This announcement was made by the Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, David Mabuza, today during an engagements with the Free State Provincial Government and Military veterans associations.

Mabuza during his address stated that there are certain benefits under the Military Veterans Act 18 that must be looked at, as some veterans have expressed their concern.

Mabuza has also tasked the provincial government to find out how many veterans in the province have received benefits.

The establishment of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans was influenced by a peaceful protest by a group of veterans expressing their dissatisfaction.

During Mabuza’s address on Thursday at Bloemspruit Airforce Base, he stated the Free State is the fifth province he is visiting to hold such an engagement.

Mabuza expressed how proud he is at the progress that has been made in the Free State.

The Free State Provincial Government is set to appoint a military veterans officer in the near future. One of the officer’s responsibilities will be to ensure that the military veterans in the province receive their benefits as they should. The provincial premier, Sisi Ntombela, announced that the position will be filled as soon as possible.

She also stated they acknowledge that more still needs to be done to improve the lives of military veterans. Ntombela expressed that one of the reasons why the people of the country have democracy, is because of the bravery and selflessness of the heroic freedom fighters.

The Free State government has built multiple houses across the province for military veterans. Ntombela has however stated that there is a significant possibility there are people who have falsely presented themselves as military veterans just to acquire free housing. She further stated they need to establish a list of everyone who fought for freedom, and that those who acquired houses illegally must return them.

Various government departments in the Free State have taken hands to ensure military veterans get the benefits they deserve. Ntombela confirmed that the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) has employed military veterans in different capacities.

Ntombela stated this is the token of appreciation they can offer those who helped the country become a democracy. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has also given land to military veterans to produce food for their families.

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