“The formal demobilisation and reintegration process started after 1994 and legislation to this effect was passed in 1996.” “The legislative framework for demobilization and reintegration was only in place in 1996 with the institution of the policy White Paper on Defence and Demobilization Act. As demobilization had started in 1995 after the democratic elections in 1994, these had to have a retrospective effect. The demobilized were supposed to be catered for by a three-legged demobilization and reintegration strategy:
– gratuity payment, calculated according to length of service in the liberation
armies;
– counselling and advisory service to guide the ex-fighters on how to manage
their gratuities as well as to advise on the options available to support their
reintegration; and
– skills upgrade via the Service Corps training scheme hitherto inappropriately located in the department of defense.”
On August 25, 1995, Defence Minister Joe Modise made an announcement to cut the SANDF strength from 135,000 to 75,000 members by 1999. The SANDF chief said that “about 10,000 members of former black liberation armies ineligible or unwilling to serve in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would be demobilised immediately at a cost of 225 million rands (60 million dollars) in gratuity payouts.” It was reported that eleven former members of political militias were appointed in the SANDF generals rank. They were among 1,300 officers selected from 14,600 former MK and APLA cadres already integrated with the SANDF.
Approximately 18,000 former MK and APLA members reported to the SANDF force during the 18-month reintegration process, which ended in November 1996. Several of the 17,824 former cadres chose demobilization.
The government introduced a Bill to facilitate the reintegration of demobilized combatants into civil society by providing for a demobilization gratuity. A Service Corps was created, which was dedicated to the training of ex-combatants in skills suitable to their reintegration into civilian life.
In April 1994, seven forces were combined into one, constituting the united South African National Defence Force (SANDF), as laid out in the Interim Constitution of 1993. The reduction of funds allocated to defense rendered the Joint Military Co-ordinating Committee (JMCC) strategic planning process, which had envisaged a SANDF strength of 90, 000, unaffordable. Therefore, a demobilization and/or rationalization process was started. According to van Stade: “A Personnel Rationalisation Work Group (PRWG) has been instituted in order to oversee the rationalisation process from within the SANDF. The composition of the PRWG includes representatives from all the constituent forces, the Secretary for Defence and memebrs of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT), and is aimed at ensuring a transparent process within the margins of fair labour practices. This work group has recently instituted a sub-work group to make proposals in respect of psychological and social support to members and their families who will be affected by the rationalisation process in the SANDF. A special Consultation Forum has also been established to negotiate with employee organisations in respect of civilian members that could be affected by the rationalisation process.”
Since the integration into the new armed force had just started, demobilization and reintegration was not issue.
The 1993 interim constitutions established the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). All guerrilla forces were expected to be integrated into the new SANDF. Therefore, demobilization and reintegration were not an issue in 1993.
No further developments observed.
No further developments observed.
No further developments observed.
No further developments observed.
While police reforms continued, they cannot be clearly linked to the accord. Violent crime and murder increased dramatically over the next decade. The murder rate was 59.0 per 100,000 of the population in 1998, one of the highest rates in the world.
No developments observed this year.
It was reported in 1996 that following negotiations, the integration of former MK and APLA combatants into the SANDF was completed by the end of the year.
