News24 reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has been allocated R1 billion to fund a "mobility exit mechanism" (MEM) that would result in more than 3,000 uniformed soldiers leaving over the next two years.

In response to a written parliamentary question, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise explained the personnel cuts at the SANDF as follows: "In light of the reduced defence budget allocation and the conclusion that the compensation of employees (COE) allocation will be further reduced for the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and also that relief to secure sufficient funding will not be forthcoming, the Department of Defence (DOD) was forced to implement human resources cost-savings measures to reduce HR cost pressures. The National Treasury has allocated R1 billion to fund the mobility exit mechanisms during the financial year 2022/23 and R800 million for the year 2023/24 in order to assist the DOD to fit in the COE allocation. This will translate into the planned exit of approximately 3,048 uniformed members through MEM over the indicated financial years." Modise added that with the implementation of the interventions to reduce cost pressures, the department aimed not to exceed the average planned human resources strength of 73,000 over the MTEF. According to the department's 2020/21 annual report, the planned average human resource capacity was 75,000 for the year ended 31 March 2021, while the actual human resource capacity as at that date was 72,322. Modise commented that further budget cuts would negatively impact the SANDF's mandate.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscriber access only)

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page