21/05/2026
𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟯+𝟮𝟲: 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 (𝗦𝗡 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗣)
The ACDP rises in this budget vote, fully cognisant of the severe financial constraints facing the SANDF, and this is nothing new. We have lamented this for many, many years.
Yet our voices and those of the Defence Force, the officers that are here, their cause have largely fallen on deaf ears. And yes, we need to address irregular and wasteful expenditure, but the SANDF's operational condition is now critical. The Navy operates one of four frigates, and yes, it was excellent to see SAS Amatola travelling internationally.
One of three submarines, the Air Force keeps only a handful of Gripen fighters and Oryx helicopters, while most of the C-130 transport aircraft are grounded. The Army's infantry combat vehicles and trucks, many of which are over 30 years old, have poor operational rates. Yet in the midst of this picture, the SANDF is expected to fulfil its constitutional mandate, protecting the sovereignty of the country, being deployed on peace missions, and now more recently, assisting in flood-ravaged areas, assisting the police in fighting crime and gangsterism, illegal mining, and patrolling porous borders.
And this they do despite severe financial constraints. And we, as the ACDP, salute the men in uniform. But at the end of the day, we as Parliament continue to wring our hands when we have the power to pass the budget.
It is shameful that men and women in uniform are expected to offer the supreme sacrifice when we are not given sufficient budgets. And their response when they're called upon by the Commander-in-Chief is, ours is not to question why, ours is just to do or die. Yet there is a glimmer of hope, and the ACDP welcomes, Honourable Minister, the long-awaited Cabinet's approval of the Journey to Greatness.
This long-term planning strategy is to modernise, rebuild, and reform the Defence Force. In our view, a professional, well-resourced, and combat-ready Defence Force is not a lack to have, it is an essential. And it is critical for the success of this strategy that sufficient funding is made available.
The challenge is that this is a 30-year strategy. And it can't be like the 2015 Defence Review that was drafted but just gathered dust. We cannot fail our Defence Force members in this regard, and urgent additional funding is necessary.
Lastly, I would like to thank all members and support staff of the Defence Force on behalf of the ACDP. Those under extremely difficult conditions are expected to make the supreme sacrifice in battle. We cannot fail them.
We cannot fail our men and women in uniform. And let us look to ensure that they are sufficiently resourced and that those resources are properly spent.
-Ends-
Hon. Steve Swart, MP
ACDP Parliamentary Whip
