Dear Editor
Whilst the plot about the SANDF’s missing millions thickens, Minister Angie Motshekga has again been caught lying – leaving South Africa’s soldiers to pay the price.
In a desperate attempt at damage control, the SANDF has issued a media statement confirming that all operational allowances for members deployed to the DRC have now been paid. This follows weeks of public outrage, media exposure and relentless pressure by the DA to obtain answers pertaining to the missing R813 million allocated to the Department of Defence for the payment of remuneration.
After the SANDF had told Parliament that they were withholding certain allowances until soldiers had returned, multiple soldiers, unions and families confirmed – as recently as August – that certain allowances have not been received. All this while the Directorate Corporate Communication (DCC) continuously issued media communication that all troops have been paid their allowances.
In a recent statement, the SANDF has made an about turn, saying that everything has now been paid – while simultaneously admitting that an internal investigation is still underway to resolve “discrepancies”.
This is not just a contradiction. It is a cover-up with the Minister of Defence and the Co-Chairperson of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence at the heart of it.
Minister Motshekga, who prefers to attend Russian military parades instead of accounting to Parliament, has repeatedly ducked important meetings and failed to explain where the R813 million went.
Yet, instead of summoning her to account, ANC JSCD Co-Chair, Malusi Gigaba, has become her chief protector by blocking the Committee from acting.
Whist DA urgently awaits the outcome of its escalation of this matter to Parliament’s presiding officers; we reiterate our call for the urgent convening of the JSCD to:
- Obtain a full breakdown of the R813 million and its current status.
- Hold the Minister and Department officials accountable for conflicting statements; and
- Demand the internal investigation findings be made public.
If the Minister has nothing to hide, then she has no reason to avoid the Committee. The DA will not let this go.
Regards
Nicholas Gotsell MP
DA NCOP Member on Defense & Military Veterans