The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has officially distanced itself from the recent remarks made by former Lieutenant Commander Sylvester Mangolele, who demanded the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a statement released on Tuesday, the SANDF clarified that Mangolele was dismissed from the defense force in 2018 due to misconduct, and his current statements do not represent the military’s stance.
Mangolele, who served as a Lieutenant Commander in the SA Navy, posted a video on social media threatening to oust President Ramaphosa from office within 48 hours if he did not personally submit his resignation at the Naval College in Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape.
In the video, Mangolele asserted that his actions were in line with the Constitution and the law, emphasizing that the SANDF served as the last line of defense if other state organs failed. He accused President Ramaphosa of violating the Constitution, particularly citing neglect of section 9(2), which addresses equality and the enjoyment of all rights and freedoms.
Mangolele expressed frustration with the president’s administration, claiming that it hindered the well-being of many citizens, including himself and his family. He accused Ramaphosa of not respecting constitutional principles and failing to address issues affecting the lives of ordinary South Africans.
In response, the SANDF unequivocally rejected Mangolele’s statements, emphasizing that his comments were not reflective or representative of the military institution. SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini condemned Mangolele’s remarks with the contempt they deserve, reinforcing the military’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding constitutional processes.
The SANDF’s swift disavowal underscores its commitment to maintaining discipline and distancing itself from any attempts to involve the military in political matters.