Committee on South African War Resistance

South African resistance to war has a long tradition, and a history that includes conscientious objectors, pacifists, deserters and draft dodgers, as well as those whose objections are based upon the notion of "just war" as opposed to unjust or illegal war.

The first known conscientious objectors in South Africa were English, Scottish, and Irishmen who were disillusioned by the atrocities committed against Boer women and children kept in the Concentration Camps. Those who based their objection to war either on grounds of the rejection of a particular system, such as the Apartheid State, or doctrines that exclude war based upon illegal means. The End Conscription Campaign was an organisation active from 1983-1994, that for the most part, pursued the notion of objection to war based upon freedom of conscience.

Those who resisted war in general or in part due to either religious, private or personal convictions. Either by failing to enlist, deserting, or refusing to do service by other means. Desertion is punishable under the Military Discipline Code (MDC) which forms part of the 1957 Defence Act. Although the present 1957 Defence Act requires military service obligations after completion of the initial military training, these obligations are not enforced owing to an August 1994 moratorium placed on prosecution for not responding to the call-ups. [7]

However this moratorium does not apply to cases of absence without leave or desertion. In other words, although conscription is not enforced, those who deserted under the apartheid system or who failed to respond to call-ups could still, technically, be prosecuted.

The Committee on South African War Resistance (COSAWR) was founded in 1978 by the merging of two groups of South African war resisters active in Britain. It functions as a self-help organization for South African military refugees. It also worked to raise the issue of militarism in South Africa and conducted research into the South African military structure and resistance. Its magazine 'Resister' became the leading magazine on South Africa's militarisation. In 1990, when the sentencing of conscientious objectors (CO's) in South Africa changed considerably, the majority of COSAWR decided to return to South Africa.

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