Defence Minister Angie Motshekga commits to modernising SANDF despite budget constraints
Presenting her Budget Vote speech for the 2025/26 financial year, Minister Motshekga told Parliament that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) remains committed to safeguarding national sovereignty and contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Acknowledging the constraints, she said: "In spite of our ongoing financial constraints, which badly affect our planning and operations, we will continue to reprioritise and do more with the little that we have received or which is at our disposal,' Motshekga said.
Motshekga confirmed that all 2,250 SANDF troops deployed under Operation Tiber in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have returned home.
'Since the announcement of Summit DRC base withdrawal by our regional body SADC, all 2,250 members are back home,' she said.
Motshekga expressed gratitude to neighbouring countries, stating, "I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Rwanda for allowing us a safe passage through their territory into Tanzania, and further wish to thank the Governments of Tanzania, Malawi, and the parties involved in the safe withdrawal of our members."
The Department of Defence has been allocated R57.103 billion for 2025/26. Of this, R36 billion (64%) is for compensation of employees. Key allocations include: R2.7 billion for accommodation and municipal services; R2.5 billion for peacekeeping operations; R1.4 billion for transfers to AMSCO; R487 million for SADC contributions; R480 million for repair and maintenance; R300 million for emergency and day-to-day maintenance; and R200 million for border security vehicles and tech. Only R12 billion remains for all other operations.
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