Warning of staff crisis at air force
Date: 8 November 2006
THE South African Air Force (SAAF) faces a crisis over not having enough pilots to fly, and technicians to service, the aircraft it intends to acquire over the next few years due to the mass resignation of "white staff", says Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesman for defence, Roy Jankielsohn.
Jankielsohn has blamed the South African National Defence Force's exit mechanism, saying it was "designed to get rid of white individuals, together with racial quotas for senior positions".
"Government must take responsibility for having acquired billions of rand worth of equipment in the knowledge that the country does not have the capacity to utilise it effectively. Was national interest or personal gain the motive for the acquisition of military hardware in SA?" Jankielsohn asked.
Replying to a question in Parliament last week, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said 70 pilots and 535 technicians had resigned between 2004 and October this year.
"The SAAF now faces a crisis of who will fly and service the 24 Hawk lead in fighter trainers, 26 Gripen advanced light- fighter aircraft, eight Airbus A400M aircraft, four maritime helicopters, 12 Rooivalk helicopters and the various upgraded aircraft that are costing taxpayers billions of rand over the next few years," Jankielsohn said.
SAAF chief, Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano, has drawn attention to the loss of skills and also the funding crisis faced by the force.
"The lack of funds together with the loss of skills means that our air force is operationally ineffective," Jankielsohn said.
Business Day
