Hansard: Hansard Mini Plenary: Debate on Vote No 19 – Defence and Military Veterans
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 18 May 2018
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
MINI PLENARY SESSION –
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FRIDAY, 18 MAY 2018
PROCEEDINGS OF MINI-PLENARY SESSION – NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Members of the mini-plenary session met in the National Assembly Chamber at 10:03.
House Chairperson Ms M G Boroto took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Let me first acknowledge the presence of our guests in the gallery. We really appreciate you being here. I feel highly protected with all the generals up there. The House Rules ... The debate might get exciting. I just want to say to our guests that according to the rules of the National Assembly you are not allowed to participate by clapping hands or taking photos or so on. I know sometimes it’s difficult to hold yourself back when the debate gets exciting but to make sure that we
maintain the decorum of the House I will really ask you to work with us. I will now ask the secretary to read the Order.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 19 – Defence and Military Veterans:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): I’m now going to invite the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to open the debate. The hon Nqakula. [Applause.] Did I hear some hands clapping up there? [Interjections.] Soldiers are blocking people? What’s happening? Can you check on that?
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: I’m here. No jammers. No, soldiers don’t jam. We don’t jam things. No, you can’t start the time. [Inaudible.] No, you have. Please. [Inaudible.] Okay.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Your concern about the people being blocked outside is being attended to.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Thank you very much, Chairperson. Chairperson, Deputy Minister hon Maphatsoe, Cabinet colleagues and Deputy Ministers, chairperson and members of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, cochairpersons and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, the Secretary of Defence, the Chief of the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, the acting Director- General of the Department of Military Veterans, chairpersons, chief executive officers and heads of all entities of the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, distinguished guests, friends and fellow South Africans, on behalf of the nation I want to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Defence Force for the manner in which they conducted the funeral services of our stalwarts Mama Winnie Mandela and Dr Zola Skweyiya.
Last week, the 9th of May marked 24 years since our mother Albertina Sisulu stood on the floor of this House to nominate Nelson Mandela as our country’s first democratically elected President. This year the nation commemorates the centenary of the births of President Mandela and Mama Sisulu. Accordingly, we dedicate this Budget Vote debate to both these stalwarts and the founding leaders of our democratic dispensation.
With us today is Major Seitebatso Block who was awarded the 2017 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for promoting the principles of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 within a military context.
The SANDF is deeply honoured to remember Nelson Mandela as its founding Commander in Chief and continues to be inspired by his values and vision for a Defence Force that symbolises unity and serves all our people.
The Defence Force is committed to the principles and values enshrined in our Constitution. The Defence Force’s first policy document appropriately entitled, Defence in a democracy, was approved by this Parliament. A central principle of our constitutional democracy is the subordination of the military to civil authority. The entrenchment of that principle during tata’s tenure as President of the Republic is one of the many positive legacies he bequeathed on our nation.
Democratic South Africa adopted a parliamentary system of government wherein Parliament has legislative authority and the President is both Head of State and head of the executive. The President is the Commander in Chief of the Defence Force, and the Constitution vests in me political responsibility for the defence of South Africa. The Constitution requires me to develop and implement national defence policy and to co-ordinate the defence function. I am accountable to Parliament and the President for this.
Our Constitution requires that command of the Defence Force must be exercised in accordance with my directions which I give under the authority of the President. The Secretary of Defence is the head of the Department of Defence, and its accounting officer. The department consists of the Defence Secretariat, the Defence Force and any other auxiliary service which may be established.
This Defence budget speech is my strategic direction for the 2018 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and is to be executed by the department.
South Africa is a peaceful country that lives in harmony with its neighbours. However, the unpredictability of the strategic environment, together with emerging conflict trends on the African continent, requires us to maintain a credible military force as a deterrent. Some of the countries in the Southern African Development Community, SADC, are injecting financial resources to build their military capacity through acquisition programmes. Conversely, South Africa is on a path of reduced defence expenditure.
The Defence Review 2015 warned us that no country can be considered immune from international acts of terror that are difficult to counter owing to the international networks involved, and which may be perpetrated by individuals not affiliated to a specific country or group but to an ideological cause.
Terrorism poses a real danger to our region. South Africa’s constrained ability to effectively manage, monitor and react to land, air and maritime threats allows for the continuous inflow of illegal migrants, the smuggling of goods and weapons, and human trafficking. These factors contribute to internal instability and lawlessness. The porousness of our borders requires a multidepartmental approach and the co- operation of our neighbours. For instance, the barbaric manner of the recent slaughter in Durban is a concern to our people and we should note that this is a new phenomenon in South Africa.
We must remain vigilant in protecting and securing our airspace and maritime zones. Unmanned aerial vehicles and privately-owned small aircraft are often used for acts that threaten the safety and security of our people.
We are all aware of the growing cyber threat to the Republic and the risk to our sovereignty. It is paramount that efficient, powerful and cost-effective cyber-defence and cyber-security solutions are implemented to protect the critical information infrastructure.
Natural and man-made disasters remain a reality that could have catastrophic consequences for our country. Increased and possibly detrimental global warming is forecast.
Both Parliament and Parliament endorsed the SA Defence Review in 2015 as the national policy on defence. We developed the Defence plan to arrest the decline, which addressed the first three milestones of the Defence Review, and which I presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on 12 May 2017.
I reported to this House last year that the persistent and continued dramatic downward trend in real terms of the funding allocation to Defence has reached a point where the Department of Defence runs the risk of losing more of its essential capabilities, in addition to those already lost.
Members also recall that last year I reported that we are endeavouring to develop a common Department of Defence and National Treasury budget proposal, endorsed by both Ministers, which will inform our engagement of the Ministers Committee on the Budget and the development of the 2018 Medium-Term Strategic Framework.
We have had ongoing engagements with National Treasury and the Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation over the last year, and we look forward to the Department of Defence and the National Treasury jointly briefing the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the funding of the implementation of the Defence Review.
I must now report to the House that, despite these efforts, the Defence allocation has not improved. Specifically, the critical requirement to raise the Defence baseline during the MTEF by R18,2 billion to implement the Defence Review has not been realised. This year alone, we have a reduction of R5,8 billion, and specifically a R3,2 billion shortfall in the compensation of employees budget. The reduction translates to an R18 billion reduction over the MTEF. This poses serious constraints to Defence and the plan to arrest the Defence’s decline remains unfunded. Defence should remain mandate driven and not budget driven as is currently the case.
Not only is the Defence Force expected to defend and protect the Republic; it is expected to rapidly intervene during crises on the continent. It must sustain peace support operations and continuously secure the land borders, the full maritime zone and the airspace. We also expect the Defence Force to be a key role-player in the cyber defence of South Africa and to support other government departments, when required. We further expect the Defence Force to execute our many internal obligations.
This level of ambition is not sustainable on the current level of funding. I want to repeat what I said last year. South Africa has now reached the point where it must make a decision on the kind of Defence Force it wants and what it can afford.
In terms of planning, we must assume that Defence will remain on this downward funding trajectory for the foreseeable future. Should this be the case, urgent steps will have to be taken to stabilise the department and create a more sustainable defence capability, albeit at a lower level than was envisaged in both the 1998 and 2015 Defence Reviews.
We must put in place a dramatic measure to ensure that the Defence Force can sustainably function within the reduced allocation. I have directed the department to formulate targeted interventions to achieve short-term sustainability. These interventions must ensure the least possible disruption to the fighting units and must enhance the SANDF’s operational output.
I have also directed the department and the Chief of the SA National Defence Force to follow a soldier-first principle for its members, emphasising discipline, fitness, training, medical health and the personal equipment of our individual soldiers. The Defence Force exists to conduct military operations and must ensure that each and every soldier is ready to deploy in military operations as required.
In terms of human resources, the budget constraints drive us to consider a reduction of personnel. However, considering operational pressures, the council on Defence made a decision not to reduce the Defence’s personnel complement.
I have directed the department to make personnel interventions focussed on the combat units, supported by both a feeder system that will bring in young, fit and healthy soldiers and an accelerated, attractive retirement programme with full benefits, beyond that of the current mobility exit mechanism,MEM, but without losing critical skills. I have instructed the department to:
Firstly, rejuvenate the personnel component by maximising the combat capability of the SANDF, by staffing our combat units with existing young, healthy and fit soldiers. This will improve both the average staffing of units, as well as the mean age of these units;
Secondly, ensure the retention of technical, medical and other scarce skills; and Thirdly, drive career management and succession planning in pursuit of a young, professionalised and skilled Defence Force.
As the council on Defence, we have taken a decision to review the effectiveness of the current MEM.
I would also like to thank the 15 000 Reserve Force members who voluntarily served in the past financial year. The new Reserve Force regulations were gazetted on 22 June 2017. I wish to assure you that the deficiencies and corruption in the current Reserve Force system are being addressed and I have directed that the whole Reserve Force system must be overhauled. I expect the Reserve Force Council to make inputs in this regard.
We will have to prioritise the maintenance of that equipment which is required for priority missions, and dispose of legacy and irreparable equipment and ammunition. Notwithstanding the severe fiscal constraints, we must prioritise the acquisition of domain-awareness systems in order to deliver more effective operations.
In terms of sustainment, I require the department to develop a new supply-support system for further operations. An improved value proposition must be created in the procurement process to enhance operational responsiveness and economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Our facility footprint is one of our most significant cost drivers. Our footprint must be rationalised to be in alignment with the priority missions. In addition, we must develop endowment properties and reduce the Department of Defence’s exposure to high-cost leases.
Hon members will recall that I had previously reflected on the need to sweat our assets as part of the funding model for the implementation of the Defence Review. Our defence endowment properties will occupy a central place in our facility strategy in the years ahead. We must develop a policy and practice notes for the sweating of surplus defence endowment assets and lease our underutilised facilities.
I have further ordered a forensic investigation into the 1 Military Hospital refurbishment programme due to the number of years and the cost it has taken for the hospital to be fully refurbished and completed.
The Defence Force is currently involved in border safeguarding operations along the Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana borders. The Defence Force’s deployment has ensured tremendous successes. However, due to the current budget cut, the roll-out from the current 15 subunits to
22 will probably be delayed.
In order to enhance the mobility, quick reaction and wide coverage of forces deployed along the borders, the Defence Force has procured new Troop-Pack vehicles that are being rolled out in phases as part of an integrated mobility package on the borderline. Two hundred of these vehicles have been distributed already and are currently being used in Operation Corona. Fifty are deployed in the Free State and 25 are in each of the other seven provinces which are on the borderline.
The Defence Force will continue to conduct maritime border safeguarding operations under Operation Corona, ensuring a joint and multiagency approach in safeguarding South Africa’s maritime zones and providing a secure environment for the accelerated economic growth initiatives of Operation Phakisa’s oceans economy. The SA Navy’s visible presence and active patrols has led to the absence of piracy incidents in the Mozambique Channel and the total absence of maritime piracy within South Africa’s maritime zones.
In support of our foreign policy, and within the mandates provided by the UN and the AU, we have continued to make a meaningful contribution to the security of the continent, creating an environment where political stability, economic development, and educational and technological advancement exist. In pursuit of these objectives, the sons and daughters of this land have at times paid the ultimate price.
I would like to inform the House that the SANDF’s Brigadier General Patrick Njabulo Dube took over command of the UN Force Intervention Brigade, FIB, in the Democratic Republic of Congo during April 2018. I also want to inform you that the force commander of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Monusco, who was South Africa’s own General Mgwebi, is here with us today and has retired from active force. [Applause.]
South Africa supports the UN intention to downscale Monusco. However, in doing so, this should not affect the capacity and capability of the FIB, which has an enforcement mandate during robust and combat capabilities. The withdrawal of some of these capabilities led to fatal casualties for the Tanzanian contingent of the FIB. We therefore cannot accept that South Africa withdraws its assets, in particular the Rooivalk, which we have been directed to withdraw, which would weaken our combat capability and place our troops at risk.
Furthermore, we withdrew our training team in the Democratic Republic of Congo, namely Team Bulisa, which was established on a bilateral basis in that country.
In terms of our SADC commitments and foreign policy objectives, our Commander in Chief remains the mediator in Lesotho. South Africa has pledged its support to the SADC’s police and military, Sapmil, operation in Lesotho. We await further orders from the Commander in Chief.
The African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, ACIRC, was set up in November 2014. Although established as a temporary measure, it must continue until all of us are confident that the African Standby Force is fully established, organised and operationalised at a continental level. To this effect, South Africa will be the framework nation for the ACIRC in 2020 and will continue to participate as a volunteer nation throughout.
The SANDF, through its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response operations, has continued to provide support for disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and search and rescue missions on an ongoing basis. An example was the recent firefighting in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, the building of bridges in rural areas where it is necessary when there are floods and the SA Military Health Service’s deployment to the North West province.
In support of the National Development Plan, the Defence is involved in Operation Phakisa. The local building of three patrol vessels and a hydrographic survey vessel for the SA Navy will significantly bolster the national ship-building industry.
The Armaments Corporation of SA, Armscor, has also supported Operation Phakisa through capability technologies at a cost of R6,26 billion, which will create 570 highly technical direct jobs and 4 560 indirect jobs over a period of five years.
Operation Koba-Tlala is aligned with the country’s policy for the agriculture sector. The project is focussed on boosting small-scale and emerging farmers and small, medium and micro- sized enterprises, SMMEs, as part of the value chain. This initiative should have a footprint in all rural provinces. We intend to provide greater job prospects for the youth as well as the reskilling and education of our Reserve Force members.
In this financial year, the Defence Force will launch a production brigade. The Defence’s capital requirement is aligned with the Department of Trade and Industry’s focus areas as outlined in the Integrated Policy Action Plan and the research and development objectives of the Republic.
Members will recall that last year I reported on the launch of the National Defence Industry Council. Subsequently, the Defence Industry Charter was gazetted in August 2017 for public comment and the sector has agreed on the set targets.
The charter now awaits a formal launch. A Defence industry strategy has been developed which directs the transformation of the Defence industry through the introduction of SMMEs that are supported through government initiatives and nurtured by existing major companies. A Defence industry fund will be launched in two weeks time on 6 June 2018.
Armscor has continued to execute its mandate within the framework of good governance and fiscal discipline. Between Armscor and the industry, over 120 Science and Engineering university bursaries have been awarded to new students this year. Over 130 schools were reached nationally through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Stem.
Armscor has established a military veteran’s enterprise development incubator and the enterprise supplier development to ensure that this designated group is supported and included in the Defence industry.
The Department of Defence welcomes the changes being effected in Denel and in particular the appointment of a new board.
Denel’s challenges negatively impacted on the delivery of defence systems and capabilities, making it difficult to spend our Special Defence Account allocation. This has also negatively affected the entire Defence industry, and in particular those smaller companies dependent on Denel’s supply chain.
As the biggest client of Denel, the Department of Defence requests an urgent intervention by government to develop a rescue plan that ensures the retention of critical sovereign assets, intellectual property and the critical skills that reside in Denel.
As a result of Denel’s challenges, we have reversed our earlier decision, which I announced here, to transfer the naval dockyard from Armscor to Denel.
The 10th Africa Aerospace and Defence, AAD, exhibition will be hosted in September in Pretoria under a theme that celebrates tata Madiba. I invite hon members to support our Defence industry and visit the AAD 2018 exhibition to see the cutting-edge technology developed and manufactured in South Africa and around the world.
In my 2017 budget speech, I informed members that we had initiated the development of a multipurpose logistic support vehicle called Truck Africa under Project Palama. This project has since commenced under the accelerated acquisition programme, making use of indigenous local knowledge and expertise. It will be commissioned in phases in 2019.
Since the 2015 commencement of Project Thusano, in collaboration with the Cuban armed forces, 5 601 vehicles have been repaired at a saving cost of R434 million. Skills were also transferred to 1 171 members.
The UN follows a zero tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse cases committed by its peacekeepers, and requires stronger enforcement action against perpetrators. South Africa has come under scrutiny in this regard.
Nonetheless, the UN also regards us as the case for best practice in the manner in which we conduct our investigations and prosecutions within the mission areas. I am however concerned that the lenient sentences imposed by our military courts do not act as a deterrent and this has resulted in strong criticism against South Africa. I have directed the Chief of the Defence Force to issue a Force instruction on sexual exploitation and abuse in mission areas. If a perpetrator is found guilty, he or she must be dishonourably discharged.
Following security breaches in some units, the Defence Force has instituted management interventions to address security at military bases. We need to have a combination of both technology and armed guards. This includes ill discipline and criminal acts such as the recent incident in Limpopo where a member of the Defence Force was arrested by the police for criminal activity. Subsequently, the member has been dishonourably discharged from the Defence Force.
Mechanisms to deal with corruption are also in place, which have resulted in the arrest and prosecution of senior officers and other officials.
It is both illegal and unacceptable for any serving member of the Defence Force to be involved in party political activities and to make party political utterances. In this regard we have current ongoing disciplinary cases. Members, if found to have acted in this manner, will be disciplined.
The integration of the seven different armed forces into one single, cohesive force anchored South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. This was a difficult and painful process, and in this regard, we have noted and condemned the racist comments made by one of our own members in the social and mainstream media. Disciplinary processes are already underway.
We are one of the few countries that has a military ombudsperson, which is an oversight mechanism that supports democracy, transparency and accountability. South Africa will be hosting the 10th International Conference of Ombuds Institutions of the Armed Forces in October.
The ombud finalised 664 cases. A total of 43 cases were submitted to me and in each instance I accepted the recommendations. Only six of these remain outstanding for implementation.
It is with sadness that we lost the first chairperson of the interim Defence Force Service Commission, DFSC, Judge Boshielo. I appreciate the work being done by the DFSC, particularly that of visiting our bases and members in deployments. I received 263 recommendations in the last year.
In particular, we note the gazetted regulations concerning improvements in service conditions for specific categories of members. Although we have the funds to implement these, we are not able to do so due to the nonconcurrence by National Treasury.
There needs to be a more concerted effort to strengthen aspects of governance and administration in the Department of Military Veterans, as well as to combat corruption and its impact on service delivery. The Deputy Minister will elaborate on these and other matters.
In our midst we also have graduates, supported by the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, who have completed their studies. A total of 140 learners received education support from the Minister’s special projects over the last six years. On behalf of all members of the Defence Force and employees of the Department of Defence, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent work done over the years. I want you to always remember that it is an honour to serve your people with dedication. We take great pride in your achievements.
I specifically wish to thank the Portfolio Committee on Defence, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, the Secretary of Defence, the Chief of the SA National Defence Force, the Military Command Council and the Defence Secretariat for their support over this last years.
I request hon members to approve the R47,9 billion budget allocated for this year. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr H S MOTIMELE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of defence and Military Veterans, Comrade Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, hon Deputy Minister, Comrade Kebby Maphatsoe, hon Members of Parliament and guests in the gallery, I must once more salute all military veterans present here and at home and quote from one of your own:
Even in the absence of any immediate threat of external aggression the defence force has to be trained, equipped and structured to be a credible deterrent.
President Nelson Mandela, at the occasion of the Defence Force Parade in 1995. I reckon this was said against the background that South Africa’s national security and interest is centred on the seamless advancement of its sovereignty, democracy
national values and freedoms and its political and economic independence. As the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, we are also keen to contribute meaningfully to these national efforts to ensure that our people are and feel safe in our beloved country. As a committee we have resolved and encourage that the department’s leadership should continuously avail themselves for these engagements in order to ensure proper and effective accountability and strategic direction.
The committee commends the department for executing its mandate with the limited resources availed to it and in particular for safeguarding our landline borders. We note the various successes in curtailing illegal cross-border activities and encourage the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, to further enhance this function to safeguard our borders. The department’s budget has been reduced with 2,14% in nominal terms for this financial year. This call for a serious reconsideration of the department’s spending priorities. As a committee, we have expressed our willingness to assist the department provided it generates concrete and practical options on how to address this challenge. We urge the department to co-operate with the National Treasury as well as the Department of Public Service and Administration in this
regard. Related to this, is the concern regarding the lack of substantial progress in the implementation of the 2015 defence review, in particular the deliverables of milestone 1, which is aimed at addressing the decline in the Defence Force.
However, it is comforting for the committee to say that the department has developed a comprehensive plan, to prevent the decline of critical defence capabilities by focusing on immediate and directed interventions. The final plan, we understand, is awaiting approval. The new funding model for the implementation of the defence review, developed in partnership with the Treasury is schedule for completion in 2017-18.
Chairperson and hon member as you well know, South Africa’s national security inextricably hinges on the stability, unity and prosperity of the Southern African region, and the continent in general. The committee has recently taken an oversight visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I must say that the committee was impressed with the level of expertise and professionalism of our peacekeepers in especially the force intervention Brigade of United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Monusco. We applaud them for their selfless
dedication and encourage them to refrain from any act or conduct unbecoming of a professional soldier. We need to express our discomfort with the logistical support and specifically the procurement processes to our peacekeepers. In particular, we want to highlight the unreliability of the C130 aircraft, the Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters due to technical problems. The committee is of the view that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans should prioritise the repair and maintenance of these aircraft.
The Department of Military Veterans has made great strides under the leadership of the Minister, Deputy Minister and the acting director-general and the committee will motivate them to further enhance the effective governance of the department. In particular, the preliminary improved spending of 97% of the total budget by the end of the fourth quarter of 2017-18, versus the 59,8% in the previous financial year, is welcomed.
The department should continue this trend in 2018-19, especially in the two service delivery programmes of socioeconomic support and the empowerment and stakeholder management programmes. We however lament the poor performance related to housing where only 156 out of 500 were built in the fourth quarter, as well as the nonperformance on access to
public transport for military veterans. We are concerned that we are provided with percentages in reports which do not give a clear understanding of the kind of impact and the number of people that have been assisted.
The department should henceforth provide the actual number and or cases in their reports to the committee. We welcome the educational support given to deserving military veterans and their dependants, as wide ranging benefits can be accrued from it. We are apprehensive of the drastic escalation in the number of bursaries and advise the department to be vigilant and ensure that this benefit is not being misused. We further noted with unease that this high demand was funded by shifting unspent funds from housing and skills development benefits.
The expected expenditure increases in 2018-19 in relation to: Catering, communication, infrastructure and planning, legal services and especially the allocation of contractors, are worrisome and we plan to hold the department to account on these items.
The committee acknowledges the two consecutive clean audits by the Castle Control Board and urge it to further enhance its good governance practices. The progress made with securing the Castle’s assets and staff is also welcomed given the locality and increasing relevance of this historical precinct. The committee will also urge the Castle Control Board to pursue the revenue optimisation strategy to enhance revenue collection and become self-sustainable.
We welcome Armscor’s willingness and ability to assist the department in the process of sweating assets as an alternative means of raising funds, should this process eventually be initiated. We encourage the department to further explore the options generated in order to augment its finances. We have previously expressed our concern regarding the developments around the Simon’s Town Dockyard and urge the parties to address their challenges given the Dockyard’s strategic and critical role to repair and maintain the Navy’s vessels.
In this regard, the appointment of a new director at the Dockyard is welcomed. Further, the contracting for the Inshore Patrol Vessels and a new Hydrographic Vessel is welcomed and we call on Armscor to address the delays for the contracting of Offshore Patrol Vessels for the SA Navy. The crucial role the Military Ombud has started to play in addressing complaints from serving and former soldiers as well as the public has once again been highlighted in the increasing number of people coming forward for assistance from this
Office. Noting that the term of the current Ombud will expire in May 2019, we plan to start enquiring about the process for his successor, given the protracted process to fill the post of the Deputy Military Ombud. Further, we urge the Minister to assist the office in addressing the significant delays in the implementation of recommendations made by the Military Ombud.
As a committee, we are proud of the men and women who serve in the SA National Defence Force. We encourage them to continue with their selfless service in defence of our territorial integrity through safeguarding our borders and acting as peacekeepers under trying conditions. The Department of Military Veterans is going from strength to strength, despite some of the challenges that are beyond their control. Our call is that all relevant role-players need to hold hands to assist them to deliver benefits to our deserving military veterans and their dependants. To our entities, continue the good work to ensure that you contribute to the welfare and economy of our country. In closing, I quote:
I want every member of the SA National Defence Force to know that my government and I regard the SA National Defence Force as a priceless national asset.
President Nelson Mandela at the occasion of the Defence Force Day Parade in 1995. Once again, hon Chairperson, the ANC supports and embraces this Budget Vote. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr S J F MARAIS: Chairperson, this budget is tantamount to a defence crossroad we have reached while government and the department are neglecting their obligation to comply with section 200 of the Constitution. Our committee has unfortunately very seldom interacted with the Minister and the Chief of Defence to discuss the dilapidated state of the Defence Force.
This budget has been reduced on a yearly basis, both in nominal and in real terms. While comparable nations spend between 2% and 3% of GDP, we only spend 0,95% of GDP. With a Defence Index of 15%, this budget has decreased by R8 billion in real terms, which is unrealistic, irresponsible and unsustainable and increases our sovereign vulnerability and associated risks exponentially. We will hardly be able to re- establish our defence capabilities to effectively: defend our sovereignty on land, sea and air; participate in land-border security operations; participate in regional peacekeeping
missions; support Operation Phakisa; and comply with international treaties.
At this rate and with the concerning deterioration of discipline and the unwillingness to act decisively, it is not a matter of if but rather when we will have to close down our once proud SANDF, leaving our land and economy exposed and vulnerable. Chances of us progressing beyond Milestone 1 of the Defence Review are diminishing by the day, making the 2015 Defence Review irrelevant and unrealistic, and it must be revised.
Minister, despite numerous calls by the DA and the National Treasury, nothing has been done to restructure the Defence Force to reprioritise strategies and spending, including the crafting of an exit mechanism for excess staff. Both the Defence Review and the National Treasury demand a cost structure of 40% for HR, 30% for operations & 30% for equipment. At the end of the third quarter of last year, HR spending was at 59%, with an indication of a further overspending to be expected.
The average age of the Defence staff is close to 50 years, and for privates close to 32 years. This is not realistic largely
because of our dependence on infantry units. It fans the perception that the Defence Force is an “old-boys club” and a provider of protected jobs for cronies.
Minister, a poor economy and decreasing budget are our realities as this department is clearly not a high government priority. The DA believes that we can, however, achieve much more with the current budget through efficient reprioritisation, implementation and management. Treasury will need to agree to a once-off allocation to fund the exit- mechanism to reduce HR costs close to 40%. We also need to liquidate nonessential assets, which will release funds to spend on the recapitalisation of essential assets primarily in the Air Force, Navy and Infantry.
Our soldiers, as part of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo, Monusco, in the DRC deserve more acknowledgement and support. They play a critical role in bringing stability and peace, enabling economic development and ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections in December this year. Minister and General Shoke, the poor logistical support to our soldiers, the poor state and serviceability of our prime mission equipment, inadequate discipline and the negative perceptions amongst the United Nations leadership and Monusco donors are manageable variables that can be changed if the political will exists.
The SANDF has a poor record with the United Nations on the serviceability of our mission equipment. A total of 80% of the United Nation’s refund is based on the effectiveness of our Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters, and yet they were able to fly only 34% of the allocated flights in February this year. What was the reason? It was poor maintenance due to unavailability or slow delivery of spare parts.
Our involvement with Monusco is an opportunity to contribute to a peaceful region and to free and fair elections while gaining a critical source of ring-fenced revenue if only the Minister and the Defence leadership were prepared to take bold decisions. Our reliance on one dilapidated C-130 Hercules is now costing us dearly as regular flights to replenishment supplies, transport equipment and airlift of soldiers are inadequate and deplorable. Minister, the DA’s view is that you must do more and prioritise the SANDF’s interest. You must adopt a pragmatic diplomacy approach in the best interest of South Africa and a stable region in support of our soldiers and to retain the Rooivalk in the DRC. You must urgently
restructure the SANDF based on its current and foreseeable role in compliance with section 200 of our Constitution with the primary focus on land-boarder patrol and protection and sea-boarder patrol. You must support our ocean economy and participation in regional peace-keeping to secure regional, political and economical stability.
You must acquire affordable aircrafts for multipurpose transportation such as the C-130J, and the Donier 328TP for maritime patrols. Last week alone, 18 Chinese trawlers plus a further 15 vessels with no transponders were identified on our East Coast, but we had no capacity to react. This is a grave threat to our sovereignty and our economy.
You must ensure improved logistical service delivery to our soldiers on our land borders and in the DRC. Sell half the Grippens and the VIP fleet which have been grounded since last year, with Inkwazi grounded for 2 years now. You must ensure the urgent replacement of Denel in managing the dockyard in order to ensure delivery of the offshore patrol vessels and inshore patrol vessels to protect our naval capabilities. You must address the underutilisation of Armscor to secure economic development in the Defence industry.
Deal decisively with disciplinary cases, including the sexual exploitation and abuse transgressions, and poor discipline and accountability in the SANDF. Just to name four cases, General Shoke must be held accountable for the deplorable handling and the caring of the horses our mounted unit at the SA Army Specialised Infantry Capability unit, which resulted in 25 horses of this mounted unit being put down. Major Mohlala has expressed blatant racism on Facebook and only received a slap on the wrist. Despite warnings by the DA and court findings, the SANDF illegally evicted people from the Marievale Military Base, many of whom are military veterans and children. What has happened to the transgressors for wasting money and acting unlawfully? Nothing! Nothing has happened to Corporal Marakalla, the driver of the chief of joint operations who misused a Defence BMW 540i in a heist activity.
Minister, the DA appeals to you to restore discipline in all ranks and units and return to basics. Cut nonessential expenses like Armscor’s 30% salary increases, entertainment costs to the Cape Town jazz festival, hunting trips and nonessential trips abroad. We appeal to you to: restructure the Defence Force and reprioritise expenditure with an emphasis on rejuvenating the HR component; focus on land and
sea-border patrol and protection; and re-equip the Air Force, Navy and Infantry.
In conclusion, Chairperson, this budget is inadequate for the current structure. It does not address our challenges, opportunities and especially our priorities. Thus it is bad value for money. South Africa deserves better! I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S P MHLONGO: Chairperson, all winning and stable nations build capabilities of their armed forces during times of peace. It is against this backdrop, where defence plays a key role in both national security and industrialisation which in turn creates jobs thus intervening directly to national stability of the nation.
In our situation, we are engaging on debate of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Budget Vote without a comprehensive Strategic Defence Review report, which is indicative of lack of vision and leadership at both political and management level of the department. Without a plan, it means we are here to endorse fiscus dumping which promotes consumption through tenders for family and friends without any form of check and balance, or accountability.
In your tenure as the Minister of Defence, hon Minister, the Internal Audit Division of Defence has collapsed, with an incompetent and unfit Chief Internal Executive. But it is a surprise that you keep such an incompetent Chief Internal Executive, because in the absence of functioning internal audit, it is tree for all, and no one is there to raise an alarm about the looting taking place at an industrial scale.
The other issue of concern is on outsourced HR services which ought to be brought under Defence Secretariat for harmonisation with the Department of Public Service and Administration’s position or regulations. This is a threat to defence on its own as critical personnel information as the of the members of the Department of Defence may land in the hands of people who in turn may put national security at greater risk, as we have seen with Food and Drug Administration, FDA, putting our country at a greater risk than ever before.
One of the key pillars of EFF is building state capacity in achieving developmental objective of this great nation and the continent. It is surprising that this department is deliberately weakening engineering division by outsourcing core functions of this division, while trainer engineers champ under the sun in Thaba Nchu playing morabaraba the whole day.
As EFF we congratulate the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, Armscor, management for remaining honest and patriotic to the nation.
We call upon the Ministers of Defence, Trade and Industry and state-owned entiprise, SOE, as well as the Head of State to intervene in the harmonisation of working relations between Armscor, Denel and the Department of Defence for the country to live to its full potential. Afterall ...
IsiZulu:
... umsebenzi wenu wukubanga umsindo nje ngobe vele ...
English:
... you are howlers. Empty tins make noise. If Denel was performing to its expected capacity, we would not have been held in ransom by unpatriotic people like FDA who brought security of our country to greater risk. We need leadership, Madam Minister, to ensure that Armscor plays a key role in the building of defence capabilities in line with 20th century demands and at most, industrial partner in job creation.
On the Peace Mission, there can be no realisation of peace in the continent without this department developing a clear plan
which will enhance maximum security of the continent in line with AU objectives. For all this to be achieved, we need a shared vision with member states in the continent of which South Africa must play a crucial leadership role.
I invite you, hon Minister, and your colleagues, in the executive, and maybe all of us present here today, to go and read with greater understanding speech made by hon President Thabo Mbeki in the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture at University of Witswaterand on 29 July 2006. I hope this will help us reflect on failures by this government to deal with alarming scales of poverty engulfing the nation whilst those charged with responsibility to lead, are trapped by the demon that President Thabo Mbeki characterised to whispering in the ears of all members, particularly those emerging from the liberation struggle, must get rich and get rich at all cost.
As the EFF, we therefore reject this budget because we cannot endorse a Budget Vote without a clear plan of what needs to be done. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Inkosi R N CEBEKHULU: Hon Chairperson, the IFP is pleased with the current state of affairs in our Defence. Our ground forces deployed to various peacekeeping zones are commendable.
However, not all is too well here at home. Our borders remain poorly protected; the lack of coordination between the Departments of Defence, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Home Affairs and SA Police Services, Saps, leaves much room for our borders to become even more vulnerable.
All ports of entry need a coordinated strategy in order to ensure that we prevent syndicates from smuggling illicit goods into our country, we must be sending a strong message to criminals out there that South Africa is not open for drugs or any other unlawful activity. Patrolling is not enough; we need stronger intelligence on global syndicates and locals operating with them.
Defence is slowly but surely losing control on guarding and patrolling our national key points, businesses and national parks. We need stronger regional cooperation in order to clamp down on criminal activity through and across our borders.
In terms of Military Veterans and lending support to those who have and continue to serve our country, we can do more.
Chairperson, the report on this budget states that a total of
15 sub-units will be deployed for the purpose of border
safeguarding, although 22 are required for effective border safeguarding. How can we justify this when we full well- knowing that we are insufficiently deploying units?
We continue to wait for the development of a National Cyber Warfare Strategy and implementation plan and the establishment of a Cyber Command Centre Headquarters, this may require many months, possibly years, yet we do not have the time to be sitting on our hands as a country. The IFP supports the budget. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Hon House Chair, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, hon Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula, military veterans present here, the Minister has already rendered all the protocol salutations
Hon members, this year marks the centenary celebration of the first Commander in Chief of Umkhonto we Sizwe and the first Commander in Chief of the SA National Defence Force, the late President Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela. The Department of Military Veterans in partnership with other departments plays a greater role and responsibility to ensure preservation and demoralisation of this rich legacy of humility, perseverance,
dedication, selflessness and commitment to serve the people of South Africa.
We commend the role played by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Missing Persons Task Team in the National Prosecuting Authority and our department in ensuring that posthumously a decent burial is provided and dignity is restored to our military veterans and their families. Because of this character of President Mandela, I hereby dedicate this Budget Vote Speech to the seventeen recently exhumed selfless freedom fighters of Poqo, amongst them who are Vezile Jaxa, Lennox Madikane and Mxolisi Damane who had been hanged and buried as paupers by the heinous apartheid regime.
We remember an outstanding son of this country, Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, who displayed an unwavering and loyal dedication to the cause of freedom and he said, I quote:
My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people I love them. They must continue the struggle.
These words express the transformation displayed in the character of this Parliament when it resolved to expropriate land without compensation and put mechanisms towards achieving it. We implore all to follow in the footsteps of giants who dedicated their lives to freedom as military veterans that must inspire current and future generations.
We are proud to announce huge improvements made in some benefits, and achieving an unqualified audit opinion. The departmental spend increased in 2017-18 and has reached 97% as opposed to the previous financial years.
Hon Chairperson, let us recall that in 2014 when we were politically mandated as the executive to ensure good governance, oversight and provide leadership, the Department of Military Veterans was providing education support to only 200 military veterans and their dependants. We are proud to announce that there has been an exponential increase in the previous financial year. The department assisted 7 712 eligible military veterans and their dependants with education support.
Hon members, this exponential rise poses greater risk to the financial resource base of the department, however, the
department is exploring intergovernmental relations to mitigate this challenge.
Amongst us in the gallery we have 10 graduates, including a military veteran, Mr Daniel Baadjies, who just graduated and achieved his Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Stellenbosch. [Applause.] In the last financial year, this benefit has produced 74 graduates which include a medical doctor, Dr, Nokuthula Mayaba, currently interning at Ngwelezane Hospital. May our graduates please stand up there in the gallery? [Applause.]
Hon members, this benefit has been allocated R145,2 million in the current financial year. The allocated budget is a far cry to the demand for education support faced by the department.
The health of military veterans is paramount to this administration in ensuring that military veterans access and receive dignified medical assistance. In the previous financial year, the department has cumulatively increased access to health services to more than 15 000 military veterans through the SA Military Health Services.
In this financial year, the benefit has been allocated R64,3 million and it is planned to provide access to health care to 17 000 military veterans.
Hon Chair, our country faces the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality, and military veterans are part of the hard hit by the effects of these challenges to a point that some military veterans die as paupers to this day. It was due to this realisation that a ministerial intervention established a programme which was not part of the listed benefits in the Act. In the previous financial year, the department had assisted 2 832 military veterans with this support at an expenditure of R25,8 million.
This financial year, the allocated budget for social relief of distress, SRD, has been set at R34 million.
Hon Chair, the department continues through burial support to ensure military veterans are given the dignity and honour they deserve after fulfilling a higher calling to the country.
The department will in the current financial year as part of the liberation heritage route build memorial sites of the Battle of Mutale, Maseru and Gaborone Massacres to ensure that the memorialisation of this sacred part of our history is conserved.
In pursuance of the noble act for restoring dignity to many forgotten military veterans, the department will facilitate the launch of four books this year from these illustrious military veterans, Mr Themba Dlamini’s book, titled, Politics is a Dirty Game, Ambassador Eddie Funde, titled, A Man with a Mission, Mr Dan Mdluli, titled, The Memoirs, Mr Thami Molotsi’s book, titled, Unfinished Revolution, Memoirs of an MK Commissar.
Hon members, this benefit of honouring, demoralisations and burial has been allocated R4,1 million this financial year.
Chairperson, there has been very slow progress in the delivery of housing. The department has delivered 238 newly built houses and assisted 104 veterans whose mortgages were in distress to a tune of R13 million.
We are currently engaged in talks with the Department of Human Settlements on how to accelerate the roll-out of houses to military veterans, as well as looking at other models of delivery where possible.
The Housing benefit has been allocated R35 million in this financial yean
Chairperson, the department is exploring private-public partnership with various entities that will take the empowerment of military veterans to another level. This partnership will see military veterans and their dependants empowered through skills development, training and business support.
The department has set a target of 110 military veterans’ business entities to be supported for this financial year.
The department will work with National Treasury and its Central Supplier Database to ensure that companies of military veterans benefit from their designated status as a priority group in the preferential procurement processes as was pronounced by the Minister of Finance during the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, in 2017.
The department is encouraging and giving business to military veterans and we call on the Department of Defence as a sister department to support businesses of military veterans. This call goes further to all spheres of government in line with IGR Framework and the Treasury Regulations.
We have been constantly engaging provincial and local governments and will enter into written agreements with them to create alternative service delivery models to strengthen service delivery to military veterans. Let us commend the provincial and local governments that have allocated and provided support to the military veterans businesses.
The empowerment and skills business has been allocated R50,3 million for this financial year.
Hon members, this fifth democratic government has ensured slow but vibrant growth and change in the lives of military veterans. The department has over time matured and ensured it delivers within its capacity despite the administrative challenges it has had over time.
I would like to thank the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for her consistent visionary leadership and support since I was appointed Deputy Minister.
To the leadership and staff of the Department of Military Veterans, thank you for your continued support and hard work
that is aimed at uplifting military veterans and their dependants.
I would like in conclusion, to thank my wife and family for the continued support that has enabled me to do my work effectively.
Hon members, I hereby call on you to support this Budget Vote 19 as presented by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr B H HOLOMISA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, the United Democratic Movement supports the Budget. The South African troops are playing an important role in the peacekeeping missions within our continent. This contribution is a role that the country must continue to play. I am certain, that over time, their contribution will make Africa a continent for all its people and the whole world.
In spite of these efforts, the effectiveness of our soldiers in peace-keeping missions is compromised, and there are grave threats to the success of the mission. The quality of the equipment and other logistical arrangements, which are used for a successful mission outcome, is of extremely poor quality.
These conditions are not an exceptional phenomenon experienced only by soldiers of peace-keeping missions, but, as we speak, also those who are deployed to protect our boarders.
The Defence Force Service Commission, which I am a member of, as well as the Portfolio Committee on Defence have visited some of these areas, including the our internal bases, whereby they have both separately submitted reports to the Minister.
However, we are unaware of the extent to which these reports are shared and discussed with the commander in chief of the armed forces and his Cabinet.
The truth of the matter is that the situation has not changed since the reports were submitted. We are interested to know whether these were ever escalated to commander in chief of the armed forces and his Cabinet, and if so, what actions have been taken to improve the conditions of our armed forces.
According to widely circulated media reports, our troops in the peace-keeping missions are under attack by rebel forces in countries where they are deployed.
What makes things more concerning is the reported instruction by the United Nations to the government of South Africa to withdraw the Rooivalk helicopter unit, which is protecting our troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Department of Defence, the Defence Force Service Commission, the Joint Standing Committees on Defence and Intelligence, together with the Portfolio Committee on International Relations, must conduct a detailed assessment of the position of the United Nations and uncover the origin of the pressure, so that the country is able to exercise its sovereignty over the matter.
Finally, the guiding principle should be that South Africa must, at all times, act in the best interests of the safety of its troops, no matter where they are deployed. If the UN insists, we may have to seriously consider withdrawing our troops, as we are not prepared to expose them to these ruthless rebels. I thank you.
Mr P J GROENEWALD: Chairperson, hon Minister, firstly, you said that it is the second year that you are talking about the constraints on the Budget. Minister, you know that I am talking about it for the last 10 years. The problem is that I
foresee that there is not a political will from the government to ensure that there are sufficient funds when it comes to defence. We are talking about that every year, but there is still no movement from the executive to ensure that we have enough funding.
I also want to talk about discipline. Normally, I talk about discipline and will keep talking about discipline. Why is it important to talk about discipline? Why must we have exceptional discipline in the South African National Defence Force? The reason is that if you are a soldier and you are well disciplined, it shows that you are proud to be a soldier. A proud soldier will always be well disciplined. That is the essence of discipline.
If you look at what is happening with discipline in the South African National Defence Force, I ask myself if we have a proud South African National Defence Force. If we look at the cases, then it seems that we don’t. Then I am getting worried.
Afrikaans:
U het verwys na die verskillende gevalle, maar deel van die probleem is juis dat die bevelstruktuur nie daarin slaag om behoorlike dissipline toe te pas nie. Kom ons vat die geval
van die berede eenheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag. Minister, weet u wat daar gebeur. In die verlede was ek ’n lid van die ou berede sentrum. Die lede kom net in, hulle doen nie hulle werk nie en hulle wil net daar sit, sodat hulle aan die einde van die maand hulle salaris kan ontvang.
Dis al.
Party van hulle doen selfs nie eers die moeite om te gaan rondstap om te gaan kyk of al die perde ooit daar is nie. Hulle doen nie die moeite om te gaan kyk of daar genoeg kos is nie. Ons het mos nou die bewyse.
Dit beteken dat die bevelstruktuur laks is. As die bevelstruktuur laks en ongedissiplineerd is, hoe kan ons verwag dat ons soldate - manne en vroue - goedgedissiplineerd moet wees.
U het spesifiek na die gevalle van misdaad verwys. Kom ek vat die een geval waar die persoon nou gearrestreer is, en u het gesê dat die persoon onmiddellik oneervol uit die Weermag ontslaan is. Dis die regte ding wat gedoen moet word, maar daardie selfde lid was verlede jaar in ’n insident betrokke waar hy mense van ’n motorfiets probeer afry het. Toe die vrou
hom konfronteer, het hy haar bloot net geskiet. Gelukkig is sy nie dood nie. Hy het haar geskied.
Ek het die polisie gevra hoekom die lid nie gearresteer word nie. Omdat die lid die bestuurder was van ’n generaal in die Weermag, het hulle nie persoon gearresteer nie. As hulle die persoon toe al gearresteer het, dan sou hy die boodskap gekry het dat jy nie net kan doen wat jy wil nie.
Ek het met u gepraat oor die ander geval in terms van die rassisme. Dit is op rekord dat die Vryheidsfront Plus daardie soldaat by die Gelykheidshof gaan aankla. Ons kan nie in die Weermag enige politieke aktiwiteite toelaat nie. Ek is ’n Suid-Afrikaanse burger en ek verwag dat die Weermag my soewereiniteit as ’n burger ook moet beskerm. Ek dank u.
Mr G J SKOSANA: Hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: hon Mapisa-Nqakula, and all other Ministers present, hon Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: hon Maphatsoe, and other Deputy Ministers present, hon members and distinguished guests.
South Africa’s national interest is centred on the advancement of its sovereignty, democracy, national values and freedom, and its political and economic independence.
South African national security focuses on its sovereignty and other related priorities of territorial integrity; constitutional order; the security and continuance of national institutions; the well-being, prosperity and upliftment of the people and the growth of the economy.
South Africa’s national security inextricably hinges on the stability, unity and prosperity of the Southern African region, and the continent in general.
The Castle of Good Hope remains a centre of global significance that is the embodiment of social, cultural and military heritage and truly accessible to all citizens of South Africa and the world.
The Castle Control Board is a service oriented public entity, striving to create an environment where national pride serves to build an internationally known and recognised cultural and heritage brand for Ubuntu, dialogue, nation-building and human rights recognition.
Guarantee the development of a smooth functioning, self- sustaining, must see iconic visitor and learner destination; optimises its tourism potential and accessibility to the public; and preserve and protect its cultural and military heritage by elevating it to UNESCO World Heritage status.
The Castle Control Board is responsible for the overall management, maintenance and promotion of the Castle of Good Hope as a heritage site and tourism attraction.
In terms of this legislative mandate, the organization is expected to provide a range of public services and goods on behalf of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans to local community members, military veterans, tourists, learners, students, conservation agencies, exhibitors, performers, cultural organizations, traditional authorities, filming companies, event organizers, military institutions and the like.
The Castle of Good Hope played a major role in supporting efforts by the tourism, conservation and education industries to deliver to the public. As a bastion of heritage, the Castle also played an important role in major military as well as cultural events, in close collaboration with stakeholders,
including but not limited to, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans.
Hon Chairperson one of the major challenges during the year under review was managing the synchronization of the renovations programme with the daily Castle programmes.
Through regular meetings, engagements and respect for each other’s role and objectives, conflict was kept to the minimal.
The movement of precious collections and exhibitions was undertaken with the utmost care and security and co-operation of all involved. The perennial challenge, which is the lack of strong management, should be addressed in this new financial year.
With the events, tourism, heritage and precinct managers in place, the CEO will be freed to focus on significant strategic matters such as UNESCO heritage status, transformation of the fortress in all its dimensions, responsible revenue generation and the development of world class visitor experiences.
The increased awareness of the Castle and the positioning of the Castle as a place of reflection, healing and nation
building placed a greater responsibility on the Castle Control Board to ensure that they manage these demands in a responsible and sensitive way.
The Military Ombudsman Office has received more than 500 complaints since it was established in 2012. Military Ombudsman is tasked with the investigating complaints lodged in writing by SA National Defence Force, SANDF members regarding conditions of service.
Military Ombudsman has a responsibility to harmonise the confluence between Military discipline and recourse avenues for complaints and grievances in a manner that is consistent with our democratic establishment.
There’s an increase of awareness of the Military Ombud’s office. This is reflected in the increase in the number of cases investigated by the Ombud. Despite personnel constraints, the Ombud’s office has successfully investigated a high number of cases in the previous financial year.
As the ANC we would like to thank General Matanzima for leading and building the institution and wish him well as he
retires in 6 months to come; maybe you can give him a round of applause hon members. [Applause.]
The Armaments Corporation of South Africa, SOC Ltd known as Armscor was established in terms of the Armaments Production and Development Act No 57 of 1968 to satisfy the requirements of the South African National Defence Force, SANDF in respect of Defence materiel.
Armscor differs from other entities in the Defence Portfolio as it is largely self-funded and profit-driven. Parliamentary oversight of Armscor thus aims to strike the balance between corporate efficiency, stroke sustainability and effective service delivery to the SANDF.
The projected income for the Armscor Group in 2018-19, which is R1, 636 billion and is higher than that which was projected for 2016-17, which was R1543 billion. Given the projected increase in income, Armscor is expected to accumulate a net surplus of R200 000. This is in line with the projections of the entity to break even for the 2018-19 financial year.
The main increase in cost driver for 2018-19 is: One, direct Personnel Cost that increases from R1,203 billion in 2017-18
financial year to R1,252 billion in 2018-19 financial year; and two, External Services that increases from R84,1 million in 2017-18 to R128,5 million in 2018-19.
Whereas previous years noted the likelihood of all divisions of Armscor being loss—making, this changed for projections in 2017-18 when it was expected that all components, except the Dockyard, will be profitable. Dockyard is expected to make a loss of R31 million in 2018-19.
However, the recent appointment of a new manager for the Dockyard is a positive step and we look forward to enhanced service delivery and financial stability at the Dockyard in the 2018-19 financial year.
We encourage Armscor to work hard with the South African defence industry to unlock future developments and grow the industry to bring about broader economic development in the country.
When reviewing the Armscor expenditure per activity, as presented by the National Treasury, overall expenditure increases from R1, 905 billion in 2017-18 to R2,081 billion in
2018-19. This translates to a real percentage increase in expenditure of 354%.
The largest increase in expenditure is expected to relate to Armscor’s Logistical Support. Thanks hon Chair. As the ANC we support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Mr S ESAU: House Chair, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans hopes to achieve level 3 n the Management Performance Assessment Tool, MPAT. Is this realistic, is this achievable? The MPAT deals with strategic leadership, government and accountability, financial management and Human Resource, HR, Management. However, there are many high risks that still continue to prevail in this particular department. I want to deal with some of those issues which will address the issue of achievement will be achieved in MPAT level 3.
First and foremost, the incompetent and unqualified staff is still within that department. There supposed to be Skills Audit done and Gap Analysis that remains outstanding. A new organogram had to be approved by the Department of Public Service and Administration, DPSA, to address those ineffectiveness and inefficiencies within the department. Of course, it impacts on systems, framework strategies,
memoranda, policy, processes and all procedures. In fact, the very SWOT analysis submitted in the Performance Plan is also highly questionable and leaves much to be desired.
The other one is the discrepancies and disparities within the personnel where there are various figures in the Estimates of National Expenditure, ENE, in the budget statement in the Performance Plan and also in the quarterly reports. It can differ from 116 out of 169 or 133 out of 169, additional staff likewise, 74, 76 or 109, which means that this department can effectively have 242 members of staff which includes interns, contract workers and also secondments. We ask the question – if it is only 169 posts required, with the 26% vacancy rate but the 82% additional staff on the personnel – contractors are now appointed and that budget increase from R35 million to R58,5 million.
Other huge increases which need explanation is catering for R5 million; infrastructure and planning which increased from half a million to R15 million; entertainment R105,000; consumables supplies R3,6 million to R5,9 million; venues and facilities R9 million increased to R10,2 million. All these increases money that could also be used if it’s not justified for the benefits of the military veterans. Hon Minister, maybe at this
juncture we should request why were movable assets of the Department of Military Veterans were attached by the Sheriff of the Court last week?
We also want to raise the issue of healthcare, access to healthcare; authorisation for healthcare and the medication to be provided to military veterans remain a problem. Military pension is nonexistent. The Social Relief of Distress is still erratic, exposed to fraud and abuse. What will be the consequences of those that have been found guilty of abusing the system? Business and Skills Development is underperforming and service providers are lacking and types training that’s been offered and of course, the placement of military veterans.
With regard to Service Delivery Agencies, SDAs, we find that the policies are outstanding, there’s Memoranda of Understandings, MOUs, outstanding, Service Level Agreements, SLAs, outstanding and this is serious risk for the delivery of benefits. It has direct negative impact on benefits yet there’s also no Monitoring and Evaluation, M&E, to ensure that these services are actually delivered by Service Delivery Agencies.
The internal audit decreases from R10,8 million to R10,1 million and it is still under capacitated which has a direct negative impact on performance and control within the department. We are still waiting for a credible, competent, verified and accurate database for seven years. Data integrity needs to be finalised.
The ICT platform and Integrated Benefits Management System are still outstanding, we are waiting for it to be functional, to be networked and to address the issue of military veterans details that can stand up to some integrity. The registration process for many military veterans remains a nightmare. Some of them are still waiting for three years, two years, one year, for years they are waiting and they don’t get any responses from the department.
The Transport Policy is nonexistent. We have a policy that is not implemented, a policy that impedes to unlock all opportunities and jobs for military veterans. Access to the Department of Defence and Military Veterans provincial offices, of which only three exists officially, and access to hospitals, clinics, to attend learning institutions, visiting the sick and attending funerals of military veterans’ and family.
The Education Benefit still operate under non-approved regulation. In those draft regulations there are also contradictions because the department is supposed to support only undergraduate studies and not post-graduate studies of MBAs at the expense of all other learners that are waiting in queues to actually get a bursary. One benefit is not balanced as it takes up more than a third of the entire budget of the department.
In conclusion, I just want to raise the point that the Castle of Good Hope is under investigation for alleged irregularities, fraud and corruption. The sustainable plan is still highly questionable. Thank you very much. [Time Expired.] [Applause.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: Chairperson, Minister, Deputy Ministers, hon members, Generals, Sec Dev, ladies and gentlemen. I will still address the House from my own chair. This is the year Mr Madiba and Mrs Sisulu as we celebrate their centenaries.
Secondly, we declare our support to the people of Palestine. This month also is May which is Africa month and we wish to confirm that we will remain committed to unity in our diversity in Africa.
Firstly, we as the ANC support this Budget. Let me also wish hon Dambuza who is a member of this committee, who is not well and who is hospitalised, and also wish her a speedy recovery. We wish also to send our condolences to hon Mnisi who is also a member of this committee who lost her brother.
I dedicate my speech today to all the soldiers, and all members of the Defence Force, the Military Army, the Navy and the Air Force; especially all those soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, as we mentioned that about six weeks ago we were in the DRC and all over the world. I also bring you a message from our soldier that we met in the DRC who said and I quote: “don’t embarrass us in our Parliament and don’t make a mess and play with the democracy of our country”.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr B L Mashile): Order! Order hon members, we have a speaker on the podium. Order hon members!
Mr D D GAMEDE: I also want to honour my late father as an unsung hero; this is what he did in those years in the seventies. When the townships and all the areas were full of soldiers when they came running to our home, he close the gate and as usual we all went inside and hid on the wardrobes. When
they push the gate and wanted to enter he refused but then the young boys who were about twenty one, twenty two kicked him and punched him and he remained half naked. They wanted him to point where the children were. He pointed on the opposite direction. They went with him to the next street. In that way we were saved. Look today, where we are in a democratic South Africa. The punches that he engorged and the kicks that he
One day we need to honour all our military veterans, especially all those from the Non Statutory Forces, NSF, for their contributions in the democracy we enjoy today. That’s why a specific department was established to focus on military veterans. The department has done its best with the resources it has. We now have the following and before I say that I must indicate that I do have a report of the committee in front of me which we adopted this days and I want to give you assurance that in the committee, we are not really that partisan because we deal with the matters of the state and also to say that in our committee in most cases we don’t have cameras. It is only when you are here in the House that we have cameras then you will hear different stories.
This is what the department has managed to do: bursaries for education support between 7 000 and 8 000 learners supported
for military veterans; access to health about 15 O00 even though there is a challenge which I will mention later on; there is little movement however on the provision of houses and the Department of Military and Veterans, DMV, must move fast with speed, although on this issue which we identify it is because they rely on the Department of Human Settlement and municipalities, so we need to find common ground on this and they have done some form of socio-economic support to military veterans.
The allocation of R627 million for 2018-19 is not and will never be enough to address all benefits. We also need to have uniformity on education support; some veterans take their children to public schools whiles others take them to private schools.
Also not all provinces have military hospitals; they are only in Gauteng, Free State and Western Cape. I want hon members to underline theses provinces and see where we come from, whether we have made changes. They are not there in the Northern Cape, KZN, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Eastern Cape. This means that military veterans have to spend more money going to theses provinces to get medical assistance.
Let us appreciate that the Department of Defence, DOD, has been and still is one of the most stable, patriotic and dedicated departments. Our soldiers are hardworking, non partisan and they committed to the safety of country. As it has been said, we need twenty two companies because so far we have only fifteen. It is a non fact that the whole of the continent has its hopes in our country, hence many of our African brothers and sisters leave their countries due to different reason and come to South Africa. We cannot sacrifice our borders, security and economy; more funds need to be allocated to this department.
During the state of the nation address of 16 February 2018, President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa said, and I quote: “the defence industry must make inroads in the continent". As a result South Africa has acceded to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement, which brings together Southern African Development Community, SADC, our region, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA and Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS. These will open market access opportunities for South African export products thus our own entity Armaments Corporation of South Africa, ARMSCOR, has a huge opportunity to grow the economy, create more jobs and actually lead in South Africa’s industrial sector, more
especially since our country is involved in many peace keeping missions.
The committee has made the following recommendations: engagement of the Treasury to re-visit finding for DOD so that the department can achieve milestone 1; the DOD to finalise Cyber Security Strategy; the DOD to review leasing aircraft as the Minister has admitted, but rather buy them; the DOD to meet the Department of Public Works, DPW, with regards security and repairs in all our military bases, including border fences and finishing of the military one hospital and the DOD must achieve 100% on the payment of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises, SMME’s, within the prescribed 30 days period and this will not be negotiable. The Sec Dev knows about this
We note that as a country and as government, we have not allocated much to the DOD, it currently stands at only 0,95% to the country’s gross domestic product, GDP.
As I close, there is one message that will say but before that I wish to congratulate all the entities of the DOD for achieving good and clean audit outcomes that is the Military Ombuds Office, Castle Control Board and Armscor. To the Deputy
Minister, the request from the Fihlela family is that the remains of Sdu Fihlela be brought back home from Angola. That is Sdu Fihlela who was known a Dr Hugo. I am saying this message for record purposes, so that when I get back home I can tell them that I delivered the message. The ANC supports this Budget. Thank you.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Hon
Chairperson, I want to start by thanking all hon members who participated in this debate. Not only that, I would also like to thank you members of the committee for your constant support and by visiting those who are deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo. You did not just visit those who are deployed for peacekeeping; you’ve even gone to the extent of visiting those who are in peace enforcement, the Force Intervention Brigade, FIB. Thank you very much.
It is not easy for soldiers who are deployed out of their country, living their families behind and, of course, being confronted with some of the logistical problems which we have just outlined here. I want to assure you hon members that these will be attended to. Of course, the matter of the spare parts I’m aware that there has been a problem of serviceability of the equipment which we have leased out to
the United Nations. This has led to us being had to be penalised at times. At times it also takes time to get our money from the United Nations, UN, but it really has to do in the main with our own internal systems, I submit to that.
Hon Marais you raised the matter of the military exit Mechanism, Mem, just to say that we are looking into it. In fact, I’ve said that Mem should be suspended, that is military exit mechanism. We should put it in hold and develop a better system which will be more attractive for people to retire and which will have a better package as well. For now, my view is that Mem has been abused at times to marginalise certain people or even to get some people who are still useful out of the system. However, also some people who have critical skills which we still need in the Defence Force, young people take advantage of the Mem and they apply to leave so that they go for greener pastures out in the private sector and the coupler years later, they want to come back into the Defence Force.
On matters of discipline, hon Marais, I take full responsibility, but I also want to set the record straight with regards to one, the person you referred to - attempted murder - who shot a girl last year which I was not aware until he was arrested this time around. That member has been fired.
Not only that, the one who had made the racist statement when a white man had been robbed and there was an attempt to gouge his eye, that one too has been fired, both of them have been dishonourable discharged from the Defence Force.
However, I do want to say as well that the matter of Siya cases as I’ve indicated earlier on in my budget speech, this has been a big problem, much as the UN has actually affirmed us in their report and said that we are one country that should be emulated for the manner in which we conduct our investigations and our military tribunals onsite. However, the biggest problems now are the penalties which we have been imposing. Very lenient sentences have been passed and it is for that reason that we have now taken a decision that those who are proven to have abused women in areas of deployment will be also form the part of those who will be dishonourably discharged.
The matter of hon Mhlongo of Armscor Department of Defence - Denel - just to say that Denel does not fall under one of our entities of Defence. However, if you were to see the minutes of the meetings of the council on Defence you will know that this Denel is our standing item on the agenda to a point where we have put together a task team of the chief executive
officer, CEO, Denel and CEO Armscor Department of Defence, etc. where we have been dealing with these issues because the challenges of Denel negatively impact on the work of the Defence Force. Therefore, when you say that we need to come together that has been done, we have a standing task team which has been dealing with these issues because Denel is way behind in terms of schedule of delivery of some of our assets.
The internal audit function, I also take full responsibility hon member. I’m aware of the challenges which currently exist in the internal audit of the Department of Defence and we are attending to those. General Holomisa, you raised the matter of the reports of the Defence Force Service Commission and earlier on I did say that we thank the Defence Force Service Commission for the work it has done and the more than 200 recommendations submitted to us.
However, our biggest challenges are the one which I have referred to and it’s quite everybody is aware of and it is something that we have been raising. You actually have helped us compile a document which points to certain issues and which you have submitted to me which we are going to be discussing with the commander in chief. In the past, of course, the commander in chief knows about all problems, not only those
relevant to Defence, but also those relevant across the board in the security cluster.
As I leave the podium hon member, I do want to thank the Chairperson of the committees. I want to thank the Whip of the committee. I also do want to thank all members of the committee for your consistent support once more. Yes, we may have failed you in some areas, but we are trying to do our best with the little which we have. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr B L Mashile): Thank you, hon Minister. Hon members, I think from the Chair we would like to thank all members that are here as well as the guests that have graced this occasion. That concludes the debate and the business of this mini-plenary session. The mini-plenary will now rise.
The mini-plenary session rose at 11:53.
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