Cape Town — ActionSA has voiced disappointment and frustration over claims that Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga spent over R10 million on luxury travel within the past four months.
The party’s criticism comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of nine South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers last week in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), followed by reports of four more soldiers killed in clashes with M23 rebels on Tuesday.
In a statement, ActionSA spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni condemned the losses, highlighting the alleged lack of resources for soldiers on peacekeeping missions, juxtaposed with reports of the minister spending R10.4 million on travel.
“This revelation, confirmed in a reply to ActionSA’s parliamentary question, exposes a stark contrast between the sacrifices of our armed forces and the extravagant spending of those meant to lead them,” ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni said.
Motshekga’s travel expenditure includes R4 000 723 on international flights, R2 154 080 on car hire and millions more on domestic travel.
Ngobeni said Motshekga failed to provide any justification for the trips and raised concerns about financial accountability while the soldiers faced life-threatening conditions.
Nine families of South African soldiers who died under-resourced and outgunned in the Democratic Republic of Congo are mourning while the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga travels in luxury.https://t.co/RnpQrDfzE0
According to the Minister’s response to…
— ActionSA (@Action4SA) January 27, 2025
“Reports indicate that they ran out of ammunition and were left waiting for resupplies from thousands of kilometres away—a preventable failure that highlights the dangerous mismanagement of our military resources,” Ngobeni said.
ActionSA said it was unacceptable for the SANDF to be deprived of basic necessities while the Minister indulges in extravagant travel, calling it a betrayal of her duty.
“ActionSA has long warned that mismanagement and underfunding have crippled our defence capabilities, leaving the SANDF unable to safeguard our national security,” Ngobeni said.
The party called on Motshekga to take immediate action by halting all unplanned SANDF deployments, ensuring the return of South African troops from the DRC, addressing corruption within the Department of Defence, restructuring the bloated and costly top management, and commissioning an independent review to overhaul the country’s defence strategy.
“We cannot allow reckless leadership to squander the lives of our soldiers. South Africa’s men and women in uniform deserve dignity, respect, protection, and competent leadership,” Ngobeni concluded.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
