A%20PRESENTATION%20TO%20THE%20PORTFOLIO%20COMMITTEE%20ON%20DEFENCE%20AND%20MILITARY%20VETERANS%20BY%20THE%20MINISTERIAL%20TASK%20TEAM%20ON%20MILITARY%20VETERANS

1
A PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON
DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANSBYTHE
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.

4
BACKGROUND

• The Task Teams 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.

6
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.

8
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 Resources Policy alignment in service and
  after service.
• Governments 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