Questions and Replies
08 January 2024 - NW3930
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to recent allegations that the costs of catering on board the Presidential Jet, Inkwazi, amounted to just under R600 000 in total for fewer than 18 VIP guests onboard the 12-hour flight from London to the Republic following the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, what are (a) names of the VIP guests who were onboard and (b) total catering costs for every flight of Inkwazi (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
The flight in issue did not depart South Africa for the burial of Queen Elizabeth II in England in 2022. The trip was a Presidential flight from South Africa to Washington DC, USA via Las Palmas for the President to attend the official working visit to the United States of America at the invitation of President Joseph Biden from September 15th to September 17th, 2022.
The flight then departed from Washington DC on the 18th of September 2022, bound for London, United Kingdom for the President to attend the State Funeral and Burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
After the State Funeral, the aircraft left London bound for South Africa on the 19th of September 2022. The catering fee covers all legs flown by the aircraft.
It should be noted that the South African Airforce (SAAF) is invoiced and billed for all onboard catering needs and requirements for all legs flown by the aircraft and are covered by the catering price.
Furthermore, the London leg was scheduled on short notice, which contributed to price increases. External flight destinations charge all catering charges in foreign currency, which influences the pricing. It must be stated that the SAAF gets billed for catering even if the trip's destination changes.
a) NThe VIP’s on board was 13 and 8 crew members and names are kept at AFB Waterkloof Movement as per established procedures. Please see Table 1 attached with names of passengers onboard the Presidential Jet
B) Please see attached expenditure.
a)There is no law or policy that prohibits the South African Air Force from disclosing the names of persons traveling in a state aircraft, however names are withheld when it is deemed necessary due to the confidential nature of military operations. The passengers were as depicted in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Passengers onboard the Presidential BBJ
Rank |
Surname and Initials |
PRES |
RAMAPHOSA M.C |
COL |
CHAKALE J.M |
WO |
MABUSELA L.D |
DR |
SELOMA P.S |
MEDIC |
DUMA S.M |
MS |
SINGNH R. |
MS |
GELEBA A. |
MR |
MAGWENYA V. |
MR |
MTHEMBU R.X |
MS |
NKOSI M. |
MR |
KOORNHOF G.W |
MS |
CAROLUS D. |
MS |
MAPETSHANA N. |
MR |
MMUTLE J. |
2018
""'' |
-2019 ,. Ab=• |
,., |
|
, , |
6 756t?0,64 |
U'7l240,4l |
18129411.06 |
401663.&l |
310U8,56 |
77ltl>2,S8 |
|
Ac«1mmod.1.11on GroundHel'ldll- |
1•91645,64 |
l2011"19S,97 |
13 517 441,61 |
Ctter1n• |
95JS4116 |
3247H,80 |
JVU:23,96 |
Tr.M d011 |
A.11469,92 |
0.00 |
48"69.92 |
Tou,I |
3374'449.U |
||
202 -
,,.. |
""'' |
0-2021 |
,-, |
981SSlB.98 |
t 142322,,S |
21U9ll,1! |
|
/1,e(Offlll"'OCb:tlOfl |
1!6928..97 |
"300,08 |
1'8U9,05 |
,GroundHal'!dlln1 |
t 5711081.08 |
100657',tS |
15846$7,ll |
c.ite"'11 |
258341,IIO |
U50SO |
1GU9UO |
Transoort111on |
24006,,42 |
0.00 |
2,000,..2 |
T.... |
SU270Et, l |
||
.. ...
...
,.., |
-2019- |
2020 ·"""' |
Tot,! |
)6l16li,.l7 |
l2 sSt!7f.i |
11•ao .os |
|
Am>mlNld ion |
78G 4 ,81 |
760360,06 |
154685587 |
Gtour.d Hlflidlln" |
)685066.!7 |
l77Sl 410.SS |
21418 411,Al |
c-tem, .... |
564.1.6,8.,!-9 |
31f4St.n |
Bal1:49.71 |
,filflU,O(UUOI'\ |
0.00 |
9,4SQ9,!M |
|
4244oll8R9'JI |
|||
I |
|||
-2021-,2.0.,2..2. ,.... |
|||
"M'O''OmmO:latlon |
360202:,:SO 111210-,1• |
2600 561.U 72S9 |
25607M,12 J.84S30,13 |
Gt011nd Handflfl& c,•- |
5 U7,4' SUH 4 |
JS47608 0,00 |
.\058989,11 56!,13 |
i rwi,p0muon |
11119,80 |
0,00 |
11729 |
to:11 |
7181 tSl.B! |
||
2023.igi4 |
||||
,... |
loc:al |
....... |
folal |
|
Act01N'1'1Cdalian |
90-UJ,.?' 1231'91 8 |
6 7.41261...8 l l7S 18',18 |
7980175,81 J J6S296."6 |
|
lr.round Handlll'IIII |
199E6S}J6 |
3-92?:!32,!U |
4 l.26998.17 |
|
Clterir,f, |
280lS6,91 |
HS7222,l11 |
JS.374'19,17 |
|
,T ns,portatiM |
5 l:)8,40 |
0.00 |
3231,40 |
|
l9013188,.ll |
||||
,..,, 7fl.2,,_2,- |
|||
To,al |
|||
r.d |
S9079!i1,.91 |
12'23006,41 |
UI 3,0960:33 |
Accolffll06a:DOn |
278152.-00 |
4116718.17 |
44048.M.17 |
Gtol.l!ldHlotldUn.; |
1871282.91 |
3S5t0!2.63 |
S42l31S.S7 |
c.1tniv. |
nu1 ...•3 |
l 7D4JSS,29 |
248267Ul |
rnn1 lot,1 |
3S75,460 |
2:1959, |
6,t714,16 30705 S,.4,05 |
.H.o.l'I.C.V.Well |
U.1&!5&.56" |
'30380,99 |
|
,;: '" 13iianFe .... |
112,uo 5..,1,00 |
,Euroc:onuol |
|
45$9817,44 |
901!iOS,lO
--,,..--
---
-,,.--•uD4",l.l
·,"-.-.''
-
- l!.lf;IJI'
··-
1111 ,,U
t11tt;1;1,n
.'=.".'
"",
11i.t.,u
.IIA21"·"'
...
'.9*,'0."•.1"..J.."U,
· IU01-IU
,,.,
·,-
•••ru..r- ,. 111,ll
...
- n\.out
Mi'-ILM
..,.-,...,oo
l!lHWU't
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··-
-
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··,-.,
OJrt.......
_ _,I.V
..
...,.
IUIUILY.
-,W1l0,)}
CORPOflAlE PAYMENTS
Month |
Amo1.1n1 |
Elich11nlN!R.l1C |
RandValle |
R19J |
8303801 |
||
futy2023 |
154S,32 |
||
Totat |
1 S4S.l2• |
IU038011 |
|
M°"ll,
....
Amount
Month |
Amount |
Exch.anH>Rate |
Raind Val\le |
fl334 34• |
|||
An1112023 |
SlB270.U |
R18,'l< |
|
Mav2023 |
SJ00,00 |
IU9,72 |
s 91G,o |
May2023 |
$137,00 |
R19,72 |
R2701," |
May2023 |
<-11111 |
Rl9,72 |
R3569,'3 |
June 2023 J· 2023 |
$38992. $71 329 7 |
R18,84 R17,87 |
R73•626,2 RI 274 662,91 |
Avirust 2023 AU&\l.St 2023 |
$277. S34756 |
.R,lll..BO |
RS207 |
R6S3413,9 |
|||
"4Jgu.st-20?3 5eptember1023 |
$147,00 S:167""'2 |
R18 RlB 92 |
1\2163,, R316119,7 |
October 2023 |
s111a, |
R186S |
R20860,0 |
Octobt-t 2023 |
SS6852,8 |
R18,6S |
R1060 306, |
October 2023 |
s100,nr |
Rl.8,65 |
Rl 865 |
Nowmb.-r >01:i |
S.SJlliO: t |
IU.S,11 |
IH 'rll'faii0,9 |
Nowmb(o, 20:H |
5!00.00 |
IU8.l!I |
Al819,n |
Total |
$.320630,6 |
R-44163565 |
|
£xch,nHRate RondV.tlue
_.,,
J:u:ne 2023
J,ny2023
October202.3 Oaober202l Ck1ober 20:tl
S4.l5,ss
$657
-,39
S174 5414,
IUS,84 R17,17 Rl8,65 RlB6'
Rl86S
fl8211 1 RU 7S4, R?301,4 R3 260,0 R772l.1
Se tl!l'nbl!f 2023
Total
uchaa te RandVal
IIS38,00 R20.07
Total
S2073,9
Rl8248,ar
Total
4$3800
R91077,6
08 January 2024 - NW2091
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What new ideas and solutions has the Republic adopted and implemented following her attendance in Moscow of the International Security Conference to share practical ideas and explore solutions on matters of global security in August 2022?
Reply:
Find reply here
05 January 2024 - NW3200
Marais to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1 )Whether, with reference to the incidents of army brutality during the early days of the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, she has communicated and/or reported any incidents of army brutality to the public and/or their parliamentary representatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2)(a) What are the details of accessible channels that were put in place by her department for citizens to report incidents of army brutality and (b) how were the reports handled; (3) What are the relevant details of the (a) support mechanisms that were established for victims of army brutality during the lockdown and (b) avenues that were available to persons for seeking justice, medical assistance and/or legal aid; (4) Whether any valuable lessons have been learnt from the incidents; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) Whether any resultant reforms and/or changes have been implemented in procedures, training and oversight of law enforcement during domestic deployments to prevent similar incidents in the future; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
05 January 2024 - NW4007
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1 ) What total number of (a) firearms and (b) ammunition of each (i) type and (ii) calibre were (aa) stolen and (bb) lost and/or went missing at each military unit in each province (aaa) in the past four financial years and (bbb) from 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) What steps has her department taken to combat the theft and loss of the firearms and ammunition; (3) Whether any persons were (a) arrested and/or found guilty in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what total number of (i) persons were arrested and/or found guilty and (ii) the specified persons were members of the SA National Defence Force?
Reply:
Find reply here
21 December 2023 - NW2298
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
In view of the position of the Civilian Defence Ministry having two appointed acting officials of which one is from the civilian section and the other one from the uniform section, (a) how has she addressed the anomaly and (b) what is the policy position on acting appointment(s) and their timeframe(s)?
Reply:
Find reply here
20 December 2023 - NW4099
Ceza to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she has found that the deployment of the SA National Defence Force to support a multi-sectoral effort that brings together the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and other relevant departments and stakeholders has made inroads in the fight against illegal mining criminal syndicates and labour brokers that are alleged to be at the centre of recruiting illegal miners from the Southern African Development Community region; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW3151
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What measures has her department put in place to address the concerns that have been raised regarding South Africans of Jewish origin who continue to receive training in the Israel Defence Forces, which poses a serious risk to the Republic?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW3416
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, with reference to the numerous SA National Defence Force properties, land and defence facilities which lie unoccupied across the Republic, she will furnish Mr WT I Mafanya with the latest property inventory status report for each province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW3973
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she had succeeded in ensuring that the 85% of the fleet of the SA Air Force which had remained grounded for a lengthy period, leaving only two out of the 26 Gripen fighter aircrafts and a mere three out of the 24 Hawk aircrafts still available for active service, have now been restored to active service; if not, why not; if so, what success has her department achieved in this regard?
11 December 2023 - NW3835
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What progress has been made regarding the implementation of the undertaking made by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, during the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), which he reiterated in his 2023 SONA, that the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme that is being implemented by the SA National Defence Force's (SANDF) will be upscaled to deliver 95 bridges a year to enable school children who have to brace flooded rivers to get to school without the danger of drowning?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW3909
Marais, Mr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Considering that the Chief of the SA Reserve Force is appointed on the recommendation by the Chief of the SA National Defence Force (CSANDF), whose term of office correlates with that of the CSANDF, what (a) are the reasons the immediate former Chief of SA Reserve Force was appointed only for a year, (b) were the costs related to his elapsed term of office, (c) was his contribution and guidance to the Reserve Force Indaba policy with regard to the future of the Reserve Force and, (d) are the reasons that this was considered value for money in view of the budget constraints of the SA National Defence Force?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW2702
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military VeteransWhether with reference to the 2018 Court Order in case number
Whether with reference to the 2018 Court Order in case number: 53050/2012, wherein Judge Norman Davies awarded R200 000 000 (Two Hundred Million Rands) damages to the claim of Adonai Aviation against the Minister of Defence, the Order (a) was executed and (b) paid to the plaintiff: if not, why not, if so, (i) what total amount was finally paid, (ii) when was it paid and, (iii) was it declared to the Auditor General South Africa as a possible irregular and wasteful expenditure?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 December 2023 - NW3069
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What is the comprehensive information regarding documented cases of army brutality committed by members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Republic during the lockdown period from 27 March to 30 April 2020? (2) what (a) progress has been made in the specified cases of army brutality, including the (i) number of and (ii) status of investigations, especially concerning the fatalities involving the soldiers and (b) actions have been taken to investigate the incidents of brutality committed by the SANDF; (3) Whether any disciplinary actions and/or legal proceedings have been initiated against individuals allegedly responsible for the acts of brutality; if not, why not; if so, what is the latest update on the progress towards holding the perpetrators involved accountable?
Reply:
Find reply here
10 November 2023 - NO644
Marais, Mr S to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her reply to question 2826 on 13 October 2023, what total number of pilots and flight engineers has been employed as at latest specified date versus the total number of the actual and current number of flights hour including other requirements to maintain the crew certification?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
10 November 2023 - NO613
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) In light of the continued involvement of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in ensuring safety and security at Eskom power plants and other domestic security matters, what are the further relevant details on the resources and capabilities allocated to the SANDF fo effectively fulfill such roles; (2) Whether there are any plans to extend the deployment period; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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10 October 2023 - NW2736
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the recent African Peace Mission to provide mediation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, what (a)(i) arms and ammunition were onboard the SA Airways plane and (ii) was the quantity of the arms and ammunition, (b) was the intended purpose of the arms and ammunition and (c) was the total cost of the arms and ammunition?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
10 October 2023 - NW2701
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Given the reported allocation of a long-term contract to Marshalls Aerospace in the United Kingdom, what (a) the reasons that the contract was not allocated to Denel Aeronautics, as clearly expected by them, (b) upgrade and service work will be done under the specified contract by Marshalls Aerospace and their subcontractors and (c) will be done by Denel Aeronautics. (2) What (a) will the monetary value of the work and provided for by (i) Marshall Aerospace and (ii) Denel Aeronautics if any and (b) number of C130 aircraft will be (i) upgraded and serviced by Marshall Aerospace, (ii) at what costs and (iii) over what timeline. (3) whether there are any discussions between the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Enterprises, on whether Denel Aeronautics will play any role now and in the future with regards to the upgrade, service and maintenance of strategic prime mission airframes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so what are the (a) extent, (b) costs and (c) timelines involved?
Reply:
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10 October 2023 - NW2740
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial year, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
21 August 2023 - NW1891
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether it is a usual and/or an acceptable practice that a commercial vessel such as Lady R is permitted to dock and\or offload at one of the Republic’s naval bases, while it should have docked in the harbour of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban, as is the case with commercial vessels; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) On the 11th May 2023, US Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety convened a press conference and levelled allegations regarding weapons and ammunition being loaded onto US sanctioned Russian cargo vessel Lady R during the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town in December 2022.
As stated in many previous public statements and I reiterate that nothing was loaded onto Lady R, but rather, Lady R was delivering equipment that was ordered by SANDF pre –Covid in 2018/19.
