Hansard: EPC: Debate on Vote No 22 – Defence and Military Veterans
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 23 Jul 2014
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
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WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2014
PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
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Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 10:01.
House Chairperson Ms M G Boroto, as Chairperson, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
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APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 22 – Defence and Military Veterans:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! We heartily welcome you, hon members, staff from the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and all the guests in the House. Before you start, Minister, let me just say a few things to the members of the public. The Rules of Parliament do not allow you to take photographs in this House. Please observe the processes of this House. Thank you.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Chairperson, I greet Deputy Minister Maphatsoe, the chairperson and members of the portfolio committee, members of the Extended Public Committee, the Secretary of Defence and senior managers of the Department of Defence, the Chief of the SA National Defence Force, members of the Military Command Council, our Military Ombudsman, General Matanzima, who is retired, senior managers of the Department of Military Veterans, distinguished guests, our members who are joining us through the live feed from our bases ...
IsiXhosa:
...ndiyabulisa kootata nakoomama ...
English:
... and our veterans who are here this morning - thank you for coming to support us. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all on the occasion of the presentation of our budget to the Extended Public Committee of the National Assembly. Allow me to introduce our new Deputy Minister, the hon E R K Maphatsoe, who has joined our team in the Ministry in this new term of the administration. I also want to welcome both the returning and the new members of the portfolio committee and those who will serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
Allow me to recognise various stakeholders and guests, among them the stalwarts and veterans of our armed forces, including members of the Luthuli Detachment and the first High Command of uMkhonto weSizwe, members of communities and representatives of the defence industry.
Let me start by inviting us all to once more give thought to the plight of the people of Gaza in Palestine, who are currently caught up in a campaign of military aggression by the Israeli government. We support the initiative of the President of the Republic of South Africa as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to send a special envoy to Palestine and Gaza.
Today we convene to participate in the debate on the Budget Vote of both the departments of Defence and of Military Veterans. This specific debate is singularly the most important one in a long time, considering that it coincides with the tabling of the 2014 Defence Review for finalisation by Parliament and follows a few months after we gazetted the Military Veterans regulations. The finalisation of these two processes constitutes an important part of the strategic basis of our work for the next five years and our planning processes for the entire Medium-Term Strategic Framework.
Twenty years since the birth of the SANDF as a single, united national asset, the country is engaged in a useful but long overdue public discourse about the mandate and scope, the design and the resourcing of the Defence Force, going into the future. This discourse, based on the 2014 Defence Review, is finally here in Parliament and, accordingly, must constitute a significant part of the Budget debate today.
It is important for me to outline the basic focus of the debate from the outset, so that the expectations of both Parliament and the South African people are aligned to our thinking about what this debate should achieve. While there are many current topical issues and ongoing programmes in the Defence environment, our work in this financial year has to be subject to the implementation programme of the Defence Review, once finalised by Parliament. We do hope, therefore, that given its centrality to our planning, Parliament will treat the finalisation of the review as a matter of critical urgency.
Hon members will recall that in adopting the current Defence Review for tabling in Parliament, Cabinet directed that:
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans ensures that the military strategy, force structure, force design, capability, acquisition plans and funding trajectory are translated into a long-term defence development programme which is aligned and integrated into government's planning cycle.
This task constitutes the broad programmatic thrust of the Ministry and its two departments. In the meantime, the Ministry has created a full-time capacity to develop a methodology for the implementation of the Defence Review, once finalised by Parliament. We are looking at a Defence development programme spanning 20 years, divided into four MTSF periods of five years each. The first one is the current MTSF period, from the 2014-15 to 2018-19 financial years. The next five-year strategic programme of the Ministry shall be based in the main on those aspects of the Defence Review for the first MTSF period.
The strategic intent of the Ministry in the next five years will be built into the planning cycle of government and shall be aligned to support the National Development Plan, the New Growth Path and the Industrial Policy Action Plan. In addition, it is also going to be important that the implementation of the Defence Review takes into consideration the tasks and commitments for Defence arising from the new national security strategy.
At the cluster level, the Department of Defence should be positioned to support the objectives of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security, JCPS, cluster, based on Outcome 3 of the MTSF and Vision 2030. In order to realise the vision, the cluster is committed to reducing levels of contact crime; ensuring an efficient and effective criminal justice system; ensuring that our borders are effectively defended, protected, secured and well managed; securing cyberspace; ensuring domestic stability; and securing the identity of all South Africans.
The introduction of this long-term planning brings greater coherence and continuity to our planning system and towards the achievement of the vision and goals of our country. The question crucially posed by the review is: What is it that we want the Defence Force to do at home, in the region and on the rest of the continent? Once that question is definitively answered, adequate resources must be allocated to enable the Department of Defence to execute its mandate with the requisite effectiveness and efficiency.
Despite the constraints mentioned above, the Defence Force has performed admirably well. This was acknowledged by the Commander-in-Chief President Jacob Zuma, when we marked Armed Forces Day on 21 February this year. As we celebrate our 20 years of democracy and of the creation of the SANDF, we salute our men and women in uniform for a job well done at home and on the rest of the continent. [Applause.] However, as we look forward to the next 20 years, we must take all measures to ensure that the Defence Force is not handicapped in any way in the execution of its mandate.
The current Defence Review report makes recommendations on the assumption that the military will continue to have four main responsibilities: Firstly, to defend and protect South Africa; secondly, to safeguard its borders and infrastructure; thirdly, to promote peace and security on the continent; and fourthly, to perform the developmental and other tasks assigned to it.
On the basis of this assumption, the review recommends that we strive to achieve five key milestones, which are: Firstly, to arrest the decline of the Defence Force; secondly, to rebalance the force by reprioritising; thirdly, to ensure that capacity meets current needs; fourthly, to develop capacity to meet future challenges; and finally, to build, strengthen and deal with a limited war should the need arise.
These milestones, if accepted by Parliament, will have to be implemented within set timeframes that coincide with the government's planning cycle. Over the next five years, as part of the first milestone, the Ministry will focus on the following strategic areas: firstly, ensuring strategic leadership and succession planning for the Defence programme over the next 20 years; secondly, developing the funding mechanism and ensuring adequate resourcing of the Defence function; thirdly, directing the renewal of Defence personnel to ensure that the personnel profile is able to meet future defence obligations; fourthly, directing the renewal of the Defence organisation to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness; fifthly, reviewing the Defence's capability strategy and direct defence acquisition in line with the four milestones of the Defence Review; and finally, directing the development of the Defence industry's strategy, the technology agenda and innovation plans, in support of Defence's development programme, as well as the integration of the Defence industry into mainstream industrial policies.
Many aspects of the above can be pursued in the short term without additional funding, which will have a downstream benefit for the implementation of the Defence Review. It is important that the Defence Review should not be premised simply on the need for more money for the SANDF. While this is important, the Department of Defence has a responsibility to prepare its ground for implementation and to ensure that it improves its processes to work smarter, eliminate wastage, improve accountability and redeploy current resources.
Without pre-empting the outcome of the parliamentary process, the Ministry will ensure that during this financial year, both the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF lay down the necessary groundwork towards the attainment of immediate milestones in line with the performance agreement to be signed with the President. The development of these long-term plans does not mean that the department will no longer continue to function in terms of its current obligations and immediate plans. However, these will need to be reprioritised and aligned to the long-term goals over the next five years.
The Ministry is engaging the National Treasury on the implications of these planning imperatives for the normal cycle of budget allocations, in particular the submissions for adjustment estimates, which should be completed by the end of this month. It is important that the adjustment to the budget baseline of the department is not done outside the consideration of those elements of the long-term plan that should be implemented during this financial year, as dictated by the outcome of the parliamentary process.
As the Minister, I will provide a comprehensive directive that formally sets out the key performance areas of the Ministry, the Defence Secretariat and the Defence Force for the next five years and the forthcoming MTSF periods. In the immediate future, the Ministry will establish the mechanisms to provide strategic direction to the implementation of the Defence Review. This will include the establishment of the project governance structures and methodology. The implementation plan for the review plans will be presented to the directors-general of the JCPS cluster, the JCPS Cabinet committee and Cabinet, when appropriate to do so.
We will be engaging with the National Treasury on a continuous basis regarding our "business unusual" planning trajectory. Furthermore, as our plans become clearer and more defined, we will engage with the technical evaluation committee and the ministerial committee on the budget concerning the funding of identified interventions in our "business unusual" planning.
Even as we plan for the Defence Review implementation, the SANDF and the Department of Defence's function is overextended by a host of events nationally, regionally, continent-wide and internationally. Central to these complex activities is the management of intrastate conflicts on the African continent. The SANDF will still need to continue with its current operational plans in support of our international obligations and our foreign policy objectives. As stated by the President in his state of the nation address:
South Africa will continue to support regional and continental processes to respond to and resolve crises, promote peace and security, strengthen regional integration, significantly increase intra-African trade and champion development in Africa. This role will continue and government is looking into the resourcing of the SANDF mandate in line with the recently concluded Defence Review.
What, then, are our challenges? The Defence Review recognises and states unambiguously that the SANDF is in a state of decline, characterised by force imbalances between capabilities, ageing technology and the unaffordability of many of its main operating systems. We do not have a choice but to respond with urgency to put plans in place to arrest this decline within the current five years, starting immediately, in this financial year. On average, five years is the length of time it will take us to develop a limited and sustainable defence capability. The longer the neglect is perpetuated, the greater the effort, time and cost it will take to arrest the decline.
Although the SANDF is still able to maintain an operational presence, the decline will get worse if we do not start now. Our mandate over the next five years is to act fast to restore the minimum capabilities required to safeguard the Republic of South Africa; to protect its maritime resources and trade routes; and to conduct peace missions and humanitarian interventions.
Hon members, as you would know, the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo deteriorated to low levels because of various negative forces, including M23, resulting in the deployment of the first ever Force Intervention Brigade, FIB. A force went in and made a difference when M23 was eliminated. In this regard, South Africa should celebrate the role of its own locally developed Rooivalk helicopter, which was instrumental in the overall success of the FIB. [Applause.]
Since the success of the FIB, we have seen more negative forces coming forward to lay down their arms and show their commitment to participating in the reconstruction process. The FIB has been extended for another year, until June 2015, and it will allow a Southern African Development Community presence in the process of demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration. As South Africa, we have committed ourselves to the postconflict reconstruction and development process in that country.
Of course, South African soldiers are also deployed in Sudan as part of the UN Mission in Darfur, Unamid, and they are doing well despite the harsh conditions in which they find themselves. The SANDF has been committed for another year, from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.
The continued instability oin the continent as a result of intrastate conflicts has been a cause for concern. The absence of a fully established African standby force led to a decision by African leaders to establish the African Capacity to Respond to Immediate Crisis, Aciric. This is an interim capability that allows the continent to take direct charge in dealing with its challenges. Preparations for combat readiness are going ahead. Of course, we are one of 10 countries in the African Union that volunteered to be part of this initiative.
However, I have indicated to the SANDF the necessity of proper preparation for any future deployments. Given some of the lessons of our previous deployments, I also think it is high time that we put great emphasis on counterinsurgency training in response to the realities of the environments to which we are deployed on the continent. Training limited to conventional warfare is no longer sufficient as we increasingly have to deal with bandit activity in various parts of the continent.
The capacity of the SANDF to continue to secure our borders will need to be enhanced during this current MTSF period. The SANDF is doing all it can to address, support and sustain requirements for air and maritime components, as well as an interdepartmental approach to fix the eroded infrastructure.
After the adoption of the SADC Maritime Security Strategy, South Africa has participated in securing our waters, including the deployment along the Mozambican Channel. The operation has succeeded in deterring maritime crimes and protected our maritime resources and trade routes. A tripartite memorandum of understanding ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Hon Minister, you have two minutes left.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: ... has been signed by Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa. We established an education trust in October 2013 to assist dependants of members who died in combat with bursaries. I want to make a plea to all who are here, particularly business people, to contribute to this good initiative. I am happy to announce that the Defence Force Service Commission has been appointed and that the commission is doing its best, in the first instance, to develop a policy that will provide compensation for families of all those who die in combat.
We have established a ministerial medical task team to conduct an investigation into some of the challenges we have in our medical facilities after the resignation of approximately 36 doctors. That team was given six weeks, which ended at the end of March. We have been given a report and the SA Medical Association has been directed by the Chief of the SANDF to sort out the mess and to begin conducting an audit so that we can identify all the doctors who are owed commuted overtime so that we can retain them in our facilities.
Chairperson, I wish to take some time now from my five minutes at the end of the debate. Do you agree to that, hon members? [Interjections.] This medical task team was chaired by one of the best brains in this country, Prof Makgoba. I take my hat off to the team for doing a sterling job. Well done! [Applause.] I am sure you are aware that we have established what is called a Defence Works and Facility Improvement Formation. This is because of the many challenges that have been identified by the committee itself. The state of our facilities is not good and we have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that we renovate our facilities without undermining the mandate of the Department of Public Works, but rather to forge a partnership with them to do this work.
Currently, a need has been identified for the simultaneous recruitment of younger soldiers, career management, succession planning and an exit management system. So, there is a whole repositioning of the human resource function of the Defence Force to respond to the Defence Review's implementation imperatives. Without that, we will not be able to implement this piece of work, which has been so well and efficiently done.
We also have a responsibility to address the serious discipline challenges in our ranks. While we do have many women and men who are part of a dedicated and disciplined force that makes us proud every day, I have also noted a growing trend and incidence of indiscipline creeping into our force. We have directed that service chiefs and commanders should take direct responsibility for enforcing discipline. The Chief of the SANDF should ensure that we have an effective military justice system and that it is strengthened to assist in dealing with cases of indiscipline in a decisive manner, thereby ensuring the quick and decisive resolution of cases.
As much as government has a responsibility to maintain a healthy force, individual defence force members have a corresponding responsibility to meet the health and fitness requirements of the Defence Force. In addition to the above, the involvement of Defence Force members in sport and allied activities shall be encouraged as a further mechanism towards maintaining the health of the force.
During 2013-14, the Office of the Military Ombudsman received 290 new cases, which were assessed and responded to. A total of 240 cases have been finalised during this financial year. The majority of cases received related to service termination, service benefits, promotion, demotion and rank review. The Military Ombudsman also submitted a report in two parts on the allegations of abuse at the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn. The Minister has since directed the Chief of the SANDF to implement the recommendations as outlined in the Ombudman's report. The Ombudsman intends to ensure the appointment of the Deputy Military Ombudsman during this financial year.
As I said, we have completed and gazetted our regulations for the military veterans. These regulations pave the way for the rollout of benefits to military veterans. The Deputy Minister will deal with this matter.
In April 2014, I received an internal audit report on the supply chain management and procurement processes followed in the Department of Military Veterans. I have instructed the SA Defence Force desk to assist in conducting a forensic investigation; it has since been done. We received the report last week, on 18 July 2014, and will take appropriate action once we have studied the findings and recommendations of PricewaterhouseCoopers. These challenges of capacity ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr M S MOTIMELE
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
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Mr M S MOTIMELE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Comrade Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, hon Deputy Minister, Comrade Kebby Maphatsoe and hon Members of Parliament, I must also salute representatives of the Military Veterans in green up there: You are saluted, ladies and gentlemen. The ANC supports and embraces this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
I must go on to say it is not by accident that after the transition from apartheid to a democratic society, and in its ANC election manifesto, the ANC identified rampant youth unemployment, poverty and inequality as the arch-enemies of our people – that is why we have the National Development Plan. It goes without saying that the successful implementation of this grand plan, the NDP, will depend on a strong and well-resourced defence force. We must tap into the past successes of the SA National Defence Force and into plans for its future success to create an environment of peace and stability at home, in the whole region and on the continent in order to economically grow South Africa and its people.
In the 20 years since its inception, the SA Defence Force has scored many successes and the next 20 years are being planned meticulously to ensure that this successful trajectory is continued. Often hailed as the crown jewel and a national asset in the service of our country, the SA National Defence Force is enjoying enormous credibility, not just in South Africa but also abroad. Our military force was successfully transformed into a modern, representative and remarkably capable force playing an active role in regional affairs.
South Africa must continue to honour its international obligation to provide troops for AU and UN peacekeeping operations, since we have reclaimed our space as part of the broader international community.
The reintroduction of the SA National Defence Force to our landline borders under Operation Corona shows that despite several challenges it was able to score many successes in preventing crossborder crime and illegal activities by confiscating contraband goods worth millions, including alcohol, cigarettes, medicine, beauty products and other counterfeit goods. It was also responsible for confiscating weapons, dagga and livestock and for recovering 105 stolen vehicles, apprehending 21 244 illegal immigrants, as well as arresting 781 criminals.
Similarly, the Defence Force's role in fighting piracy has been hailed as a success story when it conducted Operation Copper in the Mozambique Channel. It is especially the role of our frigates - the SAS Spioenkop, SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana and SAS Mendi - that has drawn attention for our sterling work in antipiracy efforts.
South Africa's role in peacekeeping should be understood against the background that its own development and prosperity hinges on the development and prosperity of the entire continent. South Africa has successfully deployed peacekeepers to several countries, under both AU and UN mandates. These include - as was mentioned by the Minister - Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Sudan.
The deployment of our soldiers as part of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission, known as Monusco, with the Intervention Brigade in the eastern DRC - which fought off the M23 rebels - was widely praised, especially the technical prowess displayed by our locally developed Rooivalk attack helicopter.
Equally, the success of the peace process, power sharing and democratic governance in Burundi has been credited in no small way to the SA National Defence Force's sterling role. It was involved from the inception to the conclusion of the Burundi peace process.
We also need to unreservedly compliment the contribution of the interim and permanent National Defence Force Service Commission and the Military Ombudsman in pushing our Defence Force forward in improving the conditions of service and ensuring that complaints of members are dealt with speedily.
The media has made us all aware of the noble role played by the SA National Defence Force in the funeral proceedings of our former President Nelson Mandela and the SA National Defence Force has been cheerfully commended for a job well done. Here 11 000 soldiers were deployed to assist with logistical and security arrangements.
Our soldiers have also been able to attend international defence courses all over the world and we are hosting numerous international students in our military courses. This does not only augur well for the improvement of our standards and levels of training, but also provides opportunities for others to learn from our experience.
Section 200(2) of the Constitution emphasises that the primary object of the Defence Force is to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people. Given this broad mandate, it stands to reason that for the department to execute its primary object, it needs to be, at the very minimum, sufficiently resourced.
The reality is, however, that there is, and I quote:
… a persistent disconnect between the defence mandate, growing defence commitments and resource allocation … to the point where the Defence Force is unable to fully fulfil its constitutional responsibility … and is hard pressed to even maintain its current modest level of commitments.
A solution is proposed to address these challenges, and I quote:
There must either be a greater budget allocation or a significant scaled-down level of ambition and commitment which is aligned with the current budget allocation.
Given the President's statement in the state of the nation address, the above options are neither here nor there, leaving us with only one option to follow: The mandate-driven option. Our first priority should therefore be to arrest the decline in the Defence Force; secondly, to rebalance it; and thirdly, to capacitate it adequately.
I believe that most of us are in agreement that our personnel are the most valuable asset, especially in such a vital organisation as the Defence Force. Given that soldiers are trained to operate very sophisticated weapon systems and that discipline is instilled in them to operate under harsh conditions, it is only right that we reciprocate by adequately resourcing these patriotic citizens in uniform.
The culture of soldiering, courage and pride displayed by our soldiers in recent battles - the Battle of Bangui and the fight against the M23 rebels come to mind - underlines the fact that they can be depended on. They should be treasured and be allowed to play their optimal role in executing their constitutional mandate.
In fact, contrary to the cries to downsize, we should consider that the Defence Force is in fact in need of more soldiers to man our borders properly and to supply sufficient numbers for peace-keeping operations.
The SA Defence Review 2014 has been submitted to Parliament and the portfolio committee will now engage with it and present its findings and recommendations to this House. Any premature conclusions and deliberate misunderstandings in this regard should therefore be treated with scepticism.
