Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled by yet another act of sabotage by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, this time derailing a critical parliamentary oversight session at the Simon’s Town Dockyard on 4 June 2025.
The meeting, convened by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, was intended to address the long-standing conflict between the South African Navy and Armscor over stalled naval contracts, poor dockyard performance, and a deepening maintenance backlog.
Both institutions were formally scheduled to brief the Committee, as reflected in the official parliamentary agenda.
Instead, in a brazen act of executive interference, the Navy’s presentation was abruptly withdrawn the night before, reportedly on the direct instruction of Minister Motshekga. The Minister herself failed to attend, citing a Border Management Authority meeting. When pressed for answers, Rear Admiral Mvovo refused to comment, prompting Deputy Minister Holomisa to confirm that the instruction had come from the Minister.
Armscor Chairperson Dr. Lesiba Mahapa then attempted to mislead the Committee by falsely claiming a “joint presentation” would proceed, an assertion clearly contradicted by events. Recognising this deception and executive meddling, the Committee rightly postponed the meeting.
This disgraceful episode not only wasted public funds but also disrupted the work of senior Armscor executives, board members, and SANDF personnel, many of whom were pulled from operational duties for an entire day, only to be politically sidelined.
This incident is not isolated. It forms part of a broader leadership crisis under Minister Motshekga’s tenure. Her growing record of absenteeism, evasiveness, and disregard for parliamentary oversight has made her a liability to accountability, defence preparedness, and strategic coherence.
Worse still, the crisis extends far beyond oversight. Under her leadership, the SANDF’s participation in the SAMIDRC deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has collapsed into logistical disarray and reputational embarrassment. The current faltering withdrawal process from the DRC is yet another consequence of failed political and military leadership at the highest level.
The DA reiterates its call for President Ramaphosa to urgently review Minister Motshekga’s continued presence in this vital portfolio. South Africa cannot afford a Defence Minister who sabotages oversight, undermines her own armed forces, and abdicates responsibility in a time of national and regional uncertainty.
We will pursue all available parliamentary channels to hold Minister Motshekga accountable and to defend the integrity of South Africa’s democratic oversight institutions.
Regards
Chris Hattingh MP
DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans