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Navy Chief’s Outburst Crosses the Line

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance notes Vice Admiral Monde Lobese’s recent comments at the SA Navy Gala Dinner and the Department of Defence’s decision to initiate disciplinary action.

We welcome the Minister’s move, particularly given that she previously defended the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, after his unsanctioned political statements in Iran, even when the Presidency and DIRCO distanced themselves from his remarks.

However, Admiral Lobese’s latest comments come perilously close to outright insubordination. It is unacceptable for a service chief to publicly accuse National Treasury of “sabotaging” the SANDF or to suggest that government leaders are acting in bad faith. Such remarks, made at a public gala rather than through proper military channels, undermine civilian oversight and are unbecoming of the Chief of the Navy.

That said, many of the issues he referred to mirror long-standing warnings repeatedly raised by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence. For years, Parliament has cautioned the Minister that chronic underfunding is eroding border protection, weakening economic growth and crippling the defence industry.

Defence spending has collapsed from above 2% of GDP in 1996 to roughly 0.7% today. The DA and other committee members have consistently raised alarm about this decline — often directly in the presence of senior SANDF leadership and the Minister herself. These warnings have repeatedly gone unheeded.

While the DA understands Admiral Lobese’s frustration, we cannot support the reckless manner in which he chose to express it. Senior SANDF leaders must uphold discipline and follow the correct reporting channels at all times.

We call on the Minister to deal with this matter consistently and transparently, while finally taking seriously Parliament’s long-standing warnings about the SANDF’s financial collapse.

The DA will continue to fight for a capable, well-resourced and professional defence force and to holding the Department accountable.

Regards

Chris Hattingh MP
DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans

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