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IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'Technical challenges' blamed for delayed SAAF response to Eastern Cape floods
The South African Air Force receiving the second request for assistance to the floods in Eastern Cape on 16 June 2025 and one Oryx helicopter became available for deployment the following day Image: SANDF/Dean Wingrin Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has blamed technical challenges for the delayed deployment of the South African Air Force (SAAF) to assist during the devastating floods that took place in the Eastern Cape last month. This emerged when Motshekga was responding to parliamentary questions from the EFF and the DA amid the continued underfunding of the SAAF. DA MP Patrick Atkinson said it took a full week after the onset of the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape for the SAAF to deploy a single Oryx helicopter to assist with flood relief efforts. EFF MP Carl Niehaus noted with concern that the SAAF was not deployed during the critical early stages of the floods in Mthatha and other parts of the Eastern Cape, and that the response was limited to one helicopter two weeks later. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Niehaus and Atkinson asked for the reasons and an explanation for the SAAF's failure to respond in a timely and adequate manner when over 100 people had died and hundreds were displaced. 'The challenges were technical. However, they were corrected, hence we managed to send assistance in the form of an Oryx. 'Upon receiving the second request for assistance on 16 June 2025, one Oryx helicopter capability became available and was tasked to deploy on 17 June 2025,' Motshekga said in her response. Niehaus pressed the minister on whether the late response by the SAAF was due to the failure to maintain the Oryx fleet by state-owned enterprises Denel Aeronautics. Motshekga said state-owned enterprises' arms manufacturer Denel only played a very minor part in the lack of Oryx helicopters. 'They are unable to continue with servicing and repairs due to a lack of funding for spares and the long lead time (up to two years) that it takes the original equipment manufacturers (Airbus and Safran) to deliver ordered spares,' she said. She was asked about measures that have been implemented to ensure the readiness of the SAAF for future disasters. In her response, Motshekga also said there were no spares of major components, and the SAAF experiences a very long lead time when ordering spares from the original equipment manufacturers. 'Currently, there are no measures in place as the SAAF continues to be underfunded, and the flow of spares from overseas original equipment manufacturers remains extremely low.' Her response comes hot on the heels of a presentation by Denel to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence last month. Regarding the Oryx, the entity complained about the reduced budget for on-demand funding on the rotary-wing aircraft over the past five years. 'The 15-year calendar limit (major components and engines overhaul) has been reached and will lead to the imminent grounding of the fleet,' reads the document. Motshekga would not be drawn into commenting on the number of qualified flight engineers and how that compared to serviceable helicopters and trained pilots, as well as urgent steps taken to address the shortage of flight engineers. 'The detailed impact on national security can only be discussed in an appropriate closed setting,' she said. Last month, Armscor told Parliament that a staggering budget shortfall of more than R7 billion threatened the maintenance of the SAAF aircraft fleet. 'There is a shortfall of approximately R7.7 billion to fund the current fleet. If you average it in terms of an annual basis, it is R2.56 billion, and this implies that the SAAF maintenance is currently at two to three times less than what we are currently funded.'
IOL News
02-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
Flight Engineer shortage cripples South African Air Force's critical missions Image: SANDF/Dean Wingrin A brewing crisis within the South African Air Force (SAAF) is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers (FEs) cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF's most vital aircraft. Despite recent government promises of increased military funding, insiders warn that the Air Force's ability to defend the country could be severely compromised without urgent action on personnel issues. At the heart of this issue is the iconic Oryx AS32 helicopter - a medium utility helicopter that has become the backbone of the SANDF's aerial capabilities. Notably, this aircraft is used for critical missions, including troop transport, logistical support, and even presidential flights. The helicopter that ferries South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa during his official duties is none other than the Oryx, a symbol of national sovereignty. However, one military insider revealed, 'This aircraft cannot operate without Flight Engineers. The unsung heroes keep these machines flying safely and efficiently.' Sources say the problem stems from recent industrial action by FEs nationwide. Fewer than five FEs are willing to fly, having downed tools over allowances they say are grossly insufficient and misclassified. 'They're considered technicians now, not flight crew, and their allowances have been cut,' explained a senior officer who requested anonymity. This industrial action has cascading effects: pilots cannot maintain currency without FEs, and aspiring helicopter pilots cannot complete their training due to the lack of experienced FEs. 'We have a backlog of student pilots waiting for years to start their flying hours,' the source added. 'This situation could leave us with a generation of not current or qualified pilots - a ticking time bomb for operational readiness.' Sources added that the fallout isn't just internal; it's costing the state millions. He stated that with only four FEs remaining in the country, the SANDF is forced to fly them across provinces - from Durban to Pretoria and Cape Town to assist with operations - often at great expense, including hotel costs and logistical arrangements. 'Many FEs are resigning, lured by higher salaries overseas, particularly in Middle Eastern countries, further depleting the fragile workforce.' 'Despite the billions invested in recruitment, we are losing personnel for free,' lamented an insider. 'The allowances are less than R5,000 - less than many civilian technicians earn elsewhere.' In response, SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala acknowledged the seriousness of the issue: "Flight Engineers are a critical part of our aircrew. Without them, critical missions cannot be executed fully, and our operational readiness is impacted," he said. "Currently, the SANDF operates at approximately 40% capacity, but once the budgeting process is complete, we will address these operational requirements." Tshabalala also mentioned ongoing efforts to review allowances and implement training initiatives through military academies to bolster FE numbers. He stated that the SANDF is committed to the nation's security and is working with the Portfolio Committee on Defence to increase the defense budget as a percentage of GDP. South African National Defence Union Secretary advocate Pikkie did not respond to IOL. The SANDF is currently grappling with critical issues of underfunding, aging equipment, personnel shortages, and low morale. Among other issues Highlighting the crisis, soldiers deployed in Goma as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), 18 SADC soldiers - including 14 South Africans - were killed in clashes with M23 rebels. The resulting summit in Harare led to the decision to terminate the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), citing worsening security and the need for a phased withdrawal. Earlier this year, IOL reported that soldiers scheduled to return home were reportedly stranded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), unable to leave due to the closure of Goma International Airport-a move the DRC government justified by citing security threats linked to ongoing conflict and rebel activity. This was followed by an outcry from the opposition, which demanded that the Defence Ministry provide clear accountability. A few days later, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga announced the official withdrawal plans, but subsequent reports revealed a stark contradiction: no transport was available to move the soldiers. [email protected] IOL Politics
