Military leaders must respect religious freedom

Sometimes, the higher soldiers rise in rank, the more they lose touch with reality. Some of them, as we have seen in Africa, believe they are capable of running a country… and hence overthrow democratic governments.

There is, worryingly, an air of that about this week’s message by the acting chief of the SA Army, brigadier-general OM Dube, on behalf of the chief of the SA National Defence Force, general Rudzani Maphwanya, ordering certain members to be present at an Easter religious service.

Dube said “only members who have valid reasons” would be excused and then added: “May God the Almighty protect you during the Easter Holiday and grant you His Mercy to accept Him as your Lord and Saviour.”

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The South African National Defence Union correctly pointed out that forced attendance at a religious ceremony “violates the principle of secularity protected under the constitution, as well as the freedom to pursue and practice one’s own faith”.

It is worrying that such a senior officer in the South African military is either unaware of our constitution, or chooses to ignore it.

At a time when religious tension is on the rise across the world, South Africa should set an example for tolerance.

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