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“As matters now stand, he appears to have breached his constitutional obligation.”
Lekota said Zuma had no right to deploy soldiers on a mission to disarm and demilitarise citizens of a foreign country. Thirteen South African soldiers were killed and 27 injured on March 23 in a clash with Seleka rebel fighters outside the capital Bangui.
“We insist that constitutionally, South Africans have the right to get a full explanation about what our young men in uniform were doing in (the) CAR and why 13 of them had to sacrifice their lives.”
President Zuma has insisted troops were sent to the CAR in terms of an agreement signed in 2007, in which South Africa was to train the CAR army. Another 200 soldiers were deployed late in 2012 when security deteriorated in the CAR to protect trainers and South African military assets already in the CAR. At a memorial service for the slain soldiers on Tuesday, President Zuma said no country discussed its military strategy in public.
Meanwhile, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) denied reports yesterday suggesting it was massing troops in Central Africa.
“The SANDF is not involved in any build-up of forces as reported,” spokesperson Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said.
This came as President Zuma and a South African international relations and security contingent attended an Economic Community of Central African States (Eccas) summit in Chad. Beeld reported yesterday that Gripen fighter planes, Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters and three Russian freight carriers had been flying to Entebbe in Uganda, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Some left from Bloemfontein and others from Waterkloof Air Force base. — Sapa.
Online Reporter