Latest news with #Gotsell
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliamentary row erupts over R813m in SANDF troop allowances for DRC mission
The DA has written to Parliament's presiding officers to demand that the Joint Standing Committee on Defence's co-chairpersons immediately convene a meeting where Defence Minister Angie Motshekga can account for what happened to the R813 million in allowances for soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Image: SANDF / Facebook The DA is standing its ground after it came under criticism from Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and the ANC over the R813 million in allowances for SANDF members. This comes after DA MP Nicholas Gotsell earlier this week accused Joint Standing Committee on Defence co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba of shielding Motshekga from accounting for the R813 million in allowances for the SANDF members who were deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Gotsell said Gigaba refused to call Motshekga, whom he said was silent on the 'missing or unaccounted' R813m allocated to the payment of SANDF deployment allowances. He also said that after initially agreeing to write to Motshekga for answers, Gigaba made a sudden U-turn and blocked the committee from acting. 'This came just days after Minister Motshekga issued a press statement bemoaning the DA's oversight,' said Gotsell, whose party has reported the matter to House Chairperson Cedric Frolick. 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. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Gigaba said Gotsell's allegations were unfounded, disingenuous, and illogical. 'While Mr Gotsell is free to escalate any matter to the National Assembly hierarchy, he is not entitled to make baseless, illogical, and false claims. Openness and accountability are the bedrock of the committee's work. The chairperson does not make unilateral decisions but acts in consultation and by consensus with all committee members,' he said. Gigaba explained that meetings had been held following the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers in the DRC, and an engagement had been held about the withdrawal plan from the war-torn country. He said the committee had agreed that upon completion of the withdrawal, a comprehensive report on the deployment would be tabled in Parliament. Gigaba also said that due to this year's unprecedented budget process, the committee had to defer its meetings to allow space for the process to be finalised. He said the committee was committed to a considered and thorough review of the DRC deployment. 'This commitment remains unchanged, and the review will be scheduled once the report is available. It is on this basis that making unfounded and disingenuous claims is both counterproductive and irrational.' ANC study group's Thokozile Sokhanyile lashed out at Gotsell, saying his claims were baseless and disconnected from facts. Sokhanyile said the committee's work was informed by collective decisions and guided by a commitment to transparency, oversight, and accountability. She echoed Gigaba's sentiments that the committee held meetings, and it was agreed that a comprehensive report would be submitted to Parliament after the withdrawal is concluded. 'Mr Gotsell, as a participant in these meetings, is fully aware of this collective decision,' Sokhanyile said, adding that the committee had to adjust its schedule due to the budget process and coordinating meetings required alignment across both Houses of Parliament. In her response, Motshekga said she has consistently honoured her obligations to Parliament, including regular engagements with the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and other oversight structures. She also said some portfolio committee meetings have coincided with scheduled Cabinet and its cluster meetings. 'I have always respected the oversight role of Parliament and remain fully committed to transparency and accountability. Where I am unable to attend due to Executive obligations, proper procedures are followed, and appropriate representation is ensured. It is regrettable that some seek to distort this commitment for political point-scoring,' said Motshekga. But Gotsell insisted that Motshekga gave Parliament the cold shoulder. He maintained that she infrequently attended meetings and was shielded from scrutiny by Gigaba, who had promised to write to the minister about the troop allowance. 'Motshekga and Gigaba believe this does not deserve urgent accountability before Parliament... Minister Motshekga's absence is not just a scheduling issue - it is a dereliction of duty.'
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Defence co-chair Gigaba rejects claims of shielding Motshekga from accountability
CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) parliamentary caucus has refuted allegations that Joint Standing Committee on Defence co-chairperson, Malusi Gigaba, is shielding Minister Angie Motshekga from accountability. The ANC study group on defence and military veterans has rallied behind Gigaba, saying the allegations made by the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Nicholas Gotsell, regarding the R813 million allocated for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment allowances are unfounded. Gotsell said this week that Motshekga has not been to Parliament to account for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) deployment for months, and she is being shielded from accounting by the joint committee. The National Council of Provinces member on Security and Justice, Gotsell, has written to the National Assembly to escalate what he calls the failure of the committee to hold a meeting to get to the bottom of what happened to the missing R813 million, which is unaccounted for by the SANDF.
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Nigerian rapper 3GAR to face charges for reckless driving after McLaren crash in Sea Point
. The driver of the McLaren that had a high-speed accident in Sea Point will be prosecuted. Image: Atlantic Seaboard Community Forum The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma, known by his stage name 3GAR, will be prosecuted for reckless or negligent driving after crashing his McLaren 570S in Sea Point earlier this year. The crash occurred on March 1 on High Level Road, where the high-performance vehicle allegedly reached speeds of up to 200km/h before slamming into a wall. Obioma was hospitalised after the incident. Despite CCTV footage capturing the vehicle travelling at high speed and a public outcry, no arrest has yet been made, and charges have not been formally laid. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: 'Kindly be advised that the case docket is still at the office of the Senior State Prosecutor and this office is awaiting the outcome of the decision.' However, regional NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed: 'We have decided to prosecute. He will be summoned, but he has not yet been served with a J175. There is no court date at this stage.' The delay in taking action has drawn criticism from political figures, including DA MP Nicholas Gotsell, who serves on the Select Committee for Security and Justice. 'The wheels of justice are turning, whether you are an ordinary motorist or a so-called celebrity. Nobody is above the law,' said Gotsell. 'After months of pressure on SAPS to stop stalling and shift out of neutral to finalise the investigation, the NPA has now confirmed that the driver will face charges of reckless or negligent driving. Reckless drivers have no place tearing through our neighbourhoods and endangering lives, no matter where you live or what you drive.' Gotsell accused police of dragging their feet, despite clear video evidence. 'It has been months since a McLaren supercar, driven recklessly through Sea Point by a well-known rapper, crashed into a wall. Yet, SAPS has still not laid any charges or made any arrests,' he said. 'Despite clear CCTV footage and mounting public frustration, the investigation remains stalled, and the silence from SAPS is deafening.' Gotsell stated he wrote twice to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile to seek clarity on the case. 'The response was non-committal and said that he cannot offer a timeline on when it will be completed.' He questioned why a case backed by visual evidence remained unresolved, particularly at a station like Sea Point, which he noted does not face the same caseload as other precincts in the province. 'My response to him was that Sea Point police station is not nearly as busy as other stations in the Western Cape, and therefore I find it strange that an investigation like this has not delivered any decisions in two months.' Gotsell said the matter highlighted a broader problem with how authorities respond to reckless driving in Cape Town. 'There must be consequences, not just to hold this individual accountable, but to send a clear message: reckless driving endangers lives, and no amount of fame or fanfare will place you above the law.' He previously criticised the public response, saying Obioma had continued to build an online persona while avoiding accountability. 'The rapper who crashed the McLaren continues to reinvent himself online, now boasting about his other car, fortunately, an SUV,' Gotsell said. 'But his safety does not undo the danger he posed to others. His narrative of victimhood has been widely accepted by fans, and, it seems, by the police as well.' [email protected]
IOL News
31-07-2025
- IOL News
Fraud convicted SAPS officer remains on duty
A Western Cape police officer convicted of multiple counts of fraud and accused of being involved in the sale of police dockets remains on active duty. Image: File A LENTEGEUR police officer convicted of multiple counts of fraud and accused of being involved in the sale of police dockets remains on active duty. He was also found guilty in two internal disciplinary processes. In a parliamentary response to questions by DA NCOP Member on Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, the police ministry confirmed the charges included corruption, fraud and misconduct that had damaged the image of the public service. 'The member was found guilty on all charges of misconduct and sanctioned with a suspension, without salary, for two months. As outlined in the South African Police Service (SAPS Disciplinary Regulations (2016), it was necessary to inform the member of the imposed sanction, which is a two-month suspension without salary. The member was verbally informed by the presiding officer; however, due to an administrative oversight, the written notice of the sanction was not properly served. The sanction of a two-month suspension without salary was imposed on the member a year later.' On the details of the fraud of police dockets charge, the police ministry further confirmed that there had been a criminal investigation. 'An investigation into four counts of fraud resulted in the court handing down a suspended sentence. The accused was found guilty and sentenced on all four counts of fraud. The investigation found no evidence that the accused sold police dockets.' Gotsell said the latest guilty finding by a SAPS internal disciplinary process, imposed (a sanction of) dismissal, which "now sits on provincial police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile's desk and he is dragging his feet, yet to act'. However, in response to questions on why the officer had not been dismissed, Western Cape police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the disciplinary process was nearing finalisation. 'Out of respect for due process, this office is not in a position to speculate on the outcome. It is for this reason that your questions remain unanswered,' said Traut. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the Western Cape called on the DA to respect the internal disciplinary processes of the SAPS. 'Discipline in the SAPS is regulated by Law which respects the rights of every individual not to be treated arbitrarily but afforded a fair disciplinary hearing. The said matter is still being heard in a formal disciplinary process, which may arrive at any decision depending on the test of evidence. For this purpose we want to discourage interference as it may result in gross unfair labour practice,' said Popcru provincial secretary Mluleki Mbhele. Cape Times
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Defence readiness under fire as MPs grill Armscor over failing navy and air force contracts
