DA accuses Gigaba of shielding Angie Motshekga amid R813m scandal

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised urgent concerns over what it calls an ANC-led attempt to shield Defence Minister Angie Motshekga from accountability regarding R813 million allocated for South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

DA MP Nicholas Gotsell, who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD), accused committee co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba of blocking efforts to summon Minister Motshekga and SANDF generals to explain the missing funds. Gotsell said Gigaba initially agreed to write to the Minister for clarity and timelines but later reversed course, preventing the committee from acting on the matter.

“This is not about the withdrawal from the DRC,” Gotsell emphasised, “but about the R813 million in missing compensation that National Treasury confirms was allocated, and which SANDF Chief of Joint Operations, Major General Abotsi, said was being ‘held onto’ until the troops returned.”

Instead of addressing these concerns, Gigaba cited “alignment issues” during parliamentary recess as a reason to delay committee meetings. Gotsell and the DA reject this excuse, pointing out that the JSCD convened as recently as January to discuss fatalities in the DRC, and that virtual meetings have become routine across Parliament.

Minister Motshekga herself has faced criticism for her lack of engagement with parliamentary oversight, including refusing to commit to commercial flights despite spending R415 million to maintain the President’s jet—money that could otherwise help unpaid soldiers.

In response, Gigaba called the DA’s accusations “unfounded, disingenuous, and illogical,” stressing that committee decisions are made collectively and that openness and accountability remain central to its work. He explained that after the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers in the DRC, the committee held meetings and agreed a comprehensive report on the deployment would be tabled in Parliament after withdrawal. The current delay, he said, is due to the unprecedented budget process requiring adjustments to meeting schedules.

Similarly, ANC study group member Thokozile Sokhanyile echoed that the committee is committed to transparency and collective decision-making, asserting that Gotsell was fully aware of these arrangements.

Minister Motshekga responded that she has honoured her parliamentary obligations, despite scheduling conflicts with Cabinet and cluster meetings. “I have always respected the oversight role of Parliament and remain fully committed to transparency and accountability,” she said, adding that appropriate procedures and representation are ensured when she cannot attend meetings.

However, Gotsell insists that Motshekga’s absence and Gigaba’s shielding tactics amount to a dereliction of duty, leaving troops without the accountability they deserve.

The DA has formally written to Parliament’s presiding officers, demanding that the JSCD co-chairpersons urgently convene a meeting where Minister Motshekga must explain what happened to the R813 million. Gotsell stressed: “The committee must act now to uncover the truth, restore integrity to its oversight role, and ensure our troops receive the answers they deserve.”

This dispute highlights a growing tension within Parliament between the need for transparency in defence spending and political manoeuvring that risks sidelining the interests of South African soldiers deployed abroad.