As a Member of Parliament for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the party’s permanent representative on the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, I have witnessed firsthand the rot that has seeped into the core of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
It is a decay born of neglect, corruption, and a profound disregard for the human dignity of those who serve our nation.
Recently, I made the decision to post a video (below) on social media depicting the appalling conditions in a bathroom at 6 South African Infantry Battalion (6 SAI Bn) in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. This footage, sent to me by a courageous soldier stationed there, was not shared lightly.
It was a deliberate act of exposure, driven by a moral imperative to shine a light on the dehumanising realities our troops endure. In this opinion piece, I will explain why I felt it absolutely necessary to make this video public, why the incompetent, derelict, and callous SANDF leadership must be called to order and exposed, and why it is utterly unacceptable that our soldiers are subjected to such suffering and humiliation.
Our defenders deserve better—they deserve dignity, respect, and the unwavering support of a grateful nation.
The video in question arrived in my inbox as a desperate plea from a whistleblower within the ranks of 6 SAI Bn. It showed toilets in a state of utter filth: overflowing with waste, fixtures broken and unusable, walls stained with grime that spoke of months, if not years, of neglect.
It was unpleasant to watch, yes, but that discomfort pales in comparison to the daily reality faced by the soldiers who must use these facilities. The soldier who sent it did so in outrage, fearing for his safety and that of his comrades, knowing full well the risks of speaking out in an organisation where retribution is a well-documented tactic. I chose to protect his identity, as revealing it could invite victimisation—a chilling reality rooted in the SANDF’s history of punishing those who dare highlight internal failures. But anonymity does not diminish the truth: this video is a raw, unfiltered snapshot of the indignity inflicted upon our troops.
Why did I feel compelled to share it publicly? Because silence in the face of such injustice is complicity. As an EFF MP sworn to uphold the Constitution and fight for the marginalised, including our military personnel, I am bound by my oath to expose wrongdoing wherever it festers.
The SANDF’s media statement* in response was predictably defensive and untruthful, attempting to dismiss the video as outdated or staged. They claimed the facilities had been addressed, but the evidence—freshly used toilets captured in real time—belies their lies.
This is not an isolated lapse; it is symptomatic of a systemic crisis. By going public, I aimed to galvanise public outrage, force parliamentary scrutiny, and compel the leadership to act. In a democracy, transparency is the antidote to corruption, and withholding this video would have betrayed the very soldiers it seeks to aid. Our troops are not voiceless; they are silenced. It is my duty to amplify their cries.
This exposure is not just about one battalion or one video—it uncovers a nationwide scandal of dereliction that robs our soldiers of their dignity. During oversight visits by the Portfolio Committee and the Joint Standing Committee, we have seen the horrors up close. At Thaba Tshwane in Pretoria, the so-called “Brown Flats” are a disgrace: crumbling buildings with leaking roofs, faulty plumbing that floods living quarters, and electrical wiring so hazardous it poses a constant threat to life. These are not barracks; they are slums unfit for habitation. Soldiers, many with families, are forced to live in conditions that breed disease and despair, their morale eroded by the very institution meant to support them. And this is not confined to Pretoria or Grahamstown—similar reports emerge from bases across South Africa, from Limpopo to the Western Cape.
The human cost is staggering. Families have lost loved ones in preventable fires sparked by defective wiring in housing long declared uninhabitable. Imagine the heartbreak: a soldier returns from deployment only to bury a spouse or child because the SANDF failed to provide safe accommodation. These tragedies are not accidents; they are the direct result of budgetary mismanagement and corruption that siphons funds away from essential maintenance. Billions allocated for upgrades vanish into a black hole of tenders awarded to cronies, leaving troops to suffer. It is unacceptable that those who pledge their lives to protect us are repaid with such callousness. Our soldiers are humiliated daily—forced to queue for broken showers, endure pest infestations, and live in fear of structural collapses. This strips them of dignity, turning guardians of the nation into forgotten victims of state neglect.
