A PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON

DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS

BY

THE MINISTERIAL TASK TEAM ON MILITARY VETERANS

By Hon. Dep. Min. T. Makwetla

4 November 2009

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SCOPE

• BACKGROUND

• PROBLEM STATEMENT

• STATUS QUO

• PROCESS METHODOLOGY

• CONCRETE FACTORS IMPACTING ON POLICY

• POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• CONCLUSION

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BACKGROUND

• Announcement by President Jacob Zuma of the creation of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

• Decision by Hon. Min. Sisulu to set up a Task Team.

• Terms of Reference – Produce policy recommendations for support and administration of Military Veterans affairs by end of October 2009.

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BACKGROUND

• The Task Team’s Composition:– Hon. Dep. Min. T. Makwetla (Chairperson)– Act. Sec. Def. Mr T.E. Motumi– Maj Gen K. Mokoape– Brig Gen (Ret) M.R. Fihla– Mr K.E. Maphatsoe – Mr T. Yengeni– Dr T. Ndlovu– Mr L. Maisela– Mr T.S. Makgabo– Lt Col (Ret) G. Giles– Mr L.J. Buys– Lt Gen D.M. Mgwebi– Maj Gen E.M. Mashoala– Mr S.E. Dlamini– Ms S.R. Rabkin– Mr D. Subramoney

– Plus a Secretariat (Research and Administration)

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

• Demobilisation imperative that followed the integration process – the need to reduce force levels.

• Insufficient support rendered to the demobilised cadres.

• Reintegration into civilian life – the need for re-skilling of former military personnel.

• Welfare and Nation Building.

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Status Quo

• Legislation.

– Military Veterans Affairs Act, Act 17 of 1999; – The Special Pensions Act, Act 69 of 1996; – The Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004; – The National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999;– The Housing Act, Act 107 of 1997; – The Transitional Executive Council Act, Act 151 of 1993; – The National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003; and – The Military Pensions Act, Act 84 of 1976.

• Inconclusive CPR List.

• Limited and Fragmented Support:

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Status Quo

– Special Pensions– Programmes and Projects– Service Corps.– Provincial Housing and other projects.– Medals for Liberation Heroes (Limited Project).

• Inadequate Structures:

– Govt. Directorate of Military Veterans (DOD).

– Military Veterans Associations.

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PROCESS METHODOLOGY

• Desktop Studies of various countries:– US– Canada– Germany– Rwanda– Angola– Uganda– PRC

• Line Function Departments Inputs:– National Treasury– Dept. of Human Settlements– Social Development

• Visits to determine ‘Best Practice’: US & Algeria.

• Weekly Meetings.

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CONCRETE FACTORS IMPACTING ON POLICY

• Freedom Fighters vs Conventional Military Veterans.

• Short Term vs Long Term Policy.

• Human Resource’s Policy alignment in service and after service.

• Government’s Anti-poverty Strategy parameters.

• Means-test principle.

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POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• Objectives of Policy:

– To honour and serve veterans in life and memorialise them in death for their sacrifices on behalf of the Nation.

– To ensure a smooth and seamless transition for veterans from active military service to civilian life.

– To restore the capability of veterans with disabilities to the greatest extent possible and improve the quality of their lives and that of their families.

– To provide a comprehensive delivery system of services and benefits for military veterans.

– To contribute toward reconciliation and nation building.

– To enhance the national work force.

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POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• Definition of Beneficiaries:

– Military veteran: is a SA citizen who had served before 1994 in military formations on both sides of the conflict during the liberation struggle and all those who have since retired after serving in the former SADF and were honourably discharged.

– Dependants: A 'dependant' of a military veteran refers to a spouse, widower, widow, life partner or child of the military veteran or anyone who is legally dependent on the military veteran for support and maintenance and who complies with the requirements and conditions which may be prescribed.

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POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• Eligibility:

– The Principle of a Means Test apply for each support service or benefit, separately.

– Indigency – How economically disempowered.

– Benefits on a cascading scale of priority – taking into account the degree of involvement of the person e.g. Length of jail term served, disability incurred in the execution of struggle duties.

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POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• Benefits:

– Pensions

– Housing

– Health

– Burials and Memorials

– Education and Training

– Facilitation of Job Placements

– Transport

– Compensation

– Business Opportunities, etc.

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POLICY CONTENT ISSUES

• Macro Institutions of Military Veterans:

– Govt. Separate Departments and co-ordination of delivery or Delivery by itself.

– Appeals Board.

– Advisory Council.

– Veterans Organisations.

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CONCLUSION

– The recommendations must be viewed as preliminary framework for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

– Further refinement to be undertaken upon conclusion of further investigations and research.

– A team to align the South African National Defence Force HR policy for members during service and after service.

THANK YOU