South Africa's Military Drama: Who's Telling The Truth?

Holifil

30 Mar, 2025

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga insists SANDF troops never ran out of ammunition during operations.
Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa claims SANDF soldiers requested reinforcements due to dwindling ammo supplies.
South Africans are left scratching their heads over conflicting reports from top officials.

Bantu Holomisa and Angie Motshekga faced backlash online after their conflicting statements. Image: Tebogo Letsie/ Frennie Shivambu. Source: Getty Images

It’s like watching a political drama unfold in real-time. The South African government is caught in a web of contradictions regarding the state of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). At a press briefing ahead of the cabinet Lekgotla on January 29, 2025, the Deputy Minister Major General (Retired) Bantu Holomisa and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga couldn’t seem to get their stories straight when it came to claims about ammunition shortages.

Clashing Narratives: What Happened at the Press Briefing?

During the briefing, Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement, dropped a bombshell, stating that SANDF troops were running dangerously low on ammunition during recent combat operations. According to him, between January 23 and January 24, soldiers were practically out of bullets and urgently requested reinforcements. Relief, he noted, only arrived on January 25. But just moments later, Angie Motshekga stepped up to the mic and delivered a completely different account. She flatly denied that any troops ever claimed they ran out of ammunition. Instead, she explained that reinforcements were sent as a precautionary measure to ensure troops wouldn’t face such shortages down the line. She even mentioned meeting with generals in Goma during her visit to confirm her version of events. You can watch their statements HERE.

Bantu Holomisa and Angie Motshekga sat side by side but couldn’t agree on key details. Image: Phill Magakoe. Source: Getty Images

Breaking Down the Conflict: What You Need to Know

Key Points to Consider

The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has long argued that SANDF soldiers are severely under-resourced, adding fuel to the fire.
Angie Motshekga herself has faced scrutiny over her travel expenses while the SANDF struggles with budget constraints.
The SANDF has categorically denied rumors that they surrendered to rebel forces, further complicating the narrative.
Meanwhile, the family of a fallen soldier described him as a dedicated patriot who always dreamed of serving his country.

Social Media Reacts: Who’s Lying?

When two senior government officials tell completely different stories, the public is bound to react. And react they did. Social media erupted with debates over whose version of events to believe. Here’s what some users had to say:

Read also:
Unpacking The Resignation Drama Mk Partys Hlophe Steps Down From Jsc

Wesley Magic Nyalungu chimed in:

"I'm sure Holomisa is telling the truth. Angie is just trying to protect the government's failures. Remember, Holomisa was once an Army General—he knows what he's talking about."

Vusi Ndosi wasn’t mincing words:

"Most useless Ministers in South Africa's history."

Bezile Langa offered a cynical take:

"In this Government of National Unity, everyone's just trying to make their political party shine and grab some votes."

Taylor Tira noticed something off:

"The minister looked completely out of it, like she wasn’t even paying attention."

Ailwei Saint Kenneth was blunt:

"The Minister of Defense needs to step up and actually defend something. This Angie Minister seems more suited to handing out water and food than leading troops."

Mpho Chamilonere Molapo sided with Holomisa:

Read also:
High Court Dismisses Mk Partys Urgent Application To Halt Jsc Interviews

"Holomisa clearly knew what he was talking about."

Linda Linda kept it simple:

"What do you expect from an old lady?"

Victo Baotlwaeng Victorey summed it up:

"Only Holomisa makes sense here."

TK Vee pointed fingers higher up the chain:

"This whole situation shows Ramaphosa made a huge mistake appointing Angie as Defence Minister and Holomisa as Deputy."

Lerato Rato wasn’t impressed:

"That old lady spoke pure nonsense. She doesn’t have a clue what she’s saying—they probably just handed her a script to read."

Puleng Laughicious was direct:

"Motshekga is lying through her teeth."

Cai Ph Us echoed concerns:

"What General Bantu Holomisa said is absolutely true. Our army isn’t ready for war, and it’s embarrassing."

Rwanda Weighs In: Kagame’s Beef with South Africa

Briefly News revealed that Rwandan President Paul Kagame is none too pleased with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa. Kagame accused the South African media and Ramaphosa himself of twisting facts and spreading falsehoods. He even went so far as to warn of potential further conflict if South Africa continues to escalate the situation. It’s clear that regional tensions are running high, and the SANDF’s readiness—or lack thereof—is under intense scrutiny.