Statement

The ANC Veterans League (ANCVL) is proud to announce a significant milestone in the journey toward justice and recognition for South Africa’s struggle veterans and their families. As the driving force behind the development of the Special Pensions Amendment Bill, 2026, the ANCVL welcomes the progress of the Bill, which now incorporates valuable inputs from various stakeholders.

Long before this process gained wider attention, the ANCVL initiated and championed the call for the amendment of the Special Pensions framework. Through relentless advocacy, the League lobbied at various levels of the ANC executive structures and engaged other relevant organisations to ensure that the plight of struggle veterans, their dependants, and survivors remained firmly on the national agenda. The progress of this Bill is therefore a testament to a collective effort by key stakeholders, led and driven by the sustained and determined efforts of the ANCVL. It is a victory to see the Bill reach this important stage, with stakeholders now working together to advance justice and recognition for those who sacrificed for our democracy.

This Bill represents a victory for all stakeholders involved and the broader community of freedom fighters who sacrificed for the democracy we enjoy today. It addresses long-standing injustices and exclusions caused by rigid procedural barriers, outdated terminology, and unequal treatment under the original 1996 Special Pensions Act.

The Special Pensions Amendment Bill, 2026, is a beacon of hope for veterans, their dependants, and survivors. It ensures:

Protection of existing pensions and benefits: Safeguarding the rights of pensioners

whose benefits were previously at risk due to lapsed sections of the original Act.

• Equal treatment for all beneficiaries: Aligning pension commencement dates to 1 April
• 1995, ensuring similar historical sacrifices receive equal recognition.
• Expanded support for families: Replacing restrictive terms like “orphans” with “dependants” and broadening survivor benefits to better support grieving families.
• Condonation of late applications and appeals: Allowing veterans and their families to submit claims and appeals for reasons beyond their control or other valid circumstances.
• Justice in administration: Enabling the reconsideration of past decisions where material facts were overlooked, ensuring fairness and transparency.

The ANCVL has also recommended key adjustments to perfect the Bill, including replacing discretionary language (“may”) with mandatory language (“must”) for funeral benefits and annual increases, and expanding the criteria for late applications to include “any other valid reason.” These changes will ensure that no deserving veteran or family member is left behind.

The ANC Veterans League calls on the Parliamentary Standing Committee to expedite the finalization of the adoption of the Bill, and to ensure its immediate implementation – for aging veterans and their families, substantive justice cannot wait.

This is a momentous victory for the ANCVL and all those who have fought tirelessly for justice and equality. Together, we are restoring fairness, dignity, and recognition for the sacrifices made in the struggle for democracy.

ENDS//.

ISSUED BY THE ANC VETERANS’ LEAGUE.

For enquiries please contact:

Cde Snuki Zikalala
ANCVL President
082 561 3900