Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has confirmed that the deteriorating condition of South Africa’s defence force has the full attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national Cabinet.
Addressing Parliament’s Joint Defence Committee during a briefing by Armscor—her department’s procurement agency—Motshekga acknowledged that the issue is not only serious but is being treated as a national crisis.
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“We are aware that we are in real trouble and are constantly engaging the President, because he is also worried,” she stated. “Cabinet is seized with the matter and sees this as a crisis.”
Air Force Maintenance Suffers as Budget Gaps Widen
The urgency of the situation was stated by Armscor’s report to Parliament, which revealed a staggering R7.7 billion shortfall in maintenance funding for the South African Air Force.
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This deficit severely hampers operational readiness and the ability to maintain critical defence infrastructure.
While the briefing focused on air force and navy capabilities, the underlying concern runs deeper.
Defence Department Commits to Action Amid Mounting Challenges
Despite the alarming financial shortfall and systemic issues facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Motshekga reassured MPs that the matter is receiving focused, high-level attention.
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The defence ministry is actively engaging with the Presidency to develop solutions and stabilize military operations.
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With mounting pressure on defence capabilities, particularly in the air and maritime sectors, both Parliament and the executive are expected to intensify oversight and intervention efforts.
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