Thank you, Chairperson. Hon Minister, the ACDP wishes to commend you and the department for the many and various successes achieved by our soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen in the past year, particularly in humanitarian training and peacekeeping missions, both domestically and throughout Africa. We also congratulate the new appointments to lead the SA National Defence Force. We congratulate you and wish you everything of the best.
Minister, last year you admitted that the department had not succeeded in two critical areas: the revitalisation of the SANDF and its budget. You have indicated that progress has been made with the former, but yet, again, the budget remains woefully inadequate.
How is the department expected to have a Defence Force in a constant state of readiness for any eventuality when there are such budgetary constraints? The additional deployments to patrol the borders, the Kruger National Park, as well as peacekeeping, training and humanitarian missions right across Africa all require additional resources.
The ACDP trusts that the SA Defence Review will take the shift in focus into consideration when its final report is presented to Parliament. If the Defence Review intends setting out the work that government expects the Defence Force to do, it should also relook at the budget required to achieve this. A benchmark of at least 2% of GDP would enable the department to fulfil its commitments, both domestically and on the continent. That obviously depends on addressing concerns about accountability to Parliament, wastage, fraud and corruption.
We see additional resources being needed, for example, the fight against piracy. That is on the increase and cannot be ignored. It threatens maritime security, which is closely linked to the whole of Africa's development and prosperity. Whilst we commend the navy's anti-patrolling operations, they require additional resources. Air patrol is also necessary. The air force requires funding for its new maritime surveillance aircraft.
There are two further aspects that need emphasising. The department must focus on achieving a clean audit. This would strengthen the hands of parliamentarians seeking additional funds. It also needs to strike the right balance between operational and compensation budgets.
To conclude, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen perform outstanding work, often under challenging and life-threatening circumstances. The ACDP salutes each and every one of them. Surely, the state has the responsibility to show its support. Surely, we as parliamentarians also have a responsibility to ensure that the SANDF is adequately resourced. Parliament should today already, at this stage, give notice to National Treasury that it will be using its budget review process and powers to request further funds later this year. We cannot fail our SA National Defence Force. The ACDP will support this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]