Hansard: NCOP: Unrevised hansard

House: National Council of Provinces

Date of Meeting: 09 Dec 2021

Summary

No summary available.

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

 NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

THURSDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2021

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

Watch video here: PLENARY (HYBRID) (PROVISIONAL)

The Council met at 14:03

 

 

The Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

 

VIRTUAL SITTING RULES

(Announcement)

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, let me take this opportunity to remind delegates that the Rules and the process for the hybrid sitting apply. Delegates who are physically in the chamber must connect to the virtual platform as well as insert their cards to register on the chamber system. They must switch of the sound of their gadgets. They must also ensure that the microphones on the gadgets are muted and remain muted at all times. They must switch the floor microphones and wear face masks at all times. They must occupy

 

seats marked for that purpose and must at all times maintain social distancing of at least one and half meters from each other. Delegates must switch on their videos if they want to speak and/or address the Chair. Any delegate who wishes to speak must use the raise your hand function or icon. All delegates may participate in the discussion through the chat room.

 

DEBATE ON 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: MOVING FROM AWARENESS TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

 

The MINISTER OF IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS

 

WITH DISABILITIES: Thank you, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Deputy Chairperson, and hon members, I wish to commend the National Council of Provinces for your leadership in taking a firm stand against gender-based violence and femicide in our country. Today’s debate is timely as we continue to mark the

16 Days of Activism campaign, which is marked by all members of the UN family. This campaign has one again put a spotlight on the heinous crimes being committed against women and children daily in this country. We are brought together today by our collective commitment to tackling and eradicating gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF.

 

The GBVF remains a second pandemic alongside COVID-19 that continue to ravage and affect our nation. Despite the commitment of government and civil society and almost two years of implementing the National Strategic Plan, gender- based violence and femicide continues unabated with COVID-19 impacts further exacerbating the scourge.

 

 

The theme for the 16-Days of Activism 2021 is: The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: 16 Days of Activism – Moving from Awareness to Accountability. At the centre of the theme is creating a sense of urgency to move into action to address this lethal gender-based violence and femicide pandemic. We are putting a spotlight on the reality that turning the tide against GBVF requires a society-wide approach, with everyone at the forefront of the fight. We are committed to tangible solutions to institutionalise the National Strategic Plan, NSP, and create a culture of accountability. We continue conveying our message that every individual must take responsibility for their actions. We cannot stand and watch. We all need to form part of the collective to end gender-based violence and femicide.

 

 

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, the department has

 

continued to wage a relentless campaign. With regard to

 

mobilisation, we have continued to mobilise different sectors of society as part of joining forces in wrestling this entrenched GBVF crisis and pandemic.

 

 

On the issue of the National Council on the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, we have utilised the 16 Days of Activism campaign period and the weeks immediately preceding the campaign to conduct physical consultations in all provinces on the National Council on GBVF Bill that we gazetted in September. We have received valuable inputs and continued to highlight the scourge of the gender-based violence and femicide and the need for a custodian for the National Strategic Plan. The establishment of the custodian which will be the council will be guided by the transformative legal framework. We have received inputs from all corners of civil society and we are encouraged by society’s willingness to input on such an important Bill.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, over the first year of implementing the NSP, critical interventions with key sectors such as faith communities, taxi drivers, men organisations, schools at both basic and tertiary institutions were piloted. The department has heightened the process of harnessing these programmatic interventions as part of a wider national prevention strategy.

 

Multisectoral consultations and spotlight sessions have been convened in line with ensure an inclusive and integrated prevention strategy that accelerates progress on simultaneously eradicating the scourge, building social compacts and reweaving the torn social fabric.

 

 

As I deliver this gender sensitisation, gender-based violence and femicide training with taxi drivers is taking place in Nkangala District, Mpumalanga. As we move into the festive season with increased volumes of commuters using public transport, we want to ensure the environment in which women and children feel safe while using public transport. It is important that we localise the gender-based violence and femicide response. Part of our awareness raising strategy has included establishment of rapid response teams, RRTs, in local district and municipalities in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and other provinces. The approach used centres on building capacity to ensure provinces establish and facilitate functioning of multisectoral rapid response teams even to the ward level.

 

 

Economic empowerment remains one of the most critical cornerstones in the fight against gender-based violence and

 

femicide in line with pillar five of the NSP on Economic Empowerment.

 

 

On 22 November the department convened hybrid session on enforcement of the Maintenance Act Against Child Maintenance Payment Defaulter. The main objectives were to discuss tactics to address the challenges experienced by women in enforcing child maintenance orders; and together with justice department discuss the preparations for the implementation of a section that provides for the blacklisting of defaulters. During these sessions, we highlighted the importance of maintenance in addressing the economic vulnerability of women and children.

 

 

While we await the establishment of the National Council on GBVF, the establishment of a voluntary multisectoral implementation collaborative has ensured the participation of all stakeholders, in particular, civil society. The platform has 400 individuals spanning civil society, labour, business, faith communities, and researchers. It continues to grow. This platform is also supported by the establishment of the faith- based organizations platform constituted by over 600 partners.

 

 

The faith collective 120-Day Communications campaign kicked off in November, last month, under the hashtag

 

#FaithInGenderJustice. The campaign intends to ignite a shared vision of what a gender-just society should look like and how we can influence structural change. These platforms have been instrumental in raising awareness on the 365 days’ campaign.

 

 

We have progressive legislation to intensify the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. The three GBVF Bills, namely, the Criminal Law, meaning Sexual Offenders and Related Matters Amendment Act; Domestic Violence Amendment Bill; and the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill that are before the President for assent are designed to bring justice to the victims of gender-based violence and femicide. With these legislative framework, the government hopes to tackle three key issues: Firstly, enhance process of applying for a protection order; secondly, ensure police take harassment claims seriously; and lastly, bolster accountability and punitive measures for offenders.

 

 

It is indeed uplifting that Parliament approved the ratification of the International Labour Organization, ILO, Convention 190 that addresses the prevention, elimination and management of violence and harassment that pervades the world of work. The country is also finalising the code of good practice on the prevention and elimination of violence and

 

harassment in the world of work. This code of good practice was founded on the ILO Convention 190. These are but a few policies and legislation frameworks currently under consideration and review. There are over 10 other policy instruments that are at different stages of development and getting attention spanning issues of marriage, psychosocial support, housing, cyber bullying, hate crimes and decriminalisation of sex work. As we work on driving the national response to the GBVF driving implementation of the policies and legislative instruments is a key focus area.

 

 

Programmes have been undertaken by various stakeholders including departments and civil organisations to empower women and girls and fight gender-based violence. We remain embroiled in a deeply entrenched GBVF crisis and pandemic as we continue to simultaneously respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The department leads in pillar one of the NSP. The pillar is on accountability, co-ordination and leadership. This pillar is about firm leadership and strengthened accountability that responds to the gender-based violence and femicide in a multisectoral, and institutionally coherent and resourced way. In advancing this pillar, we monitor accountability for delivery through monthly reports to the President. The reporting mechanisms are now well-established for national

 

departments. We are currently working on provincial and district municipality reporting mechanisms. Reports from the civil society sector are mainly obtained through the implementation collaborative platforms that we have established, but we need more sustainable reporting mechanisms for the sector.

 

 

The gender-based violence and femicide crisis is evident in the crime statistics that the Minister of Police has just shared with us recently, that 9 500 cases were reported between July and September 2021. About 10% of the cases emanating from liquor and drugs were cited as contributing factors. However, we should never let go, we need to continue to fight because that’s what will make our society worthwhile society of Mandela and a new South Africa.

 

 

It cannot be that as a country we have such high teenage pregnancy rates as we have at the moment. This social-ill has to be viewed as a multifaceted problem that exacerbates overlapping challenges such as the HIV&Aids epidemic, and the triple fault lines of poverty, inequality and unemployment. In partnership with other departments we have developed a teenage pregnancy programme of action. The plan will form a crucial aspect of the national gender-based violence and femicide

 

prevention strategy. The Department of Social Development trained GBVF volunteers/youth ambassadors from all nine provinces. A number of community dialogues empowering women, girls and LGBTQIA+ persons have been convened. Radio communication and social media platforms have been used as part of a communication plan that caters to reaching communities in the context of COVID-19 where physical gatherings have been limited.

 

 

The Women’s Economic Assembly was successfully launched by the President on 6th October 2021. The Women’s Economic Assembly was designed as a multistakeholder platform to activate the public and private sector value chain. The focus is on commitment and actions in terms of key industries like energy, agriculture and agro-processing, textiles, automotives, steel and tourism.

 

 

The gender-based violence and femicide fund 1 has been formalised and the call for funding proposals was released in July 2021. In total, R69 million is set to be allocated to community-based organisations and intermediaries focused on addressing gender-based violence and femicide. About 60% of the funding is for empowering rural and informal areas.

 

In terms of the impact of the GBVF scourge on households, communities, and the economy, the costs incurred are too high to turn a blind eye. GVBF has profound impacts on the lives, mental health and wellbeing of women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons. GBVF interferes with women’ social and economic development which effectively prevents their equal participation. Economic abuse, whereby financial resources are controlled and withheld, has a significant impact on the lives of women and children. Women are often left with no choice but to remain in abusive relationships. Gender-based violence and femicide cannot keep nullifying the inroads we try to make towards the economic empowerment of women and gender equality.

 

 

Hon members, there were 32 regional sexual ... As I conclude, we now have special courts which will move towards 40 where we will have specialists who are looking at special mechanisms to take care of what women needs.

 

 

The lack of maintenance of machinery talking to the police, also looking at the COVID-19 disruptions and working with the police to make sure that forensic science laboratory ... [Time expired.] ... Thank you. Let’s work together to eradicate gender-based violence and femicide in all our provinces, be in

 

KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and others. I thank you, Chair.

 

 

Ms D C CHRISTIANS: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members and fellow South Africans, the killing of women is five times higher in South Africa than the global average and two in three women have experienced abuse at the hands of their intimate partners during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period in South Africa. That abuse culminates into a woman being killed every 4four hours.

 

 

Violence against women is one of the most persistent and widespread human rights violations in this country and across the world. This year has been yet another treacherous one for our women and children.

 

 

Gender-based violence has inflicted scars that will never heal on its victims, on their families, on affected communities and on our nation.

 

 

Most women killed in South Africa are killed by their partners or ex-partners and many of them suffer months of domestic abuse before their deaths. Home is the most dangerous place for a woman in this country. The intentional killing of women

 

and girls in South Africa is driven by the prevailing toxic cultures of misogyny, patriarchy, toxic and violent masculinity, male entitlement, the rigid traditional and cultural stereotypes of gender, as well as the blatant discrimination and indifference to the lives of women.

 

 

Gender-based violence is a vicious and evil plague that we need to eradicate. Words alone, however, will not stop the violence, rape and murder.

 

 

We need a strong police service that is fully equipped, resourced and staffed, so that, aside from responding to emergencies and catching criminals, they can also implement effective and visible policing.

 

 

The reality is that our police are making it too easy for criminals to rape, assault and murder. Criminals must be afraid of the police and deterred by their presence, not empowered by their absence.

 

 

Furthermore, femicide should become a public health concern in South Africa. This will put an emphasis on the health consequences of violence towards women and its enormous cost to society, it will also enable government to acknowledge the

 

role of health and social care professionals in addressing gender-based violence. Studies show that “abused women have significantly worse physical and mental health than nonabused women” while other studies have also explored an association between domestic violence and delayed physical effects especially arthritis, hypertension and heart disease.

 

 

It is therefore imperative that renewed training for healthcare professionals is initiated to respond to the impact of gender-based violence and that government acknowledges that violence against women is a major public health concern.

Provisions for counteraction should be made in national health policies and strategies, so that specific funds can be earmarked for addressing direct and indirect forms of femicide.

 

 

Violence against women and girls is among the least prosecuted and punished crimes in this country and the world, and intensified engagement with civil society is needed to prevent and provide redress for femicide.

 

 

Government in collaboration with civil society should renew efforts to provide young men with the knowledge, tools, peer

 

support, and leadership skills they need to adopt gender- equitable behaviour.