We are aware that we are faced with major challenges in the Defence Force. However, given that we have an experienced and competent military leadership, we have the necessary defence knowledge, competencies and skills available. A solid defence foundation from which to move from has been built over the last 20 years. We are comfortably confident that with the political will that has been expressed, we will be able to take the Defence Force to greater heights over the next 20 years.
As indicated earlier, a stable and secure environment is the necessary foundation for sustainable and successful development. We note, with sadness, the past reluctance of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans to get directly involved in socioeconomic development because of a history that saw the militarisation of civil society and the deployment of the military especially in black areas.
This has fortunately changed and we have witnessed the Defence Force being involved in many facets of our daily lives, such as rescue missions, staffing hospitals during strikes, providing security during major events and fighting the barbaric acts of rhino poaching.
On that score, the most relevant chapter to the military of the National Development Plan is Chapter 12, titled "Building Safer Communities". Although, the chapter mainly emphasises the role of the police in securing a safe environment, the overall role of the military is much broader, as indicated by the following examples.
The Defence Force, through the Military Skills Development System and National Youth Service, and the defence industry have a huge role to play in creating jobs, especially for the youth, to address youth unemployment in particular and to contribute to our goal of advancing and promoting the economy and employment in general. In addition, the Department of Military Veterans, through its empowerment programme, will facilitate employment placement for military veterans.
The SA National Defence Force's peacekeeping operation is assisting to create an environment that is conducive to attracting more investment and business opportunities for our country and the whole continent, in line with the priorities of the NDP. Similarly, the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, Armscor, is also developing a regional strategy to exploit its geopolitical advantage in the Southern African Development Community region.
When looking at the objective of transforming human settlements, we observe amongst others that Military Veterans are being assisted to access decent housing. With regards to improving education, training and innovation, both the Department of Defence and Military Veterans play a significant role in improving the skills levels of serving members and veterans.
We are aware that the department, through its Military Health Service, provides comprehensive medical care for its personnel at the various military hospitals and sick bays around the country. Similarly, the Department of Military Veterans has been issuing health cards to those who qualify through their respective means tests for support in this regard. We are also proud that there were more than 7 000 military veterans on the health care database as at 31 December 2013, with 2 336 having had access to health care services. [Interjections.]
The seriousness of government to promote accountability and fight corruption manifests on many levels in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans. Its anticorruption policies and measures to prevent fraud and other illegal activities have been bearing fruit and we encourage the departments to strengthen these efforts and other efforts to fight corruption and fraud.
In conclusion, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans has scored many successes over the past 20 years of democracy. It is applauded for the sterling role it keeps on playing, despite severe challenges and the prophets of doom criticising them on spurious grounds. We look forward to their continued contributions, not only to safeguard our people and the country but also to assist our brothers and sisters on the continent in achieving peace and security.
The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans will now engage with the SA Defence Review 2014 and hope to be in a position to soon lend further support to bring about a properly resourced Defence Force. Our soldiers deserve nothing less, as they have been, among other attributes, a source of national pride and an asset worth investing in. Once more, the ANC supports this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr D J MAYNIER
Mr M S MOTIMELE
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Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 3
Mr D J MAYNIER: Hon Chairperson, our soldiers are now deployed in some of the most volatile conflict zones in the world. I would therefore like to associate myself with the Minister's comments and begin by saluting our men and women in uniform, serving on the frontline. [Applause.] Whether you are in the army, the navy, the air force or the health service, we say thank you for your service to our country.
I would also like to congratulate the Minister on her reappointment to the Cabinet. Since being appointed, the Minister has experienced more snakes down than ladders up. But the Minister does deserve political credit for two significant achievements: firstly, for firing the human wrecking ball, General Mojo Motau, as chairperson of Armscor; and finally, after three long years, for tabling the SA Defence Review 2014 in Parliament.
The Minister, I am sure we all agree, is a vast improvement on her ghastly predecessor who, like Voldemort, I like to refer to as "She who must not be named". [Laughter.]
There is only one person her predecessor appears to dislike more than me and that is the Minister, evidenced by their hostile correspondence about what has now become known as Gulfstreamgate. This is, in my view, as you can all imagine, a huge badge of honour for the Minister. In the end, however, we all hope that the Minister will enjoy more ladders up than snakes down over the next five years.
We are supposed to be here to debate the appropriation of R42,8 billion for the Defence Force in 2014-15. However, let us be honest: This is not a debate; this is a political farce dressed up as a debate. The truth is that we know very little about what is really going on inside the Defence Force.
On 13 June 2013, as the Minister has mentioned, 1 345 soldiers were deployed as part of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were not deployed on a peace-keeping mission; they were deployed on a peace-enforcement mission to hunt and kill rebel forces in the eastern DRC. We had a duty, therefore, to ensure that our soldiers were properly supported to execute the mission. We have a special duty to ensure that the tragic events in the Central African Republic, which resulted in the loss of 15 of our soldiers, never happens again. But despite numerous requests from me, over a period of several months, we never received a briefing on the mission to the DRC. We learned much later, almost accidently, that our soldiers did not, in fact, have the necessary logistical support to execute the mission.
Shortly after the deployment, we learned from court papers that, and I quote:
The biggest challenge that we have right now is that as we deploy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, our soldiers do not have tents and our soldiers have no parachute equipment.
So, if we join the dots, as we are forced to do, it is clear that we have a Defence Force in deep trouble.
The Defence Force likes to displace blame for its troubles on the National Treasury. But the truth is that we have the Defence Force we deserve because we have the Defence Force we choose. We have soldiers in barracks, not safeguarding our landward borders, because we choose not to prioritise border safeguarding. We have aircraft in hangars, not protecting our maritime borders, because we choose not to prioritise spending on maritime border protection. We have ships alongside, not protecting our maritime borders, because we choose not to prioritise maritime border protection.
This is because, in the end, we choose to prioritise spending on armed welfare and not to prioritise spending on military capability. We have budgeted to spend 54,5% or R20,4 billion on personnel in 2014-15. Now we hear there is a R1,23 billion shortfall for personnel in the Defence Force. And this comes on the back of spending or planning to spend an additional - get this - R4,5 billion more on personnel between 2009-10 and 2014-15.
Put simply, we are spending too much on personnel, we are spending too little on operations and we are spending much too little on capital acquisition. We are wasting too much money in the Defence Force. Nothing symbolises this more than the R6 million spent on the development of the so-called women's court shoe, which looks something like this. [Interjections.] Every military veteran present here today, you must know that the Defence Force has spent more than R6 million, which is the equivalent of 50 houses for military veterans, developing the women's court shoe. Now, the Defence Force likes to blame... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Order, hon members! Continue, hon member.
Mr D J MAYNIER: We are, in other words, turning our Defence Force, which should be saving lives, into an armed welfare service, which is saving jobs.
We are heading down the same road as Nigeria, where, when they were finally faced with a nail, in the form of Boko Haram, they found they had no hammer, because the Nigerian armed forces are awash with big generals with even bigger epaulettes but with no military expertise. Our last hope therefore is the SA Defence Review 2014, which, as the Minister has said and to her credit, has now been tabled in Parliament.
There is much to recommend in the SA Defence Review, not least its brutally frank assessment that the Defence Force is in a critical state of decline. However, the SA Defence Review process was deeply flawed and is unlikely to reverse the critical state of decline in the Defence Force.
Firstly, the SA Defence Review was not a defence review; the SA Defence Review was a review of defence policy. Secondly, the SA Defence Review was carried out in a national security and foreign policy vacuum. Thirdly, the SA Defence Review does not contain a final force design, which must still be completed by the Chief of the Defence Force.
Finally, the budget for the SA Defence Review's proposed, desired end state - this is critical - has not been approved by the National Treasury. It is staggering that of the 436 meetings conducted by the SA Defence Review Committee, not one appears to have been with the National Treasury. In the end, the SA Defence Review was a political strategy to outflank the National Treasury. However, the SA Defence Review Committee does not seem to have understood the iron law of public policy-making, which is this: You cannot do what you cannot fund.
That is why the SA Defence Review's proposal to reshape the Defence Force to include 189 000 personnel and 158 combat units, consuming R88 billion, or 2,4% of the gross domestic product, is doomed to fail.
So, now we have the Minister scrambling, as she told us, to identify quick wins, which can be implemented at little or no cost to the Defence Force. A defence review is about making hard choices about what stays, what goes and what is to be added, critically, within the budget constraints. That is not what we got. This is a classic case of a flawed process that is likely to lead to a flawed outcome.
As the Minister says, the SA Defence Review has now landed or, more accurately, crash-landed in Parliament. It seems it is going to be left to Parliament to rescue the SA Defence Review. That is going to be very difficult because - we must face this fact - there has been a complete breakdown in the relationship between the Defence Department and Parliament. In the past two years, the Minister never appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and appeared only once before the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
Over the past five years, the Chief of the Defence Force never, ever - not once - appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and has never, ever - not once - appeared before the Joint Standing Committee on Defence. Also, for the past five years, we have never received a detailed briefing on military preparedness, despite spending R10,3 billion on force employment. We have never received a detailed briefing on defence acquisition, despite spending R3,6 billion on capital acquisition. We have never received a detailed briefing on the supposedly secret funds channelled through the secret Special Defence Account, despite spending R25,7 billion over the last five years.
It is only through leaked documents that we discovered that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans was secretly trying to purchase a brand-new Boeing 777 jet worth R2 billion. It is only through leaked documents that we discovered the Department of Defence had secretly signed a deal to purchase armoured infantry vehicles worth R15 billion. In the end, the Defence Force has become a state within a state, beyond oversight and scrutiny by Parliament.
So I hope the Chief of the Defence Force will listen carefully when I say this: I know you are aware that because of our history you have a duty to ensure that the Defence Force recognises the supremacy of the Constitution, is under civilian control and is accountable to Parliament. However, with respect, you are failing in your duty. By resisting the authority of Parliament, you create the impression that the Defence Force is not accountable to Parliament.
Worse, by resisting the authority of Parliament, you create the impression that the Defence Force does not respect Parliament. You are taking the Defence Force down a very dangerous road, away from the future and back to the past.
I am therefore appealing to you directly to stop this dangerous, creeping authoritarianism in the Defence Force before it is too late. In the end, we all have to work together to achieve our common aim, which is to reverse the critical state of decline in the Defence Force. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms K LITCHFIELD-TSHABALALA
Mr D J MAYNIER
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 4
Ms K LITCHFIELD-TSHABALALA: Hon Chair, hon Minister and hon Deputy Minister, Martin Luther King Jr once said:
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defence than on programmes of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
The pertinent question is: Are we there? The 21st century is described as an age of asymmetrical warfare, defined as warfare that a group engages in when they deem themselves weaker than their enemy. There is also tacit agreement among war and defence experts that this is indeed the threat, nationally and internationally, of the 21st century.
Our Defence Review agrees with this in its analysis of the strategic environment and says that war has since happened more within countries than between countries. It also says that this type of warfare is more prevalent in developing and underdeveloped countries, of which South Africa is one.
Back to the words of Martin Luther: If this is indeed the threat of the 21st century, why spend billions preparing for interstate warfare when the enemy is within? Martin Luther asks and says that a nation that does that is on its way to social decay. It is the truth in South Africa that the defence budget is R12,3 billion more than that of Human Settlements. It is R8,8 billion more than that of Health. It is R23 billion more than that of Basic Education. Should I go on? Suffice to say that it is even more than that of Higher Education - perhaps that is why African campuses are infested with rats and cockroaches.
IsiZulu:
Leli ihlazo, izinto enizenzayo zenza amasikizi!
English:
The truth of the matter is that there is nothing normal about the Defence budget, but we are informed that it is normal because it is 2% of the GDP and that is normal for developing countries. Perhaps the question to ask is this: Who established that standard of "normalcy"? Was it a world that was war-crazed and spent US$1,5 trillion on defence in 2009? Is this "normalcy" established by a world that is suffocating under the weight of the military industrial complex, which it seeks to appease, year in and year out?
The fact of the matter is that there is nothing normal about the budget of the ruling party in general, because it is based on money borrowed from the IMF and the World Bank and paid back with exorbitant interest - let alone the confining conditions on how to use it. Perhaps that is why they allow us to use this money to pick up their mess throughout the continent; a mess they purposely created and which, by the way, is systematically upheld. I am talking about countries like the DRC and the Central African Republic, but considering how those wars are systematically upheld by imperialism is a lecture for another day.
IsiZulu:
Ilunga elingaziwa: Phezu kwabo!
English:
We have to pick that up with our tax-base money. However, should we wish to be involved in Africa, perhaps it is high time we redefine our role and use our defence force in Africa in defence of the African revolution and not in picking up the imperialists' mess. However, we cannot do that because since 1955 we walk on our money, we talk about it but we do not get to do it. [Interjections.]
The ruling party knows exactly where the money lies. [Interjections.] You know exactly where our money lies, because wanting to be an actor in the African arena of war is costly. Defence is a very costly outfit. That is why, at the moment, we are sacrificing social upliftment in favour of defence. It does not have to be this way. We walk on our money! Do what is right so that we can invest adequately in our Defence Force; so that we can pay our men and women in uniform a decent wage and so that we can invest in our military health institutions.
IsiZulu:
Hhayi qha bandla lezi ezikhona manje seloku sazishiyelwa yi-National Party.
English:
We can do better than that! If we did that, we could also invest in those men and women wearing green over there. We can restore their dignity. We can also reintegrate them back into society and give them a living wage. Thank you. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
Mr M A MNCWANGO
Ms K LITCHFIELD-TSHABALALA
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 4
Mr M A MNCWANGO: Hon Chairperson, as the IFP, we would like to say that we support the budget. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Please hold on, hon member. Hon members exiting the House, what you are doing is not allowed. You cannot pass between me and the speaker. Continue, hon Mncwango.
Mr M A MNCWANGO: As the IFP, we welcome the fact that the Defence Review report has finally been made available and that it sets out a comprehensive programme to modernise the Defence Force. The report is a roadmap on how we can keep up with the times and the nature of the threats that are being experienced around the world and that may end up affecting us in the future.
The Military Skills Development System is in need of constant attention to ensure that the South African army consists of men and women ready to discharge their constitutional duty and mandate against any external forces threatening the country.
The IFP is also concerned about the current state of our Defence Force leadership. Ask me why? The top leadership of the Defence Force looks completely unfit and they are ageing. [Laughter.] How can we expect them to lead when they cannot do so by example? [Interjections.] It is imperative that there must be a clear and transparent policy of upward mobility in the military that will facilitate a crop of young ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order, hon Mncwango. Hon member, are you rising on a point of order?
Mr B A RADEBE: Yes, Chairperson. Can the member please refrain from reflecting on the character of people who cannot defend themselves and who are actually appointed by our state?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Continue, hon member.
Mr M A MNCWANGO: Thank you.
IsiZulu:
Mnu B A RADEBE: Uyangiziba.
English:
Mr M A MNCWANGO: I was saying that it is imperative that there must be a clear and transparent policy of upward mobility in the military that will facilitate the rising of a crop of young and fit generals from within the ranks.
In the United States, for instance, the average age of a general is 45, while the average weight is about 90 kg. I am saying that notwithstanding the fact that I weigh more 90 kg myself. [Laughter.] Anything beyond that is actually completely unacceptable and may even bring about one's early retirement from their post. Why should it be any different for our officials?
With regards to our external operations, we admire the role that the men and women in the army are playing in peace-keeping missions on the continent. However, we would like to point out that no peace-keeping mission can be viewed as a permanent phenomenon. Political and diplomatic solutions must be actively promoted so that conflicts that caused the instability in the first place are resolved and our men and women can return home. The DRC, Somalia and Darfur cannot be permanent homes to our soldiers.
The involvement of our armed forces in disaster relief operations is to be welcomed, whether it happens inside or outside the country. We note with great concern, though, that this is actually an unfunded mandate, even though these operations are critically important.
In order to provide long-term solutions, we will need to consider setting up a programme under the Southern African Development Community or any another multilateral organisation to help in capacitating those states that we assist during disasters to deal with their own issues themselves. Otherwise we may need to look at a system of reimbursement to cover costs incurred during the relief effort.
One of our strategically most important national ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Hon member, please come back. Use this door. Continue, hon Mncwango.
Mr M A MNCWANGO: ... assets is the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, Armscor ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Your time has expired, hon member. Thank you.
Mr M A MNCWANGO: But Madam Chairperson, my time was taken up by these people!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! We have been monitoring that. We are very good at monitoring your speaking time, so do not worry.
Mr S C MNCWABE
Mr M A MNCWANGO
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 4
Mr S C MNCWABE: Hon Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister, Ministers present, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, hon members of this committee, distinguished guests and officials from the department, …
IsiZulu:
... ukhona uba' uCele bakithi? Nangu ngapha.
English:
Hon members, the NFP regards the SA National Defence Force as the most crucial entity in ensuring peace and stability in our country, as well as safeguarding the security of our citizens from any form of external threat. We are also aware of the crucial role played by the Defence Force in the Southern African region and on the continent at large in peace-keeping missions in countries like the DRC, Mozambique, Sudan and the Central African Republic.
The NFP supports these important initiatives of our Defence Force, because we all need a peaceful region and a peaceful continent to guarantee the bright future of the African child. The NFP also supports the department's initiative of the National Youth Service, which seeks to provide the initial training to selected young people for the purpose of creating a pool of young and ready citizens from which these departments would be able to recruit personnel.
We believe that more funding should be allocated for this programme and for other programmes in the department, such as the Voluntary Youth Service. This will not only instil a spirit of patriotism in our youth but make them ready for any kind of employment in the department, thereby contributing positively to the fight against youth unemployment.
The department also indicated to the portfolio committee that it has been underfunded, which has made it difficult for them to fully execute the mandate and the programmes given to them. It is our submission that underfunding this department will make it impossible for the portfolio committee to fully access its performance and the capability of its leadership. It would be unfair to expect an underfunded department to fully execute its mandate and achieve its target.
It is for this reason that the NFP supports the proposed budget of the department, as tabled before us. Thank you. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
Mr S C MNCWABE
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 5
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Chairperson, hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, chairperson of the committee and members of the portfolio committee, the Secretary for Defence and senior managers of the Department of Defence, the Chief of the SANDF, Gen Shoke, and members of the military command, senior managers of the Department of Military Veterans, our distinguished fellow military veterans present here, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, often we undertake journeys in our lives that are inspired by a need greater than our personal desires. Such journeys are motivated by a greater need to do good for our fellow human beings at the expense of our own personal wellbeing.
Today I stand before this august House to dedicate this maiden speech to those who sacrificed everything for the wellbeing of the greater society. I speak here of a special kind of person; the ones whom our departed leader, O R Tambo, named "the detachment of young lions". This is the detachment of the disbanded people's army, uMkhonto weSizwe. It is the detachment that undertook the journey to fiercely burn the flame of freedom in our country and confronted the destabilising forces sponsored by the apartheid regime in Angola. During those battles, many perished in that country, which we proudly called the "firm trench of the revolution in Africa". These were young men and women who left our country to take up arms against apartheid in the fierce battles that preceded the negotiations that ushered in our hard-won democracy. I deem it fit to revisit this past today, to compel us to remember that the bones of South Africans were scattered all over the world when they perished in pursuit of human dignity.
In the pursuit of our struggle for freedom and human dignity, and while we celebrate the centenary of World War I, we would also like to remember the painful story of the SS Mendi, which went down with about 607 Africans on board. It would be fitting, when we honour our military veterans with today's Budget Vote, that we remember that the bones of our countrymen are not only scattered in foreign lands but also lay resting deep in the ocean, on the seabed of our world.
The government of the ANC has to be lauded and applauded for having taken the bold step to address the plight of the military veterans. These are men and women who sacrificed their own youth for the youth of today, black and white, to stand proud and tall, as compatriots and fellow South Africans. It is these men and women who deserve honour, dignity and our commitment to address the injustices of the past. We must be true to the injunctions of our Constitution, regardless of the many challenges and we must never tire of declaring that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. [Applause.] It is in that spirit that we shall all recognise and acknowledge the need to ensure that our military veterans - those who suffered for our democracy - enjoy the result of their sacrifice in their lifetime.
Today we would like to announce that in pursuit of paying honour to our military veterans, we intend to establish, register, resource, capacitate and ensure the operation of 200 military veterans' co-operatives in all nine the provinces of our Republic. These co-operatives are meant to involve at least 1 500 military veterans in gainful economic empowerment activities.
Job creation will now become a reality for military veterans and not just a dream. This process will be undertaken in partnership with the relevant government departments and the private sector through memoranda of understanding. It is an initiative that must radically turn around the economic empowerment of military veterans and give their lives new meaning as full participants in our effort to contribute to economic growth and employment creation. We cannot fail in this initiative; it is our expression of the radical transformation that our country needs.
isiXhosa:
Ziyalunga izinto zamaMilitary Veterans, ziyalunga. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
English:
We take cognisance of the fact that the success of the business ventures of military veterans means that there is a great need for skills development and academic advancement and excellence. Subsequently, we would like to commit to undertaking a process to build partnerships with further education and training institutions. We aim to reach agreements with them in terms of which they would give concessions to members of the military veterans' community to acquire the relevant skills. In some cases this would mean the realisation of the dream to study and complete their education, which they sacrificed in their youth when they answered the call to fight to bring about democracy in our country. We believe this initiative will not just redeem the self-esteem of military veterans but will inspire our country to study. To this end we would like to commit to providing bursaries, from our budget and in partnership with other relevant departments and the private sector, to military veterans and their dependents.
We all know that the scars of war are not easily healed. In fact, many military veterans go to their grave with the unimaginable pain that they carried throughout the course of their lives. We commit to ensure that we ease that pain through well-focused health and wellness programmes with the emphasis on counselling. This initiative will help to stabilise the lives of military veterans and strengthen the process of reintegrating them into their communities.
The physical health of military veterans will also be greatly strengthened by affording them access to military health institutions. To that effect we have given health cards to 7 000 military veterans. The holistic health of the military veterans is of critical importance to enhance their profile as community builders. The Department of Military Veterans will also look at means to amend the Military Veterans Act and will do research on the feasibility of a possible all-inclusive and comprehensive health service for the dependants of military veterans to have access to our health facilities and medical support. [Applause.]
We have in the past experienced pain and discomfort at how those who put their lives on the line for our freedom received burials that failed to reflect the sacrifice they made during their lifetime. We are engaging with the industry and the military veterans to explore the establishment of a burial scheme that would guarantee that no military veteran shall be bid a farewell that does not befit the sacrifice they undertook in their lifetime. [Applause.] The burials of our military veterans must cease to be platforms of lament. They must become occasions to inspire the living to greater heights of patriotism and civil duty.
One of the key weaknesses facing the Department of Military Veterans is our ICT capacity and capabilities. We will work in partnership with our State Information and Technology Agency, Sita, to establish a firm ICT base for the department.
During the 2014-15 financial year, the department will also establish the SA National Military Veterans Association Secretariat to provide comprehensive administrative support to strengthen governance and oversight protocols to give effect to the provisions of the Military Veterans Act. I would like to announce that a special Sanmva national general council will be called within the next month where I will officially step down as Sanmva president. [Applause.] The Department of Military Veteran's executive priorities have not changed and we will put extra emphasis on finalising the provisioning of public transport for military veterans.
We gave the department clear instructions to finalise the National Military Veterans Database by the end of December 2014. This is to ensure a credible and secure database to promote accountability, as espoused in section 9 of the Military Veterans Act. The Department will place emphasis on the finalisation and promotion of the military veterans' heritage, memorialisation, honouring programmes and policies. This includes the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the restoration and repatriation of graves of the liberation war military veterans and the establishment of a military veterans heroes and heroines acre.
The provision of decent housing to deserving military veterans will remain a priority for the department. The department has embarked on a process to fast-track the establishment of the Military Veterans Advisory Council Appeals Board and the audit committee to strengthen governance and oversight protocols within the department.
Finally, our focus on alleviating the plight of military veterans is based on the manifesto of the ruling party; it is informed by the National Development Plan. Our programme of radically transforming the lives of military veterans is borne in our vision of accelerated socioeconomic benefits for military veterans, through their self-empowerment, in partnership with government departments, the private sector and society in general.
I would like to salute the hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for her unselfish effort in seeing through the Defence Review up to the level of Cabinet and for further tabling it in Parliament. The Defence Review will revitalise the SANDF and address the key challenges of the department as it prepares those who will be joining the ranks of the military veterans. I thank you.
Ms N A MNISI
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 6
Ms N A MNISI: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members of Parliament, our distinguished guests and veterans in the gallery. The National Development Plan urges us to build a capable developmental state and the ANC has always espoused a caring government. A developmental state should not only possess the capacity to care but should demonstrate such care in action. Our government is a caring government and seeks to build a better life for all our people. Better life has to do with high life expectancy, a broad and deeper skills base and the equitable distribution of wealth.
The Constitution compels South Africans not only to recognise the injustices of the past but also to honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land. When the ANC resolved, at its 52nd national conference in Polokwane to establish a Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, it was not simply complying with the Constitution but was demonstrating its character as a caring organisation. [Applause.]
In line with improving the quality of life of military veterans, the department undertakes to ensure that military veterans and their dependents have access to education and are provided with health and wellness support.
The department also undertakes to ensure the participation of military veterans in the mainstream economy through broad-based black economic empowerment and participation in rural development and land reform. The department's verification of military veterans, which is currently under way, should be understood as a means of ensuring data integrity. Concurrent with this verification, the department will facilitate the delivery of basic services, housing, health care, etc to military veterans across the length and breadth of our country. In order to ensure that it responds accordingly and appropriately to the needs of military veterans, the department will undertake research on pertinent issues affecting military veterans.
As the ANC indicated at its 52nd national conference, the skills of military veterans should be optimally used by government to the benefit of the nation. In its annual performance plan, APP, the department acknowledges that the skills of military veterans have not yet been explored to the full benefit of society. The APP outlines these skills as including strong leadership, technical skills, patriotism, loyalty, commitment and dedication to the nation. The APP makes the keen observation that such skills are indeed critical elements for nation building and they need to be harnessed and used productively.
The National Development Plan provides that, and I quote:
A more prosperous country that is progressively eradicating poverty and inequality will also, over time, eliminate the effects of apartheid and colonial discrimination that have so scarred our society.
In line with the NDP, the department has committed itself, among other commitments, to facilitate employment opportunities for military veterans with the support of government, private companies and state agencies. The department will further establish health and wellness centres to provide for military veterans who need full-time care and are without such personal support systems.
The department has entered into a co-operation agreement with the Department of Human Settlements. There is an agreement on the design, cost and funding of house for military veterans. It should be mentioned that it is envisaged that 1 000 military veterans will be provided with houses in 2014-15.
The Defence Review provides that the future military strategy will broadly comprise three layers, as follows: The first layer consists of:
… influencing the international security agenda through integrated diplomacy efforts and the pursuit of national objectives; pursuing defined multilateral security objectives through the strategic engagement of the United Nations and the Peace Security Architecture; promoting the deepening of democracy in the African continent; peace, security and development on the continent; the pursuit of strategic bilateral objectives.
The second layer consists of:
… the safeguarding of the South African state, its people and its territory; deliberate protection of national interests through collaboration; and a contribution to South Africa's development agenda.
It can therefore be extrapolated that a military strategy is not yet in place but its framework is. Pursuant to this, the Defence Review further provides that, guided by the Defence Review and the approved Defence Strategic Trajectory, the following will be developed under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Force:
There will be a military strategy that includes a force design, force structure, establishment table and key resources imperatives. This force design should be reviewed at least every five years, or as required, in response to changes in the strategic environment; the Defence Force Long-Term Capability Strategy indicating the level of operational capability required to meet the defence policy and the military strategy; the Defence Force Capital and Technology Plans; and the necessary operational-level military doctrine to support the military strategy; the renewed military doctrine to support the military strategy, which military doctrine will, in turn, lead to renewed military tactics, techniques and procedures.
According to the Defence Review, defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP is an indicator of national will. It indicates how seriously a country takes its security; it indicates how seriously a country takes commitments it has undertaken in respect of regional defence or security arrangements, and how willing it is to face up to unexpected threats to itself or its region.
In conclusion, the Defence Review further makes bold to assert that for it to be effective, the Defence Force must be funded adequately and appropriately. Therefore, the Defence budget must meet the financial requirements that arise from the roles and mission sets assigned by government to the Defence Force. To allow Defence to equip and train effectively, the Defence budget must provide steady funding over time, not only during boom or bust cycles.
The ANC pledges its support to the department and supports this Budget Vote. We are proud of our past and confident of our future.
Thank you.
Dr B H HOLOMISA
Ms N A MNISI
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 7
Dr B H HOLOMISA: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister and hon members of this House, the UDM supports Budget Vote 22.
The department is fortunate to have retained its Minister after the 2014 election, thereby promising continuity of strategy and direction in this department. As a member of the Defence Force Service Commission, I concur with some of the Defence Force's programmes and plans, as announced by the Minister today.
However, while appreciating the Minister's input, we as a country should look at some of the mandates given to us, especially tasks related to peacekeeping. South Africa must always consider these tasks against its own safety, the safety of our troops deployed and the safety of its people.
Conditions of service in and the equipment of the SA National Defence Force have not yet reached the expected standards and levels. Much still needs to be done. This situation is further exacerbated by a bloated bureaucracy and a lack of professionalism in the Defence Force. While we all endorse the concept of civilian oversight, this House needs to evaluate to what extent the approach is affecting the capacity of the Defence Force in discharging its constitutional mandate. The Defence Force is an instruction-based institution, underpinned by the key fundamental principles of high-level discipline, speed and control.
In 2010, President Zuma appointed an interim Defence Force Service Commission to look at the challenges confronting the Defence Force at the time. As we all know, the findings of the commission are well documented. The frustrating part is the slow pace of the implementation of the commission's recommendations. It becomes more frustrating to learn that some allocated budget amounts are underused and returned to the fiscus.
