Questions and Replies

28 March 2023 - NW571

Hlongo, Ms AS to ask the Ms A S Hlongo

How will her department and/or the SA Social Security Agency administer, apply and implement the top-up amount in the case of caregivers of orphaned children who are beneficiaries of the child support grant?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Child Support Grant Top Up (CSG Top Up) is targeted at two categories of children; they are:

Orphans in the care of relatives; and
Orphans in child-headed households in terms of s137 of the Children’s Act.

The CSG top up is not a new grant. Instead, it builds on the existing Child Support Grant (CSG), complementing it, by increasing the amount allocated to orphans in the care of relatives and orphans in Child Headed Households (CHH).

In order to receive a CSG Top up, an application needs to be lodged at any SASSA office or via the SASSA online platform.

The following persons can apply for a CSG Top Up:

A child heading a household who is aged between 16 and 18 can apply for and receive the child support grant for him/herself as well as receive the CSG Top Up for the children under his/her care.
A caregiver, or relatives of orphans taking care of orphaned children can apply for the CSG Top Up;
CSG Top up applicants are subjected to the means test, where the applicant’s income and /or his/her spouse is considered.

The following requirements need to be adhered to in order to qualify for a CSG top up:

Relatives will need to provide proof that they are related to the child.
Applicants need to provide proof that the child is an orphan by producing:
- A death certificate/s of the child’s parents or
- An affidavit attesting to their lack of knowledge as to whether the child’s parent is dead or alive.

28 March 2023 - NW422

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

1With reference to theft, corruption, mismanagement, irregular payments, system outages, cyber-attacks, system glitches and card duplication in the past 10 years, what consequence management measures were employed on implicated persons, including officials and/or personnel; 2 (a) what number of ongoing disciplinary procedures have been initiated, (b) on what date were they initiated and (c) by what date will they be finalized; 3 what amount (a) has been recouped and (b) is in the process of being recouped?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. For the period referred to in the parliamentary question (10 years) and with reference to the specified nature of misconducts, the consequence management measures taken by the SA Social Security Agency are recorded as follows: -

NATURE OF MISCONDUCT	No OF CASES	CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMEMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED ON OFFICIALS AND SANCTIONS
Theft	3	Sanctions Suspension without pay x 1. Suspensions without pay combined with final written warning x 1. Resigned while case in progress x 1.
Corruption	259	Sanctions Dismissal x 69. Demotion x 2. Demotion coupled with final written warning x 4. 3 months suspensions without pay coupled with final written warning x 8. 2 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 5. 1 month suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 15. 1 month suspension x 11. 2 weeks suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. Final written warning x 12. Written warnings x 13. Not guilty x 13. Resigned while case in progress x 15. Case withdrawn x 75.
Mismanagement	61	Formal / Informal discipline instituted. Sanctions Dismissals x 2. Demotion coupled with final written warning x 1. 3 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. 2 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. 1 month suspension without pay x 1. 1 month suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. Final written warning x 8. Final written warning coupled with counselling x 2. Written warning coupled with counselling x 1. Written warning x 25. Verbal warning x 11. Not guilty x 4. Withdrawn x 2. Resigned while case in progress x 1.
Irregular Payments	61	Formal / Informal discipline instituted. Sanctions Dismissal x 1. Final written warnings x 2. Written warning x 21. Verbal warning x 7. Counselling x 22. Withdrawn x 6. Not guilty x 2.
Cyber attacks	0	0
System Outage	0	0
System glitches	0	0
Card duplication	0	0
Grand Total	424	424 (with direct and or indirect financial implications).
NB: The total number of reported cases in the past was 445, and the latter number was inclusive of 21 minor misconduct cases which were not necessarily having financial implications

ONGOING DISCIPLINARY CASES

No.	Region	Date case Initiated	Act Of Misconduct
1	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
2	EASTERN CAPE	11-Jul-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
3	EASTERN CAPE	24-Jan-22	ABSENTEEISM
4	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
5	EASTERN CAPE	22-Jul-22	ABSENTEEISM
6	EASTERN CAPE	23-Nov-22	DISHONESTY
7	EASTERN CAPE	9-Feb-22	DERELICTION OF DUTY
8	EASTERN CAPE	11-Nov-22	NEGLIGENCE
9	EASTERN CAPE	8-Nov-22	ABSENTEEISM
10	EASTERN CAPE	3-Mar-22	GRANT FRAUD
11	EASTERN CAPE	17-May-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
12	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
13	EASTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	ABSENTEEISM
14	EASTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	ABSENTEEISM
15	EASTERN CAPE	22-Oct-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
16	FREE STATE	14-Jul-22	DISRESPECT TOWARDS SUPERVISOR
17	GAUTENG	5-Apr-21	GRANT FRAUD
18	GAUTENG	31-May-22	ABSENTEEISM
19	GAUTENG	5-Aug-22	NON-DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
20	HEAD OFFICE	21-Oct-19	INSUBORDINATION
21	KWAZULU-NATAL	26-Sep-19	ABSCONDMENT
22	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
23	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
242	KWAZULU-NATAL	19-Feb-19	BRIBERY
52	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
6	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
27	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
28	KWAZULU-NATAL	18-Aug-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
29	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
30	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
31	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
32	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
33	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
34	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Jun-16	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
35	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
36	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Apr-22	CONTINUOUS LATE COMING
37	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	APPROVAL OF THE GRV ORDER NO. 193103
38	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
39	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
40	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
41	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
42	KWAZULU-NATAL	23-Feb-17	ABUSE OF SASSA VEHICLE
43	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRACTION OF SASSA CODE OF CONDUCT, SASSA ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
44	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
45	KWAZULU-NATAL	5-Mar-20	MISUSES POSITION
46	KWAZULU-NATAL	27-Sep-19	BRIBERY
47	KWAZULU-NATAL	4-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
48	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
49	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LACK OF SUPPLIER ROTATION AND COMMON DIRECTOR 192332
50	KWAZULU-NATAL	8-Aug-16	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
51	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
52	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Oct-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
53	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Feb-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
54	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	NON- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
55	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Apr-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
56	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
57	KWAZULU-NATAL	23-Nov-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
58	KWAZULU-NATAL	12-Apr-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
59	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
60	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Aug-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
61	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Oct-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
62	KWAZULU-NATAL	12-Apr-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
63	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	ABDICATION OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT
64	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
65	KWAZULU-NATAL	4-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
66	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
67	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
68	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
69	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
70	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
71	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
72	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
73	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CO-DIRECTOR IN MTIZILI PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
74	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	COMPILING RFQ SELECTING SUPPLIER WITH COMMON DIRECTORSHIP
75	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF RATE PRESCRIPTS DUE DILIGENCE IN RESPECT OF ADJUDICATION SCM3 REPORT
76	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
77	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
78	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
79	KWAZULU-NATAL	11-Sep-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
80	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
81	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	UNDECLARED INTERESTS WITH A SERVICE PROVIDER
82	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
83	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
84	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
84	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
85	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE EMPLOYER INTO DISREPUTE
86	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
87	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
88	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Feb-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
89	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
90	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
91	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
92	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
93	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
94	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
95	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
96	KWAZULU-NATAL	3-Jan-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
97	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
98	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Apr-22	UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE
100	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Oct-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
101	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
102	KWAZULU-NATAL	27-May-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
103	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF THE SCM POLICY
104	KWAZULU-NATAL	24-Aug-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
105	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
106	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
107	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
108	LIMPOPO	13-Aug-21	DISHONESTY
109	LIMPOPO	9-Sep-22	CONTRAVENNING SASSA SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ACT
110	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
111	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
112	LIMPOPO	14-Jul-21	GRANT FRAUD
113	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
114	LIMPOPO	1-Apr-22	SEXUAL ASSAULT
115	MPUMALANGA	2-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
116	MPUMALANGA	10-Aug-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
117	MPUMALANGA	8-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
118	MPUMALANGA	11-Apr-22	IMPROPER CONDUCT
119	MPUMALANGA	8-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
120	MPUMALANGA	2-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
121	NORTHERN CAPE	15-Sep-20	REMUNERATIVE WORK
123	NORTHERN CAPE	23-Jun-22	ASSAULT
124	NORTHERN CAPE	3-Dec-20	FAILURE TO UTILISE NEW SERVICE PROVIDER WHEN DELIVERING FOOD PARCEL
125	NORTHERN CAPE	21-Jan-22	LEAVE WITHOUT AUTHORISATION
126	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
127	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
128	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
129	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
130	WESTERN CAPE	10-Mar-22	DISHONESTY
131	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
132	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
133	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
134	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
135	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
136	WESTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
137	WESTERN CAPE	30-Oct-22	ABSENTEEISM
138	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
139	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
140	WESTERN CAPE	13-Dec-22	ABSENTEEISM
141	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
142	WESTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
143	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
144	WESTERN CAPE	18-Sep-20	ABSENTEEISM
145	WESTERN CAPE	18-Sep-20	FAILED TO SUBMIT SECOND SEMESTER REVIEW

2. (a)There are 145 disciplinary cases ongoing.

(b)The cases were initiated from 2016 until 2022 (Refer to the table below for details on (a) and (b)).

(c) Formal disciplinary processes are underway. However, no dates can be provided nor determined when cases will be finalised.

3. (a) and (b)

Disciplinary processes in the public service are guided by Chapter 7 of the SMS Handbook (March 2021) wherein the administration, standards and application of disciplinary processes is regulated. Several sanctions may be issued such as warning letters, suspension, demotion and other sanctions, however the regulations preclude financial recovery of a loss that may have occurred as a result of theft, corruption that may have arisen through the officials conduct.

28 March 2023 - NW252

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

What total number of (a) SA Social Security Agency offices in each province experienced problems with the (i) system being down and (ii) their telephones not working in the period 1 January 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b)(i) days in each month did each office experience (aa) system and (bb) telephone problems and (ii) what were the reasons in each case?

Source
Link

Reply:

(i)

Province	Number of offices
Free State	26
Limpopo	46
Western Cape	28
Northern Cape	49
KwaZulu Natal	86
Gauteng	49
Eastern Cape	67
Mpumalanga	43
North West	41

(a) (ii)

Province	Number of offices
Free State	26
Limpopo	18
Western Cape	0
Northern Cape	19
KwaZulu Natal	38
Gauteng	18
Eastern Cape	17
Mpumalanga	20
North West	19

(b) (i) + (ii)

Free State:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
February 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
March 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	BAS & Socpen system challenges	0	N/A
April 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	Biometric system challenges	26 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 9 days	MS Teams malfunction; Migration to Microsoft Skype
May 2022	26 offices down for 6 days	Biometric system challenges	1 office down for 6 days	N/A
June 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
July 2022	26 offices down for 2 days	Socpen & Biometric system challenges	26 offices down for 5 days	MS Teams malfunction
August 2022	0	N/A	26 offices down for 1 day	MS Teams malfunction
September 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
October 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	BAS & Socpen system challenges	0	N/A
November 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	Biometric system challenges	0	N/A
December 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
January 2023	0	N/A	0	N/A

Western Cape:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	1 office down for 2 days 1 office down for 1 day 28 offices down for 3 day	Network challenges; SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
February 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Electricity outage	00	N/A
March 2022	28 offices down for 1 day	SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
April 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
May 2022	2 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
June 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
July 2022	28 offices down for 3 days	SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
August 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
September 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
October 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
November 2022	3 offices for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage;	00	N/A
December 2022	4 offices for 1 day	Network challenges; Electrical outage	00	N/A
January 2023	1 office down for 2 days 2 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage;	00	N/A

Limpopo:

Northern Cape:

KwaZulu Natal:

Gauteng:

Eastern Cape:

Mpumalanga:

North West:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	2 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 8 days 1 office down for 3 days 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, Biometric and Socpen systems challenges	16 offices down for 3 days	Network challenges
February 2022	3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS, ERP, and Biometric systems challenges.	12 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
March 2022	3 offices down for 2 days 3 offices down for 1 day 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, BAS, ERP, SocPen and Biometric systems challenges	19 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
April 2022	1 office down for 4 days 1 office down for 6 days 2 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 3 days	Network challenges, BAS systems challenges.	10 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges
May 2022	3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 3 days 1 office down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS and Biometric systems challenges	03 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges
June 2022	6 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS, BRM, Customer Care and Kofax system challenges	02 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges
July 2022	1 office down for 5 days 1 office down for 3 days 2 offices down for 1 day 2 offices down for 2 days 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, BAS, Socpen and Biometric system challenges.	03 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
August 2022	3 offices down for 2 days 5 offices down for 1 day 2 offices down for 4 days	Network challenges, Email Challenges	00	N/A
September 2022	2 offices down for 2 days 2 offices down for 4 days 3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 6 days 1 office down for 3 days	Network challenges, Biometric systems challenges	00	N/A
October 2022	5 offices down for 1 day 4 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 9 days 1 office down for 7 days	Network challenges, electricity outage,	00	N/A
November 2022	4 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days 3 offices down for 3 days	Network challenges, electricity outage, Biometric system challenges	00	N/A
December 2022	1 office down for 5 days 6 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 8 days	Network challenges and Biometric system challenges	00	N/A
January 2023	12 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 7 days 2 offices down for 3 days 3 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 4 days	Network challenges, Biometrics, Kofax system challenges	13 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges

28 March 2023 - NW372

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) Against what number of SA Social Security Agency officials and/or personnel were criminal cases opened for (i) theft, (ii) corruption, (iii) mismanagement, (iv) irregular payments, (v) system outages, (vi) cyber-attacks, (vii) system glitches and (viii) card duplication in each year in the past 10 years and (b) what (i) total number of officials were prosecuted and found guilty and (ii) were their sentences?

Source
Link

Reply:

(i) ii) response in the table below

iii) to viii) not applicable

NO	YEAR	NUMBER OF SASSA OFFICIALS INVOLVED ON THE CASES REFERRED TO THE SAPS
1	2021/2022	50
2	2020/2021	20
3	2019/2020	16
4	2018/2019	52
5	2017/2018	195
6	2016/2017	22
7	2015/2016	337
8	2014/2015	3
9	2013/2014	56
10	2012/2013	10
	Subtotal	761

(ii) The total cases represent allegation of fraud, theft and corruption cases referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.

(b) (i) and (ii)

NO	YEAR	PROSECUTED AND FOUND GUILTY BY COURT	THEIR RESPECTIVE SENTENCES
1	2021/2022	1 official found guilty	5 years imprisonment - Judgment handed down during February 2023
2	2020/2021	1 official found guilty	Suspended Sentence
3	2019/2020	None	N/A
4	2018/2019	None	N/A
5	2017/2018	1 official found guilty	10 years imprisonment Matter was referred to the SAPS in 2011 and judgment was handed down in 2018
6	2016/2017	1 official found guilty	2 years imprisonment sentence- Judgement handed down in January 2023
7	2015/2016	2 officials found guilty	two officials were convicted to 5 years direct imprisonment - Judgment handed down during February 2023
8	2014/2015	1 official found guilty	Suspended Sentence - Loss recovered from Pension
9	2013/2014	1 official found guilty	One sentenced to 7 Years imprisonment
10	2012/2013	5 officials	All five officials sentenced to respective 7 Years imprisonment
	Subtotal	13 Officials

28 March 2023 - NW109

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

In light of reports of children’s homes in Gauteng facing closure due to the late payment and/or non-payment of departmental subsidies notwithstanding that some children’s homes have submitted compliance documents by June 2022, what (a)(i) total number of (aa) nongovernmental organisations and/or (bb) nonprofit organisations have not been paid their full subsidies for 2022 and (ii) is the breakdown of the specified figure in terms of each province, (b) vulnerable groups have been affected by the non-payment of the subsidies and (c) steps will be taken to ensure that the late payment and/or non-payment of subsidies will not reoccur in 2023?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department views the NPOs as important stakeholders in the delivery of services. Whilst acknowledging that there were delays with few provinces, it should be taken into consideration that the payment of organizations is a dual responsibility for both the Department and the NPOs. For NPOs to be paid, they need to be compliant and to submit the relevant reports and claims, failure to which the Department is unable to process their payment. The majority of the non-payments relate to non-compliance, specifically in Gauteng as indicated below.

EASTERN CAPE

a). (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a - all subsidies and claims were processed upon submission of the relevant documents.

FREE STATE

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a – all subsidies and claims were paid.

GAUTENG

a) (i) (aa) 42

(bb) 42 Non-Compliant NPOs could not be paid due to non-compliance.

(ii) Find attached Annexure C (i), list of NPOs in Gauteng not paid due to non-compliance.

(b) The response to (a) above notes the NPOs affected and the targeted groups which include Children, Older Persons, Youth and People with Disabilities.

(c) The Department does not withhold payments for NPOs that are compliant. The delayed payment or non-payments relate to non-complying NPOs. For the NPOs to be considered for payment, it is their responsibility to maintain compliance status. Review of the application is considered once the status of compliance has improved.

KWA-ZULU NATAL

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

(c) The reasons for the delays in payments for KwaZulu Natal emanated from the huge budget cuts during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which seriously affected the payment of organizations and consequently hampering services 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).

However, all payments due to the NPOs that were delayed, were subsequently paid in February 2023.

Prior to that, 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. Also, the Department is continuously engaging with the Provincial Treasury for additional budget.

LIMPOPO

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a Subsidies and claims processed including Children’s homes that are paid on a six-monthly basis.

MPUMALANGA

a) (i)(aa) 29

(bb) (ii) as below

NPO not Paid their full subsidies for 2022 and Vulnerable Groups affected	Breakdown	Reasons
Older Persons	2	1 Centre - Claim not submitted 1 Centre closed
Persons with Disabilities	9	Varying reasons including: 1 centre no longer functional; 6 - Organizations with challenges; 2 NPOs - claims not submitted
HIV and AIDS	2	1 Organization has not been submitting claims since they had functional problems; 1 NPO under investigation
Drop-In-Centres	8	1 organisation is under investigation 7 claims processed as they were submitted late, not yet paid.
CYCC	1	CYCC did not submit claims
Child Protection Organization	1	Awaiting outstanding documents from the Organization
VEP	3	2 withdrawn for funding due to challenges; 1 under investigation
Youth Development	3	1 Centre mis-management of funds; 1 Center SLA not signed due to challenges experienced by organisation; 1 Centre had to change the board of directors due to mismanagement of funds

b) Monthly claims are processed on submission of the relevant documents.

NORTH WEST

Report not received at time of submission

a) (i) (aa)

(bb)

(ii)

(b)

(c)

NORTHERN CAPE

a) (i)(aa) None

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) Monthly claims of stipend and salaries are processed on submission of the relevant documents.

WESTERN CAPE

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) Quarterly payment dates have been set and are measured for compliance against the payment date.

28 March 2023 - NW94

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) her, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department did not have any changes in political leadership since 1 June 2019. No vehicle was purchased for the Minister during this period.

The following official vehicles were purchased for the Minister and Deputy Minister:

	(a) make	(b) model	(c)year of manufacture	(d) cost	(e)purchase date
(i) Minister / (ii) Former Minister	None	None	None	None	None
(iii) Deputy Minister/ (iv) Former Deputy Minister	1) Lexus	NX300	2020	R 664 723	06/03/2020
	2) Lexus	NX300	2020	R 664 723	06/03/2020

Please note the two Lexus vehicles purchased for the Deputy Minister were 1) for use in Pretoria and 2) for use in Cape Town.

28 March 2023 - NW6

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?

Source
Link

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.

(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 - NW502

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?

Source
Link

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 - NW503

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?

Source
Link

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.

28 March 2023 - NW523

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?

Source
Link

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 - NW559

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.

Source
Link

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 - NW570

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?

Source
Link

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 December 2022 - NW4670

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) is the total number of offices of the SA Social Security Agency that do not have working contactable telephone lines as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) alternatives have been put in place for members of the public to make contact with the specified offices?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) All South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) offices have contactable telephone lines.

b) SASSA has a national toll free number for the public to contact the agency for queries. The toll-free helpline number is 0800 60 1011.

28 December 2022 - NW2452

Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Social Development

Noting that the State responded to the impact of COVID-19 by increasing grant provision within the Republic, thereby creating a co-dependent civilization, what is her department’s two-year plan in negating a grant dependent nation, and rather providing a sustainable development solution that will allow our people to be independent and create their own wealth?

Source
Link

Reply:

In line with international standards, South Africa’s Constitution states that everyone has a human right to access to social security.

The Department is proposing a Basic Income Support (BIS) for adults aged 18- 59 as part of the social wage guarantee. This is viewed as key to alleviate poverty and promote development. The grant is likely to start small in value and will need to be complemented by programmes to create growth and jobs, as well as other parts of the social protection package. Ongoing consultations are being held on the draft policy options on Basic Income Support (BIS) with key stakeholders. Among others, these include social grant beneficiaries, DSD and SASSA, International Labour Organisation (ILO), civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, research institutions, government departments such as Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the National Treasury, and the Presidency.

This proposed programme builds on the highly successful Covid-19 R350 SRD grant. Research findings show that households receiving support enable

individuals to actively seek for work opportunities. Additionally, the research revealed that 93% of beneficiaries use the grant for food. 80% reported that even though the grant was small, it made a positive difference in their lives as well as their households. Therefore, the main idea is that government should continue with the BIS policy is being finalised.

Government is also refining the green paper on comprehensive social security and retirement reform, which would provide income security for individuals, both formal and informal sector workers, in old age inclusive of survivors’ benefits. A comprehensive social security system is critical in ensuring that non- contributory and contributory measures are available to provide cover to members and beneficiaries against life cycle risks.

28 December 2022 - NW3426

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the (a) total amount of funds that her department returned to the National Treasury, which were originally intended to fund non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the past five years and (b) breakdown of the list of NPOs that have been funded by her department in the past five financial years?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) Below is the total amount of funds returned to the National Treasury, which were originally intended to fund non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the past five years.

PROV	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
EC
FS	R 1 184 935	R 7 394 312	R 7 231 186	R 46 172 865	R 20 322 839
GP
KZN
LP	R 1 028 000	R 20 027 000	R 4 082 000	R 70 919 000	R 64 265 000

PROV	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
MP	R 6 896 000	R 76 000 000	R 12 605 000	R 45 448 000	R 37 830 000
NW
NC
WC	R 380 067	R 1 054 841	R 3 222.00	R 5 067 000	R 10 290 527

At the time of submission, the above Provinces have only responded.

b) Refer to NAPQ 3228.

28 December 2022 - NW3873

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

Whether her department has any plans in place to work with other stakeholders to introduce safety ambassadors at schools to identify learners from dysfunctional homes, in order to intervene through social workers and bring about a safer, secure and functional society; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department of Social Development is part of a tripartite agreement with the Departments of Health and Basic Education for the implementation of the Integrated School Health Programme which amongst other functions also identify learners from dysfunctional homes for intervention by social workers.

The Department already implements the 365 days child protection programme of action that mobilises all government departments, non-governmental organisations, communities, families, religious and traditional leaders in the identification and reporting of cases of vulnerable children so that such children are referred and linked to available services.

The Department also implements RISIHA, a community-based child protection initiative that is aimed at orphans and vulnerable children within their families and communities. Through this initiative, the Department and community-based organisations employ child and youth care workers who identify children in need of care. Through this initiative, there are continued education and awareness programmes as well as provision of community-based prevention and early intervention programmes to cushion vulnerable children. This is complemented by the National Child Care and Protection Forum, which is an intersectoral forum represented by all key departments, NGOs, religious and traditional leaders to ensure collaborative efforts in identification and responding to the needs of vulnerable children.

At the time of responding to this question, the following provinces have shared province-specific interventions to deal with vulnerable children:

Province

Response

Gauteng

Working with other stakeholders to introduce safety ambassadors at schools is the mandate of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. However, the Department of Social Development in collaboration with GDCS and stakeholders regarding safety ambassadors at schools and identification of learners from dysfunctional homes; continues School Social Work services and interventions through our School Social Workers and brings about a safer, secure and functional society. The aspect of safety ambassadors has been discussed and is in the evaluation and assessment of such learners in partnership with the Department of Community Safety. It follows that the noted Department already has safety ambassadors visa vie the safety patrollers programme with young adults who work in their respective communities and schools.