 

 

We are sadly reminded of the most recent brutal murder of Nosicelo Mtebeni who was dismembered by her boyfriend. Her grief-stricken father said, and I quote: “While his parents have the privilege of seeing him, for me, it is a different situation because I will never see my daughter ever again”. He added, “I doubt I will ever recover from this”.

 

 

How many more grief stricken-mothers, fathers and family members need to be quoted before we get it right? In line with this year’s theme – from awareness to accountability - it can only imply that the state is held fully accountable for the steps taken to end the gender-based violence in this country.

 

 

We also cannot move from awareness to true accountability if the police services remain chronically under resourced. The delays in the criminal justice system claims a real human cost, as victims are unable to find the justice they so desperately deserve. One heartbreaking example is the daily fear of an elderly mother and grandmother from Pampierstad, who lives near her alleged rapist. The prolonged wait for outstanding DNA samples means that he could not be arrested,

 

due to a lack of evidence. As the backlog at the National Forensic Science Laboratory grows, there are many other examples of victims living in fear and being denied justice.

 

 

Moving from awareness to accountability means that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished. It also means that we hold the state to account for services delivered to victims of violence – or, in some cases, not delivered. Until such time as the different patrons in the state and the criminal justice system claim responsibility for their roles, until such time as we hold government to account, the 16 Days of Activism campaign will remain nothing but a yearly dialogue.

The woman and children of this country deserve better. I thank you.

 

 

Ms M N GILLION: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Minister, hon members, I greet you all. Hon members, make no mistake, our stance as the ANC has always been clear. We have always and still persist to advance the progression of gender equality, women empowerment and drive social cohesion to realise a better life for all in South Africa in which all belongs to as articulated in the Freedom Charter. Women in South Africa have always borne the brunt of gender oppression, ramifications of inequality and the equivalent of patriarchy.

 

Our history foretells that the ANC has always fought for the rights of women and encouraged women to cling to their recognition and space in the world, even in our organisation. Women within the ANC have always played a pivotal role in the fight for women’s rights. Women such as Charlotte Maxeke laid the foundation for us women to take up space so that we can stand in platforms like this, not to flaunt, but to use our power to empower those who are powerless. For every generation for women, the struggle exacerbates. Women today need not to only fight the triple oppression that we are seized with, but they also have to fear for their lives daily.

 

 

Gender-based violence and femicide perpetuated by men to women, is a violation of basic human rights to life, human dignity, freedom and security. It is against our ideals as society, as government and as a movement. As government we will always be vocal and active when it comes to matters affecting women. We will defend the rights of women. However, what we will not do is to politicise gender-based violence and femicide and grandstand on the pain of women and children and those who have lost loved ones to this demeaning pandemic.

What we will also be doing, is to ask ourselves the following question: What am I doing to contribute to the fight against gender-based violence, instead of constantly shifting the

 

blame. Until we acknowledge and realise that everyone has a part to play in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, we will never be fully able to combat this pandemic. We all ought to do activist work to be an activist within our own right and to wear the hat of activism in our daily lives if we are to conquer the fight against gender-based violence.

 

 

[Inaudible.] ... indeed, moving from awareness to accountability. In the past week in the National Assembly, the question of accountability was the question of the day. The opposition is too quick to point out the negative by neglecting the good that has been done in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. We understand undoubtedly that our duty is to account. Frontline workers play a crucial role in assisting victims of violence and gender-based violence as they are usually the first point of help that victims encounter. In many cases, victims are confronted with secondary victimisation, increasing their trauma.

 

 

We noted and acknowledged that there is a need to train frontline workers, particularly the South African Police Service, the SAPS, in dealing with cases of gender-based violence. Noting that government identified 30 national

 

gender-based violence hotspots. Provinces were requested to identify gaps and weaknesses in service delivery in the SAPS, and therefore develop interventions to improve their response in dealing with victims.

 

 

The Department of Health, relevant of the national strategic plan undertook trainings and provincial master trainers under sexual and reproductive health and ... [Inaudible.] Training of health care workers was conducted in various provinces, including Mpumalanga province in August and Gauteng province in October. Further trainings were also done in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The Department of Health also undertook gender-based violence awareness campaigns and outreach activities in Bolata Clinic in Qwaqwa during August and September this year. Furthermore, community health workers were trained to enable them to deal with gender-based violence related matters.

 

 

This is just a brief outline of the implementation of the national strategic plan in our healthcare system, that the opposition will not indulge this House on. In the previous debates, there was a concern in which what the SAPS was doing to strengthen relations with members of the community to fight gender-based violence. We know that relations with the police

 

and communities requires strengthening to intensify our fight against gender-based violence and femicide. When people see the police, they must feel safe and progress was done in this regard.

 

 

We commend the efforts undertaken by the SAPS to intensify this fight, understanding that substance abuse, such as alcohol and drug are contributing factors to issues of domestic violence and sexual abuse, such as rape. The SAPS intensified the intervention programme of liquor control, multisectoral operations and this included awareness campaigns and what constitute domestic violence, sexual violence and substance abuse. This was done in partnership with civil society and other government departments. Implementation was conducted provincially.

 

 

Community Police Forums are structures in our communities where members of the communities can combat crime in partnership with law enforcement agencies. We acknowledge that gender-based violence takes place at ward level. We recognise the importance of strengthening local structures, including civil organisations structures. That is why in August 2020, the SAPS steered crime dialogues and imbizos, led by the Minister of Police and his deputy, noting the challenge that

 

we continue to face COVID-19 ... [Inaudible.] ... communications platforms such as television and radio were utilised to reach people in these engagements and engage in topics relevant to domestic violence, sexual abuse and substance abuse. Other engagements were conducted in various provinces such as Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo, to name a few. There is progress being made.

 

 

Gender-based violence among young people is on the rise. Many gender-based violence and femicide cases that we often hear of are those of young people, where young women are being violated and murdered by their male counterparts. This is one of the reasons that led to the establishment of the national youth gender-based violence commission and school-based engagements that addresses gender-based violence, sexual violence in schools, bullying, human trafficking and substance abuse. Our children are in danger, even when they are in school. We must continue to drive our social cohesion agenda.

 

 

Gender-based violence should be incorporated in the school curriculum. The Department of Basic Education has included in the curriculum programmes, awareness to gender-based violence, access to reproductive health, raising awareness of social justice and vulnerabilities including the effects of gender-

 

based violence in children. We have to protect our children both girls and boys. We have to emphasise that in our empowerment of the girl child, we need not neglect the boy child. We must encourage programmes that allow and encourage boys to deal with their emotions. Hon members, men do cry. Men do have emotions, and we must be a society that encourages men to acknowledge their feelings. We commend the Department of Social Development for continuing integrated ... [Interjections.] ... implemented in institutions of higher learning, focusing on, amongst other things, youth in terms of social behaviours. Programmes such as men and boys assemblies, #Asikhulume and gender-based violence programmes, interfaith forums and village to village targeting traditional authorities ... [Interjections.] Can I conclude?

 

 

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Please continue and just ignore what is happening there. [Interjections.] We will ask Khanyisile not to disturb the proceedings. Khanyisile! Please proceed, hon member.

 

 

Ms M N GILLION: Thank you, Chair. Gender stereotypes and harmful traditional practices which leads to toxic masculinity contribute in the empowering of the boy child. Hon members from the opposition in the National Assembly alluded to

 

underresourced centres. We have 136 operational centres across the country with a bed capacity of 1 678. Shelters are being renovated across provinces and they are over 200 social workers that have been appointed to fight gender-based violence across provinces. The Department of Social Development has recently trained and deployed over 100 gender- based violence and femicide ambassadors in gender-based violence and femicide hotspots.

 

 

There is progress in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, however, we acknowledge that there is more to be done if we are to fight gender-based violence. We have to adopt the multisectoral approach. This includes families and communities, as a family structure is the first point of socialisation, where norms and values and interactions with people are learned. Cultural formations and religious authorities are significant for communicating values that positively affirm women, these includes sports and recreational activities.

 

 

However, under implementation of the national strategic plan, we know that there is still more to be done with regards to mainstreaming gender-based violence and femicide issues

 

affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and many other gender and sexual identities, LGBTQIA+, society. This includes limited shelters to tend for LGBTQIA+ persons and the appointing of social workers within the space. Great work still needs to be done ... [Interjections.] ... in the implementation of the national strategic plan. We are aware of where improvements are required. I thank you, Chairperson. [Interjections.]

 

 

Ms S S MBONYANA (Eastern Cape): Thank you very much, hon Chairperson, greetings to you, hon members, allow me, hon Chair, to say, ...

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

... ngqanga neentsiba zayo ......

 

 

English:

 

 ... in the interest of time. Hon Chair, let me first express my genuine appreciation for the invite to participate in this today’s conversation here in the NCOP. The conversation about the pandemic of gender-based violence, GBV, is a conversation that we must never get tired of having even though at times it seems self-defeating and without any tangible results. On the contrary, these conversations offer a platform of healing to

 

people and of learning. I am therefore here today on behalf of the Eastern Cape government to add my voice, and reflect on the important work we are doing. Hon Chairperson, the issue of Gender-based violence, whether physical, sexual, emotional, or economic, is recognised globally as one of the most widespread and persistent violations of the rights of women and girls.

 

 

It is a universal problem; it cuts crosses geography, class, and culture. It is certainly not unique to South Africa. Hon, Chairperson, South Africa is reported as the country with the highest rape statistics in the world. In 2021-22 financial year, the Eastern Cape SA Police Service, SAPS, reported 5 406 cases of sexual offences. However, there is a view that some women do not report sexual offender cases and this, therefore, means that a realistic estimate is likely much higher than the recorded statistics.

 

 

These statistics demonstrate that gender-based violence and rape culture form in South Africa, is part of the social fabric and that women are disproportionately affected by violence. One notable rape case that has received media attention in the past month, is the killing and the dismembering of Nosicelo Mtebeni, in Alfred Nzo District, in Matatiele. The culture of violence in our country is further

 

reinforced by our cultural practices and beliefs that, a woman is are subject of man. This belief is spread across different sectors of society, and in some instances even in religious practices. Of course, this to a large extent is because of the exclusion of women to the real economy and productive sites of our economy.

 

 

The fight against poverty and injustice will only bear fruit if we invest in addressing the root causes of gender inequalities and gender-based violence in our families, societies and nations, and that is the destruction of the patriarchal economy. Hon Chairperson, we have just recently launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, to highlight the plight of women and children who are victims of gender-based violence, and to also mobilise society against it.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, other key commemorative days during this period include World Aids Day on the 1st December and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The theme for 2021 is, the Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke, 16 Days of Activism, moving from awareness to accountability. In response to the scourge of gender-based violence in the country, which is declared a national crisis, the government is implementing

 

the Emergency Response Action Plan on gender-based violence and femicide, which was announced by the President Cyril in September 2019. The campaign forms the centre point of the government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, if we are to be successful in our fight against gender-based violence, we need to see changes in attitudes in our society related to masculinity. We must continue to engage men, and particularly young boys, in challenging ideas of what it means to be a man. This, of course, must not be limited to engaging the minority of men who have committed violence themselves but also include those men who allow violence through their silence. Young boys need role models who challenge violence against women, and who show them that such violence is a sign of weakness rather than manliness.

 

 

In this regard, hon Chairperson and hon members, in the Eastern Cape, we have adopted reintegration and rehabilitation programmes as part of our set of special interventions that are designed to optimise the functioning capability of individuals with impairments in interaction with their environment. In response to the promotion of family cohesion,

 

social solidarity and moral regeneration in the Eastern Cape, the Department of Social development is implementing in all eight districts including two Metros, a compendium of Social Behavioural Change Programmes aimed at addressing risky behaviours and harmful social norms as a preventative measure towards a developmental approach to the provisioning of social service.

 

 

We engaged in programmers that target men and their behaviours such as the Men Championing Change Programme, MCCP, aimed at mobilising and galvanising men to effectively respond positively to issues of gender-based violence adversely affecting families and local communities. This programme also addresses the challenges of absent fathers and negative communication in families, thereby facilitating programmes that are promoting men becoming positive role models in families. We have also intensified our victim empowerment programme, VEP, which contributes to Pillar 1 of the National Crime Prevention Strategy which aims for an effective criminal justice system.

 

 

The Department of Social Development has the mandate to lead and coordinate the programme for the provision of integrated services to victims of crime and violence at the district and

 

provincial level. The objectives of the VEP amongst other things are to: To design and implement integrated programmes and services to care support and empower victims of violence and crime; it also seeks to coordinate all activities and efforts by various government departments and civil society, to empower victims. Lastly, the Department of Social Development oversees the participation of all government departments involved in the victim empowerment sector.

 

 

The function of the Department of Social Development Specific VEP Intra-Departmental Forum is to address the cross-cutting issues on victim empowerment and strengthen coordination within the departments, to develop a deeper knowledge of victims’ issues, to identify legislation that cuts across and addresses implementation challenges and, to jointly promote the Social Delivery Model of the department to service providers and encourage networking within the civil societies to assist victims of crime.

 

 

In the Eastern Cape, through the Department of Social Development, we have also launched a Social Behavioural Change programme the compendium is a package of social and behaviour change, SBC, programmes developed by the Department of Social Development, which will be implemented by the department in

 

its response to gender-based violence. These programmes will be implemented within a multidisciplinary and multisectoral nature of community development and delivered as an integral part of social protection services. These programmes will be implemented throughout the province, including Sarah Baartman District.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, I am of the strong view is that government and society have a role to play more generally in encouraging and supporting girls who drop out of school due to pregnancy. We should support girls to re-engage in education as soon as possible after giving birth. Pregnancy should not prevent girls from completing their education. The responsibility of raising a child is a compelling reason to stay in education and become economically independent. We must also collectively deal with the challenge of forced child marriages. There can be no doubt that, the journey towards equality and the empowerment of women remains a significant one.

 

 

South Africa has already made great strides, most notably in the level of representation of women in political and democratic decision-making organs such as the Parliament.

There can also be no doubt that, there is still much more to be done. Hon Chairperson, this is in line with pillar 3 of the

 

gender-based violence implementation plan which sets out to

 

... [Interjections.] ... address the systemic challenges that have resulted in an inadequate response to the management of gender-based violence cases, particularly domestic violence, sexual offences, child homicide, human trafficking, and other related matters.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, the fight for gender-based violence will not be won unless the entire society is mobilised to show complete disdain and rage against people who perpetrate violence. We must make it difficult for them to exist in our communities, and it is through these acts of activism and unity that we will ultimately win the fight. As Ben Okri, the Nigerian writer and poet, would say, “the most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” Thank you very much, hon Chairperson

 

 

Ms M O MOKAUSE: Debate the most heart breaking and the thorny issue, which so far isn’t been given attention in this country, rather been given names and themes on a yearly basis by this government which has got all the resources at their disposal, to deal with this thorny issue of gender-based violence. Chairperson, women face a number of challenges in

 

South Africa with violence being the most prominent one. Violence is the prominent feature in the lives of South African women, despite a number of human rights effort which have been passed, to curb it.

 

 

Women are vulnerable to violence in a form of assault, sexual violence and homicide. At random, within the community, families and especially from their intimate partners. We do not even need to think long and hard to find examples of violence and acts which are committed against women in South

 

 

Africa, Chair. As their names are often plastered on the front pages of newspaper, whispered around the dinner table of our homes on a daily basis.

 

 

Just recently, Chair, three months ago Nosicelo Mtebeni a final law student at the University of Fort Hare was murdered by her boyfriend Alutha Pasile, who cut the body parts into pieces, stashed them into the suitcase and left it out in the pavement. And, perhaps nothing has reminded us of our high level of violence against women, more so that the nationwide lockdown period which has the unintended consequences of highlighting gender-based violence, and in particular intimate partner violence.

 

After an unprecedented high number of young women were murdered during this period. In just the first week of lockdown, gender-based violence statically increased at an alarming rate which was 87% higher than the weekly average of the domestic violence cases, reported to police during the year, 2019. Yet, Chairperson these statistics are themselves inaccurate, as we know that there are many more cases of gender-based violence which go by unreported.

 

 

Official police statistics themselves are ... [Inaudible.] ... problem of under reporting, corruption, lack of data can only paint a part of the picture with only a small fraction being prosecuted and a handful of perpetrators being jailed.

 

 

Chairperson, South Africa is increasingly acknowledging the crisis of gender-based violence and the impact which it has on the survivors, children, families, communities and society as a whole. One could even argue that awareness is there, but this has not let to behavioral change for many perpetrators of gender-based violence. And despite the numerous campaigns and interventions by various organizations around gender-based violence.

 

Violence incidents still occur in this country. And, while some legal matters have been implemented to address issues around gender-based violence, what has become clear is that, not enough is being done with the dire levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.

 

 

Gender-based violence is but second pandemic, Chair. It is a profound and a wide spread problem, which impacts almost every aspect of woman’s life. The scope and prevalence of

gender-based violence which plagues South African landscape also suggests that there is a lack of political will to deal with this challenge, Chair, as the state response and implementation of gender-based violence, related policies and legislation have been found lacking.

 

 

Chairperson, just recently the ANC-led government which claim to be putting more effort in fighting gender-based violence appointed a Speaker ... [Inaudible.] ... District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province with the number of cases of sexual harassment, yet your government claimed to be championing gender-based violence programmes ... [Inaudible.]

...in that there have been a number of failures by the various government departments, to lack of implementation of policies at all.

 

Greater accountability is therefore needed from the side of the government and a strongest stand on gender-based violence, needs to be taken. As we need to walk towards a criminal justice system which actually works ... [Inaudible.] ... proper investigation and apprehend perpetrators of these crimes.

 

 

Legislation enacted by the state ... [Inaudible.] ...and violence and abuse does provide solutions that are put into social economic factors ... [Inaudible.] ... Chairperson may I be protected; may the ANC Member of Parliament, MPs, please just be quiet for a moment. The socioeconomic factor such as poverty which are women are more prone to, in comparison to men places women at more vulnerable position to sexual violence.

 

 

Under the ruling party Chair, your very same government, existing legislative effort have failed in protecting women against violence. And have proved ineffective in a face of current statistics. This country is failing women, our police, the prosecuting authority, the magistrate, the judges, the social workers and the correctional services facilities are hell-bent on perpetrating these crimes against women, by giving these perpetrators slap on a wrist.

 

Chairperson, no long ago, a woman in Limpopo Province lost four children, butchered all four of them by her husband. To date this young woman have never received any counselling from the provincial government, what is that! Yet you claim to be championing programmes of gender-based violence.

 

 

Chairperson, part of solution of ... [Inaudible.] ...this country, social ills, lies in eliminating poverty, making provision for proper shelter and housing for our women. All people must have land, Chairperson. All people must have jobs, their freedom of expressing themselves, expressing themselves in any way they deem fit. Our people must be employed and earn a living wage. Our people must be protected from drug lords, which provide without fear, drugs which lead to social ills.

Chair, this government must act and stop speeches. Stop forming unnecessary forums, stop unnecessary conferences they are not helping.

 

 

Avail the resources and protect the women of this country. Act, you have the resources at your disposal. You are in government, there’s nothing stopping you in availing these resources and protecting the vulnerable women of South Africa.

 

Ms N M KHOZA (KwaZulu-Natal - MEC OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT):

 

Thank you, hon Chairperson, hon Members of Parliament and MECs from other provinces ... [Inaudible.] ... good afternoon to

... [Inaudible.] ... on this important debate where as a nation we reflect on the progress that we have made in tackling incidents of gender-based violence. Without any doubt, as government of the day, we have been working very hard to confront the pandemic that ravages our society.

 

 

As we are looking at the implementation of the national strategic plan from gender-based violence and femicide, we also pay much attention where there are shortcomings and address these with urgency, as well as with purpose. I totally agree with the former President of Malawi, Ms Joyce Banda, when she said: “The seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women and children”.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, it is important that as a nation, we work together to ensure that this year’s commemoration of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children is meaningful. We now have 365 days’ programme with an aim of building a society where women and children’s rights are protected and prioritised. We know that sexual violence is a global problem that affects mostly women. It is sad if we

 

still have people who grandstand and politicize gender-based violence issues.

 

 

Sexual violence implies several acts, for instance, rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, forced marriage and trafficking. We have one of the highest rates of sexual violence. In KwaZulu-Natal, one in every hour, men had raped one woman or a girl at it list and that brutally needs to end.

 

 

As government of the day, including our social partners, we have hosted a number of awareness programmes to voice our anger against violence against women and children. But, it is high time that we have marches which are led by men, because women have marched, women have prayed. We still continue to find ways of making homes and communities safe for all, especially for women and children, because a number of cases of abuse, rape and murders are done by those known to the victim.

 

 

We have been mourning for far too long and even talk about our dear sisters and children as statistics, but the ANC government committed itself to ensuring that those involved in violence against women and children gets arrested and ensure that they get more sentences. Thanks to our government for

 

financial assistance in ensuring employment of more social workers to fight gender-based violence. They are deployed in hotspot areas like Inanda, KwaMashu, uMlazi and Hammarsdale. We all know that violence of women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, economic and psychological, but all of these represents violation of human dignity and human rights.

 

 

The abuse of women and children has lasting consequences for victims, their families and for their communities. Hence, we must collectively confront the reluctance on the part of farm victims of violence to come forward and report the perpetrators. And, for victims to withdraw the cases is a call for concern. We established a relationship with religious sectors, traditional leaders, traditional healers and taxi operators against gender-based violence, a great initiative as we tap into wisdom and influence of these sectors and the population to end the scourge. With different sectors of our society, we are committed to fight gender-based violence, or abuse of women and children and the LGBTQ communities.

 

 

Chairperson, this year, we commemorated the 16 Days of Activism, under the theme, the Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke

– 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to

 

accountability”. This is because we know that many women are

 

abused due to lack of knowledge of their rights and the social stigma around domestic violence. Equally, we know that financial dependence of women on their partners exacerbate their vulnerability and turns to force them to stay in abusive relationships, that also leads to their deaths. It has become clear that more and more women need to be exposed to more programmes that will ensure their financial independence. That is why recently we have just opened the Wentworth Development Centre.

 

 

Our former first lady, Mrs Graça Machel once said:

 

 

Gender equality is the goal that will help abolish poverty, that will create more equal economies, fairer societies and happier men, women and children.

 

 

Clearly, she calls on us to build a country that is safe for women and children to live in. Chairperson, we know that damage is nowhere diminished by the ignorance of the perpetrator. It is only with the uncovering of the complete truth as it affects all those that involved that a genuine viable solution can be found to the dangers of women and children. In KwaZulu-Natal, we have customised the national strategic plan to our context and have a provincial strategic

 

plan that we are currently implementing with all its pillars to bring an end to gender-based violence.

 

 

Our activities include preventions, proper treatment of victims when reporting cases to the police, proper reporting and capturing statements of cases of rape and ensure that abuse cases are attended to the fullest and effective arrest of the perpetrators. That is why the hon Premier and myself visited Inanda police station. We have ensured that police stations, indeed, have existing victims’ friendly rooms.

 

 

Former Secretary of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, clearly puts it:

 

 

Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone's responsibility.

 

 

That is why I find it strange if we still have people who politicise this. We recently commemorated International Women’s Day in ... [inaudible.] ... in Durban, where izinduna [the elders] worked with us to educate young men and boys how to relate with girls and women around them. We are working with programmes to detect the violence even at schools and for

 

these programmes, young men will know how to deal with rejection. As government of the day, we are working very hard with a renewed focus to ensure that all those involved in the abuse of women and children gets arrested and get longer sentences.

 

 

Let us think about the faces behind the statistics as stated in the first quarter of 2021-22. About 10 006 people were raped between April and June, which was an increase of 4 201 cases, amounting to 72,4% compared to the reporting period in the previous term. As a sample of 5 439 revealed that 3 766 of incidents, took place at the homes of the victims or the homes of rapists. Rape cases were domestic violence related. This is a crisis we face as a nation. It shows that people have lost their morals. As government, we are continuing to deal with this as a matter of urgency. That is why we have created that awareness in a form of ... [Interjections.] [Inaudible.]

