The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) expects government to assure retired military personnel that their medical fund cover remains safe.  Reports indicating that the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund is facing severe financial crises and may be unable to honour commitments to retired members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and their dependents from 1 November 2026 are extremely distressing.

The Federation fully supports calls by retired SANDF members for the Fund, the SANDF, Ministry for Defence and National Treasury to publicly reassure these approximately 21 000 main beneficiaries plus their dependents, that they will continue to enjoy their full benefits.  It is simply unacceptable for the leadership of the Ministry, Department and the SANDF to remain quiet on such an urgent and potentially life-threatening matter.

Reports indicating a shortfall in funding for the Fund of R166 million in the previous financial year and approximately R40 million monthly, requires urgent interventions by Treasury to ensure that the state fulfills its legally binding obligations to these retired military personnel and their dependents.

SANDF personnel risk life and limb in service of the nation.  They have made the nation proud with their continuous deployments in support of the South African Police Service at home and in peacekeeping missions across the region since 1994.  They have the right to expect the state to honour their commitments to provide medical cover in their retirement, more so since SANDF members contribute to it monthly.  This is neither a perk, nor a luxury.  It is a legally binding contract by the employer with their former employees and their dependents. 

If these reports are correct, it is beyond shameful that the leadership of the Ministry and Department have allowed this crisis to fester.  These are the real consequences of the mismanagement and neglect of frontline public services and ill-considered austerity budget cuts.  It is urgent that Treasury intervene to ensure this funding crisis is swiftly resolved before 1 November and that a lasting long-term solution be put in place, in particular the rolling out of the National Health Insurance to ensure all South Africans have access to affordable, quality healthcare.

COSATU will be seeking urgent clarification and resolution from the Ministries for Defence and Finance on this burning crisis.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za