The global arms trade has always been a shadowy industry, operating in the margins where war and profit intersect. It's a world most people don't think about until a story like Rheinmetall comes along. In South Africa, this German arms manufacturer has been a quiet fixture for years, producing artillery shells at a factory tucked away from public scrutiny. But now, Rheinmetall is in the spotlight, and not for the right reasons.
Over the last six months, NGOs, activists, and critics have raised alarm bells. They claim Rheinmetall's South African factory is playing a part in a dangerous game: re-exporting weapons to conflict zones like Israel and Ukraine. Groups such as Open Secrets, the Southern African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI), and individual activists like Terry Crawford-Browne, a long-time critic of the arms trade, have publicly criticized both Rheinmetall and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC). They argue that regulatory failures and corporate loopholes are allowing South African-made munitions to fuel international conflicts.
What's happening here isn't just about one company. It's about South Africa's place in the world, the ethics of war, and the uneasy tension between profit and principles.
What's Going On at Rheinmetall?
For years, Rheinmetall's South African facility has been churning out artillery shells, mostly unnoticed. But things started heating up in mid-2024 when reports suggested those shells were ending up in places they shouldn't. Investigative pieces, like one published by Africa is a Country, accuse Rheinmetall of using its global network to sidestep South Africa's strict export controls. The claims suggest that munitions from the factory are being rerouted through Germany or other countries and then sent to conflict zones.
Open Secrets, a local NGO known for digging into economic crimes, hasn't minced words. They believe Rheinmetall is exploiting loopholes in South Africa's export laws. The NCACC, which is supposed to oversee arms exports, has been slammed for what critics call either a lack of oversight or outright complicity.
If these allegations are true, it's a direct challenge to South Africa's policy of staying neutral in global conflicts. And for a country already grappling with its international reputation, that's a big deal.
What the Critics Are Saying
The critics aren't just making noise; they're bringing evidence. Open Secrets, in particular, has been relentless in its pursuit of Rheinmetall. They've linked the company's operations to a broader history of South Africa's questionable arms exports. For example, during the Yemen conflict, South African weapons reportedly ended up in the hands of warring factions, despite clear laws against it.
This history casts a long shadow. It makes it harder to dismiss the idea that something similar could be happening now. Critics argue that Rheinmetall's actions, and the NCACC's inaction, undermine South Africa's stance as a country committed to peace.
These accusations have struck a nerve, especially with South Africans angry about the ongoing war in Gaza. Protests outside Rheinmetall's factory have become more frequent since August 2024. People have painted anti-war messages on the walls, and employees have faced verbal abuse from activists. It's a tense situation, to say the least.
The Government's Position
The NCACC isn't taking this lying down. Officials from the committee, including its chairperson and spokesperson, recently told News24 that South Africa has some of the strictest arms export controls in the world. They insist that weapons made in the country aren't sold to places in active conflict.
But critics aren't buying it. They point out that the government has a track record of failing to enforce these controls effectively. The protests outside Rheinmetall's factory are a clear indicator of the growing public distrust in the government's assurances.
Rheinmetall's Problems Aren't Just in South Africa
What's happening in South Africa is just one chapter in Rheinmetall's growing list of controversies. Across Europe and beyond, the company has faced backlash for its role in the arms trade. Earlier this year, Rheinmetall was linked to accusations of bypassing export restrictions in Germany to meet increased demand for munitions, raising further questions about its global practices.
These challenges highlight the complex ethical terrain of arms manufacturing. For a company like Rheinmetall, such controversies are not just reputational risks they are a signal of growing resistance to the normalization of war profiteering.
Profit Over Principle
Despite the criticism, one undeniable fact remains: Rheinmetall and other defense companies are making substantial profits as global conflicts drive demand for arms. Financial reports reveal that Rheinmetall's revenues have surged in recent months, underscoring the profitability of the defense industry.
Critics argue that as long as war remains good business, companies like Rheinmetall will keep finding ways to operate—legally or not. And governments, even well-meaning ones, will struggle to keep up.
What's Next?
So, where does this leave South Africa? For starters, the NCACC needs to step up. If it's going to be the country's gatekeeper for arms exports, it has to prove it can do the job. That means closing loopholes, increasing transparency, and taking public concerns seriously.
For Rheinmetall, the pressure isn't going away anytime soon. The protests will continue, and the investigations will likely dig deeper. Whether this leads to real change or just more PR spin remains to be seen.
But there's a bigger lesson here, one that goes beyond South Africa or Rheinmetall. The global arms trade thrives in the shadows, where accountability is hard to enforce. Shining a light on it, as Open Secrets and others are doing, is the first step toward change.
At the end of the day, this isn't just about artillery shells or export licenses. It's about who we are as a society and what we're willing to accept in the name of profit. And while the answers aren't easy, the questions are worth asking.
