SAfrican defence minister says 23 per cent of military HIV positive
Between 17 and 23 per cent of SA National Defence Force [SANDF] members may be infected with HIV/AIDS, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Tuesday [15 February].
"We encourage members of the SANDF to go for voluntary testing but can't compel them once they are already in (the service)," Lekota told reporters during a briefing at parliament.
He said the estimated figure was based on the percentage found on a survey done among volunteers. He said comprehensive testing of recruits was done before they entered the service to judge a candidate's suitability. "In this business you are very likely to bleed. And if you are a haemophiliac you will be asked to leave," he said explaining it was not only if a person had HIV/AIDS. But, he said all members being sent abroad on missions had to be tested for a wide range of ailments including HIV/AIDS.
Discussing, SANDF members volunteering for mercenary activity in war-torn regions, Lekota said according to his information, they were mostly ex-SA Defence Force (SADF) soldiers after money. "The old SADF did everything for money. They killed for money and it's those that go to Iraq."
Those from the former freedom fighter battalions took up arms for a "cause and loyalty".
They were the ones who now remained in the service and did not complain about the money, he said.
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15 Février 2005 à 10:20 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