 

 

Over the weekend we are hosting boys’ assembly. This government, with its social partners, drives a strong programme to turn the tide against gender-based violence and the provision of different skills to victims of gender-based violence remains the strongest answer to our challenges. For this government to put more emphasis on women empowerment and

 

gender will help win the war against gender-based violence. We believe that the 365 days’ action plan will enhance a concentrated approach to end gender-based violence problem ... [Inaudible.] ... Thank you. [Time expired.]

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

Mnu Z MKIVA: Mandibulise kuSihlalo weNdlu, kumalungu ahloniphekileyo ale Ndlu, ndibulise nangakumbi kuMphathiswa weSebe lobuMongameli - abaseTyhini, aBantwana, uLutsha naBantu abaKhubazekileyo.

 

 

English:

 

Hon Chair, it will not surprise many to hear that violence bedevils women in their everyday lives. In times of social and economic crisis, the numbers of women who report some form of violence rise as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown imposed by government to contain the spread of the virus. Whilst it is pervasive, gender-based violence, GBV is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented.

 

 

To be successful in curbing GBV, we need to develop a much broader view of violence to understand the main challenges of socioeconomic issues that confront women from a broader perspective. By extending our definition of violence beyond

 

physical attacks on women and focus more on social economic issues that are a catalyst to various forms of deprivation be they be political, economic, social and cultural.

 

 

We can restore an ethical dimension to the discussion on GBV. In fact, an ethical dimension does not only help us to tackle the root causes of the GBV head on. It also enables to develop comprehensive and inclusive approaches that improve the quality of the life of women and girls in our country. As I have argued earlier on, it is hard to overlook the paramount socioeconomic issues when one observes all forms of violence against women and girls in South Africa today.

 

 

In an attempt to assess the causal relationship between socioeconomic issues and GBV, I cannot hope to cover all the massive body of knowledge regarding this relationship rather I choose to limit myself to the casual relationship between economic development and the GBV. Our economic growth trajectory has not to date fully empowered women to live the lives they had reason to value.

 

 

The dominance of the extractive industry and the financial sectors as the largest contributors to our own GDP, tends to reduce the participation of women in the workforce. By

 

producing growth in the economic sectors that tend to employ men, like mining, construction and heavy industry industries while crowding out sectors that tend to employ women. For example, like export orientated light industry, agriculture as well as agricultural processing.

 

 

House Chairperson, since fewer women enter the workforce, women in South Africa tend to be marginalised in these main industries. In short, the economic growth spearheaded by the attractive industry and the financial sector does not empower women as it falls short of transforming the status of women who will enter the formal market for wage, labour, bear fewer children, achieve higher literacy rates and gain the same rights as men.

 

 

Moreover, it falls short of transforming inherent behavioural patterns and patriarchal beliefs or primitive beliefs for that matter that women are inferior by nature which is something that is in contrary to our African culture. To avoid being simplistic about this, the recent report the Minerals Council of South Africa indicates that women are underrepresented across the all management categories. Relatedly, the finance sector attracts women but at lower occupational levels since the sector is capital instead of labour intensive. Another

 

drawback of the financial sector is that its job opportunities require tertiary level qualifications which many black women do not possess on the one hand. This perpetuates the barriers that constrain woman’s access to credit and finance.

 

 

These barriers prevent South Africans in general and black women in particular from improving their respective economic situations. Women face difficulties due to Covid-19 pandemic. A recent data which has been produced by NIDSCIRM, for example shows a disturbing trend that women account for most of the unemployed and Covid-19 related job losses. Many women have not benefited from either Unemployment Insurance Fund, UIF as well as Covid-19’s Social Relief of Distress Fund Grant at the same rate as men.

 

 

Despite being worst affected in terms of job losses during this period, ironically and perversely women are more likely to head more households than men thereby implying that high unemployment rate amongst women exposes most households to food security, hunger, poverty and inequality. Of course Chairperson, a boom in the extractive industry and financial sector produces a boom in the government revenues some of which are passed on to households headed by unemployed women

 

through transfers, typical social security grants as issued by SA Social Security Agency, Sassa.

 

 

The combination of the rising unemployment and the rising unearned income in the form of the social grants do not encourage women to withdraw from the home sector and subsequently increase women labour force participation in the formal sector. Without strong incentives to hire women, the labour market will always rely on men, that is, its traditional source of labour. That trend, needs to change and change now.

 

 

The ANC-led government is committed in a number of practical projects that seek to change the way in which women are treated in South Africa, particularly with regards to economic development and empowerment. As this government, we have put the Ministry of Women and the Department of Women in particular right in the highest office of the land, in the Presidency. That is why ...

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

 ... sinomama uMaite Nkoana-Mashabane phaya. Siyambona thina exhwangusha, engena ezilalini eqinisekisa ukuba uyabulwa

 

ubugebenga obenziwa ngamadoda bokuxhaphaza abantu abangoomama nabantwana kweli lizwe.

 

 

English:

 

Now, the set objective goal of this particular project is to play a crucial transformation role by reviving the manufacturing and agricultural sector which are directly linked to women labour force participation. For instance, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development through its BSLAP allocated 34 136 hectares of land to women at an average of 1 000 per female in the financial year that ended 31 March 2021.

 

 

This will revive the lagging agricultural sector which employs women at a higher rate and increase the participation of women in the formal economy. This in turn will enable women working in the agricultural sector to mobilise more rights and gender equality. Furthermore, the same department managed to acquire a further 7 127 hectares which benefited a total of 288 women for land tenure purposes in the year that ended 31 March 2021.

 

 

The importance of this Chairperson, is that, women will be able to engage in subsistence farming which was previously impossible due to the lack of secure land tenure. This in turn

 

would assist women who are unemployed due to occupational segregation in the leading sectors of the economy to significantly improve food security as well as to reduce malnutrition in all its facets. The ANC-led government is also committed to reversing the trend of deindustrialisation that started in the 1980s under the yoke of apartheid.

Industrialisation has the potential to rapidly draw women into the formal economy as sources of labour in export orientated firms.

 

 

Take for example Chair, as from 31 March, Transnet spent above R7 billion on black women owned companies by developing their capabilities to be competitive and self-sustaining. Most of these companies are in the manufacturing sector with prospects of being competitive in the international market. Chair, while it would be fair to suggest that the projects I have just mentioned are the fruits of the ANC-led government interventions. There is still more that the government needs to do to set the momentum for decisive action and investment in advancing gender equality in our country.

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

Elokugqibela, lo mcimbi wokunqanda ukuxhatshazwa koomama nabantwana asiwenzi nje kuba siqingqelwe i-16 leentsuku

 

zokukhalimela lo mkhuba kube kuphelele apho. Ndiyibekile ndayitshunga injobe ebala into yokuba sinesebe elikhokelwa ngumama uMaite Nkoana-Mashabane, elixhwangusha, litshotshele entla ngemiba yonke echaphazela abantu abangoomama. Kaloku oomama bafakwe phantsi koxinzelelo ngabantu abaveza izimvo zabo ngendlela oomama abaziphethe ngayo. Kubantu abathingazayo sithi ...

 

 

English:

 

 ... the ANC-led government has a political will which is driven by the fact that the ANC itself is a pillar of our society and we started with these projects and initiatives from time immemorial. To us, it is not just an event issue or a periodic issue ...

 

 

IsiXhosa:

 

 ... siyayiphila le nto, siyenza umhla nezolo. Yiyo loo nto uya kuqaphela ukuba umama uMashabane unqabile phambi kobuso benu. Kungokuba akabonakali koomabonakude, usezingxondorheni zeelali apho kungekho lula ukufikeleleka. Uya kumfumana exhwangusha esilwana nobu buhelegu bubonakala ukuba bufaka uxinzelelo kubantu abangoomama. Ngaloo mazwi Sihlalo weNdlu, siyi-ANC siza kuthi gqolo, rhoqo, qho sisithi mabuphele ubuhange bokuxhatshazwa koomama, makuphele ukungcikivwa

 

kwabantwana nolutsha lelizwe lethu, siqiniseke ukuba siyabakhusela. Ngolo hlobo siza kuncedisa ukuba sifake ...

 

 

English:

 

 ... more resources to that department so that their programmes could be very efficient and effective and they could go through the length and breadth of our country. Thank you very much, Chairperson, for the opportunity.

 

 

Ms H S BOSHOFF: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members and fellow South Africans, good afternoon.

 

 

Graça Machel said:

 

 

If we are here in solidarity, with this beauty of unity, in our pain, we have to pledge to do something to make this country of ours a country which is safe.

 

 

Hon Chair, violence against women and children is not cultural; it’s criminal. And equality cannot come eventually; it’s something we must fight for now, otherwise we will never turn the tide against gender-based violence and femicide.

 

The issue of gender-based violence is at the heart of human rights and cannot be disputed. It is in fact in many ways a determining factor as to whether we can ever have a just society. For as long as gender-based violence plagues South Africa, we definitely cannot lay claim to being a just society. Abuse is not a Women, Youth and Persons’ with Disability problem only; it is a systemic and societal problem and government must as a collective acknowledge gender-based violence and femicide as a pandemic, second to COVID-19. And, just as with the drastic measures implemented to combat COVID- 19, such measures are needed from our government to address gender-based violence and femicide.

 

 

It would appear as if the level of tolerance for all aspects of gender inequality, including violence against women, sustains a narrative that almost accepts that you can oppress half of society and life just goes on, as if nothing has happened. The ball is in our court and together we have the ability to change the above narrative, by finding a way of addressing it, and addressing it now!

 

 

Domestic violence has always been a big area of focus. We saw the launch of the Emergency Response Action Plan on gender- based violence and femicide in September 2019 linked to an

 

amount of R1,6 billion but, honestly, I do not think we have developed interventions proportionate to the size of the challenge that addresses this violence.

 

 

On the horizon is a new challenge, that of how we will be facing the technology which is fuelling the trafficking of women and children, cyber-bullying and many other forms of violence that we don’t even understand yet. This must be addressed immediately.

 

 

Obstacles to accessing justice is a major challenge in South Africa. Despite the fact that South Africa has laws that are supposed to protect our women and children and to prosecute any crimes against women, women just do not receive the justice they deserve. We have the Domestic Violence Act of 1998, the Children’s Act of 2005, the Maintenance Act of 1998, the Promotion of Equity and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000, and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007, and yet the offences keep rising.

 

 

Women and girls are facing greater levels of vulnerability, marginalisation and resulting violence, especially those who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination,

 

like widows, elderly people and those women whose sexual orientation is deemed not acceptable. Both men and women who face homophobia are also among the most vulnerable in our society.

 

 

Today my speech is dedicated to all those brave women and children and also to their families. My heart goes out to the families of Nosicelo Mtebeni. I know that hon Mokause mentioned this, but I would like to mention it as well. As said, Nosicelo Mtebeni was a law student at the University of Fort Hare who was brutally murdered by her boyfriend Alutha Pasile. I really trust that justice will suffice for these families.

 

 

As a society we can no longer remain neutral in situations of injustice. We can no longer be caught up in opinions and views of superiority. This attitude must be erased to ensure we stand up against all oppressors without fear or favour, regardless of our own beliefs.

 

 

We cannot only start joining our women and children in this fight during these 16 days of activism – we must be there for them 365 days a year. We must ensure that we do actually move from awareness to accountability. I thank you.

 

Ms L L NTSHALINTSHALI (MPUMALANGA - MEC OF SOCIAL

 

DEVELOPMENT): Thank you very much hon Chair, let me start by greeting yourself, and let me also greet the Chair of the House, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, the hon Deputy Chair of the NCOP, hon Minister present here, and all our MECs across the provinces, our hon members present in the House and also our esteemed guests, fellow South Africans ...

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

... ake ngibulise Sihlalo, ngiphinde futhi ...

 

 

Sesotho:

 

...ke re dumelang ...

 

 

IsiNdebele:

 

Lotjhani.

 

IsiXhosa:

 

Molweni.

 

 

English:

 

I would like to take this opportunity and appreciate the opportunity that has been given to us as the province of Mpumalanga to come and address this August House. This House is addressed as we are dealing with gender-based violence

 

against women and children. The UN Secretary globally announced that the theme for the 16 Days of Activism was based on the Orange world to end violence against women now. Hon Speaker, approximately 51,1% which is about 30,5 million of the population of South Africa is female, and 48,9% is male.

