South African Institute for Drug Free Sport 2021/22 Annual Performance Plan

Sport, Arts and Culture

06 May 2021
Chairperson: Ms B Dlulane (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

Video: Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture

Annual Performance Plans

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) gave a virtual briefing on the financial position of the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) over the last three years and its challenges and interventions. The Department of Basic Education’s lack of cooperation in allowing SAIDS to access schools for testing was highlighted.

The SAIDS Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager presented their performance delivery, service delivery and emerging risks. SAIDS highlighted that it had achieved its targets for anti-doping education through virtual platforms and E-learning.

Members were concerned about the audit findings by the Auditor General for the previous year and asked what is being done to reach the target of a clean audit.

The biggest concern was the impact of COVID-19 on the institution, particularly on its financial position and the laboratories. Members asked about SAIDS other sources of income and grants since COVID-19 has impacted the amount of testing carried out. They asked how SAIDS has adjusted to cope with this.

Since there is restriction on international visits and the closing of laboratories as a result of COVID-19, Members asked about the costliness of having South African athletes tested for international events and how COVID-19 safety protocols have been incorporated into testing.

Staffing and the composition of the SAIDS board was a particular concern to Members. The Committee commented on the lack of females on the board and asked if there was a valid reason for this. Members asked if electronic forms of advertising are made available to alert people about vacancies and if DESAC’s turnover created opportunities for vacancy advertisements.

The Committee commented that the partnership with the Department of Basic Education hindered carrying out anti-doping educational awareness in schools. This is further hindered by parents not willing to allow random doping testing at schools by SAIDS.

Members asked for SAIDS’ position on the Caster Semenya case with the International Association of Athletics Federation. It was suggested that SAIDS should take a stance on this as its objective is to ensure anti-doping in sport, and Caster Semenya was asked to inject drugs into her body. Several Members were impressed by the improvement in the performance of SAIDS and their financial position.

Meeting report

The Chairperson, in her opening remarks, noted the vicious effects of the pandemic and a possible third wave. She warned Members to exercise caution and keep to the social distancing protocols.

She spoke of the storm in the Western Cape and the deaths that ensued. The storm had also disrupted the preparation for the Department to go to Robben Island. She warned the Department to monitor the storm before going to Robben Island as they cannot afford to lose more lives.

She mentioned that the memorial of former South African rugby player, Lindani Myeni, would take place on 6 May in KwaZulu Natal. She offers condolences to the family on behalf of the Portfolio Committee.

Apologies were noted on behalf of the Minister and Deputy Minister.

SAIDS performance overview by Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Dr Sumayya Khan, DSAC Deputy Director General: Sport Promotion, provided an overview of SAIDS:

- In 2018/19: 56% of SAIDS targets achieved.
- In 2019/20: 60% of SAIDS targets achieved.

SAIDS’ main source of income is a government grant:

- 2019/20 income: R 33 595 000
- 2019/20 budget: R 31 645 000
- 2019/20 surplus: R 1 950

Its net value asset in 2017/18 was in deficit but in 2018/19 and 2019/20 net value assets were in surplus with
2019/20 showing R 2 211 000 net value assets.

SAIDS net working capital funds for the last three years have been in a deficit.
- Net working capital funds 2017/18: R 4 411 000
- Net working capital funds 2018/19: R 903 000
- Net working capital funds 2019/20: R 867 000

Audit outcomes over the last three years
The audit outcomes in 2017/18 and 2018/19 were unqualified. However, in 2019/20 the audit outcomes were unqualified with some findings.

Composition of the board
There are three females and seven males on the board.

Challenges and interventions
There were challenges with the Appeals Board as that board chairperson had been incompetent. However, the matter is now resolved and the chairperson replaced.

The Drug Free Sports Act 14 of 1997, as amended in 2005, was outdated and no longer met the needs of the national sports regulations. The Department would look at other ways to strengthen legislation around drug free sports.

DSAC lacked cooperation from the Department of Basic Education for access to schools. SAIDS was unable to carry out anti-doping education and testing. There is a deliberate attempt by parents not to give SAIDS access to learners because young children are already partaking in doping. This is especially evident in schools that have a strong sports culture. [DSAC briefing document not made available]

South African Institute for Drug Free Sport 2021/22 Annual Performance Plan
Judge Lex Mpathi, SAIDS Board Chairperson, prefaced the presentation with the following statements:

- The lockdown restrictions on sports have affected SAIDS’ performance targets.
- SAIDS is required, as a regulatory agency, to deliver its services to athletes who qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
- The APP shows the targets set to be achieved in 2021.
- The board reviewed the performance plan and approved the indicators of the strategic plan.
- SAIDS has sufficient resources to implement the plan in a post COVID climate.

