Compulsory registration for military service has been extended to all males in Namibia, irrespective of colour, who are between the ages of 16 and 25. A Proclamation by the South African State President published in mid-October 1980 removes the racial restrictions in the 1957 Defence Act as far as national military service is concerned. All males in the specified age group are now liable to be conscripted. Previous to the new law, only white men in Namibia were liable for call-up.
70 men from the South African bantustan of Ciskei are reported to be engaging in 'active border duty'. According to the Ciskei Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, the men have been undergoing police training on a paramilitary course. They apparently started their border duty in early September.
South Africa has to date spent 3,000 million rand on infrastructure and defence in Namibia, according to a statement by the South African Prime Minister quoted on Johannesburg radio on 24 October 1980.
