A CAPE Flats fashion designer soek sy broek terug after claiming that members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confiscated a pair of custom-made camo pants.
Zughdi Mohammed of Hanover Park says he was walking with his wife and son when the alleged incident happened on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
Mohammed said he had made the trousers from fabric that belonged to a friend.
He wysed: “I made the garments at a discounted price. The fabric was never government or military property.
“It had no badges or insignia, although the print does resemble military camouflage.
“It represents my journey. Coming from where I come from, wearing something I designed made me feel proud and reminded me to keep pushing forward. I would really like my pants back.”
He alleged that one of the soldiers called him over before questioning where he had obtained the clothing.
Mohammed added: “I handed my son to my wife because I could see the situation was changing. They told me to remove the trousers because they said it was military property.”
Mohammed alleged that armed SANDF members escorted him to his home, where he removed the trousers, which they then took before leaving.
He added: “I didn’t resist because my wife and son were there, and people from the neighbourhood had gathered. I didn’t want the situation to escalate.”
He said the incident left him embarrassed and became a talking point in the community, saying: “I felt humiliated. People kept asking what I was going to do after they took my clothing. I would never do anything to damage my reputation or my business.”
Following the incident, Mohammed and his wife contacted the Department of Defence and SANDF but said they had not received feedback.
When SANDF was asked why Mohammed was stopped, under what authority his trousers were allegedly confiscated, whether civilians may legally wear camouflage-patterned clothing and whether the incident had been investigated, it referred Daily Voice’s sister newspaper Athlone News to a media statement issued in October 2025.
The statement said official SANDF camouflage is a registered military uniform reserved for authorised members and warned that its unauthorised use or modification may constitute an offence under the Defence Act.
The statement outlined SANDF’s camouflage policy but did not address Mohammed’s allegations.
Teresa Magidela, Acting Head of Communications for the Office of the Military Ombud, said the matter falls under the Department of Defence and SANDF.
She said the Ombud had not received a complaint.