The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, must provide a full and comprehensive explanation for the reported resignations of the Secretary of Defence, Mpumi Mpofu, and the Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), General Carlo Gagiano.

The reasons for their resignations remain murky and have reportedly been linked to several factors, including:

• mechanical problems on aircraft chartered by the Department of Defence which compromised an official visit to Finland by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe;
• two pilots responsible for flying President Jacob Zuma to the United States were found to have been involved in the failed 2004 coup in Equatorial Guinea; and
• the failed procurement of two Embraer Linaege 1000 VIP jets, at the cost of more than R800million, for the SAAF.

The resignations create a serious leadership vacuum at a time when the defence force has begun a defence review to reset its mandate capabilities and funding.

The Minister cannot allow the speculation to continue and must provide a full and comprehensive explanation.

I will therefore write to Jerome Maake, Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, to schedule a meeting with Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, in order for her to explain:

• why the Secretary of Defence, Mpumi Mpofo and Chief of the SAAF, General Carlo Gagiano, resigned; and
• what is being done to resolve the chaos in the SAAF’s VIP squadron.

The fact is that we cannot afford a wobble in its leadership in the midst of the defence review.