ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MR M.P.G. LEKOTA ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT: 15 FEBRUARY 2000

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with great pride that I present to you today, the Code of Conduct for members of the South African National Defence Force.

This Code stems directly from the Constitution, the White Paper on Defence and from the principles of international law.

It captures the core values of the SANDF and provides a vision of military professionalism in a democratic South Africa.

It serves as a guide in the process of laying a firm foundation for the building of discipline and morale in the South African National Defence Force.

This Code of Conduct contributes to the culture of the Constitution which guides the building, and strengthening of our democracy.

The South African National Defence Force is a volunteer force. The men and women who join the Force do so of their own free will. Their decision to join the Defence Force to participate in the defence of their country stems from their own consciousness. This consciousness is shaped and informed by their commitment to the Constitution of this country.

Any man or woman who is unable to commit themselves to this Code of Conduct, or to any particular clause in the Code, has no place in the Defence Force.

The drawing up of the Code of Conduct was part of the transformation programme of the Department of Defence. Contributions to the code were made by all sections of the Department including all different levels of military personnel. The Code is therefore a product of the transformation process and is owned wholly by the membership of the Department and the South African National Defence Force.

The code of conduct should thus reflect the values of each and every member of the South African National Defence Force in serving the interests of South Africa and its peoples.

Today we are committing ourselves, as the men and women of the South African National Defence Force, to uphold and abide by this Code of Conduct.

I would like the Code of Conduct to be widely distributed and discussed. I would like every member of the South African National Defence Force to be familiar with and to understand its contents. This is very important since it will be included in the revised Military Disciplinary Code and therefore will have legal status.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank you.