Posted on 02/15/2005 8:35:45 AM PST by Jimmyclyde
CAPE TOWN Up to 23% in SANDF have HIV/Aids Posted Tue, 15 Feb 2005
Between 17 and 23 percent of SA National Defence Force members may be infected with HIV/Aids, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Tuesday.
"We encourage members of the SANDF to go for voluntary testing but can't compel them once they are already in (the service)," Lekota told reporters during a briefing at Parliament.
He said the estimated figure was based on the percentage found on a survey done among volunteers.
He said comprehensive testing of recruits was done before they entered the service to judge a candidate's suitability.
"In this business you are very likely to bleed. And if you are a haemophiliac you will be asked to leave," he said explaining it was not only if a person had HIV/Aids.
But, he said all members being sent abroad on missions had to be tested for a wide range of ailments including HIV/Aids.
Discussing SANDF members volunteering for mercenary activity in war torn regions, Lekota said according to his information, they were mostly ex-SA Defence Force (SADF) soldiers after money.
"The old SADF did everything for money. They killed for money and it’s those that go to Iraq."
Those from the former freedom fighter battalions took up arms for a "cause and loyalty".
They were the ones who now remained in the service and did not complain about the money, he said.
Sapa
ping
Just what I was thinking.
I'm shocked.
I didn't know South Africa had an army :)
They do have a world class defence industry(established in the 70s with Israeli help) & have quiet a few customers in Africa,the M.E & Asia.
An army which is largely infected with an incurable, fatal disease could be dangerous and fanatical. With a certain type of leader, South Africa might carve out an extensive empire in Africa.
Shaka Zulu redux.
South Africa's army is better than many European armies. Much better. Virtually Israeli-lite (and there is quite a lot of interaction between the two).
I think cooperation with Israel has cooled down a lot since the end of apartheid.There was some effort to continue it during the Mandela government,but it didn't work out.The 2 defence industries of both countries can now be called rivals given the fact that both concentrate on similar niche sectors.
dont ask, don't touch......
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