Thursday, 13 March 2025.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), represented by Member of Parliament Fighter Carl Niehaus, formally lodged a complaint this week with the Parliamentary Ethics Committee against the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga. The affidavit we presented states that Minister Motshekga deliberately misled Parliament when the EFF raised serious concerns with irregularities in regard to the refurbishment of 1 Military Hospital in Tshwane.

While the Minister stated that the 1 Military Hospital project had been ceded to the Department of Defence without any legal disputes or court cases, it has become clear that this is not true at all. The National Treasury, in a presentation to the Portfolio Committee for Defence and Military Veterans on the 8th of October 2024, shared that: “In March 2011, the Department [of Defence] procured equipment worth R 20.8 million for 1 Military Hospital, but it remained unused due to the incomplete refurbishment of the 1st floor. The equipment’s operational lifespan has since lapsed, resulting in a likely material loss”.

Furthermore, in the Auditor General’s Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR), to the Portfolio Committee for Defence and Military Veterans, also on the 8th of October 2024, the Auditor General also referred to the matter of financial loss relating to the unused medical equipment at 1 Military Hospital. It is stated on page 18 of the Auditor General’s Report that “…appropriate action should be taken to determine whether the responsible officials are liable in law for the losses suffered by the department for the purpose of recovery, as required by treasury regulations 9.1.4 and 12.7.1.”

Most disconcertingly, the Auditor General added that the Department conducted a forensic audit on the refurbishment and maintenance of 1 Military Hospital, completing the investigation in December 2020. As a result, in 2021, the case was referred to the Hawks for further investigation under Inquiry No. 2021/09/02. As of the date of the Audit Report, the investigation was still ongoing. Despite this the Minister, nonetheless, unashamedly answered in her written reply in the National Assembly that the hospital project was relinquished to the Department of Defence with no legal issues whatsoever.

The EFF asserts that on the basis of what the National Treasury and the Auditor General reported to the Portfolio Committee for Defence and Military Veterans, what the Minister stated in her parliamentary reply was factually incorrect and a blatant lie. Consequently, Motshekga violated the law and the rules of Parliament, and this warrants an expeditious investigation and sanction by Parliament. While unsurprising, as the ANC has a reputation for being strangers with the truth, these violations extend to various clauses of the Executive Members Ethics Act, 82 of 1998, as well as the Codes of Ethics.

The sworn affidavit prepared by the EFF was submitted in terms of Clause 10.2.2.2 of the Code of Ethics, and the relief that is sought is for the Registrar to speedily investigate these serious allegations in order to protect the dignity of Parliament, and to ensure that proper sanctions are imposed should the Minister be found guilty of having contravened the rules of Parliament.

The EFF reasserts our commitment to be a vigorous opposition that will carry out our critical oversight role and ensure all Members of Parliament adhere to their oath of allegiance as members of the legislature. In this regard the EFF will hold the Executive accountable, at all times, to the highest standards of diligence, truthfulness, and honest conduct.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572