By Akani Nkuna
ActionSA has raised concerns over Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga’s travel spending, after she and her deputies racked up R20.2 million in travel expenses since taking office under the Government of National Unity (GNU).
ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni accused the minister of globe-trotting to countries such as Turkey, Japan, and Vietnam, among others, without providing any justification or benefit to the Defence Ministry.
“While minister sip champagne in foreign capitals, the state of our armed forces is deteriorating, left under-resourced, and most disgracefully, 14 of our soldiers were left dead in the DRC, while those who have returned have been underpaid their respective danger and related allowances,” said Ngobeni on Monday.
These revelations came in the department’s response to parliamentary questions posed by Ngobeni in May, which further showed that R4.9 million was spent on car hire, R5.5 million on domestic travel, and R3 million on luxury accommodation.
Ngobeni argued that, given the chronic underfunding of the Defence Ministry, such excessive spending adds insult to injury and undermines the efforts of soldiers who risk their lives despite being under-resourced.
“This is the portrait of a government that gorges itself on luxury while soldiers who put their lives on the line are denied even the most basic support, and our defence force limps along facing a funding crisis, no doubt exacerbated by the widespread waste illustrated by this obscene travel,” she added.
ActionSA said that this inflated spending by the ministers vindicates the party for its proposed Enhanced Cut Cabinet Bill which seeks to cut-down on luxurious perks enjoyed by the executive, which it argues does not really benefit South Africans.
Additionally, the Bill also seeks to ensure proper oversight of the Ministerial handbook. Ngobeni adds that the 2nd Constitutional Amendment Bill to abolish the position of deputy minister entirely ought to be urgently implemented, saying that billions of rands would be saved as a result.
“Together, these reforms would save the country R1.5 billion annually by cutting this bloated, self-indulgent executive down to size. We must focus on building a truly capable defence force that is properly resourced, well-trained and able to serve and protect South Africa both at home and abroad,” said Ngobeni.
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