Due to the serious nature of these allegations, the extent of public interest and the negative implications for South Africa’s international standing, the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of an independent inquiry into the circumstance of the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town.
Through this inquiry, Government seeks to investigate and establish all the facts that led to docking of Lady R in Simons Town.
The Department of Defence welcomed the President’s decision to institute the investigation as it would offer the department an opportunity to ventilate its side of the story with concrete evidence and to address any unwanted allegations.
It is therefore prudent that the panel be granted space and time to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate.
21 August 2023 - NW2277
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether she has been invited to make a submission to the panel probing the docking of the Lady R at Simon’s Town in December 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she has held any official at Defence Intelligence accountable for allowing the specified ship to dock at Simon’s Town; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Defence was invited to make a submission to the panel probing the docking of Lady R in Simon’s town in 2022. The Department of Defence and its entities presented and submitted their version of events and evidence to the panel investigating the docking of Lady R in Simon’s town in 2022.
All invited parties were welcomed to submit any forms of evidence to the panel to assist it to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate. However as stated in previous public statements, No arms were loaded and transported to Russia.
21 August 2023 - NW1892
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether the Republic supplied arms to Russia during the period of its war against Ukraine; if not, what (a) are the relevant details surrounding the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town in December 2022 and (b) assurance can the Government give South Africans regarding the claims by the United States Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, Mr Reuben E. Brigety, which stand to destabilise the Rand; if so, (2) Whether this can be regarded as a breach in the Republic’s stance of neutrality on the war; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? (
Reply:
(1) On the 11th May 2023, US Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety convened a press conference and levelled allegations regarding weapons and ammunition being loaded onto US sanctioned Russian cargo vessel Lady R during the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town in December 2022.
As stated in many previous public statements and I reiterate that nothing was loaded onto Lady R, but rather, Lady R was delivering equipment that was ordered by SANDF pre –Covid in 2018/19.
Due to the serious nature of these allegations, the extent of public interest and the negative implications for South Africa’s international standing, the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of an independent inquiry into the circumstance of the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town.
Through this inquiry, Government seeks to investigate and establish all the facts that led to docking of Lady R in Simons Town.
The Department of Defence welcomed the President’s decision to institute the investigation as it would offer the department an opportunity to ventilate its side of the story with concrete evidence and to address any unwanted allegations.
It is therefore prudent that the panel be granted space and time to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate.
(2) As stated in the response above, nothing was loaded onto Lady R and South Africa still remains neutral and non-align in the Russia- Ukraine conflict and still firmly believes in the view that multilateralism, dialogue and negotiations are the key to unlock sustainable international peace.
08 August 2023 - NW2286
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What are the reasons for the failure of her Department of Military Veterans to finalise the long-awaited subsidies public transport strategy for military veterans; (2) whether she taken any steps to keep military veterans informed of the specified reasons for the delays in finalizing the specified strategy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 July 2023 - NW1811
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to the controversial visit by the sanctioned vessel, the Lady-R, in early December 2022 when she was allowed to berth in the Simon’s Town Naval Base, what is the (a) nature, (b) description and (c) purpose of the goods loaded onto the vessel at the time; (2) whether she will furnish Mr S J F Marais with copies of the valid export permit that were issued for an accompanied the goods loaded onto the vessel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether all legislative requirements were met regarding the importation of munitions and/or any other cargo offloaded from and reloaded onto the vessel, including import and export permits, transport permits of munitions and hazardous goods, customs clearance and Reserve Bank compliance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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20 July 2023 - NW2160
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa’s appointment of a three-member independent panel to lead the inquiry into the allegations of arms loaded onto the Russian vessel Lady R which were raised by the United States ambassador to the Republic, follows after her department failed to conduct a clear and concise investigation into the specified incident; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 July 2023 - NW2382
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether she will make a submission to the panel probing the Lady R docking; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) who will be held accountable for the inaction of SANDF Defence Intelligence Division regarding the docking of the Lady R in Simon’s Town, and the alleged loading and transportation of arms to Russia?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 July 2023 - NW1681
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
1. With reference to the controversial visit by the sanctioned vessel, the Lady-R, in early December 2022 when she was allowed to berth in the Simonstown Naval Base, what are the reasons that the (a) specified vessel was not docked in any Portnet commercial port to offload her cargo and reload goods and (b) commercial Russian vessel was allowed to dock in the Simonstown harbour which is the biggest naval base in the Republic and a national strategic key point; 2. (a) who authorised the berthing of the vessel and (b) what criteria were used to allow the berthing; 3. whether any investigations have been conducted into the authorisation and/or possible irregularities; if not, why not; if so, (a) has any person been held accountable and charged since and (b) what are the relevant details; 4. what (a) are the reasons that she never issued any statement in December 2022 or thereafter on the controversial visit and nature of the goods offloaded from and loaded onto the Lady-R and (b) is the nature and description of the cargo offloaded during night hours from the Lady-R and transported in containers on trucks arranged by AB-Logistics from the naval base; 5. Whether she will furnish Mr S J F Marais with copies of the relevant import, export and transport permits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) – (5) As stated in many previous public statements and I reiterate that nothing was loaded onto Lady R, but rather, Lady R was delivering equipment that was ordered by SANDF pre –Covid in 2018/19. When the pandemic struck it affected every aspect of our lives and things came to a standstill. Thus the delay delivery of the equipment. We want to reiterate that the order for such a delivery stands and that there was no export of anything from our entities through Lady R.
