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The Democratic Alliance welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s move to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the Department of Defence, as published in today’s Government Gazette (No. 52705).

This investigation is long overdue.

For years, the DA has flagged the Department's failure to enforce basic financial controls, properly investigate dodgy procurement deals, or hold senior officials accountable. The SIU's mandate — which includes irregular contracts like the surgical mask ear loops tender (Bid CPSC-UB-M-013-2021), fraudulent spending, and broader misconduct — is clear evidence that governance in the Department has gone off the rails.

This isn’t new. The Auditor General has repeatedly pointed to the same issues: no consequences for wrongdoing, millions of rands wasted, and public trust in the SANDF steadily eroded. Money meant to support soldiers and keep our forces ready has instead vanished into mismanagement and corruption.

What’s worse is the Department’s ongoing failure to act. Despite multiple oversight reports from Parliament, there’s been zero meaningful effort from within to clean house — which is why this external intervention is now essential.

We’re calling for immediate suspensions of all implicated officials, regardless of their position, pending the outcome of the probe. The SIU’s findings must be made public, followed by real consequences: prosecutions, asset recovery, and regular updates to Parliament.

South Africans deserve an armed forces institution they can believe in — not one broken by corruption and weak leadership. This investigation must be a turning point. It’s time to rebuild trust, restore integrity, and bring real accountability to the Department of Defence.

Issued by Chris Hattingh MP - DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans