Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will undertake urgent oversight visits to bases, after learning that the property and lands of at least 10 bases is being subjected to land invasions and construction of informal settlements.
This is deeply alarming – ongoing illegal occupation and encroachment on South African National Defence Force (SANDF) bases is a growing crisis that poses a serious threat to national security, military readiness, and public safety.
Each passing day new evidence emerges of a breakdown in operations, logistics, protocols and security in our South African National Defence Force. Not only are our soldiers abroad sent into battle at their peril, but at home our military cannot even secure the borders of its own property.
The DA will embark on oversight inspections to several of these bases in the coming weeks and will invite the media to accompany us to witness first-hand how and why our military facilities are being compromised.
A report presented to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on 28 May 2025 revealed that at least ten SANDF bases have been affected by illegal informal settlements and other forms of encroachment.
This includes the shocking revelation that at Marievale Military Base in Gauteng, military land is being used to keep cows and goats in a kraal — a clear abuse of state property and military infrastructure.
The following bases have been identified as being affected:
- Wallmansthal Military Base, Gauteng
- Tamboerskloof Military Base, Western Cape
- Marievale Military Base, Gauteng
- Lenz Military Base, Gauteng
- Defence Headquarters, Gauteng
- Combat Training Centre, Northern Cape
- 93 Ammunition Depot, Northern Cape
- Defence Work Training Centre, Gauteng
These encroachments aren’t just a matter of poor land management, they directly impact the functioning of our defence force.
Reports point to rampant theft of vehicle parts, electrical cables, IT equipment, and office supplies. Infrastructure is being damaged or stolen, including perimeter fencing and security lights, while illegal water connections have become widespread. This has left bases vulnerable and undermined their operational capacity.
It is unacceptable that this is happening under the watch of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, who appears to be doing nothing to address it.
The DA is treating this as a matter of urgency and will also be submitting written parliamentary questions to the Minister to demand clarity on what steps are being taken to stop the illegal occupation of our military facilities and hold those responsible accountable.
South Africa’s national defence infrastructure cannot be left to deteriorate. The DA will continue to fight to ensure that our military bases are secure, professionally managed, and protected from abuse.
Regards
Maliyakhe Shelembe MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans