The new sergeant major of the army has been mandated to sharpen discipline in the service, his chief, Lieutenant General Solly Shoke, said on Tuesday.
”It is true. I am concerned about discipline. Discipline is the cornerstone for success in any organisation,” Shoke said after an exercise demonstrating the army’s airborne capability to the media.
”With a defence force it is even more so, because you deal with life and death,” Shoke added.
Warrant Officer Class One Dukuza Tshabalala assumes his new post at the end of the month.
”One of my briefs to him was that I expect him to enforce discipline. He is my main link to the troops but he must ensure those under my command are disciplined.
”It is unfortunate that incidents of poor discipline have occurred both internally and externally in the past. I can assure you that the SA army focuses on discipline as a critical performance area and that the lack of discipline will not be tolerated,” Shoke said.
Shoke said poor discipline and the abuse of state property tainted the image of the defence force.
He added that factors, such as poor living and working conditions, often in dilapidated government buildings, could play a role in ill-discipline.
He was keen to improve these.
Tshabalala had already launched a scheme called ”Project Care” to address living standard issues. – Sapa