The EFF accuses SANDF for intentional intimidating them, also questioning their presents and the audacity to carry heavy guns whereas the SAPS didn’t carry any
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Alfred Nzo Region has opened a case of intimidation to the Matatiele Police station ( Case registration on 2025-04-08 at Matatiele Station. ref nr CAS 13/4/2025) against South African National Defence Force (SANDF), this follows after the SANDF was seen present during the march organized by civil society working together with different political parties to handover the memorandum of grievances to Bargview Collage following a rape incident of a 7 year old girl.
The EFF Regional Secretary Siseko Sikhafungana accuses SANDF for intentional intimidating them, also questioning their presents and the audacity to carry heavy guns whereas the SAPS didn’t carry any. “ The reason for us to open a case is non-other than the fact that, when SANDF is about to be deployed it is only the President who gives that mandate through parliament, so in this case no one knew about this, hence we are demanding that whoever deployed them must account,” he said.
According to the EFF the march was peaceful, as the organizers applied for the permission following all the procedures. The EFF further dismiss the narrative that claims SANDF was only at rout R56, “That is a lie those people they were at Bergview Collage, a street that is far away from rout R56,” Sikhafungana explained. One person who came to the march share, that when they arrived outside Bergview Collage SANDF was already there. “Their presents made us feel uncomfortable as we were wondering how can our own government deploy the whole army to intimidate us, because we came out here to demand justice for the little girl who is being failed by the very same government system,” he said.
Furthermore the EFF has also written a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza, emphasizing that in terms of section 201(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Atrica, 1996, only the President may authorise the employment of the defence force in cooperation with the police service. Furthermore, section 201(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, prescribes that when the defence force is employed as envisaged in subsection (2), the President must inform Parliament promptly and in appropriate detail: of the reasons for the employment of the defence force, any place where the force is being employed the number of people involved, and the period for which the force is expected to be employed.
Meanwhile it is reported that, the African National Congress Youth League led by the Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson comrade Vuyo Jali also attended the march demanding justice for Alu, Boy and Cwecwe. The reports says the march started at the Department of Traffic and proceeded to Bergview Collage to deliver a clear demonstration of the ANCYL’s commitment to fight gender-based violence, child abuse and all forms of social injustice. According to the Youth League, they remain resolute in the fight for justice, safety, and dignity for all. “We extend our undying support to the families and a community affected by these tragic incidents, your pain is our pain,” said the Youth League
