PRETORIA — The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) is threatening legal action against the Department of Defence over the quarantine of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The union has formally raised severe concerns regarding the legality of the mandate and the deplorable living conditions the soldiers are currently enduring.
According to SANDU National Secretary Pikkie Greeff, the soldiers arrived back in South Africa approximately two weeks ago. Upon their arrival, they were unexpectedly placed under quarantine without prior notification. Greeff explained that the quarantine is reportedly linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreaks in both the DRC and Uganda, the latter being a transit country for the returning troops.
However, the union questions the legal basis for isolating the military personnel. Greeff pointed out that there are currently no specific international regulations from the World Health Organization (WHO), nor any South African domestic rules, that mandate the quarantine of individuals transiting between these three countries. The union finds it highly puzzling that the soldiers are being subjected to different rules compared to other civilians traveling from the same regions.
Beyond the legal concerns, SANDU has highlighted severe infrastructure and capacity failures at the quarantine facility. Greeff reported that the site is entirely unequipped to handle the volume of personnel housed there. Soldiers have reportedly faced consistent electricity supply issues, insufficient ablution facilities, and a lack of nutritious food that is often delivered at highly inconsistent times.
The physical conditions inside the encampment have further deteriorated. Troops have reported equipment failures, including torn tents and worn-out mattresses, forcing many to sleep directly on the floor. Furthermore, personnel are being overcrowded and bunched together into single tents, exacerbating the poor living standards.
Despite SANDU raising these issues with the SANDF, the union states they have received no formal response to attorney letters sent on Friday and the following day. Greeff described the Department of Defence’s reaction as merely “meek.” While informal assurances were given that repairs would be conducted, Greeff noted that any completed work has been wholly inadequate to resolve the core infrastructure capacity crisis.
The situation has left the returning soldiers feeling deeply unappreciated for their service. Greeff emphasized that the troops feel their dignity is at stake and that they are being neglected by the very institution they serve. The union revealed that the SANDF was aware of the impending quarantine and had aimed to have the facilities ready by June 24, yet the preparations fell short.
With nearly three weeks having passed since the pre-planned quarantine began, SANDU maintains that the legal route remains their only alternative if conditions are not immediately rectified. The Department of Defence has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the union’s legal threats or the specific conditions at the encampment.
