Latest news with #NCACC
IOL News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
EFF demands urgent parliamentary discussion on alleged arms exports to Israel
Earlier this week, the Red Berets proposed that the National Conventional Weapons Control Committee's inability to fulfil its domestic and international weapons control commitments be discussed urgently by the National Assembly. Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media The EFF wants an urgent debate in Parliament over the alleged failure by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) to prevent South African manufactured weapons from being transferred to Israel. The Red Berets moved the motion earlier this week that the National Assembly debate, as a matter of urgency, the NCACC's failure to uphold domestic and international arms control obligations. MP Carl Niehaus said the National Assembly should note the NCACC's non-implementation of the end-user certificates for arms and ammunition produced by South African companies such as Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM). 'We condemn the export of South African arms to apartheid Israel – a state charged by South Africa with genocide at the International Court of Justice. We reject this complicity as a hypocritical betrayal of our heroic Struggle against apartheid and our human rights commitments,' Niehaus. 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. 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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 call for the debate comes on the heels of a detailed letter from Niehaus to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, in which he presented allegations regarding South Africa's non-compliance with international arms control commitments. He had also sent two sets of questions to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on the matter. In her written response, Ntshavheni said there were no official registers and records indicating any transfer of controlled items to Israel and Ukraine. She said the end-user certificate applied universally to all the countries intending to trade in conventional arms with South Africa. 'To date, the NCACC has not initiated a request for on-site verification. United Nations, through its disarmament structures, thus far did not raise any concern regarding possible diversion or malicious use of controlled items (conventional arms) transferred by South Africa.' She was responding to Niehaus when he asked if countries in Europe and the Middle East, where South African-manufactured weapons are exported, have refused any inspections by the NCACC to monitor whether the end-user certificates are complied with. Ntshavheni said should the need arise, upon reaching consensus with any country suspected of any gross arms violations, inspectors will be deployed accordingly. 'Such deployment may not be considered in countries where there is active international conflict(s).' Meanwhile, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga did not respond when asked by DA MP Chris Hattingh whether she had consulted Ntshavheni regarding the allegation that RDM increased production of NATO-standard 155 mm ammunition primarily for use by Israel and Ukraine. Instead, Motshekga said RDM operated strictly in accordance with national legislative requirements, and that South Africa adhered to a number of international treaties, agreements, and arrangements that have an impact on non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control. 'There are various international treaties, agreements, and arrangements that have formed part of national legislation that RDM needs to adhere to,' Motshekga said. Hattingh enquired whether the allegation that RDM ammunitions were being used by Israel and Ukraine could have negative diplomatic consequences for South Africa. Motshekga explained that RDM could only supply its products after receipt of the required national South African governmental approval from the NCACC and the required export permits from the Directorate of Conventional Arms Control (DCAC). 'In the supply agreements entered into between RDM and its clients, they are required to issue end-user certificates as required in terms of the NCACC Act. Therefore, RDM is not able to deliver products to clients until the receipt of an end-user certificate and an export permit from the DCAC has been issued,' she said. 'Furthermore, the third party attending to the shipment and delivery can only deliver the products to such address listed in the export licence, and all other legislative requirements are met.' Motshekga insisted that RDM as an ammunition manufacturer was required to adhere to the national legislative requirements. 'No contracts can be executed without approval from the applicable regulatory entity as outlined.' In another development, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said he and his department were guided by the government's directives on all matters of international relations. 'As such, any minister would act accordingly once the government has made a directive or pronouncement on the matter,' McKenzie said. He was asked whether he would heed the call for a sports boycott in support of the Palestinian struggle against occupation and genocide perpetrated by Israel. McKenzie said he was not in a position to confidently indicate whether the role of sport that led to the liberation of South Africa can similarly be used in the case of Palestine.
