets of Matatiele, Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 8 April to raise awareness about gender-based violence and injustices facing vulnerable communities.

The peaceful protest, organised by the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) alongside the Holekane Women's Support Organisation and Lady Ocean SA Foundation was held in memory of Cwecwe, Alu, and Boy, victims of gender-based violence.

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But the peaceful protesters were shocked to see soldiers at the march.

This angered pollical parties such as ANCYL, EFF and ActionSA that soldiers were deployed to monitor community members.

EFF and ActionSA wrote letters to Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, respectively, demanding explanations why the soldiers were dispatched to a civilian march.

Dlamini was adamant that no deployment took place and reiterated that the SANDF is a gender sensitive organisation and supports gender programmes.

"We are cognisant of the unacceptable high levels of gender-based violence, and the prevalence of violence against women and children, and support any intervention by institutions and citizens aimed at dealing with violence against our women and children," he added.