The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has promptly disassociated itself from concerning statements made by a former commander, Sylvester Mangolele, who recently appeared in a widely circulated video on social media.
In the video, Mr. Mangolele explicitly called for the ousting of President Cyril Ramaphosa, imposing a strict ultimatum of 48 hours for the president to resign or face forceful removal.
The former officer justified his demand by citing alleged constitutional violations committed by President Ramaphosa. The video, gaining traction on Tuesday, has sparked significant worry and speculation throughout the nation.
In response to this situation, the SANDF has taken a decisive stance, emphasizing its non-involvement in political affairs and disclaiming any association with the ex-commander’s call for the president’s removal.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the army distanced itself from Mr. Mangolele’s remarks, stating that he does not represent the views of the SANDF.
“The SANDF condemns Sylvester Mangolele’s utterances with the contempt it deserves,” remarked SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini.
The army mentioned that Mr. Mangolele was dismissed from the defence force in 2018, without providing clarification on the reasons for his dismissal.
Quest: Emmanuel kelvin