Just on six months after it was revealed that a SA National Defence Force (SANDF) service chief was to acquire two Audi Q7s, another appears to be following SA Air Force (SAAF) number one Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo.
The maritime service, under the command of Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, has, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA), bought six Audi Q5 sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Their price is listed as “from R1 018 200” making them slightly less expensive than the Q7s (from R1 958 000) apparently selected for use by the SAAF Chief.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s (March 12) delayed budget, DA point man on defence and military veterans Chris Hattingh “demanded answers” on the purchase by the maritime service. “The decision [to buy the six SUVs] underscores the continued disregard for the severe crisis facing the SANDF”.
Essential vehicles and equipment, according to him, “remain in disrepair or obsolete due to limited funds [while] top officials continue to prioritise luxury over the basic needs of soldiers on the ground”.
“This extravagant spending exemplifies the ongoing culture of privilege – complete with red carpets and golf days – while ordinary soldiers struggle without proper resources. It is yet another indicator of weak leadership that fails to put South Africa and its military personnel first,” he said.
Next stop for Hattingh is using the Parliamentary questions facility as one way of having Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga explain.
“The DA will not allow this matter to go unanswered. We demand full transparency from the Minister and the Chief of the SANDF [General Rudzani Maphwanya]. South Africans deserve military leadership that prioritises security and responsible governance over luxury”, a statement reads in part.
As far as could be ascertained ahead of publication, the written request for Minister Motshekga to inform the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on SAAF “priorities” viewed against the Q7 purchases by the SAAF has not been responded to. The SAAF luxury SUV acquisition was raised by DA MP Nicholas Gotsell with African Defence Review (ADR) Director Darren Olivier providing an explanation of sorts. According to him the R700 000 cap on official vehicles was bypassed by specifying the Q7 acquisitions as “security vehicles”.
He went on to say “spending R3 million on two luxury vehicles for the CAF’s use is neither a good use of money nor a good example to the rest of the force. Especially as many bases and units are already short of necessary vehicles because of austerity measures blocking purchases”.
The DA added that the timing of the Q5 purchase raises further concerns. Acquired in the final three weeks of the 2024/2025 budget year, with quotes obtained as early as January, it suggests potential fiscal dumping—deliberately exhausting the budget before the financial year ends.