The President of the country and Commander in Chief of the South African National Defence Force, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an independent panel under the chairmanship of Judge Mojapelo to conduct an inquiry into the Russian ship, Lady R.
Any disclosure could reasonably prejudice the investigation or may result in a contravention or possible contravention of the law, on conclusion of the inquiry which is about to commence or is in progress.
It is therefore prudent that the panel be granted space and time to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate.
(T.R. MODISE)
MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: MP
18 July 2023 - NW2336
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether the SA National Defence Force is ready and able to protect the Republic against any international terror threat; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is ready and able to protect the Republic against any international terror threat.
The continued decline in the budget has had an adverse effect on the department and SANDF capabilities over the MTEF. The constrained fiscal environment has forced the Department to look at prioritising all activities for optimising effectiveness and efficiency to all aspects of the defence organisation in the quest to achieve our Constitutional mandate and responsibility as prescribed in section 200 (2) of the Constitution, which is to defend and protect the Republic of South Africa, its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and its people in accordance with the constitution and the principles of international law regulating the use of force.
In my Defence budget vote of May 2023, I have noted that a revised Level of Defence Ambition and a revised Defence Strategic Trajectory must be developed to provide a realistic and sustainable future-orientated defence value-proposition, cognisant of current fiscal realities, that delivers against the constitutional mandate of Defence, South Africa’s national interests and Government’s priorities and risk-appetite.
Furthermore, work is also continuing on the five military priorities that were outlined in my 2022 Budget Speech which contribute to the readiness and ability of the SANDF to protect and defend the Republic:
• Priority 1: Promoting Nation Building through the pursuance of a common national identity coupled to values and ethics that reinforce such an identity.
• Priority 2: Safeguarding the Nation and building internal stability by strengthening the institutions of the State and growing the economy.
• Priority 3: Securing Regional Development by creating conditions conducive to regional security and stability as well as increased investment that drives regional growth and development through consumer economies.
• Priority 4: Enhancing Cyber Resilience through a focused strategy that enhances the resilience of critical digital infrastructure.
• Priority 5: Enhancing the Hard Power Capability of the SANDF through a small but core major combat capability that is relevant and ready to meet future conflict challenges.
It is vital to note that the SANDF has demonstrated numerous capabilities that it is ready, willing and able to respond to international, regional and internal threats. The SANDF has participated in various peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, African Union, and Southern African Development Community, showcasing its ability to work alongside other forces and contribute to regional security efforts. The SANDF has also conducted joint military exercises and training programs with international partners to enhance its readiness. While there are challenges, these efforts indicate a willingness to address security concerns and improve the SANDF's readiness against international terror threats. However, continued investment in funding, training, and equipment upgrades will be crucial to ensure the SANDF's ability to protect the Republic effectively.
18 July 2023 - NW1993
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she intends to resign in light of the failure to revive the SA National Defence Force and make way for new leadership that will understand the SA Defence Review of 2015; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Reviving the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses various aspects, including leadership, funding, training, and strategic planning. The South African Defence Review 2015 is, and remains, the National Policy on Defence. The Defence Review 2015 remains largely valid and appropriate, even though it was predicated on a steady-stream improvement in defence allocation, agreed to by Cabinet at that time, but which did not materialise.
I am on record as having said that the Defence Force is becoming progressively more unsustainable in terms of the declining defence baseline allocation and we have now reached the point where the Republic must decide on the kind of Defence Force it wants and what it can afford.
It is within the context of a constrained fiscal environment, that a review and analysis of the National Defence Policy on defence, the South African Defence Review 2015, will be required by 31 March 2024, to provide a realistic and sustainable future-orientated defence value-proposition, cognisant of current fiscal realities, that delivers against the constitutional mandate of Defence, South Africa’s national interests and Government’s priorities and riskappetite.
Following my Defence Budget Vote Speech 2023 I promulgated a Ministerial Directive to the Department of Defence and Armscor that provides concrete strategic direction to the Defence Function for multiple Medium-Term Strategic Frameworks on the development of the Revised Level of Defence Ambition, namely:
• Firstly, the development of a Future RSA Defence and Security Policy Concept, cognisant of the emerging security environment and the constraints facing the Defence Function.
• Secondly, the development of a Future Military Capstone Concept that will provide the strategizing concepts on how to pursue our national defence and security policy.
• Thirdly, the development of the Chief of the SANDF’s Long-Term Capability Development Strategic Plan which will direct the development path of the SANDF for the next twenty years. The Chief of the SANDF has coined this the “Journey to Greatness”. Work has continued strongly in these areas, focused on the five military priorities that I outlined in my Budget Speech, namely:
• Priority 1: Promoting Nation Building through the pursuance of a common national identity coupled to values and ethics that reinforce such an identity.
• Priority 2: Safeguarding the Nation and building internal stability by strengthening the institutions of the State and growing the economy.
• Priority 3: Securing Regional Development by creating conditions conducive to regional security and stability as well as increased investment that drives regional growth and development through consumer economies.
• Priority 4: Enhancing Cyber Resilience through a focused strategy that enhances the resilience of critical digital infrastructure.
• Priority 5: Enhancing the Hard Power Capability of the SANDF through a small but core major combat capability that is relevant and ready to meet future conflict challenges.
