Angie Motshekga tables R57.6bn budget

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]The defense department has long been in a state of decline due to underfunding.

[00:00:06]Under ideal conditions, the department is meant to receive a budget of 1.5% of GDP, but it is currently receiving just under half of that. The border control project will receive 557 million to respond to criminal value chains and syndicates, illicit financial flows, and unauthorized movements. Porous borders do not only compromise the territorial integrity of the state, but it lays a fertile ground for the emergency for the emergence of several other national security threats, including threats to the economic well-being of the Republic, as well as a discord between the citizens and foreign nationals.

[00:00:50]The bulk of the budget goes towards employee costs. The South African Army will receive 2.5 billion for capital projects and repairs. The South African Air Force gets 2.7 billion, while the South African Navy gets under 2 billion.

[00:01:09]We have lots of challenges in the department. Our aging and unserviceable fleet of patrol and support vehicles constrains the mobility and endurance.

[00:01:18]We also have challenges with a short infrastructure forecast, which infrastructure shortfalls which remain acute. The South African Air Force provides essential support not only to border area safeguarding, but also to disaster aid relief, search and rescue, reconnaissance, and rapid development.

[00:01:40]Helicopter numbers and serviceability are inadequate as we speak to sustain rapid response across domestic and national security tasks. Radar and air traffic controls infrastructure also need more resourcing and upgrading. I can also >> [laughter] >> refer to the dockyard that we have challenges which have reached a very critical point. Essential equipment and port infrastructure continue to deteriorate and need to be repaired or replaced.

[00:02:08]Changes in the global maritime routes due to conflicts in the Middle East also means South Africa must be vigilant.

[00:02:17]We are also a maritime and trading nation. We are thus affected by and must respond to global economic and security dynamics prevalent across the world whilst also focusing on our own homeland security.

[00:02:30]The Cape Sea route as a shipping as a shipping route has assumed global significance as the route to transport economic goods between nations of the world. Increasingly, maritime traffic along the Cape route has heightened both security and economic risk and underscores the need to be comprehensive in in in terms of our national maritime security strategy.

[00:02:53]Underfunding the defense portfolio remains a concern to political parties.

[00:02:59]Emphasize the critical role the SANDF plays in supporting internal stability operations against gangsterism and illegal mining syndicates. These deployments have helped restore hope in affected communities and must be adequately supported to ensure continued effectiveness. For this reason, sustainable and predictable defense funding remains critically important. We cannot continue expecting the SANDF to expand operational responsibilities without ensuring that maintenance capability, infrastructure investment, and institutional support remain sustainable over the long term. Defense intelligence receives a minimal increase of only 0.29%.

[00:03:36]This is strategic blindness in the era of cyber warfare.

[00:03:41]South Africa faces no conventional land invasion. Our real threats are smuggling, trafficking, illegal mining, cyber attacks, and maritime crime. Yet, the landward defense program consumes the largest share of the budget while remaining the least modernized.

[00:03:59]The defense review 2015 warned explicitly that defense capabilities were were already in critical decline and required a funded recovery path.

[00:04:09]Cabinet approved it. Parliament accepted it. Then government and the SANDF simply ignored it.

[00:04:15]11 years later, we are still paying the price.

[00:04:18]Air Force cannot fly properly.

[00:04:21]The Navy cannot sail properly. Army cannot deploy properly. Military help is under severe strain. Border safeguarding is underfunded and failing.

[00:04:31]South Africa now has a defense force increasingly unable to safeguard our sovereignty.

[00:04:38]Defense spending remains stuck at a pathetic 0.7% of GDP. This is not austerity. This is national suicide dressed up as fiscal prudence.

[00:04:51]The SANDF is in the throes of collapse.

[00:04:54]8 billion rand in maintenance backlogs, unfunded capabilities across air, sea, and land. And yet more unauthorized expenditure looming on compensation of employees.

[00:05:08]Meanwhile, 150 million has been earmarked for the army to support the November 4 local government elections.

[00:05:18]Tulelani Philip, SABC News, Parliament.