The Minister of Defence, Mr Lekota, outlined the functions of the SANDF as provided for in the Constitution:

The primary function of the SANDF is to defend the people of the Republic.

The secondary function of SANDF is to support safety and security; to provide humanitarian services; to maintain essential services and to manage border control. In addition to these functions the Minister said that the SANDF must at all times be prepared to meet the obligation to defend the integrity of the country.

The Minister mentioned that the SANDF had been military-based controlled and Defence must now adjust to the changes which have taken place. He said that civil control was a critical issue.

He outlined the structures of SANDF and functions of the various internal components.

With regard to legislation, the department has to pass the Military Discipline Supplementary Measures Bill, Termination of the Integration Bill and the Labour Rights Regulations have to be passed shortly. The Minister explained that the Termination of Integration Bill would conclude the process of the integration of the non-statutory forces into the SANDF.

He explained that the Constitutional Court had ruled that the Defence Act is unconstitutional in that it denies labour rights and trade union rights to the members of the SANDF. He pointed out that the department had been given three months to remedy the situation. He said that the regulations which are to be promulgated will limit the member’s labour rights and the rights of military trade unions.

The minister pointed out that the SANDF has developed new capabilities such as assisting, support and to stabilise peace process. He informed the members that SANDF will be involved in peace support operations. He commented that in order to secure the stability and the security of the country , SA had to stabilise and secure the region. He introduced two concepts, namely, peace keeping and enforcing peace. Peace keeping means that you are invited and welcome by the relevant country and is not dependant on the use of force. Peace enforcement means that the Defence Force is not welcome nor is it invited but it goes there because it has to enforce peace.

The minister said South Africa had been invited by the Organisation of Africa Unity and to a certain extent through the participation of United Nations to assist in the peace support operations in the DRC. The Minister informed the members that most of the countries had signed the agreement with the exception of the rebels who did not sign the agreement, not because they do not agree with content but because they had internal problems. Efforts has been made to encourage the rebels to sign the agreement.

The United Nations had adopted a resolution on the DRC matter in which they would deploy 90 monitors in the DRC and South Africa has to contribute. He pointed out that the deployment of soldiers will not be conditional to all parties who had signed the agreement.

1) An MP asked the Minister to brief the members on the issue of SANDF involvement in Africa and the budget of SANDF. He further asked the Minister to address the members on the media report that there is a possibility of the closure of 6 regiments units. Also when would the Secretary for Defence be appointed.

2) Ms Nqakula (ANC) asked the Minister to comment on media reports that SANDF has a unit which has been deployed in the DRC. She rephrased her question and asked to what extent is the SANDF involved in DRC.

3) An MP asked how would the Minister ensure that SA is not sucked into the conflict in DRC.

4) Mr Moosa (ANC) asked what the role of the SANDF can play looking inwards and what the members can expect in three years time

5) Mr Yengeni said that the term "military trade union" sends another signal and he recommended that the term be changed. He asked whether there was any precedent of military trade unions in other countries.

6) Mr Mabetha (UDM) asked the minister if there was a regulatory mechanism to prevent the military-based control which was experienced in the past.

The Minister said that he would not be replying to all the questions:

With regard to involvement in Africa, the SANDF's involvement in Lesotho is not yet over as the SANDF is providing training. Other than that, there is no other commitment though a request for assistance had come from Eritrea.

The Ministry had advertised the position of Secretary and it would be filled as early as possible.

SA cannot unilaterally go into DRC. The resolution was made under the direction of the OAU. If SA was to send a command it would go under the direction of the OAU. On the question of ensuring that SA is not sucked into the conflict in DRC, the minister said that the regulatory bodies are OAU and UN. Where a country is unable to meet what the regulatory body wants, it has to inform the concerned body. The department is not playing Umrabaraba [dice]. The problem in DRC involves people's lives and the department cannot send people where there is possibility that they will not return unless all procedural steps has been fulfilled.

On the question on whether the term "military trade union" is an appropriate name, the Minister said he felt that it was not an appropriate term. It is currently called a military trade union because the term was used by the Constitutional Court. The department will review the name. He further said that number of countries had the same type of military trade union.

On the question of preventing the SANDF becoming the military base it was in the past, the Minister said that the SANDF is a professional institution and there will be no compulsory service.

Mr van Schalkwyk asked about the cost of the DRC operation.

Another MP asked the minister about the type of comments he had received from the public with regard to the labour rights regulations and when the minister would put the regulations into effect.

The Minister said that the cost of the operation will only be known after the operation.

He said that the department has to meet the Constitutional Court deadline with regard to the regulations, so that is why the department was pushing to meet the deadline.

The Chairperson closed the briefing.