SANDF Witness Explains Why General’s Promotion Bid Failed

A fresh development has emerged in the corruption trial of former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after a senior South African National Defence Force (SANDF) vetting officer explained why Major-General Noel Ndlovu’s security clearance was not approved.

Major-General Gerald Sandile Sizane told the Pretoria High Court on Friday, November 13, 2026, that concerns surrounding Ndlovu’s family circumstances and unanswered questions about his possible involvement in a controversial military contracting matter affected the assessment of his security vetting file.

According to Sizane, Ndlovu’s wife, defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, was already under investigation when his security clearance was being processed. This raised concerns during the assessment and contributed to the decision not to approve his file.

The vetting officer also highlighted questions surrounding the Umkhombe Marine matter, which involves allegations connected to Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu and military contracts.

Sizane told the court that Ndlovu was asked whether he had any involvement in the matter but declined to provide an answer. This reportedly left investigators without the clarity they needed to complete their assessment.

The investigation also extended to Ndlovu’s financial affairs and those of his family. Investigators wanted to establish whether he had benefited from government tenders or had any links to illegal activities. Sizane explained that such checks formed part of the broader process of identifying possible security risks.

The outstanding questions meant that Ndlovu’s vetting file could not be approved at that stage. Instead, it was returned for further vetting and investigation.

The latest testimony is particularly significant because Ndlovu previously told the court that his military career had suffered serious setbacks following controversy surrounding his wife’s business dealings.

The retired major-general, who served in the SANDF for more than 26 years, previously testified that he had been placed on precautionary suspension in 2020. He also said he believed he was qualified for a senior military position but was ultimately overlooked.

He returned to work in 2024 before retiring in 2025. The earlier testimony also revealed that he had expected to succeed General Solly Shoke, but General Rudzani Maphwanya was appointed instead.

These developments form part of the corruption and money-laundering case against former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. The State alleges that she received approximately R4.5 million from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019. Mapisa-Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.

The latest evidence adds another layer to a case that has raised serious questions about military appointments, security vetting and alleged corruption involving defence contracts.

What do you make of the latest revelations? Should the military have approved Ndlovu’s security clearance if important questions about his possible connections remained unanswered, or was further investigation the only reasonable option? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: https://x.com/News24/status/2121283282805379510?a=WrHECd1GPRQIrS9Xa8Y&s=19

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