Department of Defence Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report

Meeting report

Department of Defence Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR)
The Chairperson asked Members to focus on the recommendations in the BRRR seeing that they have received the document before the meeting.

Mr S Marais (DA) informed the Committee of the additions he proposed in the report.  First, he proposed the Department should prioritise the development of exit mechanisms in consultation with National Treasury and Department of Public Service and Administration. Second, he stated the Committee is encouraging the Department to urgently address the situation at the Dockyard because the delays are impacting negatively on the operational capabilities of the SA Navy. Third, the Committee requires the Department to submit a comprehensive report on how it proposes the Department and SANDF to be repositioned and expenditures be prioritised. Fourth, he recommended the Department to outline its challenges with the Border Management Authority to the Committee since the Bill is currently being finalised by the NCOP. Fifth, he requested the Department to submit a comprehensive report on how the airlift capability challenges in the SAAF could be fully dealt with.

Mr D Gamede (ANC) proposed that the Department should not be involved in the review process. The Committee should instead state the challenges facing the Department because the whole thing is about the budget review to assist the Department in prioritising expenditure.

Ms B Dambuza (ANC) suggested the Minister should also facilitate a meeting with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to resolve outstanding matters because it was clear during the Silvermine oversight that maintenance is the responsibility of the DPW, and there is a lack of cooperation between the Department and DPW.

Adoption of the BRRR

Mr Marais moved for the adoption of the report.

Mr Gamede seconded the move.

The report was adopted with amendments.

Adoption of 29 November 2017 Minutes

The Chairperson took the Members through the document, page by page.

Mr Gamede moved for the adoption of the minutes.

Mr S Esau (DA) seconded the move.

The minutes were adopted without amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.