Question NW121 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
22 March 2022 - NW121
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to a certain person’s complaint of non-payment of her final compensation (name and details furnished) and the report of the Military Ombud’s (name furnished) investigation into the matter (details furnished) that was finalised and signed on 27 January 2020 with valid and appropriate recommendation and a request to her office to ensure that appropriate relief is implemented within three months from the date of the signature, where the latter recommended to her to assure that payment to the specified person is made, what is the reason why nothing was confirmed and/or paid to the specified person; in light of the complaint that was submitted to the Military Ombud on 3 April 2018 (2) and finalised under signature of the Military Ombud on 27 January 2020, (a) on what date will the specified person receive her lawful and rightful compensation and (b) what has she found to be the reasons for the non-implementation of the (i) Military Ombud’s recommendations n article 7 of the final report and (ii) request to her office in article 8 of the final report?
Reply:
(1) Following the Military Ombud (MO) Investigation Report MO/DIA/12/1/0008/18-19 dated 27 January 2020, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (MOD&MV) commissioned an inclusive and comprehensive audit of the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for nurses in the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). The aim of the audit was to ensure accuracy and guarantee that no nurse with a similar complaint was left out. Subsequent to the audit, a submission, which included the possible complainant, was approved by the MOD&MV for the payment of all affected personnel.
(2) The Department of Defence (DOD) is in the process of capturing and finalising all outstanding final compensation resulting from the audit and submission as approved by the MOD&MV. The payment of all outstanding compensations will be finalised before the end of the 2021/2022 financial year.
a) Recommendations were not yet ratified by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for implementation, but rather for all-inclusive and Comprehensive audit of OSD for nurses in the South African Medical Health Services (SAMHS) to ensure accuracy and guarantee that no nurse with a similar complaint is left out.
(b)It is not necessary to take actions against any person in the Department and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as this was structural issues rather than negligence or human error.
(c) No date can be provided yet for the person to receive the payments which are in line with the findings and recommendations by the MO. The Minister is yet to pronounce implementation based on her approval of the comprehensive audit report. However, determination has been made to identify areas for funding the shortfalls on approval by the Minister.
(d) The findings and recommendations of the MO in terms of the Mil Ombud Act are advisory in nature until they are endorsed by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The OSD audit for all nurses was completed and is receiving further attention from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. For further endorsement.
(e) Money spent on the Office of the MO is still valuable, and the Department sees the Military Ombud as a force multiplier to accomplish other successes than without it.