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15 June 2023 - NW1767

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

Considering the problems experienced by beneficiaries of the SA Social Security Agency with grant payouts on a monthly basis, what plans have been put in place to (a) insource the service to ensure that grant beneficiaries receive their payments on time and (b) resolve the issue of loan sharks holding grant beneficiary’s cards?

Reply:

a) SASSA currently pays all social grants into the bank accounts of clients. This is inclusive of the payments made at Pay Points and SAPO branches which are first paid into bank accounts.

SASSA has already in-sourced the payment function since 2018.

Whether or not SASSA should become a bank or provide a full or partial banking service to its clients is a matter being considered. However, the SASSA’s mandate and scope of SASSA’s capabilities are based on the Social Assistance Act, 2004 as amended.

b) The holding of SASSA cards, or any bank card, is illegal. SASSA works with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and law enforcement agencies in this regard. During May 2023, in the Province of the Eastern Cape, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of stakeholders focusing on loan sharks, led by the National Credit Regulator, involving SASSA, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted an operation targeting loan sharks, with the sole aim of preventing illegal withholding of banking cards and identity documents. The operation led to the arrest of 17 suspects and the seizing of 106 SASSA cards with cash of R401 800.00. Similar operations will be conducted nationally.

12 June 2023 - NW1844

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What are the reasons that managers of child and youth care centres are precluded from receiving funded remuneration from her department, despite the fact that the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, requires a manager to be appointed; (2) what are the reasons that the manager’s post and the social worker’s post cannot be a combined post when there is no funding available for the manager’s post; (3) if her department does not allow funding for a manager, what are the reasons that the reporting requirements are so onerous as to require a manager to meet such requirements?

Reply:

(1) What are the reasons that managers of child and youth care centres are precluded from receiving funded remuneration from her department, despite the fact that the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, requires a manager to be appointed;

  • The Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, Chapter 13, Part 1 gives mandate to the MEC for social development to establish child and youth care centres. The managers of child and youth care centres managed by Department of Social Development (state run facilities) are remunerated according to the Public Service Act, 1994 and Public Service Regulations, 2016 as amended.

(2) what are the reasons that the manager’s post and the social worker’s post cannot be a combined post when there is no funding available for the manager’s post;

  • The creation and registration of a social work post and that of social work manager is guided by the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. The two (2) posts are distinct in nature with separate work content.

(3) if her department does not allow funding for a manager, what are the reasons that the reporting requirements are so onerous as to require a manager to meet such requirements?

  • The Department is busy developing a strategy for employment of social services professionals which is inclusive of social work occupational categories. The strategy is also considering the social work manager / supervisors. A process of obtaining funding from the National Treasury is underway.
  • The reporting requirements are determined by the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) in accordance with the government prescripts.

12 June 2023 - NW1841

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

Considering that the foster care grant of R1 120 is provided up to the age of 21 years if the beneficiary is still at school and noting that the child support grant and the top-up grant expires when the learner reaches 18 years in accordance with the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, after which the learner must then apply for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350, what other State support is provided to the learner until such a time that he or she matriculates, considering that the SA Social Security grant is a financial means to keep learners in school and given the notable decrease in the Rand value of State support to learners of 18 years and older who are still in high school?

Reply:

Yes, Social Assistance legislation provides for primary care givers and relatives of children in receipt of the Child Support Grant (CSG) including CSG Top Up to receive the grant until the month in which the child turns 18 years of age. The same legislation provides for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) for working age unemployed adults (18 -59). Although the provision is temporary, it caters for the same group of beneficiaries.

It is important to emphasise that children’s grants should be seen in the context of comprehensive social protection programmes rendered by government. To this effect, Government provides essential services for example, food nutrition programme to poor children through the Department of Basic Education and other free basic municipal services at reduced and controlled costs to impoverished households of which the majority of these children come from. In addition, the same children are exempted from paying school fees.

Government has ensured that basic food items such as brown bread, maize meal, vegetables, fruits, eggs, samp, mealie rice and milk are zero-rated, meaning the 14% VAT is not paid on these goods.

The Department did consider extending the CSG for beneficiaries over 18 and still at school up to the age of 21 years (similar to the FCG) in previous years, however, the proposal was not supported due to fiscal constraints.

12 June 2023 - NW1797

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the full details of the considerations that have been made to ensure that the issues that have been affecting the SA Post Office do not affect the targets of the SA Social Security Agency in the 2023-24 financial year?

Reply:

Issues that may be affecting the SA Post Office will not impact the targets of the SA Social Security Agency in the 2023-24 financial year.

SASSA processes payments of social grants recipients directly into their nominated bank accounts at the beginning of the payment cycle and it is not dependant on the SA Post Office to execute this function, hence the target on the payment of social grants will invariably be achieved.

12 June 2023 - NW1605

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What (a) number of social workers have been employed by the Government for the period 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2023 and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number in each department; (2) what is the total number of social workers who are currently in the employ of Government; (3) what are the details of the plans that have been put in place to achieve the target of employing 55 000 social workers by 2030?

Reply:

1. What (a) number of social workers have been employed by the Government for the period 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2023.

  • 2 233 social service professionals employed by government during 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2023.

What (b) is the breakdown of the specified number in each department.

There are several government departments that employs social services professionals. The table below reflects those that submitted. The Department is still collating information from the Department of Health, Department of Defence, Department of Correctional Services.

Social Development

Basic Education

Justice

Grand Total

1 545

674

14

2 233

(2) what is the total number of social workers who are currently in the employ of Government.

Grand Total = 23 561

(3) what are the details of the plans that have been put in place to achieve the target of employing 55 000 social workers by 2030?

  • The Department of Social Development developed a draft Strategy for the Employment for Social Service Professional’s in collaboration with the following departments:
    • Social Development Provincial Departments.
    • Department of Basic Education.
    • Department of Health.
    • Department of Correctional Services.
    • South African Police Services.
    • Department of Justice.
    • Department of Defence.
    • HWSETA.
    • COGTA.
    • South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSP).
  • The cost analysis was done based on the additional required 31 744 Social Service Professionals by NDP vision 2030 to reach 55 000 by 2030.
  • The estimated cost based on the workforce needs is approximately R9 578 552 700.
  • A bid was developed to request funding from the National Treasury.
  • The draft Strategy for Employment of Social Service Professionals was presented on 28 February 2023 to the Technical Working Group for Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster.
  • The draft Strategy for Employment of Social Service Professionals was also presented on 15 March 2023 to the Technical Working Group for Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster.
  • The draft Strategy for Employment of Social Service Professionals was further presented on 29 March 2023 to the Portfolio Committee workshop.

12 June 2023 - NW1472

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Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Social Development

What total number of mothers under the age of 18 years have applied for (a) a single child support grant and/or (b) more than one child support grant, over the past five years in each province?

Reply:

(a) A total of 6,225 caregivers under the age of 18 years have benefited for one child support grant in the past five (5) years, that is, from 2018/19 financial year to end of February 2023. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

(b) A total of 221 caregivers under the age of 18 years have benefited for more than one child support grant, during the past five years. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

12 June 2023 - NW348

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) influenced the decision by the Postbank to assume the SA Social Security Agency's contract with the SA Post Office and (b) are the reasons that the public, especially recipients of social grants, were not informed of the impending cession?

Reply:

a) The grants payments Master Services Agreement entered between SAPO and SASSA in 2018 was ceded to Postbank which was originally a division of SAPO when the contract was concluded. The cession of the contract to Postbank by SAPO was concluded given that the payments are financial services facilitated through the National Payment System (NPS) in which Postbank is a participant and SAPO is not a recognized participant. Since the inception of the contract in 2018, Postbank was facilitating more than 90% of the grants payments via the NPS, whereby grant recipients mostly received their money via ATM’s and retailers similar to any bank transaction. SAPO only facilitated limited beneficiary numbers payments within its branches and it still continues offering this service, providing the rationale for the contract cession.

b) Postbank together with SASSA implement a public campaign that included roadshows and on the ground activations creating public awareness that Postbank is responsible for social grants payments.

12 June 2023 - NW346

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What current control procedures exist among (a) her department, (b) the SA Social Security Agency and (c) the Postbank to guarantee the prompt payment of social grants?

Reply:

(a)

  • The National Treasury allocates funding for Social Assistance Grants to the National Department of Social Development on an annual basis as “specifically and appropriated funds”, which means it may not be used for any other purposes.
  • Annually, the Department request approval from the National Treasury to disburse the Social Assistance grants funds on a monthly cashflow requirement linked to the annual budget allocation.
  • National Treasury also approves the monthly payment dates of the social assistance grants
  • Monthly, the National Department of Social Development submits a payment schedule instruction to National Treasury to approve payments to be released to the nine (9) SASSA regions for the payment to social assistance beneficiaries as per agreed payment dates and amounts.
  • The Department ensures that payments to SASSA are approved within four (4) days of the scheduled payment dates. Once payments have been made, SASSA is required to submit expenditure reports on a monthly basis to reflect all payments made. This is used as a monitoring mechanism.
  • The Department participates in the review of the agreement with the Post-Office to ensure that the arrangement ensures timely and accurate payments.
  • The Department also has an oversight forum which reviews SASSAs performance reports which includes targets relating to approval and payments to eligible beneficiaries.

(b)

SASSA has developed a schedule and follows it rigorously for processes leading to pre–payment files extraction, as well as actual payment extraction. These processes include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The schedule covers a process to verify new and changed bank accounts/cellphones and is performed daily, to ensure that there is no backlog of unverified accounts at the time of payment file extraction. Where an account is on unverified status for more than 5 days, such account is re-extracted and re-submitted for verification through National Treasury with the banks.
  • The schedule covers the process to verify new and existing applications against external databases and where the datasets are not received in time, internal control processes are implemented to ensure that verification and payment processes are not delayed.
  • The schedule, which covers processes to means test new and existing applications with the banks, has been formalized and is scheduled in advance leading to the extraction of the payment file.
  • For bulk payments of social grants, a payment schedule is compiled and agreed to with the banks and retailers to ensure enough cash is supplied and in circulation during payment periods.
  • The payment dates for social grants and COVID-19 SRD have been staggered in a manner that ensures that there is no disruption within the financial sector.
  • The workflow for the extraction and authorization of payment files has been automated to ensure seamless processing.
  • Constant client directed (via SMS) and public communication is done throughout all communication channels to ensure that clients are kept up to date regarding payment dates, as well as, any changes in payment dates or processes.
  • Biometric authentication for staff has been implemented – especially in the payment environment - to ensure enhanced controls are in place and observed.
  • Reconciliations are performed with all banks to ensure correct payments were effected and to detect payments which were not effected (EF70 codes – where client accounts were closed / not FICA’d etc. post payment.) In these cases, the money is returned and reconciled with SASSA, whereafter SASSA engages the clients for updated information.

(c)

The Grants Payments System used by Postbank to facilitate social grants payments has been migrated to a more stable environment from in January 2023. This was done to immediately address the infrastructure-related performance issue. The migration to the cloud platform also provided improved security in the Grants Payments System and reduced downtime, given that most of the payments challenges were Information Technology system related

12 June 2023 - NW347

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the reasons that grant recipients were not informed about the (a) causes of the payment delays and (b) plans that Postbank has put in place to resolve the problems?

Reply:

a) We can confirm that there are no delays for social grants payments for the month of April 2023. All SASSA grants recipients using the SASSA/Postbank gold cards that were due to be paid in April via the National Payment System (ATMs, retailers and over the counter in Post Office branches) have been paid. The payments being concluded currently are those affecting people that collect their grants in Cash Pay Point in areas that are not covered by the NPS, and there are no notable delays in those payments. The current queues visible within Post Office branches are not payment queues, but queues of beneficiaries whose SASSA card will expire end April 2023, and they are responding to the call to come forward to collect new cards. The process of collecting the new SASSA cards has been communicated extensively to beneficiaries since the beginning of this card replacement program in March 2023.

b) The Grants Payments System used by Postbank to facilitate social grants payments has been migrated to a more stable environment from in January 2023. This was done to immediately address the infrastructure-related performance issue. The migration to the cloud platform also provided improved security in the Grants Payments System and reduced downtime, given that most of the payments challenges were Information Technology system related.

26 May 2023 - NW1486

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to her reply to question 678 on 20 April 2023, on what date will the establishment of the upcoming shelters begin and (b) where specifically in the specified regions will the shelters be set up?

Reply:

a) The Department has prioritize the establishment of Shelters in districts without Shelters in the current financial years, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

b) Below is the details of the Shelter establishment:

PROVINCES

DISTRICTS

DATES

North West

Ngaka Modiri Molema

June 2023

 

Dr Kenneth Kaunda

31 March 2025

KwaZulu-Natal

Zulu-land

31 March 2024

Northern Cape

Namaqua

November 2023

 

John Taolo Gaetsewe

31 March 2025

Limpopo

Sekhukhune

31 March 2024

 

Vhembe

31 March 2025

 

Waterberg

31 March 2025

The above table reflect four (04) shelters to be established in the current financial year, 2023/2024. The remaining four (04) will be established in the next financial year 2024/2025 due to budget limitations.

26 May 2023 - NW1481

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What number of (a) SA Social Security Agency still need to be replaced and (b) grant recipients have not received their grants due to the specified cards; (2) what measures have been put in place for rural areas where branches of the SA Post Offices have closed down and beneficiaries have to travel long distances in order to get their new gold cards?

Reply:

1. (a) The number of cards that expired are as follows :

  1. April 2023=838 420
  2. May 2023= 2 652 151
  3. June 2023= 1 524 963

(b) The expiry date on the cards have been extended to 31 December 2023, hence the current gold cards can still be used to access funds in the clients bank account. Beneficiaries are able to access their grants using the expired cards.

2. The expiry date on the cards have been extended to 31 December 2023 thus providing clients and the Postbank an additional 8 months to replace the cards.

The Postbank has also introduced a card less solution to enable clients to access funds in their bank accounts, thus reducing the dependency on a card. This cardless solution is a permanent solution that will enable beneficiaries to access payment at the participating retailers.

Postbank has also reached an agreement with certain merchants who will assist them with the issuing of cards. More information on this will be communicated by the Postbank in due course.

Clients are also able to use their own bank accounts to receive their social grant payments. SASSA has increased its front office capacity to accommodate an expected increase of clients to address this challenge.

19 May 2023 - NW1311

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

Considering the fact that the SA Post Office has been placed under provisional liquidation, what measures of intervention have been put in place to ensure that beneficiaries receive their grant payments on time?

Reply:

Due to liquidity concerns, the contract between SAPO and SASSA for the payment of social grants was ceded to the Postbank in October 2022.

This was probably done just in time as SAPO is currently facing liquidation. The ceding of the contract, means that the liquidation – from a contractual perspective – will not impact the service agreement of clients, as a new entity (Postbank), which is solvent has taken responsibility for the contract.

