Project Thusano, linked to R1.7 billion in irregular expenditure, has been renamed Project Kgala. The initiative seeks to continue skills transfer with Cuba, focusing on training for the South African National Defence Force. Despite the rebranding, concerns regarding the project’s past financial irregularities and educational outcomes persist, prompting questions about the DoD’s strategy moving forward.
The South African skills transfer initiative originally known as Project Thusano, associated with substantial irregular expenditure amounting to approximately R1.7 billion, has been renamed Project Kgala. This transition occurs despite a negative Auditor-General’s report on the former project. The initial agreement with Cuba was initiated in January 2012, and the contract for Project Thusano concluded earlier this year. The revamped contract commenced in January and was presented to the Portfolio Committee of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DoD) on Wednesday.
Project Thusano was designed to provide medical and transportation training services for personnel from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in Cuba. During the recent presentation, the DoD characterized Project Kgala as a continuation of the historical relationship established under Project Thusano. The DoD emphasized the resilience of Cuba’s armed forces in sustaining their operational readiness despite economic challenges, claiming that Project Kgala aims to foster professional skills development for SANDF personnel.
The total investment in Project Thusano was R3 billion over a decade, whereas Project Kgala is projected to cost R537 million over the next five years. The Auditor-General’s report revealed that irregular expenditure totals around R1.7 billion as of December 31, encompassing R1 billion for professional training and R600 million for vocational training. The report pointed out the DoD’s failure to conduct a preliminary cost-benefit analysis and inadequate record-keeping as contributing factors to these irregularities.
The rebranding of Project Thusano to Project Kgala has raised concerns due to the significant irregular expenditure previously associated with the former initiative. Although the DoD has proposed adjustments to streamline operations and reduce costs, skepticism persists regarding the efficacy and reliability of this partnership with Cuba. The financial implications and educational outcomes for SANDF personnel continue to draw scrutiny, compelling stakeholders to demand transparency and accountability from the DoD as this new phase commences.
Original Source: www.citizen.co.za
