Latest news with #SANDF
eNCA
12 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
WATCH: SANDF troops arrive from DRC
SANDF soldiers landing BLOEMFONTEIN - Another group of SANDF soldiers has arrived in Bloemfontein, returning from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Their return forms part of a phased withdrawal following SADC's decision to end its peacekeeping mission in the region. It comes just months after deadly clashes with M23 rebels claimed the lives of 14 South African soldiers.
The Citizen
a day ago
- General
- The Citizen
Watch: Heartwarming SANDF reunion video melts hearts online
A video posted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) of a learner being reunited with his mother, who was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has gone viral on social media. According to The Witness, comments under the video praised the reunion, calling it heartwarming. The mother was one of 257 SANDF members who returned to South Africa on Sunday, with another group arriving on Monday afternoon. The troops were returning from a Southern African Development Community mission in the DRC. They were on the frontline of a conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebel fighters, which raged for three years in the east of that country until a ceasefire was called in April. SANDF chief of joint operations Siphiwe Sangweni last week announced that several flights carrying troops will land in South Africa over the next few weeks. 'With bigger aircrafts, it will now be nine trips bringing our soldiers back to South Africa. The frequency of those aircraft moving will be almost every second day.' Watch the heartwarming reunion: WATCH || The moment is filled with joy as the school child is unexpectedly reunited with their mother, who has been deployed in the #DRC. The child's emotional response is a testament to the strong bond between parent and child, and the reunion brings happiness to all.#SANDF — SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) June 18, 2025 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
Mthatha floods victims will be resettled on new land, says Cogta
The flooding in the Eastern Cape has led to a tragic loss of lives. Image: Gift of the Givers SUITABLE land will be identified and allocated to the victims of the devastating Eastern Cape floods to enable long-term, dignified housing solutions. This, according to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in the Eastern Cape, was the assurance Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane made to the victims during her oversight visit to two severely impacted informal settlements, Skiet and Eugene, to engage with residents and evaluate urgent housing and support needs. Some of the residents had settled close to the Mthatha Dam, which is suspected to have been flooded during the recent heavy rains. The floods claimed the lives of nearly 100 people and displaced more than 2000. "As a key role player in disaster coordination, CoGTA continues to collaborate with all spheres of government to ensure that emergency relief reaches affected families," Cogta said. The government has come under sharp criticism from residents for how it responded to the disaster, with reports that people were trapped in flooded houses for hours with no emergency crews in sight. The South African Defence Force (SANDF) have also been lamented for delays in deploying resources like its Oryx helicopter to assist with flood relief. IOL reported that the alleged absence of Flight Engineers (FEs) had significantly hampered the SANDF's ability to operate vital aircraft during recent floods in Mthatha, as heavy rains and snow battered the Eastern Cape. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The SANDF did not respond to questions around the issue on Wednesday. While not commenting on behalf of the government, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who is also Defence deputy minister said when president Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area, he had called for the tragedy to be declared a national state of disaster noting the 'scale of the destruction in Mthatha and surrounding areas is immense. Roads, bridges, schools, and critical infrastructure have been washed away. Entire communities are cut off from emergency services, and the humanitarian need is growing by the hour'. Holomisa said he was concerned as after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, visited the area he had not seen the necessity in making the declaration. 'I don't want to point fingers but almost 90 people have died, it's totally out of control'. Disaster management expert, Dingaan Mahlangu from Ncuma risk management said the recent events highlighted the urgent need for 'improved disaster preparedness and rapid response mechanisms in South Africa', especially in light of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. 'We must move from reactive to proactive disaster management if we are to save lives and build resilience in vulnerable regions. Flood disasters are (becoming) increasingly common in our changing climate. With proper planning, community engagement, and inter-agency collaboration, their impact can be significantly reduced,' he said. Cape Times
eNCA
3 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
More SANDF troops return home
SANDF soldiers landing JOHANNESBURG - South African troops are returning home from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their phased withdrawal follows SADC's decision to end its peacekeeping mission in the region. This comes just months after 14 South African soldiers were killed in clashes with M23 rebels. The latest flight carrying troops has landed. The fifth of nine scheduled flights is expected to arrive on Thursday.
IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
How the SANDF's Flight Engineer shortage hampered flood response in the Eastern Cape
The impact of Flight Engineer shortages on SANDF's flood response capabilities Image: Gift of the Givers The absence of Flight Engineers (FEs) has significantly hampered the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) ability to operate vital aircraft during recent floods in Mthatha, as heavy rains and snow battered the Eastern Cape. Most notably, the SANDF's Oryx AS32 helicopter - a medium utility aircraft essential for rescue missions - was not deployed during the flooding, primarily due to a shortage of Flight Engineers. At least 90 people, including numerous schoolchildren, have lost their lives in the devastating floods that swept through South Africa's Eastern Cape. The SANDF plays a crucial role in disaster management, providing rapid response and relief in the aftermath of natural disasters such as floods, storms, and earthquakes. Internal sources indicate that the Air Force's capacity to conduct rescue operations effectively has been compromised by a shortage of flight engineers. 'We all know that the Eastern Cape has been struggling with these floods, but there was no action from the SANDF', the source said. 'One glaring issue was the absence of SANDF personnel during the crisis - despite the tragedy, there was little visible military presence. 'As it stands, we can't even defend ourselves properly without trained engineers. We must actively engage in disaster preparedness and response, but our defence is now vulnerable.' IOL contacted the SANDF for comment last week but received no response regarding the current deficit of Flight Engineers or the Air Force's rescue capabilities in Mthatha. The publication also contacted Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane to inquire about the province's emergency preparedness plan and its implementation during the disaster. Despite several follow-ups, no reply was received. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ On Sunday, the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier issued an update on flood relief efforts. It confirmed that the provincial government continues to provide emergency support to thousands displaced by the floods in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities. 'Temporary shelters have been established, and essential needs such as meals, clothing, and hygiene items are being distributed to affected families,' the statement read. The Premier's office also announced that, in remembrance of those who lost their lives, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government will hold a Provincial Day of Mourning on Thursday, 19 June 2025, in Decoligny Village, Mthatha. Historically, the Eastern Cape has faced severe flooding, including significant events in June 2023 that caused widespread damage and fatalities. Experts attribute the increasing severity and frequency of storms and floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape to climate change and environmental mismanagement. A 2022 report by Reuters, citing data from the World Weather Attribution group, highlighted that extreme rainfall events like the 2022 floods are now expected roughly once every 20 years, twice as often as before the late 1800s when such events were estimated to occur every 40 years. The report indicated that human-caused global warming has significantly increased the frequency of these extreme weather events. SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala acknowledged the critical shortage of Flight Engineers earlier this month. 'Flight Engineers are a vital part of our aircrew. Critical missions cannot be fully executed without them, impacting our operational readiness. 'Currently, the SANDF operates at approximately 40% capacity, but once the budgeting process is complete, we will address these operational requirements.' On Friday, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) issued an urgent call for decisive governance intervention following the release of the ARMSCOR Report tabled before Parliament on 13 June 2025. The report, presented by ARMSCOR CEO Solomzi Mbada, revealed systemic failures within the procurement system, exposing the SANDF to significant operational and financial risks. 'These failures, if left unaddressed, will severely undermine the SANDF's constitutional mandate to defend and protect South Africa, its territorial integrity, and its people,' said Malusi Gigaba, Co-Chair of the JSCD. The report on Navy Fleet Readiness indicated that R93 million had been allocated for the refit of South African Navy surface ships and submarines. Despite a workforce of 384 personnel, including 236 technical staff and 43 apprentices, the SAS Isandlwana refit has repeatedly missed critical milestones. 'Only 54% of the 1,000 job cards are projected to be completed by August 2025, with significant cost overruns anticipated,' Gigaba stated. Regarding helicopter fleet shortfalls, the committee reported that ARMSCOR explained an R2 billion shortfall for the Rooivalk Combat Support fleet, which will directly impact the SANDF's ability to deploy troops and respond to emergencies like the recent floods in the Eastern Cape. Gigaba described the situation as a 'horror,' noting that these issues fundamentally undermine the 2015 Defence Review and the Defence White Paper. IOL Politics
