YEARS AGO

Conscientious objector David Bruce, who last year completed a 20-month sentence for refusing to serve in the South African Defence Force, was yesterday surprised to find army papers in his letter box, calling him up for a year’s military service.

Bruce received a January 1992 call-up for 1 South African Infantry in Bloemfontein. “I certainly don’t feel compelled to obey it,” he said.

In 1988 Bruce was sentenced to six years’ jail, reduced to 20 months. He served his sentence in Pretoria Central Prison.

The Defence Act states that objectors who have served their sentences are exempt from further liability to the SADF.

“We’ve been receiving figures that in some areas only 40% of conscripts are turning up for their national service call-ups and only 10% for camps,” said End Conscription Campaign leader Chris de Villiers. — The Weekly Mail, September 27 to October 3, 1991