R1.6bn to honour SA's old soldiers

The government is to spend R1.6-billion over the next three years to provide a range of services for military veterans.

The money, approved by the cabinet two weeks ago, will benefit military veterans who served in the SA Defence Force, the former Bantustan armies, Umkhonto weSizwe and other liberation armies.

Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla told the Sunday Times the government had a duty to look after the welfare of former combatants.

He said the money would be used to provide healthcare support, housing, pension, education and business opportunities to ex-soldiers and their dependants.

"Every benefit will have a means test. We will study case by case," said Makwetla.

"Veterans who are members of parliament, for instance, will be excluded from some of the benefits, if not all.

"The overall objective is to recognise and honour veterans and ensure a seamless transition from active military service to civilian life, restoring the capability of military veterans with disabilities."

The defence and military veterans' committee in parliament has completed public hearings on the Military Veterans' Bill, during which the public made submissions on what they wanted the government to do for the veterans.

A number of concerns were raised by various associations of military veterans over aspects of the bill.

"I am happy that no one during the hearing objected to the bill, but we have to adjust on some of the concerns," said Makwetla.

He said the government's plans were in line with how other nations valued and treated those who are, and were, prepared to serve and at times make the supreme sacrifice in pursuit of a better future for all.

He said that the proposed law would benefit about 57000 former soldiers who rendered military service to any of the military organisations involved on all sides of South Africa's "liberation war" from 1960 to 1994, including those who served in the Union Defence Force before 1961 and those who became members of the South African National Defence Force after 1994.

"The South African Defence Force (forerunner of the SANDF) is very much part of the defence force we have today," said Makwetla.