Latest news with #RheinmetallDenelMunition
IOL News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Fikile Mbalula: No Arms to Ukraine, South Africa Stays Committed to Peace
Liberation Movements Summit 2025 class photo. Image: X/ANC By Bayethe Msimang South Africa has reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to neutrality and peace in international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. This stance was underscored by African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula during his address at the recent summit of Southern African liberation movements. Speaking to an audience of political veterans and representatives from across the region, Mbalula emphasised that no South African arms manufacturer, whether public or private, will be permitted to export weapons or ammunition to any party involved in the war. 'As the ANC, we have taken a decision – consistent with South Africa's constitutional values and foreign policy traditions – that South African arms manufacturers will not be allowed to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine,' Mbalula said. His remarks were not presented as a new policy initiative, but rather as a public reaffirmation of South Africa's deeply rooted principles in international engagement. For decades, South Africa's foreign policy has emphasised peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty, and a strong commitment to international law. Mbalula's words served to restate that approach at a time when the global arms trade and its implications for ongoing conflicts are under intense international scrutiny. Over the past several years, public interest in arms transfers has steadily grown, both within South Africa and abroad. This has been driven by a broader international dialogue around transparency, ethics, and the unintended consequences of global weapons flows. Within this climate, South African defence manufacturers — including well-known entities such as Rheinmetall Denel Munition — have occasionally appeared in investigative reporting and academic research exploring the complexities of modern arms production and end-user accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It was in this context of heightened awareness that Mbalula's remarks were made. Rather than responding to any specific incident, his statement served as a principled reminder of the frameworks that already guide South Africa's approach to arms exports. Reassuring both local and international observers, Mbalula emphasised that the decision not to authorise exports to the Ukrainian war zone was not an exceptional case, but a confirmation of South Africa's broader diplomatic posture. The guiding principle remains consistent: military goods should not be exported to regions experiencing active conflict, particularly when there is a risk that such exports could contribute to further escalation. In this way, South Africa continues to walk a path defined not by alignment with global power blocs, but by its own moral compass and legal obligations. The government's position reflects its historical role as an advocate for dialogue, mediation, and peaceful coexistence values that have shaped its diplomatic identity since the end of apartheid. Mbalula's message thus serves a dual purpose: it reassures domestic audiences that South Africa's defence industry remains under firm legal and ethical guidance, and it signals to the world that the country remains committed to its role as a bridge-builder in times of war. At a moment when the international order is marked by volatility and mistrust, South Africa's quiet consistency may well be its greatest diplomatic strength. IOL
IOL News
08-07-2025
- IOL News
Rheinmetall Denel faces scrutiny over allegations of arms use in Sudan conflict
All Rheinmetall high-explosive HV and MV cartridges can be equipped with a unique, jamming-proof, affordable airburst time-delay capability. The high explosive cartridges meet the environmental specifications for helicopter and propeller vibration, long-term storage, etc, while the fuse complies with STANAG 4187 safety requirements. Equipped with an electronic self-destruct mechanism and an enhanced point detonation function, the HE cartridges remain reliable at temperatures ranging from -46 degrees Celsius to 63 degrees Celsius. Image: Supplied THE company Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) — an arms manufacturer operating in South Africa — has once again come under the spotlight following claims that its products may have been used in the ongoing war in Sudan. Last week, the pro-army Sudanese outlet Sudanese Military Capabilities platform accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia of using 40mm phosphorus grenades during battles in Khartoum. Investigators from the Sudanese platform claim to have traced the PHOS M8931 grenades to production lines operated by American Rheinmetall Munitions (ARM) in the United States and Rheinmetall Denel Munition in South Africa. The PHOS M8931 grenades in question are promoted internationally as 'smoke' and obscurant munitions, designed for signaling or cover on the battlefield. However, experts have long noted that phosphorus-based rounds can double as incendiary devices under certain conditions, particularly when combined with thermal detonators. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Sudanese Military Capabilities report alleges that such grenades were used in densely populated urban areas of Khartoum, contributing to fires during recent clashes. Sudan's Attorney General had previously accused RSF units of deploying prohibited weapons such as white phosphorus, which is restricted under international law, although definitive proof remains a subject of ongoing debate. The Sudanese Military Capabilities platform has called for an international investigation into the matter. Critics argue that loopholes in international arms regulations, particularly the classification of phosphorus rounds as 'smoke' munitions, allow companies to bypass restrictions on incendiary weapons. Rheinmetall has faced similar scrutiny in the past, with its products reportedly surfacing in conflict zones such as Yemen and Myanmar. Over the past few years South African courts temporarily blocked arms sales to Myanmar's military regime and Saudi Arabia following reports of human rights abuses linked to imported weaponry. In South Africa itself, a wave of public debate has emerged around Rheinmetall Denel's activities.
The South African
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Anti-War Protests at RDM Factory
Dozens of anti-war activists gathered outside the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) factory on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, for a peaceful protest against the company's alleged involvement in supplying weapons to conflict zones. The demonstration, marked by passionate chants and vibrant placards, was dispersed by police, with several activists detained and taken to the station. Protesters of all ages lined up at the factory gates, holding signs reading: 'No bombs for Ukraine and Israel', 'Stop killing Palestinian children', and 'End arming apartheid'. They demanded an immediate halt to RDM's alleged weapon supplies, which they claim fuel violence in hotspots like Palestine, where they say the population faces genocide by Israel, and Ukraine, backed by the Global North in its war against Russia. The protest began peacefully, with participants chanting slogans and trying to engage factory workers. Tensions escalated when security called the SAPS. Police detained several protesters and took them to the station. Four hours later, they were released without charges. 'We stand for peace, not war!' chanted the activists, voicing frustration that South Africa, despite its laws, may be complicit in supplying weapons to conflict zones. Legal Context and Demands for Transparency Under South Africa's National Conventional Arms Control Act 41 of 2002, the country must avoid exporting weapons that could escalate regional conflicts or destabilise situations. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) is responsible for vetting export deals to ensure compliance. Protesters and political groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), question whether RDM adheres to this law by supplying weapons to conflict zones. Critics demand full transparency from the NCACC regarding RDM's export activities and strict adherence to the law, stressing that South Africa, with its history of fighting for peace and human rights, should not supply weapons to countries engaged in armed conflicts. 'South Africa cannot claim neutrality while its factories produce weapons that kill the innocent. We demand accountability,' said one protester. Questions about RDM's compliance with the National Conventional Arms Control Act remain unresolved, especially amid 2023 statistics showing arms exports rising to nearly R7.1 billion, including supplies to conflict-affected countries like the DRC.
The South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Amid Scandals and Silence, Rheinmetall Expands in South Africa
Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), the South African arms manufacturer jointly owned by Germany's Rheinmetall AG and South Africa's state-owned Denel, is expanding again. On June 2, Rheinmetall announced the formation of a new company: Rheinmetall Resonant, following the acquisition of a majority stake in local firm Resonant Holdings. In recent years, RDM has been at the centre of investigations, protests, and legal action over its role in exporting weapons to conflict zones. Much of the backlash stems from findings by Open Secrets, a South African civil society group, which previously documented how RDM-manufactured weapons were used in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Critics argue that when Germany imposed export restrictions on Saudi Arabia over human rights concerns, Rheinmetall turned to its South African subsidiary as a loophole. With South Africa's arms regulations seen as more relaxed and oversight comparatively weaker, the company was able to continue supplying Gulf allies via RDM. This model of using foreign subsidiaries to bypass national restrictions has become a deliberate strategy. A report by Investigate Europe showed how Rheinmetall systematically relies on companies like RDM not just to manufacture weapons, but to build entire ammunition plants abroad often with limited transparency or scrutiny. This practice has raised serious concerns about how little control South African authorities exert over what happens to weapons once they leave the country. That concern surfaced again last year, when a major order of RDM's 155mm artillery shells destined for Poland was reportedly delayed over fears they might ultimately be sent to Ukraine. Although South Africa maintains a formal stance of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, the incident raised uncomfortable questions about whether its arms industry is undermining that position. The most politically explosive allegations now involve Israel. Following the outbreak of war in Gaza, activists have warned that South African-made munitions may be reaching Israeli forces indirectly, through NATO or European allies. While there is no confirmed evidence of direct sales to Israel, arms shipped to Germany or Poland could be passed on through defence cooperation agreements. The possibility alone has caused public outrage, especially given that South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have taken the lead in demanding accountability. Speaking on behalf of the party, Carl Niehaus accused the government of hypocrisy and called for a full inquiry into all RDM exports. He said South Africa cannot condemn Israel on the international stage while indirectly supporting its military through unchecked arms flows. He urged the government to shut down what he called a 'back door' route for weapons. Civil society organisations argue that South Africa's arms control system is outdated and effectively powerless. Once weapons are shipped, they say, authorities rely too heavily on end-user certificates—paper guarantees that mean little in practice, especially during war. Without transparent tracking or independent verification, the entire system rests on trust in a global industry notorious for secrecy and loopholes. Despite mounting concerns, Rheinmetall is tightening its grip on South Africa's defence sector. The launch of Rheinmetall Resonant underscores the company's confidence in using South Africa as a key manufacturing hub. But the expansion comes with no answers to deeper questions: is South Africa becoming a passive accomplice to foreign wars it publicly opposes? And who, exactly, is watching? As factories continue operating and new contracts are signed, the South African public is still waiting for clarity. According to a recent report by IOL, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) has yet to respond to formal requests from the EFF for an investigation into RDM's factory and the potential routes its shells may be taking. The silence, critics argue, is only deepening the trust gap.
