Former SWATF and Koevoet soldiers will launch fresh investigations into their demand for pension pay-outs with Sanlam South Africa.

This comes after years of protests that pensions were deducted by Sanlam Namibia from the former soldiers' salaries before independence.

The former soldiers and Sanlam Namibia held a joint media conference in which they informed the local insurance giant of their intention to shift their demands to Sanlam South Africa.

The joint meeting comes after the former soldiers on several occasions created the impression that Sanlam Namibia allegedly owes them N$4,5 billion in pensions.

Sanlam Namibia Group CEO, Tertius Stears, says investigations by the insurance company could not find any funds linked to the former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers.

Stears, however, says the company could not rule out the possibility of the money being invested in another insurance fund elsewhere.

He gave an account of how Sanlam Namibia played a role in the administration of all schemes that may potentially have a bearing on ex-SWATF/Koevoet members.

Jabulani Ndeunyema, the Chairman of Namvet which is the umbrella body of the former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers, says they will now take up their demand for pension payout with Sanlam South Africa.

A team of SWATF/Koevoet veterans will be sent to South Africa next week to consult with their former employer, upon which they will launch an independent investigation into whether Sanlam South Africa is the one holding the fund.

Ndeunyema also cautioned his fellow soldiers to be on the lookout for those who want to use their demands for political gain.

Sanlam Namibia is urging the former soldiers who still believe the company owes them money to provide factual and sufficient information for further investigation.

Namvet has been the representative of the ex-SWATF/Koevoet soldiers for the past 12 years.