Chairperson, we must face the fact that the Defence Force has effectively been placed beyond proper scrutiny and oversight by Parliament.
We do not know anything about the Defence Force's combat readiness because Parliament has never been briefed on the effects of the R12,5 billion spent on force employment since 2009-10.
We do not know anything about the Defence Force's acquisition programme, because Parliament has never been briefed on the R3,5 billion spent on capital acquisition projects since 2009-10.
We do not know anything about the Defence Force's special defence account because Parliament has never been briefed on the R27,3 billion channelled through the special defence account since 2009-10.
The fact is that we know very little about how and to what effect public funds are being spent by the Defence Force. We will therefore be calling for a division to demonstrate our strong opposition to the fact that the Defence Force has effectively been turned into a state within a state, beyond proper scrutiny and oversight by Parliament. We will not and, indeed, we cannot support the budget for the Defence and Military Veterans. I sincerely hope that Gwede Mantashe is not upset that the Minister has evidently been upset by this declaration. [Interjections.] Thank you.