Defence Minister warns on SANDF infrastructure and human resources

14th March 2014

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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South African Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has highlighted the poor state of much of the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) infrastructure. Addressing senior officers and the media at the end of last month, she affirmed that it “is important that we pay urgent attention to this issue”.

“[O]ver the last 20 years we have not paid enough attention to the servicing and improvement of the state of our facilities,” she said. “The general state of our hospitals, barracks and all our bases leave a lot to be desired. The recent establishment of the Defence Works Formation is a development that should assist us in that regard, but there are too many issues that need to be addressed if this unit is to function effectively.”

One issue is funding and it was necessary to consider options for funding SANDF infrastructure improvements, she noted. “I have, however, expressed my disappointment that, while we decry the underfunding of the Defence Force, we continue to see huge areas of underspending and wastage of resources.”

The Minister referred to the responsibility to properly equip the SANDF so that it could be operationally ready. “We need to resolve the problems relating to the efficient use of our budget to resolve problems of our acquisition of capabilities.”

She also identified other weaknesses and inadequacies in the SANDF. These include in recruitment, training and professionalisation. “The SANDF needs to recruit high-calibre people into its ranks in response to the future trajectory of this organisation and the kind of defence force we want to build. We need to pay close attention to the kind of people we should be recruiting, where they are and how best to attract them in the SANDF.”

There was a need to review current institutions to ensure that they can contribute to the professionalisation and “skilling” of the defence force. The SANDF faced short and medium-term leadership challenges. “We have an urgent need to prepare future layers of leadership through a focused strategy with clearly outlined outcomes.” The current per- sonnel complement was ageing and the military training system had to produce “more com- petent” officers and noncommissioned officers.

“We have also raised concern about [the] issues of discipline and the worrying signs that slackness, unprofessionalism, corruption and other ills that threaten to degrade our defence force and undo the good work done over the last twenty years,” she alerted. “We are determined that in the short term some of the basics that should have always been in place should be established.”

The Minister described the SANDF as an organisation undergoing “fundamental change”. This change encompassed the “design, positioning and future trajectory” of the force. She wanted to ensure that this process was inclusive and enjoyed “full by-in and common understanding”. She sought meaningful dialogue with the SANDF’s General and Flag Officers, without undermining the chain of command.

Mapisa-Nqakula pointed out that govern- ment had used the SANDF and the local defence industry to support scientific research, economic development, training and skills development. She also praised the SANDF’s contributions to peacekeeping and anti-piracy operations elsewhere in Africa. “Over the last 20 years, the SANDF has protected our democracy and created an environment within which our democracy can realise true benefits for our country. It has secured our land and maritime borders as well as our air space. In addition to the military mandate, the defence force has and continues to render humanitarian assistance to needy communities.”

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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