Parliament’s defence committees warn defence force risks being in permanent 'state of crisis'
The joint committee on defence spokesperson, Malusi Gigaba, says the SANDF won’t be able to defend the country’s sovereignty if the funding challenges aren’t addressed.
Defence portfolio committee chairperson Dakota Legoete addresses security cluster briefing in parliament. Picture: Phandu Jikelo/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s defence committees have warned that the country’s defence force risks being in a permanent “state of crisis” unless it’s turned around urgently.
National Assembly defence portfolio committee chairperson, Dakota Legoeote, and his joint defence committee counterpart, Malusi Gigaba, say that if the defence budget isn’t increased, it will jeopardise the country’s sovereignty and national security.
Gigaba and Legoete were addressing a peace and security cluster briefing in Parliament on Thursday, focusing mostly on the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)'s decline and shrinking budget.
The joint committee on defence spokesperson, Malusi Gigaba, says the SANDF won’t be able to defend the country’s sovereignty if the funding challenges aren’t addressed.
He noted how the budget increased only slightly, saying the defence budget should ideally make up at least 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Gigaba says Denel’s turnaround must be central in rebuilding the force.
"Denel remains a shadow of its former self and interventions by government to stabilise the entity must start to show results to prevent a permanent state of crisis that paralyses the entire defence industry."
SANDF NEEDS YOUNG MEMBERS
Legoete said members of the defence force are also ageing.
"As long as we have an older force, we run the risk of losing our capability in case of emergency or attack.
“So far, we have realised that our defence force is ageing. Most of our soldiers, the average age of most of our corporals is 45 and means they are left with 15 years in force.”
He said there’s a need for younger members: “The other thing it’s expensive to retain an older force because you spend more time and money to ensure they get proper medical help.”
The National Treasury must assist in the recruitment of 20,000 new recruits over the next three years, he added.
The committees will continue lobbying the National Treasury and the executive to consider increasing the defence budget allocation to meet international benchmarks.
“It’s a major issue of concern for us because since 1996 we have seen the defence budget growing gradually from over 2% of GDP to 0.7% as it stands right now,” said Gigaba.