The UDM recommends that this House reconsiders returning the accounting officer's powers back to the commander of the Defence Force and retains civilian oversight in the Minister's office. Such a bold step would drastically increase the speed at which the conditions of service of our Defence Force are improved. It will further reduce the amount of bureaucratic red tape. Hon Minister, if the Defence Force Review is not approved by Parliament this year, it may affect the five-year strategic plan of the Defence Force, which you tabled today. Hon Minister, I will not be here when you reply, as I am rushing to participate in the State Security Budget Vote debate, so please pardon me. Otherwise, I wish you good luck. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S N SWART
Dr B H HOLOMISA
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 7
Mr S N SWART: Hon Minister, the ACDP congratulates you and the Deputy Minister on your appointments and we wish you well in this term. Our greetings go to all the members of staff, the management of the Defence Force and all the troops and guests who are here.
Most of the speakers here have indicated that the budget allocation is in fact decreasing and we are aware that the Defence Force has a R1,2 billion shortfall. As the ACDP we are on record as continually calling for an increased budget for the Defence Force. Yes, we also believe the Defence Force must manage its budget correctly and we also believe that it must spend more on operations and capital equipment and less on personnel, as pointed out by other speakers. It is undeniable that successive budget cuts have undermined the Defence Force's capacity and capability in various areas, including its ability to carry out its peacekeeping mandate. We are all aware that "blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God". So, let us be grateful for the work that the Defence Force is doing under very difficult financial constraints.
If the budget is not realistic, can the Defence Force be expected to carry out these operations in the rest of Africa, given that it is hard-pressed to even meet its current commitments? We need to ensure that our troops are properly trained, transported, protected and supplied. If what hon Maynier said is true - that there were not sufficient tents and parachute equipment for our troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo - then it is scandalous. As Parliament we need to assist because we should remember that the power lies with us. We have continuously said that we have passed legislation that gives us the power to amend the budget. Why do we, the Defence Force Committee, not meet with the Appropriations Committee and say, these are the budget constraints? It is not the Defence Force and National Treasury, but we as Parliament who passed the legislation to enable us to amend that budget. So, let us meet and let us engage!
There are many pressures on the fiscus and every department asks for more money, but it is imperative that we meet and look at this. We need to find ways to reprioritise funds or to see how we can assist the Defence Force. Clearly, from their side, there must be greater accountability to Parliament and greater oversight. It is very important, as was pointed out by my colleagues, that there is that accountability, hon Minister. We must see to it that there is that accountability to Parliament.
We also agree with the committee's recommendation that the nature of the Special Defence Account must be evaluated, given that there is approximately R3,46 billion in that fund. We as the ACDP appreciate that the department explained that the annual rollovers in that fund do not mean that these funds are available, because they have already been committed to various projects. However, this is an issue that the committee needs a comprehensive briefing on.
As far as the Defence Review is concerned, we do support it, but of course it must be properly implemented, and Parliament needs to look at it carefully to ensure that there is sufficient funding available to ensure that, and to see what type of Defence Force we need in the future. We also see from that Special Defence Fund a reprioritisation of R341 million. So, that does mean it can take place and one needs to look carefully at what reprioritisation can take place within the Defence Force's budget.
We wish to thank all the members of the Defence Force who are here, many of whom made the supreme sacrifice of committing their lives to serving our nation. We as the ACDP will support this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr B T BONGO
Mr S N SWART
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 8
Mr B T BONGO: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, chairperson of the committee, senior government officials, veterans of the struggle for liberation, ladies and gentlemen, I forgot to bring my wife's shoes, unlike the hon member on the other side. [Laughter.] However, I do indeed rise to support Budget Vote No 22.
At its 53rd conference the ANC took resolutions on the second phase of South Africa's transition from apartheid colonialism to a national democratic society. It was guided by the Freedom Charter, where it says, "There shall be peace and friendship." The Freedom Charter further states that:
South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation - not war.
At the core of this second phase is a concerted drive to eradicate poverty, fight unemployment and reduce inequality in the lives of our people.
One part of the key role that the department is engaged in is building a united and democratic South Africa that will take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations. The socioeconomic role played by the SA National Defence Force should indeed be located in the context of the ANC-led government's attempts to neutralise the effects of the apartheid framework of the past.
In support of the Medium Term Strategic Framework and the Growth Path initiative aimed at job creation, the SA National Defence Force has endeavoured to create jobs in the defence industry. The Military Skills Development System is a service that supports the rejuvenation of the department's human resource renewal strategy and is a feeder system to ensure the SA Defence Force's rejuvenation.
According to the Defence Review, a broader contribution to national development may, inter alia, include the following: military bases in outlying areas providing employment and an improved economic profile of rural communities; the use of reservists in the rural communities and the use of reservists with special skills and experience to assist in development projects.
The Defence Force can be tasked to tender certain specific community-related projects in our rural communities, as opposed to before. The Defence Review asserts that the Defence Force has an inherent ability to support economic activities in our country, arising from its needs, by procuring normal consumables and purchasing standard commercial equipment and vehicles.
The National Development Plan reinvigorates the state's role in producing the specialised technical skills to fulfil its core function. It further elaborates on the state's ability to purchase what it needs on time, of the right quality and for the right price to deliver on its priorities.
In his state of the nation address President J G Zuma's emphasised that local procurement would promote domestic production. The state will increase its procurement of local goods and services to up to 75%. He also elaborated on what the Minister has said, namely that we will continue to resolve regional and continent-wide crises to ensure that there is peace, stability and security on the continent.
There is a secondary scientific benefit that the SANDF is engaged in, which is also supported by Armscor and its research. Of importance here is the research and development body of Armscor.
To all the members of the opposition who have already spoken, I just want to sum up and say that the ANC is the only organisation that has documents and can implement all its activities in the way it is documented. [Applause.] It is very important for hon members, particularly those from the DA and the EFF, to read about the National Democratic Revolution as the ANC speaks about it. [Interjections.] At the centre of that revolution is the creation of a nonracial, nonsexist democratic, united and prosperous country. So, all of you have a role to play in this democratic revolution that we are in.
I heard the hon member of the EFF speak about shame – she was saying there is shame in the Defence Force. That member was part of the Defence Force and she ran away. [Laughter.] She ran away because of serious charges that were laid against her. These charges included the theft of laptops, assault and fraud. So she had to run away and she came to this Parliament as a rescue. So there is no contribution that … [Interjections.]
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order: That is an aspersion against an hon member and it is not permissible.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon member, I request that you withdraw the accusation.
Mr B T BONGO: Chair, I withdraw it. So, generally, as the ANC we want to extend an invitation to all the members of the opposition to join the ANC because of its strategic vision and strategic objective - that of ensuring that we do not push the race card. We pursue the struggle for a nonracial, nonsexist, democratic, united and prosperous South Africa. I would like to say once more that as the ANC we adopt and support Budget Vote No 22. Thank you. [Applause.]
Dr P J GROENEWALD
Mr B T BONGO
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 9
Afrikaans:
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, my verskoning - ek was nou net by 'n warm debat van Grondsake, maar ek is darem nou al rustig. [Gelag.]
Ek kan vir die agb Minister vra hoeveel jaar dit nou al is dat ons na dié debat kom en almal stem saam daar is 'n tekort aan geld. [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit lyk my daar is 'n probleem met die vertaling. [Tussenwerpsels.]
English:
An HON MEMBER: Hon Chair, can the Minister be given a chance? [Interjections.]
Afrikaans:
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Hoeveel jaar lank sê ons nou al daar is 'n tekort ten opsigte van die begroting vir Verdediging, maar niks gebeur nie? Ek wil vandag sê dat daar net een goeie waarde is betreffende die Verdedigingsoorsig, en dit is dat ons eintlik 2,4% van die bruto binnelandse produk, BBP, nodig het om ons werk te kan doen. Ons is tans op ongeveer 1,4%. Dit is die werklikheid! Ek wil vandag sê dat u regering, die ANC, het nie die politieke wil om geld vir die SA Nasionale Weermag beskikbaar te stel nie. [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit is die werklikheid, want na soveel jaar is ons nog presies waar ons was.
Ek wil vandag sê dat ons besig is om die Weermag af te gradeer na 'n soort grenswag wat patrollies kan doen. Dít is waarmee ons besig is, en ons moet die vinger na onsself wys.
Die agb Minister het verwys na dissipline toe sy gepraat het. Ek het in dieselfde debat gepraat oor dissipline. Nou wil ek vandag vir die agb Minister vra, as drie van haar top generaals - die hoof van die Weermag, die hoof van die Lugmag en die sekretaris van Verdediging - hulle eenvoudig net afvee aan 'n hofbevel om in die hof te verskyn en minagtend optree, hoe kan u verwag dat die mense op die grondvlak dissipline moet hê? Die agb Minister weet die taak van die Weermag is om die soewereiniteit van ons land te beskerm, en deel van daardie soewereiniteit is ons Grondwet. Ons is 'n regstaat.
English:
They call it the rule of law, but they ignore the rule of law.
Afrikaans:
Ek beskou dít as skandalig. Die agb Minister kan nou wel sê, hulle was nie persoonlik daarvan bewus nie, maar dan wil ek vir die agb Minister vra, wat gaan aan in dié department? Hoe kan hulle nie daarvan weet nie? Dit is 'n swak voorbeeld. Wat het geword van die kolonel met haar pienk pantoffels, agb Minister? [Tussenwerpsels.] Sy was nie behoorlik aangespreek nie; sy was net eenvoudig sydelings uitgeskuif, maar sy gaan net eenvoudig aan. Hier voor my sit 'n agb lid ... [Tussenwerpsels.]
Ms M A MOLEBATSI: Agb Voorsitter, is die agb lid bereid om 'n vraag te antwoord?
Dr P J GROENEWALD: As ek tyd het, kan die agb lid haar vraag stel maar ek het bittermin tyd. Laat ek net klaar maak. Hier voor my sit 'n agb lid. Sy was aangekla en skuldig bevind aan wangedrag in die SA Nasionale Weermag. Is daar teen haar opgetree? Sy is maar net eenvoudig sydelings uitgerangeer ... [Tussenwerpsels.] ... en vandag het sy nou hier gekom om vir die agb Minister te vertel wat in die Weermag aangaan. Agb Minister, die werklikheid is, as u dissipline in die SA Nasionale Weermag wil hê ... [Tussenwerpsels.]