The Plan is to utilise/ enjoin the safety patrollers towards the mentoring of teenagers in schools and thus institute learner- based safety ambassadors. These safety patrollers cum ambassadors will be shaped to mentor teenagers in schools in the strive to groom them towards learner-based safety ambassadors. This will serve a dual role in having positive pro- active mentoring between the young adults and the school-based learners.

The Gauteng Department of Education has established an SLA program which serves as a student-led safety protocol program.

This is currently under consideration for development and change evaluation. Due to GDSD being in partnership with GDE; it is

subject to consideration within the SLA between the 2 Departments. These programs and Departments could ‘piggy - back’ and partner with each other in dealing with learners, school safety and the other young adults and school/community safety programmes.

Aspects/ of Plans to work with Stakeholders:

The provincial office in consultation & evaluation with the School Social Work team / School S/ W Managers & Supervisors at the Regional offices in the 5 Regions has instituted the creation of Regional School Social Work forums. These forums will have participating bodies of all stakeholders that work within the school social work ambit; and host relevant regional stakeholders in child protection, as well as other government departments that are pertinent to school and learner safety. The envisioned aim is to work coherently for stakeholders within government and civil society to aptly identify learners, families and communities that need care and through networking, partnerships have been able to meet and refer affected learners for psycho-social support and the accompanying social service delivery.

Mpumalanga

Yes. The Mpumalanga Social Development Department is working closely with NPOs in providing prevention and Early intervention services to schools. These include NPOs that the department is funding.

The department further funds 51 Prevention and Early Intervention Community Based organizations that are having 456 Child and Youth Care Workers who are working within the community. They identify children and families with challenges and link them with relevant stakeholders.

Local schools also refer cases to them and they refer them to local Social Development Offices for further management. These organizations are funded by the department.

The department also funds NPOs that reach out to schools to provide support and early intervention programmes.

Western Cape

The department currently works with the Western Cape Education Department to identity children and youth at risk. When children are identified at the school, they are referred to DSD for the most appropriate support/interventions to address their needs. This

also enables DSD to identify issues within the family context that

	must be addressed. The Department of Education has a Safe School Directorate with safety ambassadors who also refer children and youth risk to the Department of Social Development when required.
Eastern Cape	There are no plans to introduce safety ambassadors at schools. The Department of Social Development participates in the multi- disciplinary team to deal with social ills in school when invited. Interventions in schools are rendered by social workers who are deployed in each ward, for intervention on social ills and prevention programmes.
Northern Cape	Identification of learners from dysfunctional homes, provision of psycho social support and general welfare services are rendered by the Department of Social Development and partners at schools. RISIHA programme is implemented by the Risiha Child and Youth Care Workers rendering support services at Schools in the Province and NACCW implements the Esikolweni programme – which involves trained Child and Youth Care Workers, who are placed full time at Schools in Daniëlskuil and Postmasburg. Trained behaviour change facilitators also render social behaviour change programmes at schools in the Frances Baard and Pixley Ka Seme Districts. Trained coaches implement the Ke Moja Programmes – “No thanks I am fine without drugs” at Secondary Schools. Trained volunteers, Social Auxiliary Workers and Social Workers implement programmes at schools. The Northern Cape Department of Social Development and Basic Education entered into a partnership to support priority schools in the Province. DSD is working on a plan to recruit learner Child and Youth Care Workers to be placed on a full-time basis in these schools from 2023 to render support services to learners, implement and /or coordinate the implementation of relevant programmes e.g. bullying, Ke Moja, Social Behaviour Change and to refer learners and their families for Social Work Intervention and psycho-social support services.
Limpopo	The department is collaborating with the Department of Education in terms of child protection services. This is done in the form of capacity building for teachers and learners on child protection services. The department also conducts outreach services in the form of awareness campaigns, dialogues and life skills programmes at schools.
KwaZulu Natal	The Department have plans in place to work with all relevant stakeholders including the Department of Education to introduce safety ambassadors at schools to identify learners from

dysfunctional homes, in order to intervene through social workers and bring about a safer, secure and functional society.

Currently there are Provincial and Districts Inter-sectoral Child Care and Protection Forums which are functional in the Province. The purpose of the forum is to facilitate and coordinate the process of ensuring that all organs of the state and civil society organisations involved with care, protection and wellbeing of children cooperate in the development of a uniform approach aimed at the coordination and integration of services to children. The Department will strengthen partnership with the Department of Education and relevant stakeholders with the aim of establishing Task Team that will look at introducing Safety Ambassadors at schools to identify learners from dysfunctional homes in order render psychosocial support services and other relevant services to the affected children.

Free State

The Free State Department of Social Development does not have any plans to introduce safety ambassadors at Schools. However, the Department currently works with the Child and Youth Care Workers in the employ of NPO’s through the Isibindi Ezikolweni program as well as the RISIHA program to implement the early intervention program. These programs are aimed at identifying learners from dysfunctional homes and refer to Social Workers.

28 December 2022 - NW4327

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

What plans has her department put in place to continue payments of SASSA grants following the developments that Telkom might ditch its communication services contract with the SA Post Office?

Source
Link

Reply:

SASSA has engaged Postbank as its service provider, to ascertain the risk related to the media article on the possibilities of Telkom ditching its communication services with the South Africa Post Office (SAPO). SAPO has assured Post Bank that there is no official development or notice served by Telkom indicating their intention to withdraw from the communication’s services contract.

To further reduce this risk, Postbank is currently implementing an IT modernisation project which will enable the migration of Postbank’s banking platforms and other key applications from SAPO’s data center to a new Postbank compliant data center.

The financial position of SAPO continues to be a risk to grant payments both for Postbank and SASSA. However, it is important to note that all grants are paid directly into individuals’ bank accounts which are integrated to the National Payment System (NPS), therefore, if any channel is compromised, clients have the ability to withdrawn or transact at any Point Of Sale (POS) service at merchants and ATM’s using their cards.

We continually encourage SAPO/SASSA card holders and grant recipients using this card to use these other options, and would be grateful if members of Parliament can also educate and actively encourage their different constituents to do so. The use of cash is not only risky but also very expensive to beneficiaries.

28 December 2022 - NW4350

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

How was the Chief Financial Officer of the SA Social Security Agency held accountable for the irregular expenditure incurred according to the 2021- 22 annual report?

Source
Link

Reply:

Kindly be advised that the Chief Financial Officer(CFO) has not been held accountable for the irregular expenditure;because in terms of the assessments and determinations undertaken in line with the Irregular Expenditure Framework,versions 2015 and 2018 it was other officials who were held liable for permitting/promoting irregular expenditure;and thus violating section 57 of the PFMA,1999.The identified officials have been subjected to the disciplinary processes in line with applicable labour laws.

Kindly also take note that the processes of dealing with irregular expenditure is not yet finalized; and should the assessment and determination currently underway happen to identify/implicate the CFO to have contributed or failed to prevent the irregular expenditure,the Agency will not hesitate to holding him accountable for his actions;

The current processes of dealing with the irregular expenditure and disciplinary proceedings are by nature very protracted; hence, the Agency has projected to finalize them on or before 31 March 2023.

28 December 2022 - NW4412

Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the (a) total number of staff employed and/or provided as departmental support in (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Minister’s private offices and (b)(i) job title and (ii) annual remuneration package of each specified person?

Source
Link

Reply:

It is important to note that the Ministry support staff in the Office of the Minister and Deputy Minister are appointed in terms of the provision of the Guide for Members of the Executive (Ministerial Handbook). Their employment contract is linked to the term of office of the Minister and Deputy Minister.

(a)(i) Currently, the Ministry support staff is as follows:

(b)(i) job title	(b)(ii) annual remuneration
Private Office (Handbook)
Chief of Staff	R1,388,331.00
Community Outreach Officer	R1,121,979.00
Media Liaison Officer	R1,121,979.00
Private & Appointment Secretary	R978,726.00
Assistant Appointment & Administrative Secretary	R766,584.00
Receptionist	R277,362.00
Household Aide	R128,166.00
Household Aide	R128,166.00
Departmental Support (Handbook)
Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	R1,138,800.00
Administrative Support & Coordination	R1,105,383.00

(b)(i) job title	(b)(ii) annual remuneration
Registry Clerk	R399,609.00
Driver/Messenger	R234,918.00
Food Aid Service	R195,621.00
Food Aid Service	R181,599.00
Departmental Support

Deputy Minister

(a)(ii) The Ministerial Handbook makes provision for Deputy Minister to appoint additional support in consultation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration due to her special needs.

(b)(i) job title	(b)(ii) annual remuneration
Private Office (Handbook)
Technical Specialist	R1,138,800.00
Administrative Secretary	R949,992.00
Community Outreach Officer	R801,615.00
Household Aide	R128,166.00
Household Aide	R128,166.00
Departmental Support (Handbook)
Chief Registry Clerk	R269,214.00
Driver/Messenger	R181,599.00
Food Aide Service	R107,196.00
Departmental Support
Special Needs Coordinator	R789,750.00
Senior Guide	R393,711.00
Senior Guide	R411,681.00
Chief Registry Clerk	R269,214.00
Chief Registry Clerk	R269,214.00
Driver/Messenger	R181,599.00
Senior Administration Officer	R336,012.00

28 December 2022 - NW4431

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) is the total number of safe havens for abandoned children in the Republic and (b) total number of such havens are funded by her department?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) There are no safe havens for abandoned children in the Republic as that category is not known and registered with Social Development.

However the Department has records of temporary safe care persons and places where children in need of care and protection including abandoned children requiring alternative care are kept whilst awaiting finalisation of court proceedings for placement into foster care, Child and Youth Care Centres, as well as family permanency option such as adoption.

According to provincial submissions by provinces who responded to the question on safe haven; provinces also responded that there are no safe havens for abandoned children, but temporary safe care and places regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The provincial response from KwaZulu Natal did not provide statistics of temporary safe care persons and place.

The provincial breakdown for temporary safe persons and places is as follows:

Province	Temporary safe care persons	Temporary safe care places (Child and Youth Care Centre)
Free State	67	9

Northern Cape	26	10
Eastern Cape	80	30
Mpumalanga	58	29
Limpopo	0	15
GP	126	6
WC	800	53
TOTAL	1 157	152

b) There are no funded safe havens as they are not registered with the department.

28 December 2022 - NW4487

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to the early childhood development (ECD) Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus, meant for ECD practitioners, what (a) total amount was (i) paid to each province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and (ii) returned to the National Treasury by each province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and (b) are the reasons that funds were unspent in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

Please note at the time of submission the following Provinces have not yet responded:

North West
Northern Cape Summary sheet:

Province	(a)(i) the total amount paid	(ii)returned to NT
	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 1	Phase 2
EC	R 59 792 000	R 26 000 000	R 38 308 513	R 26 000 000
FS	R 25 291 842	No Stimulus Relief Fund batches were received in respect of Phase 2	R 18 258 000	No Stimulus Relief Fund batches were received in respect of Phase 2

Province	(a)(i) the total amount paid	(ii)returned to NT
	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 1	Phase 2
GP	R 77 763 000	R 25 623 000	R 38 430 000	R 25 623 000
KZN	R 89 898 000	R 38 24 5000	R 44 170 000	*Refer to notes below under KZN
LP	R 58 241 000	R 24 164 000	R 54 454 000	R 24 164 000
MP	R 6 199 000	R 0	R 36 173 000	R 16 214 000
WC	R 53 252 680	R 17 200 000	R 0 (ii)refer to notes under WC	R 0 (ii)refer to notes under WC

Please find the reasons for the unspent funds below:

EASTERN CAPE

b) the reasons that funds were unspent are stated below Phase 1

Sourcing of bank accounts
Incorrect bank accounts and non-availability of signatories.
Lack of capacity building and proper handing over by Data Innovators and National DSD.

