By: Defence web

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) hosted a Chief of the SANDF Medal Parade at Air Force Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town on Friday 3 October, an event which also marked a significant milestone in the SANDF’s logistics modernisation drive with the formal handover of all deeper logistical depots to the Chief of Logistics, Vice Admiral David Mkhonto.

The handover, officiated by the Chief of the SANDF (CSANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, formally transferred responsibility for the strategic logistics depots to the Logistics Division, effective 1 October 2025.

The transfer includes the Defence Mobilisation Centre, Army Main Ordnance Depot, Army Main Ordnance Sub Depot Wallmansthal, Army Main Ordnance Sub Depot Durban, 10 Air Depot, Naval Ammunition Depot, Naval Store Depot Wingfield, and the Military Health Base Depot.

Accepting the new responsibility, Vice Admiral Mkhonto pledged his commitment to maintaining integrity in the stewardship of the SANDF’s logistics network. “I will set a good example to those placed under my command,” he said.

Maphwanya’s decision to consolidate these depots under the Logistics Division forms part of a broader effort to strengthen joint logistical coordination within the SANDF. From 1 October, all deeper level logistical facilities that were previously under the operational control of the individual Services will now report directly to the Logistics Division.

Under the SANDF’s Joint Military Concept, military activity is structured around three main components: Force Preparation, Force Employment, and Force Support. Force Preparation ensures that forces are trained, equipped, and ready for deployment. Force Employment involves using those forces to execute missions and operations. The Chief of Logistics provides Force Support to both, ensuring that all logistical, technical, medical, and administrative systems are in place to sustain operations.

Rear Admiral (JG) Prince Tshabalala, SANDF Director Defence Corporate Communication, explained: “4th Line Depots represent a Joint Logistical Force Support capability, ensuring strategic logistics reserves to sustain operational and tactical requirements.”

Force Support encompasses the provision of fuel, ammunition, rations, spare parts, transport, maintenance, and communication systems. This layered system of support extends from front-line units (1st Line) through to the strategic-level depots (4th Line and beyond), which act as the SANDF’s long-term reserves.

During operations, both Force Preparation (the Services) and Force Employment (Joint Operations) draw on supplies from these deeper-level depots to sustain their 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Line logistics systems through established supply chains.

The migration of the deeper depots to the Logistics Division is intended to ensure that the SANDF’s strategic reserves remain coordinated and ready to support missions across the full spectrum of defence operations.