Parly wants Treasury to help recruit 20,000 new soldiers, increase defence budget

CAPE TOWN - Parliament has called on Treasury to help in the recruitment of 20,000 new soldiers while calling for a bigger defence budget.

Parliament's defence committees have also warned that the country's defence force risks being in a permanent state of crisis unless it receives urgent funding to turn it around.

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The National Assembly's defence portfolio committee chairperson, Dakota Legoete, and his joint defence counterpart, Malusi Gigaba, briefed the media on Thursday, stressing the need for more resources.

Parliament’s defence committees said that if the defence budget wasn’t increased soon, it would jeopardise the country’s national security.

They've also raised major concerns over the aging defence force, calling for a recruitment drive as part of the rejuvenation.

"We have, as the portfolio committee, directed the executive and administration to ensure that we recruit between now and the next three years at least over 20,000 new soldiers," said Legoete.

Gigaba highlighted that the defence budget was grossly inadequate.

He said the inability to fund the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was not only counterproductive but also undercut the defence industry’s ability to increase production and employing more people.