Image Source – DefenseWeb
Local – COSATU Parliamentary Co-Ordinator, Matthew Parks, has condemned the South African National Defence Force’s proposed R372 million budget for an upcoming military parade in Limpopo, calling the expenditure unjustifiable amid the country’s fiscal constraints and the military’s operational challenges.
Parks raised three concerns about the expenditure: government’s recent tax increases contradict claims of insufficient funds, the money could address critical shortages in public services, and the defence force itself desperately needs these resources for basic operations.
Parks questioned the government’s fiscal consistency. Last year, officials claimed the state needed additional revenue, yet now they propose extravagant spending on a single event.
“The government last year said we didn’t have enough money to fund the state. We needed a 2% VAT hike. They didn’t get that, but they got a tax hike basically through the back door by not adjusting income tax brackets for inflation for the second year in a row,” Parks explained.
Defence Force Struggles with Operational Challenges
The Parliamentary Co-Ordinator said the defence force has been struggling with severe budget constraints that have compromised its operational capacity. Equipment failures and insufficient resources have hampered the military’s ability to fulfil basic functions.
“We look at many of our aircraft, naval ships, land vehicles not working, not being serviced, lacking spare parts. We look at our air force pilots struggling to accumulate enough flying hours in a year to maintain their pilot licenses,” he said.
Parks described conditions at military bases as deeply troubling. Reports indicate soldiers are now receiving inadequate meals despite deductions from their own salaries meant to cover proper provisions.
“We have received reports last year and this year that soldiers in our bases now are receiving one meal a day, a single meal a day, because the defence force is so broke. Not three, which they should be receiving and which they themselves are paying for in terms of deductions from their salaries,” he stated.
Parliament’s Modest Approach to Ceremonial Events
Parks contrasted the proposed parade budget with Parliament’s approach to the State of the Nation Address. That annual event includes similar military elements but operates on a fraction of the cost.
“The state of the nation address takes place once a year. It does include a military parade. It does include the deployment of soldiers for security purposes. It does include a flyover. Parliament has deliberately kept the budget to 3 million rand and less,” he noted.
Parks said COSATU supports military parades because they help build morale and attract recruits. The objection centres on the price tag, which he described as completely out of touch with the country’s economic realities.
“We’ve got no problem with the military holding parades. The problem is the price tag. 372 million rand is just outrageous. It could be done at a far more modest cost of 20 million rand, 30 million rand,” he argued.
