The Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Thursday adopted the committee’s Defence Review Report that takes the policy a step further towards adoption by Parliament.

The committee viewed this as a “major milestone” towards ensuring the revitalisation of the country’s armed forces. The report would now be tabled for debate in the National Assembly (NA), where, if passed, it would ensure that the decline in the capacity and capability of the Defence Force was arrested.

“It is critical for South Africa to have a viable defence force that is capable of protecting the sovereignty of the country and is also able to contribute significantly to regional and continental requirements. We are of the view that this policy captures these aspirations,” said committee cochairperson Malusi Motimele. 

Further, the committee was cognisant of the many developmental needs that continued to require serious investment from the fiscus. “In consultation with National Treasury, the Department of Defence must give assurances on the affordability of the Defence Review, including total cost estimations of each milestone,” the report found.

It also urged the department to ensure that in drafting action plans to implement the Defence Review, adequate consideration must be made in relation to gender issues. “We are of the view that clear guidelines need to be provided on nondiscrimination in respect of gender as per the prescripts of the Constitution,” Motimele emphasised.