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South African National Defence Force
Military of South Africa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The Chief of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Defence Department.
The military as it exists today was created in 1994,[5][6] following South Africa's first nonracial election in April of that year and the adoption of a new constitution. It replaced the South African Defence Force and also integrated uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) guerilla forces.
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History
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Integration process
In 1994, the SANDF took over the personnel and equipment from the SADF and integrated forces from the former Bantustan homelands forces,[7]: 5 as well as personnel from the former guerrilla forces of some of the political parties involved in South Africa, such as the African National Congress's Umkhonto we Sizwe, the Pan Africanist Congress's Azanian People's Liberation Army and the Self-Protection Units of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The Azanian People's Organisation's AZANLA was invited but refused to be integrated and to this day remains the only guerrilla force not integrated into the current force.[5]
As of 2004, the integration process was considered complete, with the retention of personnel, structure, and equipment from the SADF. However, due to integration problems, financial constraints, and other issues, the SANDF faced capability constraints.[citation needed]
The South African Commando System was a civil militia active until 2008, based upon local units from the size of company to battalion.[8] In its final years its role was to support the South African Police Service during internal operations. During such deployments the units came under SAPS control.
1999 re-armament
In 1999, a R30 billion (US$4.8 billion) purchase of weaponry by the South African Government was finalised, which has been subject to allegations of corruption.[9][10] The South African Department of Defence's Strategic Defence Acquisition purchased frigates, submarines, light utility helicopters, lead-in fighter trainer and multirole combat aircraft.[11]
Decline
Systemic public-sector corruption, State capture, (2011/12 to 2017) had a debilitating effect on Denel and consequently the country's defence capability.[12][13][14] In 2014 some 62% of the SANDF's facilities and housing were deemed to be in unacceptable condition, of which 4% were hazardous, another 2% fit to be demolished, and some occupied by squatters. This contributed to low soldier morale and poor discipline.[15] Equipment became largely obsolete due to inadequate maintenance, while renewal stalled with devastating effects on the defence industry. According to the Department of Defence's 2014 Defence Review, the SANDF was "in a critical state of decline".[16] A series of cuts to its capital and operating budgets compromised several capabilities.[17]
In 2017 and 2021 respectively, 83[18] and some 200 to 500 out-of-service military vehicles were destroyed in fires at the Wallmansthal vehicle depot,[19] and a spokesperson was not available to liaise with the press.[20] Notwithstanding, it was reported to parliament in 2022, that technical skills gained from personnel of the Cuban RAF facilitated the preservation and maintenance of over 600,000 infantry weapons.[21] Their mechanical and vehicular skills allowed for the inspection, repair, refurbishment and/or deactivation of vehicles in the special forces and the four arms of service fleets, besides the implementation of stock control and technical support measures, and the rehabilitation of army workshops and work stations.
After submissions to parliament by Armscor, earlier in 2022, a spokesman for the official opposition, the DA, stated that the country's defence capability had been weakened to the extent that it was unprepared for a serious security challenge.[12] The Navy and Air Force were highlighted as easy targets, as only one of the four frigates were serviceable, and none of the submarines, while only 46 of 217 fixed-wing aircraft were serviceable (with all VIP aircraft grounded[22]), and only 27 of 87 helicopters. Budget and hardware constraints also compromised flight training and exercises, besides the retention of experienced pilots and personnel.[13] The defence minister's appointment of an Air Force chief, Wiseman Mbambo, who cannot fly a plane and doesn't have a pilot's licence was also criticized.[23] The SANDF had only 14 infantry battalions consisting of 12,000 soldiers in aggregate, of which five were deployed in peacekeeping and border patrol, leaving only nine to serve as home or rapid response units.[24]
In February 2022 the power supply to its Navy headquarters in Pretoria was disconnected when its municipal taxes were in arrears to the amount of R3.2 million.[25] During the same month Sandu threatened legal action if the dilapidated Air Force headquarters building in Pretoria were not repaired to facilitate acceptable working conditions.[26] In March 2022 the SANDF and Navy were locked out of several office buildings in Pretoria due to rent defaults by the Department of Public Works.[27] 63% of the 2022/23 defence budget was allocated to employee compensation.[24]
In 2022 the SANDF was involved in multiple corruption scandals totaling R2 billion; one of which involved 56 SANDF personnel two of whom were generals all of whom were suspended.[28] An additional 13 SANDF personal from the Logistics, Joint Operations and Special Forces divisions were convicted for corruption in another incident.[28]
Domestic operations
As of 2012[update], the SANDF was involved in several internal operations, including:[29]
- Safeguarding the border (Operation CORONA)
- Disaster relief and assistance (Operation CHARIOT)
- Safety and security (Operation PROSPER)
- Ridding the country of illegal weapons, drug dens, prostitution rings and other illegal activities (Operation FIELA)
In 2021, SANDF forces were deployed in response to the civil unrest following the jailing on corruption charges of former president Jacob Zuma. By 14 July, over 25,000 troops had been deployed, the largest single deployment of the South African National Defence Force since 1994.[30][31]
International operations
The SANDF partakes in UN peacekeeping missions, mostly on the African continent. As part of the SADC standby force, it partakes in peace missions in the DRC and northern Mozambique.[24] It also provides foreign election security when needed.
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Organisation and structure
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Overall command is vested in an officer-designated Chief of the SANDF (CSANDF). Appointed from any of the Arms of Service, they are the only person in the SANDF at the rank of General or Admiral, and are accountable to the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who heads the Department of Defence.
The structure of the SANDF is depicted below:[32]
In 2010, a Defence Amendment Bill created a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission (NDFSC), a statutory advisory body that reports to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. Its primary mandate is to review and make recommendations on the conditions of service, remuneration, career progression, and general welfare of SANDF personnel, both in the Regular and Reserve components.
The Commission plays a key role in ensuring that the interests of military personnel are represented at the highest levels of government and that the SANDF maintains professional standards in line with constitutional and legislative requirements.
Overall command is vested in an officer-designated Chief of the SANDF (CSANDF). Appointed from any of the Arms of Service, they are the only person in the SANDF at the rank of General or Admiral, and are accountable to the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who heads the Department of Defence.
The SANDF is structured into four main service branches:[33]
- South African Army – the landward defence component and the largest branch of the SANDF. The Army is organised into several divisions and formations, including the Infantry Formation, Armour Formation, Artillery Formation, Air Defence Artillery Formation, Engineer Formation, and Support Formation.
- South African Air Force – responsible for air operations, air defence, transport, and surveillance. The SAAF is organised into several commands, including Combat Aircraft Squadrons, Transport and Maritime Squadrons, Helicopter Squadrons, and the Air Command and Control Centre.
- South African Navy – provides maritime defence, sea transport, and the protection of South Africa's territorial waters. The Navy is structured around Fleet Command, headquartered at Simon’s Town, and includes Frigate, Submarine, Mine Countermeasures, and Support Squadrons. The Navy also maintains the Maritime Reaction Squadron, a versatile amphibious marine-type unit.
- South African Military Health Service – a separate branch responsible for medical support, field hospitals, health logistics, and healthcare for SANDF members and, in emergencies, for civilians. It operates military hospitals, medical battalions, and specialist health institutes.
In addition to these four services, the South African Special Forces Brigade operates as an independent formation under the direct command of the Chief of the SANDF. The Brigade is tasked with strategic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, and specialised operations, and is regarded as an elite component of the SANDF.
Supporting the services are additional components:
- Defence Intelligence Division – provides military intelligence, counterintelligence, and strategic assessments.
- Joint Operations Division – responsible for planning, coordinating, and commanding operational deployments of the SANDF both domestically and internationally, including peace support missions.
- Logistics Division – manages procurement, supply chains, maintenance, and the sustainment of equipment and infrastructure.
- Training Command – oversees basic training, specialist schools, military academies, and professional development programmes.
The SANDF also relies on the Reserve Force, which supplements the Regular Force during operations. The Reserves provide trained personnel, specialist skills, and additional capacity for peacekeeping, border safeguarding, and disaster relief operations.
Publications and access to records
The SANDF publishes (or provides links) to documents describing its strategy, plans, performance, white papers and related government acts. Under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (PAIA), the SANDF also provides access to current and historical information the SANDF holds and provides a manual[34] with procedures for obtaining access. Some categories of records are "automatically available" that are "available without a person having to request access in terms of the PAIA. These records can be accessed at the Department of Defence Archives and include operational records of the 1st World War, 2nd World War, Korean War, and establishment of the Union Defence Force 1912.
