Persistent HIV discrimination in the SANDF a cause for concern

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) says HIV discrimination persists in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), despite multiple court judgments and the country’s laws which prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV.

In 2017, a woman had undergone two years of training before her contracts were cancelled due to her HIV status. The recruit has since been reinstated, which SANDU’s National Secretary, Advocate Pikkie Greeff, has welcomed.

“The reinstatement is obviously to be applauded, that is absolutely the right step to take. I think what the problem was – the fact that there was so much wrangling about it. It should not have taken place in the first place – the dismissal, and it absolutely boggles the mind that it took five years for the SANDF to come to its senses, especially in view of the history that it’s had in losing court cases when they discriminate against HIV positive persons,” says Greeff.

SANDF taken to court over discrimination of HIV positive members: