The Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded transparency after reports surfaced that South African-made technology was recovered from Russian suicide drones used in Ukraine, warning of grave diplomatic and legal risks for the country.

DA spokesperson on defence and military veterans, Chris Hattingh, cited a Bloomberg report that laser range-finding equipment manufactured by LightWare Optoelectronics, a South African firm, had been found in Russian attack drones deployed against Ukraine. “The use of South African-made tech in Russian war drones is deeply alarming,” Hattingh said in a statement issued yesterday. “It exposes South Africa to potential complicity in international law violations.”

LightWare has stated its product is civilian and that any military use would be an illicit diversion. The DA, however, insists that: “even if accepted, [this] does not absolve government.” The party pointed out that South African authorities are obliged, under various legislation and international agreements, to: “enforce robust end-user controls, post-shipment verification, and, where necessary, refusals, suspensions, or cancellations,” including for dual-use goods such as optics and sensors.

“The appearance of South African-made components in a Russian attack drone is not just embarrassing; it is a national security and diplomatic failure,” Hattingh said. “The DA will continue to apply maximum pressure to ensure South Africa is not complicit, directly or indirectly, in atrocities in Ukraine. Publish the facts, enforce the law, and fix the system, now.”