Perceptions of demobilisation in the context of military integration in

Abstract

The rationale for the demobilisation of former non statutory forces (MK and APLA) in South Africa have never been examined, unpacked and interrogated for its validity and meaning. The rationale for the demobilisation of non-statutory forces, as stated in official records is debatable and when examined in a proper context, it lacks clarity and therefore its credibility is questionable. A qualitative study incorporating semi-structured interviews with key actors during the demobilisation process and a literature review of relevant electronic and printed articles, as well as academic papers, government policies and legislation about the demobilisation process reveal several key findings on the South African demobilisation experience. Among some of the key findings is that a better demobilisation deal had been negotiated and was later abandoned on the basis of vague political reasons. Several hundreds of millions of rands in the integration fund were never spent in preparing for and implementing a proper demobilisation process. The fund was later used to benefit SADF members when a much better planned and lucrative rationalisation process was started. Demobilisation in South Africa differed widely from what happened in other transitional democracies in the neighbouring countries in Africa. This research seeks to prove that demobilisation in South Africa was a distorted process. The research does so using official and unofficial documents, literature on demobilisation and oral interviews. The real motives for the demobilisation process however remains contradictory and debatable but its consequences continue to impact the lives of some of the soldiers who were demobilised