Question NW327 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
22 March 2022 - NW327
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: (1) Given that she and the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, authorised the employment of 10 000 soldiers under Operation Prosper until 13 September 2021, what are the (a) reasons that there were soldiers still deployed in KwaZulu-Natal under Operation Prosper on 27 September 2021 when the unfortunate accident happened, while no further employment authorisation was granted and (b) costs related to the unauthorised extension (2) whether she has found that the costs of the unauthorised extension will not be considered by the Auditor-General as unauthorised and wasteful expenditure that meets the standard of an audit qualification; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) There were no deployment of the SANDF soldiers in KwaZulu-Natal beyond the 13 September 2021. The incident of the 27 September 2021 was not related to the deployment of SANDF soldiers previously authorised.
(2) No extension or unauthorized extension of deployment was ever granted or issued for the SANDF under Operation PROSPER beyond the 13 September 2021, in KwaZulu-Natal.