SANDF challenges arrest warrants

The SA National Defence Force on Wednesday (02/07/2014) filed an application with the High Court in Pretoria challenging an order for the arrest of three of its top officials.

"We have filed an application for a stay of execution," Brig-Gen Xolani Mabanga said.

"This means that we are requesting that the court consider that yesterday's order be not executed."

The court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of defence force chief Lt-Gen Solly Shoke, air force chief Lt-Gen Zakes Zimpande Msimang, and defence and military veterans secretary Sam Gulube.

The three were wanted for contempt of court after they failed to follow a court order to re-instate four soldiers dismissed two years ago.

The four soldiers' contracts were terminated in 2012 despite there being 32 vacancies in the defence force at the time.

The court had ordered that the group be re-instated in June, but this was not done.

SA National Defence Union secretary general Pikkie Greeff on Tuesday said the court had ordered the sheriff of Pretoria to make an arrest within 24 hours.

"They are not yet in police custody," Mabanga said at 3pm on Wednesday. - Sapa