The new Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans regards the proper funding of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a matter of the “utmost urgency”, it has stated. “The Committee remains deeply concerned that the deployment of the SANDF, specifically its deployment as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains unfunded.”

The Committee, in its report, showed that the underfunding and limited logistical support continued to put the lives of SANDF members at risk. “The Committee has identified several critical areas that need immediate attention and that effective collaboration is essential to address funding and operational requirements.”

To this end, the Committee proposed engagements between the Department of Defence (DoD) and the National Treasury. Further, it proposed engagements between itself and other parliamentary committees, including the Joint Standing Committee on Finance.

The Committee has noted the position of the National Treasury, which has affirmed that it could not condone irregular expenditures which had a cumulative total greater than R10-billion, until the DoD cut its personnel costs to “acceptable levels”. This issue of personnel costs would be further addressed by the Committee, during this new Parliament.

“The newly elected chairperson of the Committee, Mr Dakota Legoete, stressed the importance of clear communication between the DoD and the Committee regarding national interest versus costs and expenditures,” highlighted the Committee, in its statement. “He said that the Committee must be fully informed to ensure proper oversight and decision-making. The Committee is committed to collaborating closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the financial and operational stability of the DoD and its associated entities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and readiness of the SANDF to fulfil its constitutional mandate.”