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ActionSA strongly objects at attempts from former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to have the Department of Defence and Military Veterans bear the costs of her criminal case for corruption.

Of equal concern from the media statement released by the Department of Defence, is that Major General Eric Mnisi, the Departments Head of Legal Services, acceded to the request for financial assistance without following due process which amounts to a serious violation of executive authority.

Mapisa-Nqakula’s claim that since the alleged crime was committed during her tenure as the Minister of Defence, in some way entitles her to receiving funding in her case, is simply ridiculous, carries no weight and would amount to a serious wastage of taxpayer funds. 

The fish rots from the head and this is nothing new from the ANC regime where even former President Jacob Zuma has sought to have the state pay for his legal battle in the Arms Deal case.

The request for financial assistance from Mapisa-Nqakula comes at a time when the Department of Defence is in dire need of additional cash injection to maintain its assets in this National Treasury-inspired era of budget cuts and austerity. We should be advocating for more funding for our prime mission equipment since the SANDF is increasingly being called upon to perform added duties of maintaining peace on the continent.

Corruption continues to negatively impact service delivery. Corruption diverts much needed resources meant for public services into the hands of corrupt government officials and their contractors. 

ActionSA calls for a thorough investigation into this scandalous affair and for Major General Eric Mnisi to be suspended pending the outcome of the probe. We must spare the taxpayers who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Issued by ActionSA FixSA Member for Defence Mohammed Rafeek Shah