SANDU Demands SANDF Cuba Pay Inquiry Over Soldier Contributions

• The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) is demanding an inquiry into allegations that soldiers were pressured to contribute from their allowances for needy Cubans.
• SANDU asserts that soldiers' allowances are part of their pay and should not be used for "non-military projects."
• The union's national secretary, Pikkie Greeff, called for a board of inquiry under the Defence Act to investigate the legality and authorization of these collections.
• The allegations arise amid significant SANDF Cuba training costs, with over R646-million spent on tuition, stipends, and related expenses between 2021 and 2025.
• The Auditor-General previously noted that military medical training in Cuba was 136% more expensive than local alternatives in 2023.

Greeff unequivocally stated that military salaries are not to be considered a 'slush fund.'

The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has formally called for a comprehensive inquiry into allegations that members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were compelled to contribute financially from their personal allowances while undergoing military training in Cuba. These contributions were reportedly intended to assist Cuban citizens in need. The union is demanding answers regarding the specific individuals who initiated these requests, oversaw the collection of funds, and managed their subsequent disbursement.

According to SANDU, these alleged "voluntary" contributions were extracted from soldiers' allowances, which the union firmly asserts constitute an integral part of their remuneration. National Secretary Pikkie Greeff emphasized that these funds should not be treated as a discretionary pool for senior officers to finance unrelated projects. Greeff specifically questioned the rationale behind utilizing soldiers' personal earnings for what he described as a "non-military project," unequivocally stating that military salaries are not to be considered a "slush fund."

These allegations surface amidst a long-standing and financially significant military relationship between South Africa and Cuba, which has seen South African soldiers dispatched for training over more than a decade. Recent disclosures by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga shed light on the scale of this engagement. Her figures indicate that 350 SANDF personnel have successfully completed training at Cuban military institutions. Of this number, 316 are currently employed in roles directly related to their Cuban-acquired expertise.

The financial commitment to this program is substantial. Between 2021 and 2025, the tuition fees alone for SANDF members studying in Cuba surpassed R34-million. Furthermore, the total expenditure for stipends, accommodation, travel, living expenses, and official visits during the same four-year period amounted to over R612-million. The Auditor-General has previously voiced concerns regarding the economic viability of certain aspects of the Cuban training initiative, noting in a 2023 finding that equivalent military medical training in Cuba was 136% more expensive than pursuing such studies domestically. This highlights the ongoing scrutiny of military spending oversight South Africa.

In response to the current allegations, SANDU, through its national secretary Pikkie Greeff, is advocating for the establishment of a board of inquiry under the provisions of the Defence Act. Greeff asserts that such an inquiry is crucial to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding these alleged financial collections. The union's primary objective is to ascertain the legality and proper authorization of the latest instance of money collection from soldiers.

Should the investigation confirm that all procedures were above board, Greeff insists this clarity must be publicly provided. Conversely, if the inquiry uncovers any evidence of misconduct, SANDU demands that those responsible be held fully accountable for their actions. This call for a Defence Act board of inquiry underscores the union's commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity within the SANDF's financial dealings, particularly concerning soldiers' allowances contributions.

Legal professionals should monitor the outcome of the requested Board of Inquiry under the Defence Act for precedents on financial accountability and ethical conduct within the SANDF, particularly concerning the handling of public funds and employee allowances. This could inform compliance frameworks for other state institutions facing similar allegations of financial impropriety or misuse of funds.

Source: Original reporting via Scrolla