DA calls for full and open briefing on state of combat readiness of SANDF

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, to provide a full and open briefing on the state of combat readiness of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

More than a week ago, the Acting Secretary of Defence, Tsepe Motumi, indicated at a portfolio committee on defence and military veterans meeting that the DoD had a ready-to-go briefing on the state of combat readiness of the SANDF. Mr Motumi, however, informed the committee that the briefing would have to be conducted in a closed session.

The DA, however, strongly objected to a closed briefing on the state of combat readiness on the SANDF. The constitution requires that parliament conduct its business in an open and transparent manner, and the public has a right to know how and to what effect billions of rands are being spent on the SANDF.

At the request of the DA, Nyami Booi, chairperson of the portfolio committee, then wrote to the minister on Wednesday 17 June, requesting:

• a briefing on the state of combat readiness of the SANDF on Tuesday 24 June 2009; and
• reasons why such a briefing should be conducted in closed session.

However, the ministry failed to respond.

One can only conclude that the minister is trying to cover up the poor state of combat readiness of the SANDF.

The defence and military veterans budget vote has been postponed for a week until Friday 3 July. There is now more than enough time for the minister to brief the committee, and the DA therefore calls on the minister to provide a full and open briefing on the SANDF's state of combat readiness before the parliamentary budget debate on Friday.

It will be impossible to evaluate the effect of this financial year's R32 billion budget on the effectiveness of the defence force unless the portfolio committee is provided with a full and open briefing on this matter.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence, June 28 2009

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