South African Lawmakers Demand Urgent Appointment Of Permanent Director-General To Address Leadership Vacuum At Department Of Military Veterans

DA and EFF lawmakers demand Minister Angie Motshekga end the leadership vacuum at the DMV to resolve 15-year delays in veteran pensions and housing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 5:53 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from DefenceWeb

The Persistent Crisis Of Interim Leadership

The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is facing renewed political pressure to resolve a leadership crisis that has left the organization without a permanent Director-General for years. According to a written appeal by Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament Maliyakhe Shelembe, the continued reliance on acting appointments at the Hatfield head office is "unacceptable" and detrimental to the welfare of former soldiers. Minister Angie Motshekga had previously indicated in December that the vacancy would be filled by March 31, 2026, yet opposition lawmakers remain skeptical given that the post was advertised multiple times in 2024 and 2025 without a successful appointment.

Failure To Implement The Military Veterans Act

The absence of a permanent accounting officer has reportedly stalled the full implementation of the Military Veterans Act, leaving thousands of beneficiaries in a state of administrative limbo. Shelembe warns that without a stable executive at the helm, the department is unable to fulfill its primary mandate of providing support to veterans and their dependents. This leadership vacuum is cited as the primary reason why many veterans have spent over 15 years waiting for basic benefits, including pensions and access to specialized healthcare, which remain promised but largely undelivered.

Inefficiencies In Service Delivery And Communication

Critical service failures have become a hallmark of the department’s current operational state under Acting Director-General Nontobeko Mafu. Reports indicate that even basic infrastructure, such as the DMV call center, has become non-responsive, leaving veterans unable to track their queries or lodge complaints. According to Shelembe’s statement, veterans frequently report being treated without dignity, with many facing severe poverty and health complications while their families wait for bureaucratic resolutions that never arrive.