Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has expressed dismay and concern about the paralysed repair and maintenance project (RAMP) for the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) 1 Military Hospital, in Tshwane (greater Pretoria), and the failure to date in developing a plan to complete the project. It also expressed concern at the long time taken by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI – popularly called the Hawks) of the South African Police Service to investigate allegations of corruption and fraud in the RAMP for the hospital.

The committee has had a meeting with the Defence Minister and with senior SANDF officers, at which it became clear that they had no plan to finish the project, other than by asking the National Treasury for more funds. And, even if these additional funds were to be provided, the committee was concerned that the Department of Defence would still be unable to complete the RAMP.

“Similarly, the SANDF could not provide tangible and credible consequence management processes despite almost 20 years since the project started and experienced challenges,” highlighted the committee in its statement. “The lack of speed in implementing consequence management against officials identified in a forensic investigation report into the programme is counterproductive, as it emboldens those inclined to participate in wrongdoing with the knowledge that no action will be taken against them. Furthermore, the delays have resulted in some officials identified in the report having either resigned or passed away.”

The DPCI was also represented at the meeting. The committee conveyed to them its concern about the length of time that the Hawks had taken to investigate the allegations of fraud and corruption in the RAMP. Only now was the DPCI submitting the docket on the case to the National Prosecuting Authority. While acknowledging that fraud and corruption cases were complex, it pointed out that there had been a forensic investigation before the Hawks had started their enquiries, which meant that they had had “substantial” evidence right from the start.

“The committee has resolved that, due to the lengthy delays in prosecution and lack of tangible progress, the committee must ensure continued monitoring,” it stated. “The committee will schedule a periodic briefing by the SANDF and the Ministry on progress updates on the implementation of consequence management and solutions towards finishing the stalled project.”