NO LAPSE IN MINISTERS’ HOSTAGE DRAMA

Modise said they did not want to use excessive force when military veterans from MK, Apla and Azanla took them

DEFENCE and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise has denied there was a lapse of security when they were held hostage this week leading to dramatic rescue efforts by the special task force.

Modise said they did not want to use excessive force when military veterans from MK, Apla and Azanla took her, Deputy Minister of Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele hostage at St George’s hotel in Pretoria.

She said yesterday she would investigate the problems facing the military veterans from the non-statutory forces.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said the special task force, National Intervention Unit and Tactical Response Team were sent to Irene when they learnt the two ministers and a deputy minister were held hostage for three hours.

Modise said the negotiations between her delegation and the military veterans collapsed when they were prevented from leaving the venue by the group. At that point they realised they were held against their will.

She denied that South Africa’s security was lax after the hostage drama. They would also not be increasing security for ministers because of the incident. “I must say that we will be more careful when we meet.

“We will make sure we are not taken hostage again. You are saying does this mean South Africa is a failed state because two ministers and a deputy minister were held against their will, because there were riots in July, I don’t think so. I think South Africa has been put to the test.

“Thus far we must be proud that despite yesterday, police came in to break up the hostage situation.

“So far we have been able … for the state not to go overboard in the use of force, for the state to listen more than it uses force. It’s a plus for the democracy of SA,” said Modise.

Gungubele said a bill on the benefits of military veterans was being developed to address their plight. One of the issues was to verify those who were military veterans. So far 2 000 people have come forward for the verification purpose.

Modise also said they would not be able to afford the reparations of R4.2 million for each military veteran.

What they can do is look at the benefits that could be given to them. This was a process already in place, led by Deputy President David Mabuza.

The 56 military veterans will appear in court on Monday. Modise said they will not withdraw the kidnapping charges against the group.

Meanwhile, SACP general secretary, Dr Blade Nzimande, added his voice over the hostage drama saga, saying whatever the issues were, holding ministers hostage was completely unacceptable. No matter how much anger is out there over the plight of former liberation army veterans, Thursday’s incident dents the credibility of the government, he said.

Nzimande, accompanied by provincial leaders of the SACP like Themba Mthembu, made these remarks yesterday at Mount Royal township in the north of Durban. The SACP was conducting a door-to-door campaign, mobilising supporters for its alliance partner, the ANC.

“Outstanding issues need to be addressed in relation to veterans. We know there are government programmes to address them, I know because I have been involved in my deployment as the minister of higher education and training to make sure that children of veterans get NSFAS.

“But holding ministers hostage is unacceptable … that we cannot allow, no matter how many people are angry, that must not be done because all that does is to actually dent the confidence of the people in government.

“We hope there are no people who are doing that because they want the dignity of our government to be negatively affected.

“Otherwise, we will do all we can on our side as the SACP to also contribute to the resolution of whatever problems,” Nzimande told Independent Media.