Hansard: NA: Unrevised hansard- Vote 19
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 11 May 2016
Summary
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016
PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 14:02.
House Chairperson Ms A T Didiza took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Good afternoon. I would like to welcome the ... what is it called? I would like to welcome the generals or the command structure or the senior officials, all of it put together, from the Defence Force, the members of the public in the gallery who are the guests of the Minister, as well as other members from the different wings of the Defence Force. I have seen some from the Air Force. I haven‘t seen any from the Navy, but all of you are welcome.
Whilst we welcome you now as the guests of Parliament, not just of the Minister, there are certain housekeeping rules that I need to give you. When the debate is in process and some exciting issues might be raised by speakers during their speeches, you are not supposed to applaud. You can smile and appreciate it. [Laughter.] If there are things that irritate you, you are not allowed to scream or make a noise from the gallery because whilst you are currently members in the gallery here as our guests, you are not Members of Parliament in the House partaking in the debate. Those were the housekeeping matters.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 19 – Defence and Military Veterans:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Could we please give the Minister the watch as a guide? Minister, we will remind you when you have two minutes left; you have 25 minutes. If you exceed the time limit, I will take it from your Deputy Minister. [Laughter.]
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Chairperson, it is
already at two minutes.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): We will manage that. Don‘t worry.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Chairperson, Deputy Minister Kebby Maphatsoe, fellow Cabinet colleagues, Co-Chairperson and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, the Military Command Council, the Defence Secretariat Council, the executive management of Military Veterans, the Military Ombud, members of the Defence Force Service Commission, members of the Armscor board, the chairperson of the Castle Control Board, and hon members, on the occasion of his inauguration as President and appointment as the first Commander-in-Chief of our South African National Defence Force, SANDF, former President Nelson Mandela reminded us of the past we were putting behind us, never to return to, when he said:
We enter a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity – a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.
We come before this nation to outline a budget aimed at supporting our commitment to build the South African National Defence Force as a national asset and pride of the nation capable of defending our democracy and its gains. We should all vigilantly guard against it being used to negate the gains we have all made in building a stable country that continues to deal with its various challenges under conditions of peace.
I have on several occasions appealed to all members in this House to resist the dangerous temptation of playing politics with an important asset such as the South African National Defence Force. No one should be allowed to even insinuate that the military can be used to pursue the political agendas of any party. [Applause.] The entire leadership of the Defence Force, and its dedicated women and men, is committed to this effort of fostering stability and peace, not only here at home but on the entire continent. The South African National Defence Force is nonpartisan and remains loyal to the Constitution and the people of this country. I would like to thank members, both in uniform and civilian, who have remained true to these values.
In my Budget Vote speech last year, I informed this House that the financial year 2015-16 would be devoted to planning the implementation of the Defence Review 2015. I stated that I would focus on ministerial priorities whose implementation will be key to the realisation of the targets of the first stage of Planning Milestone 1 of the Defence Review 2015. These priorities include the defence funding model, human resources renewal, capability renewal and the continuance of the ordered operational commitments.
The 2016-17 annual performance plan consists of 12 outcomes that can be achieved within the current budget allocation. These are as follows: sustained ordered defence commitments, capability sustainment and renewal, maintained defence facilities, Department of Defence human resources management, enhancement of military discipline, restructuring of the Defence Force, establishment of relationships between the Department of Defence‘s education, training and development programmes, development of the defence funding model, establishment of defence industry engagements, strategic direction for the implementation of Planning Milestone 1 of the Defence Review 2015, and strategic communication intervention.
Parliament is urged to note that substantial progress has been made towards the completion of a costed comprehensive Planning
Milestone 1 plan to arrest the decline of the South African National Defence Force capabilities. It is worth reminding ourselves of what the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, said in his state of the nation address in June 2014:
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 sustainable 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.
Hon members, allow me to dedicate my Budget Vote speech to my son Chumani violently murdered in October last because this time last year, he was here with me. [Applause.] There is no doubt that it is in our national interest to have a Defence Force capable of supporting our national security imperatives, foreign policy objectives and the country‘s economic interests. It must have the capacity to defend and safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic, keep and enforce peace outside its borders, and have an offensive capability to deter potential aggressors. In order to do this, the Defence Force should be sufficiently resourced and skilled to execute operations across the full spectrum of conflict. An inadequately resourced Defence Force will have a negative impact on operational outputs, including the loss of life. As a country, we have come to the point where we must make a critical decision on the future of the Defence Force. The longer we delay arresting the decline, the harder and more expensive it will become to reverse this trend.
The budget for the financial year 2016-17 is R47 billion, which is approximately 1,05% of our GDP. Our Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, allocations indicate that for the 2017-18 financial year, our budget will decline to 1,03% of GDP and for the 2018-19 financial year, a further decline to 0,98% of GDP. These figures indicate a persistent decline of the defence budget.
Hon members must take note that this will have serious implications on the defence function of the Republic of South Africa. The
R5,5 billion reduction in the defence budget over the MTEF period will have the following negative consequences. The ability of the Department of Defence to rejuvenate the Defence Force will be affected. The compensation of employees will be affected. The force
will continue to age, and there would be an insufficient number of members to sustain operations. An increase in the SANDF skills gap will continue, and there will be an accelerated loss of expertise.
The reduction in real terms of the defence budget allocation over the last few years has forced us to reduce even the number of Military Skills Development System, MSDS, programme participants from 8 955 in 2012 to 3 863 in 2015. We will be forced to further reduce the MSDS intakes in future. Over the last seven years, the reduction in the operating and capital portions of the defence allocation has adversely affected training and operations. This has far-reaching implications for the Department of Defence and the country, given the ever-increasing demands being placed on the SANDF.
We have consistently indicated to the House – and I know hon members have also reiterated this – that the defence allocation should be incrementally increasing towards at least 2% of the GDP, yet the above shows that defence is consistently 50% underfunded, with compounding effects on its ability to conduct operations. A comparative analysis of our SADC partners further underscores how underfunded the Defence Force is. Examples include the following as a percentage of GDP: Zimbabwe 3%, Botswana 2,7%, Angola 3,5%, Namibia 4,4%, Swaziland 2%, and Lesotho 2,2%.
Mindful of the fiscal constraints facing government, I have directed both the department and Armscor to think creatively about a strategic investment plan to enable the Defence Force to execute its constitutional mandate. The department has thus initiated the development of a funding model for the Defence Force. An early conservative assessment of the defence property asset value indicates that significant value can be leveraged from these assets. We are engaging with the National Treasury specifically on the method whereby a percentage of these assets can be leveraged, not only for the benefit of the Department of Defence but also in support of our national fiscus. We will be engaging with Parliament to support this very important initiative.
Additional sources for a future funding model may include more efficient collection of reimbursement from the United Nations for peace support missions, leveraging of Department of Defence intellectual property, rightsizing of the human resource component of the department, disposal of redundant equipment, and in-house maintenance and repair of some of our assets and facilities. The department has further begun to introduce measures to improve efficiencies in many areas of its work with a view to cutting costs and improving effectiveness.
I am happy to report that since the previous debate, significant work has been done to lay the foundation for the incremental implementation of the Defence Review 2015. This work includes the following. The development of a new military strategy has commenced, including a new force design and force structure. The cyber-warfare strategy is at an advanced stage of development as well as the sensor strategy that will enhance border safeguarding. The officer and noncommissioned officer career paths have been reworked. The accreditation of senior defence education, training and development programmes with tertiary education institutions has begun. The draft Military Disciplinary Bill received precertification from the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor. Training of personnel in specialised musterings such as medicine, aviation and engineering, is under way in partnership with countries such as Cuba and Russia. The SANDF has recovered its Astra trainer-aircraft fleet that was due for disposal. The identification of a site for the new Defence Intelligence headquarters and the allocation of a budget thereto as well as the development of the profile of the future soldier have been done.
It is a great accolade for the Defence Force that, despite the financial constraints under which it operates, it still manages to execute assigned operations with commendable professionalism and success. I am pleased to report back that we have increased the companies deployed on our borders from 13 to 15 as I had committed to last year. This is still short of the 22 companies stipulated in the National Security Strategy. Despite this shortfall, the SANDF achieved major successes during the past financial year. Reserves are currently contributing more than 50% of forces deployed on the borders.
The SANDF continues to be part of the UN peace support and enforcement missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are proud to report to you that one of our own, Lt Gen Derrick Mgwebi, was recently appointed by the UN Secretary-General as the Force Commander for the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Monusco – the single largest UN military mission in the world. [Applause.] Unfortunately, we had to recall 47 troops due to serious disciplinary infringements. They have subsequently been discharged from the Defence Force.
We have been at the forefront of creating the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, ACIRC, as an interim measure towards establishing the African Standby Force, ASF. South Africa is also tasked with being the framework nation for ACIRC until June 2016.
In November 2015, we hosted the Amani Africa II field exercise on behalf of the AU to assess the readiness of the African Standby Force. The technical assessment report is to be presented to the AU Summit in June 2016 and will inform the operationalisation of the African Standby Force.
South Africa deployed forces in the Darfur region of Sudan in 2008 as part of the AU-UN hybrid mission. The Sudanese government has made it increasingly difficult for us to provide logistic support to our troops and impossible for our forces to protect the women and children of that country. As a result, a decision was taken to withdraw the force with effect from 1 April 2016. This force will not be replaced. A team of logistical experts will manage the withdrawal of the remaining SANDF assets over a six-month period.
The South African Navy continues to patrol the Mozambique Channel in conjunction with the Air Force. Since the deployment of naval assets in the Mozambique Channel, no further incidences of piracy have been reported there. [Applause.] Nevertheless, we are mindful of the developing challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and have thus entered into discussions with the Namibian and Angolan governments to pursue joint maritime patrols along the West Coast.
Operation Thusano is directed at the maintenance, repair and preservation of military equipment, with the assistance of a technical team from the Cuban defence force. From the inception of the programme in 2014, a total of 1 320 vehicles are now operational, and 850 vehicles have gone into preservation. The planned maintenance and repair of vehicles for the 2015-16 financial year would have cost the department approximately R700 million. We repaired the vehicles at a cost of R276 million with a saving of R424 million. [Applause.] It is estimated that the Department of
Defence will save approximately R1,75 billion over the four-year period.
As hon members are aware, advances in science and technology demand a highly educated and skilled Defence Force. The University Reserve Training Programme system is designed to enable the Defence Force to recruit the brightest and best from our tertiary institutions. To this end, 275 university students have completed their basic military training and are continuing with officer and functional training before being deployed to reserve units. There is great demand among university students to join this programme, but a lack of funding has stunted its growth. This is regrettable as it denies the Defence Force the opportunity to recruit critical skills into the Reserves and the Regulars.
Last year, at this occasion, I expressed a strong wish to have a Defence Force that reflects the demographics of our country. In pursuit of this commitment, I directed the Chief of the SANDF and service chiefs to target the recruitment of those underrepresented communities. A total of 103 young white recruits are currently undergoing training as part of the 2016 MSDS intake. [Applause.] This constitutes approximately 6% of the current intake, compared to 4% in the last intake. Nonetheless, this remains an area of concern, and more work needs to be done.
I also reported to this House that a target of 30% female membership of the SANDF had been met. There are now five women major-generals,
41 women brigadier-generals, representing an increase of 17% in brigadier-generals in the last year ... [Applause.] ... and eight women defence attachés and assistant defence attachés. Progress continues to be made in the quest for gender equity in the Defence Force. Statistics compiled in February this year shows that 15% of command positions are now filled by women soldiers, while 38% of senior management positions are occupied by women. This also remains work in progress.
As you know, the establishment of the Office of the Military Ombud was in response to the need for a speedy and fair resolution of the grievances of military members. I am happy to report that, during the 2015-16 financial year, the Military Ombud received 483 cases, 365 of which have been finalised. The recommendations of the Ombud are submitted to the Chief of the SANDF for implementation, and they meet on a regular basis to address whatever outstanding matters. In order to empower the Military Ombud, I have approved and promulgated the Military Ombud Complaints Regulations by publication in the Government Gazette of 16 November 2015.
On 3 March 2016, we launched the National Defence Industry Council, NDIC. It is crucial that we look at the requirements of the SANDF and its acquisition plans to see where they can be met by local suppliers. This will also enable defence industry companies to plan
ahead against the acquisition plans of the Defence Force. As government, we also have an obligation to assist our defence industry to penetrate export markets in Africa and beyond. Since the appointment of the Armscor board and the chief executive officer, Armscor has developed a new strategy which strongly focuses on the SANDF as its primary client. This strategy deals with the rapid acquisition of equipment in support of urgent operational requirements for the SANDF. Armscor is assisting the Department of Defence with developing the funding model to support the implementation of the Defence Review 2015. They will host the biennial African Aerospace and Defence, AAD, exhibition, once more, in September this year. There has been significant interest in this exhibition, with an estimated 450 exhibitors expected to participate.
In September 2015, I instructed that the Armscor be returned to the Navy. A business model, of course, was recommended by the Defence Review 2015. That process is now under way. This year the Castle of Good Hope marks 350 years of its existence. The Deputy Minister will elaborate on this matter.
The Defence Force Service Commission exists to provide the Minister on an annual basis with recommendations on improvements of salaries, service benefits and conditions of service of members. We welcome and support the recommendations made by the Defence Force Service Commission on the improvement of conditions of service of Defence Force members. Nonetheless, we are constrained seriously by the reduction in the defence allocation over the MTEF. The Defence Force Service Commission is planning a conference at the end of this year to celebrate the 22 years of existence of the SANDF.
This Defence Force will contribute on an ongoing basis to Operation Phakisa, growing the ocean economy, which is one of the key priorities of government. The South African Navy will deploy its assets to protect the Republic‘s territorial waters and its maritime resources. We are now converting a naval station in Durban into a fully-fledged naval base to support this project. It further provides an opportunity for the local production of naval assets such as patrol boats.
I am pleased to report that I signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of the North West Province in August 2015 whereby the SANDF will use its footprint in the province to support rural development initiatives. [Applause.] This is a pilot project that will see local economic growth being stimulated through military units directing procurement to small, medium and microenterprises and local co-operatives, with the objective of achieving food security. We have made significant progress in this regard, and we wish to roll this out to all other provinces.
During the Budget Vote last year, I indicated that I will be deploying a team to help address the strategic and operational problems and to implement a turnaround strategy to stabilise and capacitate the Department of Military Veterans. This was as a result of the need to reverse the declining, and at times nonexistent, levels of service delivery, accountability and good governance within the department. As per that undertaking, we have since deployed a turnaround team with a steering committee and a full-time project management office. The team is also supported by a resource panel drawn from various military veterans based on their expertise. The team is currently structured in work streams as per mandate on the terms of reference. These will cover health, housing, education and finance. The team presented a comprehensive report on its findings, recommendations and on some of the key interventions to both the Deputy Minister and me.
One of the key interventions that we have now made in stabilising the department is at leadership level where there were many vacancies at the managerial level. We have now managed to appoint two additional deputy directors-general to oversee the core business. The chief financial officer position is now filled, and the process is under way to fill the position of the director general, which should have been adopted by Cabinet this morning. [Applause.] Hopefully, we will succeed.
The stabilisation of the executive management will give impetus to the turnaround strategy and assist in unlocking current systemic blockages in the delivery of services and benefits. A specific area of concern is the integrity of information within the National Database for Military Veterans, which impacts negatively on the department‘s ability to deliver services and benefits to bona fide beneficiaries. Furthermore, we must reflect on the appropriateness of outsourcing the delivery of benefits to military veterans.
As a former woman combatant, I truly know the unique challenges faced by our women veterans as a result of their experiences whilst serving in the military. It is for this reason that earlier this year we launched the Women Military Veterans Association of South Africa. This initiative should not be viewed as creating parallel structures within the military veterans‘ fraternity but rather to enhance the work of women in these structures.
In conclusion, I would like to single out and express our most sincere gratitude to those South Africans who continue to generously contribute to the SANDF Education Trust fund. As you may be aware, this fund was set up in the aftermath of what happened in the Central African Republic where we lost 15 of our members to allow us to support the children of soldiers who lost their lives in combat. [Applause.] Lastly, I would like to thank the generous sponsors of the goodwill parcels which we provide to our deployed soldiers each Christmas period.
I would like to thank the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans,
and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence for the excellent co-operation we have enjoyed over the last year. I would further like to thank the Military Command Council, Defence Secretariat Council and the staff members of the Ministry for their unstinting support. I thank you. [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Minister, as you sit down, I overheard from my left one member saying quietly, ?and comrade Charles?. [Laughter.] In your closing remarks, as you were thanking everyone, I overheard somebody saying, ?I also thank comrade Charles?. [Laughter.] Thank you.
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: With pleasure, Chair!
I owe it to him. Thank you for your support. [Applause.]
Mr M S MOTIMELE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, hon Nosiviwe Nxakula ... [Interjections.]
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): He was trying, it‘s Nqakula, yes you can continue.
Mr M S MOTIMELE: ... hon Deputy Minister, hon Members of Parliament and guests in the gallery. The ANC supports and embraces this Budget Vote. The recent war talk making rounds in the media and other quarters insinuating that soldiers of the SA National Defence Force will turn against the government of the day are both disappointing and shocking and are a gross misunderstanding of the role and respectable record of the military in a democratic South Africa.
Just to put it on record, we have a proud and professional defence force that can be relied upon to use their own sound judgement to evaluate such utterances. They are keenly aware of their constitutional duty that has been entrusted to them by the citizens of this country. We know that they pride themselves as a professional, apolitical and constitutionally mandated organ of the state. We therefore believe that such misplaced utterances will never have the desired impact as we know what our soldiers stand for.
It is also worth highlighting the exemplary role our soldiers have played in the international arena. From peacekeeping operations in Burundi and Sudan, to training soldiers in various African countries, our soldiers have played their part in assisting to bring peace and stability on the continent. Our acclaimed role in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the Force Intervention Brigade is another fine example. Here, for the first time in the United Nation‘s history, I understand, a peace mission had an enforcement role that allowed the use of force.
In addition, we note the appointment of lieutenant, General Derrick Mgwebi, as the Force Commander of the Force Intervention Brigade MONUSCO by the United Nations Secretary-General. I understand that lieutenant General Mgwebi is the commander of the largest United Nations peacekeeping force on the planet. It is worth the applause hon members. This testifies not only to our defence capabilities but also the professionalism and dedication to execute tasks in fulfilment of international obligations, as per section 201(1)(c) of the Constitution.
As the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, we interact on a continuous basis with the military‘s top structures and regularly conduct oversight visits to defence establishments. In addition, our members interact frequently with our soldiers and share their achievements and are aware of the challenges they face. We therefore urge all to desist from attempts to undermine our soldiers and to cast aspersions on their loyalty.
We have recently adopted the 2015 Defence Review, a document that will guide the defence force over the next 20 to 30 years. As stated, we are acutely aware of the challenges facing the defence force and aware of the extra efforts they are putting in to ensure that they deliver on their mandated tasks. Given the declining budget which is currently around 1,1% of our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and the fact that we need a defence budget of at least 1,5% of the GDP, we commend them, however, for continuously delivering on their ordered tasks despite this huge challenge.
We are constantly engaged with their requirements and especially the implications of a reduced budget on their effectiveness. We are earnestly engaging with their proposed solutions and will support the Minister and her team to seek alternative sources of revenue.
While some of these proposals represent a marked departure from the conventional, this is necessary because of the numerous national competing pressures on our national fiscus.
The fact that the department intends to generate the additional funding themselves to address this budget shortfall is a cause worthy of serious engagement. It is however important that the Ministry engage Treasury to agree to ring-fence these funds and return it to the defence force. This is because we are also mindful of consequences if Milestone one of the Defence Review is not implemented. Delaying the implementation of the deliverables will weaken our defence capabilities and may even impact on the morale of our soldiers.
Our military veterans, from the respective armed forces that make the SA National Defence Force, have also shown us what it means to be professional. Their courage, bravery and determination under very trying circumstances are exemplary and have established a proud tradition on which our soldiers could build. We therefore pay homage to them for their role [Applause.] Indeed we are very proud of our military veterans and the sacrifices they have made for this country. We therefore urge all role players to display the necessary urgency and priority to speed up the delivery of benefits to them. This is the least we can do to honour and respect them for their selfless sacrifices to bring about the democracy that we all enjoy today.
The professionalism of the SA National Defence Force is above board and attempts to cast aspersions on it are to be rejected and not to be entertained. We know our soldiers, we stand by them, and we believe in them and support them. We have a budget shortfall that impacts on nearly every aspect of our defence operations. But we have a competent military leadership that make do with what they have and we are extremely proud of them. Yes there are challenges and yes there are complaints, but there are also many successes that our detractors conveniently forget. Together we will take this proud defence force forward together we shall overcome and together we will walk into the future, stronger and resolute as ever in our will to succeed and serve this nation. Finally, on 3 of August of this year we will be voting for local government, I urge our people not to vote for war and anarchy but to vote for peace and stability, vote ANC.
A re bouteleng ba khutšo le tšwelopele, e sego ba boganka le lenyatšo. [Let us vote for those who are peaceful and progressive, but not those who are aggressive and disrespectful.]
I thank you.
Mr S J F MARAIS: Hon Chairperson, the Department of Defence, operate in a highly regulated environment bound by among others requirements in the Constitution; the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002; Public Finance Management Act, PFMA, Act 1 of 1999; the National Development Plan, NDP, Defence Review, DR, and the economic and budgetary constraints.
When analysing this one find a cacophony of priorities and interests that leaves one with more questions than answers. This budget is a reflection of three conflicting sides: the ANC political priorities; the demands expressed in the NDP and the Defence Review, and the economic realities. We must question what type of defence force the government wants, what we require and what we can afford.
The Defence Force has changed to what the Secretary of Defence made it clear will not be able to meet the requirements of Defence Review milestone 1 with budget and I quote,
The persistent and continued 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 some of its current capabilities in addition to previous losses thereby compromising national security to defend and protect the Republic. Such a decline in funding is also visible in the slow pace in terms of the renewal, maintenance and repair of our prime mission equipment. In the battle field soldiers continue to use old and obsolete equipment with poor serviceability that hampers UN reimbursements"
We must re-evaluate the NDP and DR priorities to determine which of these are still relevant. When the DR was accepted, the economic growth projection was very different from current economic realities
In the light of this Minister, there are some budgetary contradictions. Total budget allocation increase by 4,6% nominal rate, which is a in real terms a downward and a decrease in budget; especially if one take the military inflation of double digits.
Staff costs are still close to 60% instead of 40% required. Consultants still increases from R8,3 million to R49,9 million. Operating leases increase from R298,5 million to a staggering R1,274 billion. This must be the source for the lease of the new luxury jet for the President and it needs to be re-looked at.
Acquisition services increase by 65% and requires your explanation what necessitates this. Land-border patrol units as you mentioned increase from 13 to 15, while we require 22. But, at the same time the allocation for Regional Security decreases by 12,91% in real terms. This raises a concern on the capability to effectively protect our borders and citizens.
The decrease in the Support Capabilities will have implication for the serviceability of all our strategic equipment, which will impact negatively on the peacekeeping missions‘ reimbursements.
In terms of the South African Air Force, SAAF, while training targets decrease, its budget increases by a staggering 189,97%. It will be a disgrace if this is paid to Russia and Cuba for training our pilots, while we have underutilised capacities. While we have continuous complaints of the serviceability of equipment like aircraft, technical support decreases by 37,6%. This must be the cause of the poor maintenance of among others Inkwazi, which is being used as a motivation for a new Work in Progress, Wip, aircraft.
The decrease in Transport and Maritime capability of 20,64% will have a major impact on the Air Force‘s ability for maritime border safe guarding and support to our ocean economy.
While there is a reduction of forced employment hours flown of 1 500 hours, which impacts negative on training and qualifying criteria of our pilots, there is an increase in fuel, oil and gas of
R100 million and VIP flying hours increase to 1 000 hours.
This gives the impression the ANC and its VlP‘s comes first and the interest of the South African National Defence Force, SANDF, and the citizens last. The Executive will gallivant while the safety of our troops and citizens are compromised.
With an effective maintenance program Inkwazi which, is relatively new in commercial terms, will provide reliable travels. Minister
Gordhan must agree that the cost of acquiring a R4 billion luxury jet for extravagant travels to the despair of citizens is highly inappropriate and should not be allowed.
Our fleet of C130 aircraft is more than 60 years old and need to be replaced. We require affordable, reliable and customised airlift capability in support of our troops, mid-air refuelling, long-haul maritime and land-border patrols, humanitarian and disaster relief, and capacity to transport equipment.
While the Maritime Defence programme will focus on the long term acquisition of patrol vessels, the allocation to the Special Defence Account, SDA, has been reduced by R350 million, which certainly will jeopardise the acquisition of these vessels.
The budget reflects an increase in combat capabilities, with sea hours to remain at 12 000, but a decrease in the allocation to fuel, oil, and gas from R81,4 million to R19,1 million, which will compromise the maritime patrol and defence capability.
It is evident that the Secretary of Defence and the Command structures are expected to fulfil their tasks with one arm tied behind their backs. We must choose between a politically driven defence force, and what is constitutionally and legally expected and affordable. Not the ANC first and the citizens last.
Minister, you responded in the NCOP to a Question on why our pilots are trained in Russia and Cuba, and I quote,
You are not going to be able to give them those flying hours because there are no aircrafts. I will tell you that some of the aircrafts were taken by some of the people who left the air force. When we talk about shortage it has to do with the fact that some of the assets were stolen.
While in 2013 in response to a Question you acknowledged that almost half of the Gripens bought were in storage, and I quote you again, "The SAAF has 20 Gripen fighters aircraft placed in long term storage."
Explain to us this contradictions, Minister and fabrication of the facts which has damaged the credibility of SAAF and its pilots. You were adamant that a new aircraft will be acquired for the President, come hell or high water.
You are compromising our airlift capability as represented by this budget, the safety of our troops, and citizens, in favour of the comfort and luxury of the executive, or is it simply the ANC and the President comes first and the country and its citizen last? Have you concluded Minister, the long-haul aircraft lease and has Minister Gordhan condoned this unnecessary and avoidable expense? These budget proposals do not allow the SANDF to comply with the NDP and
DR targets, while the priorities are not realistic for SANDF of today and beyond. Our safety and sovereignty will be compromised, and it will prevent the SANDF from fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities. It will have an impact on investors‘ confidence, economic growth and job creation for years to come. The interest of the citizens should come first. I thank you.
Mr N P KHOZA: Minister Nqakula, it is with great sadness that your son is not here with you today.
Njengemuntfu lomnyama nginelitsemba lekutsi lapho akhona uyakuva. Kodvwa angikusho kucace kutsi siyi-EFF siyawucitsa Lomcombelelotimali namuhla lapha. [As a black person I believe he hears you wherever he is. But let me say it clearly that as the EFF we do not support this Budget Vote.]
We do so because the ANC has over the past 22 years failed to re- orient the strategic focal areas of the South African Defence Force, SADF, and as a result, the SADF has been limping from one year to the other without any strategic direction.
It is as a result of this that we had our soldiers massacred in the Central African Republic, whose presence there is still yet to be logically explained, leaving much room for speculation that they were there in pursuit of the personal and nefarious interests of one
Jacob Zuma. It is also this lack of strategic direction that our soldiers are sent to the Sudan ... [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: I rise on a point of order Chair, there is a President of the Republic of South Africa, not one Jacob Zuma. Please.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you hon member. Point is sustained. [Interjections.] Order.
Mr N P KHOZA: It is also this lack of strategic direction that our soldiers are sent to the Sudan and left there, poorly equipped and with no support. Your own South African Defence Review paints a very grim picture of the South African Defence Force. lt is a force characterized by old or useless equipment, often without the discipline required to constitute an effective fighting force, little ability to deploy them rapidly, little by way of heavy equipment to back them up and a severely limited ability to communicate with them once they are in the field.
The Defence Review decries the disconnection between the SADF defence mandate, government expectation and resource allocation. This has eroded defence capabilities to the point where the defence force is unable to fully deliver its constitutional responsibility to defend and protect South Africa and her people. Furthermore, Transparency International UK‘s Defence and Security Programme has
launched the results of the Government Defence Anti-Corruption index towards the end of last year, which highlights the levels of corruption in the SADF, driven primarily by politicians. This taints the deployment of South African forces to UN missions with the same corruption brush Jacob Zuma has tainted our country with. So we are here today, required to approve a budget of about R47.1 Billion
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon Khoza, I think a point has been raised and I sustained it that it is hon President or hon Mr as you know in terms of the recent Rules that were approved.
Mr N P KHOZA: Mr Zuma. So we are here today, required to approve a budget of about R47.1 Billion for the department, which is by the departments own admission, short of R1,8 billion to enable to department to fulfil its mandate. What is horrifying though, is the fact that the department has made no special budgetary provisions for the implementation of the recommendations of its own Defence Review, DR.
This will leave the defence force as weak as it was when the Defence Review process was started. it definitely must be wasteful expenditure if the department commissions reviews, and then not finance recommendations of those reviews Our defence is as well not immune to the capturing of the State by the Zuma aligned Gupta web of corruption. [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: Again Chair.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member without biting into your time can we please ensure that the order we have raised is sustained and you should do so.
Mr N P KHOZA: Chair, there is nothing wrong that was said now. I am talking about a Zuma aligned Gupta web of corruption.
Not so long ago, after the Guptas had emigrated to Dubai, and soon thereafter Denel and VR Laser Services - a company in which the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma‘s son Duduzane Zuma hold a 25% stake - formed a joint venture known as Denel Asia which would sell Denel products to the Asian market. This, if allowed to pass, will be very lucrative to the Zuma family and their Gupta?s. We cannot allow such to happen. We need the mandate of our defence force clearly outlined so as to prevent any confusion. The EFF does not support this Budget Vote. [Time expired.]
Mr N SINGH: Hon Chairperson, I just received a comment from a colleague here and I am going to eat into my time, that I disappoint him being the IFP‘s Chief Whip, but I said to him that, that will be a debate for another day and I hope his Whip attends to this matter, because is not the kind of thing that when a speaker comes to a podium then you get that kind of comment, hon member. And I am not
going to enter into a dialogue with this hon member and I think he should be called to order.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you very much, hon Singh. You can proceed.
Mr N SINGH: I make these inputs on behalf of the hon Mncwango, who is a member of this committee and who is unavailable today. At the outset let me state that, the IFP supports this Budget Vote.
However, the Defence Review appears to have been interns and purposes, shelved and is busy collecting dust. A phased implementation of the Defence Review is now becoming more and more of urgency. Our existing equipments is becoming obsolete and any large scale replacement, will be a challenge to accomplish within the current budgetary constraints. This matter cannot be postponed any longer. A phased-in implementation of the defence review must begin in earnest.
The rejuvenation of our defence forces must also be prioritised. We have an ageing leadership with little being done to foster younger military progression through the ranks and here I have to agree with hon Mncwango, because when I look around at the mainly men in brown and blue, I think he makes a very valid point in this regard about an ageing defence force leadership.
The morale of soldiers remains a concern. We attribute this to a growing lack of discipline within the ranks, the slow pace of progression of military careers, and the obsolete and the poor state of military infrastructure and equipment.
The deployment of peace keeping force in the region comes at great expense to our already strained economy. Why do we persist in deploying our troops into regional areas of great hostility when we are struggling to afford it, and secondly, when our equipment is largely unsuitable for the terrain and conditions of the deployment theatre. But I was pleased to hear the hon Minister, say that we have withdrawn troops from South Sudan. Specialized weaponry is required and without it we are placing our troops at far too greater risk and disadvantage to be effective.
As the IFP, we support a form national service for our youth. This would not only inculcate a sense of patriotism, but would also develop life skills, like discipline, which we believe would augur well for these youth later on in life. Also, given the large scale youth unemployment, a form of national service would provide our youth with purpose, and this is fundamental in the building of self- esteem.
Discipline within our defence force and overall morale of our troops remains low. This frustration boils over from time to time and we
see that some of our soldiers becoming involved in criminal activities.
Lastly, I would like to bring up the matter of our military veterans. There is one South African National Defence Force, SANDF, with one Commander-in-Chief, who is the President of the Republic of South Africa. While we know that these veterans are drawn from different political formations, is this in essence a resuscitation of uMkhonto we Sizwe and being used to give it the honours it did not have at the height of conflict.
Additionally, the high visibility that is accorded to military veterans in intra-political party conflicts is most worrisome, for example, marching for President Zuma, which they did, etc, when in fact, we as the South African tax payer are paying for the medical aid, providing other housing benefits, veteran‘s pensions and grants.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member! Your time has expired.
Mr N SINGH: Okay, I thought you will give me a minute ... Thank you.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): I have already given you a minute.
Mnu S C MNCWABE: Ngiyabona ukuthi kunenkinga. Angibingelele, Sihlalo ohloniphekile, uNgqongqoshe neSekela lakhe, abakhuzi bezempi bezwe lakithi abakhona phakathi kwethu, izihambeli zethu zonke, amalungu ahloniphekile aleNdlu. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows)
[Mr S C MNCWABE: I can see that there is a problem. Let me greet you, hon Chairperson, the Minister and her Deputy, the commanders of the armed forces of our country who are present amongst us, all our guests and the hon members of this House.]
The department received a total Budget of R47,170 billion, for the current financial year and this allocation is expected to rise to R48,745 billion by 2017-18 and R50,725 billion by 2018-19. The NFP finds it perplexing that a country which has no known externally enemy and faces no external armed threat, can allocate such an enormous portion of the National Budget to Defence and Military Veterans, when we have a pressing need for housing, water, sanitation, electricity, health care and education.
While, we always seem to have funds for state of the art military hardware, we don‘t have enough money to provide our schools with science laboratories or libraries. And whilst we do not hesitate to commit funds to deploy our soldiers on the continent, there is not enough money to provide our neglected rural areas with mobile clinics or clean safe drinking water. Somehow, we just seem to have our priorities wrong.
The NFP is aware of the need for any country to have a defence force that should be able and capable of protecting its sovereignty from external aggression, but we believe that the ratio between the proven threats must be aligned with the capacity to counter it.
Having expressed our reservation about the Budget in general, the NFP is intrigued by the allocation of R4,41 billion of Program 6, dealing with Military Health Support. This allocation is slightly less than the total allocation of R4,35 billion for Program 5, the Maritime Defence.
The NFP questions how is it that health support for our armed forces can be equal in value to the entire budget spent on our navy? If South Africa had been in a state of war, we could have understood the allocation for medical support within the context of the entire budget, but it does seem to be disproportionally high for times of peace.
Finally, for the sake of our national integrity as a country and sovereignty, the NFP will support this Budget, and we express our agreement with the recommendations of the Portfolio Committee tabled here today. I thank you
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: House Chair
and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-
Nqakula, the Minister has already rendered all the protocol salutations.
Hon members, essentially, I stand here to support hon Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula‘s Budget Speech for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans. Twenty-two years into our democracy, those who put on a uniform and stood opposed to the racist apartheid regime and those who equally wore a uniform to support it have made peace. They accepted the political instructions of their principals and put their trust in their hands to ensure that the resolution of the centuries-old conflict of our country births a future of which our children and children‘s children would be proud of.
In this vein, may we always remember that this freedom we enjoy today came at a great expense to the lives and wellbeing of many who aligned themselves with the military forces that were deeply involved in this conflict. Some survived, albeit with deep emotional, seen and unseen scars. Some died brutal deaths in that process. At this point, may I memorialise our heroes and heroines by dedicating this presentation to the late Comrade Nokuthula Simelane. [Applause.]
Cde Nokuthula Simelane, a young woman, died a lonely, brutal and painful death at the hands of her torturers. She was an underground soldier for uMkhonto weSizwe. She served her cause, the cause of the people of South Africa, with distinction, discipline and courage.
She never winched; she never compromised her cause even alone in the hands of the brutal apartheid murderers. She remained steadfast at her post. Today, 22 years into our democracy, her killers are exposed and standing trial in the courts of our new country.
On the other hand, after 22 years, many of those who stood to sacrifice life and limb to that struggle for a democratic future have reached or are about to reach pensionable age. The socioeconomic deficit in their lives, because of their sacrifice for all of us, is beginning to tell in the most glaring ways. In a country whose economy has a historical inclination to serve our white compatriots to the detriment of the mainly African majority, the military veterans, especially those from the liberation forces, are increasingly becoming destitute in greater numbers. Therefore, the focus of the Department of Military Veterans must be on the acceleration of service delivery to that vulnerable component of our community and saving our country the shame of having to be viewed as having broken its promise to those who sacrificed for freedom.
We are compelled as Parliament, government, society and the corporate world to act according to the spirit of the Constitution of the Republic to ?honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom?. In 2014, when I stood before this august house, I outlined the priorities of the Department of Military Veterans in this current administration as the following: education support, economic support, health and wellness, housing,
finalisation of the database, and heritage, memorial, burial and honour.
Last year, I again stood before you to re-emphasise the unfolding of a programme based on those priorities. I also gave feedback on the challenges we experienced in the process of undertaking that course. However, the department stated its will and commitment to remaining unfazed by the complex challenges of multilateral co-operation and co-ordination for some of these identified priorities. In that regard, we can report today that, whilst discussing our budget allocation as spelt out by the Minister, we have made progress, although it cannot be enough.
The future of any country should be based on education that serves as the stimulus for development and on banishing ignorance and backwardness. This is precisely because education is not only the great equaliser of people, but it is also the foundation of building and growing the country‘s inclusive economy. This reality has not eluded military veterans and their dependants, even when they are faced with hardships. As such, we have a good story to tell on the programme of education support for military veterans and their beneficiaries.
In the financial year 2013-14, only 200 military veterans and their children could secure education support, whilst during the financial year 2014-15 about 3 650 benefited. We are proud to announce that as
we speak we have a beautiful problem on our hands. We have exponentially increased that number. In this current financial year, we have registered in our education support programme 5 482 military veterans and their beneficiaries. [Applause.] This is a phenomenal increase of 1 832. Education support has been allocated
R26,4 million.
On health and wellness, we may recall that as it is 22 years into our democracy, the multitudes of youths who fought in the struggle and swelled the liberation military forces during the anti-apartheid struggle are now in their middle age or elderly and infirm.
Therefore, it has been important to prepare access to medical facilities by military veterans. In the financial year 2014-15,
13 923 military veterans were secured access to various medical facilities. In 2015-16, this number was increased by 743 for a total of 14 666. Health and wellness support has been allocated
R50 million.
Housing has been a challenge because we established that the Department of Military Veterans cannot build houses itself but must co-operate with other departments and other spheres of government to attain this task. We are happy and welcome the commitment made and target set by the Minister of Human Settlements, the hon Lindiwe Sisulu, something that we accept and agree to. We are ready and prepared to co-operate fully in making that undertaking a reality.
The housing budget has been allocated R138 million. [Applause.]
On empowerment and stakeholder management, facilitation has been undertaken successfully to create linkages on their behalf with, amongst others, the Forum of South African Directors-Generals, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Denel, Amscor and the Small Enterprise Development Agency. Central to the success of this approach has been a serious focus on training. So far,
1 883 military veterans and their dependants have received Seta- accredited training. I would like to thank the Denel board for having facilitated business for five military veterans‘ companies to an amount of R14,2 million and for further investing R1,2 million in the development of three military veteran-owned companies. [Applause.]
Our struggle to rid our country and humanity of the scourge of racist apartheid, a crime against humanity, was met with raw brutality by the regime, resulting in havoc being wreaked abroad and in neighbouring countries. Those like Nokuthalo Simelane who fought against apartheid died violent and lonely deaths, and their remains are found in hidden, unmarked graves or scattered across the length and breadth of our and neighbouring countries. The Department of Military Veterans has worked closely with the Department of Arts and Culture and the missing persons task team under the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to find the remains of the apartheid death squad victims. It has also played a very constructive, progressive role in the unveiling of the Matola Raid Museum, which serves the purpose of bringing closure to the affected
families, and ensure the memorialisation of the deadly raid by the murderous South African Defence Force. Added to these responsibilities, the Department of Military Veterans also ensures that military veterans are buried with dignity. In this manner, we believe that those who served the purpose of bringing about our democracy must be treated with respect even in their last journey to the world of the departed. We allocate R159,8 million for that.
On public transport, the process of finalising the signing of a memorandum of understanding and service level agreement between the Department of Military Veterans and the Department of Transport is at an advanced stage. The signing will open an opportunity for subsidised transportation costs for military veterans.
In order to ensure that the military benefits go to bona fide recipients, cleaning the database is an ongoing critical necessity. To succeed in this task, we urge all military veterans associations to be conscientious in dealing with the Department of Military Veterans on this matter. It is clear that the database verification process would have to be reviewed regularly to ensure its integrity.
On social relief of distress, the Department of Military Veterans has decided to put about 1 854 of these worst-off veterans on a social relief of distress grant. These are military veterans who do not qualify for any form of special pension or government grants and
therefore do not have any income. We allocate R16,8 million for that.
Hon members, the total budget of the Department of Military Veterans for the financial year 2016-17 is R597,6 million. This constitutes an increase of 3% from the previous budget allocation. I support the budget as presented by the Minister. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Ms N A MNISI: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, hon Members of Parliament and guests in the gallery, the 2002 Ready to Govern ANC policy document provided a vision of a new National Defence Force that is loyal to and upholds the Constitution of the Republic. A Defence Force that is accountable to the public through Parliament, and respects the rights of the soldiers as citizens.
A Defence Force whose professional conduct is guided by the code of conduct based on universally accepted democratic principles. This vision does not just relate to the military command, discipline and uniqueness of the environment of what has become the SA National Defence Force, SANDF. It also calls for the ongoing transformation of the defence military structure and better conditions of service.
Defence entities play a key role in enhancing the capacity of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and in improving
the conditions and lives of military persons and veterans, as well as addressing their unique conditions.
The Defence Review plays an instrumental role in guiding the department and its entities in ensuring that the SANDF has constant and timely renewal of equipment, capacitation of personal and requisite training to execute successful operations across a spectrum of conflict zones. These are carried out whilst ensuring a balance between development and security.
These entities provide specific and dedicated support in dealing with the historic challenges of capacity and support, and have been able to execute effective service delivery to the SANDF, reflecting great improvement over the financial year under review.
Primarily the Castle Control Board has as its objectives, the transformation of the Castle of Good Hope into a centre that is a reflection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the nation. It maintains the castle as a heritage site contributing to the economy through tourism and generating income from its activities. This is a strategic priority of the board cultivating and growing visitors to this unique centre whilst generating income.
In providing public access to the Castle of Good Hope, it contributes to social cohesion and nation-building. The castle
provides South Africans with the opportunity of reflecting on the history of the military and our culture‘s heritage, this in promoting the creation of a better South Africa. [Applause.]
Importantly and in recognition of military v eterans the board will oversee the hosting of at least six heritage events for military veterans, together with at least 10 noncommercial cultural events and exhibitions at the castle. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, Armaments Corporation of SA, Armscor, has the mandate as outlined in the 2014 Defence Review, to provide strategic assistance in the acquisition of the d efence systems, defence research and development and the through life support of the defence system.
In addition Armscor contributes significantly to the economy and the country‘s gross domestic product, GDP, through its multiple contracts both nationally and internationally.
The significant strides made by Armscor over the years in becoming a recognised world leader in the production of armaments that has not only contributed to the c o u n t r y but placed South Africa at the cutting edge of technological developments in the industry.
This advanced technological capacity has also been put to important use in the private sector, where its technological supremacy has
been able to produce advances in the fields of aviation. Its turnaround time has a proven track record. It provides an effect support mechanism to the needs of the SANDF and is at the forefront of defence acquisition.
We need to commend its research and development capacity and this B udget Vote will assist in the critical area of defence technology advancement through research.
The Military Ombud is entrusted with responsibility of ensuring that the SANDF has a credible means of resolving grievances within itself. It is c harged with the responsibility of investigating and ensuring that complaints are resolved in a fair, economical and expeditious manner. The Military Ombud has the critical function of focusing on key aspects of the operational nonmilitary functioning of the SANDF.
This will effectively ensure that institutional capacity of the department is developed and strengthened over time as the department implements the Defence Review. The relationship of the Defence Review to the Military Ombud is an important one and should influence the Ombud in the areas it wishes to focus on.
The investigating capacity of the Military Ombud is essential and this Budget Vote must ensure going forward that this capacity is
enhanced otherwise it can render the objectives of the Military Ombud Act ineffective.
In conclusion, Chairperson, uTata Nelson Mandela once said a n d I quote, ?Let us commit to our common goal a nation where all of us are winners. Let us build a nation of champions.?
I would like to salute all t h e w o m e n a n d in the uniform we are proud of you. The ANC lives, t h e ANC leads, Sishoda Ngawe! [We are running short of you!] The ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Dr B H HOLOMISA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister and hon members, the UDM support the Budget Vote No 19 on Defence and Military Veterans. [Applause.]
Seniqalile ke ngoku ukubhoxa. [You already started disturbing me.]
Chairperson, notwithstanding the hon Minister‘s reference to the National Defence Force Service Commission in her address, can this House finally direct the portfolio committee and the Ministry to come up with a clear time framed process to effect amendments to the Defence Force Service Act so that the powers of the Defence Force Service Commission, DFSC, are redefined to make it effective.
The snail pace at which the department is moving is inconsistent with its mandate. Consequently, our soldiers are still not represented in the public service commission‘s bargaining chamber. The report of the interim and current permanent commission calls for the recapitalisation of the Defence in order to meet its requirements.
Chairperson, Denel is generating revenue for National Treasury. The UDM supports or proposes that the Defence Force, the National Treasury, Denel and Armaments Corporation of SA, Armscor, to collectively consider what interventions could be done through Denel and Armscor‘s revenues to resuscitate the obsolete Defence Force equipment. Let us ring-fence that money for the purposes of helping the Defence.
One of the key issues that as a country we need to clarify, is; what are the factors that we consider when deciding to deploy our troops to conflicts, and in compliance with the continental and global peace obligations.
This is important because, the current conflicts are characterised by the leadership and regimes that undermine human rights, corrupt and violate socioeconomic and political rights of their citizens. It therefore requires that the Joint Standing Committee on Defence should be taken into confidence when decisions to deploy our soldiers are made.
Finally, this would help to absolve the National Assembly from wide accusations that our troops are used in defence of individuals and groups who may have economic interests or involved in the protection of corrupt regimes.
Mama onguMphathiswa weSebe lezoKhuselo namaGqala oMkhosi, elam icebo lithi, ukuba ufuna ukulungisa iingxaki zeli sebe musa ukuhamba uzincokola nabo nabaphi na abaPhathiswa. Ngqala ngqo kwiNkumanda yemikhosi yelizwe lonke ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Mother who is the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, my advice to you is this, if you want to sort out the problems of this department don‘t go around and talk about them with any other Ministers. Go straight to the National Commander of the army ...]
...and be accompanied by the command element, the commission and the National Treasury, ...
...khe nihlale phantsi nibonisane ngalo mcimbi. Ukuba uhamba apha ezinkampini, njengokuba sijikeleza nje siyikomishoni, imeko ayikho ntle phaya. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[... and sit down and discuss this issue. If you walk around the camps, as we do as the commission, you will see that the situation there is really bad.]
The sooner we do that the better.
Ungachithi ixesha lakho ngezi Komiti zeMicimbi yeSebe zininzi. [Don‘t waste your time with these many portfolio committees of the Department.]
Go straight to the Commander-in-Chief and present a proper report to him. You will see a big difference. Thank you. [Applause.]
Dr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, ek sal u nie teleurstel nie. Dit is op rekord dat die VF Plus, en ek, persoonlik, sedert 2004 al, vra dat die begroting van die Departement van Verdediging vergroot moet word, maar daar word niks daaraan gedoen nie.
Nou wil ek vir die agb Minister sê – en u sê self – dat oor die mediumtermynbegroting daar eintlik ‘n tekort van R5 miljard vir verdediging gaan wees. Agb Minister, die VF Plus sal nie hierdie begroting ondersteun as u voortgaan om ‘n presidensiële straler vir die President te koop nie. [Tussenwerpsels.] U kan net dít uitskakel en u spaar reeds R4,3 miljard van die R5 miljard wat u tekort het.
Minister, ek het ook al ‘n paar keer van hierdie podium gesê dat een van die groot probleme in die Weermag sy dissipline is. Dissipline!
Ek het ‘n vraag aan u gevra. Verlede jaar, word daar twee wagte by die Tempe-Militêrebasis in Bloemfontein oorval met rowers met messe.
Met ander woorde, die rowers kom eintlik met ‘n mes by ‘n skietgeveg aan, en hulle roof twee R4-gewere, ‘n radio, en 60 rondtes skerp ammunisie – omdat wagte slaap as hulle op wag is.
U het my vraag beantwoord, maar, agb Minister, u het nie gesê wat gebeur het met die twee wagte wat geslaap het nie, want daardie twee wagte en die SA Nasionale Weermag dra by tot misdaad. As ons gaan kyk, byvoorbeeld, na plaasaanvalle, word R4-aanvalsgewere nou gebruik in ‘n plaasaanval.
Ek wil vandag die stelling maak. As daardie twee gewere – wat nou nog weg is – en die 60 rondtes skerp ammunisie in enige rooftog of ‘n plaasaanval gebruik word, dan sê ek vir u die SA Nasionale Weermag is medepligtig, en behoort daar ‘n eis teen hulle ingestel te word.
Agb Minister, dissipline moet opgeskerp word, en die enigste manier om dit te doen is as daar teen daardie twee skutters opgetree word. Inteendeel, hulle moet eintlik geskors word uit die SA Nasionale Weermag.
Die tweede aspek is as volg. Agb Minister, ek het vir u die vraag gevra, want u het die stelling aan ons gemaak om te sê dat die uitgaande wit persone uit die Lugmag vliegtuie gesteel het en daarom kan daar nie behoorlike opleiding gedoen word nie. Agb Minister, u weet mos dis nie waar nie. Hoe kan u dit sê?
Daar is op die oomblik ‘n gerug wat rondgaan dat die Weermag die helfte van sy Pilatus PC-7 Mk II-vliegtuie wil verkoop. Nou, die Pilatus-vliegtuie was voor 1994 aangekoop juis om die basiese opleiding te doen waardeur die Harvards en ook die ou Impala- vliegtuie uitgefaseer was. Daarom is hulle daar; dis waarvoor die opleiding gegee moet word. Hoe op dees aarde kan ‘n persoon ‘n vliegtuig steel en daar nie opgetree kan word nie?
Laastens, u het aan die begin van u toespraak gesê u is ernstig bekommerd, want daar is te min wittes wat aansluit by die Weermag. Agb Minister, as u verwag van wit mense om by die Weermag aan te sluit en ‘n loopbaan te volg, maar dink hulle gaan net op die basiese skuttervlak aansluit sonder goeie loopbaanvooruitsigte as gevolg van regstellende aksie nie, dan sê ek vir u u krisis gaan toeneem – want niemand wil op grond van ras teen gediskrimineer word as hy ‘n loopbaan kies, ook vir die toekoms, nie.
U moet optree en sorg dat regstellende aksie afgeskaf word. Dan gaan u meer wittes in die Weermag kry en u krisis gaan opgelos word. Ek dank u. [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Dr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Chairperson, I will not disappoint you. It is on record that since 2004 the VF Plus, and myself in person, has been asking for the budget of the Department of Defence to be increased, but nothing is done about this.
