Simon's Town - There is increasing pressure on South Africa to take up the role of post-conflict reconstruction in conflict areas, said Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota on Thursday.

He said the country's commitments internationally would see an increasing number of obligations on the SA National Defence Force.

Lekota was speaking at the arrival of the SAS Charlotte Maxeke in Simon's Town on Thursday.

The vessel is the second of three new submarines acquired by the navy as part of the strategic defence package.

The submarine, named after the founder of the Bantu Women's League forerunner of the ANC Women's League, arrived from Germany where it was built.

Lekota said: "It is our opinion that the contribution of extra-continental role players in this arena (post-conflict reconstruction) would continue to reduce, leaving the obligation to South Africa, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union."

Source: News24.com