Defence committee elects new co-chair amid funding concerns

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has chosen Mzimasi Mike Hala as its new co-chairperson, representing the National Assembly, in response to the recent vacancies created by Malusi Gigaba’s removal from the position. The committee's decision comes amid ongoing issues with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) funding and repeated delays in their oversight meetings.

Hala will take on the responsibilities left vacant by Gigaba, who led the committee through a particularly difficult period that included SANDF members' deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and deployments in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

During the committee's recent meeting, they expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in securing additional funding for the SANDF, despite everyone agreeing on the urgency of the matter. The committee noted that this was the second time they had received short-notice postponement requests for their meetings, and they warned that such delays make it difficult to manage their already demanding oversight schedule.

They emphasized that timely engagement and adherence to agreed schedules are crucial for effectively managing the parliamentary oversight responsibilities.

Furthermore, the committee highlighted the critical issue of the SANDF's funding crisis, expressing concern over the lack of visible progress in finding a solution. They pointed out a disconnect between the public awareness of the force's financial constraints and the limited progress made during discussions between the Department of Defence and National Treasury.

The committee stressed that adequate and sustainable funding is crucial for maintaining the operational viability of the SANDF and ensuring it can fulfill its constitutional mandate. They warned that the SANDF's financial difficulties could not continue without meaningful action, as the implications for its operational capacity and ability to execute its constitutional responsibilities loom large.