The majority of South African women are still economically vulnerable and statistics confirm that women in the country have higher unemployment rates and higher levels of poverty.

 

 

Hon Chair, this government through its analysis concluded that gender-based violence has reached crisis levels beyond proportions and I am certain, we all agree that this is not acceptable, especially in our lifetime. The year of 2021 has been declared as the year of incredible women like uMama Charlotte Maxeke, which the theme is moving away from awareness to accountability. We are encouraging women to follow uMama Maxeke as she is one of the women who was an activist, a teacher, a politician and the founder of the Bantu Women`s League. She mobilised other women to march and protest against the inhuman actions of the colonial government.

 

 

Hon Chair, this was not the only progressive resistance of women at the time, Mama Maxeke has also detested pass laws and the manner in which they sought to restrict the movement of

 

women. She further organised and mobilised women against the pass laws during 1913. She also made sure she led the first anti-pass laws against the Union government.

 

 

Hon Chair, the gradual changes in our society created by the sudden surfacing of the COVID-19 global pandemic, has awakened our cognition of adapting and adjusting to a new normal. As a country, we had to restrict ourselves since the first case confirmed on 5th of March of 2020, which forced government to embark on drastic decisions in order to save lives and the future of the South Africa and her people.

 

 

The scourge of gender-based violence pre-existed in the country. However, it became harsher and harder for women and children because they are vulnerable and part of our society. They type of violence that these vulnerable groups had to endure was from physical, sexual and emotional violence.

 

 

South Africa is currently experiencing a serious challenge due to increasing number of young women and girls, who are daily raped, murdered, burned and buried alive in some instances.

The high prevalence of such violence and crime against women and children, has become a national crisis. As a result, we appreciate the role played by media and civil society in

 

bringing this crisis to the forefront, and raising awareness on the high rates of violence against women and children.

Chairperson, this therefore calls for an urgent call to all men as we will fondly say in Zulu ...

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

... we madoda sabelani!

 

 

English:

 

We are calling all men to stand up and take action against violence. It is these innocent women and children of our country that we must protect. The Department of Social Development in Mpumalanga has identified areas that are highly affected by this scourge of gender-based violence. These areas are reported through our local police stations and in partnership with safety and security. Hon Chair, allow me to highlight these few areas for your information:

 

 

In Ehlanzeni Districts under Mbombela Municipality, we have a hotspot in Matsulu,Kabokweni,Masoyi,Thekwane,Pholain Ntsikazi, and our Nelspruit Farms. In Nkomazi Municipality, it’s in Tonga, Schoemansdal, Mananga in Mbuzini, and Lebombo. In Bushbuckridge Municipality, Hluvukani Acornhoek, Casteel, and Calcutta. In Gert Sibande District, the prevalence is high in

 

Govan Mbeki Municipality – Embalenhle and Bethal. Chief Albert Luthuli, Elukwatini, Carolina. Mkhondo is in Piet Retief.

Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipality is in Daggakraal and Volksrust. Msukaligwa is in Ermelo. Nkangala district is Emalahleni Municipality. In Thembisile Hani Municipality is in KwaMhlanga and Siyabuswa in Dr JS Moroka Municipality.

 

 

The work of Government is to introduce legislative framework to ensure criminals who commit these crimes are prosecuted and sentenced accordingly. We have successfully done that. Hence our government have establishing the following institutions, in terms of your, the Commission for Gender Equality,CGE, Equality Courts, Sexual Offence Courts, Family Courts, and Enforce the Domestic Violence Act.

 

 

The United Nation’s Secretary General’s study on Ending Violence against Women: From Words to Action (October 2006), amongst others, stressed that I quote:

 

 

The most effective weapon to fight violence against women is a clear demonstration of political commitment, such statements by high government officials, backed by action and the commitment of resources by the states.

 

As the Department of Social Development in Mpumalanga, we take urgent and concrete measures to secure gender equality and protect women’s rights as human rights. Hon Chairperson, allow me to share a statement by the former President of the ANC, Isithwalandwe uTata Oliver Reginald Tambo. In his conclusion on the session of the Conference of Women’s section of the ANC, on the 14th of September 1981 in Luanda, Angola, that I quote:

 

 

The mobilisation of women is the task not only of women alone, or of men alone, but of all of us, men and women alike.

 

 

As the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development, we have created intervention plans on addressing gender-based violence on three levels namely:

 

 

Prevention, this level seeks to intensify the gender-based prevention programmes to ensure that communities are educated and made aware of the negative impact of gender-based violence on individuals, families, communities and the society at large. The programme focuses on transforming people’s attitude, practices and behaviour change towards gender-based violence thereby ensuring a reduction in gender-based

 

violence. The Department further implemented a 365 Days Prevention Plan on No Violence Against Women and Children.

 

 

We also conducted dialogues and awareness campaigns on the scourge of human trafficking, to focus on these young girls and boys because those are the most vulnerable also to marriage scam and fake job opportunities. In the current financial year of 2021-22, a total number of 350 awareness campaigns were conducted reaching an estimated ... that were conducted to conclude the awareness.

 

 

In terms of your care and support, the department is working together with sectors like the police and also programmes of women and youth. As I conclude hon Chair, allow me to say as tomorrow is the 10th of December marks the end of the 16 Days of Activism against women and children. Let us take this opportunity to participate actively 365 Days every day in every corner so that we can fight the scourge of gender-based violence.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

Ngiyabonga Sihlalo.

 

Ms B MOILOA (NORTH WEST - MEC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT): Thank you

 

very much hon Chair, hon members of the NCOP, special greetings to esteemed speakers in the August House and I greet you all South Africans. Hon MECs in different provinces.

 

 

Hon Chair, let me take this time to thank you for this opportunity to take part in this very important debate in your August House. This important debate reminds us that gender based violence is one of the pandemics we are experiencing in the country. It has been a very tough time for all South Africans during this era of Covid-19 but it is extremely tough for both victims and survivors of gender based violence in our society.

 

 

Hon Chair, this debate has a very significant place in my heart due to the fact that as women we must stand up against the scourge in our daily life spaces. Members of this August House must be key stakeholders in combatting this scourge of gender based violence. This debate comes at a time whereby our country is going through unchartered waters due to the Covid-

19 pandemic as it manifests itself through variants, omicron.

 

 

Hon members, it is due to the other pandemic called gender- based violence and femicide we find ourselves in this painful

 

debate. Gender based violence and femicide incidents continue to rise in our society, the North West Province included. The topic of the theme for this debate pays special attention to

16 days of activism for no violence against women and children.

 

 

According to the recent statistics by Change.org, it points out that one in three women will experience abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. They continue to paint a grim picture when they claim that in South Africa, the abuse culminates into a woman being killed every 4 hours. This is an indictment on all of us as lawmakers.

 

 

Due to the growing cases of GBV, gender based violence, and femicide in our society, we find ourselves being forced to embark on a rigorous gender based violence and femicide combat programme of action and campaigns.

 

 

It is also noted that most women killed in South Africa are killed by their partners or ex-partners and many of them suffer months or years of domestic abuse before they get killed.

 

Hon members, this dim picture is not what we can write home about. The scourge of GBV&F requires us to work as a team because together we can defeat it. It is in this spirit that we are inspired to take head-on this scourge of GBV and femicide in our society. Last year we have adopted a 365 days of activism against gender based violence.

 

 

As part of our 365 days approach, we decided to convene a platform which was called GBV Combat Provincial Stakeholders Virtual Engagement with stakeholders who play a critical role in the battle against GBV and femicide in our province with a clear intention to mainly listen to their views, contribution and proposals towards the Department of Social Development on matters related to GBV combat programme.

 

 

The Department of Social Development in partnership with stakeholders decided to heed to the call of President’s commitment to respond to the alarming rate of GBV and femicide incidents by developing a provincial response plan to ensure prevention and provision of services to the victims of Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

 

 

As the country works towards overcoming the social and economic fallout of Covid-19, I saw it prudent to prioritise

 

the combat against GBV and femicide through the launch of 365 days approach. The 365 GBV combat programme will include measures to support and protect women and children in our society.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, as a department we have made a commitment to the battle against GBV and femicide through our Provincial Gender Based Violence Response Plan. The goal of the Provincial Gender Based Violence Response Plan is to prevent gender based violence and femicide and to respond promptly to the needs of the victims.

 

 

The core desired outcomes of our GBV Response Plan improving access to essential care, support, protection and to attain justice for GBV survivors; improved access to early intervention and prevention services interventions through strengthening support for those involved in response and prevention, including civil society and stakeholders; a better informed public about laws, rights and responsibilities underpinned by public education campaign around survivor’s rights, women, children and LGBTQI+ persons patriarchy and related forms of discrimination and inequalities; to also increase access to economic opportunities that set out to meaningfully address women’s social and economic

 

vulnerability; and lastly Chair, the radical awareness of mobilisation at community level as part of our prevention approach.

 

 

Hon Chair, let me also take this opportune moment to give a synoptic view on our interventions in the battle against GBV. The first level seeks to focus more on prevention, early intervention and statutory services.

 

 

Our prevention approach is about raising awareness through the following, 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children, 25 November to 10 December; we have 365 Days of activism against gender based violence, we’re using the activists of gender based violence; women’s month through awareness campaigns, workshops, seminars, door to door campaigns and community dialogues; men’s month, we’re raising awareness about the fight against gender based violence; victim’s rights week in September; and human trafficking week in October.

 

 

Hon Chair, the early intervention is hinged on psycho-social support services through the following interventions, we refer our victims when necessary; provision of overnight accommodation when necessary; we give the counselling; we

 

debrief them when they go to courts; victims impact report compiled for court; that’s what we do in the province hon Chair.

 

 

The other thing that we are doing Chair is that a total number of 22 457 people were reached through community engagement programmes and a total number of 1 351 victims of gender based violence and femicide and crime are receiving sheltering services. We currently also provide support services to 1 669 victims of crime and violence. We currently have one fully established white door at Ratlou Service Point run in partnership with the NPO. There are two white doors currently being established at Tswaing and Moretele Service Points to be launched in the fourth quarter.

 

 

Hon members, it is without a doubt that our GBV Response Plan as a department will only be successful through partnership approach in combatting this scourge of GBV and femicide.

Therefore, through this debate, we are called upon to join the battle against GBV and femicide and together we will prevail.

 

 

Setswana:

 

Kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa. Ke a leboga Mma.

 

Cllr F MABOA-BOLTMAN (Salga): Thank you, Chairperson. Greetings to the leadership that is there, the Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane, the Deputy Ministers, hon Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the hon Chief Whip of the NCOP, hon House Chairpersons, hon members of all 9 provinces, hon permanent and special delegates, Secretary of the NCOP, allow me to convey the messages of greetings from SA Local Government Association, Salga, and I appreciate the opportunities to speak here this afternoon.

 

 

The United Nations supports this civil society-led campaign through the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. The UNiTE campaign utilises orange: “Orange World: End Violence Against Women Now!”.

Chairperson, I like the now issue, that is to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls, as a unifying theme running through all its global activities. The National theme for 2021 is “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke – 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to accountability”, calling on all levels of government, communities, and business to play an active role and be accountable in the fight against GBVF.

 

The “Blow the Whistle on Violence Against Women campaign” by Salga, introduces ‘the whistle’, as an emergency tool of attracting attention and preventing violence and supporting the vulnerable. Salga has partnered with Old Mutual, who supported the campaign by procuring 1 500 whistles and pepper sprays, which are being distributed especially among the most vulnerable, elderly women living alone, child-headed families mostly led by girls, persons living with disabilities, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex, LGBTQI+, persons.

 

 

During the 16 Days period, Salga, working with municipalities, the government together with civil society and the private sector are conducting a series of community and sector dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF.

 

 

Chairperson, I just want to indicate to the House that SWC, which is Salga’s Women Commission, have identified around the country, the GBVF hotspots. We have identified and holding activities in those areas by handing over as I indicated earlier, the whistles and the pepper sprays. In the interest of time I am not going to indicate in terms of which areas but we have identified a number of that through the structures of

 

women in councils and in all the municipalities. So, I am not going to counts them here.

