Question NW1661 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
10 June 2021 - NW1661
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) What is the (i) normal age when members of the Department of Defence (DoD) and the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) are obliged to go on pension and (ii) policy of the DoD and SANDF with regard to the obligated retirement age of permanent force members and (b) if the age is still 60 years, what would be the reasons and motivations for certain persons not retiring at the age of 60; (2) what were the reasons (a) that the employment term and contract of a certain person (name and details furnished) was extended when the specified person turned 60 and (b) for a further extension of the person’s employment contract to a certain position (details furnished) in the SANDF, from which the person will only retire at the age of 66?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i)(ii) Section 19 of the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (Proclamation No. 21 of 1996) states, inter alia, that a member shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired on reaching the age determined by the law governing his or her employment. Section 52 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act 42 of 2002) makes provision for members to be appointed and utilised in the Regular Force from the age of 18 to 65 years of age. In terms of Regulation 21 of Chapter III of the General Regulations for the South African National Defence and the Reserve an officer serving in the Permanent Force shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired, on the date when he or she attains the age of 60 years. Regulation 22 of Chapter III also states that the maximum age limit for temporary service in the Permanent Force shall be 65 years. In terms of the Regulation 29 of the Regulations for the Reserve Force, the date of retirement of a Reserve Force member may be extended to the date on which he or she attains the age of 75 years.
(b) The following are the reasons and motivations for certain persons not retiring at the age of 60:
i) To ensure continuous effective strategic direction and management to the SANDF.
ii) To ensure the effective management of medical and health services to the Department of Defence (DOD).
iii) To retain specialist skills, especially where there is a shortage of skilled members in the Senior Management System, such as Medical Officers and Special Forces Operators.
iv) To ensure the retention of experienced members to mentor young and inexperienced members.
(2) The Defence Act makes provision for members to be appointed and utilised in the Regular Force from the age of 18 to 65 years, while the Regulations for the Reserve Force makes provision for the extension of the retirement of a Reserve Force member from 65 to 75 years.