SANDF hails arrest of UWC student for wearing military attire on TV

Screengrab: eNCA

Screengrab: eNCA

Published Jan 24, 2019

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Cape Town – University of the Western Cape (UWC) student Zanokuhle Mayaphi, 20, will appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court today after he was arrested for wearing a military shirt in the course of an interview on national television.

In a statement, the SANDF said: “The SANDF is emboldened by the vigilance of the SA Military Police Agency who recently arrested and handed over to law enforcement agencies a 20-year-old Western Cape man allegedly seen on national television wearing an item of the uniform of the constitutional armed forces of the Republic of South Africa without authorisation.

“The SANDF uniforms and related items are registered for use solely by regular force, reserve force and honorary members of the SANDF in execution of their duties as stipulated in the SA Constitution, and civilians/non-members of the country’s military are prohibited by law from wearing such uniforms.”

The defence force has urged the public to report all sightings of the illegal wearing of military uniform to ensure no “ill-intended persons violate the security of the people of South Africa while masquerading as legitimate members of our country’s military”.

“This is standard practice and a measure to prevent unauthorised persons from wearing these uniforms and committing heinous crimes that endanger the livelihood and lives of the people and bringing the good name of our security forces into disrepute,” the SANDF added.

Approached for comment yesterday, Mayaphi said: “My comments are reserved.”

Cape Times

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