Defence and Military Veterans minister Lindiwe Sisulu says
Peaking in her first budget vote as defence and veterans minister on Friday, she said her ministry has established a task team consisting of members of the Military Veterans Associations and representatives of various stakeholders to discuss the issue.
“Preliminary indications are that we would want to go the route of a separate vote and a separate department for Military Veterans,” she said.
“This would allow us to create the necessary vehicle within which we can provide for our responsibilities for military veterans.”
President Jacob Zuma renamed the department last month (June) when he added the military veterans function. Veterans have never previously been separately catered for, although the DoD has always had an office tasked with their support through veterans associations. The defence budget has also provided financially for veterans associations. Veterans entitled to receive pensions have received these from the Government Employees` Pension Fund or from the Department of Social Development, the latter still paying pensions to World War Two veterans or their widows.
“Notwithstanding the protracted delay in addressing this issue, it is my considered view that our approach be informed by well researched, properly benchmarked and well crafted strategies,” Sisulu said.
“It is in this regard that the Deputy Minister will place the task team report before this house for consideration as we build consensus around military veterans issues, through a thorough consultation with other organs of state, industry and business so as to provide for knowledge sharing in developing a multi-pronged strategy.
“The deadline we have set ourselves is October 2009.
“I humbly ask the Military Veterans, as the people affected, for a little more patience as we craft this vehicle that will support our work.We pledge our commitment to you and we hope we can make up for the pain and sacrifice you have endured,” Sisulu said.