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Service branches
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South African Army
The South African Army is the landward branch of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), responsible for ground-based military operations. It comprises around 40,000 active personnel and more than 12,000 reservists, organised into a mixture of combat, combat support, and service support formations. The Army's main roles include national defence, border safeguarding, regional peace support, disaster relief, and assistance to civil authorities.[35]
The Army maintains a broad infantry capability to operate across varied environments. Mechanised infantry battalions employ the Ratel infantry fighting vehicle, designed to fight alongside the Olifant main battle tanks and Rooikat combat recon vehicles in combined-arms formations, although the Ratel is planned to be replaced in the coming years by the Badger infantry fighting vehicle. Motorised infantry battalions, the largest component of the force, are equipped with armoured personnel carriers and infantry mobility vehicles such as the Mamba APC and Casspir MRAP, offering mobility and survivability in peacekeeping support, border security, and counter-insurgency roles.[36] Light infantry battalions provide versatile, mobile troops trained for rapid manoeuvre in bush, savannah, and urban terrain, while 9 SAI in Cape Town specialises in seaborne infantry operations, giving the Army an amphibious capability.
Airborne and rapid-reaction forces are centred on 44 Parachute Regiment in Bloemfontein, whose paratroops provide parachute and air assault capabilities, supported by the South African Air Force's tactical airlifters. Specialist formations such as 6 SAI deliver helicopter-borne air assault operations, further enhancing the Army's mobility. All infantry are equipped with Vektor R4/R5 assault rifles as standard, supported by mortars, machine guns, and various other man-portable weapons.
The Armour Formation forms the backbone of the Army's heavy fighting power. It operates the Olifant main battle tank in several variants, a modernised and locally upgraded design, and the Rooikat combat reconnaissance vehicle, a highly mobile wheeled platform optimised for long-range reconnaissance and anti-armour operations. Together with mechanised infantry, these assets allow the Army to field balanced and mobile combined-arms forces.
Supporting the infantry and armour are a range of combat support formations. The Artillery Formation fields the G5 Leopard towed howitzer and G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer, both locally developed and central to the Army's long-range firepower, supplemented by various types of mortar systems and multiple rocket launchers. The Air Defence Artillery Formation operates systems such as the Oerlikon GDF radar-guided anti-aircraft autocannons and Starstreak surface-to-air missiles, and is expected to incorporate the locally developed Umkhonto surface-to-air missile system in the future.[37] Combat engineering is provided by the Engineer Formation, while the Support Formation delivers logistics and sustainment.
Operational control is exercised through 43 South African Brigade, which functions as a deployable headquarters for external operations. The Army is regularly tasked with border protection under Operation Corona and has extensive peacekeeping experience under the African Union and United Nations, with deployments to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Mozambique among its most significant commitments. Alongside these, the Army is expanding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and surveillance, while numerous additional projects are under consideration to progressively update its force structure and equipment base.[38]
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), responsible for securing national airspace, supporting ground and naval forces, and undertaking transport, search and rescue, and humanitarian missions. It comprises around 12,800 active personnel and a reserve of just over 1,000, operating from a network of strategically important air bases including AFB Waterkloof, AFB Makhado, AFB Ysterplaat, AFB Hoedspruit, AFB Langebaanweg, AFB Overberg, AFB Swartkop, AFB Port Elizabeth, and AFB Durban. Its mission set extends from territorial defence and air policing to regional stability operations, disaster relief, and assistance to civil authorities.[39]
The SAAF maintains a modern but relatively small combat fleet. Its primary air defence and air superiority capability is provided by 26 Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighters, supported by 24 BAE Hawk Mk.120's, which functions both as an advanced lead-in trainer and a light strike fighter. Rotary-wing assets form a diverse and flexible force, centred around the locally developed Denel AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter, designed for close air support and reconnaissance, and the Atlas Oryx utility helicopter, used for troop transport, medical evacuation, and logistical lift. These are complemented by the AgustaWestland A109 light utility helicopter, which fills training and liaison roles, and the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, which provides light utility and rescue capabilities.[40] Training aircraft include the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra, employed as the SAAF's primary basic trainer, alongside the Hawk Mk.120 in the advanced training role. Together, these aircraft ensure the SAAF can operate across both land and maritime domains in support of joint operations.
Strategic and tactical transport is carried out primarily by the SAAF's fleet of C-130BZ Hercules, which serve as the backbone of its airlift capability. These are supplemented by CASA C-212s used for light logistics and utility transport, Cessna 208 Caravans primarily employed for electronic warfare (EW) and patrol missions, and upgraded C-47TP Dakotas dedicated mainly to maritime patrol duties. Together, these aircraft sustain peacekeeping deployments in central and southern Africa, deliver humanitarian aid during regional crises, and provide coastal surveillance through detachments based at AFB Ysterplaat and AFB Durban. In addition, a range of VIP transport aircraft—including Boeing 737 jetliners, Cessna Citations, Dassault Falcons and other types—are used to transport senior government officials and the President.
