Correctional Services in the Regions: briefing by Regional Commissioners

Correctional Services

01 September 2009
Chairperson: Mr V Smith (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Regional Commissioners of Eastern Cape; Western Cape; Free State and Northern Cape; Gauteng; KZN, and Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West (LMN) presented briefings, in which they described the Department of Correctional Services’ programmes in the regions relating to
administration, security, corrections, care, development, social reintegration, facilities, and challenges related to those programmes.

Specific reference was made in every case to such matters as the Auditor-General’s comments in the audit report relating to internal controls, compliance and non-compliance, and asset management. Escapes, assault and unnatural death received special attention, as did litigation and suspension.

A special challenge related to officials of the Department using excessive force to control disturbances among inmates. These often resulted in the death of offenders. Gang activity and its resulting violence was similarly highlighted as a widespread problem.

The regions provided extensive information on outsourcing, also with regard to costs incurred.

With regard to such matters as literacy and skills development, and inmate involvement with production workshops and agriculture, the picture varied considerably. Some regions ascribed a lack of ability to be self-sufficient in food production to the fact that regions were dry or otherwise unsuited to agriculture, especially in areas like the old Transkei, or in the Northern Cape. A more widespread challenge was the lack of artisans, instructors and educators to aid literacy and skills development in offenders.

Inadequate medical care and management of HIV/Aids also presented challenges. In a number of regions, this was related to a lack of ability to employ and retain skilled professionals, especially pharmacists and psychologists, or a lack of nursing staff to care properly for the high numbers of infected detainees.

The Eastern and Western Cape regions attended to the matter of female offenders. The position of babies and children in detention, and Awaiting Trial Detainees (ATDs) received general attention.

Members raised questions and comments around production workshops and agriculture; overcrowding; escapes and anti-gang measures in relation to most of the regions. One Member asked what was being done to interest offenders in agricultural production. It was suggested that agricultural entities in the regions be engaged with, for advice and guidance on what products could best be grown. Members were also interested in hearing more about the staff shortages and the litigation against the Department. Other questions concerned the disciplinary action being taken against officials who had been found negligent in allowing escapes, or who had been involved in assaults on offenders. The 7-day establishment was also questioned, particularly since some regions stated that there were not enough staff to implement this properly.

Meeting report

Introduction by Chairperson
Mr Smith requested that presentations focus on challenges and constraints. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) faced many challenges, in which the Committee could assist, provided that the challenges were clearly stated. The report by the Auditor-General (AG) had drawn attention to processes around internal controls; compliance and non-compliance, and asset management.

Escapes and death in the facilities related to the core business of the Department. Commissioners had to speak to such matters as pending cases, and pro-active measures taken to eradicate escapes and deaths.

Outsourcing remained crucial. The question remained why outsourcing was necessary in situations where there were able-bodied people to perform work.

Suspensions with pay needed urgent attention. The Limpopo/Mpumalanga/Northwest Commissioner had been suspended a year before, presumably with full pay. Government could not run efficiently under such circumstances. The Committee specifically wanted to hear what progress had been made on that matter.

Dr Jenny Schreiner, Acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services, replied that finality could be reached during September. Certain reports were still awaited.

Mr Smith urged that the process be accelerated, to resolve the issue as only six months still remained of this financial year.

Eastern Cape Regional briefing
Ms Nontsikelelo Jolingana, Regional Commissioner, Eastern Cape DCS, dealt with personnel population and equity profiles, and then moved on to describe the litigation cases from January 2008 to date. Out of 155 cases, 79 judgments had gone against the Department.

She also tabled slides and discussed matters in relation to pending disciplinary hearings, finance and capital assets expenditure, and overcrowding management. The region’s prisons were 154% overcrowded as of 23 August 2009.

Escapes, assaults and deaths were detailed in another slide. Charges and disciplinary actions against members with respect to escapes, were noted. Assaults by officials on offenders numbered 25 during April to June 2008, and 14 during April to June 2009. During August 2008 to August 2009, three offenders died as a result of being assaulted by DCS members.

Regarding HIV and Aids management, it was noted that the region had four accredited Antiretroviral (ARV) sites.

Offender participation in development programmes, and the state of production and agriculture workshops was also reviewed.