English:
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, on a point of order: Is that an aspersion ... [Inaudible.] [Interjections.]
Dr P J GROENEWALD: ... moet die senior offisiere die voorbeeld stel. [Tussenwerpsels.]
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJAKE: Chairperson, is it parliamentary for the member to question the character of people without really having enough information?
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Hon Groenewald, can you withdraw that statement? I have just ask another member to ...
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, ek verstaan nie wat ek moet terugtrek nie. Dit was nie 'n refleksie op iemand se integriteit nie, maar dit is die werklikheid. Ek het nie haar integriteit aangetas nie. Daar was wangedrag en sy het ... [Onhoorbaar.]
English:
Ms M C C PILANE-MAJEKE: Chair, it is about the generals. The member talked about the generals in terms of a matter that is before the court. The court of law will decide, and the hon member actually also went on to ... [Inaudible.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Hon Majake, I have not allowed you to speak!
Afrikaans:
Dr GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, duidelik weet die agb lid nie wat aangaan nie. Dit is 'n saak wat reeds afgehandel is. Dit is die werklikheid en daar was 'n bevinding. Ek haal net 'n hofbevinding aan.
English:
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Hon Groenewald, please, wait a minute. What is your point of order, hon member?
Mr M S MBATHA: Chair, I request the hon Groenewald to withdraw his entire contribution. It was wrong. You cannot name people like that. [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Please sit down, hon member! Hon Groenewald, you do not have to withdraw your whole speech, but the inferences that you made to the hon member is what I would like you to withdraw.
Afrikaans:
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, dit is 'n groot hoop as enigiemand dink ek gaan my toespraak terugtrek. Ek weier selfs om hierdie aantyging wat ek gemaak het, terug te trek. Ek weier om dit terug te trek, en u kan my maar uitjaag, want die waarheid is die waarheid. Dit is 'n bevinding wat reeds gemaak is. Dit is mos nie iets wat ek sê wat nog gaan gebeur nie.
English:
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Hon Groenewald, you are defying the Chair.
Afrikaans:
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, ek sal sommer self die Raad verlaat. U hoef my nie te vra om dit te verlaat nie. [Tussenwerpsels.]
English:
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Thank you very much, hon Groenewald. I think the hon member's intention was to be thrown out of the House.
Mr S ESAU
Dr P J GROENEWALD
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 10
Mr S ESAU: Hon Chairperson, Minister, Deputy Minister, members, members of the Defence Force, respected guests, especially our military veterans, this budget of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans received a whopping increase of 43,5%, from R351 million to R504 million, mainly due to benefits that have to be issued. However, we know that this Budget could not be spent effectively because there was a late transfer from National Treasury of R300 million to this department, and therefore its performance at the end of the third quarter reflected only 20% of expenditure of spent budget. That was because of this late transfer. Most of that money had to be carried over into the new financial year.
However, my concern is that this is a ship without a captain. A department without a director-general is certainly not the ideal scenario to navigate the stormy waters of this fairly new department, which is still under construction and in shambles. I will corroborate this.
To add to these woes, the deputy director-general, who is responsible for corporate services, human resources, finance, information communications technology and all those other issues, has also been placed on special leave, together with the director-general, who is the accounting authority, as a direct result of an internal audit report. We would indeed like this investigation to be speedily concluded and the matter resolved.
As noted, we appreciate the hon Minister indicating that PricewaterhouseCoopers submitted the final report, on 18 July, and we are therefore awaiting a briefing from the hon Minister to this committee, as well as a tabling of the report so that we can move forward.
This Ministry's funds have been skewed since its inception in favour of administrative tasks and personnel. The concern I have is the capacity and competency of these employees because so many fundamental tasks have not been completed, and this has a direct bearing on the delivery of services and benefits to military veterans. These fundamental tasks include, of course, norms and standards; policies - regulations were finally gazetted on 19 February; frameworks and guidelines; service level agreements; memoranda of understanding; systems, particularly the ICT system; databases and the certified personnel registers. Consultants have been employed to perform some of these tasks because of the lack of internal capacity. So, this particular department lacks a regulatory environment.
The concerns I have in the budget also refer to allocations for the compensation of employees, subsistence and travel, food and entertainment, consumables, consultants, training and development, advertising and communication. If one looks at those particular elements, one finds that there is a staff of 87 people, but according to the National Treasury there are 63. When one looks at the staff, which is the staff complement, compensation amounts to R92,2 million.
In this regard, we are looking at travel and subsistence for 87 people amounting to R52,2 million. Entertainment, which has three different categories, namely catering, departmental activities and inventory for food supplies, amounts to R5,5 million. Advertising communications have doubled, which we expect, but unfortunately it is one of the priorities that have been nonfunctional or dysfunctional. Consumables, like stationary and printing, is R2 million for a department of 87 or 63 persons, and consultants are being employed at R62 million. We understand that all these are also being used for military veterans but there is no operational plan, no business plan and no evidence-based approach to explain to us the split between departmental work and what is of benefit and service to the military veterans.
An HON MEMBER: It is a shambles!
Mr S ESAU: The maximum benefit of these allocations must be in the interest of deserving veterans and their dependents, and not to fund a bloated administration. We would like to see a highly effective, efficient and lean administration that is run by a highly competent and professional mean machine, with no bells and no frills, but one that gets on with the job. [Interjections.]
However, this administration should also question itself, based on its own policies regarding transformation and employment equity within the institution. The department reported in its quarterly report of quarters two and three that in both quarters the following challenges impacted on the performance of the department:
There are inadequate technical competencies essential for programme implementation. There is inadequate support staff, which puts undue pressure on the whole department. There is continued noncompliance with timelines, which includes submitting statutory accountability documents. This also includes a backlog in ministerial enquiries. It includes branches that are not sending reports for follow-up meetings with the Chief of Defence, the MinExco and the Exco. This also includes the department's session where the executive authority, the hon Minister, is still outstanding on statutory submissions.
The department also lacks provincial offices, which means that there is only a central office and the military veterans cannot access it in all the various provinces and municipalities. There is inadequate infrastructure and the nonfunctioning of the department's toll-free line, which poses a challenge. It is considered priority number eight, but it is a total failure and the cause of complaint by most military veterans. Of late we have seen some improvement but so much money has been spent on this call centre, which has not been effective.
There is the issue of the dependence on service delivery agencies, where we have seen a number of memoranda of agreements, service level agreements, and memoranda of understanding that are still outstanding but are essential in delivering and giving benefits to military veterans. When are all these documents going to be in place so that the task can be executed and the benefits issued to military veterans?
We also find that this department now wants to migrate all these responsibilities and competencies to the department. I think this portfolio committee deserves to be apprised of this issue and a cost benefit analysis needs to be submitted before that consideration can be considered seriously. In fact, this department sums up its own risk as follows: Firstly, Strategic Risk 1 is adequately skilled and dependable human capital. This is lacking in the department. Secondly, there is inadequate IT infrastructure and a nonadherence to IT governance. This is very serious because it also breaches security.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Esau, your time has expired. [Interjections.]
Mr S ESAU: Seven minutes gone, Chair? I thought they were going to give notice of the time. [Applause.]
Mr D D GAMEDE
Mr S ESAU
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 11
Mr D D GAMEDE: Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, and all the guests, I will ask for your indulgence because I would like to read a court judgement in the words of the SA Navy's spokesperson, Lieutenant-Commander Prince Tshabalala, who said: "Litchfield-Tshabalala faced four charges. These included assault, the ill treatment of a subordinate, fraud and crimen injuria." He then refused to elaborate. Litchfield-Tshabalala was convicted and fined in the Thaba Tshwane military court in Pretoria. She had resigned before the outcome of the case. I therefore rest my case on this matter, which the hon Bongo raised. [Interjections.]
Ms K LITCHFIELD-TSHABALALA: Hon Chairperson, I rise on a point of order. May hon Gamede please get his facts right? I never resigned from the Defence Force before the outcome of the case. When he talks about somebody, he needs to be informed about the facts.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order, hon Litchfield-Tshabalala. The hon Gamede was reading a ruling of the court. We would like to request him to submit it to the Table when he is done.
Mr D D GAMEDE: Chairperson, I will oblige and submit that. It is a court judgement. Secondly, … [Interjections.] I am presenting my speech. You just have to listen and learn. [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Address the House, hon Gamede, and disregard the distractions.
Mr D D GAMEDE: Hon Litchfield-Tshabalala misled this House when she said that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans had got more money than even education and social development. I have with me here the budget for the National Treasury, which states that the Defence Force has got R47,9 billion; social services R744 billion; education R253 billion; health R145 billion; and housing R142 billion. [Interjections.] These are facts.
Ms K LITCHFIELD-TSHABALALA: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order again. The point of order is that he is taking primary education and higher education together. I separated them in my speech.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order. In this country, when the President decided to split the Department of Education, he said there would be the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training. We do not have a department of primary education in South Africa. [Interjections.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: There are a lot of house chores that one must do but let me do the important things first. The ANC supports the budget, and does so with a big smile. [Applause.] When we, as the ANC, say that we have a good story to tell, we mean it. The reality is that most things are now better than they were prior to 1994. The fact that black people today can be members of the DA, formerly known as the Democratic Party, is testimony to this. They were not allowed to be members before. Now, thanks to the ANC, they can join any party. [Applause.]
Secondly, thanks to the ANC ... [Interjections.]
Mr S MOKGALAPA: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order. The hon member is misleading the House. For him to make the assertion that it is because of the ANC that there are black DA members is a frivolous assertion. That is nonsense.
Mr D D GAMEDE: Secondly, thanks to the ANC, today we have the SA National Defence Force, which is based on the will of the people. It is united and patriotic, regardless of the fact that it is made up of both statutory and nonstatutory forces. Only the ANC can do that. Their conviction is, South Africa first. I wish the opposition can learn something from them. If you look into the aims and objectives of the ANC, for those who are not privy to ANC gatherings, there are nine of them.
