South Africa has decided to terminate the Kgala Project, which involved Cuban technicians in the maintenance of its military equipment, following legal challenges and irregular expenditures amounting to 278.6 million rands (approximately $16.9 million). However, current training courses will be allowed to wrap up.
Rear Admiral James Matshimane, head of Policy, Strategy, and Planning for the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), disclosed this directive during a parliamentary committee meeting focused on the sector, as reported by South African media outlet News24.
Matshimane stated that an order to cease the program had already been issued, yet the ongoing training sessions would be completed before the program is entirely shut down. He did not specify who issued the directive or the completion date for the pending activities, nor did he clarify whether further payments would be made while these courses conclude.
Impact on Cuban Engineers and Technicians
The termination affects an initiative where Cuban engineers and technicians were engaged in the maintenance and repair services for the South African Armed Forces, including tasks related to military vehicles, aviation equipment, and naval components.
According to a written response from the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans to Parliament, cited by News24, 119 Cuban citizens were deployed to South Africa under the Kgala Project.
Legal and Financial Scrutiny
The project, which began in January 2025 as a replacement for the Thusano Project—an earlier military cooperation scheme between Pretoria and Havana—did not escape controversy. Legal issues were a significant point of contention. News24's investigation revealed that South Africa's chief legal advisor determined the Kgala Project agreement violated public procurement laws and was invalid.
The Auditor-General of South Africa also uncovered irregular expenses related to the project, totaling 278.6 million rands (approximately $16.9 million), as highlighted by the opposition.
Political and Financial Reactions
The term "irregular expenditure" does not automatically imply fraud, embezzlement, or a complete loss of funds. In South African public auditing, it refers to spending that does not meet certain legal or financial procedure requirements.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), part of South Africa's National Unity Government, welcomed the decision to end Kgala. The DA had long questioned the costs and legality of military cooperation with Cuba. In a statement released Thursday, the party urged that the order be implemented into a verifiable termination process, including a defined timeline, complete expense reconciliation, and a clarification of ongoing contractual commitments.
The DA noted that the announced directive does not mean the program is entirely shut down, as training activities will persist until their completion.
Historical Context and Controversies
This decision comes against a backdrop of financial scrutiny. The Department of Defense reported to Parliament in March 2025 that the Thusano Project had cost around 3.040 billion rands (approximately $184 million) over a decade. The Auditor-General identified 1.699 billion rands in irregular expenses (about $103 million) linked to this previous program, according to the DA.
These figures are separate from the 278.6 million rands (approximately $16.9 million) attributed to Kgala.
Another contentious aspect involves the cost of air travel. The DA highlighted that Kgala's reported expenses include 100.3 million rands (around $6.1 million) for charter flights and demanded identification of the trips funded by this money. The party previously exposed a flight costing nearly 34 million rands (about $2.1 million) to transport more than 200 South African Armed Forces members to Cuba for a graduation ceremony. Now, they seek to clarify if that trip is part of the 100.3 million recorded under the latest program.
Military cooperation between the two nations is rooted in a historical political relationship. The African National Congress (ANC) has defended its ties with Cuba, a supporter of the anti-apartheid movement, while critics question the cost of contracted services and the feasibility of hiring South African professionals instead.
These agreements have sparked parliamentary debates in South Africa. In September 2025, military cooperation with Cuba faced renewed scrutiny over the training costs of South African officers on the island, compared to available domestic training options.
Despite the criticism, bilateral discussions continued. In November 2025, it was disclosed that Cuba and South Africa had strengthened their military cooperation talks, focusing on training and technical support.
Controversies also extended to South African military personnel in Cuba. In September 2026, a union called for an investigation into alleged pressure on stationed military personnel to relinquish part of their financial allowances. The Armed Forces denied any mandatory contributions.
That same month, the lucrative agreements with Havana were again under scrutiny amid questions about budget priorities and infrastructure needs within South Africa itself.
Understanding the Termination of the Kgala Project
Why is the Kgala Project being terminated?
The project is being terminated due to legal challenges and financial irregularities totaling 278.6 million rands, which were identified by South African authorities.
What will happen to the ongoing training courses?
Current training courses will be allowed to finish before the program is fully shut down, according to Rear Admiral James Matshimane.
What are the implications of the project's irregular expenditures?
Irregular expenditures refer to spending that does not comply with legal or financial procedures, and while they do not necessarily imply fraud, they have prompted the program's termination.