War veterans threaten mass action

MKLWV demands R5m for its national conference

- By Setumo Stone

Mkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans leaders say their national conference must be fully funded by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.

(Gallo Images)

Leaders of the Mkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans (MKLWV), a successor to the disbanded uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), have threatened to unleash a wave of mass action if the Department of Defence and Military Veterans fails to meet their demand for R5-million to fund their national conference within 14 days.

The ultimatum was delivered in a memorandum during a picket, led by national convenor Dan Hatto, at the department's offices on Tuesday.

The veterans, representing former combatants of the liberation struggle, are demanding that the department immediately release funds for their upcoming conference, initially scheduled for the end of this month in Gauteng.

The MKLWV framed this not as a request but as a legal right that the department is illegally withholding.

The national conference is expected to host 500 accredited delegates, but insiders in the veterans group said the department is only willing to cover R1.4-million for 150 delegates, which the veterans reject.

The veterans argued that the department's failure to release more funds undermines their organisational unity and democratic processes.

"Should the department fail to act, MKLWV will intensify its lawful programme of action, including mass mobilisation, regional engagements and sustained advocacy through all constitutional channels," the memorandum warns.