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Today’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (DMV) made one thing clear: without urgent intervention, South Africa will be defenceless. The DA therefore urgently calls for a new comprehensive review of our military. Additionally, we must reject further bailouts to Denel which has now received 8 consecutive disclaimer opinions and work towards building a more sustainable, transparent, and capable defence force.

Despite receiving an annual budget of R51.8 billion, 60% of this is consumed by salaries. Shockingly, this does not primarily benefit our soldiers but instead goes to high-ranking officials. Meanwhile, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) lacks the funding for 62% of its critical commitments, such as the ongoing deployment in the DRC.

The Department of Defence (DoD) has mismanaged its resources, as evidenced by R3.4 billion in unauthorised expenditure. This money, earmarked by Parliament for important programmes, was used to fund the Department’s bloated cost of employees. In addition, the DoD incurred R338 million in irregular expenditure, contributing to a pattern of financial mismanagement.

The Auditor General’s qualified audit of the DoD further reflects their inability to maintain accurate financial records. Equally concerning is the state of Denel, a key defence entity, which has received disclaimer audits – the worst possible outcome – since 2019/20. Treasury has expressed that they cannot both fund SANDF’s growing needs and trust the department’s financial management practices.

Since 2008, R520 billion has been spent on bailouts, yet our defence capabilities remain hollow. Our national debt service costs (R356 billion this year) nearly match the combined annual budgets of police and health (R384 billion). Additional scandals, such as R100 million spent per year for full medical cover for the President, Deputy Presidents and former incumbents also including the Minister of Defence and R2 billion wasted on Project Thusano, where SANDF pays Cuba for medical students, highlight a pattern of waste.

Furthermore, the Department’s inability to maintain a secure, functional database for pension payments to veterans is inexcusable. The Auditor General could not even audit the system, as it is currently unworkable.

Given these failings, immediate action is needed or else our nation will be left defenceless.

Issued by Chris Hattingh MP - DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans