A truck with a crane was recently summoned to go all the way from Oudtshoorn back to Pretoria, just to remove two heavy tree stumps at a major-general’s house, because neighbours complained about them.

The truck and driver had just arrived in Oudtshoorn, where they were to be used for specific military tasks. However, the driver was forced to drive all the way back to Pretoria. 

City Press says its sister publication, Rapport, has learnt that the stumps in a side street at the house that the military is renting for Major-General Edward Mulaudzi, deputy head of logistics procurement, in Waterkloof Ridge, had been lying there for some time.

Mulaudzi reportedly instructed a subordinate to make a plan to use one of the unit’s brand-new trucks to remove the load.

Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala, military spokesperson, confirmed the use of the truck was ‘in line with approved protocol to maintain state property allocated to military generals’.

Tshabalala said nothing about prioritising the recall of the truck from urgent military tasks, nor explained how this fits within the ‘approved protocol’.

Asked whether it was true that the military also pays for household cleaners, gardeners and drivers for the generals and their families, Tshabalala confirmed this was determined according to seniority.

The report also notes that some of the drivers are used daily to transport the generals’ children to and from school, as well as for extracurricular activities.

According to Tshabalala, the arrangement is necessary because of the military’s duty to ensure operational continuity.

This applies especially to certain generals who play a critical role in co-ordinating the country’s defence at all times.

Meanwhile, says City Press, the military’s bases are so dilapidated due to lack of money that occupational safety inspectors regularly have to close some of the bases and units, including the Air Force headquarters, because they become too dangerous for personnel to work there.

Full City Press report