Navy chief warns cuts threaten SA security

LACK OF FUNDS

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENTS

CHIEF of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, has issued a stark warning that decisions to drastically reduce the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) workforce is effectively asking the defence force to curb its operations.

“For our Cabinet to approve the reduction of the SANDF work force or strength is actually nothing far from telling us [to] implement a defence version of what General Mkhwanazi has disclosed in the Madlanga Commission with regard to the closure of the Political Killing Task Team,’ Lobese said while addressing the Chief of the Navy's Prestige Charity Ball at St George's Hotel in Tshwane.

Lobese made the remarks during his Prestige Address, in which he painted a grim picture of a Navy hamstrung by years of underfunding, dwindling resources, and what he described as “an unpatriotic, sellout posture” towards national defence.

In response to the comments, the Department of Defence said it had noted Lobese's comments with concern.