The defense industry in South Africa is currently embroiled in a contentious battle between Excalibur International and Comanche Armament Corp. The dispute centers on a series of defense contracts and the perceived lack of transparency in the procurement process.
At the heart of the controversy is Abdul Gani Mahomed, a former official with the Uganda Peoples’Defence Forces, who has been appointed as the new CEO of Excalibur International. Mahomed’s appointment has raised eyebrows, with some industry experts questioning his credentials and the potential conflicts of interest his role may present.
The Namibian Defence Force, another key player in this saga, has also come under scrutiny. Martin Kambulu, a former military officer, now heads the Namibian Defence Force, and his ties to both Excalibur International and Comanche Armament Corp have been the subject of much debate.
In a separate development, the Kenya Air Force, along with German manufacturer Grob, are in discussions to resume the Aviation Centre of Excellence in Nanyuki. The facility, which has been inactive since 2022 due to non-payment by the Kenyan government, could see a revival thanks to the renewed talks.
Meanwhile, French firms MBDA and Delair have proposed the establishment of a drone training school in Botswana. The project, supported by the French government, aims to provide training for pilots and counter-drone operations across Southern Africa.
South Africa’s Gunvor, a Geneva-based trader, has shown interest in supplying Russian petroleum products to state-owned PetroSA. This comes as some of the US OFAC restrictions have been lifted, and the tight diesel supply in South Africa may make this proposal appealing to the company.
In another corporate move, ex — MultiChoice executives have expressed frustration over centralised decision-making at Canal+. Some Canal+ Africa executives claim they feel excluded from strategic decisions, which are largely made in Paris.
Lastly, Vitol, an energy major, has a representative eyeing Shell’s service stations in South Africa. Local company Vesquin Trading is said to be taking a keen interest in Shell’s network of approximately 600 service stations, but it will have to navigate the Competition Commission of South Africa’s approval process.
Source: AfricaIntelligence
