This isolation also impacted on the evolution of the country’s Military Law (which include Administration of Justice and Operational Law) and the comprehension of the importance of Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during military operations.

Following the advent of a new democratic dispensation in April 1994, South Africa was welcomed back into the international community which led to the country joining a number of important regional, continental and international organisations.

The country’s Military Justice System is among the best; it has been tested and continues to be tested in the courts of the land, including the Constitutional Court.

However, our Military Law is still not well known except to those who are involved with it.

Sadly, as it has been said above, Military Law is unknown or well appreciated in the country except to those Military Law Practitioners that are involved in it. As a result, the civil society is not involved in the evolution of this system, which is robbing the Military community of growth and insight.

In 2014, the Military Command Council approved the hosting of an International Conference on Military Law by the SANDF.

The Conference will be held as follows: 

• Date: 1 to 3 November 2016
• Venue: International Convention Center of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, RSA. 

The objective of the conference is to expose and bring awareness to the South African public in general and academia in particular on the importance of Military Law within a country’s legal system.

South Africa is among the leading countries in contributing military personnel and major equipment for peace missions in pursuance of its policy to promote peace and stability in the continent.

The country’s important role in mediation to end conflicts has earned it a good standing, reputation and respect among the community of nations.

As an active participant in international structures, South Africa raises the interests of the African continent and other developing countries. Since it plays a meaningful role in the success of the region and the continent, it is incumbent that it stays afloat in every spectrum possible including the development and application of Military Law.

Furthermore here at home, the community at large; to some extent the Military community; academia and jurors alike seem not to be aware of the relevance, extent, and application of Military Law.

Therefore, there is a need for the SANDF to host this kind of a conference wherein invited foreign and local Military Law Practitioners; academia and jurors are invited to participate in deliberations on the given theme – The Development of Contemporary Military Law.

The Conference will be opened by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, the Honourable Minister N.N. Mapisa-Nqakula. The key note speaker will be former Chief Justice, Justice Sandile Ngcobo.

Statement issued