Madam Deputy Speaker, the South African Cape Corps has had a long, proud and illustrious history of active combat in both the First and Second World Wars. Members of the Cape Corps proved themselves in battles like Square Hill, the Battle of El Alamein and Tobruk.
Many Cape Corps members left Cape Town for El Alamein as truck drivers, medical assistants and stretcher-bearers but returned to Cape Town after the war as experienced fighters. However, on their return they were not recognized by the government of the day. They were demobilised, given medals for their bravery and bicycles for transport, but they were left largely unemployed and unrecognised.
The Cape Corps is the only regiment of the City of Cape Town which has never received the official recognition due to it despite service of valour on the African continent and overseas during the two world wars. They received no vote, no employment, no land and no social welfare.
Today there are many former members of the Cape Corps who feel disillusioned with the present integration process. They feel marginalised and excluded. Those who have been included in the SANDF are also dissatisfied with their treatment. Many of them feel that members of the liberation forces like MK, Apla and others have been more than adequately compensated and accommodated while members of the Cape Corps are being sidelined for being part of the former SADF. They are often overlooked when promotions are handed out and are repeatedly marginalised. Every year there is one group or another of the Cape Corps that marches to Parliament to demonstrate their unhappiness.
I therefore call upon the Minister of Defence, hon Lekota, to meet and consult with senior members of the former Cape Corps to provide an opportunity for them to air their grievances. Thank you, Madam Speaker. [Time expired.]