REPORT OF THE SELECT
COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES ON ITS ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN DURING THE 4TH
PARLIAMENT (MAY 2009 – MARCH 2014), 19 MARCH 2014
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Reflection on
committee programme per year and on whether the objectives of such programmes
were achieved
The Committee, as a collective, strived to apply its mandate in facilitating
legislation introduced by/or overseeing the work done by the three Departments,
namely: The Departments of Health, Home Affairs and Social Development as well
as their entities.
The Committee contributed in efforts aimed at enhancing the lives of
ordinary citizens. The Committee is of the view that by means of continuously engaging
with these Departments, a change in the lives of South African citizens was
made possible.
2.
Committee’s focus
areas during the 4th Parliament
The Committee’s aim this term was to gain as
much insight into the various programmes offered by the Departments in
enhancing the lives of the people. This was done through:
- Exercising oversight over the Executive, including
monitoring implementation of plans and programmes;
- Processing and passing legislation;
-Facilitating public participation; and
-Developing strategic plans.
3.
Key areas for future
work
Focus areas for future work include:
- Visiting the National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot sites to ascertain
progress made in realising the objectives of the NHI,
- Conducting oversight in relation to anti-fraud campaigns (and
improvement of administration) directed at the South African Social Security
Agency’s (SASSA) grant payouts,
- Looking at the various food programmes offered through the Department
of Social Development (DSD),
-Conducting oversight to see the development and approval of
infrastructure standards for ports of entry and the roll-out of smart cards,
-Meeting with the relevant provincial departments around issues like the
implementation of the health district system, modernisation of immigration
system, reproductive health initiative, Isibindi and Kwanda programmes.
- Continuously liaising with the public and civil society around issues
related to the Departments of Health, Social Development and Home Affairs.
4.
Key challenge
emerging
Clashes
between approved committee programmes and the parliamentary programme proved to
be the key challenge during the 4th Parliament.
5.
Recommendation
Parliamentary programme revisions should be in line with the Committees
programme as revisions clash with approved programme plans, and thus negatively
affect the work of the Committee.
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Department/s and
Entities falling within the committee’s portfolio
The committee’s
portfolio entails three departments and their entities.
This report provides an overview of the activities the committee
undertook during the 4th Parliament, the outcome of key activities,
and challenges that emerged during the period under review. Further, it
summarises the key issues that should be considered for follow-up during the 5th
Parliament, and concludes with recommendations to strengthen operational and
procedural processes to enhance the committee’s oversight and legislative roles
in future.
a) Departments of Health, Home Affairs and Social Development
Department |
Mission Statement |
Health |
To improve
health status through the prevention of illnesses and the promotion of
healthy lifestyles and to consistently improve the healthcare delivery system
by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality and sustainability. |
Home Affairs |
The efficient
determination and safeguarding of the identity and status of ciitzens and the regulation of migration to ensure
security, promote development and fulfil our international obligation |
Social Development |
To enable the poor, the
vulnerable and the excluded within South African society to secure a better
life for themselves, in partnership with them and with all those who are
committed to building a caring society. |
b) Entities
Name of Entity |
Role of Entity |
South African Social Security Agency
(SASSA) |
The role of SASSA is to ensure the provision of comprehensive
social security services against vulnerability and poverty within the
constitutional and legislative framework, and create an enabling environment
for sustainable development. To deliver integrated, sustainable and quality
services in partnership with all those committed to building a caring
society. |
Central
Drug Authority (CDA) |
The CDA is expected to give effect to the
National Drug Master Plan; advise the Minister on any matter affecting the
abuse of drugs; and plan, coordinate and promote measures relating to the
prevention and combating of alcohol, drugs and the treatment of persons
dependent on alcohol and drugs. |
National Development
Agency (NDA) |
To contribute towards the eradication of
poverty and its causes by granting funds to civil society organisations for
the purposes of implementing development projects of poor communities; Strengthening the institutional capacity of
other civil society organisations that provide services to poor communities,
as well as to promote consultation, dialogue and sharing of development
experience between civil society organisations and relevant organs of state,
debate development policy; and to undertake research and publication aimed at
providing the basis for development policy. |
South
African Council of Social Service Professionals (SACSSP) |
The South African Council for
Social Service Professions (SACSSP) is a
Statutory Body that regulates the Social Service Professions in terms of the
Social Service Professions Act 110, 1978. |
Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) |
The
Council for Medical Schemes is a statutory body established by the Medical Schemes
Act (131 of 1998) to provide regulatory supervision of private health
financing through medical schemes |
National Health Laboratories Service of SA (NHLS) |
The NHLS forms a
national network of integrated pathology laboratories throughout the country
that utilise common laboratory management systems and transport networks to
facilitate transport of specimens, referral of tests to reference
laboratories and delivery of results. |
Medical
Research Council (MRC) |
The objects of the MRC are, through research,
development and technology transfer, to promote the improvement of the health
and quality of life of the population of the Republic, and to perform such
functions as may be assigned to the MRC by or under the Medical Research
Council Act, No. 58 of 1991. |
Films and Publications
Board (FPB) |
The
FPB’s task is mainly to classify films, videos, DVDs, computer games and
certain publications for their suitable age viewership, and to provide the
public with enough information to make informed choices about what the public
and especially children should or should not see. The FPB classifies all film
material distributed in South Africa, except that shown on TV. |
Independent
Electorate Commission (IEC) |
The Electoral
Commission of South Africa is a permanent body created by the Constitution to
promote and safeguard democracy in South Africa. Although publicly funded and
accountable to parliament, the Commission is independent of the government.
