Defence Minister Angie Motshekga responded to questions on the delays experienced in filling key positions within the Defence Department.
Image: Parliament of SA
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has provided a timeline for the Department of Defence to fill its long-vacant positions.
Responding to parliamentary questions from MK Party MP Sipho Mbatha this week, Motshekga explained the delays in filling the positions of Secretary of Defence, CFO, and Chief of Defence Reserves.
However, she did not address the Chief of SANDF post amid reports that incumbent General Rudzani Maphanywa has reached the retirement age of 60.
Motshekga said the recruitment for the post of Secretary of Defence, now occupied in an acting capacity by Thobekile Gamede since December 2022, was advertised, with a closing date of December 6, 2024.
“However, the process of filling this vacancy could not be concluded due to the administrative challenges, and the Minister of Public Service and Administration advised the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to re-advertise the post.”
She said the post was re-advertised with a December 12, 2025, as a closing date.
The memorandum to obtain Cabinet concurrence was submitted to the Public Service and Administration Minister, Mzamo Buthelezi, on February 18.
“It is the intention of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans that the post is filled as soon as Cabinet approval is granted.”
Regarding the CFO post, Motshekga said the shortlisting process did not take place after it emerged that Public Service and Administration needed to re-evaluate the post that was initially advertised with December 6, 2024, as the closing date.
She said the position was advertised on March 13 and will close on April 3, with selection and interviews scheduled before the end of April.
The Cabinet memorandum for the post is expected to be submitted not later than May 29.
Motshekga added that the SANDF was in the process of identifying a suitable candidate for the Chief of Defence Reserves at the rank of a major-general.
“There are already candidates of the names form where the most suitable candidate can be identified. The exact date for the appointment of Chief Defence Reserve will be confirmed after additional names are confirmed,” she said.
The position, now occupied in an acting capacity by retired brigadier-general Zoleka Nyabo, has not been filled since 2021.
Motshekga made no mention of the other “key” position of the Chief of SANDF despite Mbatha asking what justified the extended delays that “several key positions in the Department of Defence have been vacant for an extended period with Maphanywa’s term extended beyond the retirement age”.
She has been under pressure to explain why Maphwanya, who is reportedly 65, was still in office five years beyond the retirement age.
DA MP Chris Hatting said recently staying on beyond that age was not automatic.
“It requires a lawful, formal, and time-bound extension, properly authorised and disclosed to Parliament. That disclosure has not happened,” said Hattingh.
Maphanywa caused a storm last year when he reportedly pledged military and political support for Iran.
He had, during an official visit, held meetings with several high-ranking military officials.
The Iranian newspaper, Tehran Times, quoted Maphanywa as saying the two countries had common goals and always stood alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.
He reportedly took aim at Israel over the continued war in Gaza and pledged support for the Palestinians.
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