The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Friday presented the second batch of its refurbished fleet at the South African Combat Training Centre, known as the De Brug Military Base, outside Bloemfontein.

Over 500 refurbished military vehicles were moved to Lohatla on Friday morning (25/8). This leading military training area is situated between Kathu and Postmasburg in the Northern Cape.

The Chief of the SANDF, Genl. Rudzani Maphwanya, said a group of young graduates from the South African Army’s Technical Service Corps, who went to Cuba to accumulate skills and experience, came back and repaired the SA Army Prime Mission equipment.

“I came here and witnessed an old abandoned train they’d fixed and it was rolling. So like a phoenix that rose from the ashes, the vehicles are now up and running, fit for the purpose after being resuscitated by our technical personnel.” 

This equipment includes Casspirs (a mine–resistant ambush-protected vehicle used to transport motorised infantry troops), Mambas (an armoured personnel carrier used for internal security purposes), Samil 50s (reliable logistical transport vehicle), field stoves, mobile showers and buses which have over the years been gathering dust at workshops of various units.

“We initially started by saying millions. We were told by the industry that it is not in the perimeter of millions but actually billions. We had to say to the industry, can they please come on board with their expertise in terms of what we are going to see.”

“They were surprised and came up with this figure to say it is more than that because to fix [or replace] one vehicle will cost millions of rands,” SA Army Chief Lt.Genl. Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha said.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi and Zenande Mpame