DEPUTY President David Mabuza, in his capacity as chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, has called on military veterans across the political divide, to organise themselves in one group for government to adequately support them.
“Military veterans must organise themselves and be united. It is only when they are united that they will be able to address pressing issues of interest. Military veterans should further, participate in the processes towards amendment of the Military Veterans Act”, told a meeting of military veterans in Limpopo.
The meeting of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans led by Mabuza took place at the Polokwane Rugby Stadium, Capricorn District in the Limpopo province.
Military veterans often complain that they are not getting housing, health services and other things from government equally.
Addressing a group of military veterans in Limpopo from the old South African Defence Force (SADF), Venda Defence Force (VDF) and ANC’s Mkonto we Sizwe (MKVA), Azanian Peoples’ Liberation Army (APLA) and the Azanian Peoples’ National Army (AZANLA) and others, Mabuza said government is worried that military veterans fight amongst themselves.
Mabuza said military veterans from former liberations parties are still battling with verifications to check who was in the trenches whereas the situation of others from the SADF and VDF is better.
“You must try and organise yourselves, we don’t want these groupings amongst yourselves because we don’t understand why you are fighting amongst yourselves. You are a community that is getting smaller and smaller.”
“You are a community that is ageing. So why would old people fight among themselves? MKVA and military council you must go and solve your issues with immediate effect. It is not good for this community,” adds Mabuza.
Mabuza emphasised the active participation and the importance of unity amongst the Military veterans associations.
The meeting agreed in principle that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Military Veterans, Limpopo Provincial Administration, Municipalities and other state entities, should be fast-tracked to ensure there is adequate institutionalisation of support to military veterans.
The Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans will continue to receive reports on progress made by different work streams.
- Inside Politics
