Latest news with #Motshekga
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Why South Africa can't defend itself anymore
From a mighty force to near irrelevance, SA's defence capabilities have decayed. The country is now vulnerable, with no real ability to respond to African conflicts. This is a war game scenario which could not exist in South Africa today but, in the mid-'90s, as the country transitioned to democracy, it would have been one of many discussed by officers of the SA Defence Force (SADF), soon to become the SANDF (SA National Defence Force). A force of rebels has taken over the eastern parts of mineral-rich Zaire – now know as the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC – has killed civilians and is now laying siege to the town of Kisangani. The government in Kinshasa sends out an urgent appeal for help to Pretoria. Putting boots on the ground would take weeks and would be politically risky, especially if SA troops were to start coming home in body bags. There is an alternative: send in the South African Air Force (SAAF). So a flight of Cheetah D multirole fighters – a version of the French Mirage developed locally with help of the Israelis – is scrambled in the early hours of the morning from the SAAF main base in Waterkloof, Pretoria, loaded up with sophisticated air-toground missiles and cannons. As the sun peeps over the horizon in central Zambia, the Cheetahs link up with their airborne tanker, a converted Boeing 707 airliner also used by the SAAF as an airborne warning and control system. ALSO READ: What is taking so long? Why SANDF troops can't get a lift home Not long after refuelling, the SAAF jets move into their strike profile, hitting rebel units and decimating them, saving the government in Kinshasa. At that time, the SAAF, and the broader SADF, which knew it was about to get new political masters, realised the critical role in peacekeeping and peace enforcement which could be played by South African armed forces, at that time still the strongest and most experienced in Africa. It was a vision which would gel with that of our second president, Thabo Mbeki, who believed this country could be the engine of an 'African Renaissance' and the continent's unbiased referee for internal conflicts. At that time, it was a dream which could well have come true. The SADF and, later, SANDF were well able to deal with any threat on the continent – and even in our territorial waters…. as a SA Navy Daphne-class submarine proved by 'sinking' one of the US Navy's most sophisticated guided-missile destroyers in an exercise off Cape Point. It didn't take long for the incoming government to get cosy with the already corrupt European arms industry, so we sowed up an arms deal which cost us more than R100 billion and equipped us with state-of-the-art systems like Swedish-made Gripen supersonic fighters and German frigates and submarines. ALSO READ: Frustration as Motshekga in Russia while SANDF begins DRC withdrawal These systems, good as they were, required maintenance and updating and the ANC government progressively reduced defence spending to the point where it is today. The Gripen fighters – the handful still flying – are only used for shows, while the subs are often beached in dry dock. Even the most sympathetic analysts would agree that our military would be comparatively easy pickings for a number of African armies and air forces – from Nigeria to Rwanda and even Zambia and Zimbabwe – who actually have newer equipment than we do. And it is operational. Our recent poor showing in the DRC, when our troops were humbled by M23 rebels, shows the extent of the slide. Not only can we not dream about being Africa's peacemaker, we cannot realistically guarantee the sanctity of our soil, airspace or territorial waters. NOW READ: How topless car thieves met their match against SANDF officer in pyjamas and slippers
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
African countries must work together for peace: Defence Minister Motshekga
JOHANNESBURG - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said it was important for African countries to work together to bring peace to war-torn countries on the continent. She reiterated the call to foster stability in conflict-ridden regions during the annual global commemoration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in De Brug Army Base in Bloemfontein on Thursday. All the fallen soldiers who fought in peacekeeping missions since 1948 were honoured in a wreath-laying ceremony globally. The country has also honoured the 14 soldiers who recently died in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "And as Africa, we are the epicentre of instability in the world. And so it's for us as Africans to work together to stabilise our problems for the sake of our children and for the sake of our future. And everybody has a responsibility to make sure that we don't become this continent with all its wealth that becomes this epicentre of which we are," said Motshekga.
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Military Veterans mess — committee wants ‘dysfunctional department' placed under administration
The parliamentary defence and military veterans committee will ask President Cyril Ramaphosa and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to place the department under administration for alleged incompetence and leadership problems. The parliamentary defence and military veterans committee plans to ask President Cyril Ramaphosa and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to place the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) under administration for incompetence and lack of leadership. This follows a committee meeting on Wednesday, 14 May, when MPs highlighted the protracted extension of the acting director-general's contract, several key vacancies and the department's broken organogram. It was ultimately committee chairperson Dakota Legoete who told MPs that the committee would write to Ramaphosa, Motshegka and the National Assembly leadership 'so that it's known that we are placing this department under administration for incompetence and insubordination'. Committee members did not explain how placing the department under administration would work. Motshekga's spokesperson Onnica Kwakwa said: 'The Minister is not aware of the calls for the DMV to be put under administration as she was not at the meeting today.' He said Motshekga was on government business, attending the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Berlin. 'The minister is on record as acknowledging the difficulties faced by the DMV. These were tabled both in the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans, as well as Scopa. There are a number of interventions in place to attend to the situation, including filling … vacant posts at senior management level and tightening internal controls to deal with improving audit and other challenges … that also include ensuring military veterans access their benefits seamlessly.' At Wednesday's meeting, a troubling picture of key vacancies emerged. The department lacks a deputy director, director of internal audit and director of legal services, among other positions. MPs also suggested the Department of Public Service and Administration should step in to fix the department's organogram. This isn't the first time issues at the DMV have been raised. In February, Motshegka told parliamentarians that when she took over the department in mid-2024, she found a 'wrecked ship'. Motshekga told Parliament: 'For many years, it has been operating under a very poor structure, an incapacitated department… We have a situation where the entire senior management is absent… Then we have the … entire staff which sometimes is not fit for purpose.' She also said there had been political interference when it came to implementing consequence management. Military Veterans is one of the few government departments that received less than R1-billion during the 2024 budget period. During the meeting, MP Carl Niehaus (Economic Freedom Fighters) first raised the issue of placing the department under administration. Niehaus called for acting director-general Nontobeko Mafu to be immediately suspended after reports of irregularities. She has been acting in the role for a year, beyond the legally allowed six months. Niehaus claimed to have sent a 16-page document to Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Richard Mkhungo, which laid out several issues involving Mafu. He said he would send the document to fellow MPs. Niehaus said, 'This department is hanging, but the problem is it is hanging all the military veterans who do not deserve to be treated like this.' Daily Maverick has reported extensively on the plight of military veterans. Niehaus said placing the department under administration was the only way 'we're going to see this mess that has been presented to us again today being corrected'. Mkhungo told the committee that the director-general position had been advertised, but the vacancy had not yet been filled, although a shortlist of candidates had been established. Mafu would act in the role until a permanent director-general was appointed. Chris Hattingh (Democratic Alliance) questioned whether the closing date for applications was 20 December 2024, as about 144 days had since passed. 'If this was a company, the board would have fired the executive,' he said. Windy Plaatjies (African National Congress) said the DMV needed to look outside for an appointment and suggested asking for a secondment from another department to find someone who could fix the mess. Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa (the portfolio has two deputy ministers) suggested taking up the issue with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who chairs the Cabinet committee on justice, crime prevention and security. DM
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Motshekga a no-show in Parly to brief defence committee on DRC troops withdrawal
CAPE TOWN - Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga was a no-show in Parliament on Friday to brief the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the withdrawal of troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She's currently in Russia attending Victory Day celebrations. Although Motshekga sent the committee an apology and delegated her deputy, Bantu Holomisa, to answer members of Parliament (MPs) questions, the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Nicholas Gotsell said Motshekga's absence is unacceptable. ALSO READ: - Motshekga can expect grilling in Parly over SANDF deployment in DRC - DA - SANDF begins second phase of withdrawing troops from DRC On Sunday, Motshekga held a public media briefing on the end of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC, following the body's announcement of the withdrawal of troops. Russian media channel Sputnik showed Motshekga being greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other dignitaries, ahead of Friday's military parades in Moscow. Registering his objection to her absence from Parliament, DA MP Nicholas Gotsell said this meeting was scheduled weeks ago, and Motshekga's apology appeared last minute. 'I don't think a celebration in Russia is not important at all, especially given the agenda items today, and I would like to record my dissatisfaction with the minister not being here.' But co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba has come out in Motshekga's defence, saying her deployment to Russia was at the president's behest. 'It could just not be a celebration. There are diplomatic relations involved between countries, and I think we need to respect that.' Gigaba said it could be that Motshekga is also expected to discuss issues related to Russia's war in Ukraine following the recent visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa. The meeting is now continuing, with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chiefs briefing MPs on the withdrawal operation.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's participation in Moscow's Victory Day celebrations highlights diplomatic ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, shakes hands with WWII veterans as Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, centre left, salutes after the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow. Picture: Pavel Golovkin South African National Defence Force delegation joins global leaders at Moscow's Victory Day commemorations Image: IOL / Independent Newspapers The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) delegation is among representatives from more than 23 countries attending the historic Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Russia. This event marks the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, celebrated annually on May 9 in Russia and several other former Soviet states. The day honours the sacrifices made during the war and commemorates the defeat of fascism, symbolising resilience and international solidarity. Background on Victory Day Victory Day, observed since 1945, is a significant national holiday in Russia and other former Soviet Union countries. It features military parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, and commemorative events to honour the millions of lives lost during the war. Moscow's celebrations are particularly prominent, attracting leaders and dignitaries from around the world. They emphasise Russia's historical role in defeating fascism and fostering diplomatic ties. South Africa's Representation in Moscow On Friday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that South Africa was represented at the event. Clayson Monyela, head of Public Diplomacy for the department, stated, 'We attend every year without fail,' emphasising South Africa's consistent presence at the celebrations. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga led the delegation representing the South African government at this critical event. Sputnik Africa, citing South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, reported the minister's participation. Additionally, the department's spokesperson, Chrispin Priri, confirmed South Africa's presence, highlighting the country's ongoing diplomatic engagement with Russia. International and Local Reactions Earlier, several countries' leaders accepted invitations to participate. Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traoré to attend the festivities. Similarly, Angolan President João Lourenço was also invited to participate in the Moscow parade on May 9. Back home, Minister Motshekga was scheduled to address the Joint Standing Committee on Defence regarding the withdrawal of South African troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised her for sending her deputy to answer parliamentary questions rather than attending the session herself. On Sunday, Motshekga held a media briefing on the conclusion of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC, following the announced troop withdrawal. 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 ✕ Diplomatic and Political Reactions Russian media outlet Sputnik shared images of Motshekga being greeted by President Vladimir Putin and other dignitaries ahead of the military parade. These visuals underscored her official diplomatic role at the event. Meanwhile, DA MP Nicholas Gotsell expressed dissatisfaction with Motshekga's absence from Parliament, stating: 'This meeting was scheduled weeks ago, and her last-minute apology is disappointing. 'I don't believe that participating in a celebration in Russia is not important, especially given today's agenda items.' In her defence, co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba argued that Motshekga's deployment was at the president's behest. 'Diplomatic relations are involved between countries, and we must respect that.' Gigaba also suggested that Motshekga might discuss issues related to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, especially following recent visits by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa.
