AfriForum: Military bases becoming one-stop shops for criminals

AfriForum calls on the Minister of Defence and the head of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to provide full transparency on the extent of the thefts at De Brug and other bases, as well as the measures being taken to prevent further incidents. This follows two break-ins at the De Brug military base outside Bloemfontein in the Free State in the past two weeks. In at least one of these cases, explosive devices, mortar components and ammunition were stolen.

AfriForum views these incidents as further evidence of a long-standing pattern of poor security and a lack of accountability within the defence force.

The organisation further argues that this theft once again highlights how vulnerable South Africa’s military installations have become and how these weaknesses can have serious consequences for public safety.

“It is concerning that civilians and a private security company – and not military personnel –intercepted the suspects and recovered these dangerous items. This reinforces what AfriForum has been warning about for years – that our military infrastructure is not adequately secured and that the necessary controls and oversight are simply not in place,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s chief spokesperson for Community Safety.

AfriForum has repeatedly raised the alarm about theft and corruption at SANDF bases across the country, where firearms, ammunition and military equipment have disappeared without proper investigation or accountability. As recent as 2023 a SANDF member was also arrested in Bloemfontein for stealing weapons, ammunition and even a hand grenade and reselling it.

“The state’s inability to protect its own stockpiles of weapons and ammunition places ordinary South Africans at risk. We are now seeing the direct consequences of a system that has been allowed to deteriorate over time, despite repeated warnings from civil society,” adds Broodryk.

Broodryk concludes: “The time has come for serious introspection within the SANDF. We need decisive action to restore discipline, strengthen security and ensure that our national defence assets do not end up in the hands of criminals.”