Mr Kalid Galant, SAIDS Chief Executive Officer, presented the key aspects of the performance plan.

Performance Delivery Environment: 2021
- The APP will be implemented in a post- lockdown environment as sports competitions have resumed with some restrictions.
- SAIDS has resumed the testing educational programme subject to COVID- 19 procedures.
- SAIDS’ indicators in the 2021 APP are similar to the 2020 APP as there is no difference in the indicators, but in the quantity of indicators. The indicators and targets assume that sport will fully resume in 2021. However, SAIDS cannot control variables such as lockdown restrictions.
- SAIDS is now subject to a revised World Anti-Doping Code in 2021 and the UNESCO Convention. These global policies result in more compliance in testing and the education delivered.

Mr Onke Ngwane, SAIDS Chief Financial Officer, stated that for the funding as per the National Treasury Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE), SAIDS is required to submit its grant expenditure breakdown twice a year. SAIDS was informed that the grant amount will not change this year, so it will be easier to achieve the APP objectives.
- SAIDS has five core programmes and the indicators details how it will deliver these programmes.

Service Delivery
- SAIDS has no reduction plan for its anti-doping education. Anti-doping educational services are mainly delivered through virtual platforms. The anti-doping educational team was able to meet its targets during lockdown. SAIDS has developed its own E-learning platforms for training and for coaches who want to do courses on sports codes.
- SAIDS has not made any allocation for international travel. It is using virtual platforms to interact with its international counterparts.

Emerging Risks
- SAIDS testing programme, going forward, will be robust, as there are concerns that lockdown might have provided athletes with the opportunity to cheat.
- An emerging risk is uncertainty around funding. However, as stated previously, the funding over the next year is certain so SAIDS will continue as normal.
- SAIDS revenue from sales has been reduced due to travel restrictions and lockdown restrictions on sports.
- Athletes could be exposed to COVID-19 during sample collections during testing. SAIDS has incorporated strict PPE requirements into its doping procedures and has piloted a paperless system this year.

Discussion
Mr M Zondi (ANC) noted that the Department indicated that there is government funding and other income sources. What other sources of income are being generated besides funding?

There is a drop in the fluctuation of the current assets in the last three years. What is the reason for this?

On the unqualified audit with findings, what is being done to deal with the findings raised by the Auditor General?

Since the previous years had a clean audit, but 2019/20 did not, is there is a target to address those findings and obtain a clean audit as seen in previous financial years?

The SAIDS board has only three females but seven males. The DG explained in a previous meeting that there were few female applications. Is there a similar challenge with this board?

For the APP indicators drawn from the 2020/25 Strategic Plan is SAIDS happy with its performance so far?

Mr D Joseph (DA) acknowledged that there are signs of improvement with surpluses. Since the Olympics are taking place, has SAIDS noticed an increase in doping? Since no international visits are allowed, will a SAIDS team be going to Tokyo to test for doping?

If there is an exclusion of international income, will it result in a bigger risk for uncertainty of funding or will it reduce the risk of uncertainty?

He pointed to the dates mismatch between Department and the SAIDS presentations for the Strategic Plan. The Department states 2020/25 and SAIDS states 2021-2026 which seems more correct.

Has the government grant been increased over the past two years? If not, what adjustments are being made to cope with not receiving a grant increase?

What sources of advertising are used for advertising management and staff vacancies? Are advertisements made available via electronic sources or only in newspapers? Where can people see advertisements for job opportunities? What is the staff turnover like – is it a very stable staff or is the turnover rate creating a lot of advertisements and appointments?

What are the most important consequences for noncompliance according to the new UNESCO Convention against doping in sports?

Are allowances for staff increases made available during this difficult financial climate? If so, what is the percentage of allowance increase?

It was stated that there was a challenge about the Bloemfontein laboratory full accreditation and full operations, what was this about?

Mr Joseph said the new performance indicator on the submission of the Annual Report to the SAIDS Board was strange. It is expected to submit one to the board every year, why is it a new indicator in the APP?

How relevant are tips of intelligence information to the SAIDS working environment? Are these tips important?

Mr Joseph noted a new indicator since 2017 was tribunals. He was glad that the Deputy Director General raised this. What is the cause of the delay? Where in the process is the promulgated legislation? Can the Committee contribute to this process in any way?

What are the target markets for the strategic education awareness? What sports, besides athletics, are targeted for anti-doping education?

What effects has COVID had on the institution in the last year? Are there any outstanding matters or disputes with the AG? If so, what lessons has SAIDS learned in the last Annual Report that they can take forward into the new year?

