SANDU calls on SANDF to pay outstanding allowances to members who were deployed to DRC

The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) is calling on the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to pay certain outstanding deployment allowances to members who were deployed as peacekeepers in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The union said soldiers who were part of the mission sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) are still waiting for their deployment allowances from the army.

But the SANDF previously released a statement, claiming that all operational allowances owed to the troops have already been deposited into their personal accounts.

The union representing SANDF soldiers has again raised concern over deployment benefits that have not been received.

SANDU accused the national defence force of allegedly not addressing all of their concerns raised.

In a recent media briefing, SANDU demanded that SANDF pay off the soldiers’ danger allowance, special danger allowance, and deprivation allowance, among other outstanding benefits.

Frustrated and at its wits' end, the union has threatened to resort to protest action if the SANDF remains silent.

The soldiers deployed to the volatile eastern DRC returned to the country in June following a decision to withdraw all Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) troops after a ceasefire was brokered between the Congolese government and M23 rebels.