South African resistance to war

The first known conscientious objectors in South Africa were English, Scottish, and Irishmen who were disillusioned by the treatment of Boer civilians kept in the concentration camps.

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 by failing to enlist, deserting, or refusing to do service by other means were deserters and punishable under the Military Discipline Code (MDC), which forms part of the 1957 Defence Act.

In other words, conscription is not enforced, but those who deserted under the apartheid system or who failed to respond to call-ups can still technically be prosecuted.

In 1983, the Defence Act was amended to provide for the first time a six-year substitute service outside the armed forces for conscientious objectors.