The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to be held accountable, after its members were allegedly blocked from oversight duties.

The party submitted a Parliamentary Ethics Complaint against Ntshavheni after she apparently blocked DA National Council of Provinces Member on Security and Justice Nicholas Gotsell and DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh from conducting an oversight visit to the Directorate for Conventional Arms Control (DCAC).

The party explained that the visit was necessitated in response to concerns raised in the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) of permit applications not being issued and other administrative failures in an industry worth billions.

“Upon our arrival, Ntshavheni telephonically instructed acting director of DCAC, Peter Mashaba, to block our entry. Mashaba was supported by Chief of the SANDF, who demanded that we seek written authorisation to visit a facility to which we are entitled as public representatives,” said Gotsell.

He noted that while Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga was constantly blaming SANDF failures on budget constraints, it was telling that army officials were “hiding from public scrutiny, rather than fast-tracking” permit applications for arms exports to contribute to South Africa’s economy.

He said the country’s army was in dire need of revenue and was “sleeping at the wheel”.

“Minister Ntshavheni and SA Army senior officials have exceeded their powers and will be held to account,” the party said.