Lazy MPs losing war to save the defence force, says DA

In a stinging attack, DA defence spokesman David Maynier yesterday slammed the lack of movement by the joint standing committee on defence on the multimillion-rand defence review, which was tabled before parliament in July.

He said that according to the review, the defence force was "in a critical state of decline, characterised by...unaffordability of many of its main operating systems; an inability to meet current standing defence commitments; and the lack of critical mobility".

The review, he said, found that even with an immediate intervention, it could take up to five years to arrest the decline and another five to develop a limited and sustainable defence capability.

"The review is the top priority of the joint standing committee on defence. But in the past six months, the committee has scheduled only one meeting on the review."

Maynier said the parliamentary programme framework specifically provided time for committee meetings over the next two weeks.

"These meetings are for committees such as the joint standing committee on defence to meet and conduct oversight visits." But, he said, not a single meeting had been scheduled.

Maynier called for urgent meetings to discuss:

The defence force's preparedness;

Downsizing and rightsizing in the defence force;

Acquisition priorities; and

Affordability of the review's proposals.

He said the situation was a disgrace, with the defence force being "held hostage by lazy and disinterested parliament members serving on the joint standing committee on defence".

Portfolio committee chairman Malusi Motimele disputed Maynier's accusations.

"Since its establishment [in October], the committee has had three interactions on the defence review."