Phase 2

The second phase allocation (R 26 million) was not disbursed to ECD centers due to the following reasons:

- The allocation letter was received in November 2021, and the province projected to disburse funds in January 2022. Upon submission to the National Office, the Province was informed that the funds will be available beginning in February 2022. Considering the above, the province was left with only 2 months before the end of the Financial Year and therefore foresees a risk of underspending which would lead to accruals.
- The funds were appropriated only during March 2022 by the treasury, which was very late for the Department to process it, considering the procurement processes that need to be followed.
- A request for rollover was done and the Department of Education follow-up function was shifted on the 1st of April 2022.

FREE STATE

b) The reasons for the unspent relief funds in the Free state Province were due to the following reasons:

Late receipt of payment batches.
Some NPOs did not submit complete information, and this hampered payment processes.
Some of the unregistered ECDs were not on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).

KWAZULU NATAL

*An amount of R 44,170 million was returned to Treasury at the end of the 2021/22 financial year and a rollover application of R 38,245 million was submitted to Provincial Treasury in respect of the Phase 2 balance, which was to be allocated to DOE upon approval due to function shift.

(b)The reason for unspent funds or underspending against Presidential Employment Initiative Grant is attributable to the fact that this grant was centrally managed at national Level in terms of beneficiary applications, verification of beneficiary banking details, and all other processes required to authenticate the payment. The Department only received the batches of certified beneficiaries to process the payment.

This Task was outsourced to a firm of consultants whose contract expired before the project was completed and had to be renewed which also caused delays during November 2021, as there was no service provider to generate batches for payment, and some of the beneficiaries could not be traced.

As means to try and expedite the spending on the grant, the Department issued an advert that took one month via KZN Radio stations calling for the beneficiaries who applied for the Presidential Stimulus Package to visit the Social Development offices for assistance. The Department also submitted a proposal to National Department requesting to utilize funds otherwise but could not succeed due to conditions attached to the Grant.

LIMPOPO

a) Bank, staff, and site verifications had to be conducted for the unfunded and unregistered ECD centers, and the challenges encountered are as follows:

Bank verifications:

- Incorrect ID number or company registration number,
- Incorrect company name,
- Incorrect bank account number, and
- Incorrect names and surnames.

Staff verifications:

- Duplicates (one staff member registered in more than one ECD centre.

Site verifications:

- Untraceable,
- Some closed,
- Some not registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD),
- Some do not have bank accounts,
- Some have savings accounts,
- Some were not from the province,
- Some organisations which have been approved are not ECD centres,

GAUTENG

a) (i) Amounts paid for Gauteng province in phase 1 and phase 2 are illustrated in the table below:

Phase 1

Phase 2

Received

R ’000

Received

R ’000

77 763

25 623

Amounts returned to the National Treasury by Gauteng province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 is illustrated in the table below:

Phase 1	Phase 2
Spent R ’000	Returned R ’000	Spent R ’000	Returned R ’000
39 333	38 430	0	25 623

Gauteng province spent R 39 333 million of the total allocation of R 103 386 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund in phases 1 and 2 by end of the 2021/22 financial year.

An amount of R 64 053 million not spent in 2021/22 was rolled over to the 2022/23 financial year and was allocated to the Gauteng Department of Education in the adjustment budget period following the function shift from the department of Social Development.

b) In the 2020/21 financial the allocated budget of

R 77.7 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent because the verification process for qualifying non-profit organisations was finalised late in the financial year.

The allocation of R 25.6 million received in the 2021/22 financial year for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent due to rejections caused by unverified bank accounts, ECD centres registered as Companies, Partnerships, and other forms of businesses other than non-profit organisations. In the 2020/21 financial the allocated budget of R 77.7 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent due to the:

The appointment and verification of Non-Profit Organisations were done by the National Department of Social Development and the Provinces were only responsible for effecting payments to the appointed NPOs.

Verification process for qualifying non-profit organisations was finalised late in the financial year by National Social Development.
The first finalised batch for qualifying non-profit organisations was received in March 2021 two weeks before the Gauteng Provincial Treasury's last payment run to date.
The summary of batches received from the National Department during phase 1 and phase 2 are enlisted in the table below amounting to

R 56 653 324. Two subsequent batched 24 & 25 were received also two weeks before Gauteng provincial treasury last payment run for the 2021/2022 financial year.

The budget allocation of R 103 300 000 compared to the summary batches received amounting to R 56 653 324 makes 54,8% of batches received to be paid

MPUMALANGA

a) (i)The total amount allocated to the province is reflected in the table below Table 12.1: budget allocation of phase 1 and 2

Phase 1	Budget allocated	Amount Spent	Unspent funds
	R'000
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD	42 372	16 214	58 586

(ii)The tables below reflect the budget allocated and expenditure for both phases 1 and 2

Table 12.2: budget and expenditure of phase 1 for the period ended 31 March 2021

Phase 1	Budget allocated	Amount Spent	Unspent funds
	R'000
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD	16 214	-	16 214

Table 12.3 budget and expenditure of phase 2 for the period ended 31 March 2022

Phase 1	Budget allocated	Amount Spent	Unspent funds
	R'000
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD	42 372	6 199	36 173

An application was made to roll over the unspent funds amounting to R

30.495 million which was subsequently approved during the budget adjustment of 2021/22 financial year. Expenditure amounting to R 15. 938 million was incurred for the period ended 31 March 2022. In total, the expenditure incurred from the allocation of phase 1 amounts to R 22.137 million

Phase 2

There was no expenditure incurred from the allocation of phase 2 which was appropriated as additional funding during the budget adjustment of the 2021/22 financial year. An application was made to roll over the unspent funds amounting to R 23.320 million which has been subsequently approved during the budget adjustment of 2022/23 financial year. The rollover funds were appropriated to the Education Vote as the ECD function shifted to the Department of Education with effect from 01 April 2022.

Under-expenditure recorded from the phase 1 allocation is attributed to the fact that the processing of batches of claims commenced late in the last week of March 2021. This is due to the fact that batches were received late from National Department, thus other claims were carried to the 2021/22 financial year for payment processing.

The under-expenditure on the phase 2 allocation was due to the fact that by the financial year ending 31 March 2022, the National Department was still finalising a list of NPOs to benefit from the allocation. An application of rollover was also made to fund the NPOs migrated to the Department of Education with effect from 01 April 2022.

WESTERN CAPE

With reference to the early childhood development (ECD) Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus,

(ii) no funds were returned to National Treasury since a service provider has been appointed until March 2023 to assist with the verification and validation of remaining sites and practitioners and

(b) Any unspent funds will only be declared by the end of March 2023.

28 December 2022 - NW4569

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

Noting the arrest of two elderly persons for allegedly defrauding SA Social Security Agency grants, while they are directors in companies, what (a) total number of grant beneficiaries who are owners of businesses have been arrested in the past five years and (b) is the total amount that has been recouped?

Source
Link

Reply:

Social Assistance is provided to individuals based on their income and asset status that they declare upon application, or when there is a change in their circumstances. SASSA does not check employment status, or director status of applicants, other than to confirm income levels.

a) Therefore, no records are kept of individuals based on their employment status or directorships.

b) SASSA does not have a record of funds recouped from directors of companies and who are also social grant beneficiaries.

It is important to note that being employed and/ or a director of a company (for profit or not- for- profit) does not disqualify a person from receiving a grant. Eligibility is determined by the income they receive from these activities; thus income needs to be assessed.

SASSA undergoes continuous reviews of social grants and investigates cases where fraud may have occurred. On the 4th of December 2021, 10 company directors were arrested on other matters, which were not social grant related fraud. Recovery of loss in relation to the aforementioned case will be done in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, which goes concurrently with criminal prosecution. The case in question is at the criminal prosecution stage.

28 December 2022 - NW4570

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What is the total number of children who have been adopted in the past two years?

Source
Link

Reply:

The total number of children who have been adopted in the past two years is 1840. Breakdown of adopted children per province in the past two years is as follows:

Province	2020-2021	2021-2022
Gauteng	268	363
Western Cape	292	309
KwaZulu-Natal	111	88
Free State	47	42
Limpopo	22	36
North West	26	27
Eastern Cape	37	82
Northern Cape	8	17
Mpumalanga	38	27
Total	849	991

28 December 2022 - NW4635

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

Since the implementation of the Child Support Grant Top-Up for orphaned and/or abandoned children in the care of relatives, what (a) total number of grants (i) have been successfully provided and (ii) are in process in each province, (b) is the (i) total budget allocated towards the specified grant and (ii) reason(s) for the slow uptake of the grant and (c) numerical impact has the grant made in reducing the foster care backlog in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) (i) By 31 October 2022, there was a total of 20,688 orphans in the care of their relatives in receipt of the Child Support Grant (CSG) Top- Up.

(ii) There are no backlogs for processing of CSG Top-Up applications. Processing is a daily action which happens as applications are submitted.

b) (i) There is no specific budget allocation for the Child Support Grant Top- Up in the 2022/23 financial year. In preparation for implementation of the CSG Top-Up, National Treasury identified savings from the existing social grants, which was deemed sufficient to fund the implementation of the grant.

(ii) As with any new grant or change in benefits that requires applications, up take is normally slow as awareness of the benefits steadily grows. The Department and SASSA have been conducting awareness sessions in Provinces to increase awareness of the provision to both beneficiaries and officials.

c) At this stage, there has not been much impact on reducing the foster care backlog. This may be due to the disjuncture between the Social Assistance Act, which was passed by Parliament and the Children’s Amendment Bill [B18D – 2020] that was passed by both houses of Parliament on 06 December 2022. It has been sent to the President for assent. Determining the impact of Top Up Grant will be more appropriate once both pieces of legislation have been implemented. However, it must be noted that even if the Children’s Amendment Act is implemented, the foster children who are already in the system will not be automatically excluded. The impact will be tracked only from the new cases.

23 December 2022 - NW3698

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

Following the assessment conducted in the Free State, which shows that children younger than five years are dying due to malnutrition, what steps of intervention has she taken to completely eradicate malnutrition?

Source
Link

Reply:

Social Development provides support in the rehabilitation phase of treatment for children referred to the Department after discharge from inpatient care as well as those referred from outpatient treatment to access various social security interventions to promote recovery. However, we support the preventative interventions to reduce malnutrition cases.

Some of the preventive interventions implemented by the Department of Social Development in collaboration with the Department of Health include: improving access to high-quality foods through food relief distribution and access to health care; improving nutrition and health knowledge through training and capacity building of practitioners and centres personnel; effectively promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life where appropriate; promoting improved complementary feeding practices for all children aged 6–24 months — with a focus on ensuring access to age-appropriate complementary foods (where possible using locally available foods); and improving hygiene practices to protect children against communicable diseases.

Among the other key factors that contributes to deaths in children admitted in health facilities with severe acute malnutrition includes: delay in seeking care and children who present with other complications namely diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Furthermore, kindly provide us with more information regarding the assessment conducted as referred to in the question for referral to our Health counterparts to profile the affected families so that we can provide comprehensive response to the affected area.

23 December 2022 - NW3832

George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether a SA Social Security Agency office will be established in Knysna; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date will it be established and (b) what services will be offered?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The Agency cannot provide an exact date on which a Fixed Service Office will be established in Knysna. The acquisition process has both Municipal and Agency dependencies. This includes the procurement process which is done through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

SASSA services are currently provided on a scheduled basis in the following areas within Knysna:

Hornlee
Sedgefield
Rheenendal
Khayalethu
Karatara

b) SASSA met the Municipality on 20 October 2022 to enquire about the availability of government owned sites in Knysna to establish a Fixed Service Office and the following resolutions were agreed to:

The Municipality to provide SASSA with a comprehensive list of government owned sites by 31 October 2022.
SASSA must determine the best option and provide the Municipality with an expression of interest by the 3rd week of November 2022.

Should there be no feasible site available, the procurement process through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will commence.

23 December 2022 - NW3853

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to the reply to question 3364 on 10 October 2022, pertaining to the lack of shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide in the Northern Cape rural areas, what (a) are the reasons that there are none and the specified province has to rely on neighbouring provinces for assistance and (b) plans have been put in place to establish shelters in the Northern Cape?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) There are two districts with no shelters in the Province, it is Namaqua and John Taolo Gaetsewe districts. The Department did not establish a shelter in Namaqua District in the past years due to the fact that there was no statistics of victims needing sheltering services in the district.

John Taolo district also does not have a shelter but has a White Door Centre to accommodate victims who need sheltering services.

b) Plans are underway to finalize the establishment of shelters in Namakwa and JTG Districts. There is a white door in Bankara Budulong in JTG District for emergency placement. Clients who prefer sheltering services are not taken to neighbouring Provinces, but are given the option to be admitted to a shelter in the Northern Cape Province.

The renovations for the shelter in Nababeep and purchasing of furniture is completed and the agreement between the Municipality and Department, must be finalized, before operationalization can occur.

The decision regarding the condition of the shelter between DSD and Kathu Solar Park, will be finalized in November 2022, which will determine the Plan of Action.

23 December 2022 - NW3859

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

Whether, considering that 50 000 parents have asked Premier Panyaza Lesufi to assist their children who are addicted to drugs and need rehabilitation, she has found that her department has an effective plan to combat substance abuse in communities; if not, why not; if so, what plan?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department of Social Development has a National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) 2019-2024 which is a product of broad consultation with relevant stakeholders. NDMP has been endorsed by Parliament and is clarifies roles and responsibilities of different government departments and other stakeholders. The Central Drug Authority (CDA), established in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act 70 of 2008) is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the NDMP. The implementation of the NDMP at Provincial and local levels is guided by the Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and Local Drug Action Committees established in terms of Act 70 of 2008. Annually CDA submits to Parliament Progress Report on the implementation of the NDMP. The following are the goals of the NDMP:

Goal 1: Demand reduction through prevention and treatment of drug use, misuse and abuse.

Goal 2: Supply reduction through multi-sectoral cooperation.

Goal 3: Ensuring availability of and access to controlled substances exclusively for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their diversion.

Goal 4: Identify trends and control of new psychoactive substances.

Goal 5: Promote governance, leadership, and accountability for a coordinated multi- sectoral effective response, including economic development at community levels.

Goal 6: Strengthening data collection, monitoring, evaluation and research evidence for an evidence-based response.

Goal 7: Stimulate robust and sustainable economic growth aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and inequalities.

Government developed an Integrated Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programme of Action aimed at addressing the Substance Use and Abuse at community level. The following are the Objectives of the Programme of Action:

To review and align liquor, Policy and legislations

To educate and create awareness on alcohol and substance abuse

To increase and strengthen the availability of services and resources to civil society organizations dealing with alcohol-related harm across South Africa

To review institutional mechanisms to prevent and manage alcohol and drug use in the country

23 December 2022 - NW3861

Hlongo, Ms AS to ask the Minister of Social Development

In line with the theme of Social Development Month, United in the Fight Against Poverty and Other Social Ills, as well as the commitment by her department to build self-reliant communities, what (a) opportunities and (b) partnerships will her department to roll out in the remainder of the current administration to link beneficiaries of grants with sustainable opportunities to sustain their livelihoods?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The opportunities that the Department will roll out include investing in the capacities of our people and the support of the sustainable livelihood’s interventions in all nine provinces. In celebrating social development Month in October, the department promote procurement from community-based entities especially from women and youth that can participate in the value chain of delivering social development services, e.g. SRD uniforms for kids are sourced from the local cooperatives) These are used as part of empowerment and providing them with opportunities to ensure that they access economic empowerment. All these creates a market for the local producing cooperatives and SMMEs, thereby fostering local economic development through the income generated from the departmental funding.

The department also create opportunities through developing appropriate interventions at Individual, Household and Community level, as support for them through

- Further education and training particularly for youth and women
- Linkage with Public employment programs (CWP/EPWP)/Private.

- Facilitating the establishment of Co-operatives and SMME (small &medium enterprises).

b) The department through provinces partners with several stakeholders and NPOs to provide sustainable livelihoods to vulnerable and poor individuals and households.

Over the next 3 years the social development portfolio, DSD, SASSA and NDA will be partnering with local NPOs, FINMARK Trust, that has received donor funds from one of the world largest development agencies, BRAC, to pilot the linking of child support grant caregivers to sustainable livelihoods.

The pilots will be conducted in three provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Free State. This will give a good break down of rural, peri-urban and urban sites.

The pilot phase is lengthy, however the goal is to not only determine feasibility of the project, but to attempt to produce a sustainable programme that is adequately quantified and that can be considered for scaling up.

Two sites have been identified in each province, with a SASSA local office being the focal point. Engagements were held with the local leadership in most of the provinces and the project has been well received. Project managers have been appointed and are expected to assume duty soon. The appointment of firms to do market and livelihood assessments are also in an advance stage.

In addition, the Department is entering into a partnership with the UNDP on the following:

- To establish, support and strengthen an integrated Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in South Africa
- To support government to provide a robust, coherent and harmonised enabling environment for social enterprises to thrive, including strengthening coordination, partnership, policy, research, advocacy and resource mobilization; and
- To promote a culture of social entrepreneurship through capacity development

It is planned that through this partnership we will further the objective of linking beneficiaries of grants with sustainable opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.

23 December 2022 - NW3882

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

Whether it was the policy position of her department to not register new Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) as they were not at capacity, and that no new CYCCs will be funded by and/or registered with her department in the 2021-22 financial year; if not, what evidence does her department have in support of the specified policy position that CYCCs are not at capacity; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether it remains the position of her department that it will no longer fund CYCCs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department has the long-term goal to centralise funds into a central account and fund projects directly without making use of the services of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), and/or does her department continue to value its partnership with NGOs and nonprofit organisations; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Provincial Departments of Social Development continue to register new Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) that meet the minimum norms and standard as per the relevant legislation. There is no policy

position that the department will not register or fund new Child and Youth Care Centres for 2021/2022 financial year.

The department funds CYCCs to provide residential care services to children in need of care and protection. Funding is dependent on the need and availability of budget during a particular financial year. Specific to the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), the said Provincial Department is reviewing its service delivery modalities in line with the Institutional Re-alignment Project. The said Project is informed by the approved Service Delivery Model and the Organizational Re-alignment which are aligned to the GDSD Organogram. The main aim of the GDSD Project is to build capacity of the state towards the delivery of services that are constitutional mandates. This re-alignment will take place from the 2023/2024 financial year, and, will be funded mainly from within the Department. The retrieval of services will not be considered for residential care facilities at this point due to limited capacity on the side of the Department. This includes CYCCs, Shelters for Homeless, Shelters for victims of GBV, Residential Facilities for Older Persons, Residential Facilities for Persons with Disabilities, In-patient Treatment Centres and Halfway Houses. Reference to capacity therefore relates to the Gauteng Department of Social Development and not to CYCCs.

2. Based on available funding allocated by the Treasuries, the Department will continue to fund CYCCs as well as process their registration as per the legislative prescripts

3. The Department has not explored the long-term goal to centralise funds into a central account to fund projects directly without making use of the services of Non-Profit Organisations. Specific to the Gauteng Province and in line with the Institutional Re-alignment Project (IRP), the Department will identify and retrieve services from the following organizations:

Non-performing/dysfunctional NPOs (non-centre-based services, non-compliant NPOs or NPOs suspended from service)
Certain statutory services (e.g., new foster care cases, adoption services, etc.)

The aim of this IRP is to ensure that funding is directed toward priority areas and programmes. This Project is a Gauteng provincial initiative and does not imply to other provinces.

23 December 2022 - NW3966

George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether her department and the National Treasury have agreed on a comprehensive social relief package to address the growing levels of food insecurity in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

The pandemic and the consequent lock-down exacerbated the loss of household income and increased hunger, which heightened the demand for the Department to provide food relief and Social Relief of Distress (SRD). As a result, the Department, in consultation with the Presidency, National Treasury and other relevant stakeholders, developed and implemented a social relief package for a period of six (6) months which was inclusive of the COVID-19 SRD (cSRD) and social grant top-ups.

However, most of the relief packages came to an end in October 2020 with an exception of the cSRD. It should be noted that the cSRD was initially extended by 3 months to January 2021, then by a further 3 months to April 2021. In July 2022, it was further extended to March 2022, after which it was extended for a full financial year from April 2022 to March 2023 under the Social Assistance Regulations. At its peak, the SRD grant was able to support 10.9 million beneficiaries in March 2022, but this has declined to 8.1 million people as at mid-November, due to stricter qualification criteria. The majority of beneficiaries have confirmed that they used the money primarily for food, followed by electricity and masks for personal protection during the pandemic.

The Minister of Finance in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement has announced a further extension of the cSRD until the end of the 2023/24 financial year, which is welcomed by the Department.

The extension of the provision until 2023/24 financial year will provide some assistance to cushion the effects of poverty, food insecurity and the high inflation rate amongst the poor, particularly the working-age population, who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, whilst a sustainable permanent intervention is being explored. Further engagement is ongoing with the National Treasury regarding longer term interventions, including other complementary measures linked to labour activation measures.

The Department also implements the Household Food and Nutrition security programme throughout nine Provinces. Vulnerable and poor individuals aged 19 -59 years are provided with cooked meals served at 282 Community Nutrition and Development Centres (CNDCs) that are spread in the most remote areas of the country.

23 December 2022 - NW4094

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What number of the total number of 761 officials of the SA Social Security Agency who were found to have been involved in fraudulent activities, (a) have faced disciplinary hearings and (b) have repaid the monies they accumulated through fraudulent activities?

Source
Link

Reply:

The figure of 761 is not the number of officials but it is the number of financial misconduct cases. These cases are not related to fraudulent activities, but to the following

failure to prevent occurrence of irregular expenditure;
fruitless and wasteful expenditure;
damages and losses within SASSA.

In addressing these cases, SASSA has implemented the following disciplinary corrective actions: :

a) Disciplinary corrective measures were completed were completed against two hundred and twenty-one (221) officials . The outcomes were used to support submissions of condonation to National Treasury for irregular expenditure cases. It is a requirement that before any condonation is granted the Agency should have completed disciplinary corrective measures.

Consequence measures finalised in relation to employees are reflected in the table below:

Financial Misconduct Cases	No employees	No of cases
Damages and Losses	105	129
Fruitless and Wasteful	15	35
Irregular expenditure	101	597
	221	761

b) Recovery is largely pursued in cases of fruitless and wasteful expenditure or damages and losses.

c) R92 826.39 has been recovered to date based on the payment/recovery agreement with a particular debtor (recovery at times is based on monthly payments).

23 December 2022 - NW4095

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the reasons that the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant of caregivers did not reflect on their SA Social Security Agency accounts for the month of October 2022?

Source
Link

Reply:

The COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress for the period of October 2022 was assessed and paid during the month of October. SASSA is not aware of any challenge experienced by beneficiaries relating to non payment for the month in question. However, there may, be challenges with individual accounts that SASSA is not aware of. Individuals who need further clarity on their payment status for a particular month or this month in question (October 2022) can review such on the application portal or by contacting the call centre on 0800 60 10 11 or [email protected]

23 December 2022 - NW4099

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

What steps have been taken to intervene in instances where loan sharks take possession of the cards of SA Social Security Agency beneficiaries in exchange for loans?

Source
Link

Reply:

The SASSA/SAPO card is owned and managed by the South African Postbank according to the South African Reserve Bank designation. However, the card is given to beneficiaries for the purpose of utilising the money to meet their basic needs.

SASSA has no control over beneficiaries who use their card as collateral to secure loans, nor does SASSA condone this act.

It is worth noting that the practice of exchanging beneficiaries cards for loans is a contravention of Section 20 of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 (the Act) which states “a grant may not be transferred, ceded, pledged or in any other way encumbered or disposed of unless the Minister on good grounds in writing consents thereto”, and also read in conjunction with Section 133, Section 90(2) (l) and Section 91(b) of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.

This matter is regulated by section 35 of the Act, which prohibits credit providers and other persons conducting and marketing credit provider services within areas of agency offices and pay points. Section 35 of the Act (1) Subject to the provisions of section 10(1) and (2) of the Act states; a) a person must not market or offer any form of credit , whether or not that person is registered as a credit provider, within any Agency offices or pay-point for the purpose of soliciting or enticing a beneficiary to engage in any form of credit granting, funeral scheme or life insurance scheme; b) the card must not be ceded, pledged or retained to secure a loan, repayment of loan debt or payment of a funeral or insurance premium.

Therefore, the Agency continuously communicates with social grants beneficiaries through various channels to discourage them from dealing with loan sharks. There are ongoing media awareness campaigns directed at all social grant beneficiaries not to hand over their SASSA cards to anyone.

Through these channels, social grant beneficiaries and members of the public are encouraged to report loan sharks in possession of their social grant cards and/or identity documents to curb these fraudulent acts.

SASSA also conducts awareness sessions among its employees so that they can share the information with grant beneficiaries and the broader public.

In tandem with the above measures to combat the phenomenon of loan sharks preying on social grant beneficiaries and to prevent this type of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Social Assistance Act, SASSA takes concerted steps to coordinate and approach this task, together the South African Post Office and within the ambit of multidisciplinary law enforcement agencies, which includes the National Credit Regulator and the National Prosecuting Authority to appraise them of the gravity of the moneylending activities and request that stiff sentences are meted out by the Courts.

The on-going collaborative effort has culminated in several arrests of suspected loan sharks who were found in possession of SASSA cards. In the current financial year, there were successful projects which led to the arrests and sentencing of loan sharks.

Herein below is a breakdown of the successes achieved to date:

Table: Breakdown of cases regarding possession of SASSA card(s)

No	Description of activities	No of arrested loan sharks	Date of arrest/ sentencing
1.	The Hazyview Magistrate’s Court (Mpumalanga) sentenced 1 money lender to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a fine	1	28 April 2022
2.	Masoyi Magistrate’s Court (Mpumalanga) sentenced 2 money lenders to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a fine	2	04 May 2022
3.	Three (3) suspected moneylenders arrested in KwaZulu-Natal with 50 SASSA/ SAPO cards, 20 EasyPay cards and R34,000 cash in Umkomaas	3	03 June 2022
4.	One (1) suspected moneylender arrested in Malmesbury, Western Cape for possession of SASSA/ SAPO cards)	1	27 June 2022
5.	Douglas Magistrate court in Northern Cape sentenced 1 moneylender with a fine of R10 000 and five (5) years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 3 years	1	18 July 2022
6.	31 suspected moneylenders arrested in Springs, Gauteng with 256 SASSA/ SAPO cards and 151 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R100, 000 in cash.	31	04 August 2022
7.	Five (5) suspected moneylenders arrested in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng with 1 X SASSA/SAPO card and 6 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R36,270.00 in cash	5	02 November 2022

23 December 2022 - NW4174

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether, with reference to voluntary associations registered with the non- profit (NPO) directorate in her department, she will provide the (a) reasons that voluntary associations require NPO status, (b) total number of registered voluntary associations in the Republic in each province, (c) list of requirements by the voluntary associations to be registered by her department, (d) monitoring and evaluations requirements and processes, (e) relevant details of what constitutes de-registration by her department and (f) necessary information regarding the positive and negative impact voluntary associations have had in society and the lives of vulnerable groups; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) Registration as a non-profit organisation is voluntary therefore any organisation that seek registration do so voluntarily. NPOs are registered in terms of the NPO Act 71 of 1997. The NPO Act does not require the organization to provide the reason why they apply for registration. Voluntary Associations are regulated under the NPO Act 71 of 1997. The NPO status provides organisations with a legal status which in turn makes them credible and accountable and gives them public confidence and easier to access funding.

b) The total number of registered voluntary associations (NPOs) in the Republic of South Africa in each province are listed below:

	Number registered	Voluntary Associations	Trusts	NPCs
EC	25 900	23 328	269	2 303
FS	13 572	12 266	87	1 219
GP	84 399	73 936	936	9 527
KZN	47 431	43 357	728	3 346
LP	26 434	24 618	95	1 721
MP	19 742	18 405	59	1 278
NW	15 389	13 668	60	1 661
NC	6 030	5 679	30	321
WC	28 162	24 085	969	3 108
	267 059	239 342	3 233	24 484

c) Section 12 of the NPO Act (Act 71 of 1997), provides for the requirements for registration. For a Voluntary Association to be registered they must submit a fully completed application form as regulated and the organization founding document, which in this instance it’s a constitution. Section 12(2) further provides, unless the laws in terms of which a nonprofit organisation is established or incorporated, the constitution of a nonprofit organisation that intends to register must comply with requirements (a) to (o) as set out. Further, Section 13 of the NPO Act stipulates that organisation may apply for registration by submitting the completed application form and copies of the constitution which met the requirements in terms of section 12 as mentioned above.

d) Section 18 (1)(a) of the NPO Act requires registered non-profit organisations to submit annual reports in the form of a narrative report in the prescribed manner and financial statements that has income and expenditure, balance sheet and accounting officer’s report. The department scrutinizes the submitted annual reports and check if the organisation carries out its activities or programmes as per its founding document and looks at the nature of expenditure incurred by the organisation.

e) Section 21 of the NPO Act provides for cancellation of registration of an organisation if it has failed to comply with the NPO Act. This means the obligation of NPOs to submit annual reports or makes material false representations in any document or a narrative, financial or other report submitted to the department. This decision is taken after an organisation would have been issued with a notice of non-compliance that would have provided the organisation with reasons for noncompliance and the steps that the organisation needs to take to address the noncompliance.

f) The Department has not undertaken any scientific study or review regarding the impact of voluntary associations in society and the lives of vulnerable groups as these organisations are funded by different government departments and independent doors.

23 December 2022 - NW3751

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

Noting how her department has underspent on nonprofit organisations (NPOs), what measures has she taken to ensure that functional NPOs receive much- needed funding?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department provide funding to variety of NPOs to render Social development services in all nine Provinces. These NPOs are functional as they deliver of much needed services. Functional NPOs do receive the funding based on the amounts agreed upon the service level agreements (SLAs).

Certain processes are followed before the funds are transferred to these functional organizations including:

Timeous submission of progress reports and relevant documents by the NPOs
Proof that the funds are utilized for the intended purposes.
Compliance with the registration and governance principles as stated in the SLAs and the NPO Act.

Most of the funds that were returned to National Treasury related to the ECD conditional grant and as such cannot be diverted to other programmes.

In addition, NPO’s are also exposed to capacity building programmes that empowers them on number of aspects including financial management, governance and resource mobilization. All these efforts are aimed at empowering NPOs to render quality

services and to empower them to mobilize resources from various sources thus building a sustainable NPO sector in the country.

23 December 2022 - NW3150

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

What measures have been put in place by (a) her department and (b) the SA Social Security Agency to ensure that social grants are paid only to those persons who qualify for them; (2) what punitive measures have her department put in place against (a) persons who unduly benefited from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption and (b) officials who have helped such persons to unduly benefit from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption? NW3860E

Source
Link

Reply:

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the whole Department of social Development (DSD) portfolio has adopted Zero Tolerance stance on fraud and corruption.

1. Taking into account that payments of social grants is largely technology driven, various Information Communication and Technology (ICT) capabilities have been developed to prevent fraud during payment of social grants. These include interfaces with other government departments which host citizens’ databases. This will strengthen SASSA’s ability to validate information on income for applicants, and also to regularly monitor changes in beneficiary circumstances, which may not always be timeously reported by beneficiaries.

SASSA has existing interfaces with Department of Home Affairs to confirm identity and life status, as well as, Persal and Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) interfaces confirming employment in the public sector, and or a pension from government.

SASSA has also implemented interfaces to perform bank account verification to ensure that the account details correspond with that of the applicant.

Other interfaces which are being added in the current financial year, including Department of Correctional Services database (to validate whether the applicant is in a Correctional Services facility) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). This is to determine whether the client is currently contributing to UIF, as this could affect the amount of the grant to which he/she is entitled. Additional interfaces will be added as they are identified and negotiated with other organisations. These interfaces already exist with the COVID SRD and will be incorporated into the existing grants as well.

These capabilities should strengthen the ability of SASSA to validate the information provided on application of a grant, and can also be used to inform the need to review existing social grants in the future.

2. SASSA’s fraud corrective mechanism is mainly on prevention capability as indicated above, however, loss recovery, disciplinary action and criminal referrals are additional mechanisms

a) When SASSA finds any person to have unduly benefitted, criminal referrals and loss recovery processes are undertaken.

b) As a mechanism of resolving cases wherein an official is suspected to have assisted such unduly beneficiary, (i) criminal referral, (ii) loss recovery as well as (iii) disciplinary actions are undertaken.

23 December 2022 - NW3249

Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether her department has a plan in place to distribute sanitary towels in the North West the same way free condoms are distributed; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

The implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Policy Framework (SDIP) and the Sanitary Dignity Programme is coordinated and monitored by the DWYPD. The equitable share budget allocation is given to various implementing provinces from National Treasury. At National level, the implementation of the programme is shared between Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Department of Social Development (DSD). National DSD implements the programme in four (4) provinces, which is Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Eastern Cape while DBE implements in five (5) provinces namely Free State, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West.

However, the province has strategically included the target for provision of sanitary towels in the Annual Performance Plan. Learners who are mostly vulnerable and those in quintile 1 and 2 schools in the townships and villages and farm schools are provided with dignitary packs on a quarterly basis.

The Department provides sanitary towels, on a small scale, to targeted learners from impoverished households and disadvantaged schools. Also, provision for sanitary towels is made as a form of intervention during disasters. The Department is targeting 10 000 beneficiaries to receive dignity packs in this financial year. In 2016, the

Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities scaled up the provision of sanitary towels to benefit the majority of girl-children in quintile one and quintile two schools. During this period, it was decided that the NW Department of Education is strategically positioned to roll - out the large scale provisioning of sanitary towels to beneficiaries in North West Province.

The Department of Basic Education may be in a better position to provide specifics in terms of the number of sanitary towels provided and cost implications.

23 December 2022 - NW3864

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What (a) total number of civil society organisations were invited to the Presidential Social Sector Summit and (b) are the details of the role her department played in inviting the specified organisations?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) A Presidential Social Sector Summit which was held on the 4th and 5th August 2022, was physically attended by a total of 1 032 civil society organisations.

To maximise reach, various online platforms were created to ensure participation. A total of 59 251 Civil society organisations connected and provincial breakdown attendance by location was as follows:

Cape Town – 12 411

Pretoria – 11 387

Durban – 8 542

Soweto – 5 868

Johannesburg – 6 069

Port Elizabeth – 3 481

Polokwane – 3 249

Bloemfontein – 3 243

East London – 2 538

Pietermaritzburg – 2 463

Those who connected virtually were represented with gender proportion of 38.6% males and 61.4% females.

b) The Department of Social Development was a coordinating department responsible for organising the summit. A steering committee was set up consisting of Department of Social Development, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), National Planning Commission (NPC), National Development Agency (NDA) and Civil Society represented by National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Community Constituency.

The Department was responsible to invite other government departments from the Social Cluster, and to invite about 406 NPOs, in addition, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Community Constituency was also allocated a responsibility to invite 50 civil society organisations from its constituency.

23 December 2022 - NW3865

Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development

What steps will her department take in response to the Auditor-General’s finding that her department has not adequately addressed material irregularities related to payments made to beneficiaries who did not qualify to receive the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant?

Source
Link

Reply:

The AGSA made the following recommendations to address the material irregularity findings, which SASSA intends to comply with:

1. Reasonable steps should be taken to implement internal controls to prevent and detect payments to ineligible beneficiaries and these should include verifying the applicants against the latest available databases, maintaining an audit trail of verifications that were performed and cancellation of further payments to ineligible beneficiaries.

a) SASSA has already implemented this at the time the material irregularity was issued. It was also found that a fair amount of the AGSA data was incorrect; thus further pointing to the reliance only on database to be insufficient.

b) As it is not possible to have every single database in the country and noting that these databases are not perfect – a further verification step was implemented in April 2022; whereby SASSA also checks funds in bank accounts against a predetermined threshold. While these have risks as well, they do provide a more reliable, real time data source than the other databases.

2. Appropriate action should be taken to recover payments made to ineligible beneficiaries that were working for the state at the time of applying for the grant. The recovery process should not be unduly delayed.

SASSA has written to the all the departments who have public servants that may have unduly benefited from the COVID SRD grant requesting them to verify the employment of the officials in their department; and to assist SASSA with debt recovery if employment is confirmed.
Many of the departments have acknowledged receipt of the request and are eager to assist.
The Public Service Commission will also assist the department with following up with the government departments; especially those that do not assist.

3. Appropriate action should be taken to obtain legal advice on the process to be followed to recover monies paid to ineligible beneficiaries who are not employed by the state. Based on the legal advice, the feasibility and cost effectiveness of recovering the money should be determined and if it is determined that such recovery is feasible and cost effective then such money should be recovered from the ineligible beneficiaries who are not employed by the state.

a) SASSA will undertake the investigation into determining the feasibility of recovering debt from the non-public servants.

Over and above the AGSA’s recommendations, SASSA is also working with the fusion centre as well as law enforcement agencies to investigate the criminal aspect of defrauding the state. To date, criminal referrals against these public servants is at 887. More cases will be referred during the current and next quarters respectively.

23 December 2022 - NW3866

Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What steps will her department take to address the increase in irregular expenditure from R3 million in the 2020-21 financial year to R 14,6 million in the 2021-22 financial year?What steps will her department take to address the increase in irregular expenditure from R3 million in the 2020-21 financial year to R 14,6 million in the 2021-22 financial year?

Source
Link

Reply:

The following steps have been taken by the Department in an effort to reduce irregular expenditure going forward.

1. The Supply Chain Management unit has undergone internal training on fraud and corruption indicators. This training was considered essential to ensure that the unit is capacitated on these aspects.

2. The Supply Chain Management officials and Bid Committees officials continuously attend relevant training that is coordinated by the National Treasury.

2. The CFO has written a letter to the National Treasury requesting assistance with price index and Central Supplier Database (CSD) compliance issues.

4. A Contract Management unit will also be incorporated within the Supply Chain Management Unit. The Contract Management team will monitor the SITA

transversal contracts for updates and validity to ensure that all SITA transversal contracts that the department utilises are valid during the procurement process.

5. The SCM Policy will be reviewed during the month of November 2022. The irregular expenditure cases have been referred to Internal Control for investigation. The outcome of the investigations will determine if any official is liable for the expenditure and the Directorate Labour Relations will assist with the disciplinary processes.

6. Over and abovementioned preventative, detective, and corrective control measures, the SCM staff and the Finance management, in general, will attend the root cause identification training for empowering the entire SCM officials to identify any non-compliance to prevent potential irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure before they are realised in the departments underlying accounting records.

7. The department’s governance structures such as risk management and the internal audit units will also work closely with management to provide advisory services while internal audit will also provide assurance services.

23 December 2022 - NW3880

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

With regard to her department’s call centre, (a) what (i) total number of calls are received on average in each month and (ii) number of the specified calls are prank calls and (b) what total number of (iii) calls are not related to issues of gender-based violence and (iv) total gender-based violence cases are successfully attended to in each month through the call centre?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) (i) The department’s call centre during the period April 2022 – October 2022 received a total number of 4148 calls average per month.

ii) Currently GBVCC does not have a system to identify prank callers, all cases are treated as real cases. It is only after many times and or months that a specific official will determine if it is a prank call. Their numbers will reflect as regular callers. Victims of GBVF can sometimes call and drop calls when facing threats, which makes it difficult to always determine prank callers. There are also regular callers who either give feedback, refer cases or need further assistance. This is an area for development.

iii) A total number of 2648 calls were received during the period April –October 2022 that are not related to issues of gender-based violence

Incident Type

Number of Calls Received: Non GBV Cases

	April	May	June	July	August	Septemb er	October	Total
Anger Management	2	3	2	2	3	2	7	21
Behavioural Problems	4	9	7	7	5	7	10	49
Child Adoption	1	4	3	0	0	1	0	9
Child Custody/Visitation	12	23	20	10	12	13	10	100
Child Maintenance	7	4	9	9	8	2	8	47
Counselling Death	1	0	1	1	3	0	0	6
Counselling Depression	7	14	17	13	21	8	5	85
Counselling Marriage & Relationships	22	44	32	18	47	35	35	233
COVID - 19	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Economic/Financial Abuse	0	0	0	0	5	1	2	8
Funding	0	2	1	1	1	1	2	8
Home Affairs Related	9	3	7	2	4	1	5	31
	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Labour Dispute	3	2	2	0	3	3	1	14
Legal Advice	6	11	7	2	12	14	5	57
Matric	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2
Other type of Incident	241	270	218	231	384	213	232	1789
SASSA Grants	19	13	25	12	10	15	14	108
Substance Abuse	8	12	17	8	17	9	9	80
Xenophobia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	342	415	368	316	535	326	346	2648

iv) A total number of 1958 Gender-based violence cases were successfully attended to in each month through the call Centre during the period

Incident Type	Number of Calls Received: GBV Cases
	April	May	June	July	August	Septembe r	October	Total
Abandoned Children	2	3	2	0	0	0	0	7
Abduction/ Kidnapping	2	1	2	1	2	3	0	11
Assault	9	13	6	10	12	14	11	75
Bullying	2	2	3	2	6	2	4	21
Child Neglect	20	42	38	16	35	29	18	198
Child Pornography	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Elderly Neglect	2	5	1	7	8	4	6	33
Emotional Abuse	41	33	35	37	41	49	28	264
Forced Initiation	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Forced Prostitution	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hate Speech	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Human Trafficking	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	3
Incest	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2
Indecent Assault	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Molestation	0	0	3	1	0	1	1	6
Physical Violence	155	175	113	122	158	137	125	985
Rape/Corrective Rape	16	34	29	15	23	27	22	166
Sexual Harassment	1	2	3	0	3	0	0	9
Stalking	0	2	0	2	2	2	1	9
Verbal Abuse or Intimidation	24	25	24	24	27	26	16	166
Total	276	339	259	238	317	294	235	1958

23 December 2022 - NW3881

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

What are the relevant details of her plans (a) for the employment of social workers who have been trained by the State, but remains unemployed and (b) to have funds ring-fenced for the employment of social workers?

Source
Link

Reply:

What are the relevant details of her plans

a) For the employment of social workers who have been trained by the State, but remain unemployed.

The Department has developed a draft sector strategy for the employment of social service professionals inclusive of social workers. This sector strategy addresses the employment of Social Service Professionals (SSPs) in Departments, Provinces, Agencies, Local Government, and the private sector.

The plan looks at various opportunities to employ SSPs, but not limited to;

Employment by Provinces
Employment by Sector Departments
Internship program targeting unemployed graduates
Short-term contracts based on the availability of funds (Presidential Employment Stimulus)

- - Employment through the Health & Welfare Sector, Education, and Training Agency

b) To have funds ring-fenced for the employment of Social Workers?

- The Department is currently reviewing the request for funding bid for the employment of SSPs, to focus only on Provincial Departments for Social Development.
- The funding bid will be submitted to National Treasury.
- The Department is continuously engaging the provinces and other Departments such as Education, SAPS, and Defence to prioritize and fill vacant SSPs posts.

25 November 2022 - NW3803

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)With reference to her reply to question 2094 on 30 June 2022, on what date were criminal cases opened against the 198 public servants whose information was received by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) from her department on 29 March 2022; (2) With regard to the level 13 public servant who benefited from the R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, (a) in which provincial department is the employee in question currently employed and (b) what total amount did the specified employee benefit in this regard; (3) what are the reasons that SASSA has not informed the relevant head of the provincial department that the employee in question is under investigation? NW4696E

Source
Link

Reply:

1. Referral to law enforcement was done between 01 May and 30 June 2022. Referral was done to the South African Police Service Coordinators who were dully appointed to be the nodal points on the Project. The breakdown of cases referred is reflected on the table below:

Province	Name of SAPS Coordinator to whom referral was made	Number of cases referred
Gauteng	Colonel Naidoo	14
Northwest	Colonel Moahlodi	21
Limpopo	Brigader Ramokolo	4
Mpumalanga	Colonel Majola	24
Free State	Lt Col Mathakoe	7
KwaZulu-Natal	Colonel Narayan	94
Eastern Cape	Colonel Dyasi	34
Total	198

(2)

(a) The public servant occupying a level 13 position who benefitted from the R350 Social Relief of Distress is employed at Limpopo Provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety.

(b) The total amount the specified employee benefited in this regard is R350.00

(3) SASSA did in fact inform the province, through a letter dated 14 July 2022 addressed to the Director-General: Limpopo Office of the Premier, requesting for his intervention and coordination to institute disciplinary action and recovery/acknowledgement of debt from the officer. The letter was acknowledged by the Office of the Premier on 19 July 2022. A follow up letter was sent at the beginning of October 2022 for a status update, and SASSA is still awaiting a response.

25 November 2022 - NW3562

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

(1)What total number of recipients from grants of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) are being paid (a) in person, (b) through electronic funds transfer and/or bank accounts and (c) through CashSend; (2) what (a) total number of SASSA grant recipients are awaiting their appeals for grants to be finalised and (b) is the breakdown of such grant types; (3) what (a) total number of grants have not been paid to date and (b) are the reasons that the grant payments are being delayed?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. SASSA clients are divided into two groups. Those who receive social grants and those that receive the Social Relief of Distress (SRD), including the COVID-19 SRD.

a) No social grants or SRD, with the exception of SRD for disasters, are paid in person as all grants are paid into bank accounts or via a mobile money option.

SRD for disasters are provided in-kind. This is in the form of food, blankets, mattresses, etc. that are supplied to individuals in shelters; or as vouchers that can be redeem at merchants.

In rural areas where normal banking infrastructure is limited, the Postbank provides cash paypoints for SASSA clients to access their funds from via Postbank accounts. The number of clients who utilise this facility varies from month to month from between 100 000 to 200 000. In the month of August 2022, 118,981 clients utilised this option.

b) All clients – both for SRD and social grants – and with the exception of those who are paid in-kind, are paid into their indicated bank accounts; and

c) approximately a 100 000 COVID-19 SRD clients are paid via a mobile money transfer (cash send) option.

2. In relation to the appeals relating to SASSA grant decisions:

(a) As at 30 September 2022 the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) received a total of 2 591 appeals that are related to the decisions of SASSA on social assistance applications to various grant types. A total of 1 014 appeals have been finalised and 1 577 is currently in the adjudication process. The total outstanding is still within 90 days period as the related appeals were all received during August and September 2022.

(b) The appeals are disaggregated as follows in terms, of the various grant types:

Grant Type	Total Received	Total Adjudicated	Outstanding
DISABILITY GRANT	2 335	933	1 402
OLD AGE GRANT	95	29	66
CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT	77	24	53
GRANT-IN-AID	50	24	26
FOSTER CARE GRANT	0	0	0
CHILD SUPPORT GRANT	33	3	30
WAR VETERANS GRANT	0	0	0
SRD (NORMAL)	1	1	0
GRAND TOTAL	2 591	1 014	1 577

In addition to the above, as at 30 September 2022, the Independent Tribunal received a total of 3 595 147 appeals in respect of the third (current) iteration of the Covid-19 SRD for the period of April 2022 to July 2022. The appeals were recorded for April, May, June and July totaling 1 165 369, 1 297 776, 516 442 and 588 401, respectively. Some appeals related to the month of June 2022, the 90-days period expired during the 1st week of October 2022. However, the Independent Tribunal has adjudicated all appeals received against the Covid-19 SRD applications declined by SASSA for the month of June 2022. The rest of the appeals that are outstanding are still within 90-days period which will expire during the relevant months in line with the period they were received. Below are the details in relation to the Covid-19 SRD appeals received as from 27 June 2022:

Grant Type	Total Received	Total Adjudicated	Outstanding
Covid-19 SRD	3 595 147	516 442	3 078 705

The adjudication processes relating to April – May 2022 are underway.

