Claims that defence minister was held hostage denied

Nearly 3000 South African soldiers who were deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have vowed to take their fight for justice to court if the Department of Defence fails to pay them outstanding fees for their deployment.

- By Setumo Stone, Mzwandile kaBizokwakhe and Bongani Mdakane

The news comes amid claims that defence minister Angie Motshekga was held hostage by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in protest of the nonpayment.

South African National Defence Union national secretary Piekie Greef confirmed that they will go to court if the outstanding fees are not paid. He dismissed rumours that soldiers had held Motshekga hostage.

“South African soldiers are patriots, and they won't act unlawfully. They know that there are legal ways to obtain justice,” Greef said, adding that “the formal channels by law are the military bargaining council, the military arbitration board and finally the courts”.

Asked about Motshekga being held hostage, Greef said: “I heard about those rumours.”

The disgruntled soldiers, who served on dangerous missions in the DRC, say they have grown increasingly disillusioned as their calls for payment have fallen on deaf ears.