Sisulu to receive war veterans report

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Pretoria - Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu is expected to receive a report on the plight and the state's obligations towards military veterans on Tuesday.

Following the reconfiguration of the department to include the aspect of military veterans, Sisulu appointed a task team to advise her and Cabinet on how the new administration can assist or empower this constituency.

The ministerial task team undertook an analysis of various post-conflict countries on how they successfully integrated former opposing military factions into the mainstream of society's development and civil life as former soldiers of different backgrounds.

"International visits to Algeria and Canada were also undertaken in order to contextualise the contrast between developing and developed nations with regard to benefits and support for Military Veterans," said the department in a statement.

The final report consists of policy recommendations with regard to benefits such as empowerment, education and training, pension's benefits, housing, health support, among others.

The report also supports the decision for the creation of a separate budget vote and an accounting officer for Military Veterans Affairs.