PRETORIA – A staggering R100 million corruption scandal has rocked the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), culminating in the controversial retirement of two high-ranking generals who faced serious charges. Major General Nontobeko Mpaxa, infamously known as the “spitting” general, and Brigadier General Sydney Mdlulwa, along with Colonel Kgasu Raselomane, have been allowed to leave the military with their pensions intact, despite years of legal battles and accusations of defrauding the state. This development has raised profound questions about accountability within the SANDF and the broader fight against corruption in South Africa.
The allegations against the trio centre on irregular purchase orders for ration packs, a scheme that reportedly siphoned off R100 million from military coffers between 2007 and 2013. During this period, Major General Mpaxa served as the general officer commanding the Combat Training Centre at Lohatlha, with Mdlulwa and Raselomane as her subordinates. Brigadier General Mdlulwa later assumed the same command. The charges, numbering 26 in total with 13 specifically against Mpaxa, paint a picture of systemic abuse of power and financial misconduct.
Further compounding the gravity of the situation, court papers reveal that Major General Mpaxa allegedly operated businesses, Thabisa Sihle Holdings and Kusile Products, which supplied ration packs to the military. Disturbingly, Kusile Products was registered using the address of the SA Intelligence College in Pretoria, an institution where Mpaxa also held a command position. This apparent conflict of interest and direct involvement in supplying the very entity she commanded underscores the brazen nature of the alleged corruption.
The military police initiated a “highly secret” operation, leading to the arrest of Mpaxa, Mdlulwa, and Raselomane in November 2017. Their suspensions followed, marking the beginning of a protracted legal saga within the military court system. The trial, held at Thaba Tshwane, was plagued by delays as Mpaxa’s legal team challenged the court’s jurisdiction. Despite the military judge’s insistence that proceedings should continue, the accused sought to approach the high court with review applications. These applications, filed in 2021, were widely perceived as a delaying tactic, designed to prolong the process until the generals reached retirement age.
Advocate Pikkie Greeff of the SA National Defence Union (SANDU) highlighted the military’s past resolve in similar cases, where individuals were retained as reserve force members until legal matters were concluded. Greeff stated, "Accused awaiting trial in the military can, in any case, only leave service (whether 60 or not) if the defence force chief authorises it – that’s the law." He further emphasised that the military court does not lose jurisdiction in such cases and that nothing prevents the military from referring dockets to the police, as ordinary criminal courts would retain jurisdiction regardless of time elapsed or pension status.
However, in a move that has drawn considerable criticism, the military lifted the suspensions of the three accused, rendering their high court review applications moot. This decision paved the way for Brigadier General Mdlulwa to retire in 2023, followed by Major General Mpaxa and Colonel Raselomane in 2025. Military spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini defended the decision, asserting, "The Pretoria High Court handled this matter. The military is in no position to withhold any soldiers’ pensions. That is the function of the Government Employees Pension Fund and other government structures." This statement, however, appears to contradict the general interpretation of case law, which suggests that individuals facing charges of fraud, theft, and dishonesty, particularly where the state has suffered losses, can have their pensions accessed for recovery under Section 37D of the Pension Funds Act.
The scandal is further complicated by Major General Mpaxa’s controversial past, which includes a deeply disturbing incident involving Warrant Officer At Malan. The Pretoria High Court, presided over by Judge Pakati, ruled in Malan’s favour in 2014, ordering the Minister of Defence (then Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula) to pay R330,000 in damages. The incident, which occurred on 31 March 2010, began with Malan’s arrest for alleged drunk driving, despite his blood alcohol content of 0.06g per 100ml being within condonable limits. During his arrest, military police reportedly handled him so roughly that his arm was broken, and he suffered a neck spasm.
What followed was an egregious invasion of Malan’s privacy and dignity. While being examined for his injuries in the sick bay, Major General Mpaxa allegedly stormed into the examination room, without permission from the doctor, and proceeded to insult him and take photographs. Malan recounted Mpaxa’s words in court, stating she said, "I am taking pictures of you so that I can contact your friend Erica Gibson to show her what her friend… looks like when he is drunk." She also accused him of being the source of complaints against her, adding, "You are the person that tells all the people in Lohatla to write letters against me." The situation escalated with a racially charged remark: "You are wasting the doctor’s time, ag shame, you must remember South Africa is a tough country and a country for Africans," a statement she made while pointing to her skin.
Following the withdrawal of her case against Malan, Major General Mpaxa’s behaviour further deteriorated. In a public display of contempt, she allegedly spat on the ground next to him and declared her hatred for white people. This pattern of conduct, coupled with an earlier incident in 2008 where she was arrested for drunk driving in Kimberley and the docket mysteriously disappeared, raises serious questions about the standards of leadership and accountability within the SANDF. Despite these controversies, Mpaxa was later promoted and even considered a favourite to become the first female army chief.
The decision to allow these generals to retire without facing the full force of the law has ignited a fierce debate about the SANDF’s commitment to combating corruption. Recent reports from 2025 and 2026 indicate a broader crisis within the defence force, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) highlighting billions in unresolved corruption cases. The DA, in November 2025, demanded accountability and action in the Department of Defence’s corruption crisis, pointing to R5.5 billion in serious criminal and corruption cases that remain unresolved. Similarly, Parliament’s Defence and Military Veterans Committee, also in November 2025, underscored that malfeasance and corruption in the Defence Force and its entities cannot be ignored.
This latest development, where generals implicated in a R100 million corruption scheme are permitted to retire unpunished, sends a troubling message. It suggests a culture where high-ranking officials can evade justice, undermining public trust and the integrity of a vital national institution. The lack of arrests and the apparent sidestepping of legal processes leave a bitter taste, reinforcing the perception that some are above the law. The South African public deserves a defence force that is not only capable of protecting the nation but also one that upholds the highest standards of ethics and accountability. The current situation, however, leaves much to be desired.
Follow Us on Twitter
