Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2007-06-05 Reporter:

SANDF Hits MPs with Cash Bombshell

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date

2007-06-05

Reporter

Sapa

Web Link

 www.capetimes.co.za

 

The SA National Defence Force has begged MPs for more money, saying its current budget is not enough *1 to sustain its role both on the continent and at home.

"We need support for more funds," Lieutenant-General Rinus van Rensburg told the National Council of Provinces' Security and Constitutional Affairs Committee yesterday. He was accompanied by acting defence chief Johannes Modimo and other officials.

MPs were told the defence budget had declined continuously since 1989, when defence spending accounted for just over 15% of government expenditure and 4.6% of GDP. Today it accounted for 4% and 1.2% respectively.

SANDF chief of strategy, policy and planning, Tsepe Motumi, said resources were stretched to breaking point, leading to the deterioration of equipment, weapons systems and ground support infrastructure. - Political Bureau

With acknowledgements to Cape Times


*1       The reality chickens coming home to roost.

All of this was quite predictable, and was predicted, in the 1995 to 1997 era.

But no, Joe and Chippy and all and all wanted them extra jet fighters *2 and submarines and expensive top-of-the range frigates and all and all.

Just how much extra is it going to cost to operate and maintain 28 top-of-the-range fourth generation fighter jets *3.


*3      The first of which hasn't even arrived yet.