 

 

But there is an alarming increase of gender-based violence on women in different forms and scales in the country. We mourn the continued horrific and barbaric killings as well as other unspeakable things targeted at women and children. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this manner. It was sad to see that women remains can be found in the fridge, for example, and that is really something that one cannot speak about and that is caused by people we are living with and is bad. Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the inequalities and discrimination that women experience in every sphere. We must transform society so that no woman young or old experiences poverty, racism, violence, discrimination or exclusion and women realise their full economic, social, and political rights in society.

 

 

Chairperson, I visited one of the houses in the past week, when you get in the house, it is like the roof is lays the watys the zinc is, it was raining and is still raining, and if you look in there it’s a woman who is staying with her children. So, the issue of poverty is something that we need to deal with and face it head on.

 

 

 

One of the focus areas of the Salga Women’s Commission is to strengthen local government response on issues of social justice that relate to gender equality and women empowerment. Salga joins hands with other organisations and stakeholders to reaffirm our commitment to accelerate collective efforts to end violence against our women and children in South Africa.

 

 

The Special Programs Unit, SPU, in the municipalities, which are placed in the offices of the Executive Mayors, they host designated and vulnerable groups, the women, the youth, persons living with disabilities, the elderly, and children’s programmes. This brings to the attention of the municipalities the plight of the vulnerable groups and the need for their inclusion in the programmes and activities of the municipality through their representatives, attending municipal programmes and having their own programmes supported.

 

 

Chairperson, the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide targets the vulnerable and the local government sphere is at the coal face of these occurrences. So, the Salga Women’s Commission puts a proposal to the newly elected councils so that the proposal is for them to establish, strengthen, and resource the following structures: The Multi-Party Women

 

Caucuses in all municipalities, and those structures must be established as a permanent section 79 Council Committees; the women’s forum, the youth forum; the persons living with disabilities forum, and the elderly forum. The issue in terms of this must be discussed. At that section 79 committee. This committee is composed of all female councillors and we would like them to deal with that and the main purpose is for them to deal with pillar two of the National Strategic Plan against GBVF. And we call on all private sectors, companies and all government sectors to come together, work together in fighting this scourge. Chairperson, thank you very much.

 

 

Mr M R BARA: House Chairperson, I was still going according to the list but I didn’t realise it was me now. Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members and fellow South Africans, good afternoon. Fifty-eight per cent of South Africa’s domestic violence murder victims from April to June 2020 were women.

Sixty-seven per cent of these women were killed by a current or ex – intimate partner, according to the national police statistics

 

 

In just three months, between July and September 2021, 9 556 people, most of whom were women, were raped. This is 7% more than in the previous reporting period. I’m of the view that we

 

must lead from the front in the fight against patriarchy and women abuse. When society observes us behaving in a particular way, many take it as something normal to be followed, especially the younger generation.

 

 

The number of successfully convicted individuals in our legal system or courts leaves a lot to be desired. It is important that repeat offenders are completely jailed as they will remain a danger to society at large. Gender-based violence continues to be a thorn in the flesh of our society. Three women and a child were murdered, the women allegedly by their boyfriends’ in the Free State over this past weekend.

 

 

A nine-year-old girl was killed allegedly by a man who also killed his 22-year old girlfriend and then killed himself. A 28-year old Limpopo man has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing the 6-year old daughter of his neighbour. These are news-making incidents merely of this past weekend in South Africa. Based on the statistics mentioned, it is safe to say that this is a regular weekend experience in South Africa.

 

 

Gender-based violence should be something we look out for 365 days a year and go beyond the 16 days we concentrate on. We must use the 16 days to assess whether we have managed to live

 

in a free society for all citizens of our country. Let’s move away from just awareness which we have been doing and shift more to accountability. Let’s move to make sure that we nurture the girl-child and society takes responsibility for ensuring that we support and protect her so that she may reach her goals in life. Let’s upskill the girl-child to ensure that there is no role and no need for “blessers” to be seen as an answer to a girl’s good life. Ending gender-based violence is imperative if we lay claim to being a society rooted in equality and nonsexism.

 

 

In his address of the Joint Sitting of Parliament, the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, stated that women and children of this country were under siege. That there is a very violent and brutal war underway against women and children of South Africa. The launch of the National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Strategic Plan by the President last year has not shown, nor demonstrated any progress in fighting the scourge of GBV in this country.

 

 

There has been no demonstration of strength by the criminal justice system in ensuring that we prevent the trauma that women and children go through. The perpetrators of GBV still roam the streets and continue to traumatise and prey on our

 

communities. There is still a huge backlog in the GBV cases and that is why we see fewer arrests of individuals who have victimised a number of women in this country. It is one thing to provide care and support to survivors of GBV but it is something else to curb and decisively deal with perpetrators of same. Our justice system must up its game in ensuring that victims of gender-based violence are able to get protection orders timeously. We cannot afford to see fewer numbers of prosecutions when the numbers keep rising in incidents of gender-based violence.

 

 

Males should play their role of providing protection to women and children of our country. Those who abuse women and children do not belong in society but should be charged and imprisoned. Violence against women and children remains a national problem that requires all of us to come together and fight it in unison. Together we can defeat it and root it out of society.

 

 

Hon Mkiva praised the Minister. To me, there is nothing to praise the Minister for. Hon Minister Nkoane-Mashabane, listening to you struggling to read through your speech, written for you, there is no conviction in how you come across. It is, therefore, no doubt, with you at the helm of

 

fighting GBV, we can only go with the current trend which is backwards. Thank you so much.

 

 

The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Hon House

 

Chairperson, Chairperson of the NCOP, Minister Nkoana- Mashabane, as I am standing here, I want to make a proposal, that we should scrap our 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children, less men deliberately misconstrue it as an opportunity for them to kill more girls, more women and more children to get our attention. For it is what is happening.

Just last week, there was a constable Hoffman who killed his wife. After six year of an abusive marriage she walked out. While she was sitting with her sister and friends, he walked in, killed her and shot one of the friends and afterwards shot himself. That is the kind of violence that we are experiencing in our communities.

 

 

Just last week, the family of one of our members here in the NCOP, the cousin’s son, killed his sister’s two-month-old baby, by stabbing the baby to death in Palm Ridge, in Gauteng. Those are the kind of things we hear about. It is becoming more and more of a challenge. How are we going to address these issues?

 

For the sake of all of us here, that gender-based violence and the debate of gender equality and women’s empowerment is not a political issue. It is just like poverty, people that are living in poverty, do not need us to politicise about their plight. They need us to have compassion for what they are going through. Equally it is the issue with those that are suffering under gender-based violence and the patriarchal system.

 

 

The following input that I am going to make and I want to say, it is the part of the debate or the input that I presented on our behalf at the Interparliamentary Union in the Gender Parity debate. Patriarchy is a very distinct system. It does not exist on its own. It thrives on the basic economic and political system under which it exists.

 

 

Therefore, the transformation of South Africa’s economy must be in line with the creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods. This must be within the context of sustainable equitable and inclusive economic growth.

 

 

South Africa at the current moment is still grabbling with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic which continues to disproportionately affect women. If it affects women, it

 

affects their families. Within this broader poverty impact of the pandemic, in what we also term the second pandemic, African women in particular and women in general, still represent the poorest in South Africa and are most negatively impacted by anything that impact on their way of life.

 

 

Gender progress and gender equality represent two critical anchors that must be prioritised, in the postCOVID-19 economic recovery plan of this country.

 

 

A study conducted by the World Bank, apostolate the view that gender progress benefits everyone, not just women and children.

 

 

When the economy strives women, men, girls and boys have equal access to opportunities and more so, communities prosper where women and men are equally empowered. Most importantly, disparities in in gender equality come with economic costs.

The short change the next generation and lead to suboptimal institutions and policies.

 

 

This study has also found out that globally, women account for only 38% of human capital wealth, versus the 62% for men.

 

In low and lower middle income countries, women account for a third or less of human capital wealth on a per capita basis.

 

 

Gender inequality in earnings could lead to losses in wealth of 23 620 dollar per person globally. These losses differ between regions and countries because of levels capital wealth and thereby losses in wealth due to gender inequality turn to increase in absolute values with economic development.

 

 

For these reasons in absolute terms, the losses are set to be the largest in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, countries.

 

 

Globally, for the 141 countries included in the analysis, the loss in human capital wealth, due to gender inequality, is estimated at 160,2 trillion dollar.

 

 

If we simply assume that women could earn as much as men and this is about twice the value of the gross domestic product, GDP, globally. Said differently, human capital wealth could increase by 20,17% globally and total wealth by 14% with gender equality in earnings.

 

According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, of the second quarter of 2021, as reported by Statistics SA, the South African labour market is more favourable to men, than it will ever be to women under the current circumstances. Men are more likely to be in paid employment, than women. Regardless of race, while women are more likely, than men to be doing unpaid or what we call care work.

 

 

The proportion of men in employment, is higher than that of women. More men than women are participating in the labour market, as a labour force participation rate of men, is consistently higher than that of women. The unemployment rate among men, is lower than that amongst women.

 

 

Naturally, the unemployment rate among black African women was 41,0% during this period, compared to 8,2% among white women, 22,4% among Indian or Asian women and 29,9% among coloured women.

 

 

It is therefore imperative to ensure that all economic recovery efforts that are implemented by our government or by the state, must take into consideration the acute and pervasive nature of economic exclusion and poverty suffered by women.

 

The pandemic also provides an important opportunity to restructure the economy and measurably address the structural constrains in the economy and the structural features of poverty, particularly as it adversely impacts on women. It is therefore imperative that we deal in here with targeted interventions which impedes women’s effective and equal participation in the economy.

 

 

Every province and district should be able to communicate their interventions which will accelerate women’s participation in the economy.

 

 

Why it is important to participate in the economy? Women that are self-sufficient will not necessarily stay in an abusive relationship. For as long as women are prevented from participating fully and effectively in the sociopolitical and the economic sectors of our society, we will continue to function with less than half of the capacity required to accelerate women development, particularly in the developing world.

 

 

What needs to be done, is that we need to develop gender responsive budgeting, institutionalisation. It should be prioritised and made part of the finance management reform, in

 

order to form support of the equitable institutionalisation of gender budgeting in our planning processes. The budget process should start with the Medium-Term Equity Framework, MTEF, guidelines that are gender sensitive. For without gender sensitive and effectively mainstreamed MTEF, the approach to gender policy will remain ad hoc and nonbiding.

 

 

Furthermore, the gender budget should contain gender performance and gender impact indicators of all government programmes.

 

 

Hon Chairperson and hon House Chair, patriarchy cannot be eradicated by government only or one group or one organisation. It requires the participation of all forces and sectors of society. It is necessary particularly because patriarchy co-exist and survives even under the most progressive political systems. For it is articulated in many diverse subtle and hidden or open and crude forms because it is explained away in many logic and sounding ways. Ranging from the natural, the biological to religious and cultural arrangements.

 

 

To end patriarchy, and as a result, abuse of women and children, we need a multifaceted approach.

 

Hon members, intimate relationships which are usually associated with safety, protection and security have now become platforms for abuse, insecurity and femicide.

 

 

Gender-based violence has become a silent epidemic not only because of under-reporting, but also because of our collective silence and the silencing of survivors through sociocultural and religious factors.

 

 

As communities of faith we have natured a culture of silence and secrecy in relation to gender-based violence and abuse which must come to an end. Taking the focus away from government, to show that all of us have a responsibility to respond to this second pandemic.

 

 

For a very long time, perpetrators of gender-based violence who are in the religious sector have used our sacred text narrowly to bolster destructive social systems and abusers.

 

 

There is another trajectory running through the sacred text of for God, the poor and marginalised must enjoy protection from the broader society. Therefore, in the context of Gender-based Violence and Femicide, we must accede that the use of sacred text speaks against use of violence and abuse of power. It

 

speaks in support of peace, justice and healing. Creating a world in which every human being, is of equal value because we are all created in an image of an upper being.

 

 

We therefore implore the interfaith community to collaborate in order to assist us in the fight against patriarchy, Gender- based Violence and Femicide. We must adopt comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms and empower women and girls.

 

 

These efforts have to be supported by survival-centred essential services across police, justice, health and social sectors and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda. Let us empower the boy child. Equally so as we are making headway in spreading the message of women empowerment, we need not forget the boy child.

