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ActionSA has uncovered yet another damning example of the collapse of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). A parliamentary reply from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, reveals a vehicle graveyard at Wallmannsthal where hundreds of military vehicles have been abandoned to rot.

The Minister confirms that 279 SANDF vehicles have been out of operation for more than five years, while 111 vehicles worth over R27 million are being cannibalised for spare parts simply to keep others running. This is like robbing Peter to pay Paul while steadily eroding the SANDF's operational capability.

Equally alarming is the admission that a fire damaged an undisclosed number of vehicles at the facility, exposing glaring failures in asset management and safety.

At a time when South Africa faces mounting border security, crime and disaster-response challenges, the SANDF is allowing critical military assets to rust into scrap. This is further proof that the defence force is no longer capable of fulfilling its constitutional mandate. Years of underfunding, poor leadership and systemic mismanagement have pushed the SANDF into a death spiral.

ActionSA has been advocating for serious structural reforms to eliminate waste and improve accountability, and a sustainable increase in funding to restore the SANDF's operational readiness.

South Africans deserve a defence force that protects the country, safeguards its borders and responds effectively to emergencies, not one that leaves military assets to rust in scrapyards while operational capacity steadily deteriorates.

Press Statement by: Lerato Ngobeni MP ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip