Did Lieutenant-General Ntshaveni Maphaha just commit career suicide by calling out government?

by Nomonde Simelane

South Africa’s political landscape continues to be chaotic, with the spotlight on the rainbow nation. In recent developments, prominent SANDF Lieutenant Ntshaveni Maphaha has garnered much attention after his message to the government.

It is no secret that although the country possesses much potential to be great, it is plagued with a plethora of internal and global issues that have gotten in the way of that. Citizens have cited the issue of both legal and illegal immigration to at the top of these issues, and have continuously called on the government to intervene and find sustainable solutions.

The SANDF’s recent peacekeeping mission in the DRC has also garnered some attention and controversy as South African citizens and Africans at large go back and forth regarding the army’s involvement in matters between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Amidst these conversations, it was revealed that the SANDF may be under-resourced when partaking in these missions, which has allegedly had dire consequences on the number of casualties.

Speaking to the media, the SANDF’s Lieutenant-General Ntshavheni Maphaha confirmed these allegations and reiterated the importance of adequately equipping the SANDF.

“Now we are saying to politicians, especially now that the nation has rallied together after the loss of our troops, Let’s keep this moment and ensure that we have a defence force that will be able to defend and protect this country,” he said.

However, Nsthavheni’s recent message to the government has had citizens clutching their pearls as they marvel at his bravery. These users believe that the lieutenant has echoed the sentiments that the South African poor and middle class have voiced for some time now.

After prefacing that this was in no way a political speech, he directly addressed mzansi’s leaders and politicians, attributing some of the border and immigration issues plaguing the country to their shortcomings.

This speech by the lieutenant has generated an overwhelming response and has split the nation as some condemn the SANDF leader for his lack of patriotism, while the opposing side has praised him for his bravery to call out this important issue. However, both sides are in agreement that although a bold move, this stunt might have been a career ending one for the high ranking official as this will not sit well with our leaders.

This has given rise to a more serious and intense conversation as users reveal that this stunt by the general is indicative of a potential coup, as mzansi’s political tensions continue to plage the country.

This has given rise to a more serious and intense conversation as users reveal that this stunt by the general is indicative of a potential coup, as mzansi’s political tensions continue to plage the country.

 

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