 

 

We must acknowledge that we cannot have a holistic girl, without a well-rounded boy. We must recognise that the boy child is also a victim of gender conditioning. Social cultural norms, immoral and abusive examples of violence and many more unspoken social cultural sociopolitical conditioning.

 

Therefore, a neglected boy child grows up being a very big danger to society. More than any girl as we speak about girls’ empowerment can ever be. We therefore need to advocate for an education system which will socialise the boy child to be accommodating eagerlitarian and feminist.

 

 

In conclusion, I want to strongly asset, that as male legislators, our male legislators have a very important role to play in eradicating gender inequality and its varied manifestations. The legislative sector space must be transformed into spaces where women’s issues are not only viewed as matters that must be championed by women. Male Members of Parliament, MPs, have an integral role to play in ensuring that they use their voices to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality. The eradication of gender inequality and its violent manifestations, requires all forms of struggle, persuasion, contestation, compromised pressure and confrontation to eradicate.

 

 

If we want to transform Parliament into spaces of activism as supported by both male and female MPs, it is also imperative that we prioritise examining the institutional culture of our Parliament. We need to eradicate the culture of bullying and sexual harassment which is reinforced by toxic masculinity and

 

unequal power relations in this space which also impedes the advancement of gender equality.

 

 

It is also imperative that our male MPs spread the commitment to advance the interest of gender equality by becoming agents of change and be an example to men in general society.

 

 

We applaud government with its commitment to the struggle of women by joining generation equality, a global campaign to achieve achieve gender equality by 2030. As part of this campaign, we are part of two action coalitions, one on economic justice and rights and another on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. These coalitions are set to mobilise government’s civil society and the private sector for collective action.

 

 

We have a National Strategic Plan, NSP, which among other things aim to promote inclusion meaning the oversight role of legislative sector will have to be strengthened by building strategic partnerships across party political lines and with civil society movements in order to hold all those responsible for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan accountable.

 

The Minister has mentioned the strengthening of our legal framework. The amendments of the said Bills that she mentioned, but the struggle is not over.

 

 

I therefore implore every South African to make sure we raise our voices in unity and undertake corresponding action, to root out Gender-based Violence and Femicide from our society. We therefore need to create platforms for regular monitoring and evaluation enabled through a robust action plan so as to ensure the effective functioning of the national gender machinery for greater impact and measurable outcomes. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

UNGQONGQOSHE EHHOVISI LIKAMONGAMELI OBHEKELE ABESIFAZANE, INTSHA KANYE NABAPHILA NGOKUKHUBAZEKA: Malibongwe igama

lamakhosikazi!

 

 

English:

 

Hon Chair, hon members, let me once again reiterate my appreciation of the NCOP as it is not for the first time the NCOP does not see the eradication of gender-based violence and femicide and the economic empowerment of women as just an occasion. We cannot eradicate 16 days of activism because it

 

is universal. It is a UN activity. South Africa has a responsibility because we have lost our value to work for 365 days.

 

 

We would want to appeal, and I thought I wasn't going to hear it today, but it will not dampen me. I am an activist. I will continue on the journey of making sure that women are empowered because women of South Africa fought for freedom to participate in the economy of South Africa and not to be killed. It's what we fought for.

 

 

President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa says women don't kill themselves. Women get killed by toxic masculinity. So, if we put it away and work together, we will not be worried about one incident we heard about because many women, young women and children are slaughtered by people who know them every day.

 

 

 ... [Inaudible.] ... I'm just so excited you had represented us not only here but also abroad that we have to bury this pandemic because it is men who suffer from this masculinity, which is toxic, that doesn’t help us bury this pandemic which is manmade. We all have to come together and deal with this matter as a society because it's been a societal problem for

 

365 days. Gender-based violence does not belong within a few departments. It belongs to society. Progressive man, those who are in the religious corners, those who are in Parliament, those who are listening everywhere in every corner of South Africa, please come to the party. Let us bury patriarchy together and make sure that women get their rightful space. Our department’s name is the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities. It is not a department that must go and see who was killed, where and when because it's almost like we are expected to be doing that nowadays.

 

 

Women are killed, cut with saw blades or they are drowned. This has to come to an end in honour of the legacy of Ms Charlotte Manye Maxeke. Let us work together to put a sharp focus on accountability because we can. Accountability means, also, we are going to make the six pillars of the NSE live. We are going to live those. We want to make sure we don't look away like we are just not aware that another six-year-old child was killed, but we do something about it. That’s where accountability comes in.

 

 

If my neighbour's wife is crying and she has been crying for the past four nights, it should be my business to make sure that she stops crying, but also that she doesn't go to the

 

police station, register a case and then be called into a corner to make it disappear.

 

 

IsiZulu:

 

Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi!

 

 

English:

 

Women are here. Women make more than 52% of the population. They are peaceful. They have suffered. They’ve suffered terrible oppression where they do not want to be killed by those who are supposed to protect and give us space to have two hands participating to fight against COVID-19 but against the sluggish growth of our economy.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): As you conclude, Minister!

 

 

The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS

 

WITH DISABILITIES: As I have just concluded, Chair, I thank you. I thank all the members who made a valuable contribution.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS AND EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS - EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS MADE BY THE

 

MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY DURING THE HOUSE SITTING OF 10 OCTOBER 2019, ADOPTED ON 19 MAY 2021

 

 

Mr Z MKIVA: Thank you, House Chair, for the honour and the privilege. Good afternoon to you, House Chair, how are you?

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): I am fine. I can see that you are very comfortable at home. You can present the report.

 

 

Mr Z MKIVA: Thank you, House Chair. The Select Committee on Petitions and the Undertaking having requested the hon Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, the hon Gwede Mantashe, to appear before it and provide a progress report on the implementation of fulfilment of the executive undertakings made or given on the floor of this august House during the House sitting as you have indicated, House Chair, on 10 October 2020. On this day the Minister made the following undertaking, let me quote him verbatim:

 

 

As I indicated government is now going to monitor the implementation of the agreement that has been arrived at. So, we will be uninterested party to make sure that there is justice for our people. Had we been a litigant in the whole

 

process we would have been more actively involved right from the word go, but we were not and we only came to later when there were problems. Now that the matter has been raised with us we are going to ensure that we keep close to this by getting updates and ensure that what has been agreed to and committed to does become something that is implemented. But your point is well-made our task as government obviously is to ensure that our people are not taken for a ride. They’re not cheated and they’re not robbed of what is due to them.

Particularly people who have suffered in this way as a result of what happened in the mining industry, the asbestos claim and all that. We are prepared and willing to follow that up.

 

 

Here are the observations and the key findings, hon House Chair: In noting the progress report given by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in relation to the implementation of the Executive Undertakings Under Review, the committee made the following observations and key findings, the department confirmed that there was still money available to pay outstanding claimants indicating each beneficiary was paid according to the findings from their medical examination and amount paid had varied. Point number two, the department had to consider the fact that several of workers had not contracted asbestos related diseases. As a result, it had to

 

recommend that those who have found not to have contracted asbestos related diseases have a medical re-examination, and the department has assigned the deputy chief inspector of the mines to look at this communication strategy to aid in identifying beneficiaries. Number three, the department reported that it has implemented the derelict and ownerless mining programme to ensure that mine sites are subjected to environmental rehabilitation measures. Number four, the department committed to do a follow-up with those legal firms based in the United Kingdom and further assure that they are prepared to conclude this matter in this financial year of 2020-21.

 

 

The recommendations are as follows: Further in noting the progress report made by the Director-General of Minerals and Energy the committee recommends the following: the department to ensure that all mining companies implement their social and labour plans in the communities in which they function. The committee recommends that the department provides quarterly updates to the claimants and the committee until this matter is finalised. House Chairperson, I therefore recommend that this report be adopted by this august House because that is the recommendation we’re making as a committee. Thank you, House Chair.

 

Debate concluded.

 

 

Question put: That the Report be adopted.

 

 

In favour: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.

 

 

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS AND EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS - EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS MADE BY THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE DURING THE HOUSE SITTING OF 16 JULY 2020, ADOPTED ON 19 MAY 2021

 

 

Mr Z MKIVA: Thank you, House Chair, again for this opportunity, the Select Committee on Petitions and Undertakings having requested the hon Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure the hon Patricia de Lille to appear before it and provide a progress report on the implementation of fulfillment of executive undertakings made or given on the floor of this House on the sitting of the 16 of July 2020. On this day, the Minister said the following: Some of the special projects that will be implemented in specific provinces are:

 

the rural Welisizwe Bridges project will initially focus implementation in three provinces with the highest risks being the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State province.

The Rural Roads upgrade projects focuses implementation in five provinces being Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West province.

 

 

We will embark on the process of social facilitation that is inclusive engagement and project developmental approach that has four critical pillars namely, full inclusivity where the community is involved throughout the project lifecycle. Co- creation, where the community co-creates the project implementation plan and projects ownership where the community co-owns the projects. [Applause.] We are in the process of establishing infrastructure South Africa which is abbreviated ISA, as a single entry point for all infrastructure where there will be a comprehensive infrastructure-project pipeline that is assessed by the CIDS methodology where the focus is on implementation that it needs driven. As part of the adjustment estimates, an amount of R1,6 billion was reprioritised within the department baseline, which is under transfers and subsidies, mainly relate to the following programmes: The prioritised budget will be used to recruit participants for COVID-19 and GBV activities. The committee made the following

 

observations and key findings, hon Chair. In noting the progress Report given by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in relation to the implementation of the Executive Undertakings under view, the committee made the following observations and key findings:

 

 

Firstly, the department is confident, it can complete the 400 bridges and will be working on multiple sites at the same time. It assured improving the quality of the bridges and getting better service providers. The designs on the bridges are done by an in-house structural engineers. This is part of an enhancing the internal capacity of the state;

 

 

Secondly, the department reported that through the integration of the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission Technical Task Team and the Investment Infrastructure Office, the external relations function was established, which provides for inter alia social facilitation; and

 

 

Thirdly, the department reported that the integration of the IIO in the Presidency and the PICCTTT is with the Department of Public Service and Administration for finalisation.

 

Chair, the recommendation therefore is as follows; further in noting the progress Report made by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, hon de Lille, the committee observes that the Executive Undertakings have been adequately implemented and therefore recommends that this is closed. I therefore wish to proposed that this House adopts this Report. Thank you, Chair.

 

 

Debate concluded.

 

 

Question put: That the Report be adopted.

 

 

IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.

 

 

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS AND EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS - EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS MADE BY THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE HOUSE SITTING OF 22 JULY 2020, ADOPTED ON 11 NOVEMBER 2021.

 

Mr Z MKIVA: Hon Chair, the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings having requested the hon Minister of Social Development, hon Lindiwe Zulu, to appear before it and provide the progress report on the implementation of the executive underthings made on this House’s floor on the date that we have already mentioned, 22 July 2020 and the Minister said the following, and I quote:

 

 

We are strengthening the capabilities of our programmes relative to the challenges that accompany the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, we have received over 7,8 million applications of the Special Covid-19 SRD grant. Of this number, we have approved over four million applications to whom just over R1,7 million will be disbursed.

 

 

I have been inundated with concerns from members of the public and organisations representing persons with disabilities, including some hon members of this House regarding the intake for disability grants. Sassa is currently exploring ways in which we can safely and progressively reintroduce these services and we will make an announcement in due course.

 

 

Our long term plan, starting in the current financial year is to introduce the food voucher system and expand it beyond

 

well-established retailers for communities to buy directly from their local food suppliers who are small, medium and microenterprises, community-owned or co-operatives.

 

 

From its original budget allocation of R7 million, the National Development Agency, NDA, targets to benefit co- operatives and Community Security Organisation, CSOs, especially those involved in the production of Covid-19 related PPEs.

 

 

In noting the progress report given by the Department of Social Development in relation to the implementation of the executive undertakings under review, the committee made the following observations and key findings.

 

 

One, the department assured the committee that it could account for all donations that it had received from the various players who had assisted it in terms of food distribution. And it could also account for all food that it had distributed, as the department and Sassa, since their systems were very sound in this regard.

