The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has moved to assure the public that no arms or combat systems were stolen during a break-in at the Bloemspruit Air Force Base in Bloemfontein last month.

This follows media reports suggesting that ammunition had allegedly been stolen from the facility — prompting the Democratic Alliance (DA) to demand urgent answers from Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.

In a response, SANDF national spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala confirmed that a case of housebreaking and theft was reported at the base on 13 August and is now under investigation by the Military Police.

“For operational security reasons, further specifics cannot be disclosed at this stage,” Tshabalala added.

The SANDF also distanced the incident from a separate case reported earlier this year involving the theft of a bus engine.

“The SANDF strongly refutes attempts to link this incident with the unrelated matter concerning a bus engine previously reported,” said Tshabalala.

“The SANDF wishes to place on record that no arms or combat weapon systems were stolen, contrary to the claims published in some media reports,” said Tshabalala.

“Such reporting is misleading, irresponsible, and has the potential to cause unnecessary alarm.”

He explained that the items interfered with were of “limited tactical value” and did not compromise national security or public safety.

“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.”

Tshabalala said security at the base has since been reinforced and investigations are ongoing.

“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,” he said.

Earlier this week, IOL reported that DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh condemned the latest break-in as “not an isolated incident” but the “predictable result of rotten perimeter security, dead alarms, unmonitored CCTV and broken lighting.” 

He said the theft, which went unnoticed by roving guards, occurred while ammunition was being stored in a hangar because the main ammunition store was considered insecure.

Hattingh added that the party has formally requested the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence to summon Motshekga, the Chief of the SANDF, the SANDF Chief of Logistics, and the Chief of the Air Force.

The party is demanding that, within seven days, the officials table “a dated, costed and funded base-security recovery plan with named responsible officers, deadlines and deliverables,” along with outstanding reports ordered by the committee on 28 May 2025.

*This article was published by IOL News