However, Postbank was only given 3 months to prepare themselves for taking over the contract, and remains heavily reliant on SAPO for services – which are failing at present.

This over reliance on SAPO remains a concern for DSD and SASSA and we’ve been in constant engagement with the Postbank around alternatives to mitigate this challenge. These include:

  • Postbank developing their own infrastructure, in particular, ATM infrastructure in strategic locations.
  • Postbank partnering with other stakeholders to reduce their reliance on SAPO. These include larger merchants (which has been implemented to date) as well as smaller merchants such as SPAZA shops.
  • Postbank introducing a cardless solution. This will limit the need for clients to interact at branches. This has already been rolled out successfully with the COVID SRD grant and has alleviated the congestion seen at Post Offices during the COVID period. This should have a similar impact when rolled out to the other grants.

Beneficiaries also have a choice to receive their social grants payment directly into own commercial bank account. More than 50% of SASSA clients utilise this option.

These options cover approximately 98.5% of our clients. The remaining 1.5% who live in far flung areas remains a challenge, and are still reliant on the cash pay point services provided by Postbank. Discussion are being held across government, led by the Presidency on a possible government wide solution to service these communities. In the meantime, the Postbank will continue running the cash paypoints that were previously run by SAPO.

19 May 2023 - NW1363

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Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What (a) is the full breakdown of the total amount that was spent on the venue, catering and gifts for guests attending the Free State Regional Office of the SA Social Security Agency International Women’s Day event on 28 March 2023, (b) number of persons (i) were invited to the event and (ii) attended, (c) was the purpose of the event and (d) are the reasons that a government venue was not used for the event; (2)Whether there is a National Treasury instruction that allows for such events and buying of gifts for employees; (3)Whether she will furnish Ms B S Masango with a copy of the (a) National Treasury instruction; and if not, what legal instrument allows for the events and buying of gifts; if so, (b) concept document that established the Women’s Forum; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

1. (a)The breakdown of the amount spent at the conference is as follows:

1. The amount for venue hire – R 185 483.50

2. Sound and PA system –R 43 412.50

3. Catering and refreshment – R 227 843.75

Total amount of the event including the service fee of R 31 971.78 from the travel agent amounts to R 488 711.53.

SASSA Free State did not procure gifts from the budget of the institution.

(b) (i) There were 250 officials who were invited to the event;(ii) and 214 officials attended the event.

(c) Please refer to the attached concept document.

(d) The biggest venues in a form of boardrooms in government departments that SASSA Free State normally uses are from Premier’s Department, Department of Health and National Department of Public Works. All these three government departments venues cannot accommodate 250 officials with round tables set up. For this reason, a private venue was procured.

2. SASSA Free State relied on paragraph (a) 4.15 and 4.30 of the National Treasury Instruction Note No.2 of 2016 / 2017. In that it allows for catering of officials on forums and hiring of venues.

The gifts were not procured by SASSA Free State.

3. (a) A copy of National Instruction Note No.2 of 2016/2017 is hereby provided.

(b) A concept document is attached.

19 May 2023 - NW1315

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) number of child-headed houses has her department assisted in the 2022-23 financial year, (b) is the target for the 2023-24 financial year and (c) plans does her department have in place to ensure that (i) child-headed houses do not struggle with assistance and (ii) the children remain together without being separated due to illegal acts by corrupt social workers who put children under foster care with certain people for self-enrichment of the individuals?

Reply:

Province

a

b

c (i)

c (ii)

Western Cape

During the 2022-23 financial year, there were 28 child-headed households in the Western Cape Province, with a total of 54 children living within those homes.

Services will be sustained to the CHH, by WC DSD as the service is not target-driven. New identified CHH will also be provided with services and assistance.

The Western Cape Department of Social Development funds designated child protection organisations to provide support to children in child-headed households. This support includes loss and grief support; nutritional support; individual and group counselling; referral to after-school programmes, assistance with school fees exemptions.

The NGOs rendering servcies in the WC to CHH reports on a quarterly basis regarding the children and DSD to site visits to ensure the children are not separated or placed in Foster Care with indivudals who will self-enrich.

Northern Cape

(a) No child-headed households were reported to the DSD Northern Cape for the 2022/ 23 Financial year.

(b) The plan is to continuously raise awareness and inform Districts and Stakeholders that all child-headed householders must be reported to DSD, for Social Workers to conduct an investigation and submit a report to the HOD to declare the family a child-headed householder in terms of the Childrens Act.

(c)(i) If a child-headed household is reported, the case will be referred to the Social Worker for statutory intervention and support, which will be done through the Risiha Child and Youth Care workers and monitored from the Provincial Office.

(c)(ii) The monitoring will be done from the Children’s Unit to ensure that the Children do not struggle and that Children are kept together as far as possible to avoid irregular placement.

Eastern Cape

  1. Number of Child-headed households assisted in the 2022/23 financial year- 115.

(b) The provincial Target for 2023/24 is120

(c)(i) The department is funding 46 RISIHA Programme (19 RISIHA sites and 27 Drop-in Centres) in all 08 districts. It is a Community Based Prevention and Early Intervention programme delivering Core Package of services which is a service delivery strategy consisting of seven (07) interrelated areas aiming at holistically addressing the needs of vulnerable children, including children in Child headed households.

This programme provides a safety net for children within their communities offering access to meals when nutrition within the family is uncertain, psychosocial support, educational support by nurturing the child’s educational performance and helping them to overcome barriers such as uniform, transport and poor or no parental support for education.

It is also strengthening the economic foundation of households by facilitating access to social security grants, entrepreneurial resources and other activities that improve their financial wellbeing.

(c)(ii) The province implement Community Based Prevention and Early Intervention programme which aimed at preserving families. It is designed to support and sustain families, and to prevent removal of children from their home environment and communities.

Free State

(a)During the 2022/23 financial year seven (7) families with a total of fifteen (15) children received services in the province.

(b)The department does not put a target regarding child headed households as the ideal situation is that children should not be responsible to manage households. All reported cases will however be assessed and supported.

(c)(i) Guidance and Support are provided at “Intake” level, cases are assessed, and referrals are done for application for Top -up Child Support Grant.

 

C(ii) Children in Child Headed households will only be put in foster care if it is assessed that they need care and protection and that it will be in their best interest to be placed in foster care. This will be done if it is found that the eldest sibling is not fit to take care of the younger siblings. Siblings are not separated from each other and are placed in foster care with the same family if needed.

Mpumalanga

No response

     

Kwazulu-Natal

No response

     

North West

No response

     

Limpopo

No response

     

Gauteng

No response

     

19 May 2023 - NW1310

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)Whether she has been informed that the SA Social Security Agency offices in Limpopo recently closed their doors while beneficiaries and applicants had to wait until staff members returned from attending funerals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2)Whether the specified practice is acceptable; if not, what consequence management actions have been instituted against each official; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The SASSA Polokwane Local Office located at Schoeman Street, lost one of its officials through death. Guided by clause 6.2.4 of the SASSA Bereavement policy, a memorial service of the departed colleague was arranged by the local office staff with the permission of the family.

The memorial was scheduled for the 09 March 2023 at 12H00 in the Seshego Hospital Hall. The local office management prepared and submitted a request to the Regional management which was duly approved, to hold a memorial service and arrange that skeletal staff remain in the office.

Three (3) officials out of fourteen (14) staff members, were identified to ensure continued service delivery. It transpired that these officials upon seeing that there were no clients to be serviced at about 14H00, decided on their own accord to join the rest of the staff at the memorial service. The time of their departure was corroborated by the security guard who was on duty.

The Regional Manager did not inform the Minister and the CEO of this occurrence disciplinary measures were effected upon receipt of complaints from customers.

2. Leaving an office unattended is not acceptable and if this happens, it has to be under exceptional circumstances permitted by the Regional Executive Manager with the CEO sanctioning it. Since the behaviour of the three (3) officials were regarded as untoward, corrective disciplinary measures were taken and they were all served with written warning(s) for unauthorised closure of the office.

 

12 May 2023 - NW978

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

Which measures has she taken to ensure that the homeless also have access to social grants, as non-profit organisations that usually do so are struggling with obtaining funds to assist the homeless?

Reply:

The Department has over the past few years encouraged qualifying people to approach SASSA for any form of grant and have had all those who qualify approved. However, the biggest challenge is that most of homeless people live a nomadic life and most of them do not have addresses and IDs. The drive to register the homeless to receive social grants was also implemented and intensified during covid-19 especially for those who were in shelters. It should be noted that homelessness is a cross cutting issue which is the responsibility of various government departments such Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlement, Health and Social Development. The department’s role is to provide psychosocial support, assessment and reunification services. There is no budget allocated to this function within social development and therefore it is an unfunded mandate. Currently only Gauteng and Western Cape are funding shelters for homeless people through equitable share.

12 May 2023 - NW769

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

​Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2287 on 22 July 2022, she will provide Ms A L A Abrahams with the (a) lease agreement, (b) square meterage with justification for the high rental amount and (c) name of each director and/or member of each landlord for the regional offices owned by (i) Paramount Property Limited in the Western Cape, (ii) Zambli 216 (PTY) Ltd in the Eastern Cape, (iii) 200 Pietermaritz Street (PTY) Ltd in KwaZulu-Natal, (iv) North West Development Corporation in the North West, (v) Rebosis in Gauteng, (vi) Streak Street Investments (Pty) Ltd in Mpumalanga and (vii) Omtay in Limpopo?

Reply:

a) All lease agreements for regional offices as requested are attached as Annexure A. Table 1 below names of regional offices, square meterage and price per square meter.

Table 1: Regional Offices

Region

Square Meter

Price per square meter

Western Cape Region – Paramount Property Fund Limited

Office: 2895 m²

55 Parking bays

Office Space: R109.44/m2

Parking: R1295.75 / bay

Eastern Cape Region – Zambli 216 (Pty) Ltd

4594 m² - Office

996.2 m² - Registry

172 Parking bays

Office Space R 115.00/m2

Registry: R75.00/m2

Basement Parking R475.00

Covered Parking:

R350.00

Open Parking: R325.00

KwaZulu Natal Region – 200 Pietermaritz Street (Pty) Ltd

3447 m²

99 Parking bays

Office Space: R106.39/m2

Parking: 610.47

North West Region – North West Development corporation

2670 m²

Office Space including Parking: R268.45 m²

Gauteng Region – Rebosis Property Fund Ltd

4131 m²

33 Parking bays

Office Space: R161.86/m2

Covered Parking: R1322.39

Mpumalanga Region - Streak Street Investments (Pty) Ltd

Office Space: 3071.36 m²

Storage room 330

69 Parking bays

Patios: 261.07

Office Space: R238.19/m2

Storage: R238.19

Patio: R130.44

Covered Parking: R626.09

Limpopo Region –Omtay Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd

4277 m²

73 Parking bays

Office Space: R171.96/m2

Parking 501.83

b) The rates per square metre are within market related prices.

c) Directors and/or members of each landlord for buildings occupied by SASSA regional offices are displayed in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Company names and Directors

Company Name

Directors

Position

i) Paramount Property Fund Limited  

Name

Surname

Position

 

Leon Norbert

Sasse

Director

 

Estienne Konrad

De Klerk

Director

 

Gerald

Volkel

Director

 

Francois Johan

Schindehutte

Director

ii) Zambli 216 (Pty) Ltd

Collen Ndevhu

Motsoahae

Director

iii) 200 Pietermaritz Street (Pty) Ltd

Govinsamy

Chetty

Director

iv) North West Development Corporation

Mokgele Ernest

Mojaki

Non-Executive Director

 

Monica Kedibone

Sentle-Mokeke

Non-Executive Director

 

Kenneth

Konopi

Non-Executive Director

 

Sharon

Maleka

Non-Executive Director

 

Tebogo

Malaka

Non-Executive Director

 

Nkamoheng

Phadu-More

Non-Executive Director

 

Mmanake

Msiza

Non-Executive Director

 

Shima

Nokaneng

Non-Executive Director

 

Senzo

Ncongolo

Non-Executive Director

 

Kabelo

Mafokwane

Company Secretary

v) Rebosis Property Fund Ltd

Zandile

Kogo

Director

 

Asathi Lwandile

Mamane

Director

 

Joel

Naidoo

Company Secretary

 

Otis Ndora

Tshabalala

Director

 

Oratile Refiloe

Mosetlhi

Non-Executive Director

 

Sandra Olive Nomthandazo

Mqina

Director

 

Phahlani Lincoln

Mkhombo

Business Rescue Practitioner

 

Jacques

Du Toit

Business Rescue Practitioner

vi) Streak Street Investments (Pty) Ltd

Willie

Du Plessis

Director

 

Philippus Lodewikus

Du Plessis

Director

vii) Omtay Property Holding (Pty) Ltd

Suliman Omar

Tayob

Director

 

Safwan Suliman

Tayob

Director

 

20 April 2023 - NW1231

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)  What is the total number of (a) medical assessment doctors required to service the (i) existing and (ii) forecasted SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) client base in each province and/or region and (b) vacancies in each province and/or region; (2) Whether all SASSA medical assessment doctors have been successfully remunerated in each month since their employment; if not, what total number of doctors remain unpaid; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether SASSA medical assessment doctors are remunerated per client or per hour; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the total cost breakdown of SASSA medical assessment doctors in each region?

Reply:

1. (a)(i) and (ii) A total of 315 doctors are contracted by SASSA. Regional distribution is provided on table 1 below. Due to the limited supply of doctors, SASSA contracts all the doctors who respond to the call for services and meet the requirements of the bid specifications.

TABLE 1: MEDICAL ASSESSMENT DOCTORS PER REGION

Region

Number of Doctors
2022/23

Assessments
2022/23

Number of Doctors
2023/24

Projected Assessments
2023/24

Number of Doctors
2024/25

Projected Assessments
2024/25

Eastern Cape

30

47,677

30

47,369

30

47,369

Free State

32

48,481

32

48,168

32

48,168

Gauteng

49

76,633

49

76,138

49

76,138

KwaZulu-Natal

74

135,325

74

134,450

74

134,450

Limpopo

49

57,257

49

56,887

49

56,887

Mpumalanga

25

44,747

25

44,458

25

44,458

Northern Cape

26

59,401

26

59,017

26

59,017

North West

19

39,877

19

39,619

19

39,619

Western Cape

11

104,570

18

103,894

22

103,894

TOTAL

315

613,968

322

610,000

326

610,000

 

In the Western Cape, assessments are also done by the Department of Health through Service Level Agreements held with the District Health Systems.

The increase in the number of directly contracted assessing doctors is specifically to deal with sporadic backlog development in the Eden/Karoo areas of the Western Cape.

