President Jacob Zuma has called on members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), to be disciplined at all times. The president was explaining the provisions of the new Defence Amendment Act during National Reconciliation Day in Pretoria at the Thaba Tshwane military base.

President  Zuma says once fully implemented the Act will ensure that soldiers are accorded the status they deserve due to the unique nature of their work. But the president emphasised discipline as one of the provisions of the new law.

President Zuma said soldiers who can't obey commands, be loyal, disciplined and reliable  should not be  part of the Defence Force. "Anyone who finds these attributes too difficult to adhere to, should not be in the defence force at all," he said to loud applause.

 Last August, a group of soldiers defied a court order not to march to the Union Buildings over a salary dispute.  When they arrived at the buildings, which house the president's and executive's Pretoria offices, people were seen scaling the fences and a police vehicle was set alight. Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu promised stern action and sent provisional termination notices to more than 1000 soldiers.
On December 1, the High Court in Pretoria granted an order to soldiers' union Sandu declaring the procedure adopted by the defence force, in terms of which the soldiers were issued with the notices, unlawful and unconstitutional. – Additional reporting by Sapa