MPs find problems at Makhado air base

By Michael Hamlyn

A number of serious shortcomings at Makhado air force base in Limpopo have been identified by a group of ANC MPs who visited the base last year.

In a report tabled in Parliament and circulated on Monday, the members of the joint standing committee on defence noted that serious breaches of security had been identified, with aliens gaining access to the premises.

The report also pointed out that the most senior black within the air force was a major, who joined in 1994. All the instructors at the combat training school at Makhado were white, and while there were 45 black and 55 white technicians that had been trained, five of these were women. "The demographics are slowly being corrected," the MPs said, "but much work still needs to be done."

Almost 250 technicians resigned from the air force the previous year (2006), with most joining the private sector.

The delegation was also told that poor language proficiency, lack of computer skills and the type of psychometric testing done were identified as some of the major challenges faced by previously disadvantaged candidates who wanted to join the Air Force.

At the same time the report also commended the good work done at the base and said it was the second-largest air force base in the country, behind Waterkloof. Makhado is a combat base that only operates with fighter aircraft and is recognised as centre of excellence.

"The base plays an important strategic role in the SADC region," the report said. "Neighbouring countries like Angola and Zimbabwe participate in fighter training exercises conducted at this base. Border patrol operations are also performed, and have resulted in the arrest of countless illegal immigrants from for instance Zimbabwe."

The committee promised to continue to monitor progress that had been made with some of the challenges faced by the base. The committee also requested that the inspector general ensured that problems that were identified were corrected.

Source: I-Net Bridge