By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Defence and Military Veterans’ has confirmed that the payment of pension benefits to military veterans has been delayed to 2023.
Deputy President David Mabuza previously announced that military veterans would receive a pension-pay out of R4 962 per month from 1 December.
This, however, will only start early next year, according to Defence Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla.
Makwetla was speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
“The process to roll out the pension pay-out will commence after the lapse of the 30 days tabling in Parliament. The department will in the meantime take in applications and process them accordingly through the government pension processes and system,” he said.
Makwetla explained that administrative processes delayed the implementation of the decision to provide members of the non-statutory forces with pension benefits.
“[In] the process of the implementation of this decision we were confronted with unavoidable administrative processes which resulted in the delay in the payment of the pension benefits. One of these was the requirement that the Draft Pension Regulations and the Pension Benefit Access form should be tabled in Parliament.
“These were tabled in Parliament early in December 2022. This will in turn legalise the operationalisation of the pension pay-out to military veterans,” he said.
Makwetla reiterated government’s commitment to providing pension benefits for those who served in liberation armies.
He added that the department is “working around the clock” to ensure that the pension benefit is disbursed as soon as possible.
“We want to reassure the community of military veterans and reiterate to them that the Government remains fully committed to the provision of the pension benefit to military veterans and has begun the necessary administrative processes.
“Government is fully conscious and aware of the financial challenges facing military veterans particularly in the current difficult economic times, characterised by poor economic growth, joblessness and persistent poverty,” he said.
Makwetla said in order to avoid any further delays, military veterans are requested to register with the department.
‘A fully completed Military Veterans Pension benefit application form should be accompanied by an identity document and certified birth/marriage/partnership certificate and service certificate clearly indicating the force number.
“Military veterans are urged to apply in person or through registered post. The correct address must be specified on the appropriate form, which can be found on the DMV website and provincial offices,” he said.
Meanwhile, Makwetla announced that military veterans will now be allowed to access the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
“The Presidential Task Team (PTT) has taken a decision that military veterans should be paid the Social Relief of Distress support amount of R1250.00 per month to augment their pension pay-out during the current challenging economic situation.
“This will be a significant improvement on the previous R350.00 social relief support paid to veterans. The department should find alternative ways to implement such support in an effective and equitable manner to ensure that all those eligible do benefit,” he said.