Troops to get boots and all
2003-10-21 21:59
Pretoria - The National Treasury has assured soldiers that they will not be deployed without essential uniform items such as boots and underpants.
Logan Ward, spokesperson for the treasury, on Tuesday admitted there had been delays in authorising contracts for certain defence force clothing items.
Ward said the delay was a result of incorrect specifications that were submitted by the defence force - particularly specifications on army boots.
In total, five necessary items of clothing were affected. He also said that an investigation was being carried out to ensure that before contracts were awarded, the new specifications were in fact correct.
He felt the impact of the delay would not hold serious consequences.
Most of the contracts have been awarded and manufacturing is under way, he said.
He said that the bulk of the required kit would probably be delivered before the end of this financial year, which ends in March.
His response follows an article published on Tuesday that a severe shortage of uniform items posed a real problem for defence force members.