The Portfolio Committee on Defence has called on the Department of Defence to table the Defence Review before Parliament before the end of the Fourth Parliament.
This follows the department’s presentation of its strategic and annual plans to the Committee this morning by the Secretary of Defence. The department said it was worried that Treasury had cut their budget allocations for the coming three financial years. The budget cut could cripple its operations, the department added.
The Committee was of the view that the reason for the cut was that it seemed there was no proper plan on how the money would be spent by the department. “The tabling and implementation of the Defence Review might assist in increasing the budget allocated to the Department,” said Committee Chairperson, Mr Stanley Motimele.
The Committee, however, is concerned that the budget cut will have a negative impact on the defence operations of the country, including border controls. “Unmanned borders could become a national security threat, and there needs to be proper resources allocated to ensure security controls,” said Mr Motimele.
To this end, the Committee will work with the Standing Committee on Appropriation and other Parliamentary structures to find solutions and to check if it is possible for Treasury to increase the department’s budget allocation.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Kanyisa Ndyondya, Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 083 624 0585
Tel: 021 403 8041
E-mail: kndyondya@parliament.gov.za
