MKMVA veteran Carl Niehaus defended veterans asking to be included in security operations at the national railway agency on Tuesday while speaking on a Twitter exchange between him and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula accused Niehaus and fellow MK veteran Kebby Maphatsoe of hiding behind ANC structures to loot state funds.
The Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) announced plans in July to recruit at least 3,000 security officials after cancelling contracts with some security companies due to bad service.
MKMVA veterans have demanded answers to a 2019 memorandum requesting to be allocated security and other suitable jobs.
Niehaus described Mbalula as young and insulting.
“I’m truly surprised by what Minister Mbalula was trying to allege,” Niehaus said.
“He would do much better to listen carefully to what the MKMVA in Gauteng structures had said about the problem with security at Prasa and specifically at Metrorail.”
“Also specifically, about all the losses that happened materially there. Our comrades have raised those issues over a considerable period of time and they’ve raised the issue of employment within those security operations that are acquired. This is something that can be done within the Military Veteran’s Act which I’m sure that comrade Mbalula is aware of.”
The Military Veterans Act sets out the principles recognized by the State, governing military veterans including policy objectives in benefits relating to military veterans.
According to the Act, veterans are entitled to the facilitation of employment placement and facilitation or advice on business operations.
Niehaus also referred to an open letter alleging misconduct by Mbalula, penned by an anonymous group who referred to themselves as “ANC comrades”.
The ANC released a statement shortly after the letter’s publication, denouncing it as “unsubstantiated allegations”.
@MYANC has noted with concern a letter authored by faceless individuals who claim to be ANC comrades,members and supporters in the Department of Transport and its entities,making unsubstantiated allegations & attacking the integrity of the Minister of Transport,Cde Fikile Mbalula pic.twitter.com/ndOWAVM0PT
— African National Congress (@MYANC) September 7, 2020
Niehaus said the cancellation of some security contracts was expected but explained he expected the minister to then engage with MKMVA veterans who are experienced in security operations to include them in the process.
Niehaus commented on Mbalula’s statements, saying, “Comrade Mbalula is a younger comrade, he’s never been part of uMkhonto We Sizwe.”
“He cannot judge the members of uMkhonto We Sizwe who have dedicated their lives to the liberation struggle in South Africa.
“He insulted people yesterday [Monday], calling them thugs, who have dedicated their lives to the liberation struggle.”
Niehaus insisted that MKMVA veterans be included saying, “the cause of uMkhonto We Sizwe veterans to get employment, to be recognized the participation that they made to the struggle in South Africa, also to the liberation of Comrade Mbalula, is not abuse.
“That is something that should happen, that is something that is provided for in the law and any nation that cares truly for its history and for its veterans will take care of them.”
Source: eNCA
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