Troops are housed in a leaking hangar at Fort iKapa in Goodwood, facing inadequate living conditions.
The SA National Defence Union (SANDU) is demanding urgent action from the Department of Defence (DOD), describing inhumane conditions including a leaking hangar, no warm water for showers, and unsanitary toilets for 146 members who have been deployed to the province to assist in gang violence.
This is occurring while R823 million has been allocated nationally for the SANDF to support the SAPS with priority internal tasks, focusing on a government-wide approach to stabilise crime.
Photographs seen by the Cape Argus show a grim and horrifying image of conditions inside the hangar, which appears to be in an appalling state, with tents mounted on the concrete floor and iron-rod beds crammed together.
SANDU has since threatened legal action, with the Gauteng High Court being in sight, should the demands for better accommodation, more ablution facilities, no leaks, increased food rations, warm water, and assurances that members would not be victimised not be met.
