The people accused of running a bogus army recruitment programme on the Cape Flats have denied it, and claim they are simply trying to empower and teach life skills to previously disadvantaged individuals.
Last week, a 28-year old “recruit” from Roodepoort told the Daily Voice the South African Cape Corps Military Veterans Association (SACCMVA) recruited him and other young people with promises of a R20 000 monthly stipend and permanent jobs at the SANDF.
Kennith Mecuur says they were brought to a “training facility” in Petunia Road in Bridgetown.
“We were told we will be getting R20 000 while training for the next six months and after that we will have a permanent job in the army. I thought this was a great opportunity to change my life,” he said.
But they smelt a rat when recruits, about 80 people of both genders, were forced to sleep in a hall, on mattresses on the floor, and received little to no food.
“I am glad I had family in Cape Town who could come fetch me because the circumstances at that place is horrible,” Kennith said.
Leaders at the SACCMVA facility refused to speak to the Daily Voice, while the spokesperson for the SANDF, Brigadier General Mafi Mgobozi, confirmed the “recruitment” was a scam.
LEGAL ACTION: SACCMVA's André Benn
“The SANDF does not use any veteran organisations to recruit. The mention of integration is also not true. SANDF does direct applications with applicants,” Mgobozi said.
After the article was published, the media liaison for SACCMVA, André Benn, contacted the Daily Voice to say the “recruiters” were bogus.
“Those people are busy with a scam and they may not use the SACCMVA name. The people on those premises broke away from our organisation,” Benn said.
“We are in the process with many community upliftment programmes and they are trying to drag our name through the mud. They are in no way affiliated to us. Should we lose any donors because of this, we will take legal action.”
This week, a spokesperson for the “recruiters”, Avril Thomas, also contacted the Daily Voice, saying she wanted to set the record straight.
Thomas confirmed they are former members of the SACCMVA, who are now operating as the First Nation Defence Force (FNDF).
She says they are not recruiting for the army, but are helping young men and women from communities ravaged by gangsterism and drugs.
“I can confirm we are not part of SACCMVA, and the person who said so was misinformed,” Thomas said.
“The 80 children we have here are trying to get away from the ills of society. What we do here is free, we do not charge a fee and they come of their own will.
HELP: FNDF's Avril Thomas with instructor Gary Lakay
“Here we instil discipline, respect and godliness and we do this through the ways of the ex-SACCMVA.
“After three months, we will get them jobs as we are trying to better the community outside.”
Thomas claims they are still in the process of registering as a non-profit organisation.
“We are in the process of getting registered and trainees receive three meals a day. They do sleep on mattresses, which they fold up.
“It is a struggle as the monies come from our own pockets; we also call on our friends for donations.”