The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has raised the alarm over what it calls a “deliberate disregard” for parliamentary oversight by two key Cabinet ministers, warning that their failure to account threatens South Africa’s already fragile defence capability.

In a letter sent to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza on Monday, the EFF accused Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana of repeatedly failing to attend scheduled committee meetings, despite the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) being in what even government admits is a “shocking state.”

The letter, signed by EFF National Chairperson and Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu, called for urgent intervention by Deputy President Paul Mashatile in his role as Leader of Government Business, arguing that ministers must not be allowed to “ignore Parliament’s authority while the SANDF collapses into dysfunction.”

“The EFF therefore requests that you, as Speaker, formally write to the Leader of Government Business, the Deputy President, to attend to this matter. Ministers cannot be permitted to ignore Parliament’s authority while the SANDF collapses into dysfunction. We further request that your communication and any response be published in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC) for transparency,” the letter read.

“Parliament cannot allow this pattern of executive disregard to persist. It undermines the separation of powers, weakens democratic accountability, and leaves our nation’s defence unprotected.”
Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, confirmed to African Times that the Speaker has received the correspondence. “Yes, the Speaker has received the letter, and she’s applying her mind on the matter,” he said.

South Africa’s defence force has faced budgetary and structural challenges for more than a decade. The Department of Defence has admitted that over 70% of its R51 billion budget is spent on salaries, leaving little for equipment upgrades, training, or operations.

The SANDF’s aircraft fleet is largely grounded, naval vessels are under maintenance backlogs, and the army is struggling to recruit younger personnel. Many soldiers are over 50, with too few new entrants to rejuvenate the force.

Experts warn that this hollowing-out of capacity has already left the SANDF overstretched. In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, South African troops deployed under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission have complained of inadequate rations and outdated vehicles. Domestically, soldiers have been called to assist police during violent unrest and to protect Eskom power stations and Transnet rail corridors, often without proper resources.

“This is no longer a theoretical debate about budget lines. South Africa’s security, economy, and borders are at risk,” said a defence analyst. “If political leadership continues to treat defence as an afterthought, the SANDF will soon be unable to carry out its constitutional mandate.”

The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans recently convened a joint session with National Treasury to discuss cost-of-employment reforms and rejuvenation of the force. Both Motshekga and Godongwana were directed to attend.

Despite repeated reminders, Motshekga informed the committee at the last minute that she was unavailable due to overseas travel, while Godongwana also declined. According to the EFF, this was not the first instance. The party claims Motshekga has failed to attend several previous committee and joint standing committee meetings, forcing members to register formal displeasure.

The EFF argues this behaviour violates sections 55 and 92 of the Constitution, which require Cabinet members to be accountable to Parliament, as well as National Assembly rules mandating ministerial appearances.

Analysts say the dispute underscores a broader governance failure in which ministers increasingly prioritise internal political manoeuvring and party interests over accountability to Parliament.

“South Africa’s democracy depends on ministers respecting oversight institutions,” said political analyst Lukhona Mnguni. “When they refuse to attend, they weaken Parliament, they weaken the state, and ultimately they weaken the country’s ability to defend itself.”

Opposition parties have previously criticised what they call a “culture of executive impunity,” where ministers treat committee appearances as optional. While the ANC has often defended its leaders by citing scheduling conflicts, critics argue this explanation no longer holds, particularly when the SANDF’s decline has become a matter of national concern.

The EFF’s intervention, therefore, could increase political pressure on Mashatile, who, as Leader of Government Business, is tasked with ensuring ministers fulfil their parliamentary obligations. Failure to act decisively, analysts warn, may embolden other members of the executive to disregard Parliament’s oversight role.

The consequences of continued dysfunction in the SANDF could be far-reaching. Smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal mining syndicates are already exploiting porous borders. Regional instability, particularly in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, could spill into South Africa if the country is unable to uphold its security commitments.

Meanwhile, the SANDF’s diminished credibility is undermining South Africa’s standing in international peacekeeping operations. Once seen as a reliable contributor to African stability, South Africa now risks being sidelined in regional security arrangements.

Domestically, without a capable defence force to back up overstretched police and safeguard critical infrastructure, South Africa faces heightened vulnerability during future crises, from service delivery protests to climate-related disasters.

For the EFF, the issue transcends defence, embodying a broader threat to governance and national sovereignty. Unchecked ministerial absenteeism, it warns, jeopardises not just parliamentary oversight, but South Africa’s ability to ensure its own security.