Dear Editor
This action is necessary because the DOD and DPWI have descended into a destructive standoff, paralysing infrastructure delivery. A joint briefing to Parliament today laid bare this dysfunction — a complete breakdown in trust, coordination, and accountability.
Years of DPWI underperformance have left defence facilities in disrepair. At the same time, the DOD has failed to settle its debts, including over R4.1 billion in unpaid municipal services. The DOD has attempted to reclaim control over infrastructure through its own Defence Works Formation, but DPWI argues that the DOD’s slashed accommodation charge payments have left it unable to carry out maintenance.
In 2021, the DOD unilaterally froze all unfunded and planned infrastructure projects, citing excessive delays. The DPWI says this action wasted millions in design costs, now likely to be written off. What followed was a blame game: Defence accusing Public Works of inefficiency, and Public Works accusing Defence of financial neglect and unilateralism.
Adding to the crisis is the unchecked spread of informal settlements onto SANDF land – a direct threat to national security. Yet an interdepartmental task team established to address this has achieved nothing.
While departments point fingers, our soldiers are left to serve in dangerous, crumbling facilities. This is not just a governance failure, it is a betrayal of the men and women in uniform.
The time for excuses is over. The Ministers must act now, or be held accountable for the collapse of South Africa’s defence estate.
Regards
Chris Hattingh MP
DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans