All military veterans who qualify receive all benefits, writes Ndivhuwo Mabaya.
I refer to the article “Military veterans frustrated over lack of welfare benefits” (Sunday Tribune, June 11).
The article, written by Manyane Manyane, mentions a military veteran who complains that Minister Lindiwe Sisulu promised military veterans benefits, such as health and education, when she was the minister of defence, but these benefits are only enjoyed by the military veterans from the ANC’s Umkhonto we Sizwe.
According to the Military Veterans Act, all military veterans who qualify receive all benefits. In terms of housing for military veterans, the minister and all MECs are prioritising all veterans who never joined the statutory forces for housing benefits.
The minister has appointed a task team to fast-track the allocation of houses to veterans and to work with veterans in identifying opportunities in the construction sector. The minister urges all veterans who have challenges with bursaries and medical benefits to contact the director-general of the Department of Military Veterans. The ministry has brought this matter to his attention for investigation and action.
* Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Ministry of Human Settlements
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Newspapers.
Sunday Independent