The dispute is whether the South African National Defence Force is about to replace a locally designed, locally supported 5.56×45 mm family with a Kalashnikov-pattern import — or a locally assembled import — through a process that looks more like an opportunistic opening than a disciplined act of strategy, writes Carl Niehaus Read on https://tinyurl.com/mwryrfd9 #RifleRow #WeaponDebate #SANDF #RifleReplacement #netchain #Mzansi

General Rudzani Maphwanya SM MMM (born 23 November 1960)[1] is a South African military commander who served as Chief of Joint Operations from 2019 till May 2021. He was appointed Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on 1 June 2021.[2] Military career Maphwanya served in the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in Angola and integrated into the SANDF in 1994. He served as SO1 Operations, SSO Operations Special Forces Brigade, CoS Special Forces Brigade, GOC SA Army Infantry Formation, Chief Joint Operations Division. He was appointed as the SANDF Chief of Joint Operations on 1 November 2019.[3] Controversies General Rudzani Maphangwa has submitted his report about his trip to Iran.[4] Maphwanya has faced controversy for public statements expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[5][6] During his visit to Iran in August 2025, Maphwanya publicly endorsed the actions of the groups against Israel.[7][8] Hamas and Hezbollah are designated as terrorist organizations by a number of countries.[9][10] His comments were made following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and drew mixed reactions.#sandf #netchain #Rudzani #Maphanya #Mzansi #SouthAfrica #military

OPERATION CORONA | SANDF DELIVERS — NOW GO AFTER THE KINGPINS: The latest operations by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) under Operation CORONA show the vital role our soldiers continue to play in safeguarding South Africa’s borders and supporting law enforcement. Over the past weekend, soldiers operating along the Zimbabwe–South Africa and Botswana–South Africa borders made seizures exceeding R1.4 million. These included: • A Great Wall Motor Tank 300 valued at R729,000 at Echo Station 1 • Illicit cigarettes worth R305,860 at Pump Station • Illicit cigarettes worth R282,337 along the Botswana border • Illicit alcohol worth R28,000 • Dagga worth R50,700 • Illicit groceries and goods worth R12,000 In one incident, suspects allegedly fired at soldiers before fleeing across the border into Zimbabwe. These results demonstrate that Operation CORONA is making an impact. But seizures are only one part of the battle. WE MUST GO AFTER THE KINGPINS. Cigarette smuggling is a major organised-crime problem. We cannot keep arresting foot soldiers and confiscating consignments while the people financing, coordinating and profiting from these criminal networks remain untouched. Follow the money. Identify the networks. Arrest the kingpins. Prosecute them. Every seizure must become an intelligence lead. Every arrested suspect must potentially lead investigators to those higher up the chain. The real measure of success cannot simply be how many cigarettes or goods are seized. It must be how many criminal syndicates are dismantled and how many kingpins are put behind bars. Our soldiers are doing their job on the ground. Now SAPS, the Hawks, prosecutors and other agencies must follow the trail all the way to the top. SEIZE THE GOODS. ARREST THE SMUGGLERS. DISMANTLE THE SYNDICATES. GO AFTER THE KINGPINS. @TaxJustice_SA @sarstax @NPA_Prosecutes @SAPoliceService @SANDF_ZA

FOREIGN NATIONALS ARRESTED WITH EXPLOSIVES LINKED TO ATM BOMBINGS. Three foreign nationals have been arrested and explosives recovered during an intelligence-driven operation in Matholesville, Roodepoort. The operation was conducted on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, by a multidisciplinary team comprising SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Ivory Park Task Team, Gauteng Traffic’s SLEU, private security companies and the West Rand Explosives Unit. The team acted on intelligence about a suspected explosives supplier allegedly supplying individuals involved in ATM bombings, cash-in-transit robberies and illegal mining. A search of the premises led to the recovery of 88 safety fuses, 62 blasting cartridges and about 400 metres of detonating cord, with an estimated street value of R160,000. Two men and a woman were arrested and face charges of possession of explosives. SAPS said all three are Zimbabwean nationals and are expected to appear in court. A white Toyota Etios fitted with false registration plates was also seized for further investigation. Police are continuing to investigate possible links between the suspects and other ATM bombing, cash-in-transit robbery and illegal mining incidents #MitchellsPlain #Tafelsig #SANDF #SAPS #CapeTown

CAPE TOWN MOTHER PLANS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SANDF AFTER SOLDIER ALLEGEDLY SLAPS HER DURING TAFELSIG OPERATION 🇿🇦⚖️ A Cape Town mother, Bonita Smith, is reportedly preparing to take legal action against the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after a soldier was allegedly caught on video slapping her during an operation in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media, has sparked outrage and renewed debate over the conduct of security forces during operations in local communities. According to reports, the confrontation happened while SANDF members and police officers were carrying out an operation in the area. The footage appears to show a soldier striking Smith during a heated exchange. Smith has indicated that she intends to pursue legal action, while questions are being raised about whether the soldier's conduct was justified and whether proper procedures were followed during the operation. The incident has divided public opinion. Some members of the public have strongly condemned the alleged assault and are calling for the soldier to face disciplinary action if the allegations are confirmed. Others believe the full circumstances leading up to the confrontation must first be established before conclusions are reached. The controversy also raises a broader issue: security personnel have an important responsibility to maintain public order and fight crime, but they are also expected to operate within the law and respect the rights and dignity of members of the public. Authorities are reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Any disciplinary or legal consequences will depend on the findings of those investigations. ⚠️ The video alone may not show everything that happened before the confrontation. The allegations should therefore be properly investigated, with both the soldier and the woman given an opportunity to present their accounts. 🇿🇦 Crime-fighting operations are necessary, but accountability must apply to everyone — including those entrusted with enforcing the law. 💬 Do you think the soldier should face disciplinary action if the investigation confirms that the slap was unjustified, or should the full circumstances of the confrontation be established first? #BonitaSmith #Tafelsig #SANDF #SouthAfrica #Police #CurrentAffairs