The National Treasury has pushed back against claims of underfunding the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), announcing an additional R10 billion allocation to its R57.2 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year. This comes after SANDF Chief Admiral Monde Lobese accused Treasury of sabotaging the military’s operational capacity through inadequate funding.
In a terse statement, Treasury dismissed the allegations, insisting that the defence force must address its own inefficiencies before seeking more resources. The dispute has sparked a broader debate over national security funding, with the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans warning that underfunding could pose a serious threat to the country’s stability.
Defence Committee Warns of National Security Risks
Committee chairperson Dakota Legoete emphasized that defence spending is tied to national security, which “supersedes all other securities.” He cited rising global military budgets—with some nations allocating up to 5% of GDP—and stressed that South Africa must modernize its defence capabilities amid increasing geopolitical tensions.
“National security cannot be taken lightly,” Legoete said. “We are defending our borders, our seas, our skies, and our people. You cannot do that with outdated equipment.”
Calls for Increased Defence Budget
Legoete revealed that the committee had appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to align SANDF’s funding with international standards, ideally increasing it from 1.5% to at least 2% of GDP. While acknowledging fiscal constraints, he expressed hope that future budgets would reflect the military’s critical role in combating crime, border security threats, and potential external aggression.
The Treasury, however, maintains that the SANDF must first demonstrate fiscal discipline. The department has refused further comment on the matter, leaving the debate unresolved as security experts warn of the risks of prolonged underinvestment in defence.