Trade union, the Public Servants Association (PSA), on Thursday called for Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga’s removal, citing deep institutional crisis compounded by a leadership vacuum.

The PSA has noted the latest report regarding the Defence and Military Veterans Ministry allegedly spending more than R20-million on travel expenses where the Minister and her two deputies undertook 22 questionable trips.

It was revealed through a reply to a parliamentary question by ActionSA that since taking office Motshekga and her two deputies had spent R20 185 410 on travel to Vietnam, Cuba, Malaysia, Japan, and Turkey with no discernible justification.

The Association said it was a lack of stable leadership that was undermining accountability, decision-making and service delivery.

“Corruption and mismanagement seem to be the order of the day with allegations of financial misconduct, benefit fraud, and political interference shielding corrupt officials from consequences,” it said.

It highlighted that the department had budget cuts, resulting in inadequate resources to ensure its proper capacitation, which led to operational inefficiency.

“It is illogical that the Minister would prioritise these trips over providing basic resources to soldiers who put their lives on the line for the security of the country.

“The under-resourced department shamefully resulted in operational failures where 14 soldiers lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo owing to a lack of equipment and basic resources. Additionally, the department is spending billions on unaccredited training in Cuba, whereas the South African Defence Force College can offer accredited courses at a fraction of the cost,” the PSA said.

The Auditor-General also pointed out irregular expenditure on the same programme.

“Local and cost-effective alternatives were plainly ignored whilst the department pleads poverty when it comes to addressing basic issues such as building maintenance,” the PSA stated.

It said the department had also been questioned over irregular appointments, where unqualified persons were appointed in key roles, including an internal auditor without proper credentials.

“…although the Minister described the department as a wrecked and sinking ship, she did not do much to change the situation. Veterans have been waiting for more than a year for promised benefits, including pensions and school-fee subsidies, whilst the department returned unspent funds to the National Treasury owing to incompetence, poor planning and execution,” the PSA said.

The PSA claimed the department’s organogram was dysfunctional, with key vacancies in internal audit, legal services, and senior management, noting that the situation was exacerbated by the failure to review the organisational structure to ensure a fit-for-purpose structure.