A Parliamentary peace and security Cabinet cluster briefing heard the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Security and Justice (SCSJ) elaborate on five “concerns” regarding the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
SCSJ chair Jane Mananiso by way of introduction told the Monday 7 July briefing she would focus on the SANDF as it “falls under the oversight responsibilities of our [the SCSJ] committee”. A Parliamentary Communication Service advisory ahead of the briefing had, in addition to the SCSJ, three other oversight committee chairs as attending. They were Xola Nqola (Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development), Kgomotso Ramolobeng (Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services) and Ian Cameron (Portfolio Committee on Police).
Mananiso told the briefing General Rudzani Maphwanya’s SANDF faced “serious governance hurdles” listing the delay in finalisation of the Military Discipline Bill, procurement, transformation, human resource “challenges” and accountability with issues around military veterans also an area of concern.
On the lack of progress in putting the Military Discipline Bill on the Statute Book, Mananiso said it weakened command structures and undermined discipline. The Bill aims to modernise the military justice system and improve internal accountability.
The SANDF, according to the SCSJ chair, “must bring its procurement processes fully in line with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) to prevent ongoing irregular and wasteful expenditure”. These issues, she said, continue to be flagged by the Auditor-General and weaknesses in financial oversight, particularly in supply chain management, require urgent attention.
Transformation goals – with the emphasis on leadership and gender equity – are, she maintains, not being met, pointing to current policy implementation “often lacking alignment with the ambitions of the 2015 Defence Review”. This impacts on force readiness and long term viability.
“Furthermore, the committee must oversee operations related to border security, internal deployments under Section 201 of the Constitution, and South Africa’s commitments in peacekeeping missions abroad.”
She was scathing on SANDF human resources management calling it “a serious human capital issue”.
“Its workforce is ageing and career advancement is limited. A major share of the budget is spent on employee compensation, leaving too little for crucial areas like training, equipment, and operations.
“Without a proper renewal strategy, we see stagnation in career paths and low morale among younger personnel. A clear exit and rejuvenation plan, as outlined in the Defence Review, is urgently needed,” she is quoted as informing the briefing in Parliament’ Good Hope Chamber.
“Acting appointments” also drew the ire of the SCSJ chair. “Particularly in management, these temporary roles reduce stability, make strategic planning difficult and erode accountability. Effective succession planning and prompt, merit-based appointments must be prioritised.”
Mananiso cited disciplinary processes as another human resource responsibility needing attention. “Repeated” Auditor-General findings for both the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) – Minister Angie Motshekga’s apex responsibilities – show “a struggle with poor consequence management and unresolved disciplinary cases”. A “concerning” example, according to the SCSJ chair, “involves a suspended employee who continued to receive full pay for over five years without any resolution—an unacceptable situation that points to deeper systemic failures”.
Irregular and wasteful spending, procurement failures and inadequate contract management in the SANDF along with PFMA non-compliance, combined with weak internal controls “has eroded financial accountability”.
Mananiso had it “there is a pressing need for better alignment between budget planning and actual operational needs”. Poor asset management and delays in financial reporting, she said, from an oversight point of view “further complicate efforts and weaken public trust in the defence system”.
Veterans benefits not being implemented consistently
As far as South Africa’s military veterans are concerned, she said implementation of the Military Veterans Act (18 of 2011) remains inconsistent. This applies particularly to delivering benefits such as housing, education, healthcare and pensions. Ongoing administrative issues, outdated databases and poor inter-departmental co-ordination “hamper” service delivery to veterans.
“Previous Parliaments have recommended closer scrutiny of how veteran benefits are allocated. We take these recommendations seriously and intend to hold the DMV accountable for making real progress,” she warned.
“Reintegration efforts for veterans, particularly those leaving active duty, must include mental health services and training opportunities to support their participation in the economy. There must also be greater clarity about SANDF’s role in easing this transition for former service members,” Mananiso stated.
The committee said its remains firmly committed to holding the department accountable. “We will continue monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations, financial reporting accuracy and the progress of corrective action plans. Effective oversight ensures that public funds are used wisely and supports the SANDF in fulfilling its constitutional duties. Our role is not simply to scrutinise but to ensure that performance, integrity and strategic objectives are aligned with the expectations of South Africans.”
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