A member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), assisted by the South African National Defence Union (SANDU), is taking the force to court over poor living conditions at the Fort Ikapa Military Base at Acacia Park, Cape Town.

SANDF members deployed as part of the Joint Operation known as Operation Prosper are being accommodated at the base’s temporary barracks.

In the case, which is before the Pretoria High Court, WO Eugene Rodger Kiewiet (55) is the applicant and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga. Motshekga is the first respondent, according to court documents shared by SANDU.

In his signed affidavit, dated 25 May, Kiewiet wrote that the hangar at the military base had vast open spaces and high ceilings; that the vents inside could not be closed and there were several holes in the roof and it was extremely cold, especially at night.

He said several members had fallen ill since their deployment. Kiewiet added there was a shortage of ablution facilities at Fort Ikapa, one toilet had broken, effectively leaving them with only two toilets and no toilet paper.

He wrote there had been no sufficient provisioning, and very little food was being distributed among the company.

SANDF members were deployed to Operation Prosper to assist the police in maintaining law and order in several areas of the Cape Flats. The operation is set to last until 31 March 2027.

High Court

The court case against the SANDF was set to resume on Tuesday 9 June.

According to court documents, a copy of which is in NovaNews’ possession, an application would be made to the court for the necessary steps to be taken to repair the accommodation at Fort Ikapa, so it is habitable and fit for human occupation, or to have steps taken to arrange alternative and sufficient accommodation. The applicant also wanted steps taken to ensure sufficient ablution facilities were made available to members at Fort Ikapa or any other base or premises they relocated to as well as sufficient provisions of foods.

SANDF spokesperson Simphiwe Dlamini, has still not responded to questions on this matter.

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