The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms LN Sisulu, gave hope to more than three hundred members of the South African Cape Corps Military Veterans Association (SACCMVA). Sisulu was addressing the SACCMVA members at the official launch of its association at Happy Valley Sports Ground, Bonnievale.
Three months ago Minister Sisulu held a meeting with SACCMVA to look into among others, issues of SACCMVA’s recognition as a military veterans association and individual members of the Cape Corps joining the Reserve Force of the South African National Defence Force. At that meeting Minister Sisulu promised to respond to concerns raised by the association and has since delivered to her promises.
"We have acknowledged that we should have put together systems to support you earlier in 1994, it took us long to get here, but we are here now and together we must move forward".
"In my budget speech I said "I have recently learned about the plight of members who served in the South African Cape Corps (SACC) which was disbanded during 1992, before the integration of forces which formed the current South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Most of those members could not be accommodated in the then South African Defence Force (SADF) units at the time and they neither received any meaningful benefits nor assistance in being re-skilled for alternative employment," said Sisulu.
The SACCMVA, an association which represents former members of the South African Cape Corps who were deployed in countries such as Namibia and Angola during ‘bush war’ will now see their dignity being restored.
“This government is committed to restoring the dignity of Military Veterans and ensuring that we support all economic and social programmes of our Military Veterans. We want to honour and give what is due to our military veterans”, said Sisulu assuring military veterans.
Minister Sisulu also stated “I have instructed the Chief of the SANDF to ensure that some of you who can still participate in the Reserve Force of the SANDF are urgently incorporated into the reserve force. I have also asked the Chief of the SANDF to look at the possibility of incorporating some of you in the SANDF works regiment to train our young soldiers and also help maintain our buildings".
"You have my commitment that tomorrow is brighter and together we can do more. Your lives will never be the same again" concluded Sisulu.
The launch was attended by the President of the South African National Military Veterans Association, Mr Kebby Maphatsoe and Director-General for the Department of Military Veterans, Mr Tsepe Motumi.
Enquiries:
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Media release: 'We want to honour and give what is due to our military veterans', Minister Sisulu
