1. Chairman: Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Interim National Defence Force Service Commission: Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence
Judge LO Bosielo
Chairman: Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
13 October 2009

2. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Members of Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Chairman : Judge LO Bosielo
Deputy Chairman: A Ismail
Lt Gen (ret) L Moloi
Maj Gen (ret) B Holomisa (MP)
Mr P Groenewald (MP)
Ms H Mgabadeli (MP)
Prof R Christie
Dr A Mokgokong
Bishop M Mpumlwana
Prof D Swartz

3. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission (INDFSC)
Terms of Reference
To advise and make recommendations on a unique service dispensation , outside the ambit of the Public Service, in respect of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
To advise and make recommendations regarding the amendment of the regulatory framework in order to give effect to the unique service dispensation in this regard
To investigate, provide expert advice and make recommendations regarding remuneration and the conditions of service of members of the SANDF

4. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission (INDFSC)
Proposed Framework for the INDFSC
The Minister has indicated that the INDFSC will be expected to continue its work until such time that a permanent Commission is established, following legislative amendments
The INDFSC will not in the short term adopt any particular stance or make any pronouncements with regards to trade unions in the military
The challenge faced by the INDFSC is that of limited timeframes as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (Minister) has requested that the Commission provide an interim report to her by December.
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
The Commission would initially spend time determining in-depth the nature and extent of the problem before embarking on proposing solutions

5. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
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
Political parties represented in Parliament
Minister and Department of Public Service and Administration
Members of the Public Service Commission
Minister of Finance and National Treasury
Minister of State Security and the Intelligence Department

6. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Key stakeholders cont:
Defence Staff Council (DSC), Military Command Council (MCC), the various Arms of Service regarding the core challenges that military members face
Ordinary Members of the Defence Force and Unit Commands
The Defence Force Inspector General
The Directorates of Human Resources Policy and those of the MCC and Service Arms
The Chaplain General and other religious officials who administer to the needs of members of the SANDF
Military Veterans Associations
Reserve Forces Council

7. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Key stakeholders cont:
Members of the Defence Force or their representatives. These would include the Military Trade Unions. Any of the meetings with the Military Trade Unions would take place on a without prejudice basis implying that no preference is expressed for or against the existence of military trade unions. The views of COSATU or other Trade Union Federations will be canvassed at a later stage
Representatives of Civil Society especially those that function in the security sector

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

9. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Defence Commitments:
Ability of the SANDF to meet its Defence Commitments
The Defence Budget as a percentage of GDP 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
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

11. 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
Organisational Structure challenges

12. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Service Conditions:
Determination of a Military Service to provide for the SANDF vs 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
International benchmarking on both the system and the ranking, grading and salaries
Application of the grievance mechanisms from servicemen’s perspective

13. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Legislative issues
Defence Amendment Bill – enactment of a permanent National Defence Force Service Commission (NDFSC)
Rulings of the Constitutional Courts
Implementation of the Labour Relations Act
SANDF General Regulations
Unique service conditions for the SANDF?
Rules of Engagement for Military Trade Unions
How should violations of Court rulings by Military Unions and members of the SANDF be dealt with

14. Interim National Defence Force Service Commission
Discussion and views of the
Portfolio Committee on Defence