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Defence Minister Motshekga assures SANDF's capability despite budget constraints

Defence Minister Motshekga assures SANDF's capability despite budget constraints

IOL News26-06-2025
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has reaffirmed the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)'s readiness to defend the country's sovereignty despite ongoing fiscal constraints and ageing equipment, insisting that South Africa's skies, seas, and land remain secure.
Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Motshekga said the 2015 Defence Review remains the key guiding document for defence policy and planning, even though it has not been fully implemented due to declining funding.
'We are very confident as a defence force that we will be able to protect our territorial integrity,' she said.
'I want to repeat what I've said before, that in terms of our current needs as a country, our sea, our skies, and our land, we are confident as the department that we will be able to defend our country.
''Though, as I said, we could do with more if the budget situation changes, but for now I can promise you that if there are floods, we are there to be able to help. If there's snow, we are there to help. If there's a crisis, we can help. Even being able to participate in other defence activities outside our country, we're capable of doing that despite the current budget challenges that we have as a department.''
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MINISTER MOTSHEKGA, SANDF OWE SOUTH AFRICANS AN APOLOGY

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