Question NW3080 to the Minister of Science and Technology

Entities

Definition of red tape

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Process that entails some restrictive processes or hindrance that have to be followed or complied with in the performance of an activity.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Rules, processes and procedures that impose unnecessary delay, and inaction or cost to the supplier(s) and/or potential beneficiaries.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Unnecessary bureaucratic practices which adds no value to desired outcomes, but are imposed on processes nonetheless.

National Research Foundation (NRF)

Additional administrative measure, over and above the established policies and procedures of the organisation that are implemented through legislated authorities.

South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

Unnecessary and cumbersome rules, regulations, requirements, processes or procedures that result in unacceptable and unnecessary delays in business processes and decision making.

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

Excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

Entities/ Department

(i) Interventions

(ii) Systems

(aa) Identify

(bb) Reduce

(aa) Identify

(bb) Reduce

(aaa) Department

(bbb) Entities

Department of Science and Technology

Establishment of an Operations Committee to address operational matters.

Review of policies and procedures every two years (or as required) as part of continuous improvement or with the introduction of new/ legislative amendments.

Document adverse effects of policy implementation to inform future reviews and amendments. Development of standard operating procedures (as applicable) to maximise efficiencies.

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

There are no specific interventions.

No systems to identify red tape.

No systems to reduce red tape.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

There are no specific interventions.

Continually review processes to incorporate improvements and to align to new legislative requirements.

Developed systems and processes to maximise its efficiencies and effectiveness.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

There are no specific interventions.

Identify these through internal consultation and by working closely with the Internal and External Auditors and then determine what is required to adhere to in order to remain compliant.

No systems to reduce red tape.

National Research Foundation (NRF)

There are no specific interventions.

No systems to identify red tape.

No systems to reduce red tape.

South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

There are no specific interventions.

Identify through service level standards or turnaround time targets that are set for key processes.

Regularly review policies, procedures and systems with a view to continually assess their effectiveness.

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

-Materiality framework was amended to enhance decision making and execution of decisions.

-Delegation of authority was refined.

-Revision of Investment framework policy.

-Bi-monthly Exco meetings.

-Special board meetings to expedite decisions made.

-The operational team in the Supply Chain Management Unit has been expanded to meet business’ needs quicker and more efficient.

-Employee culture survey.

-Complaints review.

-Customer satisfaction surveys.

Operational inefficiencies are identified through inadequate turnaround times of approval and payment of projects and expenditure. It is also identified through employee engagement surveys and customer satisfaction surveys.

Investment management system has been designed and implemented.