ActionSA accuses Motshekga of splurging on official travels while SA soldiers under-resourced

JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA has accused Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga of splurging on official travels while South African soldiers are under-resourced.  

This weekend, a total of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peacekeeping soldiers were killed in the ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  

ALSO READ: Foreign Affairs analyst says SANDF in Goma not well-equipped

Nine of the deceased were killed while defending the city of Goma from the Rwandan-backed M23 group.  

ActionSA’s parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, said the mismanagement and underfunding of the SANDF will leave the country’s defence vulnerable.  

“It is unacceptable that our men and women in uniform, sent to the frontlines of a foreign conflict, are denied basic necessities to protect themselves while the minister indulges in costly travel. This is not just negligence - it is a betrayal of duty.”