Date: 09/09/2003
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: Lekota: Parliamentary Media Briefing, September 2003


PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA BRIEFING BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MOSIUOA LEKOTA, MP, 9 September 2003

1. Transformation

The process of transformation is ongoing and unity of the SANDF is being consolidated.

1.1. We are striving to achieve representivity at all levels of the SANDF both in terms of race and gender.

Our baseline target is 65% African, 10% coloured, 0.75% Indian and 24% white.

As at March 2003 we have 62% African, 12% Coloured, 1% Asian and 25% white.

As at March 2003, 85% of the force is male and 15% is female.

The baseline target for the employment of disabled persons is 2% but because of downsizing this is not viable. (At present DOD employs 446 disabled persons. To achieve target of 2% we would need to employ 1400 disabled persons.)

1.2. Transformation is reflected in our training programmes wherein we are striving to train all persons in order that they may take their place in the command structures of the SANDF.

To combat inferior education and in order for young people to realise their potential we embarked on the Foundation Training Programme. This has proved very successful. Of the 372 learners who have participated in the programme so far, 89% have been taken up into the DOD into the various specialised highly technical and specialised occupations.

1.3. We are also looking at the transformation of the military justice system. At the moment we have a situation where the judiciary, prosecution and the defence fall within one section and are under the supervision and control of one person. The perceptions are that there is no fair justice system within the military. The independence of the judiciary is under examination.

We are also looking at the type of punishment codes we inherited. These must be in line with the fundamental provisions of our national constitution. And, they must be aligned with the human rights culture of our present dispensation.

The grievance system is also constantly under scrutiny.

2. EXTERNAL DEPLOYMENTS

The SANDF is now well positioned to fulfil its new role in terms of regional peace and security. In line with our foreign policy directives and in support of diplomacy, we are playing a peacekeeping role in both Burundi and the DRC. We also have an observer mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

This has necessitated a re-orientation in our training (which is now increasingly focussed on peacekeeping operations) and a procurement programme also based on our peacekeeping requirements.

The present size and budget of the DOD will not allow us to extend much further afield. If there is a need for further peacekeeping involvement, both the budget and the size of the SANDF will have to be reviewed. This is at present under discussion by both the Department and the Portfolio Committee.

The SADC Mutual Defence Pact was signed at the Heads of State last month.

The decision to create a Peace and Security Committee as a sub-committee of the African Union will necessitate input from DOD both in terms of personnel and expertise.

Discussions on the creation of an African Standby Force are ongoing and the Chiefs of Armed Forces will be meeting in November to make recommendations.

3. INTERNAL DEPLOYMENTS

We are phasing out our internal involvement in order to release DOD personnel for the work for which they are trained.

There will be no vacuum or danger for the internal security of the country since our withdrawal will be planned over a 6-year period.

We will always be available to give help whenever we are asked to do so.

Issued by Ministry of Defence
9 September 2003