Dept of defence’s money woes

DESPERATE: IT NEEDS R75.5BN BUT ONLY RECEIVED R49BN, TOP BRASS TELLS PARLY COMMITTEE

Shortfall will hit key SANDF divisions, such as intelligence.

The department of defence and military veterans has laid bare its financial woes, detailing how its R26.4 billion budget deficit for the 2022/2023 financial year threatened to cripple SA National Defence Force’s (SANDF) key divisions.

Departmental top brass told the parliament portfolio committee on defence and military veterans that the SANDF needed about R75.5 billion but had received only R49 billion from National Treasury.

Presenting the department’s annual performance plan to committee members yesterday, Michael Cox said the shortfall will hit key SANDF divisions, including defence intelligence, military health support, joint logistic services, as well as maritime and air defence.

An amount of R3.3 billion has been allocated to joint logistic services, while the full cost requirement was estimated at over R4.9 billion.

Cox said this shortfall of R1.6 billion will adversely impact on the ability to appropriately maintain the department of defence facilities, to provide and maintain the required stock levels and to staff the Defence Works

Formation.

He said the allocation of R1.1 billion to defence intelligence, instead of the required R1.3 billion will adversely impact on its ability to acquire skilled personnel and all capabilities required for intelligence and counter intelligence operations.

“Furthermore, the shortfall will impact on the department of defence’s support to the national cyber initiatives and the development of its cyber capability,” Cox told the committee.

Military health support has received R5.5 billion instead of the required R9 billion, with the shortfall of R3.5 billion set to adversely impact its ability to employ medical personnel, replace obsolete equipment, upgrade deteriorating facilities and renew required technology.

Cox said the budget reduction also impacted negatively on the SA Military Heath Services’ ability to meet the legal requirements for accreditation of medical personnel at health training institutions and at the South African Nursing College.

Also in serious financial trouble is the maritime defence, which has been allocated R4.6 billion, R2.8 billion less than the R6.5 billion the division actually needs to operate optimally.

According to Cox, this deficit will adversely impact the preparation and provision of combat-ready maritime defence capabilities, constraining the ability of the SA Navy to deploy naval capabilities to meet deployment requirements of the Maritime Security Strategy.

However, committee members were not impressed with the action plan as it lacked details on how these challenges would be addressed.

“In each of the divisions they show a shortfall and if it is not addressed then we are in a dire situation...” said Democratic Alliance’s Sarel Marais.

“We know what is in the budget and what has been provided, how are they going to reprioritise?”

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