Madam Chair, the National Defence Force has admittedly improved with regard to certain issues; one of them being the improvement of the SANDF and the recent and effective deployment of it during the public service strike in order to maintain peace and order.

However, the department's approach to ensure an increase in the funding of the presidential and VIP air transport fleet and operations at the cost - and I repeat - at the cost of the SA Air Force, is unacceptable. A continued reduction in flying hours and the reduction in the number of pilots, in particular fighter pilots, leaves much to be desired. Our Constitution requires an effective and efficient national defence force, which includes the air force.

Die departement beskik nie oor die vermo om die voortdurende dreigende probleme rondom onderhandelinge met die weermagunies te besleg nie. Daar is ook die voortdurende gesloer met die aanstelling van 'n bekwame bevelvoerende generaal vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag. Voorts is daar `n gebrek aan discipline, soos duidelik blyk uit die aard en omvang van optrede jeens ...

Die Ouditeur-generaal gee die departement ook gereelde voorbehoude oudits en daar word versuim om `n aanvaarbare uitdienstredingspakket, vrywilliglik of andersins, daar te stel wat gebaseer word op kundigheidsvlakke al dan nie van diegene wie die diens wil verlaat. Dit laat die DA met geen opsie as om die begroting te opponeer. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)

[The department does not have the capacity to solve the ongoing threatening problems around negotiations with the defence force unions. There is also the ongoing delay in appointing a competent general officer commanding for the SA National Defence Force. Furthermore, there is a lack of discipline, as is evident from the nature and extent of the behaviour towards ... The Auditor General also regularly gives the department qualified audits and no effort has been made to put an acceptable retirement package, voluntarily or otherwise, in place that is based on levels of expertise or lack thereof of those who wish to leave the service. This leaves the DA with no other option but to oppose the budget. I thank you.]