Parliament
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. File photo: Supplied by Parliament
Durban – The country’s air force bases, some considered National Key Points, are in a “dire state of neglect” and pose security risks due to damaged security fences.
The weaknesses at the air force bases and at the state arms manufacturer Armscor are highlighted in a report by the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans after oversight inspections at the Langebaanweg, Hoedspruit, Makhado, Durban and Bloemspruit air force bases.
Vehicles and equipment belonging to the South African Air Force (SAAF) also stand the risk of being stolen because of lax security with long delays and backlogs in the auctioning and disposing of vehicles, according to the report.
The committee also expressed its dissatisfaction at the level of security at Armscor facilities, given the strategic nature of the state arms manufacturer’s work. The committee agreed that Armscor security measures should be on a par with security arrangements at National Key Points.
The report also notes numerous allegations of misconduct, abuse of power and unfair appointment procedures at the country’s bases.
Parliament will now make a call to Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to intervene and bring the facilities back to acceptable levels.
The inspections took place between January and February this year.
MPs however didn’t inspect the Waterkloof Air Force Base, the defence force’s busiest air base, which was catapulted into the news following the landing of the Gupta family wedding guests two weeks ago.
“The committee is shocked at the state of facilities of SAAF bases visited and is concerned about the relationship between the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and Department of Public Works. Greater clarity is needed regarding the nature of, and challenges to, the implementation of a service level agreement between the departments, given the complaints regarding poor facilities,” read the report.
On the Langebaanweg Air Force Base located near Langebaan in the Western Cape – the air force’s primary flying training base – the committee said the base required extensive repairs and renovation which would cost millions.
“To adequately upgrade facilities, an estimated budget of R110 million is required. An amount of R4.5m is needed for daily maintenance.
“While the committee acknowledged the need for renovations, it was less than satisfied with the shabby and unclean condition of the facilities,” read the report.
The Hoedspruit base in Mpumalanga has similar problems with collapsing infrastructure and derelict buildings.
Committee chairman Malusi Motimele told The Mercury the matters raised in their report were of serious concern.
“It will now be referred to Parliament,” Motimele said.
Political Bureau
