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Forty-two members of the SANDF are currently suspended with full pay pending disciplinary hearings – including three senior officers who are on suspension in connection with high treason.

A written reply to a DA parliamentary question neither identifies the three by name, nor gives details of their alleged crime against the state. High treason is defined as engaging in activities with the intent to overthrow the state.

It states that the reason for the delay in finalising their disciplinary hearings as “awaiting civil court appeal proceedings”.

Two SANDF members are awaiting the outcome of appeals against murder convictions; another has appealed against an arson conviction and three face court proceedings for armed robbery. Three cases of sexual harassment are also cited in the written reply, as well as 13 for theft and/or fraud .

Cases against two SANDF members suspended in connection with armed robbery have been withdrawn and their suspensions are being lifted.

At least 39 SANDF members have been suspended on full pay in connection with murder, rape, arson, armed robbery, housebreaking, theft of of state funds, military equipment, rations and fuel, bribery, threats and intimidation.

It appears from the reply that disciplinary action against most of the SANDF members has been delayed for more than 12 months – which means they’ve been receiving full pay for the past year. Reasons for the delays include waiting for civilian courts to finish their work and the outcome of appeals, but also lengthy investigations and drawn-out disciplinary proceedings.

DA defence spokesperson, MP Rafeek Shah, has now called on new Defence Minister Charles Nqakula to spell out in detail how he plans to deal with ill-discipline in the armed forces.

“An efficient military justice system is a critical part of maintaining military discipline,” Shah said. “What does the minister intend to do about increasing the current system’s efficiency?”

Shah said it was “extremely disturbing” that three members of senior command were currently suspended for high treason.

“We need to seriously examine the quality of the SANDF’s senior military leadership, because good conduct and discipline starts at the top,” he said.