Midterm Strategic Review of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF); Committee Programme; with Deputy Minister

Meeting report

Consideration of FourthTerm Programme
The Chairperson presented the Draft Programme to the Committee. The Chairperson said that the meeting proposed for 20 October looks at border control, and he is unsure whether it includes the sealine. He raised the concern in the context of marine surveillance per annum, and said that the Committee has not looked at this yet.

Mr S Marais (DA) said that the Committee needs to look at the border management authority because they need to be present at the harboured official points of entry. The meeting should be all-inclusive of maritime orders and safeguarding. He asked: since it is a closed-session meeting, and given the information in various press and media articles, is it possible to get feedback on deployments, especially during COVID-19? He asked if information could be provided on challenges faced, new logistical issues and new developments during COVID-19.

The Chairperson said that he is unsure whether it is appropriate to discuss the matter.

Mr Marais emphasised that the topic falls within the oversight scope of the Committee, and it is also partly why the Committee visited DRC to do an oversight visit. This is not for an open meeting; it is for a closed meeting because it seems as if there are underlying challenges.

Co-Chairperson Nchabeleng asked whether it is possible to receive reports on deployment in Mozambique, Congo and other places in order to understand the morale of the soldiers.

Mr D Ryder (DA, Gauteng) said that the Department needs to tell the Committee exactly what the Committee requires. The Committee needs to know what is happening with troops in other countries. He said that the NCOP has a full programme over the next two months, and suggested that the Committee seek assistance from other committees to prioritise the defence team. He also enquired whether the Committee would receive an update from the Navy.

Mr Marias said that, during meetings, entities such as Milkor and others indicated challenges with export permits. The AMD will provide a presentation but focus on the least lethal products only. The bigger products are in the scope of bigger entities. He suggested that the Committee should invite bigger entities to provide a presentation. Inviting these entities would assist the Committee in understanding more lethal products, and would give ease of access to markets. He said that the AMD is not properly represented and is experiencing challenges. It might give the impression that the Committee is not doing its work.

The Chairperson said that no correspondence was received from them. He cautioned the Committee from engaging with these entities individually. It is an industry where an arms-length relationship is required for the sake of the reputation of the Committee.

Mr Marais asked whether it is possible to visit Pretoria and engage with issues the AMD is facing with category A and B products in export permits. 

The Chairperson said that, despite relations that Mr Marais has with the entities, he is trying to protect the Committee and its reputation.

Co-Chairperson Nchabeleng said there are many competing interests in the industry, particularly for black people, and therefore agrees with the Chairperson.

The Chairperson said that there are many role players too in that industry, which makes it difficult to enter, as it may seem that the Committee is leaning towards a certain side, unless a multiplicity of entities is invited.

Mr Marais said that, as part of his oversight responsibility, he engages with different companies and only raises issues where it is valid or justified.

The Chairperson said that Mr Marais is free to raise any issue at any time. People are also free to write to the Committee individually, and the Committee will refer them to the responsible bodies.

Mr Marais asked whether the Committee could consider visiting the DRC and Mozambique next year to check on soldiers.

The Chairperson confirmed that the Committee would consider it.

The programme was adopted.

Draft Report on Mid-Term Strategic Review of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
Dr Wilhelm Janse van Rensburg, Defence Researcher for Parliament, delivered the presentation on the Mid-Term Strategic Review of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The Committee was concerned about a recommendation mentioned in the report, which referred to the integration process. The Committee was concerned that the recommendation is irrelevant because integration took place long ago.

Dr Janse van Rensberg said that the integration process had been terminated, and including this recommendation in the report was merely to show the legacy of the Committee. But he was happy to amend it and take it out.

The Committee agreed that the SANDF has to be rejuvenated to represent South Africa more. The Chairperson asked the Deputy Minister to explain how the MSDS is conceptualised to assist the SANDF in being rejuvenated.

Mr Thabang Makwetla, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, said that the statistics represented had not changed much. An important aspect of the composition of the SANDF is racial representation, which needs to be prioritised. He said that he agreed that the recommendation should be expelled.

Mr Marais said that there was increased reliance on the Defence Force, beyond what was budgeted for. He asked whether a section for unbudgeted and unprovided forces could be added to the report. 

The Chairperson said that the Committee should wait for the report on the budget used for deployment, before including the suggestion.

The Committee decided to request the DoD to provide information on funding of ordered commitments. Further minor changes were made to the observations and recommendations sections in the report.

Mr Ryder said that the document was not named appropriately. He said that the DoD’s organisational structure is currently underfunded, and there is a disjuncture between Treasury and the Department. He suggested that the Department and Treasury sit together to address this issue.

The Committee did not adopt the report due to the changes required and agreed upon by the Committee.

Draft Report of the Joint Standing Committee of 2022 African Aerospace and Defence Expo
Dr Janse van Rensberg presented the draft report of the Joint Standing Committee of the 2022 African Aerospace and Defence Expo.

Mr Ryder said that the report was good and asked how the OTT could be involved in the future.

Mr Marais asked why the visit to the Delta Trolley Delta is not included in the report. Was that not an official visit or was it an oversight? He said the various sites were explored to facilitate engagement between the military and suppliers. Top-class equipment is used, and these sites are struggling to get an ear. He said the Committee should engage more with what is available, as seen from the visits, to avoid being stuck in a closed-off space.
 
The Chairperson agreed that more engagement was necessary for the SANDF to understand the technology available out there. He asked Dr Janse van Rensberg whether Armscor needs to be involved to effect the exposure to the technology.

Dr Janse van Rensberg said that the Department of Defence usually identifies areas requiring specific technology and then would approach Armscor to fill the gap for them. It is a two-way street. The Defence Force needs to find out what is available. He suggested that a document be drafted to request the DoD engage more with the Defence Force and continuously familiarise itself with domestically produced defence equipment.

Mr T Motumi, Special Advisor, Defence and Military Veterans, said that with every project – even when run by Armscor – there normally are task teams dedicated to the project. The end user, specifically the Defence Force, is very engaged in this process from the beginning to the finalisation stage.

The report was adopted.

Committee Minutes
The Committee then considered meeting minutes from 08 September 2022. The minutes were adopted with minor changes to be made.

The Committee also considered minutes from 15 September 2022. The minutes were adopted, with minor changes to the observations and reservations to be made.

The Chairperson thanked everyone for attending and participating in the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.