Timeslive reports that trade union Solidarity has launched an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria that seeks to end an alleged secret project by the SA Police Service (SAPS) that benefits former members of the ANC’s armed wing, Mkhonto weSizwe, through re-ranking and promotions.
According to the union, military veterans who were freedom fighters for Mkhonto weSizwe and the PAC’s Azanian People’s Liberation Army, known as the Non-Statutory Forces (NSF), are entitled to pensions, re-ranking and promotions and other benefits that have not been extended to other former SA Defence Force members who are now working in the SAPS. The union claims that these benefits were discussed in "secret meetings" called by provincial commissioners and former SAPS minister Fikile Mbalula in 2017. Solidarity is representing 5,115 members who previously served in the South African Army and the SA National Defence Force. Head of Solidarity’s Centre for Fair Labour Practices Anton van der Bijl said this was discrimination based on political affiliation.
- Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive
- Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online
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