Question NW3063 to the Minister of Water and Sanitation

NO.

NAME OF ENTITY

RESPONSE

1.

Amatola Water

(a)(ii) Amatola Water Board defines red tape as “official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction”

(b)(i)(ii); (aa); (bb) & (bbb) Amatola Water Board has governing structures internally that ensure an effective and efficient decision making process that reduces red-tape. The governing structures of Amatola Water Board have policies and procedures to give guidance and, to maintain sound control environment. Amatola Water Board is an active stakeholder that participates in various water sector forums and committees that are lead by Department of Water and Sanitation which are aimed at reducing the decision lag processes (e.g. DG’s Forum, PROWAF, SAAWU). The Shareholders Compact (SHC) which serves an agreement between the Water Board and Minister of Water and Sanitation is aligned to the corporate objectives of the water board. This SHC creates a common space for understanding and execution of strategy. The SHC also forms part of the performance system and monitoring is on a quarterly basis in order to take an immediate corrective action against adverse performance results.

2.

Bloem Water

(a) (i) N/A (ii)Legal mandate by Executive Authority, which is the Board appointed by the Minister, following the Delegation of authority to CE and further to staff.

(b)(i) (ii) (aa)(bb)This includes Policies approved and procedures implemented to function in such a way to minimise and reduce processes, costs and red tape.

(aaa) (bbb)N/A

3.

Lepelle Northern Water

1. (ii)Red Tape- excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities.

1. (i) (ii) (aa)(bb) Our internal processes do not have red tape challenges.

(aaa) (bbb) N/A

4.

Magalies Water

(a)(ii)Red tape is defined in Magalies Water within the context of normal managerial functions. This is such that management activities are executed in a certain sequence which follows planning within a formal authority of hierarchical decision making.

(b)(i)-(ii)A materiality and significance framework and the Delegations of Authority

(aa)-(bb)-(aaa) N/A (bbb)The above instruments do neither identify nor reduce red tape but facilitate effective decision making processes within the organisation. The materiality and significance framework facilitate decisions on material transactions by the Board and on significant transactions by the Minister of Water and Sanitation. The delegations of authority facilitate internal decision making processes at various managerial levels.

5.

Mhlathuze Water

(a) (i) N/A (ii) Our understanding of the word “red tape” is that it is a term used to describe excessive regulation that hinders timeous action or decision-making.

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) MW has recently reviewed its business processes in order to streamline all its processes for effective delivery of services. MW policies are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still effective and relevant in achieving service delivery.

(aaa)N/A

(bbb)It should however be noted that statutory compliance takes precedence over internal processes, policies and procedures.

6.

Overberg Water

(a) (i) N/A (ii) Overberg Water is not experiencing any red tape in our engagement within and with the external stakeholders.

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) N/A

(aaa) (bbb) N/A

7.

Rand Water

(a) (ii) There is no definition of red tape in terms of the law.

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)To improve efficiencies within Rand Water’s Supply Chain Management we are continuously reviewing our systems and policies and currently participating in the review of the Preferential Procurement Act in order to improve economic transformation and participation of previously disadvantages entities in the business of Rand Water.

(aaa) (bbb) N/A

8.

Sedibeng Water

a) (i) N/A (Applicable to the department)

(ii) Red tape is when processes to approve and authorize activities of the entity are held hostage due to long authorization and approval processes.

(b) (i) The necessary processes are still undertaken as per the prescripts of the legislation and business best practices, however business processes mapping was undertaken to respond to the legislation, policies and procedure are defined to enable business efficiencies.

(ii) Systems implemented to identify red tape are

(aa) The time taken to authorize transactions is checked against the target set to authorize and process; the level of authorization required in terms of the delegated authority; the number of people who hold the requisite authority to transact (bb) reduce red tape in: (aaa) N/A (Applicable to the department) (bbb) A shared services model and automation of the business processes systems was implemented. Reviewing the delegation of authority to allow back up and acting positions taking into account the level of understanding on accountability.

9.

Umgeni Water

a) (i) N/A (ii) Red tape is when processes to approve and authorize activities of the entity are held hostage due to long authorization and approval processes.

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) Umgeni Water has developed systems of internal control that include approved policies and an articulate delegation of powers framework. The framework gives appropriate officials powers to implement decisions at various and appropriate levels.

(aaa) N/A (bbb) These systems assist the organisation to quickly dispatch resources and make business decisions without having to wait for executive and accounting authority meetings. However the accounting authority exercises appropriate oversight on decisions taken by management / officials.

10.

Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority

(a) (i) N/A (ii) TCTA is a service provider to other water management institutions.  It does not regulate (i.e. grant permission to an organisation /individual to carry out an activity) or provide a service over which it has a monopoly to others electricity water etc.

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) (aaa) (bbb) N/A The questions are, therefore, not of relevance to TCTA.

11.

Water Research Commission

(a) (ii) Definition of Red Tape. The term red tape is not used.

(b) (i) The WRC has had no specific interventions or (ii) systems implemented.

The WRC has a fairly efficient deal flow system with our research management system and while we continuously seek improvement, we have had no complaints about unnecessary red tape. The legislative requirements and regulations that apply to the WRC have been effectively integrated into the operations to ensure smooth process flows.

(aaa) (bbb) N/A

12.

Inkomati CMA

(a)(ii) Red tape is defined as complicated official rules and regulations, especially when these are considered unnecessary: excessive bureaucracy

(b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) Not for the entities to respond to.

(aaa) (bbb) N/A

13.

Breede-Gouritz CMA

(a) (i) N/A (ii) The BGCMA defines red tape as excessive impediments that require compliance and conformity to formal rules either in terms of established rules within the organization, policy, compliance register, regulations, Treasury Instructions or applicable legislation. These impediments can prevent the BGCMA from making a timeous decision.

(b)(i) If it is a rule or policy the BGCMA applies either a deviation route having obtained the necessary approvals but if it is the legislation there is strict compliance.

(ii)The performance process flow and compliance register define and identify areas of compliance plus the extent required to implement those.

(bb) Depending on the nature of red tape, relevant officials are given specific delegations and if it is a governance issue the Board or the Minister is approached.

(aaa) (bbb) N/A