South Africa’s Defence Force Under Strain: Committee Raises Alarm
What the Standing Committee on Appropriations Found
The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations warned that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is being asked to do more than its budget allows. Deployments such as Operation Prosper—where the army assists police—are funded on paper, but the money never reaches the troops. As a result, the SANDF has to dip into its own budget to cover these extra tasks.
Impact on Core Military Duties
When the army uses its own funds to support policing, other essential activities suffer. Maintenance of vehicles, weapons, and equipment gets delayed, and regular training exercises are cut back. Committee chairperson Dr Mmusi Maimane explained that this creates a cycle where the force cannot properly fulfil its constitutional role.
Years of Underinvestment
The problem is not new. Defence spending has lagged for years, leading to a shrinking workforce. Personnel numbers have dropped from over 86,000 in 2016 to fewer today. With fewer soldiers and outdated gear, the army struggles to keep up with both domestic and international responsibilities.
Infrastructure and Technology Gaps
Many barracks and bases are in poor condition, with leaking roofs, broken plumbing, and unreliable power supplies. At the same time, modern warfare increasingly relies on drones, cyber tools, and advanced intelligence systems—areas where the SANDF still lags behind.
Personnel Renewal and Local Production
The force is also ageing, meaning many experienced soldiers are nearing retirement without enough younger recruits to replace them. A retirement incentive programme has been introduced, but its full effect has yet to be felt. Additionally, South Africa needs to boost its ability to produce ammunition and other supplies locally to reduce reliance on imports.
Government Promises vs. Reality
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to raise defence spending to about 1.5 % of GDP, but the Defence Department continues to face budget pressures. The committee insists that any money earmarked for specific operations must be transferred directly to the army; otherwise, the force will keep using its own limited resources to cover gaps.
Addressing Waste and Corruption
Dr Maimane also highlighted concerns about wasteful spending and corruption within the defence sector. Recovering lost funds could help recapacitate the SANDF, improving both readiness and morale.
Looking Ahead
The Standing Committee will keep monitoring the National Treasury and the defence budget through the medium‑term expenditure framework. Its central question remains: does South Africa truly want a military capable of meeting its constitutional duties, or will it continue to ask the army to do more with less?
Conclusion
The SANDF is at a crossroads. Without proper funding, modern equipment, and a renewed personnel pipeline, the army’s ability to protect the nation and support peacekeeping missions will remain compromised. Decision‑makers must now choose whether to invest adequately in the defence force or accept a weakened military that cannot fulfil its mandate.
