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Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
The Frans Mathipa case: Ramaphosa's ultimate hot potato
The arrest last week of seven members of the SANDF for the murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa raises many questions about the real motive for his murder. But it could also lead to incredibly troubling questions about the situation in the SANDF, and whether its current leadership knew the truth when they denied there was a squad in the force that tortured and murdered people. In December 2023, the head of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, was categoric. 'For the record,' he said, 'there are no military squads in the defence force that exist to carry out acts of torture and murder, for whatever reasons. The SANDF stands for the defence and the protection of the people and will always act within the confines of the law and the Constitution.' But last week 12 people under his ultimate command were arrested in connection with the murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa. As Open Secrets has explained, Mathipa was investigating the illegal and violent abduction of the Ethiopian national Abdella Hussein Abadiga from the Mall of Africa in December 2022. Open Secrets has also linked cars used in that abduction to vehicles at the Simon's Town dock when the Russian vessel the Lady R docked there. These vehicles are known to be owned by the Special Forces unit of the SANDF. Also, it has been pointed out that Mathipa was shot dead while driving a moving car, a hit that reportedly could only be carried out by someone with military training. There are so many questions around this, some of which may force President Cyril Ramaphosa to act. The importance of this cannot be overstated. This is a group of Special Forces soldiers who are accused of killing a senior police investigator. It would seem likely the Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would have informed the Defence Minister Angie Motshekga what the Hawks were going to do before they made last week's arrests. And both might well have informed Ramaphosa. For the moment, it appears the system worked, the police were able to make the arrests and faced no violent opposition. Considering that these are members of a Special Forces unit, this is no small victory. But it is only the beginning of where this could lead. What did Maphwanya know? It would appear the best case scenario here is that when Maphwanya issued his denial he genuinely did not know the truth. Even if that is the case, a Commander-in-Chief might well be entitled to demand answers about how he did not know. It might not be enough to rely on reports that are kept secret. A democratically elected head of state would want to know how Maphwanya was unaware, and how he could make sure this would not happen again. But this is the best-case scenario. Most of the others are worse. If Maphwanya knew about these activities then he surely cannot stay in the job. It would be proof that he is prepared to allow people under his command to kill police officers. Important reporting over the weekend by News 24's Erika Gibson shows the SANDF is going to pay for this squad's legal defense, including briefing senior counsel. This might well suggest that Maphwanya, or at least the institution he heads, is either going to argue these men had a proper motive that he sanctioned, or that they are not guilty (in which case, which militarily trained assassin killed Maphwanya?) There are other scenarios that are not as bad as that, but still pose problems. It has been claimed that when Abadiga was abducted, the US Treasury Department had put him on a sanctions list, and that he was seen as a person allegedly affiliated to Isis. Nearly 20 years ago, in 2006, a man called Khalid Rashid was accused of being connected to terrorist networks. He was a Pakistani national who was living in Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal. When he disappeared the lawyer Zehir Omar launched a series of court cases forcing Home Affairs to reveal where he was. Through a series of court rulings and one or two strange incidents (including a document that mysteriously arrived in Omar's food hamper) it was eventually confirmed that Rashid had been extraordinarily renditioned. In other words, he had been removed from the country at the request of American and British intelligence agencies. Perhaps Abadiga suffered a similar fate. And while that would be illegal, it might well fall under the ambit of the SANDF trying to protect South Africans from threats. Some people might accept that explanation. Maybe. But this still does not explain the other claim against this SANDF unit, that it was involved in torture. The case of Pule Nkomo, who told Open Secrets how he had been tortured, might suggest there is more to this unit than just the Abadiga case. A relatively small incident might well suggest this group has a pattern of breaking the law. Among the charges they face is one of fraud. They lodged a claim with Outsurance claiming the BMW that they used in the alleged hit had been stolen. One might have some sympathy for the insurance investigators at Outsurance. Are they really going to probe what this unit was doing? If it is the same group of people who were involved, this shows a particular pattern. And if it was a pattern, then it would seem incredible that Maphwanya did not know what this group was doing. SANDF vs SAPS Within all of this is another set of complicated dynamics. There is a general perception that the SAPS will deal with people within South Africa, while the SANDF will protect those people from threats from outside the country. Of course, this line is often blurred, and citizens themselves demanded the SANDF help protect them during the violence in July 2021. And the SANDF has a constitutional duty to protect South Africans. The stakes here are incredibly high. The SANDF and the SAPS are the two biggest organisations that employ people and give them firearms. For one to attack the other, as this unit is alleged to have done in killing Hawks investigator Mathipa, may have the potential to spiral out of control. It is important to remember that the fact that the SAPS were able to make these arrests shows this prospect is incredibly unlikely. But it has happened in other countries with disastrous results. In Lesotho the police and the military ended up on opposite sides of a political dispute. In at least one case there was a shootout between members of the two groups. The person who can play the biggest role in ensuring that this does not happen is obviously Ramaphosa. He might well need to ask serious questions around Maphwanya. As usual, the most important questions will probably be: What did Maphwanya know? And when did Maphwanya know it? But for the moment it appears that he is supporting people who are accused of killing a senior member of the police. This issue will not go away. Instead it will require active political management. Ramaphosa may have to make decisions that he, or any leader, would rather avoid. DM
The Star
16-06-2025
- General
- The Star
‘If required, we will do it again': SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya welcomes troops from DRC mission
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 6 hours ago Jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane on Sunday, where they were welcomed by the SANDF top brass led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya . The SANDF members arrived in a chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in the evening of Sunday, where they individually met and shook hands with the military leadership. In high spirits, the SANDF members were singing and dancing as they queued to meet Maphwanya. Afterwards, they were assembled in a building where Maphwanya addressed them, before the troops left for demobilisation in Bloemfontein. 'Some of you, when we met in Goma (city in DRC) you were saying this old man is going to leave us here. I heard it. Now you are back home, welcome back home. I am smiling because I am happy. I came to salute you, and I will continue to salute you for the good work that you have done. 'Your stories are better told by those who were on the other side of the barrel, because they know, they felt it. They are the ones that attested, so be proud of what you were doing. If we are required to do so, we will do it again,' Maphwanya addressed the uniformed troops, with the majority of the soldiers responding: 'Yes sir'. 'If we are required to do so, we will do it again, and I will go with you,' Maphwanya said to applause and cheers from the troops. On Sunday, IOL reported that the second contingent of 257 South African troops coming from a mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was arriving at the Air Force Base Waterkloof. The SANDF announced the arrival of the second group of soldiers returning from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC). SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala said a third group is also expected to return to South Africa on Monday afternoon. 'This phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,' said Tshabalala. On Friday night, IOL reported that videos shared by the defence ministry showed soldiers in uniform dancing and chanting on arrival at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, welcomed by airbase staff with cheers and fist-bumps. The troops were deployed under a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission sent to the war-torn country in December 2023 to help restore peace and security in the region. But the SADC said in March it would end its military mission in the mineral-rich area after 17 of its soldiers were killed. AFP reported that earlier this year, fighting in the region erupted once more when the Rwandan-backed M23 force seized large swathes of DRC's north and south Kivu provinces -- both of which border Rwanda. Last month, Maphwanya provided clarity on the phased withdrawal. He explained that the movement of personnel and logistics started on April 29, 2025, with the departure of the first group from eastern DRC via road through Rwanda to Tanzania. He reassured the nation that most logistical equipment will be transported by sea from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to South Africa. [email protected] IOL News
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SANDF troops to land in Bloemfontein as South Africa ramps up withdrawal from war-torn DRC
The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced the upcoming arrival of the third group of soldiers returning from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC). SANDF national spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala said the airplane will be arriving in South Africa with approximately 220 passengers on board. 'This group is scheduled to land at Bram Fischer International Airport on Monday, 16 June 2025, between 3pm and 5pm,' said Tshabalala. A fourth group is expected to arrive in South Africa on Tuesday. 'This phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,' he said. SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL The jubilant members of the SANDF were welcomed by the SANDF top brass led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya. The SANDF members arrived in a chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on Sunday evening, where they individually met and shook hands with the military leadership. In high spirits, the SANDF members were singing and dancing as they queued to meet Maphwanya. Afterwards, they were assembled in a building where Maphwanya addressed them, before the troops left for demobilisation in Bloemfontein. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'Some of you, when we met in Goma (city in DRC) you were saying this old man is going to leave us here. I heard it. Now you are back home, welcome back home. I am smiling because I am happy. I came to salute you, and I will continue to salute you for the good work that you have done. 'Your stories are better told by those who were on the other side of the barrel, because they know, they felt it. They are the ones that attested, so be proud of what you were doing. If we are required to do so, we will do it again,' Maphwanya addressed the uniformed troops, with the majority of the soldiers responding: 'Yes sir'.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
