Media Statement

The former Chief of the Defence Force, Gen. Siphiwe Nyanda, received a medal from France on 23 May 2005. The medal however cost the South African taxpayers R191 170-34. These costs included air tickets, accommodation, meals, land travel and laundry. This appears from an answer to a question posed to the Minister of Defence by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP) of the Freedom Front Plus. “The exorbitant costs indicate that Nyanda enjoyed a luxurious vacation for a couple of days at the expense of the taxpayers. France awarded the medal and France should therefore bear the costs and not South Africa. I have already directed a written request to the Portfolio Committee on Defence to further investigate the issue. It should also be established who had given authorisation for this payment and whether it had been Gen. Nyanda himself. If it had been Nyanda himself, there might have been a contravention of financial regulations”, Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP) chief spokesperson on Defence of the FF Plus said.

“It is unacceptable that a single person who travels abroad for a few days could spend so much money. Should the Defence Committee in Parliament not want to investigate the issue any further, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts will be asked to investigate the issue. Other institutions such as the Public Protector are also not excluded”, Groenewald said. Gen. Siphiwe Nyanda went on early retirement on 31 May this year after he had requested President Mbeki to retire earlier than his contract had stipulated.

Mr Pieter Groenewald
Enquiries: 083 627 4397 / 082 551 4517

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions to the Minister

National Assembly - Question 912 - Written Reply - Date of Publication: Friday, 10 June 2005 -internal Question Paper No.: 20-2005

Mr P J Groenewald (Ff Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence :

1. Whether France has awarded a medal to the former Chief of the National Defence Force; if so, when;

2. Whether the SANDF has incurred any expenditure in this regard; if so,

(i) what was the extent of the expenditure and
(ii) what was the expenditure incurred for;

3. Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply of the Minister

1. Yes. He was presented with a medal on 23 May 2005.

2. Yes.

i. R191 170.34.
ii. The expenses were for air travel, accommodation, meals; land travel and laundry.

3. No.

With acknowledgements to Mr Pieter Groenewald and Ff Plus.