Question No: 743
Date Published: 20 March 2015
Mr J.H. Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) What specific function(s) were the members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) performing between 10 and 13 February 2015 during the opening of Parliament on the occasion of his State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015;
(2) What specific duties did the SANDF members undertake in their assistance of the SA Police Service members who were on duty between 10 and 13 February 2015?
Reply:
(1) The participation of the SANDF at the Parliament during the State of the Nation Address should not be viewed or interpreted as a deployment of the SANDF. It is a ceremonial tradition practiced not only in the Republic of South Africa, but by all the countries over the world. The participation is limited to ceremonial activities and once that part of their participation is concluded, the forces withdraw to their respective units.
(2) The functions performed by members of the SANDF between 10 and 13 February 2015 during the opening of Parliament on the occasion of his State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015 are as follows:
The functions performed by the members included:
(i) Aides-de-Camp
(ii) Door Openers
(iii) Guard of Honour
(iv) Military Band
(v) Step Lining Guards
(vi) Flag Bearers
(vii) Street Lining
(viii) Military Bands
(ix) Salute Flight by the South African Air Force.
(x) Ceremonial Motorcycle Escort
(xi) Gun Troop for the Gun Salute.
(xii) Flame Guard
(xiii) Flag Orderly
(xiv) SA Military Health Service support
(xv) Decentralised Military Control Personnel
(3) The duties of members of the SANDF in assistance of the SA Police Service were in performance of outer perimeter security on 12 February 2015.
Question No: 806
Date Published: 20 March 2015
Mr B H Holomisa (UDM) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether, as the Commander-in-Chief of the defence force, and in respect of the role the Government plays in continental peace efforts, the security forces are in a state of readiness as a fully trained and equipped force to respond to unforeseen and unconventional attacks both from within and outside the Republic;
(2) Whether the Government has or intends to have bilateral agreements with other tried and tested countries on unconventional warfare in order to train our personnel?
Reply:
(1) Yes, all South African National Defence Force (SANDF) forces deployed internally and externally are mission ready in terms of both training and equipment.
(2) Yes, the SANDF has Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) with other armed forces in the African continent and beyond in line with the policies of our government and our continental and international obligations. Military training opportunities are exchanged between these friendly forces on continuous basis.
Question No: 642
Date Published: 6 March 2015
The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, with reference to the events of 16 August 2012 and the Farlam Commission of Inquiry that was established to investigate these events, he has seen the report by the commission; if so, (a) on what date did he receive the report and (b) when will the report be made public?
Reply:
The Presidency received the Farlam Commission Report on 31 March 2015. Subsequent to that, I addressed the nation on the evening of 25 June 2015, and also released the report of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry to the public. I have also directed the affected Ministers to look into recommendations that affect their portfolios and report on the implementation thereof. These are the Ministers of Mineral Resources, Police, Labour as well as Justice and Correctional Services.
