“He’s Also Human”: SANDF Soldier Drunk in Uniform Sparks Sympathy in TikTok Video

• A video of a SANDF soldier appearing heavily intoxicated while in full uniform surfaced on TikTok on 16 August 2026
• South African TikToker Kelvin shared the clip, which showed a man confronting the soldier in a public bathroom
• Many viewers sided with the soldier, fearing the video could cost him his career

A video of a South African National Defence Force soldier visibly struggling while still in full uniform drew unexpected sympathy from thousands of South Africans online.

TikToker Kelvin, who posts under @kelvinesene0077, shared the clip on 16 August 2026, captioned “See a South African soldier.” In the video, the uniformed soldier appears completely wasted inside what looks like a bathroom facility. A man can be heard confronting the soldier and questioning why he is drinking while in uniform. The exact location was not confirmed.

SA sides with the soldier

Rather than pile onto the soldier, many viewers turned their attention to the person filming. The concern was not about the soldier’s behaviour but about what the video might cost him. Several commenters pointed out that exposing a serviceman in that state, while in uniform, could have serious professional consequences.

Read also

Gayton McKenzie comes under fire after calling for PSL action on ‘thuggery’ in football

The compassion in the comments reflected a broader feeling that the soldier deserved support rather than public humiliation. Some speculated about the emotional weight soldiers carry, while others questioned the motives of the person behind the camera.

Watch the clip that divided South Africa on TikTok below:

Mzansi reacts to the viral clip

South Africans flooded the comments with their thoughts:

@ex said:

“What’s your beef, cameraman?”

@CoachAndile24(THE HEALER) commented:

“You don’t have proof he’s drunk. You did not see him drinking alcohol. He won’t lose his job. He will say I was dizzy. Or I was joking, acting drunk.”

@MKB"SMALL added:

“The downfall of a black man is by another fellow black man. Was it necessary for you to take a video?”

@parker asked:

“So he is going to lose his job, how do you feel? 💔😵”

@Klaas Nkoale concluded:

“The person who took the video is wrong on a serious note.”

Read also

"This is not it": Mzansi roars with laughter at Nigerian zoo with fake animals

More stories involving SANDF soldiers

• A Cape Town fashion designer went public after SANDF soldiers confiscated his pants during an operation in the city.
• A Hanover Park fashion designer claimed SANDF soldiers confiscated custom camouflage trousers during a family outing.
• The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, praised the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and Operation Shanela for their enforcement visibility across KwaZulu-Natal.

Source: Briefly News