Motshekga Insists “Our Skies Are Safe” as South African Air Force Battles to Stay Airborne

Minister admits crisis but says “we’re not finished” in bid to restore crumbling air force

Despite the challenges of grounded planes, stretched budgets, and growing public concern, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga told Parliament this week that South Africa’s skies remain secure, though the country’s air force is “bleeding.”

Speaking during the Peace and Security Cluster session at the National Council of Provinces, Motshekga was pressed on the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) capacity to perform both domestic and international obligations. Her answer, while candid, was equally determined: “You can sleep peacefully. Your skies are safe.”

An Air Force in Decline

Motshekga didn’t shy away from the hard truths. She acknowledged that many aircraft are grounded, and that funding shortfalls are crippling the SAAF’s ability to maintain readiness.

“We are struggling with the air force; we’re bleeding, but we’re not finished,” she said.

She added that while some aircraft are out of commission, others are undergoing servicing. Still, the SAAF is not operating at the level it should be, and the Department of Defence is engaging with both Treasury and the Presidency to stabilise and salvage the remaining fleet.

Public Scrutiny and Political Pushback

Opposition MPs, including FF Plus’s Tamarin Breedt and the DA’s Nicholas Gotsell, were less optimistic. Breedt challenged the minister on how the air force’s troubles may jeopardise South Africa’s regional responsibilities, while Gotsell questioned the R415 million set aside for maintaining the VIP presidential fleet, suggesting core military capacity was being sacrificed to keep elite jets flying.

In response, Motshekga pushed back:

“It’s disingenuous to compare the president’s travel with the Air Force. You don’t take a bus to your meetings, and neither will the president fly commercial.”

Her comment, delivered with a dose of sarcasm, sparked some debate online, with critics calling it tone-deaf amid growing inequality and budget cuts in vital state functions.

Service Before Splurge

Despite criticism over VIP aircraft spending, Motshekga insisted that her department is prioritising the repair and maintenance of existing aircraft over expensive new purchases.

“We are looking at different means to get more money to ramp up performance,” she said.

The minister cited the air force’s recent deployment of helicopters to flood-stricken areas as proof that the SAAF still has operational capabilities, even if limited. She said new procurement was being carefully considered, but the first priority remains repairing what South Africa already owns.

A Once-Proud Institution at a Crossroads

South Africa once boasted one of the most capable air forces on the continent, but years of budget cuts, corruption, and deferred maintenance have left the SAAF a shadow of its former self. Analysts have warned that unless urgent investment is made, South Africa may lose air superiority, a key component of national and regional security.

Social media reactions were divided. Some applauded Motshekga’s candour, while others were alarmed.

“She admits the air force is falling apart, but tells us to sleep peacefully? This is how empires collapse,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Can the Air Force Recover?

For now, the Defence Department is trying to arrest the freefall. Whether that’s enough remains to be seen, as the SAAF grapples with ageing aircraft, low morale, and limited resources.

Still, Motshekga remains hopeful, rallying her department behind a plan to rebuild trust in the armed forces.

“We’re bleeding, yes, but not finished.”

That promise will be put to the test as the country looks to secure its airspace, its borders, and its future.

{Source: The Citizen}

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