Political parties bemoan delays in getting Defence Minister to brief them on SA troops killed in DRC
The DA and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were outraged on Wednesday after a meeting of Parliament’s defence committee was cancelled at short notice.
FILE: Former Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. Picture: GCIS via Flickr
CAPE TOWN - Political parties in Parliament are bemoaning delays in getting Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to brief them on the situation of South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rise Mzansi says the president’s statement has done little to allay fears that the troops stationed there are adequately taken care of.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) meanwhile says it’s in poor taste for festivities to continue as part of Air Force Week and it also wants Armed Forces Day next month to be called off.
The DA and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were outraged on Wednesday after a meeting of Parliament’s defence committee was cancelled at short notice.
They’ve accused chairperson Dakota Legoete of being dictated to by the minister who is expected to only appear before the committee next week.
The DA’s Chris Hattingh says members of Parliament have a myriad of questions.
“Our wounded personnel, where are they and what’s their conditions? Families are asking us and we can’t give answers and nothing is forthcoming from the department. Also how will the bodies be retrieved and we have had some shocking reports about the state of the bodies.”
Meanwhile, Rise Mzansi spokesperson Mabine Seabe says his party wants the minister to provide a full briefing on the status of the DRC peacekeeping mission and the welfare of the country’s soldiers.
“The Department of Defence has been beset by significant governance and leadership problems for years, with successive ministers of defence seemingly unable to reverse the culture of unaccountability, incompetence, and corruption.”
On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the families of the 13 deceased soldiers were receiving the necessary support, and the repatriation of their remains, is underway.