I intend to bring in all stakeholders to participate in a number of work sessions, which will lead to engagements with the two Parliamentary Committees in the next four months,
where we will discuss the draft Defence and National Security Policy Concept as well as the Future Military Capstone Concept.
I trust that this process will lead us to a new Long-Term Capability Development Strategy.
18 July 2023 - NW1627
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether any airplanes landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof upon request from (a) countries, (b) institutions and/or (c) individuals in the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) on which dates, (ii) what were the reasons for this and (iii) who requested the specified landings; (2) Whether all the correct procedures were followed when permission was granted; if not, (a) in which instances were the correct procedures not followed and (b) what were the reasons for this; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1) Airplanes have landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof during the past five financial years. Please see the attached appendix detailing the authorised landings. The information is summarised as follows:
Year 2018/19 over the period 19 July 2018 to 28 March 2019
a. Countries/Institutions: BRICS countries, including Namibia, Angola, Rwanda, Zimbabwe Air Force, USA, Algeria, Botswana and Togo landed at AFB Waterkloof over the said period.
b. Reasons: Government to government, BRICS, MD2018 and SADC Summit.
Year 2019/20 over the period 02 October 2019 to 09 March 2020
a. Countries/Institutions: Nigeria, Germany, Kenya, Angola, Lybia and CAR landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Government to government, Kenya Aviation engagement with SANDF, Defence Sub- Committee meetings and High Commission visit.
Year 2020/21 over the period 26 April 2020 to 19 March 2021
a. Countries/Institutions: Cuba, Angola Air Force, Botswana landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Transporting Cuban doctors, transporting SADC goods, repatriation of human remains and government to government.
Year 2021/22 over the period 03 August 2021 to 11 March 2022
a. Countries/Institutions: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: SAMIM deployment, SADC Summit and government to government.
Year 2022/23 over the period 18 April 2022 to 28 March 2023
a. Countries/Institutions: Botswana, Ukraine, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Saharawi Republic, US Embassy, Spain, Namibia, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Lesotho, Algeria, Tanzania, Belgium and Uganda landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Government to government, cargo flight in support of SANDF Personnel in deployment, repatriation of human remains & patient from Mozambique, transporting cargo and Pax from USA, UN troop rotation and transportation of SAMIM/SADC goods. ·
2) All the above-mentioned landings at Air Force Base Waterkloof followed the correct approval processes and as such, were actioned by the South African Air Force Command Post.
18 July 2023 - NW1890
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to the SA Defence Force (SANDF) having sent a delegation to Russia, led by the South African Army (C Army), Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, to discuss relating to military cooperation and interaction, the vist is contrary to our non-alignment position on the war in Ukraine; if not, what is the position in this regard; (2) Whether this can be regarded as the most vulnerable time to be sending a military delegation to Russia after the United States has raised concerns over our flip-flopping in the matter; if not, why not; id so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether her department is in constant consultation with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and Ministry of Finance to ensure that the Republic can weather the storms should sanctions be imposed as a result of the visit to Russia by the SANDF delegation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
12 July 2023 - NW2509
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What are the reasons that the new uniform of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF is being Manufactured in other countries when the Republic is the most viable country to produce it?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 July 2023 - NW2271
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What happens to the surviving dependents of military veterans who have now passed on after waiting since last year for the promised grants to be rolled out to them as beneficiaries without much success? (2) Whether such surviving dependents of beneficiaries will be accommodated in the specified grants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details surrounding the matter?
Reply:
1) Section 5(2) of the Military Veterans Pension Benefit Regulations state that. Upon the death of a Military Veteran, a qualifying dependent / widow / widowers of a Military Veteran who immediately prior to his or her death, was in receipt of a pension benefit, may receive up to 50% of the pension benefit with effect from the first day of the month following immediately on the month in which the Military Veteran died, provided they are not receiving any form of State pension above the mentioned 50% threshold from the Military Veteran pension benefit.
2) This benefit is applicable to the main member as stipulated in Act 18 of 2011 in section S. (1) (h) of the benefits relating to a military veteran
12 July 2023 - NW2284
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What are the details of the outcomes of the Second Board of Inquiry established to inquire into the non payment of the 815 members from the Umzimvubu Regiment who reported for training and deployment as part of Operation Prosper in response to the 2021 civil uprisings; (2) Whether the specified 815 reserve force and regimental members have received the remuneration due to them for the period that they were at their base; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Board of Inquiry (BOI) on Umzimvubu Regiment is with C SANDF’s legal office for review and assessment on the recommendations made by C Army, details of which can only be divulged on the conclusion of the review process.
2. The members have not yet been paid because the BOI is still with C SANDF’s legal office for a review process, which will give guidance as to future administrative actions to be implemented, including payment to deserving members.
12 July 2023 - NW2287
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she has held any engagements with the Minister of Human Settlements, Ms M T Kubayi, and/or the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms T Nkadimeng, to address the obstacles, like the unavailability of serviced sites and a lack of project management skills in provincial departments, that hamper the delivery of housing to military veterans, especially in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the details of the (a) dates and (b) outcomes of the engagements?
Reply:
1. The Ministers haven’t met as yet. The two engagements held recently was the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans during the Human Settlements MINMEC session in Cape Town.
