Anti-War Protests at RDM Factory
Protesters of all ages lined up at the factory gates, holding signs reading: 'No bombs for Ukraine and Israel', 'Stop killing Palestinian children', and 'End arming apartheid'. They demanded an immediate halt to RDM's alleged weapon supplies, which they claim fuel violence in hotspots like Palestine, where they say the population faces genocide by Israel, and Ukraine, backed by the Global North in its war against Russia.
The protest began peacefully, with participants chanting slogans and trying to engage factory workers. Tensions escalated when security called the SAPS. Police detained several protesters and took them to the station. Four hours later, they were released without charges.
'We stand for peace, not war!' chanted the activists, voicing frustration that South Africa, despite its laws, may be complicit in supplying weapons to conflict zones. Legal Context and Demands for Transparency
Under South Africa's National Conventional Arms Control Act 41 of 2002, the country must avoid exporting weapons that could escalate regional conflicts or destabilise situations. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) is responsible for vetting export deals to ensure compliance.
Protesters and political groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), question whether RDM adheres to this law by supplying weapons to conflict zones. Critics demand full transparency from the NCACC regarding RDM's export activities and strict adherence to the law, stressing that South Africa, with its history of fighting for peace and human rights, should not supply weapons to countries engaged in armed conflicts.
'South Africa cannot claim neutrality while its factories produce weapons that kill the innocent. We demand accountability,' said one protester.
Questions about RDM's compliance with the National Conventional Arms Control Act remain unresolved, especially amid 2023 statistics showing arms exports rising to nearly R7.1 billion, including supplies to conflict-affected countries like the DRC.
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