Interim National Defence Force Service Commission: Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans Mr A. Ismail Acting Chairperson Interim National Defence Force Service Commission 16 March 2010

AIM To brief the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on progress made since the INDFSC’s second briefing to the PCD&MV on 18 November To obtain the PCD&MV’s views or possible suggestions to the INDFSC

3 SCOPE Programme of Action Outputs Delivered Short Term Programme of Action Discussion and Views of the PCD&MV

4 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Programme of Action The INDFSC has determined that it would need to divide its work into a short term and medium term approach in order to achieve the overall objectives set by the Minister Key Stakeholders: In the initial phase hold discussions with various bodies / stakeholders in order to understand the nature and depth of the problem confronting the SANDF, inter alia: Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (Briefed on Programme of Action 19 Oct 09 & Progress Report presented 18 Nov 09)

5 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Key stakeholders cont: Defence Staff Council (meetings held 19 Oct 09 & 26 Nov 09), Military Command Council (meeting held 20 Oct 09), Secretariat Council (meetings held 29 Oct & 24 Nov 09) regarding the core challenges that military members face Ordinary Members of the Defence Force and Units – – 21 SA Infantry Battalion visited 26 Oct 09 – – Air Force Base Hoedspruit visited 27 Oct 09 – – Fleet Command Simons Town visited 28 Oct 09 – – 1 Military Hospital visited 9 Nov 09 – – Army Support Base JHB & Personnel Services School visited 19 Nov 09 The Defence Force Inspector General (outstanding)

6 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Key stakeholders cont: The Directorate of Human Resources Policy and the MCC and Arms of Service (various interactions took place) The Chaplain General (engaged during Defence Staff Council meeting) and other religious officials who administer to the needs of members of the SANDF Military Veterans Associations (request by June 16 th Detachment of MK Military Veterans to meet has been registered) Reserve Force Council (request to meet registered)

7 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Key stakeholders cont: Members of the Public Service Commission, the Minister and Department of Public Service and Administration (outstanding) Minister of Finance and National Treasury (outstanding – focus to be on relationship with permanent NDFSC) Minister of State Security and the Intelligence Department (discussions with IG Intelligence held on 12 Nov 09) Representatives of Civil Society, especially those that function in the security sector (outstanding)

8 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission The nature of discussions with the relevant stakeholders would inter alia include : Command and Control Command and Control related problems or issues Military Chain of Command Discipline in the SANDF and its institutionalization Morale in the SANDF Grievance mechanisms and procedures Service conditions Current state of infrastructure, facilities and equipment Grievance mechanisms and procedures

9 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Defence Commitments: Ability of the SANDF to meet its Defence Commitments The Defence Budget and its impact on Defence Commitments Split of the Defence Budget in terms of Capital, Operational and Personnel spend Adequacy of training within the SANDF Military ranking and related salary grading The possible effect of under-spending on morale in the SANDF

10 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Defence Commitments: Aspects still requiring further consideration: Adequacy of training Military ranking & salary grading Possible effects of under-spending on morale

11 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission ● ● Transformational issues: ● ● Implementation of the Civic Education program especially issues relating to military professionalism ● ● Education and training programs on Diversity and Equal opportunity ● ● Success of the military integration program and the willingness of the middle-ranks to implement the processes

12 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission ● ● Transformational issues: ● ● Aspects still requiring further consideration: ● ● Implementation of civic education programmes especially relating to military professionalism ● ● ETD programmes on diversity and equal opportunities ● ● Members of former SANDF Rank Audit Team want to share lessons learnt (request to meet registered)

13 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission ● ● Civil Military Relations ● ● Role of Parliament in oversight over Defence ● ● Role of the Defence Secretariat and their role in supporting the Minister in civil control; ● ● its implications for Defence Strategy, planning and commitments; and ● ● Operational control ● ● Challenges of the Relationship between SANDF and Defence Secretariat Structures

14 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission ● ● Service Conditions: ● ● Determination of a Military Service Dispensation to provide for the SANDF outside the ambit of the Public Service ● ● Functioning of the Military Bargaining Council ● ● Military ranking, grading of posts and salary structure (short and long term implications) ● ● Local benchmarking with the other Services i.e. SAPS, Intelligence (benchmarking with SAPS done) ● ● International benchmarking on both the system and the ranking, grading and salaries (UK visit) ● ● Application of the grievance mechanisms from servicemen’s perspective

15 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission ● ● Legislative issues ● ● Defence Amendment Bill – enactment of a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission (NDFSC) ● ● Unique service conditions for the SANDF ● ● Consulted Independent Commission for Remuneration of Public Office Bearers on 12 Nov 09

OUTPUTS DELIVERED The INDFSC has had meetings with the PCD, Defence Staff C, MCC, SC, MTUs, MOD&MV The Commission has interacted with approximately SANDF members Written submissions in respect of conditions of service were received from 190 SANDF members and were referred to the SANDF Command Cadre and Defence Secretariat to address with feedback to the INDFSC by 30 Apr 10

17 OUTPUTS DELIVERED (Cont …) The INDFSC submitted its First Interim Report to the MOD&MV on 3 Nov 09 – the SANDF’s and Defence Secretariat’s responses to this report were requested and will inform the recommendations of the INDFSC’s Final Report The INDFSC submitted its Second Interim Report to the MOD&MV on 10 Dec 09 emphasising: – – Providing short term relief to SANDF members; and – – Legislating a permanent NDFSC

18 OUTPUTS DELIVERED (Cont …) The MOD&MV approved the INDFSC’s recommendations contained in the Second Interim Report – –To provide short-term relief to SANDF members on salary Level 2 – 12 by raising their basic pay to be on par with the SAPS with effect from 1 Jul 09 – as announced on 23 Dec 09 Due to funding constraints (RB 1,398 for 9 months) the raise was implemented wef 1 Dec 09 – –To establish a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission through dedicated legislation – the draft Bill was submitted to the MOD&MV on 10 Dec 09

19 OUTPUTS DELIVERED (Cont …) – –The draft Bill provides for the establishment of a NDFSC; its appointment; terms of reference; functions; staff components; relationship with Parliament; reporting responsibilities to the President through the MOD&MV and its oversight role over the SANDF – –The draft Bill is currently with the State Law Advisors – –The permanent NDFSC will be appointed as soon as the Bill is enacted into Law

20 OUTPUTS DELIVERED (Cont …) – –The INDFSC conducted a benchmarking visit to the UK from 24 Feb to 7 Mar 10 to investigate the UK Armed Force’s service conditions (policies and practice) The UK MOD, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force were visited A comprehensive visit report for the MOD&MV is in progress Recommendations of this report will also inform the INDFSC’s Final Report

SHORT TERM PROGRAMME OF ACTION The following ST objectives will be pursued by the INDFSC pending the establishment of the NDFSC: – –Consultations with Political Parties represented in Parliament – –Making recommendations to the MOD&MV regarding Occupational Specific Dispensations for SANDF members in line with the MOD&MV’s directive dd 21 Dec 09 – –Consulting with the Public Service Commission – –Consulting with the Minister of Public Service & Administration

22 SHORT TERM PROGRAMME OF ACTION (Cont…) – –Consulting with the Minister of Finance and National Treasury – –Hearing further submissions by the Command Cadre and visiting additional SANDF units to inform the INDFSC’s Final Report – –Hearing submission by the Reserve Force Council – –Consulting with relevant Civil Society Organisations

23 Interim National Defence Force Service Commission Discussion and views of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans