Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

Military group in KZN worries cabinet Parliamentary Editor CAPE TOWN There is mounting concern in government over the 1000-strong group of men occupying a farm in northern KwaZulu-Natal as it is believed they intend to undergo military training in Swaziland or Mozambique.

They claim to be former activists in the struggle against apartheid who saw service in self-protection and defence units in the townships.

They are demanding integration into the SA National Defence Force a full 12 years after those who fought for apartheid were integrated with those who fought against it.

Speaking at a post-cabinet media briefing, chief government spokesman Themba Maseko said: A report was given on the occupation of farmland in KwaZulu-Natal. Cabinet expressed concern and noted that the minister of defence would be meeting relevant parties to attend to the matter urgently. In response to questions, Maseko said it was known that the group wanted to jump the border for military training in Swaziland. He said the SANDF and the intelligence community were investigating and gathering as much information about the men as possible.

The men were aged between 16 and 50 and Maseko said he found this strange. If the younger ones were 16 now, they would have been very young members of the self-defence units, he said.

Asked if government had held any discussions with Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi on the matter, Maseko said the IFP had dissociated itself from the men and their actions. He said the cabinet also noted with concern incidents of violence in schools where pupils had been killed. These incidents, coupled with the violent crimes that are being committed by bloodthirsty criminals on our streets, highlight the need for a collective effort by all South Africans to declare war on crime. The tragic killing of an infant during an armed robbery in Johannesburg is a clear indication that these criminals do not value life, Maseko said.

He said the best tribute to those who died was to intensify the fight against crime.