Reply:

 

• 1. The Fund-Raising Amendment Bill will culminate in the dissolution of the Refugee Relief, Social Relief, State President and Disaster Relief Funds with the exception of the South African National Defence Force Fund (in terms of clause 7 of the amendment Bill), The amendment Bill establishes a new Disaster Relief and National Social Development Fund, and in terms of clause 7, transfers all the assets and liabilities of the existing funds to the new Fund. There should thus be no impact on the Funds, as the four funds are being consolidated into one Fund, and all their assets and liabilities are being transferred to the new Fund.
  2. The Department has established an Entity Oversight Forum through which all DSD entities are supervised. The Forum serves as a platform through which the Executive Management team at the DSD, led by the DG and supported by Finance, Legal Services, Internal Audit, Risk Management, the respective line function unit. The Inspectorate engage the Entity CEOs and their executives on a quarterly basis. These engagements serve as the oversight platform through which the DSD interrogates the quarterly performance and financial reports as well as governance and compliance matters of all the entities, in order to identify challenges and give guidance to support and assist entities to improve their overall performance. The main focus is of the Entity Oversight Forum is to:
• • • Build a harmonious relationship with DSD Entities and Associated institutions; based on the Portfolio Approach
    • Address Auditor general’s concerns on oversight shortcomings;
    • Address governance weaknesses in all Entities;
    • Consider the quarterly reports of all entities and ensure that mitigation plans are developed where targets are not met;
    • Oversee the implementation of audit findings from both Internal Audit and Inspectorate
    • Engagement on matters pertaining to Parliament, Legislation and Cabinet that require the attention of this forum.

In addition, the DG has established the Audit Steering Committee to address all Auditor- General findings within the Department and its Entities. This committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss the Audit Implementation Action Plan of each of the Entities. Responses to challenges related to audit findings and related implementation plans are managed and overseen and also tabled to the scheduled Audit Committee meetings for further guidance and support.

Through these platforms, the Department elevated the oversight of its entities as one of its apex priorities, and expects to see a marked improvement in the tracking and implementation of corrective actions in the current year.