Defense Minister Krishna Mathoera is urged to “stop what she is doing” by Rodney Cairo, chairman of the Association for the Legal Status of Military Personnel (VRM), because the union has enough proof to file a lawsuit as well. Mathoera contends that the union has never been able to prove that the group has 1,700 members, believes the action taken by the union was unjustified, and has drafted summary processes to stop similar measures in the future.
The Ministry of Defense initiated summary procedures against the VRM on Monday, as was previously disclosed. The VRM has temporarily suspended the announced steps in the meantime. Defense reported that the association informed Minister Mathoera of this in a letter sent to him yesterday at around 10 a.m.
The Ministry of Defense initiated summary procedures against the VRM on Monday, as was previously disclosed. The VRM has temporarily suspended the announced steps in the meantime. Defense reported that the association informed Minister Mathoera of this in a letter sent to him yesterday at around 10 a.m.
Registrar Ruth de Windt received a petition from the VRM on Monday in the National Assembly. There was no march to the building this time. Cairo and a few board members arrived to deliver the papers. The military will receive a 150 percent pay raise, which is what the union considers to be the most significant development. On Friday, a petition was also delivered to the President’s Office.
Minister Mathoera announced summary procedures on Friday. She has stated that soldiers are not allowed to strike. Cairo observes that “the minister can say whatever she wants, and the union rights are there.” Mathoera added that the union is unable to substantiate its claim to have 1,700 members. Cairo is not certain of that. Throwing numbers is against military culture, he claims. “The minister appears to do it frequently in the media. Additionally, we’re going to write the minister and demand that she stop using military personnel as media fodder.”
Cairo underlines that “the unity is quite large.” “We can provide accurate data upon the minister’s request if he requests that we do so. We can do that if she wants to. The minister shouldn’t begin with a potentially problematic topic. The union has a lot of evidence that we may present to the judge. The minister is being requested to halt immediately; else, we will undoubtedly need to go to court.”
According to Cairo, the VRM was not approached for negotiations over the weekend. Parts of the union won’t take part in Srefidensi if we don’t hear anything during the week, he declared. Cairo emphasizes that politics are unrelated to the action. “The rules are unambiguous. Members of political parties or individuals with political backgrounds are not permitted to serve on the board. Allow the populace to express themselves. For the benefit of the organization’s members, we are fighting a good fight.”
