Agb Adjunkspeaker, wat hierdie wetsontwerp betref, stel die VF Plus basies twee vereistes. Die eerste is dat as ons van militre veterane praat, word almal ingesluit. Die tweede aspek is of dit bekostigbaar is.
Wat "almal" betref, is die VF Plus tevrede daarmee dat dienspligtiges van die vorige bedeling ook ingesluit word by die definisie van militre veterane. Dit s baie duidelik "enige persoon wat diens gelewer het vir die statutre of nie-statutre magte". Ek dink daar word nou vir die eerste keer ook behoorlik erkenning gegee aan veral die lede van die voormalige Kaapse (Kleurling) Korps wat ook hul diens gelewer het.
Die bekostigbaarheid moet nog bepaal word, nadat die Minister die middeletoets daargestel het. Ons wag vir daardie middeletoets. Ons wil sien wat daardie middeletoets is, want ons weet die begroting van die Weermag is in hierdie stadium onder druk. Die vraag is of ons daardie geld gaan kry.
Ek weet die agb Adjunkminister het 'n flater gemaak met sy uitlating, maar agb Adjunkminister, ek weet dat u verkeerd ingelig was deur sekere amptenare oor die personeelregister en of van die lede op die register is, al dan nie. So, u kan rustig wees. Ons weet die dienspligtiges is ook ingesluit in die definisie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Deputy Speaker, with regard to this Bill, the FF Plus basically sets two preconditions. The first is that when we talk of military veterans, everyone should be included. The second aspect is whether it is affordable.
Regarding "everyone", the FF Plus is satisfied that the conscripts of the previous dispensation are also included under the definition of military veterans. It clearly states "any South African citizen who rendered military service to any of the military organisations, statutory and nonstatutory". I think there is now also, for the very first time, proper recognition being given particularly to the members of the former Cape (Coloured) Corps, also rendered service.
The affordability must still be determined once the Minister has introduced the means test. We are waiting for that means test. We would like to see what that means test is all about as we are aware that the budget of the Defence Force is presently under pressure. The question is whether we will receive those funds.
I know the Deputy Minister made a blunder with his statement, however, hon Deputy Minister, I know that you were given the incorrect information by certain officials regarding the staff register and whether or not some of the members are listed on the register. So you can rest easy. We know the conscripts are also included in the definition.]