Minister Motshekga Faces Renewed Pressure Over Failure to Fill Critical Vacancies in South African Defence Leadership

South African Defence Minister Angie Motshekga misses deadlines to fill permanent Secretary for Defence and DMV Director-General posts before the 2026 FY end.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 7:02 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from DefenceWeb

Missed Deadlines and "Administrative Challenges"

Minister Angie Motshekga’s pledge to stabilize the leadership of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) by the March 31 financial year-end appears increasingly unlikely. Despite previous assurances to Parliament that permanent appointments for the Secretary for Defence and the DMV Director-General would be finalized this month, the Minister recently admitted to significant delays. In a written response to uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) MP Moses Mbatha, Motshekga cited "administrative challenges" and the need for re-advertising as primary reasons for the continued vacancies.

The Secretary for Defence and CFO Limbo

The post of Secretary for Defence has been held in an acting capacity by Thobekile Gamede since Sonto Kudjoe’s departure in late 2022. Although the post was re-advertised in late 2025, Motshekga revealed that a Cabinet memorandum for concurrence was only submitted on February 18, 2026. Similarly, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position remains vacant. A scheduled job evaluation for the CFO post occurred in late February, with interviews now pushed to late April 2026 and a recommendation to Cabinet not expected before May 29. Currently, Edem Abotsi serves as the Acting CFO.

Stalled Progress in Military Veterans and Reserve Force

The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) has also lacked a permanent Director-General (DG) since 2024, with Nontobeko Mafu currently acting in the role. Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Maliyakhe Shelembe warned in a recent letter to Motshekga that the absence of a permanent DG prevents the proper implementation of the Military Veterans Act, leaving veterans without promised support. Furthermore, the Chief Defence Reserves post has been vacant for nearly five years following Roy Andersen’s retirement in May 2021. Motshekga noted that a list of "suitable candidates" is currently under consideration, though no final decision has been announced.