Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, the UDM supports this budget. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Qhwabani kakhulu ANC kaloku. [Kwahlekwa.]
English:
Let me start off by expressing my thanks to the defence force leadership during the time I spent serving on the Defence Force Service Commission. My term and some of my colleagues ended last year but I will continue the work as I will be serving on the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee for the first time. Unfortunately, the department has been moving at the snail's pace and it appears as if the Defence Force Service Commission's findings and recommendations were either ignored or undermined for some or other reasons.
I therefore look forward to play a role in working towards the implementation of some of the commission's findings and recommendations. Hon members, an issue the commission identified was the exit strategy for those ready to retire. This is compounded when government extends the services for those at command level. The ramification is that when the top structure stagnates, the upward mobility of lower structures is adversely affected. This affects moral of the troops.
The Defence Force promotion policy also needs attention. Many Defence Force men and women who came from various former armies retained their force numbers. There was no uniformity and it led to discrimination in promotions. Hon Minister, the powers of the commission itself is an issue. You promised in last year's budget address that this matter was receiving attention. Kindly give us a full briefing on progress made.
We also need to hear how far the Secretary for Defence Force has gone in engaging the Treasury regarding the implementation of the Defence Review. My other experience whilst moving through the various units and talking to officers was the lack of speed
in decision making. In a scale of nine out of 10 times, soldiers are told that such matters are lying in the office of the Secretary of Defence Force. This embarrasses the SA National Defence Force commanders and is counter to military culture. Speed is the essence in the army. [Time expired.] [Applause.]