Soldiers and sailors are paying the ultimate price for budget cuts
Defence department told to cut an additional R1.9bn, leaving less money for training and maintenance
SA’s soldiers and sailors are paying the ultimate price as the government’s attempts to rein in public spending over the medium term further erode the capabilities of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
While the reasons for last week’s submarine tragedy near Kommetjie in the Western Cape (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2023-09-20-two-naval-mariners-drown-more-saved-in-rescue-operation-off-cape-coast/) are still subject to the findings of a naval board of inquiry, it has been established the navy’s three submarines hadn’t been operational until recently. A lack of funding and spares hampered the SAS Manthatisi’s first refit in 2014 after it was brought into service in 2006...
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