Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members, comrades and friends, the primary objective of the Defence Force is to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of international law regulating the use of force.
The ANC believes that national and regional security should not be restricted to military, police and intelligence matters, but should also have political, economic, social and environmental dimensions. Underdevelopment, poverty, lack of democratic participation and the abuse of human rights are regarded as grave threats to the security of our people. Since these invariably give rise to conflict between individuals, communities and countries, they threaten the security of the state as well. National and personal security shall be sought primarily through efforts to meet the social, political, economic and cultural needs of our people.
The security policy objectives should encompass the consolidation of democracy, the achievement of social justice, economic development, a safe environment, and a substantial reduction in the levels of crime, violence and political instability. Stability and development are regarded as inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. At international level, the objectives of the security policy include the defence of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the South African state and the promotion of regional security in Southern Africa.
Hon Maynier, the Defence Force is bound by international law treaties and conventions governing the use of force and the conduct of war. The view of our apartheid predecessors when it came to national security was primarily through military and paramilitary means. The effects of this approach to security are evident: high levels of violence, economic decline, regional arms races, destabilisation and perpetual insecurity throughout the subcontinent.
It was reported at the beginning of this year that South Africa had become the trafficking capital of the world. Even though this was reported, it is also apparent that many criminals and illegal operations have been discovered and combated.
Investing in the security of our country had already begun when the government bought arms to address this matter. When a British naval ship visited our country at the beginning of this year, we had an opportunity to test the capacity of one of our submarines in Cape Town waters, and the submarine managed to pass under the ship without detection. This exposed the weakness of the British ship and showed the strength of our defence in dealing with any situation. [Applause.]
Our intelligence services, Police Service and Defence Force are, indeed, a beacon of the country's security. Political, economic and international relations are a helping factor in maintaining peace and securing regional stability.
Cognisance needs to be given to the allocation of this budget. It must be increased to serve the purpose of intensifying and tightening the screws in those areas in which we are lacking.
Border control, SA National Defence Force patrols and roles played by other structures are of significant importance in preventing organised crime, transnational crime, human trafficking and so on. "Working together we can do more" suggests that we must not go solo in addressing matters of peace and security.
The joint committee report of 2007 showed that the oversight role of Parliament as an organ of the people needs to be strengthened and sustained. The ANC is, therefore, committed to collective wisdom and integrated approaches in ensuring the security of our people, the region and the continent. Without a doubt, we need this budget to advance the cause of the SANDF and military veterans. I thank you. [Applause.]