Now I want to tell the hon Minister - and you say it yourself - that there will be a deficit for Defence of R5 billion in real terms in the medium term budget. Hon Minister, the FF Plus will not support this budget should you continue with the acquisition of a presidential jet for the President. [Interjections.] You only need to exclude this and you have already saved R4,3 billion of your R5 billion deficit.
Minister, a number of times I have said from this podium that one of the Defence Force's biggest problems is its discipline. Discipline!
I had asked you a question. Last year, two guards at Tempe Military Base in Bloemfontein were overpowered by robbers armed with knives. In other words, the robbers had in actual fact brought a knife to a gunfight and stole two R4 rifles, a radio and 60 rounds of live ammunition because guards were sleeping while they were on duty.
You answered my question, but hon Minister, you did not say what had happened to the two guards who were asleep, because these two guards and the South African National Defence Force contributed to crime. If we were to look at farm attacks, for instance, we would see that R4 assault rifles are currently being used in farm attacks.
I want to make the statement today: If those two rifles - that are still missing - and the 60 rounds of live ammunition are used in any robbery or farm attack, then I am telling you that the SA National
Defence Force is complicit and a claim should be lodged against them.
Hon Minister, discipline has to be improved and the only way to do this is by instituting steps against those two riflemen. To the contrary, they should in actual fact be suspended from the SA National Defence Force.
The second aspect is the following: Hon Minister, I asked you the question, because you had made the statement to us all saying that white people leaving the Air Force had stolen aircraft and that this was the reason why proper training could not take place. Hon Minister, you know that this is not the truth. How can you say this?
A rumour is currently doing the rounds that the Defence Force wants to sell half of its Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft. Now, these Pilatus aircraft were acquired before 1994 specifically to be used for the basic training for which the Harvards as well as the old Impala aircraft had been phased out. That is why they are there; that is what the training must be provided for. How on earth can someone steal an aircraft without steps being taken against that person?
Lastly, at the beginning of your speech you said that you were very worried because too few white people were joining the Defence Force. Hon Minister, if you expect of white people to join the Defence Force as a career, but think that they will only be joining at the
basic level of rifleman without any career prospects as a result of affirmative action, then I am telling you that your crisis will deepen - because nobody wants to be discriminated against on racial grounds when he chooses a career, also for the future.
You must take action and see to it that affirmative action is abolished. This will ensure that you get more white people in the Defence Force and your crisis will be resolved. I thank you. [Interjections.]]
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, hon Minister, we, in the ACDP, have to consider this budget against the fiscal consolidation path required by our National Treasury. Whilst this path, with the expenditure ceiling, is crucial to stabilise public finances and prevent sovereign credit ratings downwards, it does have a negative impact on all departments, including that of defence and military veterans.
We, in the ACDP, have, for many years, also said that this department is severely underfunded to carry out the enormous mandate required of it. We support you, hon Minister, when you say the defence budget should be 2% of GDP. At present, we know it is just over 1%, and yes, the SANDF must properly manage its budget.
However, these successive budget cuts continue to undermine the Defence Force‘s capability in many areas, including its ability to carry out its peacekeeping mandate.
Today, we, in the ADCP, wish to thank and pay tribute to all our men and women in uniform. They are unable to question the political decisions we take here that may result in them being placed in harm‘s way. They are unable to change the budgets allocated to them. They are expected to merely obey orders. In this regard, I am reminded of Alfred, Lord Tennyson‘s famous words in The Charge of the Light Brigade:
Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die ...
We salute you, we pray for your safekeeping and we thank you for your many noteworthy achievements.
However, then, it is our responsibility, as Members of Parliament, to look at the budget, and it is not helpful to come here every year and say it‘s underfunded. The power lies with us! We have the legislative power to amend the budget, and so it is a matter of great concern when we see a reported R1,8 billion shortfall.
If we look at Programme 4, Air Defence, with the largest reduction, the total flying hours are reduced from 6 500 to 5 000 hours. What is even more shocking is that the VIP transport hours are then increased from 800 to 1 000 hours. Thus, 20% of the total flying hours for the SA Air Force will be for VIP transport. This is scandalous! As the committee report pointed out, it will impact on
the pilots‘ ability to remain current in terms of their required flying hours.
Now, we also agree with the committee‘s report that the department should prioritise and shift funds to ensure that those additional flying hours are found, but saying that is not enough. Why doesn‘t the committee approach the Appropriations Committee and say, ?Let‘s shift the funds?? We have the legislative power to do that, and I would urge the committee to do that.
Surely, every year we come and we stand before the members ... can we look these members in the eye, when we have the power to appropriate this budget? Surely, it‘s time for us to shift of our own accord, in terms of this budget.
We see the dramatic reduction in the oil, fuel and gas allocation to the SA Navy – listen carefully – from R81 million to R19 million!
You‘re giving them 20%. How can the navy do their work? How can they do their patrols in the Mozambique Channel? Surely, again, this is something that we need to look at.
Surely, in good conscience, we need to reprioritise funds away from the presidential jet to these most-needed areas in the SANDF. I have been pleading with you for also almost 10 years. Let‘s stand up, this time, with the understanding that we‘ve got an expenditure ceiling - but can we look these men in uniform in the eye when the
power lies with us to amend the budget? I thank you very much, Chairperson.
Adv B T BONGO: Hon Chair, hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, hon Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Kebby Maphatsoe, hon Deputy Ministers present. I have seen hon Thabang Makwetla, generals and military veterans that are present today, the secretary of defence Mr Gulube and hon members.
ANC supports this Budget Vote 19. If you reject this Budget Vote, you are simply rejecting the state security. And if you reject this Budget Vote, you are rejecting national interests. Hon members, in 2007 in our 52nd National Conference that the ANC noted that there is slow pace of addressing the plight of military veterans and we resolved that there must be a dedicated department that must look at the military veterans and their plight because of the reason that they had sacrificed their lives in the achievement of the freedom that the country is enjoying today.
The Department of Defence and Military Veterans strives for a dignified, unified, empowered and self-sufficient military veteran community. Undoubtedly, there were challenges in the department. And we would like to applaud the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for setting up a task team that looked at the other
problems that were there that related to human resources. We a proud to report today that the task team has now setup the top senior management at that level and we hope that some of the challenges that were raised will be dealt with progressively.
Part of the challenges that the department had were related to the department having to enter into memoranda of understanding with sector departments, particularly the Department of Human Settlements in delivering the programme of housing.
We, as the committee, as part of our oversight met with all the parastatals and extensively discussed the plight of the military veterans. What we said to parastatals was that they need to prioritise military veterans in this country and ensure that military veterans do not only work as law enforcers or security guards at the gate but they must participate in the core business of these parastatals, the core economy in these parastatals.
Hon Chair, despite these challenges, there were achievements in the department. Some of the achievements in collaboration with South African Social Security Agency, Sassa, in 2014-15 financial year, 693 military who were eligible for the support were provided. We provided them with care and health care in 2014-15 financial year.
I think about 6795 military veterans benefited. Close to 2460 military veterans were provided with training and skills during the aforesaid financial year. 1696 military veterans accessed
opportunities in various sectors. We have created 96 co-operatives to benefit military veterans in the department. Nine houses belonging to military veterans were rescued from repossession by the banks. 160 burial supports to deserving military veterans were provided in the aforesaid financial year. To date, 2752 were verified in the database out of the 57 344 that is in the records.
The department is now finalising an update of the database. I think
15 401 are being processed. In mitigating some of the figures that I have counted, the department has now already appointed a database manager, who will make sure that these issues are dealt with a speed of a mirage.
Hon Chair and hon members, we need to support the initiative by the Deputy Minister, hon Kebby Maphatsoe, that of ensuring that, we take all the roadshows. The Deputy Minister will be going to provinces.
He has already started. The provinces and all the regions of this country, looking for military veterans to come and make sure that the database is correct and ensures that they get all the things they deserve as military veterans. What we would like to say to you military veterans is that ...
... I-ANC enayilwela isaseyiyona nanamhlanje. Ningavumeli amavelashona anikhohlise engathi anikhathalele. I-ANC ngeke ibuthi quthu ubuthongo ningazitholanga izindlu ezinifanele. Uhulumeni we-
ANC ngeke uphumule abantwana benu bengayitholanga imfundo esezingeni eliphezulu ebafanele. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[... the ANC that you fought for is still the same today. Do not allow the mushrooming parties fool you as if they care for you. The ANC will not rest until you receive decent housing. The ANC government will never rest until your children receive quality education they deserve.]
Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr L R MBINDA: Hon Chair and hon members, receive my humble greetings.
Let me start by acknowledging the response from the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and The Presidency for the intervention in the logistical arrangement for the funeral of our late President, Makwetu. We further condemn the lack of response from one of the first women who crossed the country going to exile. Mama Nomvo Booi was laid to rest last Saturday. She was one of the first black women to be trained in exile and later was one of the first female political prisoners.
Hon Chair, let me say this on behalf of our military veterans that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans was established to assist thousands of our men and women, who compromised and
sacrificed their lives and went to exile for military operations, fighting the return of the land. Some of them have passed way during the struggle days and their families are still taken from pillar to post without any form of assistance.
The accreditation process of veterans is flawed and as a result many deserving military veterans are sidelined from any form of benefit and end up subjected to being worthless in society. Some of our military veterans who are integrated into Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Prasa, Metro Police, SA Police Service, Saps, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries projects remain underpaid and subjected to inhumane conditions. We will appreciate the speedy intervention in this regard.
The PAC remains very concerned with ongoing reports of the misuse of our SA National Defence Force, SANDF, to protect business interests on certain individuals or organisations. Our soldiers are taken here with the understanding that they will be conducting peace keeping missions across the African continent only to find that there is business interests coupled with corrupt intentions. However, as a matter of principle we in full support of all legitimate and genuine deployment of external missions to assist African countries, who are in need of our help.
On behalf of the PAC: firstly, let me utter our utmost disgust and condemnation of risking of lives of our forces to advance greed.
This exercise comes with a heavy financial burden on the taxpayer‘s money; secondly, hon Chair, many of our forces were integrated with the SANDF following the establishment of the new dispensation. And we are here today, 22 years later and we confirm that there is still marginalisation, ill-treatment and some are still denied their well- deserved ranks. We call upon the ministry to keep a close eye on these issues.
Let me say this here now that, as a nation we ought to invest more than we do in our Department of Defence and Military Veterans. The skills that our nonstatutory forces have from time to time prove to be more advanced than the majority of our men and women in blue and that is a sad picture. Thank you.
Mr S ESAU: Chairperson, all protocols observed, good day. My speech here is dedicated to all the military veterans, MVs that continue to suffer. The Department of Defence and Military Veterans, is synonymous to discrimination, inequality and injustice and characterised by incompetency, inefficiency and ineffectiveness.
Does the Department Defence and Military Veterans, reflect its vision of a dignified, unified, empowered and self-sufficient military veterans‘ community and its mission to facilitate delivery and coordinate all activities that recognise and entrench the restoration of dignity and appreciation of the contribution of military veterans to our freedom and nation-building?
Let us reflect on the following problem in perspective: In the financial year of 2014-15, out of 57 304 about 58 000 and now it is even more, 693 received support from the Department Defence and Military Veterans in collaboration with SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, 6 795 received health care support, 2 450 received training and skills development, 645 received bursaries out of 57 000! [Interjections.] One hundred and thirty four have been approved for houses, 160 families received burial support, nine military veterans were rescued from repossession of their homes, 24 military veterans registered as new service providers, out of 57 000! [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon member! Hon member!
Mr S ESAU: Ninety six co-operatives were registered to benefit MVs and their dependents, 78 new service providers provided skills programmes for military veterans, 41 houses were only built in 2015-
16 for MVs out of 57 000 MVs. [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon members, order!
Mr S ESAU: To add to this who are these beneficiaries? Who are they? [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon members ...
Mr D D GAMEDE: Chairperson, on a point of order.
Mr S ESAU: This is the black box of the Department Defence and Military Veterans a department which lacks transparency and accountability. Many a question in this regard was simply answered without any detail. The national military veterans database is only 37% ...
Ms P S KEKANA: Hon Chairperson, I rise on a point of order.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon Kekana before you make your point of order, hon members please, let us not overwhelm the member. [Interjections.] No, leave the member alone. Hon Kekana, what is your point of rder?
Ms P S KEKANA: Hon Chairperson, my point of order is: Is it parliamentary for the hon member to scream in ... [Interjections.]
... instead of reading the speech to us.
An HON MEMBER: ... [Inaudible.] ... ridiculous.
Mr S ESAU: Thank you, very much. The national database is only 37% verified, which denies 63% of military veterans from receiving any benefit. This process will only be finalised – can you believe it - in financial year 2019-20.
An HON MEMBER: Shocking.
Mr S ESAU: This department refuses to use existing Certified Personnel Registers of Statutory Forces, and compels them to reapply through a protracted process that literally takes more than two years. Some MVs simply lost all hope of being registered, not to speak of the verification process that follows.
Now, the Department Defence and Military Veterans want to amend the legislation and regulations to make dependents and beneficiaries of burial support and health care, whilst the majority of military veterans are excluded from any benefit. How can that be just and fair, given the limited resources for military veterans?
The Memorandum of Understanding, MOUs, and Service Level Agreement, SLAs, remain a challenge and strategic risk in the delivery of benefits and services to military veterans. The Transport MOU has not been concluded for three years — a necessary benefit that would facilitate access to work, study or training opportunities.
Of course, the Department Defence and Military Veterans blame other departments for not spending 50% of its budget in 2014-15 financial year. By the end of the third quarter 2015-16 financial year, the Department Defence and Military Veterans only spent 35% of its budget, at the expense of the military veterans. [Interjections.]
To add insult to injury, unqualified and incompetent staff hampers the delivery of benefits and services to military veterans. The
Management Performance Assessment Tool, MPAT, was damning in 2012-13 when it described the Department Defence and Military Veterans as the worst performer with less than one out of four and continues to be so to perform less than even two. [Interjections.] Yet, it sets itself the maximum target in the Annual Performance Plan, APP, of achieving level four, the highest, when the basics and essentials are not in place and it does with a number of performance targets, as well such as 80% for database - 37% only achieved, 30 international partnership agreements – one achieved, 3 000 MVs access to Training and Skills Development 1 410 military veterans, and 3 000 houses - 41 built.
At this moment, a leadership vacuum exists. The Secretary of Defence is the acting director-general of the Department Defence and Military Veterans, and the chief financial officer, CFO, was recently appointed. The audit findings indicate a lack of internal controls, while the three person Internal Audit is totally inadequate and lacks the capacity to deal with the situation by its own admission. We call up on this department to stop undermining freedom, fairness and opportunity for all MVs. [Applause.][Time expired.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, all Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, hon members and all guests present, firstly, let me say the ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Secondly, as the ANC we condemn the burning of schools in Vuwani, burning of buildings in Grabow that our democracy was not for destruction of property, but for building of structures.
Thirdly, as a committee and as ANC we want to congratulate this government.
Mr S M BHANGA: Chairperson, on a point of order.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Yes, hon Bhanga.
Mr S M BHANGA: Hon Chairperson, I want your intervention. We are here to listen to ideas. Can the Chairperson protect us from the women‘s league that other side. [Interjections.] Please, can you protect us. We are here to listen to ideas and we cannot listen to the women‘s league, please protect us.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon Bhanga, hon Bhanga, there are hon Members of Parliament here. Hon Gamede. Hon members, let us allow hon Gamede to proceed.
Mr D D GAMEDE: Thanks Chairperson. I was saying thirdly, the committee members as the ANC, we want to congratulate this government, led by his ...
An HON MALE MEMBER: Chair, on a point of order. My point of order is: I think it is unparliamentary and we had on the other side someone saying ?Sellout.? I think it is very much unparliamentary and I would request the Chair to rule.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon members, please let us conclude our debate. Let us not unnecessarily waste time. If we knew which member? I am assisting you. Hon members, please. Hon Angie please, please, please. Otherwise you are unnecessarily taking time. There is a sitting again that is going to sit. Let us try our level best to ensure that we listen to hon Gamede. We are disturbing him, if we do this way. Hon Gamede, proceed.
Mr D D GAMEDE: Thank you, Chair. I was saying thirdly, as the committee and as the ANC members we congratulate this government led by His Excellency Mr J G Zuma, for stabilising the economy of the country, thus avoiding a downgrade. [Applause.]
Siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe ongapha. [We are pushing forward we are just short of you from the other side.]
Chairperson, just today at 11 a.m. there was breaking news and I quote, ?As South Africa still most attractive in Africa for investments ...? This was released by Ernst & Young, EY, an Auditing and Advisory Service company.? Now EY ranks South Africa the region‘s most industrialised and second economy as the most
attractive investment destination in Africa. [Applause.] Morocco, Egypt, Kenya and Mauritius are ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe. [We are pushing forward we are just short of you.] [Interjections.]]
Now, the doomsayer‘s agents are quite about this news. [Interjections.] They want South Africa to be downgraded and nothing to be said. This debate on Budget Vote No 19– Defence and Military Veterans occurs against the background of calls for our soldiers to be political by certain anarchists. [Interjections.] They want them to be partisan and to neglect their constitutional duty.
We are however, not only assured of the professionalism of our soldiers, but also know that they respect their constitutional obligations and duty to the citizens of the country. As the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans we are in full support of the Defence Force. We admire their professionalism and know that they will not allow themselves to be destructed from executing their mandate. [Interjections.]
The recently approved Defence Review is the seminal document builds on the Defence Review of 1998. It will give a direction to Defence activities over the next 20 to 30 years and gives clarity on the role and purpose of Defence Force going forward.
It consists of five planning milestones, with milestone one attempting to arrest the decline of the defence capabilities. Given that the Defence Force has determined that there is currently a budget shortfall of around R1,8 billion in the Defence budget, it is clear that it is facing challenges to implement milestone one.
The consequences of a limited budget can for instance be illustrated by the deployment of the 13 soon to be 15 subunits to border safeguarding. While there is lightly agreement that such a function is crucial to address crossborder crime. The fact is that at least,
22 subunits are required to effectively safeguard our land borders.
The various achievements of these deployed units such as the confiscation of drugs, counterfeit products and stolen vehicles as well as the arrest of illegal immigrants testify to the tremendous role the Defence Force can play to address crossborder crime.
Chairperson, some people who are new in the politics of today, would want us to believe that it was easy to put this Defence Force together. Never in the history of the world nor of the continent were that more than seven armed forces put together. [Applause.] It was the SA Defence Force, uMkhonto weSizwe, Azanian People‘s Liberation Army, Transkei Defence Force, Ceskei Defence Force, Venda Defence Force and Buphuthatswana Defence Force to get an army or just to get two to come together is a miracle. Getting seven could only be done by the ANC. [Applause.]
Siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe nje. [We are pushing forward we are just short of you.]
The HON MEMBER: Sishoda ngawe, Khawula. [We are short of you, hon Khawula.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: The Department of Defence and Military Veterans is central to deliver benefits to military veterans. Well, the hon chairperson of the committee has touched on military veterans and I will only deal with the aspect of empowerment of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, SMMEs. You will remember hon Minister that in the last year‘s budget, you raised issues about transformation.
That it is economic transformation because it comes from us as the ANC in the Defence Force and that who benefits for those beside the military veterans, the SMMEs and the Strategic Defense Initiative, SDIs? Are they benefiting? We said we will take that as our priority. Secondly, we said that as a priority we want the transformation of gender more especially in the airforce that we want black people and that we want women.
Hon Minister, for your information, due to the work of the department, when Armaments Corporation of SA, Armscor, went into outreach programme, I received a letter from one young female, a 19- year-old lady wrote a letter to me which I will forward to your office and I quote:
Dear Sir, I was very ecstatic when I heard about the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, programme and with this letter I want to express my strong motivation for such an opportunity. I am currently a Private Pilot Licence, PPL, holder, training towards attaining a Commercial Pilot Licence at Ayre Aviation Centre.
This girl‘s name is Thandeka and she is only 19-years-old and the department is touching the lives of the young females. [Applause.]
The HON MEMBER: Siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe. [We are pushing forward, we are just short of you.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: Empeleni, siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe ngapha. [Actually, we are pushing forward we are just short of you this side.]
As we said that, we raised these issues of economic transformation and we do not want the crumbs. It is time that if you need the committee to make any law or any Bill, so that we tempt into the economy of the Defence, we are ready to do that. If there is any impediment we have received, we are making submissions as a committee. We want to see Treasury with regards to triple Public Finance Management Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, BBEE, codes because they are clashing - we want something where our people can benefit. [Interjections.]
