Defence Force Service Commission BRIEFING TO THE PORTFOLIO

Defence Force Service Commission BRIEFING TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE & MILITARY VETERANS ON 21 AUGUST 2019 BY THE A/CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION MR I. H. ROBERTSON 1 “In Support od SANDF Soldiers”

Defence Force Service Commission SCOPE q Aim q Mission & Vision q Mandate. q Structure (Position & Incumbents) q Achievements q Challenges q Conclusion q Questions & Comments 2 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission AIM q To brief the Portfolio Committee on Defence & Military Veterans on the mandatory role and function of the DFSC 3 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission MISSION & VISION q Mission. “To provide quality advice to the Minister of Defence in pursuit of a better life for soldiers”. q Vision. “A world class advisory Commission on Military Conditions of Service”. 4 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission MANDATE The Defence Force Service Commission (DFSC), inaugurated in 10 October 2013, is mandated in terms of section 62 A-L of the Defence Amendment Act, Act No 22 of 2010, to make recommendations to the MOD&MV on: Annually on improvement of salaries and service benefits. q Policies in respect of conditions of service. q Promotion of measures and standards to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of policies on conditions of service. q 5 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission MANDATE (cont) q For the purposes of making recommendations, the Commission: q Enquire into or conduct research on conditions of service; q Review policies; q Evaluate and monitor the implementation of such policies; q Consult with the Secretary for Defence (Sec Def), the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (C SANDF), members of the Defence Force, Reserve Force Council and any other interested person or body on conditions of service and many other matter relating to the purview of its functions; q Consider any representation made to the Commission; q Consult with NT; 6 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission MANDATE (cont) q. Confer with the Department responsible for public service and administration, the Public Service Commission and any other relevant stakeholder within the public service; q. Consider, among others q The rank structure of the Defence Force; q The affordability of different levels of remuneration of the Defence Force; q Current principles and levels of remuneration in the public service generally; and q Inflationary increases. 7 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission q MANDATE (cont) q 8 The conditions of service are determined in terms of Defence Amendment Act, Act 22 of 2010, in terms of section 1 of Defence Act 2002, as amended: q Recruitment procedures and advertising and selection criteria; q Appointments and appointment processes; q Job classification and grading; q Salaries, allowances and service benefits; q Job assignments; q Working environment and facilities; q Education, training and development; q Performance evaluation systems; q Promotions; Transfers; Demotions; q Disciplinary measures other than dismissal; q Grievance and grievance procedures; q Dismissals; Scarce skills; q Pay progression; Deployment benefits; q Tools of trade; Accommodation and Defence Service Commission q Any. Force other matter pertaining to conditions of service.

Defence Force Service Commission MACRO STRUCTURE Ministry of Defence & Military Veterans Defence Secretariat 9 Organs of State Defence Force Service Commission Military Ombud Reserve Force Council South African National Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission MACRO STRUCTURE 10 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission COMPOSITION (cont) q The structure of the DFSC consists of ten(10) commissioners. q Currently 7 Commissioners, 3 vacancies advertised. q The Acting Chairperson and other Commissioners appointed on a part-time basis. q The Secretariat that has an approved organisational structure of nineteen (19) PSAP posts. q The Secretariat was established to provide research, secretarial (administrative), logistical and technical support to the Commission. q Currently 11 Posts staffed, 3 advertised, 1 vacancy awaiting Labour Court decision, and 3 posts unfunded. q Three (3) Reserve Force members & 1 detached PSAP have been added to capacitate the Secretariat q (Section 62. B. 3 of the Act empowers the Commission to call upon any member of the Defence Force or employee of the Department to assist it in the execution of its functions). q 11 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission DFSC COMMISSIONERS 12 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission DFSC SECRETARIAT STRUCTURE Head of Secretariat: Director- Mr M. M. P Motsepe Deputy Director: Research Support- Ms M. Loots ASD: Total Rewards Management Mr T. L. Magubane ASD: Policy M & E Ms L. Phologane ASD: Policy Review (vacant) ASD: Process Support-Mr N. S. Van Wyk HR Admin Officer Ms M. M. Tema Case Management (vacant) Commission: Secretary (vacant) HOS: Secretary (vacant) ASD: Administrative Support-Ms Z. Maya Snr Procurement Clerk-Mr J. T. Masilo Procurement Clerk (x 2 posts) (vacant) Registry Clerk-Mr K. C. Letsoalo Driver-Mr S. Maodi (x 2 posts) (1 x vacant) 13 Defence Force Service Commission ASD: Communication Officer-Mr T. V. Mthombeni Media Clerk (vacant)