Discussion
Mr J Selfe (DA) asked why there was only one centre for females. He asked what steps were being taken to facilitate family visits and reintegration.

Comm Jolingana replied that there had formerly been female centres in Umtata, Queenstown, Port Elizabeth and East London. A situation had arisen where centres with a capacity of 200 were housing only 50 female inmates. This prevented optimal utilisation of space. A decision was taken to centralise, also with the aim of providing better services, especially baby care. The issue was negotiated with the women and their families. Visitors were transported by the DCS to the centres closest to them, and visits were pre-booked.

Mr Selfe noted that the Committee felt strongly that inmates should be required to perform some work, and he asked how many inmates were involved in production workshops on a daily basis.

Comm Jolingana replied that such figures were not available. Workshops were not optimally used. There were challenges around a lack of artisans to train inmates. The Department had headhunted for such skills, without much success. She agreed that there could be improvement.

Ms W Ngwenya (ANC) referred to the once-off payment of R7 500 and asked what criteria were used to determine who were qualified officials.

Comm Jolingana answered that appointments were made according to the Public Service Act. No benefits accrued to people who were not in central positions.

Ms Ngwenya referred to the escape of five inmates from Correctional Centres, and asked how many of those had been sentenced. She also asked, in relation to the three deaths described, whether they had resulted from natural or unnatural causes.

Mr Fritz noted that the decrease in assaults from 25 to 14 was impressive, and he was curious about the mechanisms employed to achieve that. However, he asked whether the reporting was accurate, and whether the officials responsible for the deaths of inmates had been charged. Figures from the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services would point in that direction.

Comm Jolingana admitted that underreporting was possible. Officials were being sensitised to enable them to deal with inmates according to principles of minimum violence. The Department dealt harshly with such cases. The case against officials who were charged with deadly assault had received a setback when the officials who were witnesses were killed in a road accident.

Mr Fritz asked about the success of mechanisms to combat overcrowding.

Comm Jolingana replied that it differed from area to area. The involvement of area committees contributed to success. The Amatole area was doing well.

Ms Ngwenya asked how the Department arrived at figures for HIV.

Comm Jolingana replied that figures were tested within and outside the centres. Some offenders were aware of their status when they entered, and voluntarily disclosed it.

Mr Madasa asked about measures taken to correct the assault situation.

Comm Jolingana reiterated that harsh measures were employed against officials with regard to assault on inmates, and that members were sensitised to enable them to use minimum violence required.

Mr Madasa enquired if inquests had been performed on offenders killed.

Comm Jolingana replied that in the event of death, a case was opened with the police. Inquests had been performed, which indicated that offenders had been beaten to death.

Ms M Mdaka (ANC) referred to escapes and assaults, and asked for the current situation in the  Region concerning the installment of cameras in cells.

Comm Jolingana responded that human rights groups were opposed to the use of cameras in cells, as this offended against rights of privacy. Other measures were being considered.

Ms Mdaka asked what measures were taken to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to other inmates, by offenders who were HIV positive.

Comm Jolingana replied that it was a tricky issue. Not all offenders declared their HIV-positive status. It was hence hard to isolate them. It had to remain the responsibility of individuals to protect themselves, and if coerced, to resort to complaints procedures. Inmates who had diseases like tuberculosis (TB) could be isolated. Some facilities had isolation cells and hospitals for that purpose.

Mr S Abram (ANC) warned that the region was in danger of overrunning the budget.

Comm Jolingana conceded that the region’s spending was currently above the ideal figures.

Mr Abram noted the payment of R12 million to a supplier for food., and asked whether this was a  competitive rate.

Comm Jolingana replied that the region was underfunded to deal with offender rations. Measures had been considered to cut costs. BOSASA had been contracted as a food supplier. The tender had been well advertised, and the supplier was indeed competitive.

Mr Abram asked about self-sufficiency, asking to what extent was the region self-sufficient in the supply of food, whether there were plans to develop and expand, and whether anything was being done to interest offenders in acquiring skills for food production.

Comm Jolingana replied that self-sufficiency was a challenge. There was some capacity to expand. Resources had been directed to Kirkwood to facilitate provision of food for the whole area, but it was not possible to have gardens everywhere. There were water challenges in areas like the former Transkei. Productive areas could be resourced, to compensate. Offender rations could be managed better.

