Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has requested R9 billion in emergency funding from the National Treasury to address severe operational and personnel funding challenges within the South African National Defence Force. The department is struggling with unserviced equipment, underfunded military intelligence, and a compensation shortfall of over R13 billion. Without this funding, South Africa's defense capabilities could be compromised.
South Africa's Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has urgently appealed to the National Treasury for R9 billion to address critical funding shortfalls within the Department of Defence.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is grappling with severe financial constraints, impacting its operational capabilities both locally and regionally. Key issues include unserviced aircraft, ships, and vehicles, along with a significant underfunding of military intelligence and other essential programs. Motshekga warned that the department's current allocation is insufficient to sustain its personnel structure, with a projected compensation shortfall exceeding R13 billion over the next three years.
The department has already exceeded its compensation budget by R3.7 billion, largely due to unplanned usage of reserve forces. Motshekga stressed during a parliamentary meeting that without immediate funding, the SANDF risks failing to meet constitutional obligations and defend South Africa's sovereign interests. The acting Chief Financial Officer of the department, Edem Abotsi, highlighted that budget cuts since 2017, partly due to the Fees Must Fall protests, have led to R22 billion in irregular expenditures over the past decade.
About 65% of the department's budget is consumed by employee salaries, leaving minimal resources for upgrades to outdated equipment. The department had to divert funds from other programs to deploy soldiers under Operation Prosper, targeting organized crime in five provinces, as the Treasury has yet to reimburse R900 million allocated for this operation. Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa warned that underfunding defence forces could have dire consequences beyond financial mismanagement.
The Standing Committee on Appropriations has expressed deep concern over the situation, with chairperson Mmusi Maimane emphasizing the need for adequate funding to modernize the SANDF. The department's inability to sell non-core assets, such as Denel's manufacturing facilities and stakes in defense-related companies, has further strained its ability to address financial challenges. Denel had initially sought a R5.2 billion bailout, but the Treasury conditionalized part of the funding on the sale of assets, which has now stalled.
Holomisa argued that while accountability is essential, the Treasury must also be responsive to funding commitments linked to presidential mandates. The growing financial crisis underscores the urgency of resolving this funding gap to prevent long-term damage to South Africa's defensive capabilities
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