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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has had sight of a “restricted internal” 2026 SANDF document that references a programme of structured military training engagements with Russian Ministry of Defence institutions.

The Democratic Alliance now demands an urgent and clear public statement with answers from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, and the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, demanding who authorised these engagements, what strategic assessment was done, and how this fits within a genuinely balanced non-alignment framework.

No disclosure of internal or sensitive details can be made at this stage.

But the DA can confirm from the document the existence of sustained, long-term military education cooperation, some courses even spanning over a 5-year period, which with one major power raises serious questions about whether government’s actions match its words.

Military training operations in “electronic warfare”, and “radar signal jamming training” campaigns allegedly undertaken by members of the SANDF guided by the Russian Defence Ministry pose a fundamental risk to our democracy.

These allegations come just 10 days after a leaked report showed an alleged Russian disinformation campaign against South Africa’s democracy, and even specific operations against the Democratic Alliance in the build up to the 2024 National Elections.

We are repeatedly told that South Africa is non-aligned. But non-alignment cannot live in speeches while something else happens in practice.

Military cooperation sends signals. And in today’s world, signals carry economic consequences.

Our biggest trading partners are the United States and the European Union. Our defence industry depends on Western supply chains, export approvals and international finance. Investors look for stability and consistency. When our diplomatic language says “neutral” but our defence posture looks tilted, confidence weakens.

And when confidence weakens, ordinary South Africans pay.

Higher borrowing costs. Less investment. Pressure on export markets. Risk to jobs in aerospace, defence manufacturing and related industries. We cannot afford that, not in this economy currently getting up to its knees.

The SANDF does not set foreign policy. It operates under civilian authority. If there is a gap between what government says and what it does, that responsibility lies with the executive.

South Africa’s foreign policy must protect our economy, our credibility and our constitutional democracy. We cannot gamble with jobs and growth because of mixed signals.

Issued by Chris Hattingh MP - DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans