Military veterans Department: Military Veterans REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL...
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Transcript of 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