Question NW1052 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

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07 July 2021 - NW1052

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What (a) was the direct and indirect total costs in each year over the past five years relating to Cuban staff employed and/or contracted for Operation Thusano (details furnished) and (b) are the costs related to providing security and/or protection services to Cuban staff; (2) what was the total number of (a) vehicles that were stripped of parts during the specified period and (b) serviceable vehicles that were reassembled and returned for military work; (3) (a) what is the value of the spare parts reintroduced into the vehicle maintenance system, (b) to which (i) military bases and (ii) maintenance depots were the spare parts supplied and (c) what is the cost benefit analysis of the stripped spare parts; (4) whether she has considered selling any of the unused vehicles at Wallmansthal military base, among others, for scrap metal; if so, what would the total monetary value be; (5) what is the (a) real productivity at Wallmansthal military base, seeing that electricity supply is extremely poor and blackouts occur regularly and (b) total cost of running generators at Wallmansthal with regular electricity blackouts?

Reply:

1. (a) The below figures indicate the payment according to the contract and administration per Financial Year

Year

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Total Cost

6,125,800

143,952,671

170,662,596

274,393,655

219,595,670

252,386,010

9,,555,856

(b) The current amount spent over six years on VIP protectors for S & T, accommodation and food is R 2, 683,239.46.

2. (a) A total number of sixty-seven (67) vehicles have been dismantled over the past five years.

(b) Eleven-thousand-six-hundred-and-twenty-three (11 623) vehicles have been repaired.

3. (a) This is a lengthy process and requires more time to effectively determine the value of the re- introduced spares. So far twelve-thousand-six-hundred-and-ninety-one (12 691) spare parts have been re-introduced into the vehicle maintenance system over the period of five years. Spare parts such as starter motors, alternators, brake boosters, differentials and engines are received and repaired, and then returned to the vehicles as part of the repair process. The spare parts from dismantled vehicles are also serviced and taken to the depot. The cost of the spare parts is not yet determined, as the internal capability within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is utilised.

(b) (i) and (ii) The spare parts are supplied to the under-mentioned entities for their repair and return to the vehicles:

  1. DOD Mobilisation Centre, Bloemfontein.
  2. Regional Workshop Gauteng.
  3. 102 Field Workshop, Potchfestroom.
  4. 101 Field Workshop, Postmasburg.
  5. 35 Engineering Support Regiment, Springs.
  6. Army Support Base, Kimberly.
  7. Army Support Base, Cape Town.
  8. Air Defence Artillery School, Ermelo.

(c) The cost of the spare parts repair process has not been determined, as the internal capability within the SANDF is utilised to verify in the system the value of the parts when they are procured, and the current status of the re-introduced parts.

4. No military vehicle has been sold as scrap metal, as the approval for this process to proceed must first be finalised.

5. (a) Wahlmansthal is continuing with maintenance and repairs in their area. Tasks also include the preservation of vehicles. A total of one-hundred-and ninety (190) vehicles have been preserved at Wahlmansthal. The members also dismantled fifteen (15) vehicles.

(b) When there are severe electricity blackouts, a total amount of 4 450 litres of diesel is consumed weekly due to the electricity blackouts at a cost of R8 455.00. The monthly consumption is R33 820. 00. The Department of Defence is engaging ESKOM to upgrade the power supply. ESKOM has commenced with the feasibility study to determine the scope of work and costs for the upgrades.

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