The Star reports that the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) has called on newly appointed Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise to intervene over the alleged shortage of hygiene material for army personnel deployed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The army was deployed to KZN and parts of Gauteng following the unrest and looting last month. In a letter on Monday, the union called on Modise to respond within 48 hours to what it labelled the “scandalous neglect of basic hygiene for our soldiers”, or face urgent legal action. Sandu’s Pikkie Greeff said they had been alerted this week by their members of a shortage of hygiene material, including toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitizer. He expressed concern about the health of the union’s members amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our position is that it is important to provide hygiene protection to the people entrusted with protecting the country. Given that we have Covid-19, the risk is even greater and that is why action on the matter should be taken urgently,” Greeff said. SANDF spokesperson Brigadier General Mafi Mgobozi said they were not aware of a shortage of hygiene material for soldiers and they would whether investigate the matter.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibusiso Mboto on page 2 of The Star of 11 August 2012

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page