South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
SANDF Warns Public Against Illegal Use of Military Uniform
The South African National Defence Force has raised concern about the ongoing illegal use of…
Defence in Crisis: EFF Warns Ministers’ Absenteeism Threatens South Africa’s Security
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has raised the alarm over what it calls a “deliberate…
SANDF Defends Discipline as Maphwanya Faces Political Fire
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has moved to quell mounting speculation over its…
Defence vs Diplomacy: SANDF Chief’s Comments Expose Cracks in South Africa’s Foreign Policy
Parliament has been thrown into a storm after South Africa’s top soldier, General Rudzani Maphwanya,…
Elephants Kill On-Duty SANDF Officer
Limpopo – A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member has died after elephants trampled him to death while on a farm in Musina, Limpopo. SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said Private Xavier Raynard, a member of the 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment, died at Esme Four ZZ2 farm on Sunday night. He was deployed under Operation Corona, and was found dead near the SANDF base. His service weapon was recovered at the scene. “Early indications suggest that he may have been fatally…
Niehaus Slams Treasury Over Defence Budget ‘Betrayal’ as Godongwana Sidesteps Presidential Directive
A fierce political row has erupted in Parliament after Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Carl Niehaus accused Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana of betraying national security and undermining President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to increase Defence spending to 1.5% of South Africa’s GDP. Niehaus, known for his fiery rhetoric and sharp critique of the ruling ANC, submitted a written parliamentary question on 13 June 2025, seeking clarity on whether National Treasury was committed to implementing the President’s pronouncement made during Armed Forces…
Families Wait for Loved Ones as More Soldiers Return From DR Congo
Families across South Africa are eagerly awaiting the return of their husbands and sons who have been serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC). The South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) is currently in the process of phasing back its soldiers after months of service in the conflict-stricken DRC. On Friday, 13 June 2025, the first batch of 249 soldiers landed at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.…
South Africa Begins Withdrawing Troops from DR Congo Amid Delays and Logistic Hurdles
Bloemfontein — South Africa has commenced the process of withdrawing its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following their peacekeeping deployment under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission. The first group of 249 soldiers is expected back in South Africa shortly, although logistical and technical challenges have caused delays. The withdrawal, announced by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga on May 4, 2025, follows substantial diplomatic efforts and progress in stabilising the Goma and…
DRC Attacks: SANDF Releases Names of Fallen Heroes as SADC Condemns M23, Rwanda
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has released the names of the 14 soldiers who died during a confrontation with M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These soldiers were part of the SANDF troops deployed to the DRC as part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). In a media statement on February 1, the SANDF said the soldiers “displayed extraordinary courage…
Malema Urges Ramaphosa to Withdraw South African Soldiers from the DRC
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, has become the latest South African politician to call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw the country’s soldiers from the war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Malema said that South African soldiers should serve as the first line of defence for the country’s people, not for mining companies and their capitalist counterparts. “Our soldiers must withdraw from the DRC, not only because they have not been given the necessary…
Kagame Accuses South Africa’s Ramaphosa of Lying, Says Rwanda is Ready for Confrontation
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has escalated tensions with South Africa, accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa and government officials of spreading distortions and lies following their telephonic conversation about the ongoing conflict in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that has resulted in the deaths of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members. In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday night, Kagame alleged that media narratives from South African officials, including Ramaphosa himself, were riddled with “distortion, deliberate…
SANDF Suffers More Soldier Deaths in DR Congo While Fighting M23 Rebels
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that three soldiers died yesterday (January 27) fighting the M23 rebels in the DR Congo. The official confirmation comes amid calls back in South Africa that the soldiers should be withdrawn and brought back home to secure the country’s porous borders. “Following an exchange of mortar bombs between the FADRC, Congolese Defence Force and the M23 rebel militia on Monday 27 January 2025 near Goma airport where the SANDF base is…
Border Breach: SANDF Battles Illegal Crossings And Smuggling At SA-Zimbabwe
Musina, Limpopo – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is battling to contain illegal migrants crossing into South Africa from the Zimbabwe border, said a SANDF official. Briefing the media recently in Musina, Lieutenant Colonel Mzoxolo Ketsekile, Battalion Commander of Operation Corona, said they have deployed many soldiers along the border to stop people smuggling goods and crossing in and out of the country at undesignated points. He said illegal border crossing is prevalent along the borderline and it…