Publication

This paper explores the role of the apartheid state's military force in South African society and the consequent rise in militarism in the 1980s. It raises the question of whether, and if so how, this past function contributes to the high levels of conflict and violence that, to a large extent, continue to plague post-apartheid South Africa. The author examines past manifestations of violence perpetrated by the South African Defense Force (SADF), and 'new' forms of violence within the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), including assaults, gender, domestic and racial incidents; suicides; and violent property crimes.