Umm Muhammed Umar

The presidential task team, under the leadership of Deputy President David Mabuza, has been accused by the disbanded uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association of exacerbating divisions among military veterans.

There have been calls for ex-combatants to be release from police custody. This followed ministers Thandi Modise, Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla having been held against their will inside the Saint Georges Hotel, in Pretoria, on Thursday night. They met the ministers after occupying Luthuli House earlier this week.

According to EWN at least 56 people were arrested, and are to face three counts of kidnapping and one count of public violence. Some were injured.

Carl Niehaus, MKMVA spokesperson, said that the government had over reacted in its response. He added that undermining and disbanding of legitimate structures has created a dangerous leadership vacuum, which has resulted in splinter groups. Niehaus said that the presidential task team used these factions to divide and rule while pinning military veterans against one another.