Sisulu stalls SA Air Force meeting
Date: 8 March 2012
Regan Thaw
Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Thursday suggested a meeting with SA Air Force top brass be held behind closed doors.
The air force was meant to appear before Parliament's joint standing committee on defence to discuss progress on the various problems plaguing the force.
Earlier in 2012, reports emerged of a cash crisis in the air force.
Co-chair of the standing committee on defence Dan Motsitsi, read out a letter from Sisulu, in which she requested advice from the body.
She wanted to know if an open meeting would not jeopardise confidential military information.
She suggested the meeting be closed to the media.
Democratic Alliance (DA) committee member David Maynier immediately put up his hand and objected to the suggestion.
He believed a closed meeting would be in breach of the constitution.
ANC Members of Parliament (MPs) shook their heads, appearing exasperated with Maynier, who refused to let up as he raised his concerns.
An ANC MP pointed out there were limitations to what type of military information could be discussed in an open forum.
The meeting was postponed until the matter is sorted out.
Source: Eyewitness News