MPs from across the political spectrum on Friday interrogated Armscor and the defence department about delays, underfunding and systemic risks undermining the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The joint standing committee on defence session focused on the management of acquisition and maintenance contracts for the navy and air force, exposing a deteriorating state of readiness and escalating concern about the country's ability to defend its maritime and aerial sovereignty. The hearing was derailed by a dispute over transparency. DA MP Nicholas Gotsell raised a procedural challenge before the presentations began, demanding to know whether any new, previously undisclosed or confidential material would be introduced. Gotsell said 'if other information is added today [Friday] and we are caught off guard it compromises transparency'. He accused the chair of enabling a 'cover-up masquerading as a presentation' after Armscor CEO Solomzi Mbada confirmed one additional slide had been added, outlining project-level challenges. The chair attempted to restore order, but repeated points of order, interjections and accusations of procedural bias stalled the hearing for nearly 20 minutes. Gotsell warned that failing to disclose new or confidential information in advance amounted to a violation of parliamentary protocol and undermined the committee's ability to exercise oversight. Once proceedings resumed, ANC MP and co-chair Malusi Gigaba delivered a scathing assessment of Armscor's performance and the broader strategic crisis confronting the SANDF. 'This is not about missed timelines or faulty project charters,' Gigaba said. 'What we are facing is an institutional unravelling, across project planning, execution, maintenance and funding.' He questioned Armscor's continued reliance on the 'on-demand' contracting model for the air force, which does not guarantee aircraft availability and results in reactive rather than preventive maintenance. 'It may be cheaper on paper,' he warned, 'but the cost in operational readiness and strategic deterrence is far higher.' Gigaba asked why midlife upgrades for submarines and frigates remained unfunded, despite years of warnings from parliamentary committees. 'You are running core platforms into the ground,' he said. 'What is the plan if, or when, we experience a critical system failure during an operational deployment?' DA MP Chris Hattingh echoed these concerns and directed sharp criticism at the National Treasury. He said the defence budget had been reduced to 'a garden hose on a forest fire', noting that the air force faced a R7.7bn funding shortfall for maintenance. 'For years, we've warned Treasury and the executive that we are heading towards a cliff. Now we're hanging off the edge,' Hattingh said. He also highlighted the urgency of the navy's option to acquire a fourth multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV), which will expire at the end of June. 'Why are we always at the edge of a cliff when it comes to strategic decisions?' he asked. 'Are we serious about sovereignty or just role-playing at national defence?' Hattingh further raised pointed questions regarding the stalled submarine refit programme, particularly challenging Armscor on why previous attempts at international collaboration had failed. He questioned the lack of progress after reported engagement with the Indian Navy and asked why South Korea, known for its advanced naval maintenance capability, had not been seriously considered as an alternative partner. Hattingh expressed frustration that despite years of discussion and partial funding, South Africa's submarines remained idle, with no contract awarded and no clear delivery plan. He implied that Armscor's inability to secure external technical assistance, whether from India or other capable allies, reflected poor strategic planning and a failure to prioritise critical defence assets. Co-chair Phiroane Phala focused on the practical consequences of repeated delays. 'We're bombarded with acronyms, dashboards and phased funding models, but what are we actually getting for billions of rand?' he asked. Phala demanded clarity on timelines for the SAS Isandlwana refit and submarine overhauls. He expressed frustration about the absence of enforceable accountability measures for underperforming contractors. 'Are we managing projects or are we managing excuses?' he asked. Defence minister Angie Motshekga, who attended the session, acknowledged the gravity of the concerns raised. She noted the fiscal constraints facing the government but warned against treating defence as a discretionary function. 'Let us not ignore that we are in a constrained fiscal environment,' she said. 'But it is equally true that defence cannot be treated as optional. The navy and air force cannot be left to operate on fumes.' Motshekga committed to raising the matter in cabinet and reviewing contract management frameworks. Several Armscor executives presented a detailed overview of the organisation's programmes and constraints. Key issues included: Understaffed and ageing naval dockyard: The Simon's Town Dockyard has only 286 technical personnel and suffers from deteriorating infrastructure, including structurally unsound buildings and outdated equipment. Delayed refit of SAS Isandlwana: The project is only 24% complete despite starting in May 2024. The dry dock phase is delayed, and the contractor has been formally put on terms. Legal and operational recovery plans are under discussion. Submarine maintenance in limbo: Submarine refits have been stalled since 2014 due to inadequate local technical capacity and failed international collaboration attempts. The project remains in the procurement evaluation phase. Project Biro (MMIPVs): Three patrol vessels have been delivered and are undergoing testing, but the option for a fourth vessel, estimated at R800m, will expire this month unless exercised. The fourth vessel would have reduced combat capability but could be upgraded later. Project Hotel (hydrographic survey vessel): While small boats and IT systems have been delivered, the main vessel is delayed due to strikes, floods and contractor disputes. Armscor is reviewing a revised project execution plan but indicated funding may be insufficient to complete the vessel. Air Force maintenance collapse: Almost every aircraft platform is underfunded. Entire fleets, including C-130s, Oryx helicopters, Gripens and Hawks are operating below safe or sustainable levels. Some have no functioning support contracts in place. Spare part shortages, obsolete components and long turnaround times are common across platforms. One executive summarised the problem succinctly: 'We are playing catch-up. Maintenance is being done on an ad hoc basis and we cannot guarantee the availability of aircraft under the current model.' The committee is now expected to draft a formal resolution urging National Treasury to ringfence funding for critical defence platforms, particularly the midlife upgrades of submarines and frigates. Committee members also called for a reassessment of Armscor's contracting models and a possible review of the performance of key contractors. Gigaba ended with a caution, saying national security cannot be managed through paperwork only. He warned that unless the warnings are heeded, the country risks finding itself unable to defend its territorial waters, airspace or national sovereignty.
