SANDF in DRC to cost R820m

2003-06-20 14:50

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki has officially approved the deployment of South African National Defence Force personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at a cost of a about R819.6m.

The SANDF contingent will fulfil South Africa's international obligations in the eastern DRC as part of the disarmament, demobilisation, re-integration, repatriation and resettlement programme of the United Nations.

In a memorandum to National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala and Parliament, he said a total of 1 268 personnel would be deployed for a year, rotating after six months.

The deployment would involve an infantry battalion group of 950 soldiers, a support group of 100, an engineer company of 175, a ferry unit of 15, a water well drilling unit of 12, and 16 military police personnel.

The expected cost from January 2003 to the end of the 2005/06 financial year totalled R819.634m, he said.

The total estimated reimbursement from the UN for initial non-inventory equipment, personnel allowance, and logistical support would amount to R200m.

"The National Treasury advised that the shortfall should be addressed through the normal budgetary process," Mbeki said.

- SAPA