Reserve Force mandate, challenges, achievements, outcome of Reserve Force Indaba

Defence

28 November 2019
Chairperson: Mr V Xaba (ANC); Mr M Nchabeleng (ANC, Limpopo)
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Meeting Summary

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence was briefed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Reserves on the mandate, challenges and achievements, as well as the outcome of the Reserve Force Indaba held in September 2019. The role of the Reserves is to augment the regular soldiers for peace support operations, border safeguarding, support to the people including developmental agenda and proposed key point protection. They are a component of the core defence capability by providing expansion capability for major combat operations, and also contribute to the deterrence capability. The business case for the Reserves is that they are not paid when they are not called up. They do not receive pension benefits. They only receive medical cover when they are called-up. 6.5% of the SA Army HR budget produces about 50% of Operation Corona border protection deployments. The Reserves strength at 30 September 2019 is 21 632. Deployment duration for Operation Corona on the border is six months. A limited number of the Reserve Force is deployed externally. Reserves are needed, especially leader group, instructors and administrative personnel to maintain and sustain reserves in the SA Army in 67 units across South Africa.

The problems with Reserve Force system before the updated  Regulations to Defence Act in June 2017:
• Current system did not serve DOD or reserve members well - most of whom had no civilian career.
• The SANDF Reserves is affected by severe budget constraints resulting in:
- The lack of a feeder system – Military Skills Development System (MSDS) not effective.
- an ageing force;
- limited leader group development;
- restricted continuation training and course attendance;
- limitations in deployments on borders;

The status of the updated system is as follows:
• Instruction issued.
• Provides for direct recruitment and Basic Military Training at nodal points – separate from MSDS.
• Covers different types of service:
• Air Reserve Squadrons being re-activated.
• Doctors and medical orderlies being recruited into SA Military Health Service Reserves.
• SA Army seeking funds to train 300 junior leaders in 2020.

Arising from the Reserves Force Indaba 1 is the following Action List:
• Prepare Reserve Force Strategy.
• Define “One Force”.
• Evaluate Reserve Force Council (RFC) recommendations to enhance Updated Reserve Force Service System and Project Koba-Tlala.
• Evaluate funding options.
• Redefine who may be a Reserve.
• Plan and implement Mzanzi Home Guard.

Project Koba-Tlala is contributing to the developmental agenda of government. This SANDF project was approved at the end of 2017 with a project director and a project team up to 2021/22.   

Defence Provincial Liaison Councils (DPLCs) were constituted to promote and maintain support for the Reserve Force members, units and formations of the SANDF with employers, organized labour and the broader public in the respective provinces. The main purpose of the DPLCs is to assist Director Human Resource Separation and Director Human Resource Development in identifying skills development and job placement opportunities for trained Reserve Force Members.

Members appreciated the report from the Chief of Defence Reserves. They asked questions which included:
• Why the name changes of the reserve units;
• Why report has no mention of the outstanding medal backlog;
• Clarity on the registration of military veterans, why the registration is not automatic;
• How many days are reserves actually physically deployed per annum;
• How they call a committee when they have to make call-ups;
• If reserve members qualify for the same benefits as regular soldiers if injured or killed during a call up.

On the registration of reserves as veterans, Chief of Defence Reserves replied that it is complex because if someone retires from the regiment and their force number changes to national reserves, it means that they are liable for call-up for a period after that. They are not automatically going to be included into the database of military veterans because the computer systems for the Defence Force and Military Veterans is not the same system. Therefore the reserves have to apply to be military veterans and that process takes time. They are aware of this challenge and are trying to fix this so the two computer systems talk to each other.

Meeting report

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Reserves
Major General Roy Anderson, Chief of Defence Reserves: SANDF, said that the role of the Defence Reserves Division is to advise on Reserve Force policy and to monitor its implementation. The Reserves are commanded by the Services. The role of the Reserves – according to the Defence Review is:
• Augment the Regulars (peace support operations, border safeguarding, support to the people including developmental agenda and proposed key point protection).
• Provide a component of the core defence capability.
• Provide the expansion capability for major combat operations.
• Contribute to the deterrence capability.
• Provide certain specialist and scarce skills to Department of Defence (DOD).
• Enhance relationship between DOD and the public and private sectors.

The business case for the Reserves:
• Not paid when not called up.
• Do not receive pension benefits.
• Only receive medical cover when on call-up.
• 6.5% of the SA Army HR budget produces ±50% of Operation Corona deployments.

Gen Anderson noted that the Reserves are not unionised. The Reserves strength at 30 September 2019, is at a total of 21 632. In 2018/19 Reserve Force strength was 22 215 with 14 735 unique persons called up using 2.6 million man days and costing R1.9 billion. Budgeted 2.6 million man days for 2019/20 not fully funded. 

Deployment and utilization of Reserves Force members/units:
• Deployment duration for Operation Corona on borders = 6 months.
• Number of Reserve companies deployed in FY 19/20 = 14 (2100 members).
• Limited number of Reserve Force deployed externally.
• Reserves make up majority of Project Vaal River HR resources.
• Supplementing the Regiment in various other fields such as guard duties, administrative duties, chefs.
• Reserves are needed, especially leader group, instructors and administrative personnel to maintain and sustain 11 000 Reserves in the SA Army in 67 units across South Africa.

Problems with Reserve Force system before updated  Regulations to Defence Act in June 2017:
• Current system did not serve DOD or reserve members well - most of whom had no civilian career.
• The SANDF Reserves is affected by severe budget constraints resulting in:
- The lack of a feeder system – Military Skills Development System (MSDS) not effective.
- an ageing force;
- limited leader group development;
- restricted continuation training and course attendance;
- lack of mechanism to assist Reserves in obtaining civilian employment during/after Reserve service;
- Limitations in deployments on borders – could provide more companies (that is, the additional 7);
- Reserves must be reskilled – such as in construction, water purification.

The status of the updated system is as follows:
• Instruction issued.
• Being enhanced following the Reserve Force Indaba 1.
• Provides for direct recruitment and Basic Military Training at nodal points – separate from MSDS.
• Provides for reskilling and job placement.
• Covers different types of service:
- The Conventional Reserve Function (Surge Capability). To enhance capacity of Regiment Force to reinforce, strengthen or to ensure that operations can be sustained to counter a threat.
- The Immediate Deployable Capability (Supplementing the Regiment). This provides a support capacity.
- “The Mzansi Home Guard” Function. This will provide for Reserves to be embedded in the community.
- The Specialist Capability. To create and administer a database and service system that enables the utilisation of a pool of accessible Res specialists in a diverse range of disciplines
• Investigating an employment portal.
• Air Reserve Squadrons being re-activated.
• Doctors and medical orderlies being recruited into SA Military Health Service Reserves.
• SA Army seeking funds to train 300 junior leaders in 2020.

Gen Anderson said arising from the Reserves Force Indaba is the following Action List:
• Prepare Reserve Force Strategy.
• Define “One Force”.
• Evaluate Reserve Force Council (RFC) recommendations to enhance Updated Reserve Force Service System and Project Koba-Tlala.
• Evaluate funding options.
• Redefine who may be a Reserve.
• Plan and implement Mzanzi Home Guard.

The status of Project Koba-Tlala is as follows:
• Project Approval: SANDF Commander and Secretary of Defence approved project at the end of 2017 with a Project Director and Project Team up to FY21/22.  Approved as a SANDF project. Delegated to C Army to take responsibility for the launch of the project. Must be expanded to all Services and Divisions.
• Project Name: Koba-Tlala (Chasing away hunger, fighting hunger, alleviating poverty).
• Project End State:  DOD contributing to the developmental agenda of Government.
• The project-time-line and phases:
- FY 17/18: Phase 1: Formal initial phase and establishment of project
- FY 18/19, 19/20 and 20/21: Phase 2: Implementation and execution phase.
- FY 21/22: Phase 3: Consolidation Phase. Further decision on future of project.
• Budget allocated for FY19/20: Operating: R3.8m Man days: 18 475 (Item 10 R17.4m).
• Application for SASSETA funding submitted for FY19/20: R4.3m.
 
Gen Anderson said the Defence Provincial Liaison Councils (DPLCs) was constituted to promote and maintain support for the Reserve Force members, units and formations of the SANDF with employers, organized labour and the broader public in the provinces. The main purpose of the DPLCs is to assist Director Human Resource Separation and Director Human Resource Development in identifying skills development and job placement opportunities for trained Reserve Force Members. They create a structure through which industry is made aware of the Reserve System and create a clear understanding of the role of the Reserves, and how this will benefit the employer.

In conclusion Gen Anderson said the updated and enhanced Reserve Force Service System will ensure compliance with the Constitution and the Defence Review, overcome difficulties in current system and arrest the decline, if funded. The Reserves are making a significant contribution to the SANDF.

Discussion
Mr S Marais (DA) said in terms of the name changes the one thing he picked up and was concerned about is that many of these reserves are active and maintained purely because of the commitment of the volunteers. In some cases if there is no voluntary involvement this is what closed the door. In some cases there seems to be no obvious logic why specifically the name is changed and the perception is for political reasons. He does know what the reason is, but is afraid that they might lose some of the capabilities. They know if it is not for the volunteers who are doing this at no extra cost but at their own cost, they might lose those capabilities at these units. These name changes had been announced, some of these units are very active, but some of them are inactive, which is a concern.

Mr Marais noted that there is no mention of the outstanding medals. They have been approached by some reserve members who served on the border and in other units complaining about their outstanding medals. When they enquire about these medals they get no response from DOD. He asked who is handling the outstanding medals and to where can they send these enquiries.

Mr V Xaba (ANC), Co-Chairperson, asked why the registration of military veterans is not automatic because they are already retired soldiers who are now doing duties on a part-time basis. No mention has been made of the difficulty of members not requiring an ongoing stipend when not on call-up.

Mr Marais said the presenter mentioned 178 days on average per year. Units are either on the border, at home or in training. He asked if 178 days is total deployment or actual physical deployment on the border. How many days on average are reserves physically deployed? How and when does training take place? Are they trained by the reserve unit or does SANDF train them before deployment? What happens with those who are employed if called up? In the old days no employer could refuse an employee's call up.

Mr M Shelembe (DA) asked about air force statistics equity what they meant when they use the word “unknown” on determining race on page 9 of the presentation. Also how they differentiate the words “Asian and White” in determining race?

Mr Shelembe referred to page 11 and asked how they call a committee when they have to do a call up. What benefits do persons receive if injured or killed during call up? Do they qualify for the same benefits as regular soldiers?

Mr Shelembe said clarity is needed about military veterans because those that are still serving in the army need to know if they will be declared as military veterans after they retire from the army.

Gen Anderson replied that the name change is a democratic process. The units had to hold meetings and they chose the name and there was a video and a report on the meetings. Out of the 67 units there were only two units where the Army Command Council overrode the decision on the name. They work within parameters when they need people to work in those units.

Brigadier General Gerhard Kamffer, Director: Army Reserves, SA Army, replied that one of the important points is that SANDF Chief, Gen Shoke, gave specific guidelines that traditional units can retain their traditions via traditional bands and dress. For example the Transvaal Scottish can still have their traditional band and can retain one company, in other words, 150 members in traditional dress. That band can then be the traditional band of the Solomon Mahlangu Regiment. Therefore, they are not throwing away traditional bands but are trying to create a new balance. They have achieved it as they went on a road show throughout the country and researched all the traditional leaders such as Chief Maqoma and Chief Sandile. Then they have done a lot of research on MK detachments, the Boer general, the Boer war, the Union Defence Force, and the history from 1910, 1912 and onwards. Then the units had to select names according to certain criteria. The units came back with the names to the Name Review Steering Committee which was led by Director of Army Reserves. After this round, if they were not satisfied, they then sent them back to the units.

They also made changes to old province names such as Transvaal. Some of the units were very innovative, for example Natal Chavannes, the Infantry Unit in Pietermaritzburg. This unit was involved in the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879. They are now called Ingoba Makhosi Chavannes. Ingoba Makhosi was one of the Zulu regiments in the Battle of Isandlwana where the Natal Chavannes also participated. Therefore, he is satisfied that they have created a new balance.

