Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans chairperson Dakota Legoete is asking for full accountability from the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) with regard to its budget, saying the current state of affairs is untenable.

The DMV appeared before the committee to present its 2024/25 this quarter expenditure performance report and provide an update on the status of the DMV Verification Panel.

The DMV told the committee that its budget was reduced by R51.3-million during the Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure, with R40-million cut specifically from the military veterans’ pension budget.

According to the DMV, the reduction has worsened the department’s financial challenges, as it reported an overspend on military veterans’ pensions, leaving the budget exhausted.

Legoete explained that the DMV had since been instructed to manage the shortfall through internal fund shifts.

“Members of the committee noted that perhaps the DMV is overspending or under-budgeting, particularly in light of its plans to reallocate funds from cost-saving areas.

“The committee noted the low approval rates for benefits, particularly in the Mortgage Bond Subsidy assistance programme. Out of 20 applications processed, only four met the qualifying criteria, leaving 16 veterans disqualified,” he said.

Legoete said the DMV must take immediate steps to address these issues, emphasising the committee’s role in overseeing the DMV’s budget and ensuring accountability for every rand spent.

Meanwhile, the committee raised serious concerns over the DMV’s continued reliance on a paper-based database, which it said had significantly hindered the efficient disbursement of benefits to military veterans.

Legoete also emphasised that the slow pace of processing of applications at the Government Pensions Administration Agency was unacceptable, calling for urgent action.

He noted that the DMV was forced by the committee to provide accurate statistics on the number of veterans approved to receive benefits.

“It questioned the logic of the department conducting roadshows to engage veterans while the approval rate for benefits remains dismally low. The committee emphasised the need for the DMV to prioritise resolving its administrative challenges, including database verification and budget management, to ensure that veterans receive the support they deserve,” he said.

The committee also raised concerns about the funded vacant positions within the DMV during the third quarter, particularly given the department’s mandate to provide employment and placement opportunities for military veterans.