‘If required, we will do it again': SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya welcomes troops from DRC mission
The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL Jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane on Sunday, where they were welcomed by the SANDF top brass led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya. The SANDF members arrived in a chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in the evening of Sunday, where they individually met and shook hands with the military leadership. In high spirits, the SANDF members were singing and dancing as they queued to meet Maphwanya. Afterwards, they were assembled in a building where Maphwanya addressed them, before the troops left for demobilisation in Bloemfontein. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL 'Some of you, when we met in Goma (city in DRC) you were saying this old man is going to leave us here. I heard it. Now you are back home, welcome back home. I am smiling because I am happy. I came to salute you, and I will continue to salute you for the good work that you have done. 'Your stories are better told by those who were on the other side of the barrel, because they know, they felt it. They are the ones that attested, so be proud of what you were doing. If we are required to do so, we will do it again,' Maphwanya addressed the uniformed troops, with the majority of the soldiers responding: 'Yes sir'. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'If we are required to do so, we will do it again, and I will go with you,' Maphwanya said to applause and cheers from the troops. On Sunday, IOL reported that the second contingent of 257 South African troops coming from a mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was arriving at the Air Force Base Waterkloof. The SANDF announced the arrival of the second group of soldiers returning from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC). SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala said a third group is also expected to return to South Africa on Monday afternoon. SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL 'This phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,' said Tshabalala. On Friday night, IOL reported that videos shared by the defence ministry showed soldiers in uniform dancing and chanting on arrival at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, welcomed by airbase staff with cheers and fist-bumps. The troops were deployed under a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission sent to the war-torn country in December 2023 to help restore peace and security in the region. But the SADC said in March it would end its military mission in the mineral-rich area after 17 of its soldiers were killed. AFP reported that earlier this year, fighting in the region erupted once more when the Rwandan-backed M23 force seized large swathes of DRC's north and south Kivu provinces -- both of which border Rwanda. The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL Last month, Maphwanya provided clarity on the phased withdrawal. He explained that the movement of personnel and logistics started on April 29, 2025, with the departure of the first group from eastern DRC via road through Rwanda to Tanzania. He reassured the nation that most logistical equipment will be transported by sea from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to South Africa. IOL News
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
SANDF says 2nd group of troops still in DRC will return once all combat equipment arrives in Tanzania
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the second group of troops still in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will only return home once all combat equipment has arrived at the assembly point in Tanzania. Chief of the SANDF Rudzani Maphwanya revealed this during the observation of annual United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Day at De Brug Military Base in Bloemfontein on Thursday. ALSO READ: - General Maphwanya: SANDF undeterred and committed to ensure peace prevails in Africa - UN Peacekeeping Day: SANDF honours fallen soldiers killed in DRC - SANDF refutes claims of troops returning from DRC surrendering weapons in Rwanda The first group of soldiers was withdrawn from the war-torn country recently, with the SANDF saying it's conducting a phased withdrawal of all troops. General Maphwanya said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has authorised transportation for peacekeepers to return to their respective countries. Earlier in 2025, the SADC gave an official directive to withdraw all SADC troops and equipment. The decision came after a ceasefire was brokered with M23 and the DRC military during a summit in Tanzania in March. Before talks began, South Africa lost 14 soldiers deployed to the volatile region of Goma, north of Kivu. 'We are working around the clock with the SADC Secretariat to ensure that we get all our people and equipment back from the eastern DRC,' said Maphwanya. 'We are at the critical stage of this withdrawal. The contingent's equipment of all the countries that had contributed troops, and equipment is already at above 65% to the assembly area.' He also added that all the soldiers who died serving did not die in vain. COMMITMENT TO DRC PEACEKEEPING MISSION REAFFIRMED Maphwanya has reaffirmed the national force's commitment to support the UN peacekeeping mission in the eastern DRC. Military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who contributed to fostering peace in war-torn zones were honoured during a wreath-laying ceremony. South Africa has been a part of various UN missions for almost three decades, with its largest contribution in the DRC. 'Achieving peace comes at a high price, with casualties and setbacks, yet in honouring those we have lost, we reaffirm our determination to see peace, security, and stability becoming a reality for nations across our continent and the world,' Maphwanya said.
