Question NW32 to the Minister of Social Development
28 March 2017 - NW32
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether any senior managers of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) were seconded to SASSA’s regional offices from 1 April 2015 to date; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many of the specified managers were (a) seconded and (b) seconded to regional offices outside of their respective residential provinces; (2) whether any accommodation has been arranged for the managers who were seconded to regional offices outside of their respective residential provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (a) where were the specified managers accommodated, (b) what were the costs and (c) from which budgets were the costs paid; (3) whether any transport arrangements have been made for the managers who were seconded to regional offices outside of their respective residential provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether any of the senior managers who were seconded to regional offices outside of their respective residential provinces received VIP and/or security detail; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many of the specified managers received VIP and/or security detail, (b) what were the costs, (c) from which budgets were the costs paid and (d) what justified the security detail in each case? NW35E
Reply:
1. Yes,
(i) The South African Social Security Agency ( SASSA) was established in terms of the Social Security Agency Act, 2004 to perform the following functions in giving effect to Section 3 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004;
(ii) Administer social assistance and perform any other function delegated to it under the Social Assistance Act.
(iii) Collect , collate, maintain and administer such information as is necessary for the payment of social security, as well as for the central reconciliation and management of payment of transfer funds in a national database of all applicants for and beneficiaries of social assistance.
(iv) SASSA has adopted a two phase approach regarding the takeover of grants. In preparation of this approach the agency have to prepare its personnel for such a function, which include the following; capacity building, strategic placements of its current personnel including the regional executives and executives. This approach necessitated the agency also to identify other senior managers with the potential of exposing them in various areas in the agency as part of their capacity building drive.
(v) SMS’s were seconded in an acting capacity to gain more experience and strengthen their managerial capabilities in preparation for the transitional period.
1. (a) 14 (14 for the period 01 April 2015 until 31 January 2017 and 4 for the period 01 February 2017 to date).
(b) 2 (12 for the period 01 April 2015 until 31 January 2017and 4 for the period 01 February 2017 to date).
(2) Yes, accommodation has been provided for in terms of the SASSA Staffing Practice Policy which requires of SASSA to provide such for secondment(s).
(a) They are all accommodated in hotels and furnished apartments where it is cost effective.
(b) The total estimated costs to-date for accommodation for all of them is R3 097 998.67.
(c) The savings from the Compensation of Employees and leases have been used in this regard.
(3) All senior managers affected are using their own transport except two, who is provided for by SASSA in according with the SASSA Staffing Policy on secondment(s). The total estimated costs to-date is R213 782.00.
(4) No