 

 

Two, the department indicated that the opportunities would arise as a result of what the President had announced in terms

 

of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. And it should be noted that the department and other departments would be working to provide the database and assist those people to be able to get into these economic opportunities.

 

 

Three, National Treasury had been very strict in the sense that it had raised the issue of fiscal constraints, which limited the department’s capacity and ability to employ more social workers. However, the department informed the committee that it has continued to engage with National Treasury and it was a continuous process of engagement.

 

 

Four, regarding the issue of gender-based violence, GBV, and the specific programmes that the department was working on, it reported that there was a GBV command centre that provided real-time information in terms of what was happening in various districts and it has high-end technology and geolocation systems. It also reported that the Ministry had recently launched a programme, with a number of other programmes that the department was working on with the provinces and other role-players and stakeholders, particularly in civil society, to try and extend the message of GBV.

 

The recommendation is as follows: Further, in noting the progress report made by the Minister of Social Development, hon Lindiwe Zulu, the committee, lastly, observes that the executive undertakings have been adequately implemented and therefore recommends that we should close this item by proposing to this House for the adoption of this report. Thank you.

 

 

Debate concluded.

 

 

Question put: That the Report be adopted.

 

 

IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.

 

 

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO SELECTED MILITARY BASES IN GAUTENG AND TO SELECTED LANDLINE BORDERS OVER THE PERIOD 27 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2020, DATED 11 FEBRUARY 2021 AND 18 MARCH 2021.

 

 

(Consideration of Report)

 

Mr M E NCHABELENG: Thank you, House Chairperson. Let me greet the hon members in the House and those who are connecting from home. This Report was adopted by the committee some months ago. As I go on you’ll see that ... [Inaudible.] ... in terms of the date. Chairperson, the joint standing committee functions under section 22/28(d) of the 1993 interim Constitution that allows the committee to, I quote, “investigate and make recommendations regarding the budget,

... [Inaudible.] ... and organisation, armaments, policy, morale and state of preparedness of the SA National Defence Force”.

 

 

In line with this legislative mandate, the joint standing committee, JSC, ... [Inaudible.] ... Wallmansthal, Waterkloof Air Force Base and three landline boarder sites in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal. The primary aim of the oversight visit was for the joint standing committee to be briefed on the conditions at the identified military bases and to assess the condition by which our soldiers are deployed under as part of the operations of COVID-19 along SA border lines.

 

 

The secondary aim was to familiarise committee members with the conditions at military bases in order to inform their broader parliamentary oversight mandate and keep findings at

 

the base and deployment areas. The 1 Military Hospital is the SA National Defence Force primary medical facility and provide key medical services not only to civil soldiers, but also to their dependents and military veterans. The Joint Standing Committee on Defence visit in 2020 was informed by concerns experienced by the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, JSCD, in the 5th Parliament around the repair and maintenance program, what is called the repair and maintenance, RAM, and the hospital.

 

 

The repair and maintenance, RAM, project which was started in 2006 is yet to be completed. It has had negative impact on the on the hospital’s ability to provide effective and efficient medical services to its clients. During the oversight visit the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, JSCD, observed the first floor of the of the hospital that is supposed to contain several operating theatres and specialist units.

Unfortunately, no construction has taken place on this floor for several years and it remains a construction site offering no use to the hospital.

 

 

The committee was also informed that the absence of operating theatres results in very high outsourcing cost to the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, when patients are sent to

 

private facilities. Similarly, the Department of Defence expressed dissatisfaction with the services provided by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in relation to the repair and maintenance, RAM, project. The joint standing committee has committed to continuously follow up on the matter and the committee has held several meetings to track progress in June and September 2021.

 

 

Crucially, the committee will receive an updated briefing on 1 Military Hospital repair and maintenance project. That would be focusing on the outcome of a forensic investigation into the project as well as consequence management. The visit to 1 Military Hospital also revealed the positive development regarding the emergency construction of COVID-19 emergency ward on the hospital’s 7th floor which was constructed in a very short turnaround time. This construction highlights that the capacity existed to deliver quality medical services to members of the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, their dependents and veterans. The SA Army Main Ordinance Sub Depot, Wallmansthal, highlighted infrastructure concerns.

 

 

The committee was especially concerned about the interruption of water and electricity supplied to the base, giving its challenges around hygiene and the interruption of base

 

activities. The joint standing committee was briefed by the general officer commanding the Waterkloof Air Force Base on the various units hosted the base as well as challenges faced. The committee observed the very committed command team at the base that has managed to improve services despite the number of challenges.

 

 

The commanders should be commended for increasing overall aircraft serviceability, presenting plans to improve on their availability of the C-130 transport aircraft and the general neatness of the base. As with many SA National Defence Force, SANDF, bases around the country, infrastructure and equipment remain a major concern. This includes challenges with the runway lighting, dolomite sinkholes and general infrastructure maintenance that is dependent on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

 

 

A key takeaway from the committee’s engagement with Air Force commanders is the urgent need to review the SA Air Force strategic airlift capacity. While the dedicated team of base commanders are stretching aircraft serviceability, it is becoming increasingly clear that the SA Air Force is in need of new C-130 or equivalent airlift aircraft, as well as an affordable long term maintenance plan. Looking at the landline

 

borders, the joint standing committee with the South African National Defence Force unit, is deployed along SA’s boarders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These soldiers play an important part in protecting South Africa's territorial sovereignty in preventing cross border crime and the illegal movement of undocumented persons. While a recent carte blanche TV show expose highlighted that some soldiers are complicit in corrupt activities along the border, it must be stated that the joint standing committee’s oversight visit revealed a disciplined and highly committed force.

 

 

The SA National Defence Force, SANDF, should be commended for its commitment to act against those parties with corrupt activities. The joint standing committee will follow up on this commitment to ensure that border safeguarding is not compromised. The commitment of soldiers to border communities also became evident during the visit. All deployed units were involved in some social responsibility project during their time of deployment ranging from the purchase of wheelchairs, sanitary towels, school shoes, groceries to assistance with the repair and maintenance of rural schools.

 

 

This project is largely funded by the soldiers’ own

 

contributions and highlighted their commitment in addition to

 

their formal rule in border safeguarding. While observing a high level of dedication, the SA National Defence Force boarder deployments face significant operational challenges including: The border safeguarding deployment consists of only

15 sub units along the South Africa’s entire 4 862 kilometer of land borders. Despite Parliament’s previous calls to increase this number, as was the case in the 2020 Budgetary Review Recommendations Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, no funds are available for such a deployment.

 

 

The border fences remain inadequate along the SA Zimbabwe boarder. The newly constructed fence has all but disappeared allowing for the free flow of people, vehicles and goods across the border. The construction of barriers to prevent cross border car smuggling on the KwaZulu-Natal Mozambique boarder was a positive development by the committee, but more needs to be done. The borderline facilities for soldiers built and maintained by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure are not adequate and poorly maintained, often lacking the most basic services such as water and sanitation.

 

 

Technology such as sensors and amend area vehicles is not efficiently used as a force multiplier on the borderlands to

 

set the need for physical personnel. The joint standing committee plans to continue its oversight of the border safeguarding situation. On 25 November 2021, this year, the committee will engage the SA National Defence Force for an update on operation corona as well as several vehicle tracking companies on their co-operation with the SA National Defence Force in efforts to curb vehicle movements across the border.

 

 

In conclusion, the joint standing committee visit to monitor the precarious situation around defence in South Africa on one hand, it reflected highly dedicated SA National Defence Force personnel who were executing their tasks as best as they can despite their fiscal constraints, poor equipment and deteriorating infrastructure. For this level of commitment, all SA National Defence Force members should be highly commended and encouraged. On the other hand, the oversight visit reflected the urgent need for reassessment of the future of SA National Defence Force and South Africa’s approach to defence.

 

 

It is evident that this investment in defence infrastructure and a lack of maintenance has had a negative impact on defence capabilities. This concern is compounded by poor delivery against defense requirement by the Department of Public Works

 

and Infrastructure. It is also evident that the shrinking defense budget has resulted in limited equipment acquisition for the SA National Defence Force. This highlights the urgent need to review SA Air Force aircraft needs, borderline technology requirements and land-led defence capabilities such as transport vehicles, border debate around the defence of the South Africa is required.

 

 

Pursuant to this mandate in section 228(d) of the 1993 interim Constitution, the joint standing committee will continue to oversee this matter to aid in the establishment of an effective and efficient SA National Defence force. I thank you.

 

 

Declarations of vote:

 

Ms C LABUSCHAGNE: Thank you Deputy House Chair, the logistical arrangements for this oversight visit were atrocious resulting in a member arriving at the hotel with no arrangements being made for his accommodation or onward transport and as a result the member could not participate in the oversight visit and so he returned home.

 

 

If this was an isolated incident, that might have been forgiven. However, at the very next oversight meeting of the

 

same committee to KZN and Gauteng following the July insurrection once again logistical arrangements were problematic, leaving members stranded in Kwa-Zulu Natal and causing last minute ticket swaps and part of the delegation having to miss the second half of that oversight tour.

 

 

Reverting to the oversight visit in this report, the stand-out issue is the incomplete project at 1 Military Hospital.

1 Military Hospital was once the gold standard in healthcare and boasted some of the best healthcare capabilities in the country, healthcare fit for a President.

 

 

What the committee observed was the failed repairing maintenance project, started in 2006 and abandoned in 2015. The entire floors of the hospital remain unsuitable or unusable to date as a result.

 

 

Mr Chair, as recently as last week the Joint Standing Committee on Defence had a meeting with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and it became clear that there is still no plan. A year since this oversight to reinvigorate this project.

 

Ownership of this project is still in dispute. Is it public works or is it defence force formation that must take the project further. No one seems to know or even care and all of all the while a once proud institution is left to decay under an ANC government that couldn’t care less about the men and women in its employ.

 

 

The men and women in uniform who are prepared to put their lives on the line to defend this country and our democracy. Shame on you. We fully support the report and its recommendations. I thank you.

 

 

Ms M BARTLETT: Hon Chairperson, the oversight report that is tabled for the consideration by this House [Inaudible.] will account on the events that took place when the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the portfolio committee to the selected military bases. The portfolio committee visited

1 Military Hospital, South African Army Main Ordnance Sub Depot Wallmannsthal, the Air Force Base Waterkloof over 3 landline boarders which are the Lebombo Boarder with Mozambique, the Beitbridge Border in Zimbabwe and the Komatipoort in Mpumalanga.

 

The purpose was to further assess the impact of the state of Operation Corona. The military hospitals provide effective healthcare services and sustain the capable health service for SA National Defence Force in the military hospital.

 

 

There was a repair and maintenance programme which seek to improve conditions of the hospital even though there were challenges with the implementations of the project but there was work done. The seventh floor the military hospital was then used as isolation facility, ICU and high care with real capabilities. However, there’s a need to finish the ramp and finish the first floor of the hospital as soon as possible.

 

 

Hon Chairperson, the report further looked at the Beitbridge Boarder area on 28 November 2020. This is where some of the soldiers were deployed in Operation Corona and the primary purpose of deployment was to curb the illegal movement of people and goods across the South African boarders from the land to maritime boarder.

 

 

As this is part of the primary mandate of the SA National Defence Force which is to protect the teritorital boarders, one of the main challenges at the boarders is that there’s limited number of forces on the ground to provide support.

 

There are damages done at the boarder fences but this includes shortages of military vehicles though there were challenges by the SANDF was in its role executing exceptionally well.

 

 

Therefore, hon Chairperson, the ANC supports the adoption of this report. I thank you.

 

 

Question put: That the Report be adopted.

 

 

IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape.

 

 

Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.

 

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon members, already before next week the Chairperson of the NCOP ntate Masondo has started giving presents so I’ve seen all of you receiving presents from ntate Masondo. That’s from the office of the Chairperson that ntate Masondo is giving us. Hopefully those on the virtual platform ntate Masondo will make some means.

Chair and the Deputy Chairperson have started giving the Christmas presents. Those on virtual will be considered.

 

Hon delegates, I wish to thank MECs, Salga representatives and all special delegates for availing themselves for this important sitting of today. Hon delegates, that concludes the business of the day, the House is adjourned.

 

 

The Council adjourned at 17:19.

 

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