Holomisa reveals the impact of R63 billion budget cuts on defence force capabilities

Deputy Minister for Defence Bantu Holomisa addressed critical concerns raised by Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, the Chief of the South African Navy, regarding the navy's status and defence capabilities.

Holomisa, responding to questions posed by ANC MP Dakota Legoete in the National Assembly, confirmed that various governance structures have been established to ensure the effective management and expression of these concerns.

Holomisa mentioned the Military Command, the Military Command Council and the Secretariat Council and Defence Staff Council.

“These are bodies which bring together senior leadership of the National Defence Force. Recently, the department has reiterated to all services and divisions the importance of utilising these platforms fully, both to maintain institutional integrity and also to ensure that funding and state of readiness of our defence force is attended to,” he said in response.

EFF MP Carl Niehaus asked why Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, instead of meaningfully engaging with the very serious concerns and frustration raised by Lobese, had chosen to threaten him with disciplinary action.

In his response, Holomisa said Motshekga has already started the process to consult on the issue of disciplinary action against the navy boss.

He said the disciplining of Lobese depended on Motshekga and the commander-in-chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“Until such time that they had engaged him, we will not be in a position to respond to your question, because now if I attempt to address that question, it will be like I am basing my answer on high level gossip.”

However, Holomisa said there were certain issues Lobese raised that had also been highlighted previously by the department.

“We cannot deny that some of the issues, if not all, which have been raised by the Chief of Navy, have reached this institution for many years.”

Holomisa mentioned the issue of underfunding of the defence, saying in 1998, a decision was taken by Parliament to no longer invest in military security but more on social security.

“As a result of that, the Department of Defence suffered a lot.”

He also said Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana recently stated that the National Treasury had not funded the defence force because they have had to bail out state-owned enterprises.

“There are issues we need to swallow our pride at some stage and decide what we want to have in this country when it comes to security related matters, and I hope that the State Security Council, or those who sit in the State Security Council, does discuss the security threat analysis.”

Earlier, Holomisa said the steps to address the challenges of the South African Navy and the broader defence force did not begin recently, but were initiated well before the approval of 2015 Defence Review.

The document was thoroughly consulted across the Department of Defence, the executive, and both Houses of Parliament.

Holomisa said the department has suffered cumulative inflation-related cuts amounting to R63 billion since the 2017 financial year, which has significantly constrained its ability to modernise and sustain its capabilities.

“Despite this constraint, the department has consistently engaged with the National Treasury, the Standing Committee on Appropriations, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans to secure support for rejuvenating prime mission equipment and modernising the force.”

He said that during the previous Medium Term Expenditure Framework period, the National Treasury began providing targeted support for critical capabilities, including R700 million for mobility packages and technology enhancement along borderline and R1 billion allocated to extend the life cycle of two medium transport aircrafts.

“The department is currently engaging the National Treasury on funding for the Journey to Greatness, which is a 30-year strategic document designed to restore and rebuild the defence force.

“As part of this engagement, we have submitted areas requiring urgent interventions, all of which now form part of the ongoing discussions between officials of the Department of Defence and Treasury, as directed by both executives.”

He also said the National Treasury was assisting with the personnel rejuvenation measures.

“This support is intended to strengthen the defence force’s training pipeline and ensure the development of a younger, fitter, and mission ready cohort of soldiers within the medium-term defence programme.

“The National Treasury and the Department of Defence provided a joint presentation to the Portfolio Committee Defence and Military Veterans on these matters, which reflect a shared commitment to stabilising and strengthening the SANDF, including the Navy,” added Holomisa.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za