Statutory Instrument 281 of 1997.

War Veterans Benefits Scheme Regulations 1997

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section

3. Gratuity to war veterans.
4. Settlement benefit.
5. Loan benefit.
6. Education benefit.
7. Medical benefit.
8. Funeral grant.
9. Noting of appeals.

IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, has, in terms of section 7 of the War Veterans Act [Chapter 11:15], made the following regulations:—

1. Title

These regulations may be cited as the War Veterans (Benefits Scheme) Regulations, 1997.

2. Interpretation

In these regulations—

“war veteran” means a person registered in terms of the War Veterans (Registration) Regulations, 1997, as a war veteran.

3. Gratuity to war veterans

Every war veteran shall be paid a gratuity of fifty thousand dollars, payable once only.

4. Settlement benefit

• Subject to this section, a war veteran may, on application to the Director, be allocated land for agricultural purposes in terms of any resettlement scheme pursued by the Government if the war veteran does not already own or occupy land for agricultural purposes.
• No land allocated in terms of this section may, subject to section 21 of the Act, be disposed of by the war veteran concerned in any way before the .expiry of a period of ten years.
• The Board may impose such conditions as it may consider appropriate in respect of the development or use of any land allocated in terms of this section.
• Where any war veteran fails to comply with any condition imposed in terms of this section thereby defeating the purpose for which the land was allocated, the Director shall recommend to the Board that the land ‘be returned to the State.

5. Loan benefit

• Subject to this section, any war veteran who wishes to embark on any income generating commercial undertaking may apply to the Board for the grant of a loan from the Fund for the purpose of financing the undertaking.
• Before any loan is granted in terms of subsection (1), the Board shall satisfy itself that a proper feasibility study in respect of the undertaking has been carried out and shall determine whether, before the grant of any loan, the applicant should undergo training for the purpose of acquiring skills relevant to the proposed under taking at the expense of the Fund.
• The Board may require the applicant to provide such additional information ‘as it may consider necessary or relevant for the purpose of determining whether or not an application in terms of this section should be granted.
• Loans granted in terms of this section shall be paid directly to the provider of any service or goods required by the applicant for the purposes of his proposed undertaking.
• A loan granted in terms of this section—
• shall be at such rate of interest as is fixed by the Minister with the approval of the Minister responsible for finance; and
• shall be on such other terms and conditions as the Board may fix.

(6) If in the opinion of the Board it appears that the under taking in respect of which a loan was granted in terms of this section is threatened with insolvency or liquidation, the Board shall take all such steps as may be necessary to recover, any amount outstanding on the loan.

6. Education benefit

(1) Any war veteran or dependent child of a war veteran who wishes to pursue any academic studies or vocational training shall, on application being made to the Board, be entitled as may be applicable, to— (a) full tuition fees and levies; and

• the cost of all prescribed text books and study materials; and
• full boarding fees; and
• any other incidental expenses which, in the opinion of the Board, are fair and reasonable in the circumstances; at a Government school or educational or vocational institution.
• A war ‘veteran or dependent child of a war veteran who is admitted at a non-Government school or institution shall be entitled to an education ‘benefit equal in amount to the education benefit payable at comparable levels in terms of subsection (1).
• No benefit referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be payable in respect of any dependent child of a war veteran unless the Director is satisfied that the war veteran concerned and the dependent child are unable to meet the costs and expenses of the school or institution concerned.
• The cost of academic studies or vocational training of any dependent child of a war veteran shall continue to be met in terms of this section after the attainment of the age of eighteen years for such period thereafter as the Board may fix:

Provided that the studies were or the training was commenced while the beneficiary was below the age of eighteen years and are being pursued on a full-time basis.

7. Medical benefit

• A war veteran and his dependants shall, at the expense of the Fund, be entitled to medical or dental treatment at a government or government-aided hospital or institution. -
• The Board may, where the appropriate medical or dental treatment is not available at a government or government-aided hospital or institution, authorize the payment from the Fund of any fees or expenses incurred in connection with the treatment of a war veteran or his dependant by a medical o dental practitioner in private practice or at any private hospital or institution.

8. Funeral grant

• A funeral grant shall be payable from the Fund in respect of any deceased war veteran.
• A funeral grant shall be at the same rate as the funeral benefit payable in respect of persons employed in the Public Service.
• A funeral benefit shall be payable to—-
• the surviving spouse; or
• the eldest child of the deceased if such child is over the age of eighteen years; or (c) a close relative of the deceased as determined by the Director.

9. Noting of appeals

Any appeal against any decision of the board shall be noted within sixty days of the date the decision was made known to the aggrieved person.