ActionSA has accused Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga of extravagant spending on official travel while South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers remain under-resourced and vulnerable in dangerous missions.
This criticism follows the tragic death of 13 SANDF peacekeeping soldiers over the weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Nine of the soldiers were killed while defending the city of Goma against attacks by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
A recent report also highlighted the SANDF’s inadequate equipment and lack of resources in the volatile region, further compounding the crisis.
ActionSA’s parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, condemned the situation, stating, “It is unacceptable that our men and women in uniform, sent to the frontlines of a foreign conflict, are denied basic necessities to protect themselves while the minister indulges in costly travel. This is not just negligence – it is a betrayal of duty.”
Ngobeni emphasized that the ongoing mismanagement and underfunding of the SANDF compromise the country’s national security and undermine the morale of its soldiers. ActionSA is calling for accountability and immediate reforms to ensure the safety and proper resourcing of South Africa’s military personnel.
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