Motshekga defends Defence budget amid SANDF crisis

The Department of Defence and Military Veterans was not overspending on golf days as it was classified fundraising, Minister Angie Motshekga said during a Parliamentary question and answer session this week. 

This, after the DA’s National Council of Provinces member on security and justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said there is a  R7.7 billion Air Force shortfall and unfunded maintenance. 

Gotsell said the DA is seeking urgent clarity from Motshekga on the three-month deadline to present a plan for reprioritising defence spending and halting the SANDF's collapse.

He said the DA will oversee the implementation to prevent another "empty promise", while  Motshekga's recent statements showed a detachment from the SANDF's dire state. 

The DA is proposing cost-cutting, like ending lifetime medical benefits for retired VIPs, given the deterioration of 1 Military Hospital.

Gostell also questioned Motshekga about international trips and golf days.

“We have seen the department hosting golf days, purchasing luxury vehicles for generals, and spending money on bloated trips like your recent visit to a military parade in Russia, all while the SANDF is in crisis, your own words," he said.

“My question is, what tangible undertakings and timelines can you give this house today to show that you are indeed to the defence review?”

Motshekga answered: “Within our limited resources, we will make sure that we are able to do what we must do. But in the meantime we want to look at trips that the defence force is taking, I can assure the members that since I came, I requested that the department to minimise travelling but we cannot minimise it where people have to do joint training and exercises. My understanding is that those golf days are fundraising activities, run by the different generals and I can assure the public and member Gotsell that we have constantly requested the planners within the department , lets raid every budget and see where we can make savings so that we are able to employ more young soldiers and to make sure we have the necessary capabilities.”

Gotsell added that recent revelations by Armscor confirm the SANDF’s operational collapse, including: A R7.7 billion shortfall for the Air Force over three years; unfunded maintenance for the President’s jet and the Falcon fleet; pilot training at risk due to underfunding of critical aircraft; delays, obsolescence and vendor disengagement across air and naval platforms; and failure to spend nearly R2 billion ring-fenced for critical fleet refurbishment.

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