The South African
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Anti-War Protests at RDM Factory
Dozens of anti-war activists gathered outside the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) factory on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, for a peaceful protest against the company's alleged involvement in supplying weapons to conflict zones. The demonstration, marked by passionate chants and vibrant placards, was dispersed by police, with several activists detained and taken to the station. Protesters of all ages lined up at the factory gates, holding signs reading: 'No bombs for Ukraine and Israel', 'Stop killing Palestinian children', and 'End arming apartheid'. They demanded an immediate halt to RDM's alleged weapon supplies, which they claim fuel violence in hotspots like Palestine, where they say the population faces genocide by Israel, and Ukraine, backed by the Global North in its war against Russia. The protest began peacefully, with participants chanting slogans and trying to engage factory workers. Tensions escalated when security called the SAPS. Police detained several protesters and took them to the station. Four hours later, they were released without charges. 'We stand for peace, not war!' chanted the activists, voicing frustration that South Africa, despite its laws, may be complicit in supplying weapons to conflict zones. Legal Context and Demands for Transparency Under South Africa's National Conventional Arms Control Act 41 of 2002, the country must avoid exporting weapons that could escalate regional conflicts or destabilise situations. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) is responsible for vetting export deals to ensure compliance. Protesters and political groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), question whether RDM adheres to this law by supplying weapons to conflict zones. Critics demand full transparency from the NCACC regarding RDM's export activities and strict adherence to the law, stressing that South Africa, with its history of fighting for peace and human rights, should not supply weapons to countries engaged in armed conflicts. 'South Africa cannot claim neutrality while its factories produce weapons that kill the innocent. We demand accountability,' said one protester. Questions about RDM's compliance with the National Conventional Arms Control Act remain unresolved, especially amid 2023 statistics showing arms exports rising to nearly R7.1 billion, including supplies to conflict-affected countries like the DRC.
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The silence of the NCACC: A call for accountability in South Africa's arms trade
As the investigative spotlight shines on RDM, the deafening silence from NCACC for nearly two months now only amplifies the urgency of the situation. Image: Supplied It has now been nearly two months since the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) held its quarterly briefing on April 4, a meeting that failed to provide real answers but made one thing painfully clear: the cracks in South Africa's arms oversight regime are widening. Multiple Members of Parliament expressed sharp criticism that day, urging the NCACC to take more responsibility for South African weapons potentially finding their way into global conflict zones. Among them was MP Carl Niehaus, who didn't just speak; he acted. He submitted a formal written request demanding clarity on how locally produced munitions are being exported to countries at war, particularly Israel and Ukraine. Since then, no formal response has been received from the NCACC. The Committee has neither acknowledged the inquiry nor provided any clarification regarding the allegations. The concerns raised by Niehaus came in the wake of serious investigative reporting. In early 2024 and into 2025, platforms like Investigate Europe and Open Secrets published detailed exposés on Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), a South African-German joint venture operating shell factories whose exports appear to bypass scrutiny and accountability routinely. The stories link RDM to weapons shipments ending up in Ukraine, Israel, and, previously, Yemen. It's a stark reality that South Africa's own legislation, which prohibits arms exports to countries in active conflict, is being blatantly disregarded. This silence not only underscores a deeper institutional issue but also highlights the alarming lack of accountability in the arms trade. Without clear penalties or deadlines, the NCACC's response to parliamentary inquiries becomes optional, and crucial issues like Niehaus's risk being swept under the rug without any consequences. At a time when the world is scrutinising the arms trade more than ever, South Africa's unregulated export of artillery shells to conflict zones sends a deeply troubling message. As a country that claims to champion peace and neutrality, this undermines South Africa's credibility on the global stage and places it in a morally ambiguous, if not outright condemnable, position. Even more disturbing is the complete lack of response from RDM itself. The company has made no effort to address the accusations or even issue a public statement clarifying its compliance with the NCACC's export regulations. This is not a minor oversight. When your company is being named in connection with possible arms exports to war zones, the absolute minimum response should be transparency. Instead, RDM has chosen the same path as the NCACC complete silence. It's worth asking why. The refusal to engage only deepens suspicions. If there is nothing to hide, then why not speak up? If the company is indeed acting within the legal framework, a brief statement would be enough to at least reassure some of the public and parliamentarians who are now rightfully concerned. If the NCACC cannot respond to a parliamentary inquiry promptly, especially under such circumstances, then what exactly is it doing? Who is it protecting? The public? Or the arms industry? Parliament deserves an answer. * Bayethe Msimang is an independent writer and analyst. ** The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of IOL or Independent Media.
