₦airaland Forum

The South African Special Forces Brigade specialises in the African environment and has two areas of main effort, one dealing with airborne and land operations, the other with waterborne work, concentrating on coastal areas, estuaries and riverine environments.

Sergeant Max Mbewu is member of 4 Special Forces Regiment, which is based in Langebaan in Saldanha Bay on the Cape West Coast. Sergeant Mbewu is a trained Special Forces diver as well as a Special Forces Operator and when defenceWeb asked what could be learned on the three-month divers’ course, he said, “You learn to be cold!”

In the past, Special Forces did not exhibit at shows like Africa Aerospace and Defence held last week at Air Force Base Waterkloof, but now the secrecy has been somewhat relaxed. In this instance, the Special Forces exhibit included five boats, two Hornet Rapid Deployment Reconnaissance Vehicles (RDRVs) sniper rifles and other items. Sensitive equipment like special sniper telescopes, for instance, was removed.

The Special Forces use boats maximised for their operations. Sergeant Mbewu described the boats from the smallest one at the exhibition to the largest: “The kayak is for stealth, infiltrations behind enemy lines, manned by two men; the next one up is the inflatable, like a normal ‘rubber duck’, we normally use that one for small teams. Then we come to the Barracuda Mark I, that’s a rigid hull. That one we use for beach assaults, we can do beach landings because it’s got outboard motors because we can lift them up and they beach land it. It can also serve as a normal troop carrier.”

“There’s a similar boat that looks exactly like it but is a bit bigger, the Barracuda Mark II. We use it for the same purpose as the Mark I but we don’t beach land it because the outboard motors are electronically operated.”

Pointing to an inflatable Zodiac-type, Sergeant Mbewu introduced the next category of boats: “This is the Hurricane, it’s a ‘RIB’, Rigid Inflatable Boat, and it takes eight packs and eight troops on board. Also it can do beach assaults and long range infiltration of troops. It’s a bit bigger, it’s got 200 horsepower Yamaha motors. ”

As Special Forces often have to operate autonomously in the field, the ability to carry equipment and weapons is extremely important.

“This is the biggest operation boat that we have currently in the Regiment, the Wahoo; it can take 12 troops on board. The Wahoo is the name of a fish; we name most of our boats after fish. It’s got a maximum operational range of 600 nautical miles. We also launch the smaller craft using this one as a platform.” (The Wahoo is a game fish found in sub-tropical waters around the world, including South Africa’s eastern coast.)

The Special Forces Brigade is currently the only special operations force in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and is not part of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Medical Health Services. The Brigade comes directly under the command of Chief of Joint Operations (CJ OPS) and is made up of SF Headquarters in Pretoria, SF School at Murrayhill and SF Support Unit at Wallmansthal, both to the north of Pretoria, as well as the two operational regiments, 4 SF Regiment at Langebaan and 5 SF Regiment at Phalaborwa in Limpopo Province.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27812&Itemid=242

agaugust: [size=16pt]
.....you showed your might ? this teenager below has a different opinion ? [/size]

https://www.timeslive.co.za/Feeds/ipad_images/2013/04/03/ttp3car3-02-04-2013-19-04-06-67-.jpg/ALTERNATES/crop_630x400/TTP3CAR3-02-04-2013-19-04-06-67-.jpg

Yes did you read the report that went with the picture remember that pic was posted in a south african media source so is it propaganda.


And how do you know how old he is mm did you ask him.

BCraig: I see the Naai-gerians have called on their dearly-departed in the form of "the researcher"

yes the account who is a american when he needs to be then he is nigerian and has access to all sorts of secret information such hast 155mm HEAT rounds. Knows inside info of nigerian military and works for a defense firm yet has shown constantly he has zero knowledge

patriot4: I disagree, and I would add that that claim happened only in helmoed heitman's head.

funny since it was in a news report though the fact you don't trust helmoed heitman is all the proof i know to not beilfe anything you say.


i am still waiting for the source that the T-craft is made from aluminum

sambos994: Compare 25% prevalence to 2.5%. Think with your head.

