Last Updated: Friday, 01 November 2019, 13:39 GMT

Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - South Africa

Publisher Child Soldiers International
Publication Date 2001
Cite as Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - South Africa, 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/498805ce2.html [accessed 1 November 2019]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.

  • Population:
    – total: 39,900,000
    – under-18s: 16,550,000
  • Government armed forces:
    – active: 63,389
    – reserves: 87,392
  • Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
  • Voluntary recruitment age: 18
  • Voting age (government elections): 18
  • Child soldiers: none indicated
  • CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
  • Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC/API+II; ICC; ILO 182
  • There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.

GOVERNMENT

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice

Recruitment into the armed forces is voluntary since a decision was taken in 1994 to end conscription. The Defence Act adopted in 1999 provides that the minimum age for recruitment into the armed forces is 18.

Military Training and Military Schools

There no students are under the age of 18 in military schools in South Africa.

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