The Democratic Alliance on Friday said the planned naval exercise between Russia, China and South Africa along the Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal coast in February is wasteful and a cause of concern.
This after South Africa’s military announced on Thursday that it plans to hold a joint training exercise off its coast next month with Russia and China, a move criticised by the United States, which has been trying to rally other countries to isolate Russia over the war in Ukraine.
DA defence and military veterans spokesperson Kobus Marais said that the country is not in a financial position to waste resources on the planned exercise.
The exercise will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
South Africa was among three dozen countries that abstained last year in a vote in the United Nations to condemn Russia for its claim to have annexed several regions of Ukraine.
South Africa has conducted military exercises with Russia and China before, as well as the United States and NATO countries.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said that the upcoming drills, to be held from February 17 to 27 near the coastal towns of Dyrban and Richards Bay, are a “means to strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia and China.”
Marais noted a few problems with the initiative: “Currently, most if not all South African Navy vessels are unserviceable, and our maritime patrols and reconnaissance obligations are not fulfilled as required by our Constitution.
“We hardly have enough resources to comply with the basic SA naval requirements and obligations to protect the nation’s integrity and secure the safety of our people. To waste money on this fruitless exercise is irrational, irresponsible and unacceptable,” he said.
The exercise will coincide with the Armed Forces Day-which falls under on 21 February -taking place in Mhlathuze Municipality in Richards Bay.
Daily Maverick, Eyewitness News, The New York Times, image from Twitter: @defenceWeb_Afr