25%?

http://www.forgood.co.za/SiteCollectionDocuments/Documents%20for%20AIDS-Day%20page/5.%20HIV%20in%20SA%20and%20Sub%20Sahara_09.pdf

that gives a different number and is a old document

http://naca.gov.ng/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=110&Itemid=268

and this report puts nigeria at 3.6%

the big problem is stigma against aids scare people away from testing

solomon111: Why is this ghanian called kwame polluting this thread with redundant links that nobody bothers to read.
There are thousands of good Nigerian related links i can decide to post too.

you should read them then

NaijaPikinGidi: Liar-In-Chief of the SANDF!

typical response you have no evidence to stand on not even seleka disagree with the number of them we killed

NaijaPikinGidi: Basic combat variables that you Mr. SAEngine and Mr. AndrewZA have refused to comprehend! By Liar AndrewZA's account ... SANDF were grossly outnumbered, outarmed and not mobile enough during the encounter with an +/- 3000 well armed, and mobile SELEKA fighters, yet you suffered far much less than they did in casualties? With all the airlifted men and shiny hardware that cost over R160 million[/b]for the CAR mission, someone is not telling the truth and it further compounds the combat variables that don't add-up. Any neutral and intelligent military personnel/analyst/combatant will tell you the same.

SANDF's account of the CAR saga remains highly questionable except where SANDF can show proof that its combatants have acquired the physical ability to dodge bullets and mortar rounds like [b]Neo in The Matrix movie! Only SANDF fights ratio 1:15 men with lesser weapons and mobiility and wins neatly! "Congratulations"!

never thought we were just better soldiers than them and that is why we killed so many.

Most of airlift money was spent after the battle when we rushed a infantry battalion over, has i said i can give you a list of every vehicle that the SANDF had with them over there.

Note SANDF never post a enemy death toll the numbers where taken from other sources such as seleka.

Fact is the battle proved that even a small number of SA solders are able to inflicted a lot of damage.

NaijaPikinGidi: Insults ... the best stock-in-trade of empty headed and lie-mongering South Africans on Nairaland. Nothing nasty you say makes any difference.

indeed insults are bad i am not say insults but truths, you however insult us all with your lies and miss infomastion.

http://www.african-defense.com/?p=2172

Nigerian Military Not Buying Locally
June 4, 2013
By African Defence Admin
No fewer than 200 workers of the Defence Industries Company of Nigeria (DICON) may soon lose their jobs as the arms manufacturing concern reels under non-patronage by the military authorities.

Contrary to the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan that the armed forces should buy their equipment from the firm, the military authorities have allegedly continued to patronise foreign vendors.

The latest of such acts by the armed forces is the purchase of 10,000 bulletproof vests and 10,000 bullet-proof helmets from foreign vendors for use by troops of the Special Task Force enforcing the state of emergency and other security operations in crisis-ridden states.

Leadership Sunday learnt that the management of DICON/MARON ballistics factory in Kaduna, which has a huge inventory of the equipment imported by the military, may shut down operations and send the workers home.

At the recent Nigerian Army Transformation and Innovation seminar 2013 at the Command Officers’ Mess, Abuja, the chief of army staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, disclosed that he would be taking delivery of 10,000 units of bulletproof vests and 10,000 protective bulletproof helmets from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for troops taking part in various operations in the country.

One of the three companies that submitted bids for the contracts was an oil firm. DICON commenced the production of the bulletproof vests and helmets in July last year.

During the commissioning of DICON on July 2, 2012, President Jonathan expressed satisfaction with the quality of the equipment he saw and ordered the all the services and the Nigeria Police to patronise DICON.

President Jonathan said apart from the huge foreign investment injected in the factory by MAROM DOLPHIN, some Nigerians had been employed and, soon, expertise in the manufacturing of military equipment would pass on to Nigeria while huge foreign exchange would be saved for the country.

MARON DOLPHIN has 65 per cent shares in the joint venture partnership while the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force combined have 35 per cent equity in the factory.

Aside the impact of technology, the cost of producing the military hardware, according to investigation, showed that the procurement of 6, 000 bulletproof vests, night vision and other military equipment needed by Nigerian troops from DICON MARON would cost Nigeria N732million but if the same number was got from abroad, it would cost about N1billion.

Checks showed that, recently, 2,000 bulletproof vests were procured from foreign manufacturers for the Nigerian Navy at a cost of N395million by the defence ministry while it would have cost government N244 million to procure the equipment from DICON MARON.

Documents made available to a correspondent showed that the Ministry of Defence in a memo No. MOD/JSD/PARA/153 dated 28th November, 2012, and signed by E.B. Olowosejeje for the minister of defence, was receiving proposals from three companies including an oil company, among others, for the supply of military equipment, after which some of them were given the contracts to import bulletproof vests from abroad.

While the unit price of bulletproof jacket produced by DICON which meets international standard costs $700 (N122,000), the military procured the equipment for between N165, 000 and N197,000 per unit.

http://www.african-defense.com/?p=2182

Details on Nigeria’s Ballistic Protection Contract
June 4, 2013
By African Defence Admin
Facts have emerged from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), on why contract for the production of ballistic vests and helmets for Joint Task Forces could not be given to the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) Kaduna.

This followed recent media reports that the inability of the NSA to engage DICON in the production of 10,000 ballistic vests and 10,000 helmets for troops of the Joint Task Force had contradicted the call by President Goodluck Jonathan in July last year that the military and other security forces should patronize the company by buying its products with a view to enhancing local production.

A high level source at the ONSA office told Daily Trust that efforts were made to engage DICON in the production of the bulletproof vests and helmets but “it was discovered that its vests failed standard tests and there is no way we can risk the lives of our soldiers by giving them sub-standard bulletproof vests. After the Presidents directive, the products were tested and found to be sub-standard both by the army and the police.”

The source who sought identity protection said DICON entered into partnership with a foreign firm in the production of bulletproof jackets and helmets among others.

“The foreign company has failed to deliver all previous contracts given to it by the military after collecting over 80 per cent of the monies. The contract included the repairs of six navy boats and K.38 patrol boats as well as ammunition supply to the army,” the source said.

NaijaPikinGidi: Mr. AndrewZA, insults as usual! But my point has been made all the same. The onus is on you to verify your confused statements rather than pass them off as facts! I took the liberty of using my brain as an informed professional and you begin to throw tantrums? Good enough I highlighted your specific comment. Now the readers will see your shifting lies and reactions going forward.

where is the insult i called a fool a fool, embrace your foolishness and become a clown.

Has i said all this was covered a long time ago i feel no need to dig up sources to please you, they have been posted so many times in this thread already.

NaijaPikinGidi: Thanks for advising me to use my brain ... which I have been doing for the better part of my adult life even when I am asleep. I have highlighted your comment in bold for the active and passive readers to note for future purposes! So SANDF quotes 3000 as a ROUGH number? So SANDF did NOT count the standing SELEKA men in battle? So SANDF believes their numbers could have been a bit MORE or a BIT LESS ? I can tell based on combat casualty ratios and variables that the SELEKA fighters where in almost EQUAL numbers or much less than the SANDF fighters in that very fight.

Defeat is a disgrace, so to make it less of a disgrace SANDF has attempted to skew the numbers so much to show that they were disadvantaged in number and firepower. War is a science that lies cannot deceive!! The SA CAR story has question marks all over.

How do you get that based on interviews with selka and media reports from after wars the numbers are corret. unless you have proof that seleka was a smaller force shut up. A lot of casualty reports came from selka themselves



Unless you have proof to discredit the numbers i suggest you shut up. One selka captain said he lost half of his 500 strong force alone. so one rebels force suffered 250 dead. and there where a number of battles over 3 days. so yes you are a blind fool or in other words a typical nigerian

Donian007: You are talking poo. The last time I checked thesame Yvonne Ndege that made that "fictional" report was languishing in a Nigerien cell for what she can explain best. Now bear in mind that Konny's LRA is waiting for SANDF to deploy fully to Congo and we watch from there. Wishing SANDF all the luck.

must i post the youtube video of egomog (nigerian to be precise) shooting a unarmed kid in the back at point blank range?

Who cares about LRA and we have been in DRC for years now 1300 soldiers to be extated

NaijaPikinGidi: If you think I am blind Mr. AndrewZa, kindly point me to the truth. Like is usually done provide neutral/independent links or sources that say other regional troops ran away. If you do not know the exact number of SANDF troops that exchanged fire in the fight, how is it that you know the exact total number of SELEKA fighters involved in the fight as well as casualty figures for SELEKA? Not again!! We are going down the same path once more!

go through this thread there are reports from international media and even selka themselves all posted in this thread. i am not going to waist my time digging up old reports.

you really think it was 3000 on the dot? use your brain 3000 is a rough number it could be a bit more or a bit less.

say sent one para bat company, a weapons platoon with 4 12.7mm MGs and A 81mm mortars, that was the bulk of the force, in addition a SF detachment, a single nal int team, a elint int team, a few engineers and a Medical team. numbers where not given but based on this we get 200 to 250 men.

i can give you the number of vehicles deployed and the number support weapons ammunition used if you want

kwame tut: @Andrew,GraigB,Zetdee etc..
These ANALYSTS ARE SPOT ON.
HA HA THE WEST HAS BEEN FOOLING NIGERIANS SOON, AFTER THEIR OIL IS FINISHED WHICH IS PROJECTED TO BE 25 YEARS FROM LAST YEAR. THESE WESTERNERS WILL BE SINGING A DIFFERENT TUNE ELSEWHERE. [b]Not so long ago we were told PAKISTAN WILL REACH $1TRILLION MARK THIS YEAR, WE'RE WAITING WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.[/b]

I SAW THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE LAST NIGHT AND LAUGHED.
NIGERIA THE REGIONAL SUPER POWER NOT A GIANT OF AFRICA

There has been a great deal of attention paid to the rise of Nigeria as of late. Indeed, it is hard to ignore the impressive economic growth rates being posted at a time when most economies are on the decline. The government appears focused on improving government services and investing in high potential growth areas of the economy. President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent Transformation Agenda is an impressive document that many economists and analysts believe is setting the conditions for Nigeria to become the dominant economy on the African continent. The agenda emerged in 2011 out of a belief by President Jonathan that the government needed a sense of direction and a way to ensure the country’s development priorities were applied with continuity, consistency, and commitment – the so-called “3Cs”.

Such analysis of Nigeria’s trajectory is further understandable given the current distribution of economic and political power in the region. Today, there are three regional nodes of economic and political influence in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. These three markets are the dominant players and generally act as hubs for continent-wide trade and commerce. They are also important interlocutors within their regions and across the continent via the African Union. Traditionally, South Africa has been the most dominant of the three, taking on leadership roles within the African Union and often representing the continent in international institutions like the United Nations Security Council. South Africa’s dominance in this respect continues, but many are now arguing that its position atop the hierarchy of African states is being economically threatened by Nigeria.

But what I find particularly remarkable about all the analyses is their failure to consider the political economy of Nigeria as a whole. Indeed, much of the contemporary analysis of Nigeria appears to gloss over, forget, or intentionally ignore some of the important structural issues that still confront it. I don’t mean to downplay the significant economic growth that Nigeria is experiencing, or of the plans to fix its problems – all of these are good things. However, it really is too soon to claim that Nigeria is posing any threat to the dominance of South Africa on the continent.

Whilst Nigeria is a hub for the movement of goods, South Africa’s capacity and infrastructure are still superior in many respects. A recent study coming out of the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues that geography and infrastructure make a real difference to economic growth potential. The study notes that South Africa still maintains a geographic advantage and advanced infrastructural capacity, ranging from deep-sea ports to container activity to strong logistics capacity, and that it is where many multinational companies have chosen to locate their headquarters. The study also warns that other countries are finding ways to improve market share of trade activity in Africa. All of these findings are correct, but the logical jump to assuming South Africa’s decline under Zuma and Nigeria’s rising dominance implied by these sorts of studies leaves me feeling skeptical for the following reasons:

