Phasing Out of Commandos Won't Leave Security Gaps
Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla has warned critics of government's plan to phase out the commandos not to cause a "commotion" in rural communities.
Responding to some concerns raised in the legislature this week, Mr Makwetla assured that the police and the defence would ensure no security gaps in rural protection once the part-time soldiers were removed.
"Let's support the efforts being put by the police and SANDF instead of raising commotion in our communities. They won't be left on their own," Mr Makwetla said.
Parliament decided to replace commandos with police about three years ago following allegations that the soldiers were law unto themselves, especially in the province's Wakkerstroom area.
Farm workers have persistently complained that state resources were being used to torture them, and police suspected of siding with white farmers bungled these complaints.
The phasing out of the 189 commando units in the country will be completed in 2007.
Nelspruit's commando and 11 other units in the country have already been informed to close down at the end of March.
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24 Février 2005 à 10:31 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
