Question NW40 to the Minister of Social Development
28 March 2017 - NW40
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)(a) Why did the (i) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and (ii) incoming CEO of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) visit Panama on or around 12 November 2016, (b) who accompanied the specified persons on the specified trip and (c) what is the detailed breakdown of all costs incurred for the trip in terms of (i) travel and subsistence, (ii) hotel accommodation and (iii) vehicle hire; (2) whether a report on the trip will be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development; if not, why not; if so, by what date; (3) why was the trip prioritised when a report on the status of the institutionalisation of grants by SASSA was due to be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 16 November 2016? NW43E
Reply:
The Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are members to the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Both DSD and SASSA through their membership to ISSA have access to specialized events and expert advice from social security professionals worldwide.
Through this membership, DSD and SASSA effectively have access to the full range of ISSA services including their conferences and meetings. This membership also gives DSD and SASSA the opportunity to network and collaborate with other leaders and administrators in promoting the values of social security worldwide.
The South African Social Security Agency CEO, is the Vice- Chairperson of the Technical Commissions (TC) on Family Benefits. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons constitute the Steering Committee of the Technical Commissions.
The Vice- Chairpersons play an important role in assisting the Chairperson to plan and guide the activities of the Technical Commissions by ensuring its focus on priority issues and contribute to ISSA overall work programme and objectives.
1. (a) The Department of Social Development (DSD) and SASSA attended the International Social Security Association (ISSA) World Security Forum: 14 – 18 November 2016, Panama City, Panama:
(i) the ACEO was leading the SASSA delegation and,
(ii) the incoming CEO as Acting Director General represented DSD
(b) & (c) (i), (ii) and (iii)
|
DSD Delegation |
(ii) Travel |
(ii) S& T |
(ii) & (ii) accommodation & Vehicle Hire |
|
Mr T Magwaza: Acting Director General |
R121 135.00 |
R11 684.00 |
R26 352 was paid as an advance to DIRCO |
|
Mr Z Dangor: Special Advisor to the Minister |
R136 644.00 |
|
|
|
SASSA Delegation |
|
|
|
|
Ms. R Ramokgopa: Acting CEO |
R126 575.23 |
R6 800.00 |
Advanced Payment was made to DIRCO |
|
Ms. Pearl Bengu: (KZN Regional Executive Manager) |
R126 575.23 |
R6 800.00 |
Advance Payment was made to DIRCO |
|
Mr Armstrong Malope: (Mpumalanga Acting Regional Executive Manager) |
R126 575.23 |
R6 800.00 |
Advance Payment was made to DIRCO |
|
Mr Sonwabo Koliti : (General Manager: Customer Care) |
R126 575.23 |
R6 800.00 |
Payment was made to DIRCO |
|
Total |
R 506 300.92 |
R 27 200.00 |
R 191 352.00 |
(ii) A total of R191 352 was advanced to DIRCO to cover accommodation and shuttle for the 6 delegates. We have not yet received the claim refunds.
2. Yes, the report is available and can be presented to the Portfolio Committee if requested.
3. The invitation of the Portfolio Committee came long after the delegation has been confirmed with ISSA and travel arrangements were finalised. Both Mr Dangor and Ms Ramokgopa were panelists. Cancellation would have resulted in wasteful expenditure and would have required ISSA to change the programme in last minutes.