MPs expressed frustration after Defence and Navy Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga as soon as once more didn’t attend a key parliamentary assembly, whereas issues had been additionally raised concerning the preparedness of troops set to be deployed throughout South Africa.
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence met in Cape City on Friday, 6 March 2026, to obtain an replace on the readiness of the South African Nationwide Defence Power (SANDF) as troops start operations in elements of the nation.
Final month, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of the SANDF to help the South African Police Service (Saps) in addressing crime hotspots in Gauteng, North West and the Western Cape.
The Japanese Cape was later added to the intervention.
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The navy deployment goals to bolster police efforts towards organised crime, gangsterism and unlawful mining.
The operation is scheduled to run from 1 March 2026 till 31 March 2027.
Alongside the deployment briefing, the committee was additionally resulting from obtain updates from the SANDF concerning excellent funds and allowances owed to troops.
A presentation from the Nationwide Typical Arms Management Committee (NCACC) on its annual report was additionally on the agenda.
Ministers fail to attend assembly
Nevertheless, each Motshekga and Minister within the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – who chairs the NCACC – had been absent from the practically four-hour assembly.
Motshekga reportedly indicated that she was in Gauteng and would be capable of take part nearly.
Committee members rejected this association and refused to proceed with adopting the assembly agenda till they got passable explanations for the ministers’ absence.
“We would like the minister right here bodily,” EFF MP Carl Niehaus stated.
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Niehaus remarked that Motshekga’s absence is nothing however a “deliberate, malicious noncompliance” with the clear indication that the committee gave to the minister.
DA MP Christian Hattingh additionally criticised the minister’s absence, saying it mirrored a broader sample of avoiding parliamentary oversight.
“We’ve got a well-established historical past of a minister who defies accountability,” he stated.
Hattingh stated the scenario was significantly irritating as a result of committee members had anticipated the minister’s absence two weeks in the past.
“This can’t be tolerated. It can’t be allowed to proceed on this trend,” the DA MP stated, accusing the minister of displaying vanity in direction of Parliament.
SANDF particulars operational plans
Regardless of the tensions over the ministers’ absence, SANDF Chief of Joint Operations Siphiwe Fortunate Sangweni supplied particulars on the operational framework guiding the deployment.
He stated troopers would function beneath strict guidelines of engagement, requiring them to keep up self-discipline and integrity whereas respecting human rights.
Explicit emphasis, the SANDF official stated, can be positioned on safeguarding civilians and non-combatants throughout operations.
Sangweni additionally indicated that navy intelligence groups had already been deployed to organize for the broader rollout of troops.
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Hattingh, nonetheless, raised issues about whether or not the navy was adequately ready for the operation.
He questioned whether or not adequate joint coaching had taken place between SANDF and Saps personnel forward of the deployment.
“The place and when did the joint coaching occur? What was the success? Are we completely happy? Are we prepared?” Hattingh requested.
The DA MP additionally pointed to gaps within the info supplied to the committee concerning logistical readiness, corresponding to gear availability.
“We all know nothing about this. What number of SANDF members are at this stage being designated for this deployment? What are our car’s availability, serviceability and reliability?”
Questions over coordination and civilian security
Niehaus additionally raised issues concerning the timing of the preparations, noting that the deployment had already begun.
He requested what measures had been in place to make sure efficient coordination between the SANDF and Saps.
“Previous deployments have proven that success actually relies upon fully on the 2 companies functioning in a seamless, mixed method, not as two free, parallel entities,” Niehaus advised the committee.
The EFF MP warned that with out correct coordination and coaching, a number of dangers might emerge, together with operational friction between safety forces, escalation of drive and risks to civilians, as seen throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.
“If this cooperation will not be correctly finished, all of these dangers grew to become ultimately unacceptably excessive.”
Niehaus additionally questioned whether or not SANDF troops, usually skilled for fight environments, had been sufficiently ready to function in densely populated civilian areas, the place bystanders and youngsters can be current.
He emphasised the significance of joint standardised working procedures to stop authorized disputes and operational delays.