Mr Madasa referred to the AG’s report on repairs and maintenance. There were disturbing facts like sewage leakage into rivers, and backlogs of repair and maintenance. He asked what had been done in partnership with Department of Public Works, as disrepair could impact negatively on security, and eventually contribute to problems like assault.

Comm Jolingana replied that repair and maintenance was a challenge, especially in the former Transkei. Ten centres were currently under repair. The DCS could do minor repairs, but for more extensive maintenance it had to depend on Department of Public Works. However, because of the latter’s obligations to other departments, this complicated matters.

Ms Nyanda asked about the total of 534 vacancies listed in the presentation.

Comm Jolingana replied that staff shortages were problematic. There was currently the challenge of a moratorium on the filling of vacancies. In terms of the 7-day establishment, the capacity of individual centres had to be reviewed. Human Resources would assist with the creation of posts. Some centres would need more staff with the shift to the 7-day establishment.

Mr Smith drew attention to litigation issues, indicating that out of 155 cases, 79 judgments had gone against the Department. He asked for the reasons and what costs had been incurred. He asked for a specific example of a judgment that had gone against the Department and reasons for that.

Comm Jolingana responded that there were varied reasons. Often there was insufficient documentation to support the Department. Witnesses had proved unreliable. She could not comment on costs at present. More information could be gathered, and supplied to the Committee.

Mr Smith asked the National Commissioner if there was a formula to guide the outsourcing of nutrition. He enquired whether it was possible to determine a unit cost of inmate per meal, and also asked how the tenders were worked out.

Dr Schreiner replied that it was difficult to construct a national picture, due to variations according to region, but said that more information could be gathered and supplied.

Mr Smith asked if the officials responsible for the death of three inmates were still employed.

Comm Jolingana replied that they had been suspended, but were still employed.

Mr Smith warned that the Department could ill-afford to be accused of human rights abuses.

Western Cape briefing
Mr James Smalberger, Regional Commissioner, took the Committee through slides setting out staff composition, offender population,  budget allocation, and security of personnel and offenders.

He reported that two inmates had committed suicide by hanging with their own linen. There was both under- and over-reporting of assaults. Gangs remained a challenge. The Number gangs in prison had a singular history. They were not like gangs in other regions, and it was not possible to adopt a single approach.

Overcrowding could be reduced through obtaining addresses for Awaiting Trial Detainees (ATDs) that could be monitored.

Medical parole presented a challenge. Seven inmates had been released on medical parole, of whom two had already died. The waiting list for admittance to Brooklyn chest hospital for TB was long.

Fewer offenders qualified for workshops, but agriculture activities contributed to high self-sufficiency levels.

Regarding equity, he noted that the challenge was to attract Indians, both male and female.

Food and training per inmate per day had been calculated at R13 per day.

Challenges related to vacancies and skills retention, suspensions and grievances, and the cost of TB and ARV medication.

Discussion
Ms M Phaliso (ANC) asked if the nine babies at Pollsmoor received special treatment.

Comm Smalberger  replied that food and care requirements were complied with. It was difficult to determine the length of stay in centres, as people came and went. An average stay could be calculated and sent through to the Committee.

Ms Mdaka required more information on anti-gang measures.

Comm Smalberger  responded that offenders were urged, on admission, not to involve themselves with gangs. The problem was that the Number gangs in prison resembled gangs in the community. Many offenders were already gang members when they entered prison. Every effort was made to transfer problem individuals to maximum security centres, or even the special super maximum facility.

Mr Selfe enquired why there were four female centres in the Western Cape, as opposed to only one in the Eastern Cape.

Comm Smalberger  replied that the two regions could not be compared to each other. If the Department were to consider centralising in the Western Cape, this would require a larger centre than any currently available, with the capacity to house more than 1 000 inmates. 500 female offenders were held in the Cape Peninsula alone. Malmesbury had served the West Coast, but this centre was removed,  because it had held only 20 women and space was being wasted. Boland was served by Worcester, which held 300. Oudtshoorn, which accommodated 200, served the Southern Cape.

Mr Fritz asked about regional committees and cluster involvement.

Comm Smalberger  replied that the region was active in terms of cluster involvement. There were monthly meetings with the MEC, where the Heads of different Departments (HODs) got together to avoid non-cooperation areas. The Development Committee was very active, and met on a monthly basis.

