South Africa’s DA demands clarity on Defence Minister’s 3 month turnaround plan

South African Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to South Africa’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence demanding urgent details from Defence Minister Angie Motshekga on her three‑month deadline to present a concrete plan to stop the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) operational collapse and reprioritise defence spending.

DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, criticised Minister Motshekga’s recent statements in Parliament as being “disconnected from the SANDF’s dire state,” noting her contradictory remarks that the service remains capable despite her admission weeks earlier that it is in crisis.

In its request, the DA highlighted failings revealed by Armscor and oversight hearings:

• A R7.7 billion shortfall for the Air Force over three years.
• Unfunded maintenance for VIP transport jets and critical aircraft grounded.
• Delays, obsolescence, and vendor disengagement across air and naval platforms.
• Nearly R2 billion ring‑fenced for fleet refurbishment left unspent.

Gotsell warned that without a costed, deliverable strategy, Motshekga’s three‑month promise will become another “empty promise” while the SANDF continues to decay. He also called for an immediate cull of non‑essential spending on luxury travel and VIP perks, proposing measures such as ending lifetime medical benefits for retired VIPs and redirecting funds to operational readiness.