The military veterans said they were promised support when they returned to South Africa from exile, but nothing’s been done for them
A total of 53 military veterans were arrested last Friday at St George's Hotel in Pretoria. They are accused of holding Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, Minister of Defence Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla and other delegates from the Presidency with 10 representatives from the military veterans, hostage.
“The 53 veterans are currently facing one count of conspiracy to kidnap and 26 counts of kidnapping,” said National Prosecuting Authority North Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.Mahanjana said Gungubele who chaired the meeting informed the gathering that deputy president David Mabuza was not available and asked if the military veterans wished the meeting to still proceed.Mahanjana said Gungubele then decided to adjourn the meeting and asked people present to leave the venue.
“At that point it is alleged that a group of people stormed in and closed the entrances of the venue and barricaded the doors with chairs, telling the ministerial delegation that no one will leave until the president or the deputy president comes to address their issues. The 26 delegates were kept in the venue for three hours.
“They were later released after the SAPS Special Task Force rescued them and apprehended the 53 veterans,” Mahanjana said.
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