South Africa's military does need more funding, but greater accountability must come first, Democratic Alliance MP Nicholas Gotsell argues. In this opinion piece, Gotsell says National Treasury cannot be blamed for every challenge facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) while questions remain over leadership, spending priorities and parliamentary oversight.
Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa's frustration with National Treasury is understandable.
No government should authorise military deployments and then leave the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) wondering whether the money will arrive.
That is neither fair to our soldiers nor conducive to national security. But if the Deputy Minister wants Parliament and the public to rally behind calls for more funding, he must first answer an uncomfortable question: What has the Department done with the money it already has?
I was reminded of this during a closed joint meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, the Portfolio Committee on Defence and National Treasury some months ago. I raised what I believed was a perfectly reasonable concern. At a time when soldiers were living in appalling conditions, why was the Department finding money to purchase luxury vehicles for generals?
