Andrew Trench and Paul Stober
SOUTH AFRICAN security forces are keeping a close watch on the former homelands of Transkei and Ciskei as simmering discontent in police and military ranks threatens to jeopardise order in the regions.
South African intelligence assessments of the former homelands warn of a breakdown of discipline in the ranks of the old Transkei Defence Force and the Transkei and Ciskei police. Citing reports of weapons going missing or being used for criminal activities, intelligence sources indicated they were especially concerned about the control of weapons in the former homelands’ armouries.
A spokesman for the South African National Defence Force Eastern Province command confirmed a platoon of SANDF troops was still stationed at Port St Johns after a mutiny by former TDF troops in June.
A source close to the military in the former homelands warned there was still dissatisfaction among middle-ranking officers who believe many senior Transkei officers were only promoted because of their links with “Transkei royalty” and tribal structures.
Source said the appointment of former TDF commander general Themba “TT” Matanzima as head of the Eastern Cape military could be seen as an attempt to appease rumblings in the TDF.
Meanwhile, Transkei policemen — who went on strike over wage and other grievances last month — slammed Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi for failing to address their grievances.
And a senior police officer in former Ciskei said police wanting to set up roadblocks had been forced to borrow vehicles from other government departments.