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Urgent Appointment of Director-General Needed to Rescue Department of Military Veterans

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a written question to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, seeking clarity on when the vacant position of Director-General in the Department of Military Veterans will be filled. This vacancy follows the resignation of Irene Mpolweni in February this year, who had been suspended due to allegations of corruption.

This position is critical for fulfilling the Department’s statutory and constitutional obligations to support military veterans and their dependents. Since the enactment of the Military Veterans Act in 2011, the Department has consistently failed to deliver essential services such as healthcare, housing, education, counselling, employment placement, and pensions to veterans. These failures severely impact the lives of veterans who have dedicated themselves to protecting our country, its economy, and its citizens.

The Department has failed to realise its vision of a dignified, united, empowered, and self-sufficient veterans’ community. The DA is deeply concerned that the ongoing delay in appointing a permanent Director-General will further jeopardise the livelihoods of military veterans.

The rollout of pension benefits remains slow, veterans face excessive delays in receiving updates on their applications, and calls to support centres go unanswered. This neglect of those who served our country is unacceptable. I have sent a written question to the Minister, demanding to know when the Director-General will be appointed, as there is currently no one accountable for the Department’s failure to meet its legal obligations.

I also raised this matter during the Portfolio Committee meeting on Defence and Military Veterans on 11 September 2024, calling for the immediate appointment of a Director-General to effect the necessary turnaround in the Department. The Minister’s failure to address this critical vacancy is disgraceful and reflects poorly on the Department of Military Veterans.

The DA will continue to pressure the Minister to expedite the appointment of a Director-General to prevent the collapse of this essential department.

Regards

Maliyakhe Shelembe MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson for Defence and Military Veterans

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