Govt, military veterans' group meet

According to the department, the meeting discussed matters of mutual concern such as working closely together in order to improve relations and communication that will enhance service delivery to military veterans.

The DMV delegation was led by the Director General Tsepe Motumi and Colonel (Retired) Andile Ntabeni led APLAMVA.

Top on the agenda were issues relating to working towards an inclusive military veterans conference of APLAMVA which will help unify the military veterans in their engagements with the DMV. Other issues included the medals parade for former APLAMVA members and the verification process of military veterans.

"The meeting agreed on holding an urgent inclusive national conference of APLAMVA within the next three months that will ensure effective participation of all military veterans on policy and programmatic matters affecting them," said department spokesperson Mbulelo Musi.

According to Musi, the meeting noted the progress made thus far with the issuing of medals by the DMV to uMkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) members in 2012 and agreed on the need to fast-track the issuing of medals to APLAMVA members.

The meeting also noted the need to verify former APLA members who were left out during the integration process into the SANDF of 1994/5.

In that regard, the meeting agreed on looking at the verification process currently underway with a view of beefing-up its capacity so it can operate in an effective, efficient, inclusive, transparent and fair manner.

The meeting further noted the need to have a system and policy that will guide the relationship between APLAMVA as well as other Military Veterans Associations with the DMV, so that mutually-beneficial relations of trust could be enhanced.

The meeting also emphasised the need for the DMV to play a catalyst role in enhancing the unity of the military veterans' community in general and that of its Associations in particular.

In that regard, the holding of an inclusive APLMVA conference was re-emphasised.

"The meeting concluded by agreeing on the need for improving and strengthening communication between the DMV, APLAMVA and other Associations," Musi said.