From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:
South African defence vehicle systems company, Denel Land Systems, is marketing its new generation of mine-protected armoured personnel carriers – the Casspir NG 2000 – as a multirole vehicular platform to suit peacekeeping, demining and support operations in war-torn regions. Dylan Slater tells us more.

Dylan Slater:
The original Casspir was born from a late-1970s requirement for a mine-protected troop carrier for the South African Police, to use during counter insurgency operations in South West Africa and during the border war with Angola. Denel Land Systems senior manager Jack Geldenhuys explains further.

DLS senior manager Jack Geldenhuys:
 

Dylan Slater:
The NG 2000 Casspir has been developed around the current requirement for easy-to-maintain armoured vehicles that can be adapted according to a client’s specific needs. It is also required to be easily customisable to ensure compatibility between parts and components readily available in certain regions.

DLS senior manager Jack Geldenhuys:

Dylan Slater:
The ability to take-on a multitude of military and peacekeeping roles forms the backbone of the NG 2000 Casspir, and Denel Land Systems has used this philosophy to extend the support capacity of the platform with several variants in standard- and wide-body formats, as well as with 4x4, 6x6 and even 8x8 drivetrain options.

DLS senior manager Jack Geldenhuys:
 

Dylan Slater:
The NG 2000 Casspir also features firepower options, including the installation of weapons on the flatbed section of the double-cab variant. These firepower options include a 106 mm recoilless rifle, 81 mm mortar system, anti-aircraft systems up to a calibre of 23 mm, turret-mounted machine guns up to 12.7 mm and pintle-mounted machine guns up to 7.62 mm.

DLS senior manager Jack Geldenhuys:

Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlines this week:

The Concourt judgment is a significant moment for the country, says Maimane.

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said March 31st marked a significant moment in South Africa’s democracy following the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the Nkandla saga.

DA Leader Mmusi Maimane
 

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.