🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
SANDF addresses Rand Show display incidents after social media criticism
via The Citizen3 min read
The South African National Defence Force SANDF has responded to public criticism following incidents during its display at the annual Rand Show. Videos circulated on social media showed a soldier crashing into a fence during a parachute attempt and troops on motorcycles colliding. Brigadier General Selinah Rawlins, SANDF defence corporate communication director, stated that parachute demonstrations are highly dependent on weather conditions, which can affect precision. She described the motorbike incident as minor and not indicative of poor coordination or systemic issues. Rawlins emphasized that these public displays are designed to showcase aspects of the SANDF's diverse skills and do not represent the full scope of their training, discipline, or combat readiness. She added that in real-world operations, SANDF personnel operate under carefully planned conditions with broader landing zones and advanced equipment. Rawlins concluded by stating that SANDF soldiers undergo rigorous training to defend the nation and that public demonstrations should not be seen as the sole measure of the defence force's fighting capability. Rand Show CEO Adele Hartdegen declined to comment on the operational capacity of government entities. While many social media comments were negative, one user defended the SANDF, stating that the videos do not truly represent the military's capabilities.
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Must ReadThe Constitutional Court ruled on May 8, 2026, that Parliament acted irrationally in December 2022 by rejecting the referral of a Section 89 panel report to an impeachment committee. This decision mandates the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee, as outlined in Rule 129I, to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry will focus on three potential grounds for removal: serious violation of the constitution or law, serious misconduct, or inability to perform duties. Key aspects of the investigation will likely include the origin of $580,000 stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in February 2020, which he stated was payment for buffaloes to Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa. Questions persist regarding the cash transaction, the non-delivery of the buffaloes, and why the money was not returned. The inquiry will also examine allegations of a cover-up, including the failure to report the burglary to the South African Police Service and the alleged involvement of Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service, in a cover-up and unlawful cross-border activities. The storage of the cash for 44 days without declaration to the South African Reserve Bank, violating Exchange Control Regulations, will also be scrutinized. Following the committee's report, the National Assembly will vote on removal, requiring a two-thirds majority of 267 votes. The current Government of National Unity, comprising the ANC and its partners, holds 287 seats, indic
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Former public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba's defense team has received the state docket in a case involving alleged irregularities at Transnet. Gigaba, along with former Transnet chief financial officer Anoj Singh, former chief executives Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, and former Transnet Freight Rail chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyane, appeared at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for a pre-trial conference. The case centers on allegations that tender processes were flouted during the procurement of locomotives between November 2010 and May 2014, resulting in billions of rand in losses for Transnet. The state also alleges that Gigaba accepted undisclosed amounts of cash from members of the Gupta family during his tenure as minister. Gigaba's attorney, Nicholas Kourie, confirmed that the former minister has secured funding for legal representation after his application for state-funded assistance was refused. The legal team intends to consult with Gigaba to determine whether to file a Request for Further Particulars or submit representations. Procedural matters regarding legal representation have been resolved, and the firm will continue to represent Gigaba. The matter has been postponed to July 10, 2026, for further pre-trial processes.
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