SANDF hard-pressed to respond to civil events

• Published date: 24 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise, says the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will be hard-pressed to respond to critical events due to a severe shortage of resources.

Modise said this when she tabled the department's Budget Vote during a mini plenary of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

'Honourable Members will remember that we have a dire shortage of critical equipment currently, not to speak of future disasters and continuous climate change events, for example tents, water purification and distribution systems are critically low. Serviceable airframes and flying hours are also in a critical state.

'I must inform this House that the SANDF will be hard-pressed to respond to critical events in other provinces should the need arise. I state this with a very heavy heart - we are willing, but we lack resources.

'Unless there is a significant intervention - the cupboard will remain bare,' she said.

Modise said over recent years, the SANDF has been called on to support civil interventions to ensure the delivery of basic services to the citizens of the country, and this is over and above the force's contribution to African peace missions.

'We have assisted the North West province with health services, the...