Pretoria - Cabinet has approved the tabling of the report of an Interim National Defence Force Commission set up to investigate among others conditions in the army.
At a briefing on Thursday, Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the report had been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament, Max Sisulu. Parliament will then have an opportunity to read the recommendations made in the report.
The recommendations made by the Commission broadly fall into four categories, including those that require Cabinet approval such as budgetary considerations and executive responsibilities that need to migrate from one department to another.
"The bulk of the recommendations in the report derive from our budget shortfall. I am referring here to salaries, health support, transport, allowances, the general conditions of service and material provisions which would improve the quality of life of our armed forces, but which we have been unable to adequately provide," she said.
The main findings of the report, which the minister acknowledged were "scathing", include the process of integration and transformation, which remains a serious challenge; the rearrangement of the organisational structure, culture, ideology and the ranking in the defence force; the morale of the defence force which has led to an outflow of expertise over the last few years and the disturbing living and working conditions at some of the barracks.
"I am happy to report that many of these disturbing issues on which we have reported have been attended to whilst others are receiving urgent and ongoing attention," said Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, Acting Chairperson of the Commission.
He said government, business and the populace at large will need to think differently about the funding requirements of the defence force.
"Creative ways will need to be considered to ensure that the necessary fundamentals for the kind of defence force this country needs and deserves- a defence at the service of humanity, but which is also a part of the development strategy for young South Africans, is effectively sustained."
There has been much controversy surrounding the release of the report, with some saying the minister was hiding "a ticking bomb" in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
She said the report will be made public soon after parliamentary processes have been followed. This is the first comprehensive review of the defence force in 16 years and it offered insight into what works and what doesn't.
The interim commission was appointed on September 2009, to advise on establishing a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission and a special dispensation for the conditions of service of members of the SANDF.
Its brief was to advise and make recommendations on a unique service dispensation outside the ambit of the public service.
Further, it was tasked to advise on the regulatory framework for this, and to investigate and provide advice on the remuneration and conditions of service of the SANDF.
The interim commission was asked to deal with these matters both in the short-term and the long-term.
The interim commission included Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Lebotsang Ronnie Bosielo, and included United Democratic Movement leader and retired general Bantu Holomisa, and Pieter Groenewald of the Freedom Front Plus, a veteran member of the Assembly's defence committee, among others.
