R200-million: The cost of dignity

What’s in the M&G this week? [View this email in your browser]( June 18, 2021 [Mail & Guardian]( [Mail & Guardian]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( Hi there, Because we are led by a gang of incompetents, this latest farce shouldn’t be so shocking and yet one can’t help but go nuclear. There’s no money for mission-critical military equipment and maintenance but there’s money for Puma gear? Get the full story in this week’s M&G, available in print and online. The South African National Defence Force plans to [replace its camouflage fatigues at the cost of between R120-million and R200-million]( for the army alone. This is despite the fact it is also facing a budget reduction of R15-billion over the medium-term expenditure framework, with a “devastating” effect on its ability even to maintain its prime mission equipment. Erika Gibson reports. The SAA deal is already looking funny in the light. Roshan Morar, an influential auditor, is also board chairperson of the Ithala Development Finance Corporation and a highly controversial former board member of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Morar is a director of Harith General Partners, an entity created using PIC funds and which was subjected to intense scrutiny at the Mpati Commission of Inquiry into the PIC. Along with Global Aviation, it makes up the Takatso consortium. He is [accused of effectively capturing the KwaZulu-Natal education department’s finance office]( for more than 15 years. Paddy Harper delves into Morar’s involvement. Khaya Koko looks into how the recent violent and deadly protests in Mangaung have highlighted the consequences of the more than [R2.7-billion in wasted funds the municipality incurred]( which have placed “doubt” on its ability “to continue as a going concern”. His father took him to isangoma when he wanted to be an actor. Today Dr John Kani is revered the world over. He talks to Athandiwe Saba about his passions in [this week’s edition of the Q&A sessions](. Finally, in this week’s cartoon Carlos Amato pays homage to the little squirt fighting a tsunami of infections. We hope you’re able to enjoy a peaceful weekend. If you have burning questions or suggestions, you can reach us at ampersand@mg.co.za. Until next week, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Subscribe now]( Enjoy The Ampersand? Share it with your friends [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( [Share]( [Share]( Copyright © 2021 Mail & Guardian Media LTD, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive communications from the Mail & Guardian either at our website or by taking out a print subscription. Our mailing address is: Mail & Guardian Media LTD 25 Owl St BraamfonteinJohannesburg, Gauteng 2001 South Africa [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences or unsubscribe here.]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa