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Defence Act, 1957 (Act No. 44 of 1957)

Chapter II : Composition and Organisation of the Department of Defence

8. Powers, duties and functions of Chief of the Defence Force

 

 

(a) may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties and functions necessary to execute his or her command of the South African National Defence Force;
(b) shall execute his or her command by issuing directives, force orders and general instructions and by giving commands.

[Subsection (1) substituted by section 7(a) of Act No. 4 of 1997]

 

(2) The Chief of the Defence Force shall be the principal adviser to the Minister on any military, operational and administrative matter within the competence of the Chief of the Defence Force.

 

(3) Without derogating from the generality of subsection (1)(a) or from any power, duty or function vested in or assigned to the head of department and accounting officer of the Department of Defence by or under any law, the Chief of the Defence Force shall have the powers and be charged with the duties and functions and be responsible to the Minister for—
(a) compliance with any directions by Minister under the authority of the President as provided for in the Constitution;
(b) the efficient management and administration of the South African National Defence Force, including the effective utilisation and training of all members of that Force;
(c) the formulation of military policy and doctrines in accordance with directions referred to in paragraph (a);
(d) the execution of approved programmes of the budget for the South African National Defence Force for which that Chief is responsible;
(e) the issuing of orders and directives and the giving of commands in accordance with any instruction by the Secretary referred to in section 7C(e), and for ensuring that such orders, directives and commands are complied with;
(f) the supplying of all information and inputs with regard to the South African National Defence Force to the Secretary to enable him or her to perform his or her functions properly;
(g) the performance of all staff functions required for the effective command and control of the South African National Defence Force;
(h) the use of the South African National Defence Force or any part or member thereof which or who has been employed for any service or for the conduct of military operations;
(i) the training to the required level of all members of the South African National Defence Force in law, including international law;
(j) the maintenance of an adequate military response capability with respect to likely military threats as authorised by the Minister; and
(k) the maintenance of military discipline within the South African National Defence Force.

[Subsection (3) substituted by section 7(b) of Act No. 4 of 1997]

 

[Section 8 substituted by section 3 of Act No. 72 of 1995]