Despite the appointment of an Acting Director-General in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DMV), the implementation of the Military Veterans Act is still not fully complied with. Veterans are yet to access their subsidised public transport benefits.
Twelve years ago, the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 was enacted with the provision that military veterans must be assisted with subsidised public transport. Still, to failure by the Department, this is yet to be finalised.
At the Portfolio Committee meeting on Defence and Military Veterans held on 8 November 2023, the DMV officials confirmed that this is the case. During DA oversight in Gqeberha in May 2023, military veterans were mournful that they were unable to get to the hospital as they were unemployed.
The DMV should have coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure that the veterans can get transport to visit hospitals. The ANC government continues to fail these men and women and display utter disregard for the role they played in protecting our country.
Adding insult to injury, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise is considering removing this benefit due to the absence of an adequate subsidised public transport strategy. If the Minister cannot implement the Act, the DA urges her to resign from this important position which requires an individual who knows what she is doing.
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