Chairperson, the implementation of milestone one of the Defence Review is crucial to arrest the decline capabilities in the Defence Force. While we are encouraged by the sterling efforts by the Minister and the Deputy Minister to breach the budgetary shortfall, we are also cognisant of other competing other socioeconomic pressures of the national fiscus. We have therefore, endeavoured to support the department to source alternative avenues of revenue.
Chairperson and Minister let me come to the issue of the very, very important person, VVIP, jet, but we have noticed today that the committee is a little better now. There are no people dancing and flying when they speak and so on. [Interjections.] For the first time. We must say something is good, if it is good. With regards to the President, last year there was a decision that this VVIP jet is needed by April. It is not there and some people on the other side are happy when the President and the Deputy President get stuck in other countries. [Interjections.] This is the Commander-in-Chief and the first citizen of the country. In actual do not know that other planes, even the squadron 21 is very old. These squadrons were used in 1960. Who amongst the people sitting on this side is still driving a car that was built in 1960?
An HON FEMALE MEMBER: Akekho. [There is no one.]
Mr D D GAMEDE: Now the want the President to fly in a plane that was built long-time ago. [Interjections.] So, we will not compromise on
this issue. On the issue of the VVIP, we as the ANC would say and we would want to give you deadline hon Minister, that you acquire the VVIP, the President needs it, the country needs it and it is not for an individual, it is for the country. [Applause.]
Siyaqhuba sishoda ngawe nje ngapha. [Ubuwelewele.] [We are pushing forward, we are just short of you this side. [Interjections.]]
When there is rain we always get floods and we always have to mop up. Hon Esau knows that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans transferred funds to the Department of Human Settlements and the target they were given was that they were suppose to build so many house and they never did and not by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, but the other department. It is not the fault of the other departments because they had their own priorities and there was also the issue of the timeframe. So, it is not fair that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans did not use money allocated to it. It used it and transferred it because it is not an implementing agent.
Well, there are some people who do not respect themselves in this House. [Interjections.] They even do that by the way they dress and by the way they talk. You know, when I grew up, my mother told me; the way you dress tells who you are. [Applause.] Some people just speak without thinking. South Africans should not be fooled and must
not allow anarchist to destroy this hard earned democracy. Thank you, very much.
Hon General Holomisa, now that you support this budget, the country must be rest assured that there will be no coup which means this government is working. [Applause.] The mere fact that you support it means you support this government that is working. Thank you very much for that, hon Holomisa. [Applause.]
Uma sengigcina, kade ngifunda incwadi ethi: Warfare by Other Means. Le ncwadi ikhuluma ngezinhlangano ezimbili zabamhlophe i- Afrikaner- Weerstandsbeweging, AWB, kanye ne-FFP. Zithi zona ngeke zavuma ukuphathwa umuntu omnyama zifuna ukuziphatha ngokwazo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[In conclusion, I have been reading a book titled: Warfare by Other Means. This book is talking about two parties whose members are white people, they are: the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging, the AWB, and the FFP. They say that they will never allow black people to govern them as they want to govern themselves.]
So, what do you expect from them?
Siyaqhuba, silinde wena. [Ihlombe.] [We are pushing forward, we are also waiting for you. [Applause.]]
Nks M S KHAWULA: Ngiyabonga, Sihlalo ... [Ubuwelewele.]
USIHLALO WESIKHASHANA (Mnu M R Mdakane): Kulungile, sukuma-ke. Sukuma! [Ubuwelewele]
Nks M S KHAWULA: Ake nithuleni bafowethu! Ake niziphathe kahle. Sihlalo, lapho bengithi ake ngilungise nje umhlonishwa lo ogcina ukukhuluma ... [Ubuwelewele.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Ms M S KHAWULA: Thank you, Chairperson ... [Interjections.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): It is fine, stand up then. Stand up! [Interjections.]
Ms M S KHAWULA: Keep quiet please, hon members! Behave yourselves, please. Chairperson, I just wanted to correct that the hon member who previously spoke ... [Interjections.]]
Mr M S BOOI: What is the point of order, Chairperson? Chairperson, on what Rule is mama Khawula standing up? On what Rule is mama Khawula standing up? She has no authority to do what she is doing. She must sit down!
Nks M S KHAWULA: Ngubani manje lo okhulumayo? Wena uvunyelwe ubani ukuthi ukhulume?
Mnu M S BOOI: Wena ungubani? (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Ms M S KHAWULA: Who is talking now? Who allowed you to talk?
Mr M S BOOI: And who are you?]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Eh hon ...
[Interjections.]
Nks M S KHAWULA: Thina asizelanga lezo zindaba la. Thina sizosebenzela abantu. Mtshele ukuthi athule manje lo muntu osiphaphelayo. [Ubuwelewele.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Ms M S KHAWULA: We did not come for such issues here. We came here to work for the people. Tell this individual who is taking us for granted to keep quiet now.]
Mr M S BOOI: Undithatha kakubi, tyhini. [Geez, you are quoting me out of context.]
Ms M S KHAWULA: Akahloniphi. [He is disrespectful.]
Mr M S BOOI: Tyhini! Uziphatha kakubi. [Geez! You are misbehaving.]
Ms M S KHAWULA: Ngisukumile naye uyasukuma. [I am on my feet and he is also standing up.]
Mr M S BOOI: Wena uphakame njani? [Who allowed you to stand?]
Ms M S KHAWULA: Beningeke nibe khona la emhlabeni uma ngabe abantu besifazane abekho. [You would not be here on earth if there were no women.]
Mr M S BOOI: Wena uphakame njani? [Who allowed to stand?]
Nks M S KHAWULA: Asifundeni ukuhlonipha abantu besifaze. [Let us learn to respect women.]
Mnu M S BOOI: Uphakame njani apho? [Who allowed to stand there?]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Eh hon Khawula ...
Ms M S KHAWULA: Hhayi, hhayi, ake niziphathe kahle! [No, no, just behave yourselves!]
AN HON MEMBER: Lastig! [Annoying!]
Mnu M S BOOI: Uphakame njani wena apho? Asiyondawo yakho le. [Who allowed you to stand there? You don‘t call the shots here.]
Nks M S KHAWULA: Wena musa ukukopela ...
USIHLALO WESIKHASHANA (Mnu M R Mdakane): Hlala phansi!
Nks
M
S
KHAWULA: Awumhlalise kuqala.
Mnu
M
S
BOOI: Hlala phansi!
Nks
M
S
KHAWULA: Hhayi, uma kusho wena. Hhayi yena!
Mnu
M
S
BOOI: Hlala phansi!
USIHLALO WESIKHASHANA (Mnu M R Mdakane): Hlala phansi!
Nks M S KHAWULA: Ngiyabonga-ke uma kusho wena.
Mnu M S BOOI: Hlala phansi!
Nks M S KHAWULA: Hhayi-bo! Makathule lo.
USIHLALO WESIKHASHANA (Mnu M R Mdakane): Hlala phansi, mhlonishwa uKhawula!
Nks M S KHAWULA: Uyangiphaphela manje. (Translation of isiZulu sentences follows.)
[Ms M S KHAWULA: And you should not be a copycat ...
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Sit down!
Ms
M
S
KHAWULA: Make him sit down first.
Mr
M
S
BOOI: Sit down!
Ms
M
S
KHAWULA: Not when it is you who is saying that. Not him!
Mr
M
S
BOOI: Sit down!
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Sit down!
Ms M S KHAWULA: Thanks then if it is you who is saying so.
Mr M S BOOI: Sit down!
Ms M S KHAWULA: Oh no! This one must keep quiet.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Sit down, hon Khawula!
Ms M S KHAWULA: You are now being too forward for my liking.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr M R Mdakane): Hon members, hon Khawula, hon Booi, please hon members do not get involved in this
way. You consume much of our time for no reason. Hon Minister, please respond and conclude the debate. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: Thank you,
Chairperson, and thank you, hon members. Let me start by expressing gratitude to all those who participated in this debate. I think it was a very good debate - very constructive indeed – and the majority of parties supported the need for more resources for the Defence Force and that is really highly appreciated. [Applause.]
I think we should always remember that at the end the day, when you are sleeping peacefully in your house, it is because there are men and women who are up and down all over the place making sure that you have that peaceful sleep. So I‘m really taken aback when you don‘t support this budget.
Hon Holomisa, this is not the first time you have raised this matter. You have raised it before: the need to review the status, the role and the scope of the Defence Force Service Commission. I think this is a matter which should seriously be taken into consideration, but I also appreciate the fact that you are also supporting the need to leverage some of the assets of the Defence Force for us to get more revenue. You also made a proposal that we should interact directly with the commander in chief. As you are aware, that is exactly what we are trying to do. In fact, we are not
just facilitating this meeting for ourselves, but we are also trying to arrange a meeting between you, as the Defence Force Service Commission, and the commander in chief together with the Military Command Council, so that all of these matters can be attended to.
I really appreciate the fact that you mentioned that going to other departments and talking to clusters and so on does not help, because it is not as though this department has not been engaging National Treasury. My view is that there are people who don‘t really understand and appreciate the role played by the SA National Defence Force.
Hon Marais, I also appreciate some of the remarks that you made. I want to make a special appeal to you that you support and engage with us on the alternative funding models we are proposing, so that together with us, as we engage with National Treasury, you support us. The truth of the matter is that the challenges are just to do with the national fiscus in the country. The challenges of the fiscus are now impacting negatively on the budget allocations for the SA National Defence Force. So we do need your support – all of you.
On the VVIP, or very very important person, I think I should say something, hon chair. I don‘t know what it is that we are going to do about this, because the truth of the matter is that all members know that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans has a
responsibility to ensure the safe travel of the commander in chief of the armed forces of the Republic of South Africa. And, not only that, you are equally aware of the many, many unfortunate incidents which have occurred as a result of the state of Nkwazi.
Now, one of you mentioned here that we are using Nkwzi as an excuse to buy a new aircraft. The truth of the matter is that we have an obligation to buy this new aircraft. This aircraft is not for President Zuma, as in President Zuma. This aircraft belongs to the SA National Defence Force. We never said that it cost R4 billion. A journalist simply woke up and sucked a figure out of their thumb and decided that we were going to R4 million, totally uninformed by the work which is being done within the department on this matter.
So, I don‘t know where that comes from. Unfortunately, all of us bought into it – that it is going to cost R4 billion. In the process, we are misleading South Africans into believing that we are an irresponsible and an irresponsible government, and I don‘t think it is proper to do so.
Lastly, I really thank all hon members who attended this budget debate. We welcome the support. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Committee rose at 16:13.
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