[b]First, even in light of Nigeria’s strong economic growth, its GDP is still far less than that of South Africa. In fact, we are talking about $164 billion less. Not an insignificant sum for two developing countries. Nigeria’s GDP currently sits at $244 billion whilst South Africa maintains a GDP of about $408 billion. With Nigeria’s annual growth rate of 7% that is an extra $16 billion coming into the Nigerian economy next year, in 2012 we have seen the decline of Nigeria's growth from 7% in 2011 to 6.5% and assuming growth continues on par as projected, this will have a compounded effect. In this context, it is going to take more than 20 years for Nigeria to catch up with South Africa’s economy, which is also growing at a (albeit more modest) rate of 3%. Note: with recent oil findings in Southern Africa, South Africas problems are almost done and they will rise and open the gap. This is a far lengthier period than the 2014 prediction made by some analysts, so it is quite possible that the economic fortunes of either state could change significantly. Indeed, it is believed that South African growth rates could increase if problems with labour unrest in the mining sector are resolved. This is entirely plausible if the Zuma administration negotiates a mutually acceptable plan with its union partners currently in the governing alliance. All this takes is political will.
[/b]
So, Nigeria’s transition into dominance will be reliant on current growth rates, oil prices, and education investments remaining the same for the next ten years. This scenario doesn’t take into account any shifts in macroeconomic conditions or natural fluctuations in markets. As well, it assumes that Nigeria can solve some real challenges it faces with its business environment, primarily that of capital flight and corruption. Indeed, Nigeria is ranked 131 out of 185 countries as a place to do business and has stayed in the same spot for the past two years. In contrast, South Africa’s business environment has improved in the past year – it is now ranked 39th globally, a two spot jump from the 41st position that it maintained last year.

Nigeria remains rife with corruption despite efforts by the government to address it. Continentally, Nigeria is ranked 27 out of 53 states in terms of being a non-corrupt environment; internationally it is ranked 139 out of 176 countries, according to Transparency International. In contrast, South Africa ranks seventh within the region and 69th globally for non-corruption. Corruption in Nigeria is really a systemic issue and the challenge of tackling it cannot be underestimated; to do so would require sustained support from continental and international partners.

The rise of Nigeria will also be dependent on its ability to address socio-political challenges. Longstanding civil conflict due to insurgent groups, and struggles to put in place safeguard measures to protect human rights will also prevent Nigeria from becoming the dominant player on the continent. These challenges are real and if not addressed, will detract from Nigeria’s ability to assert its dominance through the use of force or through moral persuasion.

Political stability in Nigeria is still a major issue. Adding to the existing political divisions between the people in the North and South of the country are the threats that insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Ansaru pose to stability. Indeed, the national and local level governments appear to be struggling to contain these groups that are committed to destabilizing the North and East and to undermining important development work such as the vaccinations against Polio. Civil conflict brought on by these insurgent groups and their effectiveness at undermining the authority of the state and instilling fear in the local population poses a real challenge to Nigeria’s rise as sorting out internal matters will divert attention and resources for engaging in regional or international issues. Nigeria’s inability to take leadership in intervening in regional conflicts to date, like Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, only highlight the difficulty it faces in projecting leadership outside of its borders. While it is expected that Nigeria will participate in stabilizing Mali through the provision of troops, its slow response has been surprising given its leadership role in the regional economic community of ECOWAS. South Africa, which is a reluctant intervenor in African conflicts, has committed $23 million in humanitarian aid and police training.

Finally, the Nigerian government continues to grapple with respecting human rights. Amnesty International recently released its annual report on Nigeria that notes the continuing prevalence of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, forced evictions, and unlawful detention. As well, rights for the LGBTI community continue to be hindered as homosexuality is still illegal in Nigeria and the president is planning on signing the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill that was passed by the Nigerian Senate in 2011. All of this impacts Nigeria’s ability to act as a moral actor on the continent and internationally. South Africa, on the other hand, continues to be a moral actor as a result of the strong human rights provisions within its constitution and the existence of a constitutional court that effectively upholds those provisions.

When considering the “rise” of countries, it is important to remember that influence and dominance are also determined by other socio-political conditions than just the economy. The political reality of Nigeria includes real efforts to improve economic conditions in the country but also persistent problems that, if left unresolved, will undermine its ability to influence and dominate in Africa. In this light, it is important that one-dimensional analyses based on economic growth figures be tempered and contextualized against the challenges the country faces.

those oil findings will really boosted our economy, even the navy is seeing a importance of now watching the west coast, we signed deals with namibia and angola similar to the one we have with mozambique and tanzania.

even nabian oil is good for us, we are build the largest refinery in africa and would most likely refine namibian oil.

NaijaPikinGidi: You are such a confused fellow. Define the term "fortified"?

