Former liberation fighters need to get their houses and, above all, heads into order. 

Why do our leaders that have served more than one terms insist to use emotional political power to try to save face and avoid to face the consequences of their abuse of power? Every man must answer for his conduct, behaviour and attitude while in power. This is a constitutional democracy and the law is the law. 

They swore to uphold the constitution of this country.

If I risk being accused of promoting mutiny, lack of patriotism or defiance to authority, then so be it. The time has come for South African men – old and young, exile and inziles – as well as little boys, to refuse to shine their boots and clean their fake military gear to kick the constitution in the teeth by defending the indefensible.

Nobody has the right to pick up arms to prevent the law from taking its course in this model democracy marred by injustice and inequality. 

Above all, they must desist from using guns to threaten our hard won peace, stability and to give a bad name to Nelson Mandela’s country and legacy.

Apparently, these para-military types are a threat to the stability of this democracy. Frankly, they are out to rob us of hard-earned peace in the name of fighting for peace, democracy, freedom and justice.

It is better to die disobeying unjust commands from big-headed military commanders than to live to carry out their unjustifiable orders that will not bring peace, justice and brotherhood to our society.

War begets war. Above all, there are no winners in war.

I was told and taught by leaders of the African National Congress, especially the late Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma that the best way to resolve the South African conflict is through negotiation and talks. And I believed them!

In fact, I was looking forward to celebrating the return of the land, redistribution of the economy and equality and justice for all. Instead, I ask myself questions that tear my soul apart.

Where are all the men and women who buried their arms when the MK was dissolved in 1993 and what are they doing to ensure that there are no more wars in this country where brothers fight brothers?

Or do we have to continue to look up to the superpowers, to AfriForums and the Broederbond, America, France, Germany and others to come and create peace in this country?

I believe in an approach of African solutions for African problems, but why can’t we make it work? Where are our leaders, if we still have any?

Someone told me that I think and speak this way because I am not a soldier and that venting such views may be considered unpatriotic, a threat to the state.

But I want to make it clear – I am a soldier – one of peace. As for patriotism, it is nothing but love for one’s country and people that makes one want to avoid war at all costs. 

A patriot will neither do nor say things that cause or result in war. And the only threat to the state comes when democracy is lacking and the people are neither consulted nor informed about the decisions taken by the leadership.

To protect the future of this country, we the people must participate, be involved and contribute to the decision-making processes that affect us directly, including those that could lead to the rattling of guns and wielding of spears in public. Above all, we must refuse to pick up arms, again. 

South Africans are tired of senseless wars, the internecine fights. We must demand the restoration of power to the people. After all, no political organisation or fake political faction can justly claim authority if it is not based on the will of the people.

So, I will say this for the very last time: I am glad I am neither a soldier nor a mercenary who shines his boots, picks up guns and goes to work to threaten our constitutional democracy. 

 If I did that, I would become an enemy of the hopes and aspirations of our people for a just and equal society.

When you think about it, the real enemies of peace in this country and African continent are warlords who become state presidents, ministers, government apparatchiks or their supporters that create mayhem in order to serve their selfish interests, not to satisfy the needs of the people.

Will the true soldiers who put the people first, please stand up! It begins with refusing to pick up arms to rob, rape and murder fellow human beings.

We need guns of peace!