2. Following the Deputy Ministers’ engagement the two Departments teams held a two days strategic session on the 08th to 09th (Thursday and Friday) June 2023. Among issues discussed were;
a. upfront identification of the services sites during the national planning cycles
b. Linking the sites to the applicants when quantifying Annual performance plans
12 July 2023 - NW2299
Phetlhe, Ms P A to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
In view of the 2023 Budget Vote wherein it was noted that R18,2 that is reprioritised over the next three years from the compensation of employees in the SA Military Health Services (SAMHS) Support programme, to payment for capital assets such as ambulances , radiology machines and other deployable field medical equipment. What (a) plans will be put in place to acquire the specified resources and/or equipment speedily and bring it is service? (b) What steps will be taken to ensure that SAMHS improve management in reduction on overtime work?
Reply:
a) SAMHS has received Rm188 (and not R18,2) that was reprioritized from compensation of employees (overtime) for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). These funds are ring-fenced for the procurement of Main Medical Equipment and Prime Mission Equipment (Ambulances, Diagnostic Medical Equipment [X-ray] and Deployable Medical Equipment).
Rm60 is ring fenced for FY2023/24, Rm62 for FY2024/25 and Rm65 for FY2025/26.The procurement plan for the FY2023/23 is approved and the acquisition of specified equipment is in process. The process is being monitored by the Surgeon General and quarterly progress reports will be provided to the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (CSANDF) and National Treasury.
This allocation will help the SAMHS improve its overall combat readiness and to achieve better health outcomes.
b) Steps being taken, are the following: SAMHS is introducing more stringent control measures on overtime work. It is implementing a monitoring tool that (automatically) tracks overtime performance (how much time employees work and what they spent that time doing). By tracking overtime metrics, the organisation will get more insights into the impact of overtime on service delivery. The organisation is also reviewing the structure at each of its health care facilities to ensure that it has the required number of Health Care Professionals and support personnel (Current capacity levels do not allow for the provision of a 24hrs service without the use overtime dispensation). The process is expected to be completed before end of June 2024.
12 July 2023 - NW2300
Legwase, Ms TI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With Armscor as the contract manager, the SA National Defence Force and Denel having been instructed by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans to make a final determination on the future of Project Hoefyster, what is the status of the project (details furnished) since the project is an important project for the refurbishment of the SA Army’s Infantry capability; (2) What will be the next steps towards making a final determination on the project?
Reply:
1. The SA Army gave approval for the completion of Phase 1 (Development) and the acceptance of the indicated specification deviations, as well as acceptance of the already manufactured 4 Section Variants Pre-Production Models (PPM’s) updated to the latest status.
2. The next step will be Phase 2 (Industrialisation/Production) that entails the initial delivery of 1 Battalion (88 Badger ICV vehicles) to the SA Army.
12 July 2023 - NW1816
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the website of the Department of Military Veterans with regard to the pension of military veterans under the heading Military Veterans Pensions Frequently Asked Questions under point 13 regarding limitations and qualifications, where it is stated that former conscripts as well as volunteers of the SA National Defence Force do not qualify for the specified pension, which is contrary to the law that acknowledges this category as military veterans, what are the reasons for excluding this category of members, as it is contrary to the definition of a military veteran?
Reply:
1. The department has reviewed the policy based on the inputs received following the publishing and tabling of the draft regulations in Parliament in December 2022. The department has aligned the policy to the final 2023 Regulations following inputs received after gazetting the Regulations on the 25 April 2023.
2. The Military Veterans as defined in the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 will be eligible to apply for a military veteran's pension. The eligibility criteria has been defined as follows in the Regulations that were gazzeted on the 25 April 2023.
An individual must:-
a. meet the requirements of the definition in the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011
b. be listed in the Military Veterans database
c. be a citizen of the Republic of South Africa
d. not be receiving any other state provided pension or social grant, unless
the pension currently being received is lower than the proposed amount
to be paid in the military veterans pension.
12 July 2023 - NW1774
Khoza, Mr AV to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) In which region and/or country, other than the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique, has the Republic deployed soldiers, (b)(i) what total number of soldiers and (ii) at what total cost and (c) what total number of fatalities has the SA National Defence Force suffered on the missions to date?
Reply:
(a) The countries where the SANDF soldiers have been deployed in the past years are Lesotho, Burundi, Mozambique and Sudan.(b) Total number of:
(i) Soldiers deployed
a. Lesotho – 465
b. Burundi – 1 200
c. Sudan – 820
(ii) Costs incurred (period FY2000/01 to date) – Rb 5 325 961.
(c) Total number of fatalities the SANDF incurred during Peace Support Operations (PSO) deployments in 55. The fatalities incurred include personnel losses due to combat situations, illness, as well as vehicle accidents.
12 July 2023 - NW1773
Khoza, Mr AV to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What total amount has the deployments of the SA National Defence Force in (a) Mozambique and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo cost the Republic to date, noting that the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, has just extended the deployments?
Reply:
(a) Mozambique – R984 368 057.00.
(b) Democratic Republic of Congo – R 1 004 241 271.00.
12 July 2023 - NW1647
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to the Chetty 491 housing project for military veterans in Port Elizabeth, a service-level agreement was signed between the Department of Human Settlement and the Department of Military Veterans; if not, why not; if so, are the specified houses built in line with the adequate housing requirements. (2) Whether she will furnish Mr M L Shelembe with a copy of the service-level agreement; if not, why not; if so, by what date. (3) Which representative of the Department of Military Veterans will be monitoring the process to ensure that there is compliance?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
12 July 2023 - NW1165
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she will receive military assistance from Russia to modernise the Republic’s capital military hardware; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
The modernisation of the SANDF prime mission equipment is a process that is within the planned and budgeted for capital acquisition programmes. Whilst there are considerations for the modernisation of the SANDF, there has been no approaches to Russia for such.
There is however in existence bilateral defence relations within the context of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation, within which the two countries’ defence establishments meet and have exchanges at various levels, including bilateral visits. All these are governed by the Defence Committee (DefCom), which is stipulated in the MoU referred to.
12 July 2023 - NW2301
Beukes, Ms AJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
In view of joint operations along the land borders of the Republic a well-trained and well-equipped SA National Defence Force with the National Treasury agreeing to supply R85 million for the purpose of acquiring borderline technology in the 2022-23 financial year, what (a) were the procurement challenges that prevented the acquisition of the specified technology in March 2023 and (b) steps will she take to prevent the challenges in future?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 July 2023 - NW2302
Mthembu, Ms AH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Given that the latest SA National Defence Force (SANDF) morale survey found a neutral morale position of the Force, which were neither high levels of morale nor low levels, how will the SANDF improve the morale as it was identified that the procurement and quality purchases of SANDF equipment will be able to boost morale, in light of the SANDF and specifically the army facing constraints limited funds to make such a procurement of equipment?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 July 2023 - NW2314
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether her department is leasing any land and/or properties; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total amount is her department paying per annum for leased land and/or properties and (b) security risk does the continued leasing of properties pose for the Republic?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 July 2023 - NW2315
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What progress has she made to resolve the problems faced to military veterans, which led to some military veterans allegedly taking some of the officials hostage?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 July 2023 - NW2418
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What programmes has she initiated to rejuvenate the SA National Defence Force due to a shortage of required skills related to the aged army personnel and constraints of the budget?
Reply:
Find reply here
30 June 2023 - NW1389
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) In light of the fact the Poland is a sovereign country and a member of the United Nations that is entitled to arm and defend itself, and with reference to her role in the National Conventional Arms Control Committee regarding the consideration of munitions exports permits by members of the South African Defence Industry, what are the reasons for disallowing and/or putting on hold export permit to Poland (2) Whether any negative intelligence reports have been corroborated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether any Government called on an inspection in terms of the end-user-certificate provisions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
11 April 2023 - NW383
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) progress has she made in implementing the resolution to relocate Denel from the Department of Public Enterprises to the Department of Defence and (b) are the timelines in this regard?
Reply:
a) The relocation of Denel, the state-owned armaments manufacturing institution, necessitates the participation of the entire government, especially the Department of Public Enterprises, under which it falls, as well as National Treasury. The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans cannot execute this process on their own; they must also be satisfied that there is due diligence prior to relocation. There will also be legal ramifications from the relocation.
b) The deadlines cannot yet be defined because they are dependent on the fulfillment of the conditions outlined in the preceding paragraph. (a).
11 April 2023 - NW1068
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to her reply to question 662 on 27 October 2022, what are the reasons that she stated that there were no losses incurred while both the Auditor General of South Africa and her department reported the amount paid for purchasing Heberon lnterferon-Alpha-28 is now irregular and will probably be a loss; (2) whether she will furnish Mr S J F Marais with the reasons for the apparent misrepresentation of the related facts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will authorise that the outstanding R33,4 million be subtracted from the Project Thusano payments that the Government makes to the Cuban government; if not, why not; if so, (a) how, (b) on what date will the payment be recovered from the Cuban government and (c) what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
1) The arrangement to get the medication from Cuba came into being when the country was faced with a crisis of COVID 19 and the whole country was in a state of disaster. The AGSA's findings indicated that the Department of Defence (DOD) did not follow procurement processes. The DOD then recorded the Rm33.4 as irregular expenditure due to AGSA's findings. The return of the medication back to Cuba came out of a court order which the department had to comply with.
2) There was no misrepresentation of facts, on the matter, the Department had always recorded the irregularity in the financial records as irregular expenditure.
3) (a) The irregular expenditure will be treated as per the irregular expenditure framework prescribed by National Treasury.
(b) The process indicated above will determine the outcome.
(c) There are no further relevant details surrounding the matter.
11 April 2023 - NW382
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
By what date will vacant posts (a) in the board of Armscor and (b) of senior positions in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans be filled?
Reply:
a) The ARMSCOR Board of Directors currently has three (3) vacant positions. The Ministry and ARMSCOR intend to ·fill these vacant positions as soon as possible, but no later than the conclusion of the first quarter of the current fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2023.
b) Following the completion and upgrading of the job profiles, the senior vacant positions in the Department of Defence, namely the Secretary for Defence and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be posted.
Other senior positions in the Department of Defence, including Chief Defence Material (C Def Mat), Chief Director(ate) International Affairs (COIA), Chief Director(ate) Legal Services (COLS), and Chief Audit Executive (GAE), were submitted to DPSA, but there was disagreement about rank levels. The Department of Defense is working with the DPSA on the topic.
Furthermore, the senior empty jobs in the Department of Military Veterans have been re-advertised because the period in which they were advertised had since lapsed without any acceptable candidates being selected .