Consider the story of one soldier from 6 SAI Bn, whose plight exemplifies this betrayal. Deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) in the eastern DRC, he was grievously wounded, losing both legs in a brutal attack. He fought with valour for regional stability and our collective security, yet upon his return, he faced not rehabilitation and honour, but further indignity. Back at his base, he encountered the same substandard conditions: inadequate housing, lack of proper support, and now, inadequate medical care at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. Once a premier institution renowned for its excellence in treating military personnel, this hospital has been reduced to a shambles through years of corruption, maladministration, and neglect. Critical facilities like emergency theatres and radiology units remain incomplete, renovations stalled amid scandals of misappropriated funds. Lawmakers have raised alarms about the Repair and Maintenance Programme’s paralysis, yet the leadership dithers. This wounded hero who sacrificed his legs for our safety now endures subpar treatment in a facility that is a shadow of its former self. It is an outrage—a profound insult to his service and to all veterans. How can we claim to value our troops when we abandon them in their hour of need?
The root of this crisis lies squarely with the SANDF’s leadership: a cadre of incompetent, derelict, and callous generals and senior officers who have abdicated their responsibilities. Insulated in luxury, many have abandoned military bases altogether, relocating to upscale suburbs like Waterkloof, Menlyn, and Sandton. They live in opulent homes funded by taxpayer money, enjoying perks that include chauffeured vehicles and lavish allowances, while the rank-and-file wallow in squalor. This detachment breeds arrogance and elitism. How can commanding officers who wallow in luxury comprehend the desperation of the soldiers using overflowing and dirty latrines? Their callousness is evident in the persistent underfunding of basics − protective gear during deployments, mental health support post-trauma, and even nutritious meals. In the DRC mission, troops have reported shortages of essential equipment, leading to unnecessary casualties. Back home, the leadership’s response to exposés like mine is not reform, but deflection: issuing false statements, intimidating whistleblowers, and stonewalling parliamentary inquiries.
This must be called to order. The SANDF leadership needs exposure not for vengeance, but for accountability. Incompetence at the top trickles down, manifesting in low morale, high desertion rates, and a force ill-equipped to defend our sovereignty. We cannot afford a military where generals prioritise personal comfort over troop welfare. As EFF representatives, we have consistently advocated for audits, prosecutions of corrupt officials, and a reallocation of budgets to prioritise soldiers’ needs. Yet the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the President turn a blind eye allowing this to persist. It is time for radical change: force senior officers back to base living to foster empathy, implement transparent procurement processes, and invest in comprehensive upgrades. Anything less is a betrayal of our Constitution, which demands the protection of human dignity for all, including those in uniform.
In conclusion, sharing that video was not a choice − it was a necessity born of conscience and duty. Our soldiers are the backbone of South Africa’s security; they sacrifice everything to shield us from threats, both foreign and domestic. To subject them to humiliation, suffering, and indignity is not just unacceptable − it is a national shame. The EFF will not relent; we will continue exposing these injustices, fighting for decent living conditions, proper medical care, and the respect our troops deserve.
To the whistleblower at 6 SAI Bn and all soldiers enduring this nightmare: you are seen, heard, and valued. Together, we will dismantle this system of neglect and build a SANDF worthy of your and your fellow soldiers’ sacrifices. For economic freedom, dignity, and justice in our lifetime.
Carl Niehaus
Member of Parliament (EFF)
* SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE RESPONDS TO
SOCIAL MEDIA POST REGARDING GRAHAMSTOWN FACILITY
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has noted a social media post by Mr.
Carl Niehaus regarding the state of a building in Grahamstown. The building in question
belongs to 6 South African Infantry Battalion (6 SAI Bn).
The building in question is not occupied and therefore not being used for accommodation or any other purpose.
The Defence Works Regiment has conducted a scope of work on this facility, with the
intention to refurbish it for future utilisation by unit members. Until such refurbishment has
been completed, the building will remain unoccupied.
The SANDF remains committed to maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure to ensure
that its facilities provide a conducive environment for the wellbeing of all members.
ENDS
Issued by: South African National Defence Force
(Defence Headquarters)
Pretoria