Its immediate task is the impartial management of free and fair elections at
all levels of government. |
Government Printing Works
(GPW) |
To provide security
printing needs of Government |
1.2
Functions of
committee
In line with the mandate of parliamentary committees, the functions of
the Select Committee were to:
·
Monitor the financial and non-financial
performance of government departments and their entities to ensure that
national objectives are met.
·
Process and pass legislation.
·
Facilitate public participation in Parliament
relating to issues of oversight and legislation.
1.3
Method of work of the
committee
The Committee adopted
a programme that is in line with the NCOPs programme. The committee’s programme
is attached as Annexure A.
The Select Committee
held its meetings on Tuesdays.
1.4
Purpose of the report
The purpose of this report is to provide an account of the Select
Committee on Social Services’ work during the 4th Parliament and to
inform the Members of the new Parliament of key outstanding issues pertaining
to the oversight and legislative programme of the Departments of Health, Home
Affairs and Social Development and its entities.
2.
COMMITTEE STATISTICS
The table below provides an overview of the number of meetings held,
legislation and international agreements processed and the number of oversight
trips and study tours undertaken by the committee, as well as any statutory
appointments the committee made, during the 4th Parliament:
Activity |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
2011/12 |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
Total |
Meetings held |
13 |
16 |
14 |
18 |
2 |
63 |
Legislation processed |
None |
5 |
1 |
2 |
None |
0 |
Oversight trips undertaken |
None |
2 |
None |
None |
None |
2 |
Study tours undertaken |
None |
1 |
None |
None |
None |
1 |
International agreements processed |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
0 |
Statutory appointments made |
None |
None |
None |
1 |
None |
1 |
##Interventions considered |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
0## |
Petitions considered |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
0 |
##The Committee was
involved in the Intervention issued to the SC on Finance to the Limpopo
Province, 2013##
3.
STAKEHOLDERS
The stakeholders of
the Committee include civil society and other organisations that conduct work
related to the development of social services in the country.
4.
BRIEFINGS AND/OR
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The briefings and/or public hearings of the Committee during its legislation
processing were effective and contributed to the amendments made to the
legislation.
5.
LEGISLATION
The following pieces of legislation were referred to the committee and
processed during the 4th Parliament:
Year |
Name of Legislation |
Tagging |
Objectives |
STATUS |
2009/10 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2010/11 |
South African Citizenship Amendment Bill [B17B-2010
(s75)] |
(National Assembly
– sec 75) |
To amend the
South African Citizenship Act, 1995, so as to substitute, insert or delete
certain definitions; to revise the provisions relating to acquisition of citizenship
by birth, descent and naturalisation; to repeal or to substitute certain obsolete
references; and to effect certain technical corrections; and to provide for matters
connected therewith. |
Completed |
Births and Registration Amendment Bill [B18B-2010
(s75)] |
(National Assembly
– sec 75) |
To amend the
Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992, so as to substitute, insert and
delete certain definitions; to revise provisions relating to the registration
of births; to revise provisions relating to amendments of birth registration;
to provide for the designation of funeral undertakers; to make provision for
the recording of adoptions; to revise the provisions relating to secrecy of
records obtained under this Act; to clarify provisions relating to the making
of regulations; to repeal certain sections; and to provide for matters
connected therewith. |
Completed |
|
Local Government Municipal Electoral
Amendment Bill [B27B-2010 (s75)] |
(National Assembly
– sec 75) |
To amend the
Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000, so as to supplement
provisions relating to the election timetable and insert a related Schedule
to the Act; to amend provisions relating to nomination of candidates; to provide
for central payments of deposits by a party which contests election in more than
one municipality; to empower presiding officers to alter boundaries of voting stations, if necessary; to revise
provisions relating to number of party agents at a voting station; to clarify
the rights and responsibilities relating to assistance to certain voters; to
provide for special votes and the procedure related thereto; to enhance the
powers and functions of the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Court in
relation to the determination and declaration of the result of an election; to
provide for further regulation of objections material to the result of an
election; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
Completed |
|
Refugees Amendment Bill [B30B-2010
(s75)] |
(National Assembly
– sec 75) |
To amend the
Refugees Act, 1998, so as to amend, insert and delete certain definitions; to
clarify how applications for refugee status rejected as manifestly unfounded and
