The SANDF is facing financial challenges as Parliament warns that resources intended for military operations are being stretched by deployments, raising concerns over maintenance, capacity and long-term readiness.
Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations has raised concerns that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is being stretched beyond its capacity, warning that additional deployments are taking place without adequate funding while years of underinvestment continue to affect the military’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
In an interview with broadcaster SABC, committee chairperson Dr Mmusi Maimane said the army was being forced to use its own resources to support additional operations while its core responsibilities were being affected by financial constraints.
Maimane said funds committed for Operation Prosper, which involves the SANDF supporting police operations, had not been transferred to the army, leaving the military to cover the costs from its existing budget.
“When we then make deployments like we've had recently, what we call Operation Prosper, the dilemma was money was committed to that that hasn't been transferred to the army,” Maimane said.
