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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 military personnel have been charged and deny wrongdoing. Yet the case’s political charge lies elsewhere: promotions have followed the investigation, state-funded defence is continuing and three accused whose bail was revoked remain outside custody.

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