1 (b) There are no vacancies as SASSA does not employ doctors within their staff establishment but contracts them for a period of 3 years as service providers to conduct assessments.

2. All doctors have been paid to date for claims submitted. Table below provides details per region:

TABLE 2: PAYMENT PROFILE OF DOCTORS PER REGION

Payment Profile of Doctors Per Region Whose Invoices have not been Paid

Region

Number of Doctors

Total Number of Doctor not Paid

Total Amount Owed to Doctors

Actions to ensure that Doctors Owed are paid

Eastern Cape

30

0

0

None

Free State

32

0

0

None

Gauteng

49

0

0

R 601,854.96 worth of

services rendered but not yet invoiced by the medical practitioner.

KwaZulu-Natal

 74

0

0

None

Limpopo

49

0

0

None

Mpumalanga

25

0

 

R401,293 worth of services rendered but not yet invoiced by the medical practitioner.

Northern Cape

 26

0

0

None

North West

19

0

0

None

Western Cape

11 

0

0

R183 489,30 worth of services rendered but not yet invoiced by the medical practitioner.

TOTAL

315

     

3. Doctors are contracted and remunerated per assessment and not per hour. The total cost of assessments as at 31 March 2023 per region is detailed below:

Region

Expenditure as at 31 March 2023

Eastern Cape

9,742,460.08

Free State

9,337,308.93

Gauteng

13,414,069.13

KwaZulu-Natal

26,061,820.41

Limpopo

10,615,727.60

Mpumalanga

8,281,485.36

Northern Cape

13,388,668.93

North West

8,263,634.98

Western Cape

19,508,799.61

TOTAL

118,613,975.03

 

20 April 2023 - NW245

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What are the plans of her department to combat the atrocious and brutal murder of children, some not even a year old, in the Republic, which requires urgent intervention of her department as the custodian of children as envisioned in the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005; (2) whether her department will furnish Ms A L A Abrahams with their plan of action on curbing the murder of children; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether each provincial department of social development will be required to provide their plan of action on curbing the murder of children; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW249E

Reply:

(1) The Department leads the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF 2019-2024) which is about Response, Care, Support and Healing; and also contribute to Pillar 1 which is about Prevention to combat the atrocious and brutal murder of children. NSP-GBVF 2019-2024 is the government’s Framework aimed at providing a multi-sectoral coherent strategic policy and programming to eliminate gender-based violence and Femicide against women and children. The following are interventions that currently implemented by provinces, however there is a need to upscale these programmes in all communities where there is none. The upscaling is dependent on the increase in resources.

 

Pillar 1: Prevention.

a) Implementation of Social and Behaviour Change programmes namely;

(i)Traditional Rock Leadership-a programme that empowers Traditional Leaders with the knowledge and skills to assist their communities to address GBVF, substance abuse, HIV and other social ills

(ii) Family Matters programme- Enhances positive parenting skills to initiate conversations, sstrengthen relationships and protect children from violence and murder and other risk behaviours.

(iii) Community Capacity Enhancementoialogues.

(iv) Let’s talk Family strengthening programme- Adolescents focus on building skills for better emotional coping, communication, and problem solving.

(v) Men championing change- Mobilise men to effectively prevent and efficiently respond to issues that adversely affect our communities; and for men to be positive role models in their families (in particular children) and to act as progressive leaders in communities,

(vi) Boys championing change- the programme targets boys under the age of 18 years old and is aimed at empowering Adolescent boys to express more favourable attitudes towards gender equity and an increased value of girls and women in the society.

(vii) Chommy- targets children (both genders) between the ages of 10 and 14 under. It instils active citizenry by using indigenous games to stimulate dialogues on issues around child protection, HIV prevention, gender-based violence and substance abuse.

(viii) You Only Leave Once(YOLO)- creates a safe and enabling environment for youth dialogues, where young people can discuss social issues including violence against children, HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and Femicide, positive values and decision making around sex and sexuality. It builds resilience and increase self-esteem.

(ix) Ke Moja- Creates awareness among young people about harmful effects of substance abuse.

(x) Zazi-

(xi) A Sikhulume- A programme that capacitate and empower the religious sector on how to protect women and children against violence and murder in their sector.

(xii) Risiha- aims at moving children from vulnerability to resilience

Social Development is spearheading the implementation of INSPIRE strategies which are evidence-based solutions as advocated by WHO to address violence against children. In an effort to operationalise the INSPIRE strategies, the department implements the 365 days child protection campaign with technical support from UNICEF targeting provinces with highest number of cases of violence against children.

(2) The Department’s plan is embedded within the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF 2019-2024), supporting implementation of Pilllar 1 and leading the implementation of Pillar 4 of the NSP-GBVF. (NSP on GBVF is attached). In addition, the Department developed an Intersectoral Protocol for the prevention and Management of Violence against children, child abuse, neglect and exploitation. The Department monitors provinces on quarterly basis on the implementation of this protocol.

(3) Provinces are implementing the NSP-GBVF. On annual basis provinces are required to share their plans on the implementation of the activities of the NSP-GBVF. The activities of the NSP-GBVF are the implementation of programmes as indicated above in question 1.

20 April 2023 - NW246

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What (a) are the objectives and functions of the 17 community care centres established across the Republic, (b) is the breakdown of costs of construction and operation of the centres, (c) is the total breakdown of donor and state expenses in the construction and operation, (d) are the names of the construction companies involved and (e) is the breakdown of which centres are operational and which are not; (2) what are the (a) completion dates for centres that are not yet open, (b) names and contact details of the operational centres, (c) physical addresses and contact details of respective managers and (d) successes and challenges of the 17 community care centres?

Reply:

1. Community Care Centres:-

a) The objectives and functions of the Community Care Centres are to:

  • Strengthen prevention, early identification and early intervention services for vulnerable groups within communities.
  • Improve access to quality, comprehensive and integrated social services provided by Social Workers, Community Development Practitioners, Social Auxiliary Workers, Child and Youth Care Workers and trained Community Care Givers.
  • Provide services in partnership with other Government Departments and Civil society organisations.
  • Provide skills development programmes and social and behaviour change programmes for beneficiaries.
  • Bring government services closer to the people in rural areas.

The table below reflects (b) the breakdown of costs of construction and operation costs, (c) the total breakdown of donor and state expenses in construction and operation, (d) the names of the construction companies involved and (e) the breakdown of centres are operational and that are not:

Kwa Zulu-Natal Province

Name of CCC

(b) Costs of construction and operations

(c) Donor and state expenses in construction and operations

(d) Construction companies involved

(e) Operational Status of the CCCs

Idlebe CCC, Ulundi

(Khululekani operates in the CCC)

R18’192,590.75 for construction of 2 CCCs.

R1751, 236.20 for service delivery

R18192,590.75 donor funds for construction.

Zero state funds for construction

R1’751, 236.20 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds each NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery (R 977 780.00 for Idlebe CCC and R 773 456.20 for Nibela CCC).

Khuthala Building Construction

All CCCs are operational.

Nibela CCC, Hluhluwe

(Vukuzakhe operates in the CCC)

       

Esidumbini CCC, Ndwedwe

(Sithandukwedza operates in the CCC)

R21330,846.03 for construction of 3 CCCs.

R 2109,058.15

for service delivery

R21330,846.3 donor funds for construction

Zero state funds for construction

R2109,058.15

state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually each NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery (R500,000.00 for Esidumbini CCC; R815, 544.20 for Stoffelton CCC and R793, 513.95 for Charlestown CCC).

Bhekanani Building and Construction

All CCCs are operational.

Stoffelton CCC, Impendle

(Khanyisani Health support Organisation operates in the CCC)

       

Charlestown CCC, Newcastle

(Sukumuzenzele operates in the CCC)

       

Bethany CCC, Bergville

(Sinothandolwethu operates in the CCC)

R8577, 188.88 for construction of 1 CCC

R745,472.47 for service delivery

R8577, 188.88 donor funds for construction

Zero state funds for construction

R745,472.47 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually the NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery

 

Operational and funded annually by the province for service delivery.

North West Province

Name of CCC

(b) Costs of construction and operations

(c) Donor and state expenses in construction and operations

(d) Construction companies involved

(e) Operational Status of the CCCs

Ventersdorp CCC

(Tshireletsego Care and Support operates in the CCC)

R25’530, 846.00 for construction of 3 CCCs.

R4’280,780.00 for service delivery

R25’530, 846.00 donor funds for construction

Zero state funds for construction

R4’280,780.00 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually each NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery (R1’557,356.00 for Ventersdorp CCC; R1’418, 308.00 for Ipelegeng CCC and R1’305, 116.00 for Kgomotso CCC).

Risimati (RS) Civil construction

All 3 CCCs are operational.

The three CCCs were completed and handed over to the province in September, October and November 2019 respectively.

Ipelegeng CCC, Schweizer Reneke

(Lesedi HCBC operates in the CCC)

       

Kgomotso CCC, Taung

(Malebogo HCBC operates in the CCC)

       

Letlhakeng CCC

(Ikageng Basha HBC operates in the CCC)

R32’551,113.15 for construction of 3 CCCs

R259,579.00 for operations

R3591,112.00 for service delivery

R 17 551 113.15 donor funds for construction

R15’000.000 state funds for construction (towards the completion of the 3 CCCs that were left incomplete by the previous contractor).

R259,579.00 for operations (R9, 579.00 for approval of building plans by the Moses Kotane Local Municipality for Letlhakeng CCC and R250, 000.00 for the rezoning of Groot Marico CCC).

R3’591,112.00 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually each NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery (R1’211,580.00 for Letlhakeng CCC; R1’211,580.00 for Lethabong CCC and R1’ 167,952.00 for Groot Marico CCC).

Baitiredi Management Properties – Contract was terminated due to poor performance and cash flow constraints.

Bhekanani Building and Construction was appointed to complete construction of the three CCCs.

All 3 CCCs are operational.

The 3 CCCs were completed and handed over to the province in June 2022 for the first two CCCs and on October 2022 for the third CCC.

Lethabong CCC

(Lethabong OVC Programme operates in the CCC)

       

Groot Marico CCC

(Tlhokomelo HBC and DIC operate in the CCC)

       

Limpopo Province

Name of CCC

(b) Costs of construction and operations

(c) Donor and state expenses in construction and operations

(d) Construction companies involved

(e) Operational Status of the CCCs

Ndindane CCC, Greater Giyane

(Ndindani DIC operate in the CCC)

R14’000,000.00

for construction of 2 CCCs

R854,286.74 for service delivery

R14’000,000.00

donor funds for construction

Zero state funds for construction

R854,286.74 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually each NPO operating in the CCC for service delivery (R489,677.60 for Ndindani CCC and R364, 609.14 for Bonn CCC).

MUMS Building Construction

Both CCCs are operational. The two CCCs were completed and handed over to the province in January 2018.

Bonn CCC, Greater Giyane

(Hluvukani DIC operate in the CCC)

       

Mamvuka CCC, Makhado

(Dzanani Community HBC operate in the CCC)

R32277,521.00 for construction of 3 CCCs.

R1’730,244.74 for service delivery

R25’277, 521.00 donor funds for construction

(R15’458,115.50 already used on the existing, unfinished buildings and R9’819,405.50 will be used towards completion of the CCCs)

R7’000,000.00 state funds will be used to complete the remaining works towards finalisation of the CCCs.

R1’730,244.74 state funds for service delivery during 2022/23 FY, the province funds annually each NPO to operate in the CCC for service delivery (R467,265.54 for Mamvuka CCC; R806 979.20 for Taueatsoala CCC and R456, 000.00 for Elandsdoorn CCC).

Segabokeng Building Construction was appointed in 2015 and contract terminated in February 2017 due to non-compliance, non -performance and cash flow challenges. Left the CCCs incomplete.

Striking Force Civils and Construction was appointed in 2018 and contract terminated in 2019 due to non-compliance, non -performance and cash flow challenges, left the CCCs incomplete.

Bhekanani Building and construction has been appointed to complete the CCCs. Commenced with construction in February 2023 – to complete the CCCs in November 2023

Under Construction and will be completed in November 2023.

Taueatsoala CCC, Mogalakwena

(Kopanang DIC to operate in the CCC once its completed)

       

Elandsdoorn CCC, Elias Motsoaledi

(Pholosho DIC to operate in the CCC once its completed)

       

2. Community Care centres:

The table below reflects (b) names and contact details of the operational centres, (c) physical addresses and contact details of respective managers

(b) Name of Operational CCCs

(C) Physical Addresses and contact details of respective managers

1. Idlebe CCC

Mbambankunzi, Dlebe

Ulundi Local Municipality

Ms Tholinhlanhla Primrose Nhlanzi (Site Facilitator)

Contact No: 076 378 0354

2. Nibela CCC

Hluhluwe, Nibela

Big Five False Bay Local Municipality

Nkosinathi Mlandu (Social Worker) Contact No:0826788432

MH Mkhize

078 559 9156

3. Charlestown CCC

Charlestown

New Castle Local Municipality

Sibonelo Zondi (Social Worker)

Contact No: 0604693170

Thabisile Hlabisa

082 689 4028

Vusi R Ndlovu (Chairperson) contact No: 0835871930

4. Stoffelton CCC

Stoffelton

Impendle Local Municipality

Wandile Dladla (Social Worker) Contac No:0790554469

T Funeka

071 361 0598

5. Esidumbini CCC

Esidumbini

Ndwedwe Local Municipality

Ms Duduzile Linda (Social Worker) Contact No: 0735910683

Thobile Shabalala

079 111 0262

6. Bergville

Bergville

Okhahlamba Local Municipality

Dombi Ngwenya (Chairperson)

Contact No: 0722042077

Lungile Sithole (Secretary)

Contact No: 073 537 9408

7. Letlhakeng CCC

Letlhakeng

Moses Kotane local Municipality

Ms Bafedile Motaung

NO: 0639479828

NO: 0760736873

[email protected]

8. Lethabong CCC

Lethabong

Rustenburg Local Municipality

Ms Lebogang Moilwe

NO: 0762374678

[email protected]

9. Groot Marico CCC

Groot Marico

Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality

Ms Gerzia Ratshefola

NO: 0823242460

10. Kgomotso CCC

Kgomotso , Taung

Greater Taung Local Municipality

Ms Tshegofatso Phefo

NO: 0798850469

11. Ipelegeng CCC

Ipelegeng, Schweizer Reneke, Mamusa Local Municipality

Ms Funky Tsheboeng

NO: 0820430536

[email protected]

Cecilia Mabone

082 041 2422

12. Boikhutso CCC

Boikhutso,

Ventersdorp Local Municipality

Boniwe Mgwagwa

NO: 0648102993

[email protected]

13. Bonn CCC

Bonn Village, Berlin

Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality

Mavis Mkhari 0603942135

Ms Yvonne Chauke

District Coordinator

0614626873

[email protected]

14. Ndindani CCC

Ndindani Village

Greater Giyani Local Municipality

Grace Chavalala 0837682421

Ms Yvonne Chauke

District Coordinator

0614626873

[email protected]

(d) successes and challenges of the 17 community care centres

Successes:

  • Employment of staff in the CCCs has contributed to job creation. All CCCs have a staff complement of a Social Worker, Child and Youth Care Workers, Community Care Givers, Security personnel, Gardener and Cooks.
  • The launch of Multi- media centres and safe spaces for men in some of the CCCs in the North West and Kwa- Zulu Natal provinces by the Deputy Minister. This means that more children and youth can access computers for their studies and job hunting purposes. Men and boys in the communities have safe spaces within the CCCs, where they can discuss their issues and contribute to championing change initiatives.
  • Huawei has also been engaged to provide training on Robotics and Coding to these young people and so far, almost 40 young people have been trained in Letlhakeng.
  • The CCCs reach more beneficiaries in communities, through the services provided such as psychosocial support services, Social and Behaviour Change programmes, Early Childhood Development services, services to Older Persons, Skills development programmes and sports and recreation.
  • Provision of nutritional support in terms of meals and food parcels to those in distress which contributes to reduction of extreme poverty as highlighted in the NDP.
  • Provision of Educational support and homework supervision to keep children at school.
  • Promotion of cultural practices through the intergenerational programmes that are rendered in the CCCs where the elderly transfer skills and knowledge to the children and youth.

Challenges:

  • Delays in construction due to challenges with appointed contractors, in terms of performance, and cash flow challenges. This hampers service delivery that is promised to communities and escalates finances for the building of CCCs, hence the department had to contribute in order to ensure that all CCCs are completed.
  • Difficulty in getting intergovernmental collaboration and support from other Municipalities especially those that are charging fees to the department for their services.
  • The NPOs operating in the CCCs are under-funded by provinces for operations due to fiscal constraints (the funding is not yet comprehensive to cover all services as per the comprehensive package of services for the CCCs). This does not go with the intended purpose of the CCCs, as they are intended to render services to all beneficiaries in the communities.

20 April 2023 - NW253

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Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) What total amount has the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) lost through (a) theft, (b) corruption, (c) mismanagement, (d) irregular payments, (e) system outages, (f) cyber-attacks, (g) system glitches and (h) card duplication in each year in the past 10 financial years; (2) (a) what total number of the SASSA officials and/or personnel were found to be involved in each specified case above and (b) in what capacity were they employed? NW257E

Reply:

1. For the period referred to in the parliamentary question from 2012/2013 to 2021/2022 financial year, the total potential loss that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has recorded in terms of cases reported is broken down as follows:

Number

Year

Potential Loss

Budget Amount

Loss as a %

1

2021/2022

R 23 141 386.15

R 221,716,422,608.00

0.010%

2

2020/2021

R 8 554 573.60

R 195,516,422,608.00

0.004%

3

2019/2020

R 6 861 156.50

R 175,155,593,000.00

0.004%

4

2018/2019

R 215 402 889.89

R 162,960,723,000.00

0.132%

5

2017/2018

R 6 886 687.94

R 151,580,232,000.00

0.005%

6

2016/2017

R 75 085 055.62

R 140,498,691,000.00

0.053%

7

2015/2016

R 14 712 807.44

R 129,818,278,000.00

0.011%

8

2014/2015

R 59 203 282.32

R 120,952,101,000.00

0.049%

9

2013/2014

R 109 949 555.00

R 113,006,841,000.00

0.097%

10

2012/2013

R 16 885 784.66

R 104,887,916,000.00

0.002%

Total

R 536 683 179.12

R 1,516,093,220,216.00

0.034%

NB: The above response covers 1 (a) and (b), (c) to (h) are not applicable.

(2) (a) The total number of the SASSA officials and/or personnel who were found to be involved in each specified case above is broken down in the table below:

Number

Year

Officials Charged and found guilty

1

2021/2022

108

2

2020/2021

58

3

2019/2020

88

4

2018/2019

71

5

2017/2018

59

6

2016/2017

25

7

2015/2016

20

8

2014/2015

14

9

2013/2014

2

10

2012/2013

0

 

Subtotal

445

b) The following is illustrative employees’ levels break down per financial year:

2021/22

108

Administration Clerk

2

Administrative Officer

1

Assistant Manager: Financial Services

1

Assistant Manager: Grants Administration

4

Assistant Manager: Records Management

1

Assistant Manager: Supply Chain Management

4

Clerk: Beneficiary Maintenance

1

Clerk: Customer Care Operational

1

Clerk: Financial Services

1

Clerk: Pay Point Management

1

Clerk: Personnel Provisioning And Maintenance

1

Clerk: Supply Chain Management Support

3

Document Management Administrator| Support

16

EPWP Learner| Support Function

5

General Assistant| Support Function

2

General Manager: Finance| Support Function

2

Grant Administrator| Operational / Core Function

24

Manager: Personnel Provisioning and Main

1

Manager: Records Management |Operational

1

Manager: Security Administration |Support

1

Manager: Supply Chain Management |Support

2

Practitioner: Beneficiary Maintenance

3

Practitioner: Human Capital Management

1

Practitioner: Supply Chain Management

2

Senior Grant Administrator| Operational

10

Senior Manager: Facilities Management

1

Senior Manager: Service Management| Support

1

Senior Manager: Supply Chain Management|

2

State Accountant| Support Function

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration

2

Supervisor: Records Management

2

Support Technician| Support Function

1

Team Leader: Grant Administration|

6

Unit Coordinator| Support Function

1

2020/21

58

Administration Clerk

1

Administrative Officer

2

Assistant Manager: Financial Services

1

Branch Coordinator| Support

2

Clerk: Customer Care |Operational

1

Clerk: Financial Services

1

Clerk: Human Capital Management |Support Function

1

Clerk: Operations Management |Operational

1

Department Coordinator |Support Function|

3

District Manager| Operational

2

Document Management Administrator| Support Function

4

General Manager: Finance| Support Function

1

Grant Administrator| Operational

9

Lan Administrator |Support Function

1

Local Office Manager| Operational / Core

2

Manager: Administrative Support Services

1

Manager: Facilities Management and Auxilliary

1

Manager: Grants Administration| Operation

2

Manager: Human Capital Provisioning |Support

1

Practitioner: General Support

1

Practitioner: Operations Management

3

Practitioner: Vendor Management |Operation

1

Security Officer| Support Function

1

Senior Grant Administrator| Operational

3

Senior Manager: Human Operations Management

1

Senior Manager: Vendor Management

1

Specialist: Human Capital Development

1

Specialist: Human Capital Provisioning

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

2

Unit Coordinator| Support Function

2

Unit Coordinator| Support Function |Region

4

2019/20

88

Administration Clerk

1

Administrative Officer

3

Assistant Manager: Facilities Maintenance

1

Assistant Manager: Human Capital Managem

1

Clerk: Customer Care| Operational / Core Function

3

Clerk: Disability Management |Operational

1

Clerk: Facilities Management And Aux Sup

1

Clerk: Financial Accounting| Support Function

2

Clerk: Financial Services

1

Clerk: General Support| Support Function

1

Clerk: Pay Point Management

1

District Manager |Operational / Core

1

Document Management Administrator

1

Grant Administrator |Operational

30

Local Office Manager |Operational / Core

3

Manager: Administrative Support Services

2

Manager: Customer Care |Operational

1

Manager: Facilities Maintenance |Support

1

Manager: Vendor Management |Operational

1

Mobile Unit Operator |Operational / Core

1

Pract: Personnel Provisioning And Maintenance

1

Practitioner: Customer Care |Operational

1

Practitioner: Facilities Mngt And Auxilliary

1

Practitioner: Operations Management

3

Practitioner: Pay Point Management

1

Practitioner: Supply Chain Management

1

Senior Grant Administrator |Operational

5

Senior Manager: Facilities Management An

1

Supervisor: Document Management |Support

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

8

Team Leader: Grant Administration |Operation

8

2018/19

71

Administration Clerk

1

Administrative Officer

1

Assistant Manager: Facilities Mngt

1

Assistant Manager: Grants Administration

2

Assistant Manager: Supply Chain Management

4

Asst Manager: Personnel Provisioning And

1

Clerk: Customer Care| Operational / Core

2

Clerk: Executive Support| Support Function

1

Clerk: Facilities Management And Aux Sup

1

Clerk: Financial Services| Support Function

1

Clerk: General Support| Support Function|

1

Clerk: Labour Relations| Support Function

1

Clerk: Operations Management| Operational

2

Clerk: Pay Point Management Operational

1

Clerk: Personnel Provisioning And Maintenance

2

Clerk: Supply Chain Management |Support

3

District Manager| Operational /

4

Document Management Administrator | Support

2

EPWP Support Function

1

Grant Administrator| Operational / Core

15

Local Office Manager| Operational / Core

4

Manager: Administrative Support Services

1

Manager: Grants Administration |Operation

1

Manager: Vendor Management |Operational /

1

Mobile Unit Operator| Operational / Core

1

Practitioner: Communication |Support

1

Practitioner: Operations Management

1

Practitioner: Supply Chain Management

1

Senior Grant Administrator| Operational

4

Senior Manager: Human Capital Management

1

Senior Manager: Supply Chain Management

1

Senior Manager: Vendor Management

1

Specialist: Performance Management

1

State Accountant |Support Function

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

1

Team Leader: Grant Administration |Operation

3

2017/18

59

Administration Clerk

1

Assistant Manager: Financial Services

1

Assistant Manager: Grants Administration

2

Assistant Manager: Supply Chain Management

1

Clerk: Customer Care| Operational / Core

1

Clerk: Supply Chain Management |Support

2

District Manager |Operational /

1

EPWP Learner 2|Support Function| District

1

EPWP Learner 2|Support Function| Local Office

1

EPWP Learner| Support Function |Local Office

1

Grant Administrator| Operational / Core Function

19

Local Office Manager| Operational / Core

1

Manager: Administrative Support Services

1

Manager: Facilities Management and Auxil

1

Mobile Unit Operator| Operational / Core

1

Pract: Personnel Provisioning and Maintenance

1

Practitioner: Communication |Support

2

Practitioner: Customer Care |Support Function

1

Practitioner: Facilities Mngt And Auxill

1

Senior Manager: Facilities Management

2

Senior Manager: Supply Chain Management|

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

9

Team Leader: Grant Administration |Operation

7

2016/17

25

Administration Clerk

2

Assistant Manager: Grants Administration

1

Assistant Manager: Operations Management

1

Department Coordinator |Support Function|

1

Document Management Administrator | Support

1

Grant Administrator |Operational / Core

9

Local Office Manager |Operational / Core

1

Manager: Facilities Management And Auxil

2

Practitioner: Customer Care |Support Function

1

Senior Grant Administrator |Operational

3

State Accountant |Support Function

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration

1

Team Leader: Grant Administration

1

2015/16

20

Administration Clerk

1

Administrative Officer

3

Clerk: Customer Care |Support Function |Re

1

Grant Administrator |Operational / Core F

13

Manager: Administrative Support Services

1

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

1

2014/15

14

Clerk: Operations Management| Operational

1

Document Management Administrator | Support

3

Grant Administrator |Operational / Core

6

Local Office Manager |Operational / Core

1

Senior Grant Administrator |Operational

2

Supervisor: Grant Administration |Operation

1

2013/14

2

Manager: Personnel Provisioning & Maintenance

1

Senior Grant Administrator| Operational

1

Grand Total

445

20 April 2023 - NW259

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Social Development

What total number of (a) places of safety sponsored by her department are in place for the homeless within (i) Ekurhuleni, (ii) Johannesburg and (iii) Tshwane and (b) nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have been put in place in terms of the issue that receive government grants to assist with the day-to-day running of the specified NGOs?

Reply:

a) The Gauteng Department of Social Development is funding:

  1. Two (2) homeless shelters in Ekurhuleni
  2. Eight (8) homeless shelters in Johannesburg
  3. Thirteen (13) homeless shelters in Tshwane

b) The Department is funding

  1. Two NPOs in Ekurhuleni
  2. Four NPOs in Johannesburg
  3. Seven NPOs in Tshwane

Their details are as below:

Region

Name of shelter

Name of NPO

Ekurhuleni

1.Manger Care Centre

1.Manger Care Centre

Ekurhuleni

2. MES Kempton Park

2.Mould Empower Serve NPC (MES)

Johannesburg

1. Immaculata Hall

1.Mercy Shelter for Homeless

Johannesburg

2. Strabane Centre

 

Johannesburg

3. Tudhope Avenue

 

Johannesburg

4. MES Impilo

2. Middestad Evangelisasie en SendingOpheffingsorgansasie (MES Impilo)

Johannesburg

5. Wembly Stadium

3.Ikusasa Lethu Youth Project NPO

Johannesburg

6. Dan street florida

 

Johannesburg

7. Windsor

4.Vukovar Community Development Initiative

Johannesburg

8. 3 Kotze shelter

 

Tshwane

1. 2 Struben

1.Kitso Lesedi

 

Tshwane

2. Home for the homeless

 

Tshwane

3. Mabheshane

2.Thandanani Drop in Centre

Tshwane

4 Letjabeng

 

Tshwane

5.Gate Centre (Wing 1 and Wing 2)

3.Youth for Survival

Tshwane

6.TLF Men

4.Tshwane leadership Foundation

Tshwane

7. TLF Women

 

Tshwane

8. Tau Village

 

Tshwane

9.The Life Changing Project Projects

5. The Life Changing Project Projects

Tshwane

10. Ladies Arise

6. Participate Empower Navigate

Tshwane

11. NG Church

 

Tshwane

12. Bethesda

 

Tshwane

13.Homeless Upliftment Project

7. Homeless Upliftment Project

 

20 April 2023 - NW472

Profile picture: Krumbock, Mr GR

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to her and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?

Reply:

National Development Agency (NDA)

a) (i) The annual salary for the NDA Chief Executive Officer is at P3 grade used by the NDA for employees. The total cost to company for the CEO is R2 514 176.28 for the current financial year 2022/23 and adjusted annually for inflationary related adjustments approved by the Board, Since November 2022 to date the NDA had an Acting CEO. and

b) (ii) The top executives’ positions at the National Development Agency are on P4 (Peromnes) of the NDA salary scale. The NDA uses the Peromnes job grading methodology for grading the levels to determine the salary levels. The six executives are listed below, including the current Acting Chief Executive Officer. Acting positions are paid an additional 10% of the position they are acting on.

No

 

Designation

Salary Grade

Total Cost to Company Earnings

1

R.L.Hlapolosa

Corporate Services Executive

P4

R 1 711 189

2

S.L.Khumalo

Chief Operations Officer

P4

R1 730 970

3

K.M.Muthen

Chief Financial Officer

P4

R1 730 970

4

B. Magongo

Acting Chief Executive Officer

P4

R1 970 279

5

H. Mansour

Chief Audit Executive

P4

R1 988 627

6

X.S.Baloyi

Acting Executive Research

P6

R1 312 094

c) The Chief Executive Officer and Executives are paid total cost to company salary packages and as employed officials they do not receive additional payment for meeting attendance.

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

a) (i) and (ii) The salaries of the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Managers appointed by the South African Social Security Agency are aligned to those of the Director-General (DG) and Deputy Director-Generals (DDG) applicable to the public sector and the determination is made by the Minister of the Department of Public Service and Administration (refer to the table below for details).

No.

Designation

Salary Level

All-inclusive salary package

1

Chief Executive Officer

16

R2 650 000.00 Personal Notch

2

Chief Financial officer

15

R1 791 978.00

3

Chief Information Officer

15

R1 864 698.00 Personal Notch

4

Executive Manager: Grants Administration

15

R1 590 747.00

5

Executive Manager: Strategy & Planning Development

15

R1 791 978.00

6

Regional Executive Manager: Eastern Cape

15

R1 791 978.00

7

Regional Executive Manager: Gauteng

15

R1 713 696.00

8

Regional Executive Manager: North-West

15

R1 663 422.00

9

Regional Executive Manager: KZN

15

R1 590 747.00

b) Kindly be advised that there are no meeting allowances payable to the Chief Executive Officer and her Executives as it does not form part of their structured salary packages.

20 April 2023 - NW526

Profile picture: Herron, Mr BN

Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the reason that the (a) Government has failed to increase the Social Relief of Distress grant from R350,00 per month to cushion the poor against inflation and (b) specified grant is still regarded as a temporary grant which will end in 2024?

Reply:

a) Government has been unsuccessful in its attempt to increase the value of the Social Relief of Distress grant due to fiscal constraints. The Department is also concerned that since its implementation in 2020, the value has remained unchanged and is not keeping pace with inflation which directly translate to the value of the grant decreasing every year as the inflation increases. The Department approached the National Treasury with a proposal to increase the value of the grant. However, the request was not favourably considered due to fiscal constraints.

b) Yes, whilst the Department appreciates that the grant has been extended to March 2024, it remains a temporary grant. An agreement on the future of the COVID-19 SRD (cSRD) has not as yet been reached, nor what should replace the grant when the temporary arrangement comes to an end. However, the Department is currently exploring options to introduce a more sustainable permanent intervention aimed at addressing the needs of working age population.

20 April 2023 - NW537

Profile picture: Arries, Ms LH

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the suite of interventions and support that her department has provided to persons who were displaced by the recent floods in the Republic?

Reply:

When a disaster occurs DSD partners with different stakeholders to provide humanitarian assistance to affected households and individuals, it is at the point where it is determined who will provide which assistance.

The role players that DSD partners with are provincial departments of SASSA, the National Disaster Management Committee, ProvJocs and disaster coordinating forums at provincial levels, as well as NatJoints at National level. The list of persons or households to be provided with assistance are verified by the Provincial or Local Disaster Management Response Unit.

REPLY:

Interventions that were provided by DSD during the recent floods

PROVINCE

 

SUITE OF INTERVENTIONS PROVIDED BY DSD/SASSA

Eastern Cape

  • The hard-hit area in the Alfred Nzo District is Matatiele with 77 households, followed by Umzimvubu with 45 households and Ntabankulu with 37 households.

 

  • DSD provided Psycho-social support and Trauma Debriefing services are being rendered by the Social Workers to the affected families.
  • With integration between DSD and SASSA all families with schooling children were referred to SASSA for school uniform.

A total of 1,850 people were affected, and SASSA intervened as follows:

  • Meals were provided to 449 individuals to the value of R289, 605.
  • School uniform applications were taken for 171 to the value of R407,800
  • Cash for 4 deceased victims was processed to the value of R7,960
  • The most affected districts were;Alfred Nzo, Amathole District

Chris Hani District, Joe Gqabi District and OR Tambo District

  • Cash SRD applications were processed for 433 affected victims to the value of R 863,670

The total assistance provided by SASSA Eastern Cape Region was to 1024 individuals at an amount of R1, 569,035.00

Gauteng

  • 2384 people were affected and 85 people were displaced
  • 21 Food vouchers and 2 Cash vouchers were issued to the value of R45 770.00.
  • Most affected areas were Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and

Sedibeng

KwaZulu-Natal,

On 10 February 2023 KwaZulu Natal experienced severe rainfalls which resulted into flood disasters.

A total of 84 incidents were reported with 3010 households affected.

 

  • SASSA KZN region participate in all disaster management structures both Provincial and Local. This ensures that interventions are coordinated for speedy response and prevention of duplication.
  • Provincial Departments and municipalities are currently finalising disaster recovery plans as there was an extensive damage to the public infrastructure.
  • SASSA, DSD, affected Municipalities and civil society organisation such as Al Imdad Foundation and Gift of the givers were able to provide immediate assistance victims.
  • DSD conducted assessment on affected families in order to determine the social impact and in order to provide Psychosocial support such as trauma counselling and debriefing.
  • SASSA KZN provided the social relief of distress food vouchers to 826 households to the value of R1, 635 480.
  • SRD food vouchers was also provide to 6 households with disaster fatalities to the value of R 3960 which an amount of two older person’s grant as stipulated in the SRD policy .

The total assistance to all affected families is R 23 760

Limpopo

  • Limpopo had 222 affected households by floods. None of the affected were displaced.
  • SASSA provided SRD cash valued at R443 810.00.

Northern Cape

  • No people were displaced due to the floods.

 

  • Those that were affected by the river over-flows were provided with food and blankets by DSD and Gift of the Givers.

North-West

  • Floods occurred in the areas of Ngaka Modiri Molema district; Deelpan; Lombaardslaagte; Slurry and Mahikeng (extention 38), Deelpan village
  • DSD conducted profiling within the affected community and 50 food parcels were distributed on 08 Feb 2023.
  • 77 houses were profiled. The affected families were not relocated to temporary accommodation due to resistance.
  • SASSA provided vanity packs as immediate intervention.
  • The first consignment of 100 (50 males and 50 females) vanity packs valued at R 27 500. 00 were issued.
  • Vouchers were issued as follows; 35 at Lombaartslaagte, 6 Mahikeng (extension 38) and 12 at Slurry informal settlement.
  • Profiling continues and SASSA will provide interventions as required.

Mpumalanga

All municipal districts were affected;

  • Ehlanzeni District: Nkomazi and Mbombela Local Municipalities the mostly affected
  • Gert Sibande: both Lekwa and Mkhondo Local Municipalities were affected.
  • Bushbuckridge district and Nkangala District :
  • Dr. J.S. Moroka and Emakhazeni were reported as affected
  • In Mbombela Local Municipality 112 households were reported to have been evacuated, however intervention disaster relief was provided form the Provincial disaster structures
  • Gert Sibande District: SASSA and DSD participated in the coordinated interventions from Mkhondo Local Municipalities and Lekwa and Gert Sibande District, in partnership with all stakeholders provided disaster relief. Two (02) households with six (06) people were evacuated and DSD provided disaster relief. SASSA provided SRD – Disaster (cash) to 16 affected individuals to the value of R20 780.00.
  • Nkangala District: Dr. J.S. Moroka was reported as affected by the floods, which affected the households that were already affected by rains that happened from 29th January 2023. SASSA provided SRD Disaster (cash vocher) to 23 affected individuals to the value of R45 770.00

In total SASSA provided cash vouchers to 45 clients to the value of R78 490.00

In Nkomazi Local Municipality, 1 701 households were affected and eight (08) cases of loss of life reported, and none of these families were displaced.

SASSA formed part of the district and provincial disaster management structures. The other partners including Gift of the Givers, Red Cross business also provided assistance and donations consisting of food parcels, gel stoves, blankets, mattresses, collapsible structures, sponges, tarpaulins, children’s clothing and sanitary towels.

SASSA is still conducting assessments of the households referred by DSD, assessments and cash vouchers issued so far at the value of R11 940.00.

The households where loss of life was reported are still being assessed. The affected families were not relocated to temporary accommodation, although some houses were damaged hence the provision of collapsible structures by the Dept. Human Settlement.

20 April 2023 - NW678

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) On what date is it envisaged that her department will start the process of establishing new shelters for family units and (b) what criteria will be utilised to identify the (i) location and (ii) province for such shelters?

Reply:

a) There are no plans to establish new shelters for family units due to the fact that shelter services are integrated. There is no separation of family and individual victims in a shelter. The Department has developed minimum norms and standards for shelters and the intersectoral shelter policy to guide provision of the shelter service. Both guideline and the policy advocates for keeping family together. The set-up of a shelter makes provision in the accommodation arrangements that families are kept together however, all other activities/services are integrated. (Please may we respond to the question-any specific dates for the establishment of the family units shelters?)

b) There is no specific criteria to establish family unit in shelters apart from the shelter minimum norms and standards;

  1. The upcoming shelter establishment will focus on districts without shelters in the country (KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Limpopo and North West)
  2. KwaZulu-Natal - Zululand, Northern Cape – Namaqua and John Toalo Gaetsewe Districts, Limpopo – Waterberg, Sekhukhune and Vhembe Districts and North West – Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Ngaka Modiri Molema)

 

20 April 2023 - NW908

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

With regard to the review of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) clients in each province for the period 1 January 2022 to date, (a) how are clients selected for review, (b) what number of clients have been selected for review of each type of social grant, (c) what number of clients (i) have been and (ii) must still be reviewed in each province, (d) what number of grants have since been stopped as a result of the client (i) not coming forward in each province and (ii) no longer meeting the means test and qualifying criteria, (e) what means of communication is used to notify clients of the review and (f) what recourse do clients have if they did not receive any communication from SASSA notifying them of the review and whose grant has subsequently been stopped by SASSA as the client did not present themselves for the review?

Reply:

1 (a) In terms of Regulation 30(2) of the Social Assistance Act (Act No. 13 of 2004), SASSA may conduct a review at any time when it has a reason to believe that the beneficiary's circumstances, including financial circumstances, may have changed. These reviews are often triggered when SASSA beneficiaries are found on databases indicating that they may be in receipt of income that they’ve not declared. Similarly, a large portion of the reviews are also triggered by the the office of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) audit finding, which also involves database checks.

(b) Number of clients selected for review per social grant type is reflected in table 1 below:

Table: 1 Number of Clients per Social Grant Type

   

GRANT TYPE

TOTAL CLIENTS

OLDER PERSON'S GRANT

42942

DISABILITY GRANT

17065

CHILD SUPPORT GRANT

8559

FOSTER CHILD GRANT

8793

CARE-DEPENDENCY GRANT

3097

DG GRANT-IN-AID

1841

GRANT-IN-AID

188

OAG GRANT-IN-AID

1904

TOTAL

84389

 

(c) (i) Number of clients that have been reviewed per Province is displayed in table 2 below:

Table: 2 Number of Clients per Province

PROVINCE

NUMBER OF CLIENTS

Eastern Cape

4531

Free State

5137

Gauteng

6868

KwaZulu Natal

20029

Limpopo

5049

Mpumalanga

4336

Northern Cape

1401

North West

3004

Western Cape

8193

Total

58548

(ii) Number of clients still to be reviewed per each Province is reflected in the table below:

Table 3: Number of Clients to be Reviewed.

PROVINCE

CLIENTS

Eastern Cape

3234

Free State

1488

Gauteng

2625

KwaZulu Natal

6871

Limpopo

2422

Mpumalanga

2236

Northern Cape

2817

North West

1892

Western Cape

2256

TOTAL

25841

d (i) Number of social grants that have been stopped since clients are not coming forward in each province:

(ii) Number of grants stopped due to clients no longer meeting the means test and qualifying criteria in each Province:

(e) SASSA uses registered mail sent via the post office as provided for in Regulation 30 of Social Assistance Regulations. By law, the onus is on the beneficiary to ensure that the contact details are up to date with the Agency.

(f ) The Regulations makes it the responsibility of the clients to notify the Agency of any changes in personal details. This will enable SASSA to share important information with the client as it uses the details captured on the application form.

The legislation follows three steps. The first is notify the client of a review. The second is to suspend their grant, if they do not respond to the review request. This caters for beneficiaries who did not get the communication, as they would / should approach SASSA if their grant is suspended, to find out why. They will then be notified of the review, and should they complete the review and still qualify for the grant, the suspension will be lifted. The third and final step is cancelling the grant if the beneficiary does not come forward for the review or approach SASSA after being suspended.

20 April 2023 - NW988

Profile picture: Arries, Ms LH

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the total number of persons who have received physio-social support from her department following the recent floods in the respective provinces?

Reply:

Province

Number of persons benefiting from psycho-social support

Kwa Zulu – Natal

27 200

Northern Cape

211

Limpopo

103

Mpumalanga

2478

Free State

59

   

Total

 

At the time of responding to this question, Western Cape, Gauteng, North West and Eastern Cape provinces had not yet responded.

20 April 2023 - NW1077

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether proper consideration has been given to the proposal by the Institute for Economic Justice and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of SA that the Social Relief of Distress grant be increased to a minimum of R413 in line with inflation, considering that the cost of living has risen substantially since the R350 grant was first introduced in 2020; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes. The Department is concerned that since the inception of the COVID-19 SRD (cSRD) the value of the grant has never increased resulting in the purchasing power of the grant diminishing and not keeping pace with inflation. Food inflation is likely to increase the vulnerability of the poor and further compounding the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The research and modelling work conducted by the Department in 2021 and 2022 supported a proposal to increase the value of the provision. Subsequently, the Department made a request to National Treasury for an inflationary increase to the value of the grant from R350 to R420 with the next iteration (2023/24), but the proposal was not approved by the National Treasury. The Department will continuously engage with the National Treasury to consider the inflationary increase to the cSRD grant.

It must be understood that DSD is implementing a decision of government as announced by the President during SONA in February 2023 based on the resources that have been allocated by NT.

14 April 2023 - NW149

Profile picture: Marais, Ms P

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) What are the reasons that some recipients of R350 Social Relief of Distress grants still have not received their monies as at 1 February 2023 and (b) on what date will the challenge be resolved?

Reply:

a) SASSA is up to date with all assessments and payments for the COVID-19 SRD. There are, however, a number of clients that could not be paid due to challenges with their payment method. These include:

  • No payment method details were added to the application / provided by the client. The client is required to upload payment details.
  • Payment method failed verification.  This could be due to incorrect account details or due to the fact that the account does not belong directly to the client. This requires the client to either correct their details or supply a new payment method.
  • The largest area of failed verifications are those who selected payments to their mobile number.

(i) There is currently a challenge with the cash send verification process as the contract for this has expired and SASSA is in the process of following a formal procurement process. However, since the vast majority of these assessments fail due to the cell phone numbers provided not being RICA’d, clients are advised to use a different payment channel such as providing their banking details. Those who have been previously approved and paid through this specific mobile payment channel will continue to be paid.

  • A small number of clients are on “referred status”. These are approved applications that cannot be paid due to a challenge with identity verification i.e. ID number has been confirmed to have been used in fraudulent matters such as Identity theft. The clients have been advised and a process has been put in place for clients to confirm their identity through a biometric verification process.
  • There are about half a million clients who have not yet complied with FICA requirements on their Postbank accounts. Clients are required to finalise this FICA process or to upload alternative banking details, to enable payments.

b) As these challenges (in most part) require action on the part of the client, it is not possible to provide a date on when all clients will be paid. Once the client’s payment method is corrected by the client, and verified, SASSA will be able to effect payment to the client.

14 April 2023 - NW910

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

With regard to the temporary disability grant backlog which is an ongoing crisis due to the lack of SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) assessment doctors, (a) what is the current backlog status in each province, (b) what number of temporary disability grants have lapsed and (c) what is the current number of assessment doctors in each province, (d) how efficient has the online appointment booking system proven to be and (e) what other inventions has SASSA implemented to address the backlog?

Reply:

1.(a) The total assessment backlog picture inclusive of all the provinces, stands at 2 818 as of 18 March 2023.

CLIENTS AWAITING ASSESSMENTS

Region

Awaiting 

Assessments

Awaiting ≥ 30 days (Backlogs)

Eastern Cape

2464

30

Free State

2212

32

Gauteng

5084

238

Kwa Zulu-Natal

6246

470

Limpopo

3608

67

Mpumalanga

2956

77

Northern Cape

2521

4

North West

2040

207

Western Cape

7297

1693

TOTAL

34428

2818

(b) A total of 232 505 Temporary Disability Grants has lapsed between April 2022 and February 2023.

Number of Temporary disability grants lapsed between April 2022 and February 2023

Region

Number of TDGs per month of lapsing

 

Apr 22

May 22

June 22

July 22

Aug 22

Sept22

Oct 22

Nov 22

Dec 22

Jan 23

Feb 23

Total

EC

 

1 237

1 261

1 010

506

418

1976

1713

1153

1351

1079

11 704

FS

1 599

1 387

1 231

1 553

1 680

1600

1750

1160

1448

2082

2299

17 789

GP

3 372

2 348

1 946

2 656

3 118

2867

3254

2460

2853

4023

5254

34 151

KZN

 

3 766

2 858

4 335

4 245

3880

4663

3499

4045

5209

5259

41 759

LP

767

1 467

1 692

1 975

2 007

1835

1863

1303

2348

3555

3950

22 762

MP

 

1 330

1 330

1 409

1 599

1260

1308

984

1154

1712

2206

14 292

NC

1 877

1 754

1 574

2 052

2 288

1969

2064

1819

1478

2369

2516

21 760

NW

1 330

1 159

1 159

1 270

1 278

1113

1138

952

1075

1383

1309

13 166

WC

6 481

5 328

3 879

4 755

4 635

4282

4974

4531

3713

5467

7083

55 128

Total

15 426

19 776

16 924

21 015

21 356

19224

22990

18421

19267

27151

30955

232 505

(c) SASSA has contracted a total of 315 doctors across the country, however, it should be noted that for the Western Cape Region, assessments are largely conducted through Service Level Agreements held with the Districts Health Care System. In the WC Tertiary, Secondary and Districts Hospitals also undertake assessments to in-patients clients deemed to be meeting the eligibility criteria prior to their discharge. Regional Distribution of doctors as below:

Number of Assessment Doctors Per Region

Region

No. of doctors

Eastern Cape

30

Free State

32

Gauteng

49

KwaZulu-Natal

 74

Limpopo

49

Mpumalanga

25

Northern Cape

 26

North West

19

Western Cape

11 

TOTAL

315

(d ) A total of 3 502 appointments were made through the Online platform from April 2022 until February 2023 and the system has been highly efficient where clients elected to utilize it to make assessment bookings.

(e ) SASSA has an institutionalized backlog Strategy that is activated upon realization of risk of backlog build up, this may include:

  • Booking System (EMAST) red-flagging clients that are booked in a backlog fashion at point of booking (Pro-active flagging of clients wherein the difference between the booking and scheduled assessment dates is more than 30 days defined as a backlog);
  • Ferrying assessors from far flung areas into backlog prone areas to undertake assessments;
  • Increasing assessment seating frequencies and number of assessors per seating;
  • Increasing the number of assessments an assessor may conduct per assessment seating (This requires a prior approval from the GM for Grants Administration in Regions); and  
  • As a last resort the Agency has endorsed paper-based assessments in certain parts of the Western Cape in instances wherein there is sufficient/ adequate clinical information for such format of an assessment to take place (Prior Approval for this format of assessment is required from the GM for Grants Administration).
  • Recruitment of additional doctors through the publication of Tender Bids, especially in the Western Cape Region. The region is currently exploring placing another Tender Bid subsequent to a poor response to the previous Bid;
  • Engaging the Western Cape Public Health System/ clinicians on the eligibility criteria so as to empower them on conducting of social assistance assessments and lobbying them to undertake assessments on inpatients prior to discharge instead of referring clients to seek assessments bookings on their own subsequent to discharge (Clinician initiated Assessments in clients with a high likelihood of qualification and the Tag Strategy is “Why Refer When you can Assess”.    

14 April 2023 - NW841

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What total number of doctors in the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) are contracted to serve in the (a) George area and (b) entire Garden Route District; (2) (a) how often do the specified SASSA contracted doctors pay visits to the specified areas and (b) what total number of persons are the SASSA contracted doctors expected to serve in the areas; (3) what is the average waiting period for patients to be able to be attended by the SASSA contracted doctors?

Reply:

1. (a) and (b)

SASSA Western Cape (WC) has an Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Consolidated Health Districts- Garden Route and Central Karoo, but it only provides for Health Practitioner initiated assessments, access to records and use of Health facilities.

SASSA WC therefore must employ its own doctors where assessments initiate from the SASSA local offices. These contracted doctors must service the Garden Route and other parts of the Central Karoo. During the current financial year, SASSA WC contracted 4 doctors to the following Garden Route areas:

Service Area

No. of Servicing Dr/s

i) George

1

ii) Pacaltsdorp

1

iii) Mossel Bay

1

iv) Plettenberg Bay/ Knysna

1

2. (a) The 2 contracted doctors in George and Pacaltsdorp visit and complete assessments once a week while the 2 contracted doctors visit and complete asessments in Mosselbay and Knysna/ Plettenberg Bay once a month.

(b) The SLA with the contracted doctors are aligned to the Disability Management Policy permitting each doctor to complete 40 physical assessments per day

3. The Norms and standards applied by the SASSA stipulate that an assessment should be completed within 30 days of booking a client. Any assessment to be completed beyond 30 days is considered a backlog. Currently, there are backlogs in the following areas:

Service Area

Backlogs

Number of Days

i) George

95

>30days

ii) Pacaltsdorp

70

>30days

iii) Mossel Bay

305

>60 days

The Region has gone out on tender for the appointment of contracted doctors and could only secure the services of seven doctors to perform assessments. Four of the contracted doctors have been allocated to the Garden route areas as indicated above. Approval has been received from the Regional Executive Manager for the direct sourcing of additional doctors to address the need and to deal with backlog cases.

Furthermore, approval was also provided in line with applicable legislation, for paper based assessments to be conducted. This approval will allow the doctors to complete assessments to a maximum of 60 per day

14 April 2023 - NW840

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

​Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2287 on 22 July 2022, she will furnish Ms A L A Abrahams with the (a) lease agreement, (b) square meterage with justification for the high rental amount and (c) name of each director and/or member of each landlord for the regional office in Pretoria owned by Centpret Properties; if not, in each case; if so, by what date?

Reply:

a) The lease agreement for the Pretoria local office as requested is attached as Annexure A.

b) The rates per square metre are within market related prices.

Office Name

Square Meter

Price per square meter

Pretoria Local Office

Centprop Properties

Office Space: 878 Parking bays 10

Office Space: R102.81/m2

Parking: R628.09

c) Directors and/or members of Centpret Properties

Company Name

Directors

Position

i) Centprop Properties

Jeffrey Percy

Wapnick

Director

 

Elize

Greeff

Company Secretary

 

Anabela

Vieira

Director

 

14 April 2023 - NW824

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

​What (a)(i) is the total number of (aa) inverters and (bb) generators that the SA Social Security Agency has procured to date to mitigate against the impact of load shedding on service delivery and (ii) number of the specified items were procured for each (aa) province and (bb) office and (b) was the price of each specified inverter and generator?

Reply:

(a)(i) (aa) Total number of inverters procured: 59.

(a)(i) (bb) Total number of generators procured: 66.

Province

(a)(ii)(aa)

The total number of inverters procured by SASSA per province.

(a)(ii)(aa) The total number of generators procured by SASSA in per province.

(a)(ii)(bb)

The number of inverters procured per office (name of the office).

(a)(ii)(bb) The number of generators procured per office (name of the office).

(a)(ii)(b)

The price of each specified inverter procured by SASSA in region

(Unit price per item).

(a)(ii)(b)

The price of each specified generator procured by SASSA in regions (Unit price per item).

KwaZulu Natal

0

25

N/A

Pungashe Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Ingwavuma Local Office Jozini (Ulundi)

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Dukuza Local Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Ulundi District Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Ubombo Local Office Mkhuze (Ulundi)

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Underburg

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Kzn Regional Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Nqutu Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Harding Local Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Kwamsane Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Umbumbulu Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Impendle Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Ndwedwe Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Weenen Local Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Kwangwanase Local Office

N/A

R111,777.00

       

Ulundi District Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Richardsbay Local Office (Ulundi)

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Ndwedwe Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Prophet Isiah Shembe Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Weenen Local Office

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Mahlabathini Local Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Ezakheni Local Office

N/A

R19,950.00

       

Richmond

N/A

R14,000.00

       

Hlabisa Local Office

N/A

R132,981.00

       

Riverside Local Office

N/A

R132,270.78

 

Gauteng

0

1

0

Orlando West

0

R 44 850.00

 

1

0

Dobsonville

 

R 43 000.00

 
 

Free State

0

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

 

Western Cape

0

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

 

North West

19

6

1. Bojanala (Rustenburg) District Office

2. Kgetleng Local Office

3. Madibeng Local Office

4. Mogwase Local Office

5. Moretele Local Office

6. Rustenburg Local Office

7. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District/Matlosana x 2

8. Jouberton Local Office

9. Maquassi Hills Local Office

10. Tlokwe Local Office

11. Ventersdorp Local Office

12. Naledi LO

13. Kagisano Local Office

14. Lekwa-Teemane Local Office

15. Taung Local Office

16. Ditsobotla Local Office

17. Mafikeng Local Office

18. Ramotshere Moiloa Local Office

19. Tswaing Local Office

1. Dryharts Local Office

2. Tlokwe Local Office

3. Madikwe Local Office

4. Mabeskraal Local Office

5. Moretele Local Office

6. Mantserre SP

All the inverters/UPS procured for each office at cost R30 000.00

Dryharts LO = R156 000.00

Tlokwe LO = R260 000.00

Madikwe LO = R156 000.00

Mabeskraal LO = R156 000.00

Moretele LO = R156 000.00

Mantserre SP = R68 00.00

             

Northern Cape

4

0

  • 2 inverters for Tlhokomelo Local Office
  • 1 inverter for Jan Kempsdorp Local Office
  • 1 inverter for Dithakong Local Office

N/A

R214 565,11 (vat incl)

N/A

             

Mpumalanga

0

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

             

Eastern Cape

0

34

N/A

Amathole Local Office

N/A

R 20,500.00

       

Butterworth Local Office

 

R 69,474.65

       

Kieskammahoek

 

R 20,500.00

       

Stutterheim Local Office

 

R 69,474.65

       

Idutywa Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Alice Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Nqamakwe Local Office

 

R 78,000.00

       

Middle Drift Local Office

 

R 78,000.00

       

Centane Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Elliotdale Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Fort Beaufort Local Office

 

R 69,474.65

       

Mdantsane 1 Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Peddie Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Adelaide Local Office

 

R 20,500.00

       

Willowvale Local Office

 

R 69,474.65

       

Chris Hani Local Office

 

R 233,000.00

       

Lady Frere Local Office

 

R 147,685.15

       

Tsomo Local Office

 

R 7,500.00

       

Whittlesea Local Office

 

R 62,790.00

       

Engcobo Local Office

 

R 62,790.00

       

Burgersdorp Local Office

 

R 25,415.00

       

Maclear Local Office

 

R 31,395.00

       

Mount Fletcher

 

R 31,395.00

       

Sterkspruit Local Office

 

R 44,166.38

       

District Office

 

R 177,270.00

       

Flagstaff Local Office

 

R 23,493.50

       

Libode Local Office

 

R 26,131.00

       

Lusikisiki Local Office

 

R 163,789.00

       

Ngqeleni Local Office

 

R 76,490.00

Limpopo

35

0

Mopani District Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Giyani Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Namakgale Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Maruleng Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Kgapane Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Bahananoa Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Ceres Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Mankweng Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Molemole Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Senwabarwana Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Seshego Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Zebediela Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Dr CN Phatudi Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Apel Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Leeuwfontein Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Luckau Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Manganeng Local Office

Nil

R238 968. 97

Nil

   

0

Praktiseer Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Schoonord Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Sekhukhune District Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Musina Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Mutale Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Rabali Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Makwarela Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Tshaulu Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Hlanganani Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Vhembe District Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Bela-Bela Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Thabaleshoba Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Lephalale Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Thabazimbi Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Witpoort Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Bakenberg Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

   

0

Mokopane Local Office

0

R238 968. 97

0

 

14 April 2023 - NW685

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether, with regard to her statement on 27 February 2023, during which she thanked all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as key partners of Government in initiating and implementing programmes in local communities that ensure no one is left behind, she will make a commitment in writing that all NGOs in each province will, as key partners of the Government, be paid their subsidies on time so that they can deliver their essential services to the communities they operate in; if not, why not; if so, by what date?

Reply:

The Department makes every effort to ensure that the subsidies are paid to NPOs on time so that they can deliver their essential services to the communities they operate. In the past there were significant delays with the processing of payments due to various reasons from the Department, the NPOs and budget cuts which impact on service delivery. However, for the current financial year Provinces paid the NPOs on time.

