Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has called for a written report on two incidents involving Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft of the South African Air Force (SAAF), which occurred this year. Both incidents damaged the aircraft involved, to different degrees. The committee wants to know the effect on the SAAF’s logistical support capability.

The first incident happened at Goma Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in January. SAAF C-130BZ serial number 403 suffered an engine fire while landing, and veered off the runway, severely damaging its port wing. There were no casualties among passengers and crew, but the aircraft was almost certainly damaged beyond economical repair.

The second incident reportedly happened in late April at Air Force Base Waterkloof, just south of Pretoria. Apparently C-130BZ, serial number 405, was preparing for a test flight when its nose wheel either retracted or collapsed. The aircraft had been restored to flying condition by Denel to replace 403, wrecked at Goma.

The SAAF has operated the Hercules for well over 50 years, with all its aircraft assigned to 28 Squadron at Waterkloof. Goma was the service’s first serious accident with the type. Following the writing off of 403 at Goma, the SAAF was left with seven C-130BZs, but only two or three of these are flyable at any given time, owing to lack of funds.

A key role of the SAAF Hercules force is logistical support for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) contingent serving with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (Monusco) in the DRC. The South African contingent numbers 1 165 personnel.

Against the background of efforts in South Africa to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, the committee expressed its support for the extension of the deployment period for the SANDF element of Monusco. “The committee is of the view that the stabilisation of the Southern African Development Community is an essential mission in ensuring the economic development of the region, as well as playing a key role in the attainment of the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” it affirmed in its press statement.

The committee also stated its support for the continuation of the South African Navy’s anti-piracy mission in the Mozambique Channel. “While the committee is cognisant that piracy has significantly decreased recently, the committee remains of the view that maritime piracy remains a threat that must be guarded against.”

Regarding the use of the SANDF at home to provide support services for the effort to contain Covid-19, the committee welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s April 22 decision to massively increase the number of SANDF personnel employed on such tasks. While on March 25 the President had ordered the deployment of 2 820 SANDF personnel to provide such support services, on April 22 he increased this number by a further 73 180. This reinforced deployment is expected to cost R4 590 393 940.

“Of critical importance is the deployment of the South African Military Health Services and its capabilities, which is necessary to support the Department of Health when considering the trajectory of infections expected as per research by experts,” highlighted committee co-chairperson Cyril Xaba. The committee recognised that the deployment was large and the cost was “huge”, but considered it was necessary, given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic and the required scale of the response.

However, the committee also expressed concern about scattered allegations of abuse of power by some SANDF members. It cautioned that these allegations could damage the legitimacy of the SANDF’s involvement in anti-Covid-19 efforts. It called upon all SANDF personnel to comply with the law and with the SANDF Code of Conduct. It expressed confidence in the ability of the Military Ombud to investigate and deal with these allegations. The committee would await the conclusion of these inquiries before analysing them.

It also called upon all South Africans to comply with regulations (regarding Covid-19), which would minimise their interaction with security personnel.