Minister Motshekga must explain Defence Force priorities

23 September 2024

The DA has written to the Chairperson of the Select Committee to request that Minister Angie Motshekga, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) bosses be called to explain the Air Force’s priorities as soon as the National Council of Provinces resumes its work in the fourth term. This will also give the Select Committee an opportunity to engage the Minister and the SANDF on the report that was due last week.

Whilst the DA eagerly awaits a report from Minister Motshekga to dismiss its claim that SANDF is in crisis, which was due on Wednesday last week, it has emerged that the Air Force used its limited resources to acquire two Audi Q7s at the cost of R3 million for use by Lieutenant General Mbambo, the Air Force Chief. This was despite an objection by the Defence Secretariat.

During a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces earlier this month, the DA’s Nicholas Gotsell put it to Minister Motshekga that the Force is in crisis as it is unable to discern its real priorities in order to achieve its strategic objectives.

Referencing Landie Africa-Coetzee and her 10-year-old daughter, who burnt to death in a dilapidated SANDF house, Gotsell told Motshekga that her Department prioritised Superman-themed bedrooms for the children of Army Generals, who earn close to R2 million per year, over the wellbeing and resourcing of its troops, as well as maintaining the Air Force and Navy’s capabilities to protect South Africa’s borders. Motshekga denied this and undertook to respond in writing.

Another recent apparent priority for the Air Force was the participation of its band in a Music Festival in Russia. The week-long international festival, which took place at the end of August, cost the taxpayer R15 million.

The inability of SANDF to prioritise the protection of the country’s borders over unnecessary, luxury expenditure further fuels the DA’s claim that SANDF is in crisis.

Issued by Nicholas Gotsell, DA Member on the Select Committee on Security and Justice, 23 September 2024