A group of activists defied Pretoria rainy weather on Sunday to stage a picket in front of the Union Buildings, the seat of power, to call for more oversight over sales of arms to Israel and Ukraine.
Rheinmetall, the German based multinational arms conglomerate, in which the USA investment company BlackRock has a majority shareholding, is the majority controlling shareholder in Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM) which has a subsidiary in South Africa.
Rheinmetall recently stated that the German army’s depots are empty because of the huge supplies going to Israel and Ukraine, with its South Africa branch being a major supplier of 155mm ammunition, which helps Rheinmetall to service a massive €8.5 billion contract with the German government.
Rheinmetall ships weapons manufactured in their RDM plants in South Africa to Israel and Ukraine, with a recent official report from the USA Department of Defence revealing that South Africa is listed as a participant in the Ukraine Defence Contact Support Group (UDCG) and is increasing the production of shells and gunpowder for Ukraine’s needs through RMD.
This is all despite the fact that it is illegal for South African arms manufacturers to supply products to conflict zones.
Convener of the protests Thuto Mashaba said the rally was a continuation of the picket held last month in Boksburg against the supply of ammunition by Rheinmetall to Ukraine and Israel.
He said the activists noted that German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall continues to produce artillery shells in addition public confession of supplying its products to Ukraine.
“We demanded that the President and the Government at the very least check the activities of the Rheinmetall plant for compliance with South Africa’s official policy of not intervening in international conflicts or supplying arms to third countries. At the most – to stop the activities of the ammunition factory,” said Mashaba.
Kholofelo Mokgama who led the picket outside Rheinmetall recently said for many years, South Africa’s Rheinmetall factory produced artillery shells. But things began to heat up in mid-2024, when reports emerged that these shells were going where they shouldn’t.
Rheinmetall is now accused of using its global network to bypass South Africa’s strict export controls: ammunition from the factory is officially shipped to Germany or other countries, but is then redirected to conflict zones.
In particular, local non-profit organisation Open Secrets said Rheinmetall was exploiting loopholes in South Africa’s export laws.
Mokgama said the group wanted stand for peace, and called for an end to the killing of people in Gaza, and Russia.
“Today we are here to call for the attention of the highest office in the land, Presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa must lead the charge in ensuring that the company is transparent, and for Parliament to ensure that Rheinmetall products do not violate SA arms regulations,” she said, adding that the protest action will continue until authorities intervene to stop the ammunition supplies to Ukraine and Israel.
The organizers have chosen the Nelson Mandela statue in Pretoria, Union Buildings to use former President’s name to advocate for peace in World.
The protesters held placards written: “South Africa against Ukraine and Israel.
Your bombs are destroying the children of Palestine and Russia.”
According to Mokgama former President Nelson Mandela always considered Russia a historical friend, and therefore that relationship must continue.
In an interview, Aslam Naidoo said he joined the picket line because the children of Gaza were being killed.
He urged to make a firm commitment to ensure that Rheinmetall is closed calling it the “factory of death”.
Sinawo Thambo, the EFF MP and Spokesperson said for the war in the Ukraine where artillery stockpile shortages have been replenished by South African sales.
“As a consequence of our dismal lack of arms control and failure to adhere to our own domestic law and regulations, as well as international arms control regulations, we ourselves are guilty of enabling genocide. The EFF demands that the South African government must, as a matter of urgency, reform our weak, and administratively inept approach to weapons exports, and strengthen the capacity of the NCACC to fulfil its legal mandate,” Thambo said.
He said it is simply untenable for South Africa to state in the ICJ that Israel is committing genocide, while weapons manufactured in South Africa supply Israel with the means to commit genocide.
“Therefore, it is evident that a suspension of arms exports from RDM plants in South Africa is necessary until a full investigation is completed, and there is certainty that the NCACC is fully capacitated and able to execute its regulatory responsibilities.”
“It is essential that transparency in all stages of arms production and supply must be achieved. This means not only obtaining all the necessary information about logistics and final recipients but also reviewing all previous shipments of shells and other weapons from RDM plants, and other arms manufacturers, during the conflicts in Israel and the Ukraine,” he said.