Where there were delays it is due to non-submission of documents, and non-compliance by the NPOs. As per February 2023, the status of funding NPOs is as follows:

PROVINCE

NPOs RECOMMENDED

PAID

% PAID

Eastern Cape

1 234

1 234

100 %

Free State

757

634

84 %

Gauteng

1 924

1 852

96 %

KwaZulu-Natal

1 070

1 030

96 %

Limpopo

798

770

97 %

Mpumalanga

638

607

95 %

Northern Cape

442

401

91 %

North-West

372

281

76 %

Western Cape

1 149

1 132

99 %

TOTAL

8 384

7 941

95 %

The Department is currently developing an NPO System that will automate the various stages of funding processes and this will contribute to improving the payment of transfers.

14 April 2023 - NW601

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What total number of mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years, either by themselves and/or via a caregiver, have applied for (a) the one child support grant and (b) more than one child support grant, during the past five years in each province; (2) what parenting programmes are offered to such teenage parents?

Reply:

1. A total of 6,225 mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years have received the Child Support Grant in the past five (5) years for one child, that is, from 2018/19 financial year to end of February 2023. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

b) A total of 221 mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years have received the Child Support Grant for more than one child, during the past five years. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

2. The following programmes are rendered to teen parents:

  • Active Parenting of Teenagers- The main aim is to improve communication between parents and teenagers, a lack of which has a potential of breaking up relationships and creating unnecessary tension between parents and their teenagers, which often leads to delinquent behavior.
  • Sinovuyo Teen Parent Programme- The purpose is to improve caregiver-teen relationship through active social learning, improving mental health through social support and improving communication about risky situations for teens in the community.
  • Teenage Parents Programme- The aim is to explore the challenges around this area, support systems and the kind of support social workers can render to teenage parents through group work initiatives to enable them to be effective parents to their children.

In addition the following Frameworks have been developed to guide implementation of parenting programmes:

  • Integrated Parenting Framework- The Framework was designed to address the issue of lack of effective parenting within families which could lead to the abuse and the neglect of children
  • Fatherhood strategy- The Strategy was designed to revive and promote the role of fathers as protectors and providers within families because parenting is the role of both parents.

14 April 2023 - NW599

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to her reply to question 1863 on 30 May 2022 and the implementation of the new ticket queue management system at SA Social Security Agency offices, (a) what is the current status of the pilot project, (b) what are the names and addresses of the two local offices in each province where it has been piloted, (c) who received the contract for the new system and (d) what is the detailed expenditure for the setup of the pilot project in each office?

Reply:

a) The current status of the project per province is as follows:

Province

Local Office

Current Status

Eastern Cape

East London

100% Complete - System Live

 

Queenstown

90% Complete - QMS equipment delivered, installed and configured

Free State

Bloemfontein

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

 

Qwaqwa

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

Gauteng

Roodepoort

100% Complete System Live

 

Johannesburg

100% Complete System Live

Kwazulu-Natal

Durban

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

 

Osizweni

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

Limpopo

Seshego

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

 

Giyani

70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed

Mpumalanga

Mbombela

80% Complete- Awaiting delivery of QMS equipment

 

Emalahleni

80% Complete Awaiting delivery of QMS equipment

Northern Cape

Tlhokomelo

100% Complete System Live

 

Upington

100% Complete System Live

North-West

Mahikeng

90% Complete - Equipment delivered and Installed

 

Rustenburg

90% Complete - Equipment delivered and Installed

Western Cape

Gugulethu

60% Complete- Finalization of Procurement

 

Athlone

60% Complete - Finalization of Procurement

(b) The names and addresses of the two local offices in each province where the system was piloted are as follows:

Province

Local Office

Physical Address

Eastern Cape

East London

34 Argyle Street, East London CBD

 

Queenstown

Sanlam Building, 10 Hexagon Street, Komani

Free State

Bloemfontein

Cnr. Aliwal and Saint Andrews Street, Bloemfontein

 

Qwaqwa

Old Post Office Building, De Beeld Road, QwaQwa

Gauteng

Roodepoort

40 Hoofde Street, Roodepoort, JHB

 

Johannesburg

1 De Villiers Street, JHB CBD

Kwazulu-Natal

Durban

65 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, Durban, PRASA Building

 

Osizweni

4181 Ob31 St, Osizweni A,

Limpopo

Seshego

7946 Stand St, Seshego A,Seshego,0751

Coordinates:

S23.854040, E29.39481

 

Giyani

387 Giy A 3 St,Giyani Unit A,Giyani,0826

Coordinates:

S23.31658 E30.72114

Mpumalanga

Mbombela

10 Paul Kruger, Nelspruit

 

Emalahleni

Gerry Mann Building, Athlone street, Emalahleni CBD

Northern Cape

Tlhokomelo

776 Corner Letsholo & Matanzima Street. Mankuruwane. Kimberly

 

Upington

38 Schroder Street. Upington.

North-West

Mahikeng

7 First Street, Industrial Site, Mafikeng

 

Rustenburg

18 Heystek Street, Rustenburg

Western Cape

Gugulethu

Social Development Building

Cnr NY3 and Steve Biko Streets

Gugulethu

GPS: -33.987025, 18.567991

 

Athlone

Melofin Center

94 Old Klipfontein Road

Athlone

GPS: -33,960645, 18,502246

(c) No service provider was appointed to develop the new QMS system. The system was developed in-house by SASSA.

(d) The expenditure for the set-up of the pilot project in each office is as follows:

Province

Local Office

Detailed Expenditure

Eastern Cape

East London

R 171 918.91

 

Queenstown

R 80 580.50

Free State

Bloemfontein

R 52 250.00

 

Qwaqwa

R 62 200.00

Gauteng

Roodepoort

R 147 257.50

 

Johannesburg

R 210 266.00

Kwazulu-Natal

Durban

R 229 792.39

 

Osizweni

R 202 726.24

Limpopo

Seshego

R 184 587.39

 

Giyani

R 184 587.39

Mpumalanga

Mbombela

R 276 008.89 for both offices

 

Emalahleni

 

Northern Cape

Tlhokomelo

R 98 802.45

 

Upington

R 95 589.00

North-West

Mahikeng

R 243 900.00 - for both offices

 

Rustenburg

 

Western Cape

Gugulethu

To be confirmed once the procurement process is finalised

 

Athlone

To be confirmed once the procurement process is finalised

Total

 

R 2 180 879.41

14 April 2023 - NW581

Profile picture: Shaik Emam, Mr AM

Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether her department has a system and/or some mechanism in place to monitor children who receive social grants to ensure that they are attending school regularly and benefiting from the specified social grants, by providing annual reports on performance attendance and so forth; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Regulation 7(6) of the Social Assistance Regulations of 2022 places an obligation on the caregiver to ensure that a child between the ages of 7 and 18 is enrolled and attends school or an educational institution. Such proof has to be provided to SASSA upon approval of the Child Support Grant. However, the Department has observed that the enforcement of this provision is not feasible.

To close this gap, the Department has developed a draft policy on integration of children’s grants with services amongst others, education, health and early childhood development. The draft policy emphasises the need of building linkages between children’s grants and other developmental services for children. The approval of the policy and amendment of the legislation will enable the Department to share data with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) amongst others. In this manner, the Department will be empowered to monitor and track school attendance in compliance with the regulations. Consultations on the draft policy will be concluded by the end of the 2023/24 financial year and processes to seek Cabinet approval of the draft policy will be initiated in the next financial year (2023/2024).

14 April 2023 - NW569

Profile picture: Bilankulu, Ms NK

Bilankulu, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Considering that the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, has re-affirmed the commitment of his administration to deal with gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) through the Emergency Response Action Plan on GBVF, and declared a commitment to 365 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, in what ways will the National Development Agency support the (a) civil society organisations that are focused on GBVF in order to support communities and victims and (b) enhance the existing plans of her department on GBVF?

Reply:

a) The NDA, through the Department of Social Development (DSD), was allocated R95 million from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) fund to fund 312 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to support victims of GBVF in communities across all 9 provinces. To date, a total of 297 CSOs have received funding for implementation of the project of supporting victims of GBVF. Each CSO received funding up to R300 000 depending on the experience and capacity to implement the GBVF support programme. During the assessment of CSOs capacities, seventy-eight (78) of these CSOs were found to be lacking capacity in governance, financial management and project management. These CSOs have been put on a mentoring and coaching programme to build their capacity on these areas. Special effort by the NDA and CSOs have been made to ensure that the GBVF hotspots Districts are all covered by the interventions provided by the CSOs.

The CSOs approved were through request for proposals (RFP) nationally, without a condition that they must be operating in hotspots identified by the SAPS. However, some of the CSOs who responded to the RFP were based in some of the hotspots identified by SAPS. The funding was based on preventative programmes which includes, awareness, workshops, home visits, referrals, shelters, paralegal support, abuse of grant recipients, counselling, therapy, child violence and court cases. To date, a total of 913 952 victims of gender-based violence have been reached through the Programme.

The table below indicates the number of funded CSOs and the number of GBVF victims supported by the programme per Province:

Activities

KwaZulu Natal

Limpopo

Free State

Gauteng

Eastern Cape

Northern Cape

Mpumalanga

Western Cape

Total

Awareness/Advocacy

27290

15747

73

792548

1825

3341

8464

1370

850 658

Child Victims

1069

614

50

171

316

23

61

37

3781

Therapy

2335

521

34

291

16

15

20

549

3422

Counselling

3630

1664

247

1015

761

167

1582

139

9205

Referrals

964

1703

167

221

423

167

321

75

4041

Home Visits

1536

2500

58

618

1329

20

1531

30

7622

Workshops

619

533

28

686

97

28

1890

1192

5073

Ex-combatants

0

13

0

0

0

0

0

0

13

Shelter

89

1298

12

101

48

21

42

17

1998

Paralegal

2

592

107

44

61

14

0

317

1137

Trauma

1244

609

30

8

93

21

53

170

2228

Emotional Abuse

1441

799

99

340

282

7

196

268

3432

Financial/Grant Abuse

146

341

0

199

141

0

67

10

904

Physical Abuse

685

1019

138

180

216

6

176

130

2188

Substance Abuse

1537

285

0

68

238

4

56

10

2188

Sexual Abuse

571

333

62

64

376

28

159

17

1610

Economic Programme

301

88

0

284

30

0

45

10

758

Domestic Violence

33

57

91

 

35

45

64

12

337

Conflict & Mediation

7

35

47

 

67

33

101

 

189

Uncontrollable Child

   

4

   

171

   

175

Social Media

         

12983

   

12983

Nutrition

         

171

   

171

Total

43 499

28 751

1 247

796 838

6 354

17 265

14 828

4 353

913 952

The NDA appointed VPK Business Venture (Pty) and Makhophila Training service providers through SCM process to render mentorship and coaching to CSOs identified and funded in the programme.

The table below indicates the number of approved CSOs per Province and the rand value of the funding by Province:

Province

No. of CSOs approved by Board for funding

Total value of approved funding

Gauteng

60

17 200 000

*Eastern Cape

67

15 900 000

Western Cape

23

6 900 000

Mpumalanga

37

10 500 000

Free State

20

5 700 000

Northern Cape

13

3 400 000

North West

9

2 300 000

Limpopo

57

16 200 000

KZN

26

7 500 000

 

312

85 600 000

* Adjusted approval

85 700 000

 

An additional 36 CSOs have been verified and recommended for funding to provide additional support for GBVF. These will be funded from the balance from the funding that the NDA received from DSD for this project. The 36 CSOs will commence with the implementation of the project in April 2023.

The additional 36 CSOs recommended for funding comes from all nine provinces and are listed in the table below:

 

Province

No of CSOs

Gauteng

6

Eastern Cape

6

Western Cape

3

Mpumalanga

5

Free State

3

Northern Cape

4

North West

2

Limpopo

1

KwaZulu Natal

6

Total

36

b) The NDA undertook an evaluation of the programme in the current financial year to evaluate all the aspects of the programme, a draft report was submitted at the end of February 2023, we are currently finalising the report which will be concluded by the end of March 2023. The recommendations of this report will be used as lessons to improve and enhance the quality of services to GBVF victims as we continue with this programme. In addition, the Department of Social Development has integrated the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide into its Annual Performance Plans and Operational Plans which allocated the budget accordingly. We are in the process of engaging the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to request for another CARA funding to sustain the funded Civil Society Organisations for provision of GBVF services has commenced. Furthermore, DSD is engaging more donors and private businesses to fund Gender Based Violence and Femicide related projects in line with National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide. Donors such as the European Commission and First Rand Foundation have responded positively to this call and the process of finalising the funding agreements are underway.

14 April 2023 - NW909

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

With regard to her department’s consultation workshop which took place in June 2022, to discuss regulations for the Victim Support Services Bill, (a) what criteria were used to invite the participants, (b) what are the names of the organisations that attended the specified workshop, (c) which provinces were represented and (d) what was the purpose of the consultation workshop?

Reply:

a) The provincial DSD Heads of Departments in all nine provinces were sent invitation letters to participate in the Development of the Victim Support Services Regulations Workshop. Furthermore, as part of the criteria, the Department invited stakeholders from the Justice Crime Prevention Security (JCPS) cluster, the Social Protection Community and Human Development (SPCHD) cluster, and the National Civil Society Organisation operating in the Sector;

b) The DSD is in possession of the names of persons who participated in the consultations on the development of the Draft Victim Support Services (VSS) Regulations however, (i) all the departmental consultation workshops must comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Hence names of persons who were in attendance cannot be shared, (ii) National Organisations that were in attendance from Civil Society were Child Line South Africa, National Shelter Movement and National Institute Community Development and Management (NICDAM). The Government Departments were, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

c) Below are Provincial DSD teams who were in attendance:

  • Gauteng
  • North West
  • Free State
  • Eastern Cape
  • Western Cape
  • Northern Cape
  • Mpumalanga

The Free State and Limpopo Province could not attend or even connect virtually. (Most of the provinces joined the session virtually via the zoom platform).

d) The purpose of consultation workshop was the development of the Draft VSS Regulations. This is an ongoing process pending the finalization of the VSS Bill. The Draft VSS Regulations document is in place for further consultations and the second round of the consultation workshops will extend to Provincial CSOs and Local CSOs in the next financial year, 2023/24.

14 April 2023 - NW540

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) By what date will generators be rolled out at all SA Social Security Agency offices to enable the staff to assist grant recipients during load shedding and (b) what total amount will the roll-out of such generators cost?

Reply:

a) SASSA has commenced planning for the rolling out of alternative power supply country wide. The first phase will start at the beginning of the 2023/24 financial year and the second phase at the third quarter of the same financial year.

During the first phase, an appropriate alternative power supply will be considered for each local office, e.g., generator, solar, backup power, etc. For implementation of the phase, SASSA has identified ninety (90) critical local offices country wide (ten per region). However, in the medium term, SASSA plans to develop a strategy to roll out alternative power supply in all local offices across the country.

It is anticipated that the procurement processes for the first phase will be finalised by the end of the second quarter (30 September 2023). The second phase which involves the initial rollout will commence by 01 October 2023. This process will be completed before end of the 2023/24 financial year.

Due to the emerging national crisis, a task team has been established to focus on priorities and develop a strategy for implementation of alternative power supply roll out for 2024/25 financial year. This will ensure that scaling up is in line with the strategy and also allow for sufficient funds to be secured for this project.

b) An amount of R44 million is budgeted for in 2023/24 financial year. R29 million of the funds will be utilised to secure alternative power supply and R14 million will be used for local office improvements which will include, physical accessibility, branding, provision of dignity services and network connectivity for 54 offices.

It is important to note the needs of each office are unique therefore assessments must be done for all offices to ensure specifications are accurate before the supply chain processes begin.

The strategy will inform the second phase (2024/25) of the roll out which will also determine the allocation and availability of funds.

14 April 2023 - NW524

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

Considering the increase in human trafficking from our shores and the increase in the number of children being murdered, what steps is her department taking to put a stop to social media pages, such as Facebook where persons are selling children, thereby bypassing legal adoption processes?

Reply:

(i) The department has taken the following steps to put a stop to social media pages, such as Facebook where persons are selling children, thereby bypassing legal adoption processes are as follows:

(a) Continuous education and awareness-raising programmes in a form of webinars, radio talk shows, twitter space discussions in order to increase understanding of online use, advantages and risks as well as abuse taking place on online platforms, violating the rights of children. These awareness and education programmes target the general public, including children, child ambassadors and caregivers.

(b) The department closely monitors and analyse social media platforms identifying and addressing complaints and matters of concern for the department, responding and referring to relevant programmes for intervention.

(c) The department collaborates and partners with government departments, non-governmental organizations, Domestic Internet Service Providers, law enforcement, privacy experts, and technology companies who assists to develop realistic mandatory regulations for filtering and formal reporting mechanisms within online platforms, including social media and instant messaging platforms. The department recently celebrated Safer Internet Day in Gqeberha in collaboration with UNICEF, Films and Publications Board, SAPS, Department of Basic Education, Communications and Digital Technology, as well as MTN.

There is also strengthened integrated response by the multi-stakeholders who are empowered with current updated knowledge and skills to recognise risky online situations and to effectively deal with challenging situations when confronted with cases of online violation of children. The partnership with helplines and hotlines facilitates reporting and response for appropriate services.

(d) The department also undertakes training and capacity building of relevant stakeholders in government and non-governmental organizations on legislation relevant to adoption services, trafficking of children and online safety of children as well as roles and responsibilities with regard to identification, reporting, referral and rendering of appropriate services in order to address online violation of children, trafficking or illegal adoption.

(e) Training on the provision of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Person and the Children’s Act interfaces with the legal processes of adoption, illegal methods used in trafficking and online violation of children. The specific roles and responsibilities of respective government departments and non-governmental organizations are outlined in the Guidelines for the Prevention of and response to Child Exploitation according to legislative mandates.

(f) The department is in a process of establishing the Coordinating Structure for online safety comprising of government departments, non-governmental organizations, Internet Service Providers, law enforcement, privacy experts, and technology companies.

(g) UNICEF is providing technical support to the department through appointment of secondment to DSD, to support the development and implementation of the Model of National Response for protection of children on and offline platforms, as well as the implementation of the recommendations of the Disrupting Harm Study.

14 April 2023 - NW438

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Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What (a) total amount does her department owe to the (i) Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality and (b) is the age analysis of the monies owed in each case; (2) what (a) are the relevant details of the buildings in respect of which her department owes the specified municipalities and (b) is the use of each specified building; (3) whether her department has any plans to address the debts; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the details of her department’s plan and (b) is the time frame in which the debts will be settled?

Reply:

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

1. (a)) SASSA does not owe any amount of money to Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality as reflected in the table below:

A (i) Municipality

   

(ii) Amounts owed

(b) Age analysis

Walter Sisulu Local Municipality

R0 (nil)

n/a

Senqu Local Municipality

R0 (nil)

n/a

(b) Not applicable as displayed in the table above.

(2)

(a) Not applicable based on response in 1(a) above.

(b) The buildings are used to provide administration of social grants.

(3) Not applicable based on the response in 1(a) above.

Department of Social Development Eastern Cape

1. (a)(i) Walter Sisulu District Municipality

R 1,401,887.73

(ii) Senqu Local Municipality R 250 000

2. (b)(i) Walter Sisulu District Municipality

(90days)

(ii) Senqu Local Municipality (90days)

The table below reflects details and use offices and residential institution

Town

Street

Erf numbers

Type /Use

Municipalities

Barkly East

23 De Villiers Street

1482

Service office

Senqu

Barkly East

8 Stuart Street

1485

Community Development Centre

Senqu

Lady Grey

29 Baduza Street

29

Service office

Senqu

Aliwal North

1521 Robison Rd (Ambulance base)

1521

Community Development Centre

Walter Sisulu local

Burgersdorp

3515 Tembisa,Mzamomhle (Burgersdorp

3515

Laluma Futshane Child and Youth Care Centre

Walter Sisulu local

There are four offices and one residential institution for kids that are in conflict with the law.

3. The Eastern Cape Provincial Department is sourcing funds within on SCOA items that are slow spenders and is planning to settle outstanding debts in April 2023.The accruals exert pressure on the 2023/24 financial budget.

14 April 2023 - NW151

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What (a) plans have been put in place to settle all outstanding debts owed by her department’s office in Botshabelo, which is closed because of outstanding electricity debt owed to Centlec and the debt for water owed to the Mangaung Local Municipality and (b) are the reasons that it has taken so long to settle the debts? NW156E

Reply:

a) Botshabelo Local Office is accommodated in Reahola Complex, which is shared with other private businesses. The lease agreement for the Local Office was signed by National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on behalf of the Agency. The landlord (Basfour 3324 (PTY) LTD) procures electricity from Centlec and supplies all the business units in the complex, including the SASSA office. The landlord has installed separate meters for each business site and bills tenants including DPWI (to recover usage costs for the SASSA Office). DPWI in turn recovers the paid electricity costs from SASSA.

It is important to note that the complex did not have electricity for three (3) working days starting from Thursday, 09 February 2023 to Monday, 13 February due to a technical failure of an electrical cable which Centlec has since repaired and services were restored on Monday, 13 February 2023.

The same applies with Mangaung Metro and there are no amounts due by SASSA.

There are no outstanding debts to settle.

28 March 2023 - NW523

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What is her department doing to increase support to nonprofit organisations and nongovernmental organisations which provide vital services on behalf of the State in service of vulnerable citizens?

Reply:

To increase support to organisations (NPOs), the Department relies on allocations made available by treasury, and given the current fiscus constraints, there is limited room to channel more funding. However, the PFMA Section 43(1)(4) allows for departments to shift savings from their operational budget (if any) to transfer payments subject to National Treasury approval.

Secondly, other support provided by the Department to the NPO sector is through capacity building programmes to ensure that NPOs comply with applicable legislation for services they provide. The department also assist with strengthening the management and governance of NPOs to improve their performance and impact through the provision of skills development training facilitated by departmental officials and/ or through partnership with relevant Stakeholders.

Amongst others, the in-house training entails-

  • Basic Financial Management and record keeping
  • Compliance with the NPO Act, other related legislation and the signed MOA.
  • Leadership and Governance
  • Resource Mobilization
  • Management and Administration

The department further collaborates with Stakeholders such as NDA (National Development Agency), SARS (South African Revenue Service), SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency), SAIBA (South African Institution for Business Accountants) and other partners in the Private Sector to provide capacity building training such as:

  • Project Management
  • Conflict Management
  • Financial Literacy
  • Tax Compliance / PBO Status

The Department also undertakes NPO Outreach Programmes to the far-flung communities to empower and ensure access to NPO services. These include NPO Roadshows and Compliance Drives e.g. (Know-Your-NPO-Status).

 

28 March 2023 - NW502

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to representatives from the nongovernmental sector who have indicated that they have repeatedly been faced with cash-flow issues arising from late payments for more than 10 years, what steps has her department taken in terms of investigating their proposed solution that the financial awards transfer system be adjusted so that organisations can be paid in advance as is the case in some provinces?

Reply:

The steps that the Department has taken in terms of proposed solution include the development of the NPO Funding System for management of transfers. This will be a centralised system that will replace existing outdated systems and it will be interfaced with the current systems utilised by some Provinces to process the transfers. On completion of this system, the departmental staff will manage and automate the complete life cycle of the NPO application process up to the payment of funds to the organizations.

Secondly, the department has introduced the multi-year funding cycle more specifically for residential care facilities. This approach is a replacement for the annual funding cycle which contributes to the delay on payments due to tedious administration. Within the multi-year funding, the organizations sign a contract for three years although the reviews and allocations are made on a yearly basis.

28 March 2023 - NW6

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Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) What (a) are the requirements to qualify for the Child Support Grant (CSG), (b) total number of caregivers receive the CSG, (c) is the current total number of children that the CSG is paid out to and (d) is the estimated increase in the number of persons that the CSG will be paid out to annually in the next five years; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1.(a) In terms of Social Assistance legislation, Section 6 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 as amended and, Regulations 7 & 8 thereof, the qualifying requirements for the Child Support Grant (CSG) are as follows:

  • The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
  • Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
  • The applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/ children concerned.
  • The dependent children must be under the age of 18, cannot be cared for in state institution, not in receipt of the Foster Child Grant or Care Dependency Grant.
  • There is no limit on the number of biological children that a caregiver can claim for but, a maximum of six non-biological children.

The CSG is paid to primary caregivers aged 16 or above.

In addition, the CSG is subject to a means test, meaning that the applicant/ primary caregiver needs to meet the financial criteria set out in the Social Assistance Regulations. Currently, to qualify for a CSG, a single primary caregiver should earn less than R57 600 per year, while married primary care givers should earn less than R115 200 per year (combined income) to be eligible for a CSG.

(b) The total number of caregivers receiving CSG is 7 367 265 by end January 2023.

(c) The total number of children receiving CSG is 13 165 216 by end January 2023.

(d) The following are MTEF estimates of CSG:

  • 2022/2023 – 13 242 635
  • 2023/2024 – 13 412 796
  • 2024/2025 – 13 577 519
  • 2025/2026 – 13 745 529

(2) The Social Assistance Legislation which provides for the qualifying criteria was gazetted and is a public document. Further, information on qualifying requirements is available on the SASSA website (e.g., You and Your Grant) and at SASSA local offices. SASSA & DSD continuously conducts awareness session on same.

28 March 2023 - NW570

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Stock, Mr D to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Considering the decision taken by the SA Post Office to cede all its rights and obligations of the Master Services Agreement entered into with the SA Social Security Agency to Postbank SOC Ltd, what are the updates on the finalisation of the process?

Reply:

The Master Services Agreement (MSA) was ceded and assigned with its obligations as-is to Postbank in September 2022, and Postbank assumed responsibility for the function from 01 October 2022. The matter of ceding has thus been finalised.

However, in the cession agreement, an option to review the MSA has been provided for. This process started in November 2022 and is still in progress with the expected date of completion being April 2023. It is important to note that the original MSA was ceded as-is and will remain in operation until the new MSA is concluded. Thus, there should be no change in terms of service delivery.

28 March 2023 - NW559

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Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

________________________________________ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NUMBER: 559 DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 MARCH 2023 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER: 6 - 2022 559.Ms B S Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development: [112] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is in excess of quota (Rule 137(8))]: (a) What exercise was taken to come up with the list of merchants from which beneficiaries of SA Social Security Agency grants could withdraw their money and (b) who were part of the negotiations that determined that grant beneficiaries have to buy from those specified merchants NW614E REPLY: SASSA pays social grants into client’s bank accounts and where clients do not have bank accounts, SASSA refers such clients to the Postbank, who opens bank accounts for them. These clients are given a SASSA branded card; however, this card is a fully functional bank card backed by a bank account. This card is a VISA card which can be used at any merchant that accepts VISA cards. No negotiations were held to determine, or limit where beneficiaries can purchase goods. SASSA gives beneficiaries as much choice as possible, hence the Agency request clients to supply their bank details for payments, or to open a Postbank account if they do not have a bank account. This enables clients to access the same National Payment System used by everyone when buying goods and services. No client is limited or compelled in any way to purchase goods from specific merchants. Clients are free to use their cards to purchase from any merchant of their choice.

Reply:

a) SASSA pays social grants into client’s bank accounts and where clients do not have bank accounts, SASSA refers such clients to the Postbank, who opens bank accounts for them. These clients are given a SASSA branded card; however, this card is a fully functional bank card backed by a bank account.

This card is a VISA card which can be used at any merchant that accepts VISA cards.

b) No negotiations were held to determine, or limit where beneficiaries can purchase goods. SASSA gives beneficiaries as much choice as possible, hence the Agency request clients to supply their bank details for payments, or to open a Postbank account if they do not have a bank account. This enables clients to access the same National Payment System used by everyone when buying goods and services. No client is limited or compelled in any way to purchase goods from specific merchants. Clients are free to use their cards to purchase from any merchant of their choice.

28 March 2023 - NW503

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to the dire circumstances faced by the entire non-profit organisation sector which is caused by persistent problems of cash flow that is threatening the health and wellbeing of the thousands of children and other vulnerable persons that the organisations support, particularly the child protection sector and child and youth care centres in KwaZulu-Natal (details furnished), what (a) are the full, relevant reasons for allowing the situation to prevail and (b) immediate steps has she taken to prevent the persistent late payments which force staff who have not received their salaries to take drastic steps to make ends meet?

Reply:

(a) The reasons for the cash flow challenges emanates from the fact that the Department had huge budget cuts during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which seriously affected the payment of service providers and consequently service delivery. The Department’s budget for 2021/22 financial year was R3,897 485 billion whilst for the 2022/23 it is R3,332 172 billion. The 2022/23 budget is R565,313 million less than the previous financial year. The budget cuts implemented by the Provincial Treasury were done without due consideration of the existing long-term agreements the Department had signed with the Non- Profit Organisations (NPOs).

The Provincial Treasury on a monthly basis, makes available R277, 681 million each month for all payments including salaries but the Department’s monthly expenditure is on average R281, 786 million. This leaves the department with a short fall of about R4, 105 million monthly.

All payments due to the NPOs that were delayed in January 2023, were subsequently paid on 08 February 2023. The Department is not aware of any NPOs that had to close their doors due to payment delays but understands the ripple effects of late payments.

A written communication was sent to all affected NPOs making them aware of the situation, apologising about the delayed payments and confirming when payments will be made.

(b) The Department is continuously engaging with the Provincial Treasury for additional budget and to obtain approval to pay the NPOs in tranches on quarterly basis.