Ms M A MOLEBATSI: Hon Chair, I rise on a point of order. That hon member of the EFF is eating here in the Chamber.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! To all hon members, you are not allowed to bring food into the Chamber or to any session of the Extended Public Committees. If you want to eat, you eat outside. Only water is allowed in here. [Interjections.] I am speaking, hon member. Listen, because you will be doing the same thing tomorrow. All members, I do not care which party you belong to, you do not bring food in here. Even if you are sitting at the back there, you are still in this House. Food of any kind is not allowed in the House.
Mr M S MBATHA: Hon Chair, I rise on a point of order. Is it parliamentary for the hon member to point at an hon member ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): That very hon member is also pointing. Please sit down!
Mr M S MBATHA: So your role as the Chairperson is to regulate that!
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order! Sit down, hon member. Sit down! The very hon member you are protecting is the one who pointed fingers first.
Mr D D GAMEDE: The first aim of the ANC was to unite the people of South Africa, the second was to end apartheid so that every South African citizen could vote. We have gone past that. We can now all vote. But, as the ANC, we still have the challenge of uniting the people of South Africa. I can go on and on. The sixth aim is to promote economic growth for all to benefit. The eighth is to support and defend national liberation, world peace, etc. The point is, so far we have achieved freedom. Hence we say, "Yinde lendlela" or "the journey that we still have to travel is long." We say this because some people feel fear when we say, "the struggle continues".
Now, let me confine myself to South Africa's role in peacekeeping missions, in the region and in Africa. The ANC-led government is aware that a peaceful Africa will mean a peaceful South Africa. In fact, let me remind and inform other hon members who might not know that prior to 1994, Africa was home to the ANC. In fact, other countries suffered dearly for hosting the ANC in their countries. South Africa will continue to support regional and continental conflict-resolution and peacekeeping missions as it did in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, etc and as it also did in Central African Republic. Even though this is a serious strain on the budget of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, we, as a country, are duty-bound to assist. South Africa's resolve to promote peace, security and development on the continent will be demonstrated through unambiguous policy statements, the prepositioning of forces and the contribution of South African forces to various forms of peace missions.
In terms of the National Development Plan 2030, South Africa should place particular emphasis on combating maritime piracy along the east coast of Africa, so the SA Navy must continue to focus on the preparation of naval forces for operations in support of the Southern Africa Development Community Maritime Security Strategy, including patrols.
The SANDF is currently deployed to the DRC as part of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade, which has contributed to the demise of the then prominent M23 rebels. While challenges of stability remain in the area, it is clear that the SANDF played an active role in contributing to broader stability in the eastern DRC.
Funding for the SANDF's foreign missions reflect this as a priority, given that the bulk of the allocations of programme two, which is Force Employment, is allocated to the regional security subprogramme. This allocation is further set to increase over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period from R1,47 billion in the 2014-15 financial year to R1,81 billion by the 2016-17 financial year. While the developmental benefits of participation in peace missions are evident, it is crucial that the SANDF structure the rest of the programmes accordingly to ensure an effective air bridge between deployed SANDF Forces and their home bases.
The contribution of the SANDF's peacetime activities often goes unnoticed and unreported. South Africa plays a leading role in contributing to peace missions. However, funding for this purpose is under increasing pressure, as such an overall financial allocation should be aligned to the strategic objectives of the government. Despite the financial challenges, the SANDF continues to fulfil its role relatively effectively and it is clear that it plays a significant developmental role.
Hon Minister - through you, Chairperson - there are two issues that this committee will be seized with this term. The first one will be transformation in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans generally, especially in the SA Air Force, where it seems we have not moved on that much. This includes the appointment of women and people with disabilities in strategic positions. The second one will be to make it a point that the Human Development Index is one of the beneficiaries of defence procurement - of the real procurement deals, not just cleaning and gardening.
Let me deal with other matters raised by other hon members. When we say the ANC can tell a good story of 20 years in government, we wonder what story the other side can tell for 1910 to 1993. It must be a horrible story; the story of apartheid, oppression, killing and murder.
Coming to the chores of the House, even hon Maynier speaks in a forked tongue. As he opened his mouth, he congratulated South African soldiers for doing a good job. In the same vein, he said that soldiers were not doing that; they were killing people, just like the M23 rebels. That is speaking with a forked tongue. [Interjections.]
Mr D J MAYNIER: Hon Chair, I rise on a point of order. The hon member is well known for listening with his mouth and not his ears. I did not say what he claimed I said. [Interjections.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: Let me give you another synopsis. In this House, my analysis is that we have ANC members on my left - those are pure ANC members. On the right, you find former ANC members; those who might have been defeated in conferences and left; those who might have been ill disciplined and expelled. And then you find anti-ANC members on the far right - that side. So, we all have a little bit of ANC in us - pure ANC; former ANC and so on. On the other end ... [Interjections.]
Mr D J MAYNIER: Chair, I rise on a point of order. The hon member's speech is abysmal. It drives me to want something more than water to get through it.
Mr D D GAMEDE: When we were adopting the report and the budget of the department in committee, a person came in running when the chairperson had already closed the meeting. The chairperson was under the impression that maybe he was a technician because of the way he dressed and looked, only to find that he was an hon member of the EFF. He raised his hand and said that he wanted to object to the budget. The chairperson asked him why he was doing that. He said that he was told to come there and object. This is what we come across in meetings.
Hon Mncwango, we appreciate that you support the budget, as usual. We come far with you from KwaZulu-Natal. We definitely thank you for supporting the budget, as well as the NFP. Hon Holomisa, we would have appreciated it if you supported the budget. It would have meant that we were not going to have a coup because you would have supported the department.
Dr B H HOLOMISA: You are out of order, hon member.
Mr D D GAMEDE: You are here, General! Thank you very much, General. I did not notice you. At least we are safe, there will be no coup. Hon Esau, thank you very much for your support. Hon Groenewald, I have something to say about why we have a problem in the Western Cape. In 1993 all the generals assembled in Cape Town, because they wanted to stop democracy. They went to all these places, such as George and other military places. That is why we see this behaviour from hon Groenewald.
The ANC supports the budget. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE
Mr D D GAMEDE
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Take: 12
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Chair, I want to thank all the members who participated in this debate. I value your inputs and contributions. They are very useful and will help sharpen our tools of analysis and give resolution to some of the challenges we have in the Defence Force.
There were parts of my speech that I did not get around to during my allotted speaking time which have since been covered by the hon Esau and hon Swart, who indicated that the budget of the Department of Military Veterans is actually insufficient. I am glad that hon Swart reminded hon members that Parliament has an obligation, when it is necessary for it do so, to raise the matter of the Defence Force's insufficient budget. We cannot run the Defence Force like a small cop shop. We have to think strategically. It is not about a year or two; we have to look at the long-term implications. We are now reaping the fruits of the decisions we took after 1994. [Interjections.]
Mr D J MAYNIER: Bad decisions!
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: No, just wait now. We had to deal with the pressing socioeconomic challenges that were there for the majority of South Africans who had no access to infrastructure and the basic needs of ordinary human beings. We have had to move budget away from the Defence Force. Now the time has come, 20 years down the line and after we have conducted a Defence Review, that ... We have finished cleaning up a bit of the mess, but not 100% of the mess that some of you had left behind. Now that we are done with that, we have to divert some of the funds to the Defence Review processes in order to capacitate our Defence Force and ensure that we have all the capabilities we need.
I would also like to say that we are working very well and we are about to launch what is called the National Defence Industry Council, which hopefully will strengthen relations between ourselves and the defence industry in this country. Everybody in the country, commentators and analysts have supported it. In fact, there is a national consensus around the Defence Review. You are the only one, with your song and dance, who is out of tune and who did not get it right this time. [Laughter.] You did not get it right. [Interjections.] A consensus is agreement.
Mr D J MAYNIER: By everybody?
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: By everybody, minus him, because the DA on this matter ... I am surprised, actually. I am totally surprised. You are saying that ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms L M Maseko): Order!
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: ... the process was flawed and therefore the outcome is flawed. I am completely surprised and I think a number of people will be wondering what exactly you mean by that. I am saying you are out of tune and you are not moving with the times or with the country on this one.
I also would like to say that on the matter of the special defence account - hon Maynier – I do not know if that is the position of the DA. Do you want a special defence account which is suddenly, today, very transparent to you and to the South African public? I want to say to you, you are being mischievous. I will not go beyond that. You are being extremely mischievous and reckless. I think you should go back and think twice about this.
Now, on the matter of discipline, I am sorry that the hon Groenewald has left the Chamber. There may be differences here and there, but I can assure you that he is one of the people whose views I would have liked to hear on this matter. I chaired a Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence for years and he was a member of that committee. He continues to be a member for Defence. He is an asset to Parliament on matters of Defence. I am sorry that he had to leave, because I was keen to hear his views on some of these matters.
The matter of the generals, who are behind me here - the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Force and the Secretary of Defence - has since been responded to. I do not want to enter into that discussion because the matter is now sub judice and I would rather that we leave it to the courts to deal with.
I would like to thank all of you for supporting our budget. I think all of us would agree that the debates are improving day by day. I found today's debate very constructive and it assisted me and the generals here behind me to deal with some of the issues you have raised.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Armscor board, which is present. We have a new Armscor board, as you know. I know that they are here and they have been extremely supportive to us. So far there has been regular interaction and I really look forward to working with them. I want to thank the entire management of the Department of Military Veterans and this team of generals. They may have some shortcomings or weaknesses, but I can assure you that they are a winning team. [Applause.] I would like to commend them for the work they have been doing, giving us and the Deputy Minister all the support we require
In conclusion, I would like to thank the portfolio committee for their support. We may not have appeared before the committee but ... [Interjections.] By the way, you said I have not appeared before the joint standing committee. I cannot impose myself on you. If you call me and say, Minister, on such and such a date we expect you to appear before the committee, I will oblige and do so. But I cannot just walk into a committee meeting and say, I am here; what do you want me to tell you. I cannot do that. [Applause.] I will take the initiative.
One of the reasons we decided in 1994 that we should have a civilian secretariat and to have that person as the accounting officer was precisely to do away with this thing of expecting generals to appear before the portfolio committee every now and then. As far as I know the Secretary of Defence has appeared before the committee on several occasions. Thank very much. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
The Committee rose at 12:32.
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