The SAAF has long sought to modernise its strategic airlift capabilities. In 2005, it placed an order for eight Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft, with an option for a further eight, which would have introduced aerial refuelling capability and supplemented or replaced the ageing C-130BZ fleet. However, the contract was terminated on 5 November 2009 due to significant cost escalations and delivery delays.[41] In 2023, the United Kingdom offered South Africa up to 14 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft,[42] while the United States proposed the transfer of surplus C-130H models, though no acquisition decision was announced.[43] As of 2025, the SAAF was actively evaluating the Brazilian Embraer C-390/KC-390 Millennium,[44] with government plans also considering the establishment of a local production facility in South Africa to assemble the aircraft.[45]
Beyond manned aviation, the SAAF is expanding its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capability, including the locally developed Milkor 380 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), intended to strengthen reconnaissance and strike options.[46] Ground-based air defence and early warning are coordinated through joint cooperation between the South African Air Force and South African Army, integrating radar systems, surveillance networks, and surface-to-air missile units to maintain situational awareness and protect national airspace.
Historically, the SAAF operated a much larger and more diverse fighter fleet, including up to 100 Atlas Cheetah and Dassault Mirage fighters at its peak. These were progressively retired in the early 2000s due to rising maintenance costs and the absence of a direct regional air threat, and replaced by a smaller but technologically advanced fleet of Gripens and Hawks. This shift reflected South Africa's strategic emphasis on cost-effective readiness and regional peace support rather than large-scale conventional warfare.
Today, the SAAF continues to play a prominent role in regional peace support and humanitarian missions, frequently tasked with disaster relief, medical evacuation, and airlift in response to floods, wildfires, and other emergencies. It remains an essential element of South Africa's defence capability, ensuring rapid mobility, airspace security, and operational reach across the African continent.
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the maritime arm of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), tasked with defending South Africa's territorial waters, safeguarding trade routes, and supporting joint operations with the Army and Air Force. It also plays a significant role in peacekeeping, anti-piracy patrols, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. Headquartered at Naval Base Simon's Town near Cape Town, the Navy fields around 7,000 personnel, including reserves, and operates additional facilities at Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Richards Bay.[47]
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The SAN's frontline combat capability is built around four Valour-class (MEKO A-200SAN) stealth guided-missile frigates, which provide multi-role anti-surface warfare, air defence, and anti-submarine capabilities. These are supported by three Heroine-class (Type 209/1400) diesel-electric attack submarines, which give South Africa a credible undersea warfare and deterrence capability in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. For patrol and coastal security, the Navy operates several Warrior-class strike craft (in reduced operational use), supplemented by a growing inshore patrol force, including the locally built Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) under Project Biro.
Support and auxiliary vessels extend the Navy's operational reach. The replenishment ship SAS Drakensberg provides sealift and underway replenishment for extended deployments, although it is nearing the end of its service life and plans are being explored for a replacement. The hydrographic survey ship SAS Protea, in service since the 1970s, is being replaced by a modern vessel under Project Hotel, ensuring the Navy maintains charting and oceanographic capabilities vital for both naval and civilian navigation. In addition, the SAN maintains a mine countermeasures fleet, consisting of River-class minesweepers and inshore craft, which secure ports and sea lanes against naval mines and other underwater threats.
Naval aviation operates in close partnership with the South African Air Force, with the Westland Super Lynx 300 helicopters embarked aboard Valour-class frigates for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surveillance roles. Other helicopters, including the Oryx, BK 117, and Agusta A109, support amphibious and logistics tasks, including ship-to-shore transport and medical evacuation.
The South African Navy also maintains the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS), a marine-type unit to provide amphibious, boarding, and maritime security capabilities. Based at Naval Base Durban, the squadron includes boat, infantry, and diving elements, giving the Navy a rapid reaction force comparable in some respects to naval infantry or marines. The MRS has deployed on regional peacekeeping, anti-piracy, and amphibious support operations, often working in conjunction with the Army and Air Force.
During the 2000s, the SAN considered acquiring large amphibious assault vessels under Project Millennium, which examined designs such as the French Mistral-class helicopter carrier. At one stage, during President Jacob Zuma's administration, media speculation suggested the Navy might even pursue an "aircraft carrier," though this was never formally planned. Ultimately, the project was shelved due to budget constraints, but the requirement for a future strategic sealift capability remains noted in the Defence Review.[48]
Historically, the SAN grew from a small coastal defence force into a regional navy with blue-water ambitions following the acquisition of its frigates and submarines in the early 2000s. However, funding constraints have limited fleet readiness, with only part of the combat fleet fully operational at any given time. Despite these challenges, the Navy plays a vital role in regional maritime security, particularly through counter-piracy patrols off Mozambique and the Gulf of Guinea, anti-smuggling and fisheries protection, and support to peacekeeping operations. It also provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during floods and cyclones in southern Africa. As the country's principal maritime defence arm, the SAN remains essential in protecting South Africa's economic and strategic interests across its vast exclusive economic zone and beyond.