Mr Madasa asked about outcomes of inquests, and the adequacy of legal services in prisons.

Comm Smalberger  responded that inquests were conducted on a national basis. Disciplinary cases were handled by Employee Relations (ER) practitioners, assisted by labour relations officials.

Mr Abram congratulated the region on progress made towards self-sufficiency through the production of agricultural foodstuffs. He requested more information on contracts for food, and what kinds of food had to be acquired.

Comm Smalberger  replied that the region had land and farms, and could improve further. Only 70% or less detainees were qualified to work in fields, and the Department was trying to involve more. He did not have the details regarding the purchase of additional food, but said that, broadly speaking, for the nine managerial areas together, R15 million would go to fish and bread, until 2010. Red meat costs would amount to R6 million. The region did not produce enough red meat.

Ms Ngwenya enquired about the escapes referred to, and asked if the offenders had already been sentenced.

Comm Smalberger  replied that at Worcester, an inmate sentenced to eight years incarceration had escaped via the kitchen. He was rearrested. Four officials were suspended for their negligence. Six officials had been charged, with the next hearing scheduled for 9 September.

Ms Phaliso drew attention to the fact that the region had seven large and eleven smaller farms. She asked whether it was known what percentage of offenders were absorbed by the job market as a consequence of this training after their release.

Comm Smalberger  replied that he did not have with him the details about the success of social reintegration, but that these could be provided. Unfortunately, the figures were also not available for the number of offenders exposed to workshops.

Ms Mdaka noted that a visit to Pollsmoor the previous month had revealed much overcrowding. She asked what the region’s plans were to try to address this situation.

Comm Smalberger  responded that awaiting trial detainees could not be spread across provinces. He conceded that Pollsmoor was 250% overcrowded.

Mr Madasa referred to all kinds of meat being supplied, and asked whether the inmates were indeed eating all the food that was supplied. He asked how many meals per day were being served and at what cost. He remarked that BOSASA catering seemed to perform well at Pollsmoor, but there had been complaints from Malmesbury that inmates were merely given bones to eat.

Comm Smalberger replied that food was served according to a 12 day cycle of menus. The Malmesbury food complaints had related to food served up by the centre’s own staff. All complaints were looked into.

Mr Smith asked that further questions on meals, overcrowding and babies be set aside for the moment, as there was a shortage of time.  

Mr Madasa requested a report on suspension of members, following the escape.

Comm Smalberger  replied that a written report could be furnished.

Mr Fritz asked why illegal immigrants could not be held in a separate space. There had been reports of immigrants raped by gangs.

Comm Smalberger  replied that a busload of illegal immigrants departed for the North every second Friday. Illegals and other ATDs could be accommodated at the old female section at Prins Albert.

Mr Smith referred to an amount of R859 000 paid towards offender gratuities.

Comm Smalberger  answered that a nominal amount of between R10 and R100 was paid for work performed at workshops or farms.

Mr Smith remarked that if the practice were to be extended to all provinces, it would amount to R80 or R90 million, and he asked how would that be funded.

Free State and Northern Cape briefing
Comm Zachariah Modise, Regional Commissioner, Free State and Northern Cape, identified compliance with employment equity standards as a challenge. Employee retention was another challenge in the Free State region.

Assaults by offenders on offenders, and by officials on offenders, had decreased. However, assaults by offenders on officials had increased from eight in 2008/9 to twenty in 2009/10.

The implementation of unit management was a challenge. Unit Management principles had been implemented at six centres of excellence, but much was still lacking with regard to effective implementation.

Challenges around development and care included vacancies in educator posts, and the overburdening of educators. There was a decline in formal education learners.

Offender totals for agriculture and production workshop projects were low. There were also challenges around HIV-aids and building renovation.

Key deliverables for 2009/10 included the management of overcrowding; a head hunting process to appoint professionals with scarce skills; the completion of the New Kimberley Correctional Centre, and the finalisation of all outstanding disciplinary and suspension cases in the region.

Discussion
Mr Selfe enquired about progress made with the building of Kimberley prison. On the occasion of a Committee visit in 2007, the completion date had been set for 2008, but since then the date had been revised to two days previous to the meeting. He asked when would the building be finished, and what had caused the delays.

Comm Modise replied that delays had been caused by non-availability of materials, stoppages due to rain, and strikes on site. All those problems had been resolved. The finalisation of IT cabling and the installation of toilets in the hospital had proved time-consuming. However, all that remained was for the front part of the facility to be completed.

Mr Selfe asked why agricultural production was between 20% and 40% of the set target.

Comm Modise answered that figures referred to the three months from April to July. Groenpunt was on course with production, but at Grootvlei there were problems with offender labour. Goedemoed was doing well, but Colesberg, Victoria West, Kroonstad and Upington were not productive. The region would have to rely on optimal performance from Goedemoed and Groenpunt.

Ms Phaliso asked about social work services to special categories like children.

Comm Modise replied that children below 18 were accommodated at Grootvlei, Kimberley and Kroonstad. There were educational programmes for them, which included such skills as anger management.

Ms Phaliso referred to an increase of offender on official assaults, and asked if that could be linked to the emergence of Number gangs?

Comm Modise replied that the problem was centered mostly in Upington and Groenpunt. Efforts were made to transfer gangs to maximum security centres. Officials had to intervene in violent incidents occurring between offenders, and offenders were then assaulted. The Head of each centre had to monitor interventions. Officials who dealt with gangs received special training, and Emergency Support Teams (EST) assisted them.

Mr Fritz enquired about the application of Section 62F of the Act. The performance for April to June had been good, but had then dropped. There had to be a will to implement. It might be necessary to amend the Act.

Comm Modise answered that at first there had been huge numbers in that category, but currently there were mostly bail orders of more than R1000. Their chances of success were limited.

Mr Madasa asked for an explanation why the financial difficulties of officials caused assault against them.

Comm Modise replied that financial difficulties made officials vulnerable in the sense that offenders with money could manipulate them through money paid into the accounts of officials, for example. Where this had happened, officials had been dismissed or suspended.

Mr Madasa asked about absconders, asking what they were absconding from. He also asked what measures could be taken to curb assault.

Comm Modise replied that absconders were offenders on parole or under correctional supervision who failed to comply with regulations.

Ms Ngwenya asked what measures there were to prevent inmate escape from places of work.

Comm Modise responded that even offenders with a minimum risk classification escaped. Officials were trained and instructed to be vigilant, but the work was monotonous and some lost their alertness. Offenders were manipulative, and would in some instances build up a relationship of trust that they exploited. They might ask to go to the toilet, and disappear.

Mr Selfe asked if staff for the new Kimberley prison had already been appointed, and how soon they were likely to be in place.

Comm Modise replied that staff had indeed been appointed and trained. A Head officer for the centre had yet to be appointed. During September, staff would be instructed in the use of the new centre by the contractor.

Ms Ngwenya suggested that escapes from the workplace might be due to a shortage of members present. She pointed out that it should happen that prisoners ere escorted to toilets.

Comm Modise replied that area committees had decided on a ratio of about 4 inmates to one official. Officials were supposed to escort inmates to toilets in groups. However, he reiterated that inmates were manipulative, and abused relationships of trust.

Ms Ngwenya referred to the suicide of inmate Mdabatetwa, who had hanged himself. It was not clear to her why no one could supposedly be blamed, and she asked what the situation leading to his suicide had been.

Comm Modise responded that there was no information of complaints made by those committing suicide at Grootvlei.

Mr Abram suggested that regional commissioners get in touch with agricultural entities in the regions, for advice about agricultural production possible in specific areas. Agriculture could be productive even under desert conditions.

Comm Modise agreed with that, and promised that advice would be sought.

Ms Nyanda asked about nine offenders who had been raped.

Comm Modise answered that they had been raped by other offenders. Such victims had the opportunity to lay criminal charges, in which instance the matter would be handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Due to time constraints, the Chairperson requested that the remaining regions present their briefings, with discussion on all the briefings thereafter.

Gauteng briefing
Adv Tozama Mqobi, Regional Commissioner, took the Committee through the budget programmes of allocation and expenditure, and then proceeded to table and explain the slides dealing with escapes, unnatural death, assault and overcrowding. She then identified constraints relating to the DCS’s programmes of security, care; development, social reintegration, and facilities.