Gen Anderson added that the names created are to uphold their heritage and to be attractive to the youth of today, not for their generation but for the youth to get involved now.

On outstanding medals, Gen Anderson replied that they also come across people who say they have spent 20 years in the force but they never got their medals. The challenge is that there is a backlog with medals and they try by all means to help people to get their medals.

Gen Anderson replied about the registration of reserves as veterans. It is a complex issue because if someone retires from the regiment and their force number changes to national reserves, it means that they are liable for call-up for a period after that. They are not automatically going to be included into the database of military veterans because the computer systems for the Defence Force and Military Veterans is not the same system. Therefore the reserves have to apply to be military veterans and that process takes time. The only comfort he can give to the Committee is that they are aware of this challenge. They are trying to fix it because he does not understand why these two computer systems cannot talk to each other.

Mr Marais said anybody who qualifies as a veteran from day one must be a veteran. But in the same process they do not want to put an impediment on reserves forces because that person qualifies to be a military veteran. The question is why cannot they call him up? It is not a re-employment, it is a call-up.

Gen Anderson agreed with Mr Marais but people must not double dip as they cannot get reserve force salary plus military veterans benefits. It is correct that their skills are needed. It is the human resource side of military veterans which must address this and the defence force agrees that they need to fix this issue.

Gen Anderson replied about remuneration for call-up that it is important to note that 80% to 90% of the reserve force do not have a civilian job. The good news is that they are available. The bad news is that when they are not called up, they are not happy. But if they get a call-up for six months deployment and compare their salary and benefits, it is equivalent to a 12 month salary in the private sector. But of course they do not see it that way. They say they are trained so why not use their skills. It is because they do not do their job for the money.

Gen Anderson said the calculation of 178 days is a straight calculation. They took the 14 700 (unique persons called up) and divided it and got 2.6 million man days in 2018/19. But the percentage of the army going to Corona is not a large percentage, it is a six months call-up. Therefore, the 178 days is the total number of days divided by the number of reserves who got called up.

Gen Kamffer explained that there is a pre-employment period of 30 days done by a reserve unit. Then a member is called up for 6 months or actually 7 months call-up for internal deployment. The average in the army is 140 days, which is much lower than the average in Defence. The army at the moment calls up 11 000 to 2 000 members below 60 days a year. Those are coming for 1 day or 2 days a week. So, out of that 11 000 members, 9 000 are unemployed, 2 000 are employed, which are mostly the leader group in the units.

Gen Anderson replied about resistance from employers that sadly the reality is that 90% of the reserves are unemployed; employer resistance is not a major factor. In the latest amendment to the Defence Act they have put in a clause which stipulates clearly that an employer cannot discriminate against an employee by virtue of their reserve force service.

Gen Anderson replied to the question on race and 'unknown' that there are some people who refuse to declare their race whether they are white or black, they say they are South African. They are still on the system but they will not declare their race. The definition of Asian refers to Indian and Chinese.

Gen Kamffer replied to the question on corruption that there are 67 units in the army and each unit has a committee which deals with corruption. Any corruption picked up is reported and dealt with by the committee in each unit.

The Army Director for Air Force Reserves replied that the benefits for members that are deceased are the same. There is no distinction between the reserves and the regular soldiers, they are all the same. Where the distinction comes in is marital status - if unmarried one gets lower than if married.

Gen Anderson added that there is a trust fund that educates the children of deceased soldiers and the reserves and regular soldiers are treated equally there. As they speak, they have educated 92 children of deceased soldiers and reserves, and the benefits are exactly the same.

The Chairperson thanked Gen Anderson and his colleagues for the presentation and responses. The Committee will note the report from the Chief of the Defence Reserve. It has given them more understanding on what is going on with the reserves throughout the country. On the registration of military veterans, it is crucial that both DOD and the Military Veterans deal with their computer systems urgently.

The meeting was adjourned.
 

Present

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