Latest news with #Motshekga
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Taxpayers foot legal bill for SANDF members accused of DPCI investigator's murder
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says her department will continue to provide legal assistance to 12 SANDF members charged with several charges, including the murder of DPCI senior investigator, Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was shot dead in 2023 while probing allegations the accused in the abduction of an Ethiopian businessman and suspected ISIS leader from the Mall of Africa. Image: SAPS Taxpayers are coughing up the legal costs for the 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who are facing multiple charges, including the murder of Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation's (DPCI) senior investigator, Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa. Mathipa was killed while he was investigating the abduction of two Ethiopian men, Abdella Hussein Abadiga and his bodyguard, Kadir Jemal Abotese, who were abducted and allegedly taken to Zwartkop Military Base, and their whereabouts are still unknown. This was disclosed by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga when she was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Chris Hattingh and Maliyakhe Shelembe. Motshekga said the legal costs were paid on the basis of the Defence Act which provides for legal representation for SANDF members. 'The SANDF has the authority to provide legal assistance to its members in certain circumstances. The 12 members of the SANDF facing charges related to the death of Lt Col Frans Mathipa are receiving State-funded legal assistance in accordance with the Defence Act, 2022. This assistance was made available from the outset of the legal proceedings,' she said. Asked about the legal cost incurred to date in providing to the accused SANDF members, Motshekga said the defence could not confirm the total costs as the court case was currently ongoing and legal proceedings still in progress. 'The department will continue to provide the necessary support and the final costs will be determined once the matter is concluded.' She would provide the estimated cost that may be incurred should the case proceed to full criminal trial. 'The cost will depend on various factors, including the duration of the trial, the number of witnesses, and the complexity of the legal arguments. As such it is not feasible to provide a reliable estimate of the total costs, including legal fees and other relevant expenses, at this stage,' Motshekga said. The members of the SANDF special operations unit were each granted R10 000 bail by the Randburg Magistrate's Court following their arrest last month following Mathipa's death in August 2023. The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated that it will appeal the court's decision to grant bail to the SANDF members facing serious charges that include murder, kidnapping, fraud, obstructing the administration of justice, making false statements under oath and theft of a motor vehicle. Asked if SANDF has a framework to guide the provision of legal assistance to members charged with serious criminal offences, Motshekga said the process of acquiring legal representation at the State's expense starts with an application by an individual to the department's legal services division. 'The request includes an acknowledgement and undertaking by the member that any expense incurred maybe recouped if it is subsequently determined that the member did not qualify for legal representation at State expense.' However, she said the SANDF policy on legal assistance may differ depending whether the proceedings are held in military or civilian courts. Motshekga said members facing charges in military courts may be entitled to legal representation provided by the SANDF's military defence counsel. 'For proceedings in civilian courts, the SANDF's members, guided by the Defence Act, may be provided with legal assistance under certain circumstances, such as when the member's actions were taken in the course of their duties.' She would not say how much her department spent on legal assistance for SANDF members over the past five years. Motshekga, however, indicated that SANDF has received 26 requests for legal assistance at State's expense during the past five years.
Eyewitness News
13-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Motshekga backs Ramaphosa for waiting for dust to settle on Mkhwanazi allegations before addressing nation
Meanwhile, Motshekga, in response to Parliament's portfolio committee chair on defence Dakota Legoete's criticism over a shrinking defence budget, said that Parliament was made aware of the issue because of the department. Last week, Motshekga delivered her department's budget vote, which went from R58 billion in the last fiscus to R57 billion this time around. The minister said that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was operating at 50% and remained at risk."Even giving them the figures of what as Parliament, but what also Cabinet should do and the president is very conscious and aware of the problems. He's tasked Treasury to engage with us to see what it is we can do urgently, but the envelope is tight." READ MORE:• Holomisa warns of escalating domestic threats, wants military to enhance SA's internal security • Motshekga tables defence budget, says dept will do more with 'the little we have'
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga commits to modernising SANDF despite budget constraints
Minister of Defence and Veterans Angie Motshekga says South Africa must build a 'capable, ethical, and developmental state' through a modern, resilient, and combat-ready defence force, even amid tight fiscal conditions. Presenting her Budget Vote speech for the 2025/26 financial year, Minister Motshekga told Parliament that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) remains committed to safeguarding national sovereignty and contributing to peace and stability in the region. Acknowledging the constraints, she said: "In spite of our ongoing financial constraints, which badly affect our planning and operations, we will continue to reprioritise and do more with the little that we have received or which is at our disposal,' Motshekga said. Motshekga confirmed that all 2,250 SANDF troops deployed under Operation Tiber in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have returned home. 'Since the announcement of Summit DRC base withdrawal by our regional body SADC, all 2,250 members are back home,' she said. Motshekga expressed gratitude to neighbouring countries, stating, "I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Rwanda for allowing us a safe passage through their territory into Tanzania, and further wish to thank the Governments of Tanzania, Malawi, and the parties involved in the safe withdrawal of our members." The Department of Defence has been allocated R57.103 billion for 2025/26. Of this, R36 billion (64%) is for compensation of employees. Key allocations include: R2.7 billion for accommodation and municipal services; R2.5 billion for peacekeeping operations; R1.4 billion for transfers to AMSCO; R487 million for SADC contributions; R480 million for repair and maintenance; R300 million for emergency and day-to-day maintenance; and R200 million for border security vehicles and tech. Only R12 billion remains for all other operations.
Eyewitness News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Motshekga says SANDF capable of protecting country despite compromised air force
CAPE TOWN - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has admitted that the country's air force is not at an acceptable standard and has been 'bleeding' aircraft. But she's assured Parliament that this doesn't mean South Africans are 'sitting ducks', telling members that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is more than capable of defending the country from any threat whether in the skies or on land. Motshekga was addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday as part of the peace and security cluster. She says a lack of funding is at the centre of the SANDF's challenges, but they are engaging the National Treasury and the Presidency. Motshekga says this has had a negative impact on the air force, which has several aircraft out of commission. 'We also have a number of planes that have gone for servicing. So, we are struggling with the air force, we are bleeding. However, Motshekga is confident the country can still defend itself against any attack. 'But it doesn't mean that nothing is happening and, therefore, we are sitting ducks as a country, and anybody can walk all over us. No, we are confident that as a defence force, we will be able to protect our people and protect our country. Motshekga says there is progress to address the decline in the defence force, but a lot will depend on future funding.
Eyewitness News
09-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Motshekga tables defence budget, says dept will do more with 'the little we have'
JOHANNESBURG - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has again raised the alarm on how financial constraints continue to affect the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)'s operations and planning. Tabling a budget that's a fraction smaller than the previous financial year, the defence minister said the department continued to do more with little. The R57 billion budget will see more than 60% of funds going to the compensation of employees. ALSO READ: • Holomisa says SANDF not in a fit state to defend the country if it is attacked • All withdrawn SANDF troops home from DRC peacekeeping mission • Motshekga assures Parliament that SANDF capable of defending SA • Motshekga says SANDF capable of protecting country despite compromised air force Motshekga said the budget constraints meant the department had to refocus and look at its priorities closely. She said the key to the reprioritisation was a "soldier first" ethos or mindset that puts soldiers' needs at the centre. "In spite of our ongoing financial constraints, which badly affect our planning and operations, we will continue to reprioritise and do more with the little we have at our disposal." She said a huge chunk of the budget goes to employees, leaving just a small portion for other constitutional functions. "R200 million for the procurement of vehicles and technology for border safeguarding, leaving only R12 billion for the defence force to meet its constitutional mandate." Motshekga also said that efforts were underway to rejuvenate the SANDF's human resource profile while modernising and maintaining equipment.
