Despite the constrained fiscal environment, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) continues to demonstrate that it is ready, willing and able to respond to international, regional and internal threats.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said this when he fielded oral questions from Members of Parliament in the National Assembly during a hybrid question and answer session on Thursday.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that the SANDF has participated in various peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations, African Union, and Southern African Development Community.
He noted that the SANDF played a critical role in responding to the catastrophic flooding that struck KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022.
“Through Operation Chariot, which is a standing contingency operation for support to other government departments for disaster management and humanitarian relief, the SANDF undertook search and rescue operations, transported relief material and equipment, and assisted with the repair and rehabilitation of roads and bridges.
“We should expect that the country will continue to experience extreme weather events due to climate change, and that the SANDF will be called upon to assist in responding to any disasters that may arise.
“We can all agree that we would want the SANDF, as with all critical components of the state, to have more resources. The Defence Force has nevertheless shown itself capable of responding effectively when called upon to do so,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said the constrained fiscal environment has required that the SANDF prioritise its activities to optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of all aspects of the defence organisation.
Based on an extensive analysis, he said, the SANDF has developed a plan that is known within the Department of Defence as the “Journey to Greatness”.
“In terms of this plan, the disaster management capability of the SANDF will form part of the greater rapid deployment capability. This capability consists of land, air, maritime and military health forces with dedicated specialist and supporting elements capable of being deployed for a wide range of missions at short notice,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
