Bill first step in ousting defence force unions - expert

Frank van Rooyen, a senior researcher at the SA Institute of International Affairs, told the paper the Bill would give Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu the power to institute constitutional changes to forbid soldiers from belonging to unions. 'This Bill is the first step to doing away with unions in the Defence Force,' he is quoted as saying. Van Rooyen added Sisulu was a close ally of Zuma and was therefore 'powerful enough to force members of the ruling party in Parliament to effect these constitutional changes'. The Defence Amendment Act makes provision for the creation of a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission that will investigate and make recommendations to the Minister on the conditions of service of military personnel. The Act does not forbid soldiers from being members of unions and does not affect the existence of a military bargaining council. Union leaders were adamant that the legislation would not succeed in getting unions out of the military. Full Business Day report See also a report in The Citizen Bill