Chapter 2 - P rogramme 1 - Department of Defence

| Chapter 9 - Programme 7: Joint Support |
in the areas of environmental analysis, regulatory
framework analysis, and strategy development.
The philosophy development and business process
analysis phases have started.
The services of the CSIR were acquired to advise
Chief Logistics on how to address the qualifications
in the Auditor-General’s report for the FY 2006/07.
This intervention by the CSIR in its development
and streamlining of the supply chain concept for the
SANDF coincided with a DOD Asset Management
Seminar that took place over the period 4 to 7 March
2008. This seminar, which emanated from the LIRP,
is expected to result in a number of interventions,
e.g. an effective DOD Stock Verification Programme.
A further investigation into a DOD motor vehicle
tracking and monitoring system commenced,
which will greatly assist in maintaining good asset
management capabilities.
In the endeavour to address the lack of a single,
optimised integrated logistic management
information system for the DOD, the Logistics
Division was made part of the National Treasury
initiative of implementing the Integrated Financial
Management System (IFMS) within the State. A
project structure and its responsibilities have been
submitted for approval in order that a full-time
organisation can be established to execute the
planned migration to IFMS and to manage the
DOD-unique Integrated Resource Management
System (IRMS). This will enable integration of
information as well as critically accurate reporting in
financial statements.
The RSA military standards defining acquisition
specifications and computer ergonomics have been
promulgated, thereby improving the acquisition
integrity and human-computer interaction within
the SANDF.
Facilities
The upgrading of the runway at Air Force Base
Waterkloof was a major project during the past
year. Progress in the upgrading of the runway was
slow due to changes introduced by the National
Department of Public Works (NDPW) in its
acquisition requirements process. No construction
work was undertaken, which impacted negatively on
the planning and performance of the DOD. The
project was rescheduled to start in FY 2008/09.
Concerted efforts were made to repair and
maintain facilities within the SANDF. The Repair
and Maintenance Programme (RAMP), which
Annual Report FY 2007 - 2008 162
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was submitted to NDPW in 2006 and 2007 for
execution, met with mixed success. Within the
RAMP, altogether 37 DOD units were prioritised
and funded with the additional funds received, for
repairs and maintenance to take place over the
MTEF period. As in the case of the Air Force Base
Waterkloof runway project, full execution of the
RAMP did not take place as planned due to NDPW’s
changes in its consultants’/contractors’ acquisition
requirements. The funds that were allocated to the
RAMP were not expended as budgeted, with the
result that the maintenance of SANDF facilities did
not progress according to plan.
A water services RAMP project in Thaba Tshwane
for the replacement of all mainline water reticulation
systems was implemented and completed. This
forms part of the SANDF’s and NDPW’s effort
to contain the dolomite risk of sinkholes in this
particular area.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) was appointed to assist the DOD in compiling
a strategic plan for immovable assets that will align
the DOD with the requirements of the Accountant-
General of National Treasury and NDPW. The plan
will ensure that the DOD receives the necessary
resource support to enable it to provide correct and
appropriate accommodation in support of DOD
strategic objectives.
The Castle of Good Hope was to be transferred
from the Department of Defence to the
Department of Arts and Culture, according to the
Castle Management Act Repeal Bill. The transfer
will entail the management and administration of
the Castle while the ownership will be retained by
the DOD. A prerequisite for the transfer to take
place is the upgrading of effective governance and
asset management of the Castle. This is, however, a
stumbling block as there are different interpretations
regarding the conditions of transfer, which are being
addressed at ministerial level at the moment.
The Presidential Priority of speeding up land and
agrarian reform was heeded. Good progress was
made with the Wahlmansthal land claim and with
the terms of agreement that were agreed upon. This
will contribute to the finalisation of the restitution
claim in the near future. The restitution claims
for the Hell’s Gate and Madimbo areas have been
finalised to the point where they will be concluded
once these areas have been cleared of unexploded
ordinance.