Petition For The Dignity, Pension And Medical Rights Of South African Military Veterans

1. ONE STANDARD OF DIGNITY

We call for all qualifying veterans to be treated fairly, equally and without discrimination, subject to the legal requirements applicable to each category of veteran.

Our military history may be complex, but the principle is simple:

NO QUALIFYING VETERAN SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND.

2. RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SERVICE AND CAPE MILITARY CORPS VETERANS

We specifically call for proper recognition and assessment of veterans who completed two-year National Service, as well as qualifying veterans associated with the Cape Military Corps and other recognised military formations.

Their service should be properly recorded, assessed and recognised under the applicable legislation and regulations.

3. PENSION AND MEDICAL BENEFITS

We call upon Government to properly fund and implement the benefits provided for qualifying military veterans under the Military Veterans Act and applicable regulations.

In particular, we call for:

- A minimum Military Veterans Pension of R5,735 per month for qualifying beneficiaries, subject to applicable legal eligibility requirements;
- Urgent processing of outstanding pension claims;
- Transparent reasons for delayed or rejected applications;
- An effective appeal process;
- Accessible and properly funded medical benefits;
- Appropriate assistance for qualifying service-related disabilities and medical needs.

4. WHERE IS THE MONEY FOR OUR VETERANS?

Budget constraints must not become an excuse for failing to provide benefits to qualifying veterans.

We call upon Government and Parliament to disclose:

- How many qualifying veterans are awaiting benefits;
- The total outstanding financial liability;
- The funding currently available;
- The funding required;
- The timetable for clearing outstanding claims.

THERE MUST BE MONEY FOR THOSE WHO SERVED.

5. OUR DEMANDS

We respectfully call upon Government and Parliament to:

1. Recognise and honour all qualifying South African military veterans.
2. Properly implement and fund their lawful pension and medical benefits.
3. Provide a minimum R5,735 monthly pension to qualifying beneficiaries.
4. Clear outstanding pension and benefit claims urgently.
5. Provide an effective appeals process.
6. Ensure equal and fair treatment of qualifying veterans.
7. Require Parliament to exercise effective oversight of the Department of Military Veterans.
8. Publish regular reports on outstanding veteran benefits and progress in resolving them.

6. OUR MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT

We are not asking for charity.

We are asking for recognition, accountability, dignity and the proper implementation of benefits provided for qualifying veterans.

Behind every veteran is a person who once stood ready to serve.

Behind every veteran is a family.

Behind every uniform is a story of sacrifice.

WE SERVED WHEN OUR COUNTRY NEEDED US.

NOW WE ASK OUR COUNTRY TO STAND WITH US.

7. PETITION AND PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT

We call upon the Government of the Republic of South Africa and Parliament to urgently intervene and ensure that qualifying military veterans receive the financial and medical benefits provided for under the applicable legislation and regulations.

We request that this petition be formally received by Parliament and referred to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans for consideration and action.