Only items of ‘limited tactical value’, not weapons stolen from Bloemspruit – SANDF

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has clarified that no arms or combat weapon systems were stolen from Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, contradicting an earlier media report that Rooivalk ammunition was taken by thieves.

In a statement on 2 September, Director Defence Corporate Communication Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Prince Tshabalala explained that a case of housebreaking and theft was reported at Air Force Base Bloemspruit on 13 August and is under investigation by the Military Police.

“The SANDF wishes to place on record that no arms or combat weapon systems were stolen, contrary to the claims published by News24,” the SANDF said, in response to a report that Rooivalk ammunition, without specifying type, as well as a bus engine and gearbox, were stolen.

“The items interfered with were of limited tactical value and pose no threat to national security or public safety. For operational security reasons, further specifics cannot be disclosed at this stage,” Tshabalala stated.

“The SANDF also strongly refutes attempts to link this incident with the unrelated matter concerning a bus engine previously reported. The said engine was old and earmarked for auction. The engine was allegedly stolen on 6 May 2025. These are separate incidents, and any suggestion of a connection is both inaccurate and unfounded.”

The SANDF said it has already reinforced security at the affected facility, and the Military Police, in close cooperation with law-enforcement partners, are pursuing the investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

“The SANDF reassures the public that the integrity of South Africa’s defence capability remains intact, and the organisation remains resolute in safeguarding the nation and its citizens,” Tshabalala concluded.

Reacting to the reported theft, Chris Hattingh, one of three Democratic Alliance (DA) Members of Parliament (MPs) tasked with defence and military veterans oversight, said it was not an isolated incident – it’s the predictable result of “rotten perimeter security, dead alarms, unmonitored CCTV and broken lighting, risks flagged more than a year ago by the Inspector General warning theft was ‘a matter of time’”.

At its 28 May meeting, the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans heard evidence of encroachment, theft and infrastructure vandalism at bases and resolved that an inter-departmental ministerial working group be set up.

“Parliament,” a statement has Hattingh saying, “has already been briefed on widespread trespassing on SANDF bases — due to informal settlements against or inside base boundaries, fences cut, illegal electricity and water connections, cable theft and even illegal mining and subsistence farming authorised on defence land. Sites flagged include Marievale, Lenz, Defence HQ precinct, 93 Ammunition Depot (Jan Kempdorp), 43 SA Brigade and the Main Ordnance Sub Deport at Wallmannsthal and Wingfield, with partial or stalled evictions and weak inter departmental follow-through”.

Armscor’s Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT) was also in the news following a weapons theft. Armscor this week said weapons issued to private sector security, mobile phones and security scanners were taken from the IMT security guards’ house at the entrance to the maritime technological and engineering support facility.

Since the robbery the State-owned defence and security acquisition and project management entity has, according to a statement, “strengthened security” at IMT including more security personnel per shift. 

Republished with permission of defenceWeb