1. DEFENCE FORCE SERVICE COMMISSION (DFSC)
BRIEFING TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE & MILITARY VETERANS (PC DMV)
BY PROF E.L. VAN HARTE: CHAIRPERSON OF THE DSFC
04 MARCH 2015

2. AIM
As per request by PC DMV, the aim is to present a briefing on the Defence Force Service Commission structure, work done to date and challenges impeding on the effective functioning of the DFSC.

3. SCOPE
Background
Presentation on Structure; Work done to date & Challenges
Discussions

4. BACKGROUND(1)
The Defence Act 22 of 2010 mandates the DFSC in terms of Sec 62B(1) to make recommendations annually to the Minister:
On improvement of salaries and service benefits of members
On policies in respect of conditions of service
On the promotion of measures and standards to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of policies on conditions of service within the Defence Force

5. BACKGROUND(2)
The Interim National Defence Force Service Commission (INDFSC) was established 1 October 2009
The Permanent Defence Force Service Commission (DFSC), was established by the Defence Amendment Act 22 of 2010
Nine Commissioners were appointed to the permanent DFSC on 10 October 2013 by Honourable Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms MS N.N Mapisa-Nqakula

6. The DFSC Macro Structure
Organs of State:
Public Entities:
Ministry of Defence
And Military Veterans
ARMSCOR
Department of Military Veterans
Castle Control Board
Defence Force Service Commission
Office of the Military Ombud
Reserve Force Council
Department of Defence
Defence Secretariat
SA National Defence Force
The Defence Force Service Commission is an Organ of State reporting directly to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans 4

7. Structure (Commissioners)
The Commission experienced a loss of two Commissioners:
Lt Gen (ret) Moloi-Passed away on Dec 2013
Ms Lindiwe Zulu – Appointed as Minister of Small Business after the last national elections
Chairperson is the only fulltime member of the Commission
Process is unfolding to appoint three (3) additional Commissioners ( preferably experienced in Legal, HR and Medical matters )
Commissioners are appointed on a five(5) year term

8. DFSC Secretariat Head: Secretariat Secretary
Section Head: Operational Support
Section Head: Process Support
Section Head: Administrative Support
Communication Officer
Case Management Officer
Registry/ Media Clerk
Researcher: Total Rewards Management
Researcher: Policy Development
Commission Secretary
Administrative Officer
With regard to assist the DFSC in the execution of its functions, the Defence Amendment Bill directs the aspects listed above.
Policy Monitoring & Evaluation
Logistics Officer
Registry Clerk
Driver (2 Posts)
Procurement Clerk (2 Posts)

9. Structure (Secretariat)
Defence Force Service Commission Secretariat was established to provide research, secretariat, logistical and technical support to the Commission.
The DFSC has an approved Secretariat organisational structure of nineteen (19) posts.

10. Work Done To Date(1) Gazzetted Recommendations
Recommendation on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Members of the South African National Defence Force for Financial Year 2014/15 – GG No: dated 22 August 2014
Policy on Awarding of Death Benefits to Beneficiaries of Members/Employees Who Pass Away while Deployed in Internal or External Operations for which no International Compensation is paid - GG No: dated 22 August 2014
Defence Force Service Commission Regulations – GG 1046 dated 19 December 2014

11. Work Done To Date(2) Established DFSC Committees
SANDF Pay and Service Benefits Committee. Convenor : Ms Mvelase. Committee members: Maj Gen (ret) Holomisa, MP, Maj Gen (ret) April and Prof Christie.
Conditions of Service Review Committee. Convenor: Mrs Mokoape. Committee members: Maj Gen (ret) Holomisa, MP, Maj Gen (ret) April and Prof Christie.
Policy Review Committee. Convenor: Mr Robertson. Committee members: Maj Gen (ret) Holomisa, MP, Maj Gen (ret) April, Prof Christie and Mrs Mokoape.

12. Work Done To Date(4) Submitted Reports to the Minister
Annual Report for FY2013/14 – June 2014
Consultative reports with recommendations from the Units and Bases (Three military Hospitals; School of Infantry (Oudtshoorn); Army Combat Training Centre (Lohathla); Air Force Base Makhado)
First Quarterly report on Conditions of Service

13. Work Done To Date(3) Units & Bases Visited
Military Hospitals (1,2,3); School of Infantry (Oudtshoorn); Army Combat Training Centre (Lohathla); Air Force Base Makhado; Gordon’s Bay Naval College; SAS Saldanha; Military Academy; Personnel Service School; SA Army College; SAMHS Training Formation, and SA Air Force College.

14. Work Done To Date(5) Stakeholders Consulted (Internal & External)
Public Service Commission, Department of Public Works, South African Revenue Services, Department of Public Service and Administration, Secretary for Defence, C SANDF, Surgeon General, Chief Defence Foreign Relations, Chief of Logistics, Chief Human Resources, Chief Finance Officer; Reserve Force Council, DOD Inspector General, Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, SANDF Members, Amscor,
The Commission participated in the DOD HR Indaba

15. Work Done To Date(6) Benchmarking Visits
Botswana Defence Forces: Feb 2015
Tanzanian Peoples Defence Force:15 – 20 Feb 2015

16. Work Done To Date
Introduction and implementation of Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) for Military Health Practitioners.
Continuous Briefings from Service and Division Chiefs to the Commission
Collaboration between the Commission and the Ministerial Medical Task Team (MMTT), appointed to investigate factors affecting the optimal functioning of the Military Hospitals, submitted a Report to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans in December 2013.
Continued acquisition of the Infrastructure (Log and IT), through DOD procurement processes.

17. Challenges(1)
The status of the Commission as an Advisory structure inhibits its ability to enforce the implementation of the recommendations. The Command Structure of the SANDF called for the independence of the Commission, to give more teeth.
The Commission is in the process of drafting a recommendation for the amendment to the Defence Act.
Current structure of the Commission is challenged in terms of its ability to cope with the increasing workload to effectively execute mandate.
A process has already being started with Directorate Integrated Management Services (DIMS), to review the structure of the Commission.

18. Challenges(2)
The Commission is finding that some of the processes and systems within the SANDF are in need of change, and therefore support the recommendations in the Defence Review.

19. THANK YOU
DISCUSSIONS