\

prepared for defense is a good way to describe it

NaijaPikinGidi: Not true Mr. AndrewZa!! Not true!! There are no reports (official/news) that support your new claim that other regional soldiers stepped aside or ran away!! You went in to show your perceived might and got beaten to a retreat to the French fortified zone. Now you claim there were 250 SANDF men standing of 3000 SELEKA men. A few post ago you mentioned 200 SANDF. Limited weapons and vehicles ... but how come SANDF claims such a dubiously high kill ratio? With SANDF and SA sources, it just never adds up! I'm sorry ... not true!!

what do you mean every media source of the time said that they ran away or stepped aside. Or are you blind to the truth

SA only moved to the airport after the fall of bangue, it was no longer under attack at this time, and a cease fire was in effect, the decision was taken due to there being no need to hold out at the police station they were using has a base.

i said just over 200 the numbers are in between 200 and 250 either one is correct.

selka themselves do not deny the reports of their losses. Maybe we got a good kill rate because we were that good, maybe the only reason the city fell was because we ran out of ammo for all the support weapons and were running low on the ammo for personal weapons.

NaijaPikinGidi: Twisting terms will not help you. The Green Zone is a secure US military base/location in Iraq. It was called green zone because it was a safe area! Safe meaning fortified. You trying to confuse terms "size" and "safe". But in simple grammar the SA base was a fortified one considering relative troop size ... and security considering the armed nature of troop presence! Settlements at least within the 1km radius of the base can also be considered fortified!!

the green zone was massive yes the base was fortified does not mean it was a fortified zone. A zone is big when you say foried zone you talking of a large area has in goma. Not to mention it was not a refugee camp so had no means of procesing them or accommodating them.

NaijaPikinGidi: You showed complete cowardice and trepidation! Might? The world saw no might.

800 dead rebels disagree with you.

put it this way

there was about 1000 regional solders who had a mandate to stop a selka advance, they simply stepped aside or ran away, same has the local CAR army some of whom where turncoats. Now that is cowardice. SA had under 250 combat solders with no heavy weapons, limited number of vehicles and no hope of stopping the attack alone. Yet they tried. yes you are crazy

NaijaPikinGidi: Yes it was not a refugee camp! But you had made an argument that it was not a fortified zone. So where do you stand now, since you have clearly abandoned that line of argument? Smart guy eh? Hey ...you must stop being a hero for nothing!!

it was not a fortified zone, a zone is large look at the green zone america achieved in baghdad iraq, a military base is small compared to a zone, the fortified zone is goma proper.

zone big
base small

NaijaPikinGidi: Mr. FighterPilot, so funny how you are ticking already!! Are you the bomb? Just asking?

he is talking about nigeria where most people don't go for tests due to stigma

NaijaPikinGidi: Mr. AndrewZA, SANDF should show some military successes ASAP so that your taxpayers may begin to worry less. But that's my 2 cents worth of advice. Take it or leave it!!

Now it is convenient to see DRC as a UN Mission because SANDF is involved but not when it is a UN Sudan airlifting matter and Nigeria is involved?

200 vs 3000 15 dead on one side up to 800 on the other side, seems to be a pretty could use of taxpayers money don't you.

NaijaPikinGidi: Funny stories that only come from South Africa. You say SELEKA begged SANDF. Now M23 also is begging SANDF and the SA parliament. Women and Children begging. Yet this SANDF fails to show any capacity of the might they ascribe to themselves. Who is always posting those imaginary letters? Now I am joining to BEG SANDF to stop deceiving themselves and all South Africans.

200 vs 3000 15 dead on one side 800 on the other side. i think we showed our might.

NaijaPikinGidi: Mr. AndrewZA, but you have failed to respond to the question. The women and kids ran 4km from away from their villages that fell to the hands of the M23 to seek refuge in a SANDF fortified zone!! Yes a fortified zone!! If it wasn't a fortified zone it simply means that your weapons and hardware are just DENEL toys meant to scare boks and impalas ... not so?

Stop giving baseless excuses! The German reporter gave an account of how non-challant SANDF were in handling the lives of helpless women and children. There was no threat to SANDF positions contrary to your suggestion!! Sharp!!

