Navy Chief Breaks Ranks, Alleges Deliberate SANDF Defunding

MDNtv — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:43:19 +0000

South Africa’s defence leadership is under intense scrutiny after a public clash between Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and the Chief of the South African Navy, Monde Lobese.

Vice Admiral Lobese sparked controversy after alleging that the continued underfunding of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deliberate, raising concerns about the future of the military and suggesting a possible agenda to privatise defence capabilities.

Speaking at the Navy’s Prestige Charity Ball in Tshwane, Lobese criticised Cabinet-approved workforce reductions and questioned whether defence planning processes were being deliberately undermined.

In response, Minister Motshekga described the remarks as inappropriate and disingenuous, confirming that appropriate steps will be taken against the senior naval officer. The Department of Defence has distanced itself from the comments, stating they do not reflect official government policy.

The matter has also drawn political reaction, with Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the African National Congress, criticising the Navy Chief for airing internal defence concerns publicly.

This developing story has reignited debate about SANDF funding, civil-military relations, and accountability at the highest levels of government.

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Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga and Chief of South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobese.

Philani Mzila — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:14:42 +0000

The Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga has threatened to take appropriate steps to deal with the Chief of South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobese after he made serious allegations against the top management of the department.

Motshekga’s outburst comes after Lobese raised concernes about the underfunding of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) which he described as something that was done purposely.

Lobese made these remarks while addressing the Chief of the Navy’s Prestige Charity Ball at St George’s Hotel in Tshwane over the weekend.

“For our Cabinet to approve the reduction of the SANDF work force or strength is actually nothing far from telling us to implement a defence version of what General Mkhwanazi has disclosed in the Madlanga Commission with regard to the closure of the Political Killing Task Team,” Lobese said.

He further said: “The unpatriotic and what appears to be a sellout posture of defunding the SA Navy and SANDF in general, leaves me with a question of whether the people behind what I would like to call ‘nonsense’ are not busy with a mission to privatise the SA Navy and the SANDF.

“We are required to produce Annual Performance Plans and Defence Reviews one after another, and what saddens me is knowing very well that this requirement is just a mind game as these will not be resourced,” said Lobese.

Responding to the remarks made by Lobese, Motshekga said that the incident was the unfortunate outburst.

“The Department of Defence has noted with concern comments made by the Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, a senior member of the Military Command, during the SA Navy Gala Dinner held over the past weekend,” the statement reads.

The statement further read that

Lobese made an unfortunate statement that cast aspersions at the leadership of government.

“The Minister regards these remarks not only as inappropriate, disingenuous and unfortunate on a matter he is fully aware that is receiving attention at all levels, starting from within the department to Parliament. The Minister will be taking appropriate steps to deal with this unfortunate outburst worst still from a senior person at his level.

The views expressed at the event do not reflect the official position of the Department,” the statement said.

On Monday, the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula lambasted Lobese for speaking out on the matters of the defence ministry publicly.

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Navy Chief Breaks Ranks, Alleges Deliberate SANDF Defunding

Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga and Chief of South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobese.

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