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Report of Ministerial Task Team on Military Veterans

Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defense discussing the problem statement, situation analysis, policy objectives, eligibility, benefits/services, and macro institutional structure for military veterans.

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Report of Ministerial Task Team on Military Veterans

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  1. REPORT OFTHE MINISTERIAL TASK TEAM ON MILITARY VETERANSA PRESENTATIONTO THEPORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE 01 SEPTEMBER 2010 Delivered by The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans MR TSP MAKWETLA

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

  3. 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 RESTRICTED

  4. 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 RESTRICTED

  5. 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). RESTRICTED

  6. 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. RESTRICTED

  7. 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. RESTRICTED

  8. 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 RESTRICTED

  9. 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. RESTRICTED

  10. 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. RESTRICTED

  11. 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. RESTRICTED

  12. 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. RESTRICTED

  13. 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. RESTRICTED

  14. 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. RESTRICTED

  15. 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. RESTRICTED

  16. Appendix • MEMBERS OF NON-STATUTORY FORCES (NSF) • SELF DEFENCE UNITS (SDUs) • SELF PROTECTION UNITS (SPUs) • THE AZANIAN NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY (AZANLA) • THE CAPE COLOURED CORPS RESTRICTED

  17. END RESTRICTED

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