Sisulu 'must explain' defence resignations

2011-11-04 14:31

Johannesburg - Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu must give a full explanation of the resignations of two senior defence force officials, the DA said on Friday.

Party MP David Maynier said the reasons for the resignations of Secretary of Defence Mpumi Mpofu and Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF) General Carlo Gagiano, "remain murky".

"The resignations create a serious leadership vacuum at a time when the defence force has begun a defence review to reset its mandate capabilities and funding," Maynier said.

"The minister cannot allow the speculation to continue and must provide a full and comprehensive explanation."

The resignations have been linked to a string of incidents involving the transport of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Last month, a VIP plane chartered by the air force developed technical problems as it was taking off from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria to fly Motlanthe to Finland for an official visit.

In 2009, Motlanthe's plane had to make an emergency landing while flying back from Libya.

In September, the plane flying him to the opening of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand missed its first landing slot "as a precautionary measure".

In another case, two pilots who flew President Jacob Zuma to the United States were found to have been involved in the failed 2004 coup in Equatorial Guinea.

Resigned with immediate effect

Maynier said he would write to Jerome Maake, the chairperson of the joint standing committee on defence to schedule a meeting with Sisulu.

A department spokesperson confirmed to Sapa on Friday that Mpofu and Gagiano had resigned with immediate effect.

"They have handed [in] their resignation letters," Siphiwe Dlamini said.

"I am not privy to the contents of those letters. I know the minister is considering Gagiano's resignation letter."

According to the Cape Times, Sisulu refused to accept Gagiano's letter, but the minister lost her patience when Mpofu failed to give satisfactory answers over the debacle.

Mpofu has been replaced by the chief financial officer, Mziwonke Dlabantu, who is now the acting secretary of defence.

Beeld newspaper, meanwhile, reported on Friday Zuma was recently flown to the United Nations in New York by two mercenaries involved in the 2004 plot to overthrow the regime in Equatorial Guinea.

Both served jail time for the offence.

Sisulu was apparently furious about this, the newspaper reported.

Dlamini said he was unable to confirm the story.

"I have heard rumours, but I can't confirm anything," he said.

- SAPA