South Africa’s defence force is facing a deepening financial crisis. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says the department is projecting a R3.3 billion overspend on employee compensation this year, following an estimated R3 billion overspend in the previous financial year. The shortfall could rise to R4 billion in 2027/28 and R4.6 billion in 2028/29 if nothing changes.
Years of underfunding are putting pressure on the SANDF’s equipment, infrastructure, recruitment and operational capability. Government is considering early retirement, incentives to leave and tighter recruitment, but the Defence Ministry says these measures cannot solve the underlying funding crisis.
So the big question is; Is South Africa’s defence force being starved of the money it needs to function? And what happens to national security if the funding gap keeps growing?
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Eating the money.