Where is the crucial second MOU between South Africa and the CAR?
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, does not seem to be able to produce the second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between South Africa and the Central African Republic (CAR), despite confirming that it is a public document.
The minister clearly stated at the joint standing committee on defence meeting, which took place on 02 April 2013 that the defence force was deployed in terms of a MOU between South Africa and the CAR, signed in December 2012.
The minister also clearly stated at the meeting that the MOU was a public document.
However, despite numerous queries from myself, the minister does not seem to be able to produce the December 2012 MOU between South Africa and the CAR.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation do not have a copy of the MOU.
And it seems the Department of Defence and Military Veterans also do not have a copy of the MOU.
There is also no mention of the MOU in the very detailed Defence Secretariat Third Quarterly Performance Report on Performance Against Plan for FY2012/13 over the Period 01 October 2012 to 31 December 2012, which was approved by Dr Sam Gulube, the Secretary of Defence, on 13 February 2013.
The report outlines thirteen "significant achievements" of the Defence International Affairs Division. The significant achievements include, among others, the following:
- Facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South African and Uganda on 09 November 2012;
- Participating in the South Africa/Namibia Joint Permanent Commission between 17 and 19 October 2012;
- Participating in the South Africa/DRC Bi-National Commission between 20 and 23 October 2012; and
- Participating in the South Africa/Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission between 21 and 23 October 2012.
However, there is absolutely no mention of the December 2012 MOU between South Africa and the CAR. In fact, there is no mention of the CAR at all in the report.
How is it possible that the signing of a MOU, which would eventually lead to the deployment of more than 200 soldiers, was not included in the report signed by the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, himself?
One could be forgiven for beginning to wonder whether the December 2012 MOU between South Africa and the CAR really exists.
The SANDF was supposedly deployed in terms of the December 2012 MOU between South Africa and the CAR. That is why it is imperative that the minister urgently makes a copy of the MOU public.
I will, therefore, once again be in contact with the defence ministry to request a copy of the MOU between South Africa and the CAR, signed in December 2012.
Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, April 16 2013
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