Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD), jointly chaired by Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, called on three SA National Defence Force (SANDF) bases and its Saldanha Bay Military Science Faculty at Stellenbosch University last week as part of constitutional responsibility to oversee the SANDF’s budget, organisation, morale and state of preparedness.
The agenda saw JSCD members at 4 Special Forces Regiment and Air Force Base (AFB) Langebaanweg, both in the Langebaan area, as well as SAS Saldanha and the Military Academy in the Western Cape coastal harbour town.
Post the visit, according to a 31 January Parliamentary Communication Services statement on behalf of Phala, there were two broad observations. Firstly, SANDF personnel remain highly committed, professional and patriotic, continuing to serve under difficult circumstances. Secondly and concerningly, is the SANDF is “in urgent need of re-capacitation and rebuilding”. The cumulative effect of sustained reductions in defence spending as a percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), limited internal investment and “minimal acquisition” of new technology has had “a significant negative impact” on SANDF operational capability.
On completion of the visit Phala is quoted as saying: “A committed, professional and patriotic force without the backing of adequate investment in capability will serve only to impede the effectiveness of the SANDF”.
“We cannot over-emphasise the negative impact of inadequate funding of the SANDF and the need for government to refocus on building a strong and capable force,” said Phala.
Highlights of the visit are given as a capability demonstration at 4 Special Forces Regiment and the Military Science Faculty/Stellenbosch University partnerships, including continental and international ones while concerns were brought to the fore. These included limited air and maritime platform availability for Special Forces operators; a high vacancy rate at SAS Saldanha, the premier SA Navy (SAN) training base; and, at AFB Langebaanweg, under-investment in aircraft maintenance and acquisition as well as air traffic control capability shortcomings.
“Prolonged underinvestment in aircraft maintenance and acquisition has resulted in a critically low number of serviceable aircraft, with knock-on effects on pilot training, including limited flying hours, reduced intakes, and extended training timelines,” the JSCD said. “Despite these challenges, the committee noted the continued commitment of personnel to maintaining aircraft availability and professional training standards under constrained conditions.”
In Phala’s words: “While many of the challenges observed were not new, they reinforced the urgent need for intervention in the SANDF. All South Africans must understand the importance of the national defence Force and the implications of sustained underfunding.”
The committee argued that an open and frank discussion is required on the future of the SANDF. It stated that either its mandate must be adequately funded or the mandate must be aligned to available resources. It also committed to pursuing a policy directive on this matter.
