military veterans department: military veterans republic of south africa report of the ministerial...

military veteransDepartment:Military VeteransREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

REPORT OFTHE 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


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CONTENTS OF REPORT

1. Introduction2. Problem Statement3. Situation Analysis 4. Factors Impacting on Policy 5. Policy Objectives6. Definitions of Beneficiaries7. Eligibility8. Deliverables: Benefits and/or Services9. Macro Institutional Structure10. Conclusions


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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


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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 SANMVA• Lt Col (Ret) G.Giles Members• Mr S.D. Dlamini

– Other Departments (DPSA)

• Ms M. Molosiwa• Mr E. Geldenbloem


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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).

– 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).


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Problem Statement

• Demobilisation imperative that followed the integration process – the need to reduce force levels.– SANDF after integration: 120 000– Defence Review projected: 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.


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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 Military Pensions Act, Act 84 of 1976;• The Transitional Executive Council Act, Act 151 of 1993; • The Special Pensions Act, Act 69 of 1996; • The Housing Act, Act 107 of 1997; • The National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999;• The National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003; and • The Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004.


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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


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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, widow, 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.


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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.


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Macro Institutional Structure

– Department of Military Veterans.

• National Department with original mandates and co-ordination role.

• Provincial Offices.• Regional Offices

– Appeals Board.

– Advisory Council.

– National Veterans Association.


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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.


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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


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END

military veterans department: military veterans republic of south africa report of the ministerial...

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