Constraints and challenges alluded to were the high number of assaults, overcrowding and personnel shortages. There was a shortage of security equipment. Overcrowding relating to ATDs was especially hard to manage. Provision of the three-meal system was hampered by lack of staff and the shift system.

Limited resources were available for literacy programmes, and educationists frequently resigned. Lack of human and financial resources hampered workshops and agriculture.

There was reluctance on the part of magistrates to place people directly under correctional supervision, and lack of support for parole-eligible offenders to be placed out in the community. Shortage of personnel impacted negatively on social reintegration efforts.

In regard to facilities, constraints included slow progress on the Repair and Maintenance Management Programme (RAMP) and a shortage of artisans.

KwaZulu Natal (KZN) briefing
Mr Mnikelwa Nxele, Acting Regional Commissioner, noted an overcrowding figure of 142% in the region. There were challenges around acute staff shortages. The audit report had qualified the region on asset management. Conversion to the LOGIS system was under way.

The procurement of medicine was a challenge in the region.

Escapes from work teams and from centres, had to be addressed. Escapees were predominantly medium category offenders. Smaller correctional centres often did not meet minimum security requirements. Funding to remedy that situation was lacking.

With regard to assault and unnatural death, excessive force used by officials to stabilise incidents, and a high prevalence of gang activity were identified as challenges.

Meetings with officials around such matters were held regularly, and steps had been taken against negligence of officials that led to escape.

HIV was highly prevalent in KZN. 3 600 prisoners were confirmed as HIV-positive. One challenge was the lack of staff to care for such persons.

Comm Nxele provided extensive information on food outsourcing, especially at Durban and Waterval.

Limpopo/Mpumalanga/North West (LMN) briefing
Ms Lunga Tseana, Acting Regional Commissioner, drew attention to issues of grievances and litigation. 28% of cases filed against the DCS had been successful.

Assaults of offender on offender amounted to 105, and there were 20 official on offender assaults. Three suicides had recently occurred. Offenders had used their bedding sheets to hang themselves.

Overcrowding was highest at Thoyoandou, where the figure for overcrowding stood at 173%.

Up to date, the percentage of eligible offenders participating in skills development programmes related to sentence plans, was 24.3% of the target that had been set.

Ms Tseana noted a backlog in the programme of Social Reintegration. Other challenges included vacancies in key positions, an inability to attract and retain scarce skills like pharmacists and psychologists, and a shortage of skills development practitioners and technical teachers.

Discussion
Ms Ngwenya noted that the 7-Day Establishment project had commenced in Johannesburg. She asked what lessons had been learned by the region from that project, and what the results had been. She further noted the unavailability of approved HR policies and procedures in the Gauteng region, and asked how the region operated.

Adv Mqobi replied that staff shortages had made the 7-Day system hard to implement. It had brought with it new challenges relating to staff transport. Public transport systems could not be entirely relied upon.

Adv Mqobi said that there was rather a lack of updated HR policies than a total absence. The region used old HR policies and procedures, but those needed updating.

Mr Smith asked about non-operational surveillance centres in Gauteng. He asked if there was  a widespread problem, and asked what had been put in place of Sondolo.

Adv Mqobi answered that Sondolo was a national problem. Only Boksburg had received the software, others had to operate manually, through the use of padlocks and other devices.

Ms Nyanda asked about suspension of officials.

Adv Mqobi noted that officials had been implicated in the smuggling of unauthorised items. In the absence of proper searching, money and sometimes dagga was brought in.

Ms Phaliso enquired about sentences of life custody in KZN, for offenders who were minors. She asked what crimes had been committed, and what were the conditions of custody.

Comm Nxele replied that the crimes had been murder. The offenders would be assisted to continue their education and would be enrolled in classes.

Ms Mdaka referred to 172% overcrowding in Thoyoandou. She asked how that affected the distribution of beds, what were the current sleeping arrangements, and whether, if inmates had to sleep on floors, for instance, that would not affect hygiene.

Comm Tseana replied that overcrowding was indeed high, but there were no inmates sleeping on floors. Standards of hygiene were not being sacrificed. Inmates were transferred to less congested areas. Thoyoandou had the largest number of community correctional officers involved.

Mr Abram requested that each region provide an update on levels of self-sufficiency, and plans in that regard, for purposes of budgeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

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