Lieutenant-General Peter Ntshavheni Maphaha of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has faced criticism for remarks made during the funeral of Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi in the Free State.
His comments blamed politicians for the military’s lack of resources and the country’s weak border security, suggesting that government decisions had rendered the SANDF ineffective.
His statements sparked a strong reaction from Dakota Legoete, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, who condemned them as irresponsible and inappropriate.
Legoete argued that military leaders should not make public declarations that could undermine stability or erode public trust in the armed forces.
He emphasised that, as a senior official, Maphaha had direct access to key decision-makers, including the SANDF chief, the defence minister, and Parliament. Instead of voicing concerns publicly, he could have used internal channels to address the challenges facing the military.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of Maphaha’s concerns, Legoete criticised the setting in which they were expressed.
He maintained that military leaders must exercise discretion and communicate grievances through appropriate structures rather than in public forums.
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