SANDU intends to sue DOD over quarantining of soldiers
The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) announced on Wednesday that it has instructed its lawyers to file suit against the Department of Defence (DOD) over the quarantine of soldiers who recently returned to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SANDU National Secretary, Pikkie Greeff, said it will challenge not only the legality of the quarantine but also the conditions in which the soldiers are being quarantined.
"It includes matters such as insufficient electricity supply, abuse and broken equipment, and very bad conditions for the soldiers, as well as bad nutrition," said Greeff.
"We received no response to those very serious concerns that we raised, and no response to the legal issues surrounding the quarantine, and therefore we decided to issue a lawsuit."
He said the soldiers have been in quarantine since they arrived back in South Africa last week, which he said was immediately reported to SANDU.
Greef said the DOD has paid attention to some of the complaints that were raised, but it has become clear that the facilities were inadequate for the department's purposes.
"[DOD] hasn't explained the quarantine, not to the members, nor to the Union, and we are of the firm view that the quarantine is unlawful."
Greeff said SANDU wanted judicial review on an urgent basis on the lawfulness and the lack of facilities.
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