SANDU slams forced attendance at army Easter service
The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a forced religious directive issued to members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), labelling it “unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights”.
The union was alerted on Tuesday to a WhatsApp message widely circulated within SANDF ranks.
The message was reportedly sent by Brigadier General O.M. Dube, the Acting Chief of the SA Army, and calls on members from various formations, Army HQ, directorates, and corporate services to attend a Christian Easter service scheduled for Wednesday at Thaba Tshwane Hall.
The message further states that only those with valid excuses approved by Dube himself would be exempt.
According to SANDU, the message includes religious declarations such as a prayer for members to accept "God the Almighty as your Lord and Saviour."
SANDU National Secretary Pikkie Greeff, has expressed deep concern over the directive, stating that compelling SANDF members to attend a religious service violates the South African Constitution’s provisions on freedom of religion, belief, and opinion, as well as the right not to be coerced into religious practice.
"The message/order is unacceptable and unconstitutional.
"It violates the constitutional rights of SANDF members not to be forced to attend religious gatherings organised by the State."
The union further criticized the blending of military command with religious endorsement, emphasizing the principle of state secularity enshrined in the Constitution.
SANDU has called on both the Chief of the SANDF and the Chief of the SA Army to immediately revoke the message and to clarify that attendance at the Easter service is strictly voluntary.
"If not revoked, SANDU vows to defend every member charged for non-attendance," said Greeff.
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