(a) There are no social grants or SRD for disasters that are not paid to date. Payment challenges do however persist with the COVID-19 SRD assessments and payments. At present, assessments are running about 1 month behind (September assessments were conducted in October) and approximately 80% of approved clients have been paid. In August 2022, this represented approximately 1.4 million clients.

(b) The main reasons for delayed payments include:

Awaiting bank account verification – before making a payment for the first time, SASSA needs to confirm with the bank that the bank account uploaded by the client belongs to the client to ensure that we are paying the correct person.
Failed bank account verification – often clients upload incorrect banking details.
For cash send options a similar verification of the mobile number used by the client for payment is required. A huge majority of these fail due to clients not using mobile numbers that are directly linked to them in terms of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA).

25 November 2022 - NW3557

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

For the past five financial years, what (a) total number of South Africans have benefited from her department’s substance abuse and rehabilitation programmes and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The total number of people who benefited from substance abuse and rehabilitation programmes for the past five years is 14 276 241

b) The following is the breakdown of the specified number in each province:

Eastern Cape

FINANCIAL YEAR	NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ACCESS REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
2017-2018	1 482
2018-2019	1 380
2019-2020	2 576
2020-2021	2 013
2021-2022	2 974

Western Cape

Indicator	2017-2022
Number of service users who completed inpatient treatment services at funded NPO, DSD own services treatment centres and DSD CYCCs.	5 383
Number of service users who accessed community-based treatment services.	14798
Number of service users that have received early intervention services for substance abuse.	31330
Number of service users that have received aftercare and reintegration services for substance abuse.	9568

Free State

Indicator	2017-2022
People benefitted from Department’s substance abuse prevention programmes.	205 806
People benefitted from rehabilitation and treatment programme for substance use disorder.	2738
people benefitted from the re-integration and after care programmes	742
Total	209 286

Gauteng

SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES	TOTALS
Numbers reached through people reached through prevention programmes	7461131
Number of children 18 years below reached through the Ke –Moja drug prevention	3360020
Number of youth (19-35) reached through the Ke-Moja drug prevention programme	1499097
Number of parents and care givers participating in Ke-Moja programmes	298452
Service user who accessed outpatient-based treatment services	42232
Number of service users who have access to public in patient treatment center	5418
Number of services who accessed inpatient treatment services at funded treatment centre	36371
Number of persons who received substance abuse treatment participating in aftercare programme	41353
Number of service users who accessed funded substance abuse community based service	59950
Number of service users who completed inpatient treatment services at funded treatment centres	16610
Number of service users who accessed	118447
Number of service users admitted at registered and funded halfway house	2079

KwaZulu-Natal

Key Performance Indicator	Total
Number of children 18 years and below reached through substance abuse prevention programmes.	770889
Number of people (19 and above) reached through substance abuse prevention programmes.	295669
Number of service users who accessed out-patient based treatment services.	7733

25 November 2022 - NW3249

Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether her department has a plan in place to distribute sanitary towels in the North West the same way free condoms are distributed; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

The implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Policy Framework and the Sanitary Dignity Programme is coordinated and monitored by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The equitable share budget allocation is given to various implementing provinces from the National Treasury. At National level, the implementation of the programme is shared between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Social Development (DSD). National DSD implements the programme in four (4) provinces, which is Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Eastern Cape while DBE is implementing in five (5) provinces, namely Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North-West.

Moreover, this province has strategically included the target for the provision of sanitary towels in the Annual Performance Plans. Learners who are mostly vulnerable and those in quintile 1 and 2 schools in the townships, villages and farm schools are being provided with dignitary packs on a quarterly basis.

The Department provides sanitary towels, on a small scale, to targeted learners from impoverished households and disadvantaged schools. Also, the provision of sanitary towels is made as a form of intervention during disasters. The Department is targeting 10 000 beneficiaries to receive dignity packs throughout this financial year. In 2016, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities scaled up the provision of sanitary towels to benefit the majority of girl-children in quintile 1 and quintile 2 schools. During this period, it was decided that the North West Province Department of Education is strategically positioned to roll-out the large scale provisioning of sanitary towels to beneficiaries in that province.

The Department of Basic Education may be in a better position to provide specifics in terms of the number of sanitary towels provided and cost implications.

25 November 2022 - NW3207

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

What total number of field social workers, excluding supervisors and managers, have been employed by her department in each province, to deal with programmes and cases relating to (a) child protection services, (b) substance abuse, (c) older persons, (d) victim empowerment and (e) services to persons with disabilities in each specified financial year in the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021?

Source
Link

Reply:

It should be noted that where there is no responses, information has not yet been provided by the affected province(s) at the time of responding to this question.

Table 1: Total Number of field Social Workers employed in provincial DSD

YEAR	PROG	PROVINCE
		EC	FS	GP	KZN	L	MP	NC	NW	WC
2016/17	a) Child protection Services	180	0	601	853	1326				472
	b) Substance Abuse	79	0		264					52
	c) Older Persons	154	0		287					52
	d) Victim Empowerment	111	0		259					30
	e) Services to Persons with Disabilities	104	0		288
2017/18	a) Child protection Services	279	0	601	845	1458				493
	b) Substance Abuse	104	1		254					52
	c) Older Persons	109	0		289					52
	d) Victim Empowerment	142	0		249					30
	e) Services to Persons with Disabilities	107	0		290
2018/19	a) Child protection Services	292	2		851	1492				526
	b) Substance Abuse	100	3		255					52
	c) Older Persons	119	0		296					52
	d) Victim Empowerment	145	0		248					30
	e) Services to Persons with Disabilities	106	0		292
2019/20	a) Child protection Services	278	5	601	825	1472				417
	b) Substance Abuse	103	2		244					52
	c) Older Persons	131	1		270					52
	d) Victim Empowerment	139	4		237					30
	e) Services to Persons with Disabilities	105	1		265
2020/21	a) Child protection Services	319	0	601	835	1444				469
	b) Substance Abuse	98	0		243					52
	c) Older Persons	126	1		270					52
	d) Victim Empowerment	139			236					30
	e) Services to Persons with Disabilities	101	1		265

25 November 2022 - NW3151

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What number of criminal cases has (a) her department and (b) the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) lodge against (i) any persons who unduly benefited from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption and (ii) officials who have helped such persons to unduly benefit from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption in the past 10 years in each case; (2) what number of the charges were (a) prosecuted and (b) successfully prosecuted; (3) how regularly does her department train officials from (a) her department and SASSA in order to (i) recognise and (ii) prevent scams and/or fraudulent activities to obtain social grant payments? NW3861E

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a-b) (i) During the period under review (2012/2013 to 2021/2022 financial years) SASSA referred a total number of 489 cases for criminal investigations and possible prosecution. These cases involved 1174 individuals, (ii) of which 761 were officials as reflected in the table below.

No.	Year	Beneficiaries	Officials	Money Lenders	Other
1	2021/2022	-	50	-	-
2	2020/2021	17	20	-	-
3	2019/2020	83	16	3
4	2018/2019	73	52		1 CPS Official 6 Public Works Officials 5 Former SASSA Officials
5	2017/2018	38	195	53	7 private person 1 CPS
6	2016/2017	1	22	-	3 Private Persons
7	2015/2016	9	337		5 Doctors 5 Private persons 3 Former SASSA Officials
8	2014/2015	-	3	64	16 Private Persons 2 CPS Officials
9	2013/2014	-	56	-
10	2012/2013	-	10	-	03 Former SASSA Official 15 Agents/Tout
	Subtotal	221	761	120	72 Private persons
	Total	1174

2. (a) Of the 489 cases referred to Law Enforcement Agencies, b) 31 were successfully prosecuted.

3. SASSA has an approved Fraud Prevention Strategy that is aligned to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. (i) Fraud awareness campaigns are conducted on a quarterly basis as per the operational plan. (ii)The emphasis of the strategy is on fraud prevention through fraud awareness capabilities.

25 November 2022 - NW2538

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) recent initiatives has she taken to abolish the practice of Ukuthwala, which remains prevalent in some parts of the Republic and (b) measures have been put in place to ensure that parents and/or guardians who subject young girls to the specified practice are held accountable?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The practice of ukuthwala is not legalized in the country, and the Department of Social Development together with all of government supports this stance. Therefore, the Department is against the practice of ukuthwala and advocates against its practice. On this backdrop, it is important to note that the continuity of this practice has been masked as a customary practice. This is notwithstanding the fact that it is being denounced by the custodians of customary practices. Ukuthwala occurs without the consent of its victims. It violates the victims’ right to dignity. This practice is associated with the kidnapping, assault and rape of young girls by older men who force them into customary marriages. It is a cross-cutting issue and fighting it requires collaboration with other departments such as, for instance, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and South African Police Service (SAPS). This practice has been reported mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces.

The Department of Social Development in partnership with other government departments is on a standing 365 days campaign on the protection and prevention of violence against women and children. Among the messages that we communicate through this permanent campaign is to advocate against the practice of ukuthwala. In particular in the Eastern Cape province we are embarking on a number of initiatives in this regard, including conducting educational programmes at schools and communities to empower children and parents about the infringement of children’s rights through ukuthwala. Where cases of statutory rape and forced marriages are identified, these cases are reported to SAPS and victims are provided with therapeutic services. In KwaZulu Natal, the district municipalities that are mostly affected by the scourge of ukuthwala are Uthukela and Harry Gwala. Led by Social Development, the relevant prevention and intervention programmes were implemented in an integrated approach together with all the stakeholders including the Department of Health, Amakhosi and the National Prosecuting Authority. A stakeholder’s forum has been established whereby Amakhosi in the affected areas are leading the awareness campaign against ukuthwala and other social ills. These ongoing initiatives have resulted in reduced cases of ukuthwala. Now there are improved levels of assertiveness by families and young girls against ukuthwala, ant these cases are being reported to SAPS. The social workers that we placed in police stations through lifeline as well as in Thuthuzela centres are providing psychosocial support and therapeutic services to the affected community members.

Further, from May 29 to 5 June 2022 the Department was part of the government-wide annual Child Protection Week Campaign. This year’s campaign had a particularly strong focus on teenage pregnancy. It is important to point out that some of the young girls who are victims of ukuthwala get pregnant and miss out on their rights to education, dignity and health. Furthermore, the Department worked with the provincial offices on child rights (ORCs) during this year’s commemoration of the Day of the African Child under the theme: “Advocating against harmful cultural practice” with the focus on protecting girls against ukuthwala as well as boys against attending unregistered initiation schools. The outcome of the two campaigns led to increased awareness on the violation and protection of the rights of children.

Even though the incidents of ukuthwala have only been reported in KZN and EC, the Department plans to extend its campaign to other provinces as a preventative measure. It is believed that awareness campaigns may limit the spread of ukuthwala as these target changing mindsets about the practice. The next campaign is targeted in Mpumalanga during the current financial year.

b) The perpetrators of ukuthwala (including the instigator and parents if they collaborate with the instigator) are administered in terms of the applicable legislative framework relevant to the specific matter that is associated with ukuthwala such as rape (including statutory rape if the victim is a child), contravening the Marriage Act, kidnapping, trafficking of persons, defeating the ends of justice, etc. Criminal charges should send a strong message to discourage the practice of ukuthwala.

Furthermore, the victims of ukuthwala are offered psycho-social support services by qualified professionals and they can reach out to the Department via our toll-free number 0800 428 428. This is supported by a USSD, “please call me” facility: *120*7867#. A Skype Line ‘Helpme GBV’ for members of the Deaf community also exists. (Add ‘Helpme GBV’ to your Skype contacts). An SMS-based Line 31531 for persons with disabilities (SMS ‘help’ to 31531) also exists. Victims of ukuthwala are further referred to applicable health and justice services.