Mr B Madlingozi (EFF) asked what SAIDS’ position is on the Caster Semenya case. What is SAIDS’ response to the International Association of Athletics Federation request that Caster, like a human guinea pig, takes medication that will control her testosterone level in her body? Since she has lost her appeal, does SAIDS have any plan of action on that position?

Are there any racial accusations in the sample collection during the doping control process? What measures are in place to ensure that this is prevented?

What doping control processes are made available to rural areas? If there are none, why is this the case?

Ms V Malomane (ANC) asked the same question about Caster Semenya. What is the impact of the laboratories being closed? If sports teams are forced to take a test internationally, will it be costly? If so, is there a possible option of taking the test in South Africa?

She commented that the Department should appoint more women.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on the testing process for doping in sports? Are athletes still being tested? If so, how has SAIDS altered its testing process to allow for COVID-19 safety protocols?

The Chairperson noted that there have always been challenges with the Department of Basic Education allowing anti-doping testing at schools. This Committee has heard this as a recurring challenge with the Department of Basic Education in previous presentations. There is also an issue with the current legislation. The fact that parents will not allow random testing in schools does not assist this matter.

How are laboratories functioning during lockdown? Due to timeframes, the Committee was not able to visit the laboratories. However, the Fifth Parliament Committee was able to visit the SAIDS offices. This Committee must ensure that it include a visit in its parliamentary programme. However, the Chairperson expressed doubt that the coming third wave would allow a visit this year.

SAIDS response
Mr Ngwane replied that SAIDS receives ad hoc funding. SAIDS applied for ad hoc funding in the form of a grant from the National Lottery. SAIDS also generates income through testing on behalf of entities such as the international federations.

On the fluctuation of current assets, most of the current assets are cash resources. Two years ago, SAIDS assets were in deficit. As a result, measures were implemented to control the budget and costs. This had led to cost savings and the preservation of cash resources. Thus there is a significant increase from 2018/19. The current assets remain the same in 2019/20 as a result of those measures.

The 2019/20 audit findings were mainly to do with supply chain management (SCM) and tender processes. The tender processes were followed correctly. However, the Auditor General was not satisfied with the way the different qualities were constructed in the tender processes. The processes were not compliant with the supply chain management policy. To address these findings, SAIDS investigated the irregular expenditure and shortfalls to report back to the audit committee and the board. It was recommended that SAIDS enlist the services of internal audit to audit their SCM policy and processes. This is to identify and fix shortfalls in those areas. SAIDS is currently alerting the AG and the board about the irregular expenditure arising in those tenders. This is so the board can recommend condonation through Treasury.

An unqualified audit opinion means that what was presented in the financial statement reflects what happened that year with no findings. SAIDS’ goal will always be to achieve a clean audit.

On the consequences of less business with international federations due to COVID-19, SAIDS main income source is the government grant. However, since less income is generated from testing, there are fewer testing costs incurred. SAIDS has implemented budgetary controls and austerity measures such as cutting down on testing. Despite cutting down on testing, SAIDS does not compromise its mandate as they have met its requirements for the amount of testing that should be implemented. SAIDS also saves courier costs by couriering samples in batches.

There are no salary increases. Instead, SAIDS has a cost-of-living adjustment which ensures that its employees can counteract the inflation of prices. Its employees will afford the same things they could afford the previous year.

Another budgetary control measure is the decrease in international travel.

The National Lotteries grant is the main funding for SAIDS education department. The grant SAIDs received from Treasury was insufficient. The National Lotteries grant has been the most in terms of other funding.

The Annual Report submission has been carried out annually. The Annual Report submission reflects as a new indicator in the APP as a measurable target because SAIDS only started measuring the process from 2018 onwards. However, the submission has always been carried out in previous years.

There are no outstanding concerns with the Auditor General. SAIDS is waiting for the 2020/21 audit to start.

Mr Fahmy Galant, SAIDS General Manager, addressed intelligence tips. Tip off intelligence is extremely important to the testing process because it narrows down where testing is required. SAIDS has a specialist investigation department and a database where information is tallied. This ensures that through identifying links between information, SAIDS can identify what is valid information. Once it evaluates the information, it can target specific athletes to test.

COVID-19 has impacted the testing process as SAIDS suspended testing from 15 March 2020 and only started testing again from 15 December 2020. It conducted an eighth of the tests that would normally be conducted during 2019/20. However, since February 2021, testing was carried out as normal. SAIDS has conducted 170 doping control tests since the start of the 2021/22 financial year. Thus, it might reach its target for the new financial year if everything goes according to the plan.

