‘Armed Forces Day should honour troops, not R175m overspend’

Armed Forces Day will be taking place in Thohoyandou, Limpopo on Saturday. It is the annual commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917.

616 South African troops lost their lives when the vessel sank en route to France.

Democratic Alliance MP, Chris Hattingh says while Armed Forces day is a great way to honour the men and women in uniform, it shouldn’t be seen as an opportunity to overspend. Hattingh, who is a member of Parliament’s portfolio committee on Defence and Military Veterans, says spending R175 million on one event while the department is under financial strain should be questioned.

“In an environment of austerity, where aircraft are grounded due to maintenance delays, naval vessels are unavailable, essential upgrades are delayed and military healthcare is under serious strain, we have to ask serious questions about priorities. The reported 370 million cost of the event is already worrying. Once the usual hidden costs are added, including thousands of deployed soldiers, transport, overtime, logistics and VIP arrangements, the real figure may be much higher.”

The memorial wall was officially opened on Tuesday in honour of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

These include the 14 South African soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict between M23 rebels and the Congolese army in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last year.

The official programme is expected to get underway at nine o’clock. Armed Forces Day is commemorated annually on the 21st of February, paying tribute to members of the South African National Defence Force who have served the country.

SA observes Armed Forces Day:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZqqWsNZ5o4