unfounded must be dealt with; to empower the Director-General to establish
the Status Determination Committee; to revise the provisions relating to withdrawal
of refugee status; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
Complete |
|
Social Assistance Amendment Bill [B5B-2010(S76)] |
(National Council of Provinces – sec 76) |
To amend the
Social Assistance Act, 2004, so as to insert a definition; to further regulate
the eligibility for a disability grant; to enable applicants and
beneficiaries to apply to the
Agency to reconsider its decision; to further regulate appeals against decisions of the Agency; and to effect certain
textual corrections; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
Completed |
|
2011/12 |
Immigration Amendment Bill [[B32B-2010] carried
over from the previous financial year, thus not referred to the Committee
during this reporting financial year. |
(National Assembly
– sec 75) |
To
amend the Immigration Act, 2002, so as to substitute certain words of the Preamble
to the Act; to delete, insert or substitute certain definitions; to revise provisions
relating to the Immigration Advisory Board; to revise provisions relating to
the making of regulations; to provide for the designation of ports of entry;
to revise provisions relating to visas for temporary sojourn in the Republic
and for the procedures with regard thereto; to provide for the mandatory transmission and use of information on
advance passenger processing; to provide for the transmission of passenger
name record information; to revise provisions relating to permanent
residence; to revise penal provisions; to correct certain important
technical aspects in the text of the Act; and to provide for matters connected
therewith. |
Completed |
2012/13 |
National Health Amendment
Bill [[B24-2011 |
(National Assembly – sec 76) |
To
amend the National Health Act, 2003, so as to provide for the establishment
of the Office of Health Standards Compliance and, for that purpose, to
insert, substitute or delete certain definitions; to delete, revise
and insert certain provisions; and to provide for matters connected
therewith. |
Completed |
Mental Health Amendment Bill [39-2012 |
(National
Assembly – sec 76) |
To amend the Mental Health
Care Act, 2002, so as to insert a new section; to provide for the delegation of powers by the
head of the national department to officials in the national department; to
repeal the Mental Health Act, 1973; and to provide for matters connected
therewith. |
Completed |
|
2013/14 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
6.
OVERSIGHT TRIPS
UNDERTAKEN
The following oversight
trips were undertaken:
Date |
Area Visited |
Objective |
Recommendations |
Responses to Recommendations |
Follow-up Issues |
Status of Report |
17 March 2010 |
Kwazulu-Natal Province: Ulundi |
To do oversight on
the state of health districts in the KwaZulu-Natal province |
The Committee
recommends that relevant resolutions taken be brought to the attention of the
Department of Health and Social Development as well as Public Works (in terms
of the construction/ engineering works). |
Department to follow-up. |
None |
ATC’d |
14 September 2010 |
Western Cape: Hout Bay |
Oversight to projects funded by the National Development Agency |
Funding be made available assist the administration of the projects. |
Department to follow-up. |
None |
Adopted |
7.
STUDY TOURS
UNDERTAKEN
The following study tours were undertaken:
Date |
Places Visited |
Objective |
Lessons Learned |
Status of Report |
19-25 February 2011 |
Kingdom of the Netherlands |
The
committee decided on this study tour pre-empting the introduction of National
Health Insurance to Parliament, a system which will reshape South Africa’s
health care system. Also, it decided on Netherlands as a country which was
perceived to have one of the best health care systems in the world, and thus
provided opportunities for learning from its health care system. The learning
therefore from the Netherlands health care system will help Members of
Parliament (MPs) in their deliberations on the proposed National Health
Insurance. |
Provided some lessons from their health
care system. |
Adopted and ATC’d |
8.
INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS
The Committee did not process or report on any international agreements.
9.
STATUTORY
APPOINTMENTS
The following
statutory appointment was referred to the Committee:
Date |
Type of appointment |
Period of appointment |
Status of Report |
August 2012 |
Board |
5years |
Adopted and ATCd |
10.
INTERVENTIONS
No interventions were
referred to and processed by the Committee.
11.
PETITIONS
No petitions were
referred to and considered by the Committee.
12.
SUMMARY OF
OUTSTANDING ISSUES
There are no outstanding issues from the committee’s activities during
the 4th Parliament. However, it is recommended that the Committee
consider covering the following issues in the 5th Parliament:
13.
KEY CHALLENGE
EMERGING
A key challenge that emerged during the 4th Parliament refers
to programme clashes. At times the approved Committee programme clashes with
the institution’s programme.
14.
RECOMMENDATION
A key recommendation is that the parliamentary
programme revisions should be in line with the Committees programme as
revisions clash with approved programme plans, and thus negatively affect the
work of the Committee.