Question NW3073 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
28 August 2015 - NW3073
Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(a) How does her department and entities reporting to her define red tape and (b) what specific interventions and/or systems have been implemented to identify and reduce red tape in her department and the entities reporting to her.
Reply:
(a) Historically the concept of ‘red tape’ was introduced as an instrument for standardised, systematic procedures for bureaucratic approval across nation-states but in current times this concept has become synonymous with time-consuming, lengthy systems for issues that are simple to resolve.
(b) To eliminate the latter, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has ensured one consolidated approach for State Owned Company (SOC) to report to the Department based on key areas defined in the shareholder compacts and corporate plans.
These performance areas are reported on quarterly basis in the SOC quarterly reports to the Department with sector team engagements on any concerns or areas for improvement. With regard to the PFMA applications, the Department maintains a register which ensures adherence within the stipulated timelines.
Indeed, the intention with SOC quarterly reporting to DPE is for data accuracy to inform DPE decisions to fully optimise the SOC as key instruments of a developmental state.