Defence Act, 2002 (Act No. 42 of 2002)RegulationsRegulations for the Reserve Force, 201712. Honorary appointments and ranks |
| (1) | The Chief of the relevant Service may, with the approval of the Minister, appoint an honorary Colonel, Captain (SAN), Lieutenant Colonel or Commander (SAN) to a Regular or Reserve Force unit or structural component. |
| (2) | An appointment contemplated in subregulation (1) confers no military status or power of command on the holder thereof, but entitles the holder to wear the uniform of the unit or other establishment concerned on the occasions determined by the Chief of the relevant Service, and to qualify for Defence Force medals and decorations. |
| (3) | Appointments contemplated in subregulation (1) are subject thereto that— |
| (a) | only one appointment of honorary Colonel or honorary Captain (SAN) per unit or larger organisation or staff Division may be made; |
| (b) | in the case of a large or combined unit of various corps, an additional honorary Lieutenant-Colonel or Commander (SAN) may be appointed on the same terms and conditions as a honorary Colonel or Captain (SAN); |
| (c) | the person must be between 40 and 75 years of age; |
| (d) | the person must have permanent residence in South Africa; |
| (e) | the person must be of good standing in the community; |
| (f) | the person must have a commitment to the unit or organisation; |
| (g) | the person must possess an appropriate military bearing, have such officer-like qualities as are generally required of officers of the Defence Force and his or her conduct must be beyond reproach; |
| (h) | the person does not need previous military experience; |
| (i) | the appointment of serving Defence Force officers is discouraged; |
| (j) | the appointment of persons holding political office is discouraged; |
| (k) | the person does not have vested business interests in the defence or related enterprises in order that indirect benefits are avoided; |
| (l) | the person is entitled to the appellation of his or her rank, and must be paid the appropriate compliments when officiating in his or her honorary capacity; |
| (m) | the person may not receive remuneration or be issued with a military weapon; |
| (n) | for the purposes of the issuing and wearing of military uniform, badges, insignia and accoutrements as well as qualification for the awarding of Defence Force medals and decorations the person appointed must, if not a member of the Defence Force, be regarded as a serving member thereof for the duration of his or her appointment; |
| (o) | the person is appointed for a fixed period of time or have an initial tenure of five years which may be extended; and |
| (p) | termination of the person’s appointment occurs— |
| (i) | if the person cannot perform the duties expected of him or her; |
| (ii) | if, due to the person’s advancing age, medical condition or physical profile, he or she no longer meets the required standards; |
| (iii) | if his or her conduct or actions are to the detriment of the unit, organisation or the Defence Force; |
| (iv) | when his or her unit or structural component disbands; or |
| (v) | on request of the person. |
| (4) | Save when a person voluntarily requests the termination of his or her appointment, the Chief of the Defence Force, or an officer designated by him or her for that purpose, must inform the person of the reasons for the intended termination of his or her appointment and afford that person a reasonable opportunity to respond thereto before finally deciding the matter and advising the affected person accordingly. |