SA Navy Chief warns underfunding is compromising maritime security

Navy Chief Admiral Monde Lobese has again sounded the alarm over the underfunding and incapacitation of the navy and the rest of the army. 

Lobese says maritime security is at risk, citing a shortage of resources. 

This is not the first time the navy chief has given a frank and candid assessment of the SA Navy after addressing parliament’s joint standing committee of defence earlier this year. 

Government has been under pressure for some time now to increase defence spending from 0.8% to 1.5% of GDP.

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Lobese repeated the warning about murky waters while speaking at the SA Navy gala concert in Pretoria over the weekend. 

"All I'm putting to you this evening is that we cannot continue to be silent observers while our country is being taken to the dogs. We need to advocate for a stronger, well-resourced defence force, we need to think about what is at stake for not having the navy present at sea."

Lobese said budget constraints have weakened the country's national security, including the maritime borders, which he says are at risk. 

"As you lock your gates and doors in preparation to go to bed, ask yourself, Is our sea safe?"