South African Military Health Service
The South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) is the dedicated medical branch of the South African National Defence Force, tasked with providing comprehensive healthcare to military personnel and their dependants in both peace and wartime. It is responsible for medical support across all branches of the SANDF, ensuring operational readiness through preventative care, battlefield medicine, and specialised treatment. It comprises around 10,000 personnel, including both active and reserve members.[49]
The service operates a network of military hospitals, including 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria, 2 Military Hospital in Cape Town, and 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein, supported by a range of smaller medical facilities and clinics across the country. These institutions provide not only routine healthcare but also advanced surgical, psychiatric, and rehabilitative services, and often assist in civilian medical emergencies when required.
In the field, the SAMHS maintains deployable medical units capable of providing frontline trauma care, field hospitals, and evacuation services by road and air. Its medical personnel are trained for operations in austere environments, ensuring that SANDF deployments—whether for combat, peacekeeping, or humanitarian relief—are medically sustainable.
Beyond direct healthcare provision, the SAMHS is also tasked with environmental health, veterinary services for military working animals, and bio-defence research. During major crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it has played a crucial role in national support operations, including mass testing, vaccination drives, and the provision of emergency facilities.
The SAMHS is a key pillar of the SANDF's ability to sustain long-term deployments and protect the health and welfare of its members, both at home and across the African continent.
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Personnel
- Males (69.4%)
- Females (30.6%)
On 31 March 2019, the demographics of service personnel were as follows:[50]: 165
The gender split in the SANDF as of 31 March 2019 is as follows:[50]
- 51,684 men (69.4%)
- 22,824 women (30.6%)
The target for female recruits increased to 40% in 2010.[51]
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Equipment
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The South African National Defence Force operates a mixture of domestically produced and imported military equipment. A large proportion of its inventory is sourced from South Africa's domestic defence industry, while additional systems are procured mainly from European and American suppliers.
Defence industry
South Africa's defence industry originated in the late 1960s, expanding significantly after the United Nations imposed a mandatory arms embargo on the country in 1963 in response to apartheid. The embargo, which remained in force until 1990, compelled South Africa to establish a self-sufficient and vertically integrated military-industrial base.[52]
Today, the South African defence industry is regarded as the largest and most advanced in Africa and one of the most capable outside of the major Western and Asian powers. It encompasses both state-owned enterprises and private companies and is able to design and manufacture a wide range of systems, including utility and attack helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, main battle tanks, artillery, missile systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, fixed-wing aircraft, small arms, and naval vessels. The industry also exports to more than 100 countries worldwide, reflecting its significant role in the global arms market.[53]
Beyond conventional systems, the sector played a key role in South Africa's apartheid-era strategic weapons programmes, developing the RSA series of ballistic missiles in cooperation with Israel and contributing to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons research. These programmes were dismantled in the early 1990s, but they remain an important part of the country's defence technology legacy.
It is estimated that around 80% of the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) current equipment originates from the domestic defence sector, underlining its continued strength and global competitiveness.[54]
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Gallery
A South African soldier with the 9th South African Infantry Battalion.
Rooikat armoured reconnaissance vehicle.
Valour-class frigate Isandlwana (F146).
Badger infantry fighting vehicle.
South African Air Force Saab Gripen over Cape Town.
Ratel infantry fighting vehicles during manoeuvres.
Oryx helicopter cargo-slinging off the SAS Drakensberg.
G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer.
C-130 Hercules conducting an airdrop demonstration.
BAE Hawks flying over Swartkop Air Force Base.
Rooivalk attack helicopter during an air show.
Paratroops of 44 Parachute Regiment, of the South African Army.
Air Assault Infantry fast-roping from an Oryx helicopter.
The SAS Charlotte Maxeke (S102) submarine with HMS Portland (F79).
Female combat troops of South African Contingent in MONUSCO.
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2012 Defence Review
The South African Defence Review 2012 is a policy review process carried out by a panel of experts, chaired by retired politician and former Minister of Defence, Roelf Meyer.
The review was commissioned by Lindiwe Sisulu the then Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, in July 2011. The review was motivated by the need to correct the errors and shortcomings of the previous review. According to defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the old report was no longer relevant to South Africa's current situation.[55]
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See also
References
Further reading
External links
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