SANDF faces civil claims

Labour and human resources issues have most cases report.

- Molefe Seeletsa

Amid growing concerns over limited funding, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is now contending with a staggering R1.55 billion bill in civil claims.

This information was disclosed in a parliamentary reply recently published by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga.

The question came from EFF MP Vuyani Pambo, who had asked Motshekga to provide details on the total number of outstanding claims resulting from court cases against the SANDF.

The reply indicated that labour and human resources issues have the majority of the contingent liabilities, amounting to R418 million, stemming from civil claims and mobile asset accidents.

Claims related to unlawful assault, arrest, and prosecution totalled R375 million, while damages from explosions and fires accounted for R195 million.

Underpaid and unpaid invoices for services rendered amounted to R172 million, followed by medical negligence claims, which totalled R157 million.