Statement by Rafeek Shah MP
Democratic Alliance Spokesperson on Defence
19 September 2005

Defence Minister Lekota must give parliament the assurance that the South African taxpayer will not be made to carry the cost of another ill-considered arms purchase. The Sunday Independent newspaper yesterday indicated that government may procure a fifth corvette through the multi-billion rand arms deal, even though the navy is struggling to integrate the other four new corvettes. I will raise this matter with the Minister when parliament reconvenes in October.

The news of the new planned purchase comes shortly after the Minister admitted to Parliament that the SANDF is struggling to maintain even its core capability.

While the DA understands the need to protect our shipping routes, marine resources and the strategic interests of the Southern African region, we believe that a corvette would be ill suited for this task. The acquisition of an additional corvette for coast guard and civil maritime operations would be more evidence of the government choosing inappropriate weapons for the task at hand.

These types of operations do not require a ship which is able to fire at targets 140km away, which is able to protect itself from four simultaneous incoming missiles or a zero radar signature.

What is required is a vessel which has the capacity to respond quickly to emergencies, to carry large amounts of humanitarian aid, helicopters and to be able to stay in an area for an extended period of time. A hovercraft or similar type of vessel would therefore be much more suited for this task.

For Information: Rafeek Shah 083 675 9786
Media Liaison: Martin Slabbert 082 320 1890

With acknowledgement to Rafeek Shah and the DA.