- Cuban universities are training doctors for South Africa as part of a new medical cooperation program introduced by Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela.
- Deepening relations between Cuba and South Africa through bilateral agreements since 2017.
South Africa's Auditor-General Orders End to Military Cooperation Program with Cuba
What happened
The Auditor-General instructed the South African National Defence Force to end Project Kgala, which followed the Cuban/South African military co-operation agreement Project Thusano. This instruction comes amid scrutiny over the billions spent on Cuba. Rear Admiral James Matshimane, Head of Policy, Strategy and Planning for the South African Navy, confirmed that the instruction to stop the program had been given. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans called for a formal, phased plan for any remaining courses.
From defenceweb.co.za
Why it matters
The termination of the military program follows controversy surrounding the costs of technical services and training arrangements. The program's inclusion in a remedial audit action plan suggests a formal review of irregular expenditure related to the relationship between South Africa and Cuba.
Relations between Cuba and South Africa have deepened through bilateral agreements since 2017, including a medical cooperation program where Cuban universities train doctors for South Africa.
From defenceweb.co.za
Who's involved
- CubaSovereign state involved in the military cooperation agreement.
- South AfricaCountry whose military forces are subject to the Auditor-General's instruction.
- African National CongressPolitical party facing scrutiny over the financial commitments to Cuba.
- South African National Defence ForceMilitary forces receiving the instruction to end the costly program.
- Democratic AlliancePolitical party whose member of parliament opposed the program.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- South African National Defence ForceSpeculative
The South African National Defence Force might face reduced operational costs due to the mandated termination of the military program.
Keep exploring
Part of
Deepening relations between Cuba and South Africa through bilateral agreements since 2017.Also in this story
All 3 developmentsThe entities involved
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Cuba
sovereign state situated on an island in the Caribbean Sea
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South Africa
country in southern Africa
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African National Congress
left-wing nationalist political party in South Africa