Dean Wingrin
@deanwingrin.bsky.social
Aviation and defense journalist, author, photographer, defenceWeb correspondent and general raconteur.
This lack of respect to Parliament is an incredibly worrying trend.
A Members says:
"SANDF disdain for oversight shows a military culture detached from democratic norms. Officers, protected politically, act with impunity, forgetting they serve the Constitution, not a party."
/10
A Members says:
"SANDF disdain for oversight shows a military culture detached from democratic norms. Officers, protected politically, act with impunity, forgetting they serve the Constitution, not a party."
/10
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This lack of respect to Parliament is an incredibly worrying trend.
A Members says:
"SANDF disdain for oversight shows a military culture detached from democratic norms. Officers, protected politically, act with impunity, forgetting they serve the Constitution, not a party."
/10
A Members says:
"SANDF disdain for oversight shows a military culture detached from democratic norms. Officers, protected politically, act with impunity, forgetting they serve the Constitution, not a party."
/10
In frustration, certain members walked out of the meeting! This reflects a profound breakdown in trust and a growing resistance to the expectation that Parliament will continue to rubber-stamp foreign deployments without credible oversight.
/9
/9
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
In frustration, certain members walked out of the meeting! This reflects a profound breakdown in trust and a growing resistance to the expectation that Parliament will continue to rubber-stamp foreign deployments without credible oversight.
/9
/9
I believe that the members were quite vocal about the "disdain" shown by the SANDF to Parliament, the Minister shielding her Generals who were equally vocal to the Members!
The Minister’s interventions failed to assist the Committee in obtaining clarity or accountability.
/8
The Minister’s interventions failed to assist the Committee in obtaining clarity or accountability.
/8
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I believe that the members were quite vocal about the "disdain" shown by the SANDF to Parliament, the Minister shielding her Generals who were equally vocal to the Members!
The Minister’s interventions failed to assist the Committee in obtaining clarity or accountability.
/8
The Minister’s interventions failed to assist the Committee in obtaining clarity or accountability.
/8
Apparently, Sangweni did not respond directly to members’ questions, referencing documents such as a MoU and the Status of Unit Requirements while refusing to provide it to the Committee or being unable to explain it.
/7
/7
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Apparently, Sangweni did not respond directly to members’ questions, referencing documents such as a MoU and the Status of Unit Requirements while refusing to provide it to the Committee or being unable to explain it.
/7
/7
The "detailed" presentation was not detailed at all.
Per a member:
"SANDF officers, meant to present on mobilization and demobilization, showed outright contempt."
Presentations were superficial & lacked meaningful data on equipment shortages, personnel readiness, etc.
/6
Per a member:
"SANDF officers, meant to present on mobilization and demobilization, showed outright contempt."
Presentations were superficial & lacked meaningful data on equipment shortages, personnel readiness, etc.
/6
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The "detailed" presentation was not detailed at all.
Per a member:
"SANDF officers, meant to present on mobilization and demobilization, showed outright contempt."
Presentations were superficial & lacked meaningful data on equipment shortages, personnel readiness, etc.
/6
Per a member:
"SANDF officers, meant to present on mobilization and demobilization, showed outright contempt."
Presentations were superficial & lacked meaningful data on equipment shortages, personnel readiness, etc.
/6
Members were to interact with soldiers in final preparations for deployment, only to be told that morning that the soldiers had already left for the DRC on 7th & 13th. These dates were not disclosed when planning the visit.
Was Parliament deliberately misled?
/5
Was Parliament deliberately misled?
/5
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Members were to interact with soldiers in final preparations for deployment, only to be told that morning that the soldiers had already left for the DRC on 7th & 13th. These dates were not disclosed when planning the visit.
Was Parliament deliberately misled?
/5
Was Parliament deliberately misled?
/5
The members of the JSCD were equally disappointed at the follow-up meeting, held at de Brug on Mon 15 Dec. At least Motshekga showed-up (briefly).
The meeting was declared 'secret,' so details of the briefing cannot be disclosed, but I understand the Members were NOT happy.
/4
The meeting was declared 'secret,' so details of the briefing cannot be disclosed, but I understand the Members were NOT happy.
/4
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The members of the JSCD were equally disappointed at the follow-up meeting, held at de Brug on Mon 15 Dec. At least Motshekga showed-up (briefly).
The meeting was declared 'secret,' so details of the briefing cannot be disclosed, but I understand the Members were NOT happy.
/4
The meeting was declared 'secret,' so details of the briefing cannot be disclosed, but I understand the Members were NOT happy.
/4
Parliamentarians (incl the Dep Min of Defence) were insulted by the attitude of the SANDF during the Joint Standing Com on Defence briefing on 5 Dec, on Op Minstral, the SANDF's contribution to MONUSCO.
Seems the contempt continued at the follow-up meeting on Mon 15 Dec.
/3
Seems the contempt continued at the follow-up meeting on Mon 15 Dec.
/3
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Parliamentarians (incl the Dep Min of Defence) were insulted by the attitude of the SANDF during the Joint Standing Com on Defence briefing on 5 Dec, on Op Minstral, the SANDF's contribution to MONUSCO.
Seems the contempt continued at the follow-up meeting on Mon 15 Dec.
/3
Seems the contempt continued at the follow-up meeting on Mon 15 Dec.
/3
The six-slide PowerPoint presentation delivered by Lt-Gen Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, on 5 Dec was brief in the extreme, containing only generic information. Angie Motshekga, Min of Defence, was absent.
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
/2
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
/2
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The six-slide PowerPoint presentation delivered by Lt-Gen Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, on 5 Dec was brief in the extreme, containing only generic information. Angie Motshekga, Min of Defence, was absent.
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
/2
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
/2
The law may be strong on paper, but real-world enforcement may be an issue.
/13
/13
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The law may be strong on paper, but real-world enforcement may be an issue.
/13
/13
Prosecutors have to prove not just the movement of persons, but also means (eg, coercion) & purpose (exploitation). That raises the bar for investigation & proof.
Hinderances include under-resourcing, lack of training, & poor coordination between prosecutors & investigators.
/12
Hinderances include under-resourcing, lack of training, & poor coordination between prosecutors & investigators.
/12
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Prosecutors have to prove not just the movement of persons, but also means (eg, coercion) & purpose (exploitation). That raises the bar for investigation & proof.
Hinderances include under-resourcing, lack of training, & poor coordination between prosecutors & investigators.
/12
Hinderances include under-resourcing, lack of training, & poor coordination between prosecutors & investigators.
/12
Getting a conviction will be difficult. It requires experienced investigators and specialist presecutorial skills in the NPA, and obtaining evidence and proving knowledge or intent will be difficult.
/11
/11
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Getting a conviction will be difficult. It requires experienced investigators and specialist presecutorial skills in the NPA, and obtaining evidence and proving knowledge or intent will be difficult.
/11
/11
Whilst there have been some prosecution successes, the number of convictions remains fairly low relative to the scale of trafficking, and as with RFMAA, there are significant challenges.
/10
/10
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Whilst there have been some prosecution successes, the number of convictions remains fairly low relative to the scale of trafficking, and as with RFMAA, there are significant challenges.
/10
/10
This Act defines trafficking broadly: delivering, recruiting, transporting, selling, leasing, or receiving a person, within or across borders, by means such as coercion, fraud, abuse of vulnerability, abduction, abuse of power, or payment, for the purpose of exploitation.
/9
/9
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
This Act defines trafficking broadly: delivering, recruiting, transporting, selling, leasing, or receiving a person, within or across borders, by means such as coercion, fraud, abuse of vulnerability, abduction, abuse of power, or payment, for the purpose of exploitation.
/9
/9
Other charges could be laid against the organisers in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (PACOTIP).
/8
/8
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Other charges could be laid against the organisers in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (PACOTIP).
/8
/8
Whilst the stricter Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act (2006) was passed, it has not yet been signed into law.
/7
/7
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Whilst the stricter Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act (2006) was passed, it has not yet been signed into law.
/7
/7
There may, however, be a stronger case against MK MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and other organisers of the Russian visit if knowledge of the intent for the men to sign military contracts can be proved.
I'm sure there will be a lot of finger pointing going on!
/6
I'm sure there will be a lot of finger pointing going on!
/6
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
There may, however, be a stronger case against MK MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and other organisers of the Russian visit if knowledge of the intent for the men to sign military contracts can be proved.
I'm sure there will be a lot of finger pointing going on!
/6
I'm sure there will be a lot of finger pointing going on!
/6
The MK men who have found themselves on the Ukrainian frontlines, having allegedly gone to Russia for VIP protection training, may not have had knowledge or intent to actually fight and thus a conviction is doubtful.
/5
/5
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The MK men who have found themselves on the Ukrainian frontlines, having allegedly gone to Russia for VIP protection training, may not have had knowledge or intent to actually fight and thus a conviction is doubtful.
/5
/5
However, convictions under the Act is tricky, few prosecutions have succeeded, and many ended in plea bargains.
Gathering evidence of unauthorised military assistance abroad is hard, & proving “knowledge” (that someone knowingly provided prohibited assistance) is challenging.
/4
Gathering evidence of unauthorised military assistance abroad is hard, & proving “knowledge” (that someone knowingly provided prohibited assistance) is challenging.
/4
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
However, convictions under the Act is tricky, few prosecutions have succeeded, and many ended in plea bargains.
Gathering evidence of unauthorised military assistance abroad is hard, & proving “knowledge” (that someone knowingly provided prohibited assistance) is challenging.
/4
Gathering evidence of unauthorised military assistance abroad is hard, & proving “knowledge” (that someone knowingly provided prohibited assistance) is challenging.
/4