Really you guys could dig that report up want to dick the one where the m23 where meters away from the SA lines, what if there were M23 spies or saboteurs in the group, remember military base lots of heavy fire power. Simple fact it was not a refugee camp so they would not be taken in.

the report said there where tanks yet NO SA TANKS are in DRC.

NaijaPikinGidi: Na for Nigeria body una wan show power? Tufiaakwa!!

actually M23 begged threaten and even wrote a letter to our parliament pleading for us to not deploy as part of the intervention brigade, SA forces were conducting patrols even when M23 captured the goma last year SA forces still went on patrols.

billions of rands are spent on, housing, education, health care, extra so they can take there request for SANDF funds and shove it. DRC is a UN mission has such funded by the UN. Other than a few charted and air force flights we don't spend that much money there.

NaijaPikinGidi: Mr. AndrewZA your pant's on fire! Show credible proof ... to save your behind from being burnt black!

this is allfrom the coutless sources i posted on the battel beive or dont it is the truth.

agaugust: why were you silent when your south african brothers were posting comments that 100 million nigerian live in poverty below $1 per day, despite world bank claims of no correct/reliable poverty data ?

there is a difference between no data and untrusted source just saying. if a girl goes for a aids test and it is positive then all that happens is she gets added to the national number not a separate category for young girls. another report said that 29% of the SANDF was infected with AIDS yet they had no proof and it turned out to be 8%

sambos994: Trained by whom exactly?

the rebel commander who led the attack on the SA forces was a former CAR presidential guard, trained by the SANDF them self, the main commander leading the attack on bangue was a rebel from a chad a general Mahamat Nouri, other reports indicated Sudan who has in the past trained rebels groups, it also makes sense since now sudan can use CAR to support rebels in south sudan. So over all the force had army defectors and training from either sudan or chad. interesting fact that when chad first arrived in CAR they had to use the same road has the rebels at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder not to mention the only solders from chad where killed by a CAR government forces.

NaijaPikinGidi: Superior military doctrine? Self preserving bunch of cowardly and lazy SANDF personnel. Unheard of to have helpless souls at the gates of a fortified zone and you keep them locked out to the hands of rebel fighters? Mr. AndrewZA please just keep quite!

only way they would have ended up in rebel hands is if they went 4km in the wrong direction, it was not fortified zone but a military camp with a infantry battalion in it, it was not a refugee camp, that means no accommodation, no medical checks, no way to check who is refugee ans who is a rebel spy(remember military base) taking them in would mean you would have to use soldiers to watch them and protected them, this means less solders for other tasks.

NaijaPikinGidi: Below are excerpts of the news report: (my notes are boldened)
======================================

South African soldiers are not strangers to controversy. Last month, as fighting erupted Congolese villagers were reportedly locked out of a base manned by South African troops. The German newspaper which published the reports said it did not know if the chased villagers survived the fighting.

Hiding behind barricade fortes/bases and unwilling to expose their cowardice to villagers seeking help is a truly south African thing to do. Yet the debaters here want us to believe that SANDF are saviours of Africa?

The latest allegations against SANDF troops comes as the South African government prepares to send more troops to serve on the planned so called UN Intervention Brigade which is supposed to combat rebel groups. S.A has thousands of troops in Congo forming part of the 22,000 MONUSCO force.

Despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year, critics have charged that the force has nothing to show. MONUSCO is also under attack from Rwanda government which accuses it of facilitating Rwandan FDLR rebels.

A recurring decimal. The same waste of taxpayers money in CAR which I highlighted sometime back!! CAR's 4-month bill to taxpayers was R160million ... Imagine the burden SANDF has been to South Africa for as long as they have been in Congo? Yet there are no victories or successes to show?

Sa moved from goam to the front line in the event of a M23 attack, that does not seem like cowardice to me.


160 million rand sounds like a lot but considering we moved an entire infantry battalion twice killed up to 800 rebels and where able to evac our wounded in a fast timely manner i don't see the waist.

sambos994: I mean...awesome that you killed 500 or 600 or 800 of their men(which ever one you claim) but why not have the guts to finish the job?

we moved an entire infantry battalion there plus air support, we were ready to move in. 2 things stopped us first was france who did not want us to to use the airport(they controlled it) and seconded the regional powers actually backed selka so the mission never got approved by them. So politics forced us to withdraw.