Hon Chair, the PAC congratulates the members of SANDF, who are playing a pivotal role in peace and safety operations in other parts of Africa. It is difficult to congratulate you, when the safety and security of the citizens is concerned. The continued murders of our people with little, or no action from the government is highly disturbing. Hon Minister, the PAC maintains that this budget is not sufficient to address its vote purposes. The continued budget cuts with the secretary of defence lamented as a disaster in the Mail and Guardian are an insult to the already suffering soldiers who are expected without question, to lay down their lives in defence of the nation.
It cannot be allowed that this pivotal national security department can be in a continued state of decline. How do you propose to continue with the international peace keeping duties and also ensure that the international operations are catered for whilst cutting budget? As for the position of military veterans, the majority has been to a position of being tramps and beggars who have become victims of the liberation they were fighting for. Contrary to what to say on paper, there is little that is being done to improve their quality of life and that of their dependants. Some are receiving pauper's burials whilst having been on the list to be verified.
IsiXhosa:
Umama uMatyeni waseMthatha wafa icala emveni kokuba umyeni wakhe ebencedakala njengomnye wabaxhamlayo waza yena akafumana yena akaxhamla nto, ngoku usigrogrisa ngokuzibulala.
English:
The PAC rejects this budget. [Interjections].