REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL TASK TEAM ON MILITARY

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL TASK TEAM ON MILITARY VETERANS A PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE 01 SEPTEMBER 2010 Delivered by The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans MR TSP MAKWETLA military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

CONTENTS OF REPORT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Introduction Problem Statement Situation Analysis Factors Impacting on Policy Objectives Definitions of Beneficiaries Eligibility Deliverables: Benefits and/or Services Macro Institutional Structure Conclusions military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 2

Introduction • Announcement by Hon. President J. G. Zuma of the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans. • Decision by Hon. Min. L. Sisulu to set up a Task Team to advice on how the Ministry will execute its new mandate regarding military veterans. • Composition of Task Team: DOD Senior Officials – Mr T. E. Motumi – Lt Gen D. M. Mgwebi – Ms S. R. Rabkin – Maj Gen E. M. Mashoala – Maj Gen K. Mokoape (Res F) – Mr D. Subramoney military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 3

Introduction Cont. – Non-DOD Members • • • Mr T. Yengeni Dr C. T. Ndlovu Mr T. Makgabo Mr L. Maisela Mr L. J. Buys Mr E. R. Maphatsoe Brig Gen (Ret) M. R. Fihla Lt Col (Ret) G. Giles Mr S. D. Dlamini SANMVA Members – Other Departments (DPSA) • Ms M. Molosiwa • Mr E. Geldenbloem military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 4

Introduction Cont. • Terms of Reference: Produce policy recommendations on benefits or support to military veterans and the institutional structures required to deliver the envisaged policy; and to advice on the appropriateness of the current legislation, after an evaluation of the current situation as it pertains to military veterans. • Conducted case studies and examined best practice. – Developed Countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, US). military veterans – The World Bank’s Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Program (MDRP) of the Great Lakes region of Africa (Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Peoples Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda). Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 5

Problem Statement • Demobilisation imperative that followed the integration process – the need to reduce force levels. – SANDF after integration: – Defence Review projected: 120 000 70 000 • Insufficient support rendered to the demobilised cadres. – Insufficient demobilisation payouts. – Military Veterans dishonourably discharged. • Reintegration into civilian life – the need for re-skilling of former military personnel. – Challenges of the Service Corps: • Qualifications not recognised. • Lack of commitment – Stipends. • Welfare of the country and Nation Building. – Contribution to democracy by military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 6

Situation Analysis • Current Legislation on Military Veterans and Limitations – Military Veterans Affairs Act, Act 17 of 1999. • • Cast within the framework of the 1957 Defence Act. Limits the scope of beneficiaries. Refers only to a development programme of benefits. Does not outline a framework for collaboration with line-function departments. • Does not stipulate the other components which a fully-fledged machinery for military veterans requires, e. g. SANMVA. • Therefore to be repealed. – Provisions for support to military veterans are also found in other pieces of legislation administered by line-function departments. • • The The Military Pensions Act, Act 84 of 1976; Transitional Executive Council Act, Act 151 of 1993; Special Pensions Act, Act 69 of 1996; Housing Act, Act 107 of 1997; National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999; National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003; and Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 7

Situation Analysis Cont… • Structures and Organisations – Directorate of Military Veterans Affairs (within DOD & Mil Vet. ) • No Budget for Benefits – The South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA) • To be consolidated • Existing Programmes of Government Support – Pensions (National Treasury) – War Grants (Social Development) – Limited Housing provision (Human Settlements) – Heritage (Arts and Culture) – Job Creation (DWAF – Operation Vuselela) – Provinces and some Municipalities military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 8

Factors Impacting on Policy • Struggle Veterans vs Military Veterans. • Short Term vs Long Term Policy. • Human Resources Policy (in service and after service). • Government’s Anti-poverty Strategy: Alignment with other instruments of the government Anti-poverty Strategy e. g. FBS policy and other indigent targeting interventions. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 9

Departments and Parties consulted The following Departments were consulted to obtain inputs in order to develop Policy Objectives; • National Treasury through the GEPF – inputs on pensions to military veterans. • Social Development – inputs on war grants to military veterans. • Transport – inputs on public transport to be developed for military veterans. • Human Settlement – housing model to be proposed for military veterans. • DPSA – high level processes which led to Proclamation • GCIS – inputs on the design of Insignia that is in line with Country’s Coat of Arms. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 10

Policy Objectives – Recognise and Honour military veterans in life and memorialize them in death for their sacrifices on behalf of the Nation. – Ensure a smooth and seamless transition for military veterans from active military service to civilian life. – Restore the capability of military veterans with disabilities to the greatest extent possible. – Improve the quality of life of military veterans and that of their dependents. – Provide a comprehensive delivery system of benefits and services for military veterans. – Ensure that military veterans as a resource enhance the national work force and contribute to the prosperity and development of the country. – Contribute toward reconciliation and nation building. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 11

Definition of Beneficiaries & Eligibility • Military veteran: A ‘Military Veteran’ is any South African citizen who has retired from active service rendered to any of the military organisations, statutory and non-statutory, which were involved on all sides of South Africa’s Liberation War from 1960/1; all those who served in South Africa’s Defence Force before 1961; and those who became members of the new SANDF after 1994, who want to contribute to the establishment of a more peaceful, just and free South Africa based on the principles of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. • Dependants: A 'Dependant' of a military veteran refers to a spouse, widower, life partner, child or anyone who is legally dependent on the military veteran for support and maintenance and complies with the requirements and conditions which may be prescribed. • Eligibility: Refers to the entitlement to benefits and services by military veterans. – Principle of general application. – A means test for every benefit on a case by case basis. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 12

Deliverables: Benefits and/or Services – Pensions: Pension benefits for the destitute. – Housing: To house those who cannot house themselves. – Health Care: Free health care in Military and Govt. facilities. – Honour and Burials: • Funeral Logistics for the indigent • Honour for all Military Veterans – Education, Training and Skills Development: The Service Corps. to be reorganised. – Facilitation of Employment Placement: A placement agency. – Transport: Access to public transport (Free/Subsidised). – Compensation: For loss of life and limb. – Business Opportunities: Establish business support vehicle for military veterans. – Counselling: Access to counselling services. NB: Work-streams to further elaborate policy details for each area and delivery models. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 13

Macro Institutional Structure – Department of Military Veterans. • National Department with original mandates and coordination role. • Provincial Offices. • Regional Offices – Appeals Board. – Advisory Council. – National Veterans Association. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 14

Conclusions • Urgent plight of military veterans from the liberation armies. • Alignment to the SANDF’s Human Resource policy. • A new Department and new Legislation. • CPR & Struggle Veterans. military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 15

Appendix A. MEMBERS OF NON-STATUTORY FORCES (NSF) B. SELF DEFENCE UNITS (SDUs) C. SELF PROTECTION UNITS (SPUs) D. THE AZANIAN NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY (AZANLA) E. THE CAPE COLOURED CORPS military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA RESTRICTED 16

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