Mr Kalid Galant addressed the remaining questions. SAIDS has a very low turnover and has invested a lot of time into employee training and welfare. As a result, there are few vacancies for jobs. SAIDS used intern programmes from the universities to address the previous vacancy capacity issues. Where vacancies were available, there were both electronic and newspaper advertisements. Vacancies were also posted on the SAIDS website.

Non compliance to the UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention results in drastic consequences for the whole country rather than just for SAIDS. For example, Russia, Romania, and Brazil were sanctioned from hosting sports events in their countries. Russia was banned from participating in the Olympics and other world championships. These sanctions were a direct result of non compliance with the UNESCO Convention.

Mr Galant explained that Bloemfontein doping control laboratory is an independent entity that resides in the University of Free State. The institution lost its global accreditation in either 2016 or 2017. However, they have regained accreditation and have implemented measures to retain it. The laboratory has received funds in March as they were severely affected by lockdown restrictions. The Bloemfontein laboratory is an independent entity and questions should be directed to the laboratory when the Committee meets with it.

The target market for anti-doping education are athletes, coaches, physiotherapists, and medical doctors that work with athletes. Recently, the anti-doping education for schools has targeted parents, school governing bodies and the learners involved in sports. SAIDS particularly targets learners who are involved in rugby and track and field.

SAIDS has no position on the Caster Semenya case, as the matter does not raise anti-doping concerns. Thus SAIDS has no official position on the case. The board of SAIDS has personal opinions on the case but there is no formal policy position.

For the past 21 years, there has not been a documented racial accusation or incident. Thus, SAIDS cannot report on that. However, doping processes comply with an international standard which requires witnesses and a person that records all information. So, if a concern arises, there are witnesses to help resolve the matter.

SAIDS is a regulatory authority that regulates doping in sports and testing is being done where sporting competitions occur. If the sporting competition occurs in urban areas, then SAIDS tests in those areas. However, anti-doping education services are delivered nationwide. The education manager indicated in her reports that the services are delivered in urban and rural areas. SAIDS goals and objectives are to deliver education services to every province.

SAIDS has been affected by COVID-19. Members of SAIDS have contracted COVID-19 and a tribunal panel member and anti-doping officer have passed on after contracting the virus. He was grateful that other staff and members of SAIDS have recuperated.

Follow up questions
Mr Madlingozi stated that SAIDS main responsibility is to monitor drug free sports. Since Caster Semenya is being asked to ingest drugs into her body, SAIDS should have a formal position on the matter. SAIDS should have an official position on the case since it is a South African institution.

What is meant by the response that SAIDS had to audit itself?

In terms of the testing programmes, which sporting codes and what specific athletes are affected by these doping systems?

Are the doping processes for the elite? Can SAIDS provide clarity?

Department response
Director General, Mr Vusumusi Mkhize, replied to the questions directed at the Department. On the board appointments, there were fewer female applications. However, the current board is nearing the end of its term. So, there will be an opportunity soon to ensure a balance of gender representativity on the new board.

On partnership with the Department of Basic Education, DSAC will take into consideration the Chairperson’s opinion. There needs to be education on anti-doping at school level. Teachers, coaches and parents might put pressure on children to perform at a higher level and this could result in children doping. DSAC needs to work with the Department of Basic Education to campaign strongly against doping and create am awareness campaign programme. This programme would ensure that there are fewer cases and less embarrassment for the country if someone is disqualified.  

SAIDS response
Mr Ngwane replied that the Auditor General is external and reports at year-end on what is not adequate in the audit. Internal audit, on the other hand, is ongoing throughout the year and assists with the improvement on processes. It also identifies where the entity is falling short and recommends how to improve on these shortcomings. This ensures that when the Auditor General does an audit, there are no repeat findings.

Mr Kalid Galant noted the comment on the Caster Semenya issue. He will notify the board members in the board meeting so that the board can formulate a policy position on the case.

On the doping control test, one test costs around R4 500. Given that there are 1 600 tests per annum, SAIDS cannot afford to test at every sporting level or match. Sport is categorized as either a high, medium, or low doping risk and has a ‘doping risk profile’. The level of the sporting competition is considered, and it is not a matter of testing in rural or urban areas.

Closing remarks
The Chairperson thanked the leadership team of SAIDS for attending the meeting this evening. She stated that Parliament had a motion on the Caster Semenya case and that other countries are also supporting her case. Therefore, all institutions must add their voices.

She complimented SAIDS on carrying out its mandate and noted that its performance has improved.

The meeting was adjourned.

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