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Vol 67 No 17

Published 28th August 2026


South Africa

The soldiers beyond Ramaphosa’s reach

Special Forces accused of murder expose a security system in disarray – and an Islamic State network running from Mogadishu to Midrand

The South African National Defence Force’s Special Forces command is facing its gravest public challenge since apartheid: not a battlefield reverse, but allegations that serving soldiers abducted an Islamic State-linked financier and then killed the policeman who pursued the trail. Twelve officers have been charged and deny wrongdoing. They enjoy political protection at the highest level of the Government of National Unity. Two of the officers have been promoted and six of the accused whose bail was revoked remain outside custody.

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