The Citizen reports that a group of 2,700 military veterans who played an important role in SA’s liberation struggle are intensifying their legal battle against the government for compensation.

According to the veterans, the government has failed to fulfill its promise of providing them with R4.2 million each as compensation for their contribution to ending apartheid. Taking action against the Department of Defence, Department of Military Veterans and the Presidency, the veterans have served notice of their claim. Their lawyers explained that the basis for their demand lay in the R500,000 compensation each of them was promised back in 1994, which, with interest and escalation, had now accumulated to R4.2 million per veteran. The group is made up of members from prominent military associations, namely the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, Azanian People’s Liberation Army Military Veterans Association, and Azanian National Liberation Army Military Veterans Association. Identifying themselves as the Liberation Struggle War Veterans of SA, the group has decided to pursue legal action after years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain government intervention. They argue that their years of dedicated service have been overlooked, while preferential treatment and higher ranks were granted to individuals from the statutory forces. Those who were integrated into the SA Police Service claim to have faced similar prejudicial treatment.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Devina Haripersad at The Citizen

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