Army moves fleet of mambas to Pretoria base
The vehicles were repaired by a team of technicians as part of a collaborative effort with Cuba
The South African army has embarked on a large-scale movement of 60 Infantry Personnel Carriers (IPC)’s or ‘mambas’ from the De Brug army base in Bloemfontein to Walmansthall in Pretoria on Friday.
These vehicles went through effective and efficient repairs by a team of 170 technical Corps members in February.
This came as part of the army’s collaborative effort with Cuba as part of Project Thusano.
“The project was the result of a decline in the core capability of our technical service.
“In assessing this we decided to look at what kept the Cubans going through the years of the US trade embargo.
“Even now they have vehicles manufactured around 1940 that are still running.
“They also manufactured spares and did not rely on supplies from any country,” said Brigadier General Joseph Tyhalisi, Project Thusano director.
Also read: Military visits disabled children’s home in Pretoria
In July, the army moved 40 mambas from the same base, taking the total amount of mambas at the Pretoria base to 100.
Designed in South Africa 1988, mambas have primarily been used during peace-keeping missions by the United Nations and the African Union.
Known for its thick armour and manoeuvrability, these vehicles have been deployed in various parts of Africa and the Middle East.
“These military assets will be ready for utilisation for any eventuality in the execution of the Constitutional mandate of the South African National Defence Force.
“The Defence Force is there to defend and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of South Africa,” read the army’s press statement.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
