MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In light of the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) annual golf day at Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay, DA member of parliament, Nicholas Gotsell, said the party would submit parliamentary questions demanding a full breakdown of the costs, funds raised, and spending for the golf day.
Gotsell said this follows mounting concerns over the defence force’s alleged financial mismanagement and systemic failures. Questions will be submitted to Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.
“The SANDF’s choice to host this luxury event at Pinnacle Point Golf Course in Mossel Bay on 19 September, under the misleading theme “Swinging for Service, Honour and Hope”, is outrageously tone-deaf. Particularly, it fails to pay medical bills for veterans, settle outstanding DRC deployment allowances, or account for R813 million in missing compensation funds,” said Gotsell.
Mossel Bay Advertiser sent questions to the SANDF asking how the day was funded, how much was spent on travelling and accommodation costs for SANDF members, how much funds were raised and who will benefit from it. Feedback will be added when it is received.
On an infographic shared to the SA National Defence Force Facebook page in August, it states that the Chief Human Resources Annual Golf Day will foster collaboration between the department and its strategic partners, as well as support a primary school in Mossel Bay.
Infographic: SA National Defence Force
Meanwhile, according to information and photos shared to the page today, 19 September, the SANDF visited Imekhaya Primary School in KwaNonqaba.
It said on 18 September the Chief of Human Resource of the SANDF, Lieutenant General Malungisa Sitshongaye, and the members of the Human Resource Command Council came together for a social responsibility project at Imekhaya. Sitshongaye handed over school shoes and educational resources to learners.
According to Gotsell, “While the Department of Defence cannot pay over R1 million in outstanding medical debts to Gariep Mediclinic in Kimberley, it somehow finds the time and money to host yet another golf day, complete with lavish sponsorship tiers, branded giveaways and exclusive dinners at a golf course that is not even remotely close to any of its bases.”
Mossel Bay Advertiser asked the SANDF why the golf day is hosted and why Pinnacle Point was chosen as the location for it.
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