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Defence Review q The Interim Defence Force Service Commission (INDFSC) recommended a Defence Review. It was approved by Cabinet in 2014, and Parliament in 2015. The Defence Review 2015 outlines five (5) milestones. The first (1) milestone is “Arresting the Decline”. q The DR 2015 is not being funded, thus the SANDF is in an accelerated decline. 14

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Conditions of Service q The recommendations to the MOD&MV regarding the eradication of Asbestos; Uniforms and the Military Skills Development System were endorsed by the Executive Authority and forwarded to the Secretary for Defence and the Chief of the SANDF for implementation. q Recommendation on a variety of matters regarding the refurbishment of facilities of the Joint Support Base Garrison (Thaba Tshwane), subsequent to the visit. 15 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Publications in the Government Gazette q The q q 16 Policy on Awarding of Death Benefits to Beneficiaries of Members/Employees who Pass away while Deployed in Internal or External Operations for which no International Compensation is paid (22 August 2014). Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Members of the SANDF for FY 2014/15 Defence Force Service Commission Regulations (19 December 2014). Final Report of the Interim National Defence Force Service Commission dated (July 2016). Delinking Salary from Rank Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Pay and service benefits q The recommendation regarding remuneration for Military University q q 17 Educators (MUE) was implemented 10 November 2014. q Outcome: The improved dispensation for MUE was approved and implemented. The Commission submitted recommendations on COLA for SANDF members for FY 2015/16 and FY 2016/17 to MOD&MV. COLA FY 2018/19 Medical Benefits for the SANDF Reserve Force members. Improvement of Group Life Insurance Scheme Benefits (30 March 2016). Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Review of Policies q The Commission identified the following policies as areas for future review, as a consequence of the findings during the consultative visits to military Units / Bases and internal and external Operational Bases: q q q q q 18 Promotions; Career Management; Transfers; Nomination for Military Courses; Nomination for Foreign Learning Opportunities; Deployment Opportunities; Management & Utilisation of Reserve Force Members; Duty Buses utilisation; Organisational Structure. Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q Benchmarking Visits q The DFSC has undertaken benchmarking visits to four (4) SADC countries: Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia & Zimbabwe q Some of the lessons learned at these benchmarking visits were: q Sustainable exit mechanisms that ensured that exiting military members are well incorporated into civil society. q Post Retirement Benefits for military members. q The complexity of de-linking of salary from rank in order to reward years of experience for members within the ranks. q The importance of National Youth Service in promoting patriotism, instilling discipline and model of youth employment and skills development. q Impact – The knowledge of the lessons learned & findings/observations made shared with SANDF leadership, and research is conducted on possible models to present as recommendations. 19 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS (Cont) q Consultative Visits q 30 internal Military Bases and Units were visited. Interacted with approximately 27 000 members across all ranks as well PSAP members in the Defence Force. q Consultative visit to 3 internal border deployment units (Op CORONA) and 1 external deployment unit (DRC). q The consultative visits provide strong evidence to back-up the recommendations to MOD&MV. q Visit reports with findings and recommendations were submitted to the MOD&MV. q Impact: The demonstrated recognition, trust, and appreciation by members of the SANDF, is that the DFSC is the voice that could bring change and improvement in their conditions of service. This is further demonstrated by submissions received by the DFSC office after the consultative visits. 20 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS(Cont) q MOU q Signed an MOU with Mil. Ombud on 05 July 2017. Co-operative framework to enhance effectiveness on matters of common interest. q Signed an MOU with RFC on 02 October 2015. However, to be amended. q To create a partnership aimed at improving service conditions for the Reserve Force members. q 21 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission ACHIEVEMENTS q Civil-Military Relations Conference: q Held on 27 -28 November 2016 – Initiate dialogue about the role and significance of the military in a democratic society. q Conference Proceedings and Coffee Table books were published in this regard. q Tabled Annual Activity Report since 2014 to date. q Submission of the Final Report of the First Permanent Defence Force Service Commission Report in October 2018 to the MOD&MV. 22 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission CHALLENGES (cont) (Internal) OFFICE ACCOMMODATION q Lack of permanent office accommodation for the DFSC. The DFSC is currently co-locating within the SAMHS Head Quarters. q Limitation: Inability to renovate/upgrade and install security measures. q Action Plan. The DFSC will strive to acquire own accommodation through the MOD&MV and the Defence Works Formation. 23 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission CHALLENGES (cont) (Internal) STRUCTURE OF THE DFSC SECRETARIAT q Poorly aligned structure of the DFSC Secretariat. q The structure of DFSC Secretariat is graded low in relation to Core Function posts (Research). q Impact: Inability to acquire the necessary skills and competencies befitting the expectation of the DFSC mandate. q Action Plan q The outsourcing of required research capacity (PCDMV-21 October 2015) q To seek actuarial expertise for validated recommendations which have financial implications. q Funding request was submitted to the Departmental Planning and Budgeting Evaluation Committee (DPBEC) on 18 August 2016. q The DFSC will continue to liaise with Chief Human Resource and motivate at the DPBEC for the expansion and funding of, and the staffing of the current 19 posts within the DFSC Secretariat. q Protracted DOD procurement processes contributing to under-spending of the DFSC budget. 24 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission CHALLENGES (cont) (External) SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS q Subsequent to the tabling of recommendations to the Office of the MOD&MV, the mandatory function of the DFSC is considered complete, awaiting MOD&MV decision. q The publishing of recommendations in the Government Gazette is subject to the approval/authorization of MOD&MV. q The DFSC envisaged that the increase of the number of researchers and the utilisation of subject specialists will provide more in-depth recommendations. 25 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission CHALLENGES (External) q Lack of authority recommendations. to enforce the implementation of q Action Plan: Amendment of the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002 to enhance the effective execution of the mandate, and make the DFSC a Chapter 9 institution. q MODMV pronouncement on 19 May 2015 & 05 March 2019 (Budget vote) q Review Resolutions of 27 Sept 2017 (DFSC Workshop). q Recognition of the DFSC to make recommendations on remuneration and service benefits for SANDF members independent from the rest of the Public Service. q Current Status: DOD and SANF piggyback on the PSCBC resolutions, and subsequently the MOD&MV adopts agreements reached. 26 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission AREAS TO BE PURSUED BY THE DFSC q Funding Model and the implementation of the DR 2015. q An effective and sustainable exit mechanism. q Monitoring q q 27 of submitted recommendations and policy implementation within the SANDF. Delinking salary from rank Improvement of Group Life Insurance Scheme benefits. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Commission, in relation to its mandate. Obtaining representation in the DOD Policy Board. Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission CONCLUSION q The inadequate number of researchers, the level of appointment and inadequate support structure to the core function of the Commission, impact adversely on the effective execution of the mandate. q As an advisory body to the MOD&MV, what can the Commission do to: q Strengthen the hand of the Minister in improving service conditions of SANDF members q Secure funding to implement DR 2015 q Facilitate the implementation of the Ministerial Medical Task Team q Secure appropriate budget allocation for the DOD/SANDF, notwithstanding the national fiscus challenges. 28 Defence Force Service Commission

Defence Force Service Commission THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY QUESTIONS & COMMENTS 29 Defence Force Service Commission