'I accepted his decision to step down with regret because he is an officer I hold in the highest regard because of his service, invaluable service he had rendered to the South African Defence Force and then to the South African National Defence Force and to the country and to me personally. Over these four years we formed a very close relationship in which I regarded him as one of my closest friends.' …
"The incident has created a breakdown of trust between the President who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force and General Meiring on the other side."