Questions and Replies

Reply:

My Department uses the NPO funding policy and guidelines to determine whether a Non-profit organisation should receive funding or not.

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Reply:

1. The department of social development funds non-profit organisations in line with the policy on financial management act (PFMA). Annually the department through advertisements, calls for non-profit organisations to submit applications in form of a business proposal for funding. MOOFA submitted an application for funding for the 2016/17 financial year. As an emerging organisation, the department funded them to the amount of R800 000 for the 2016/17 financial year in line with their business proposal.

2. In accordance with the Policy on financial award, the department requests for periodical progress reports, financial statements, supporting documentations and proof of evidence. Site visits are also conducted periodically to assess progress and achievements in line with the business proposal. The monitoring and evaluation was conducted as done with all funded organisations. Subsequently MOOFA applied for the 2017/18 financial year. However due to non-compliance (Outstanding documents were not furnished VIZ: expenditure and financial statements). They were not considered for funding for the 2017/18 financial year. MOOFA was advised that due to non-compliance, the application for the 2017/18 financial year was unsuccessful. The department was awaiting outstanding documents to reconcile their reports from MOOFA.

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Reply:

N/A

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Reply:

a) The total number of non-profit organizations funded by the National Department of Social Development (NDSD) during the 2017-18 financial year are twenty-two (22) in number , and four (4) non - organisations are funded to deal with people with disabilities whilst only one (1) non - organisation is funded for autism.

b) The amounts allocated to each organization for 2017-18 financial year, particularly for services to people with disabilities and Autism are as follows:

No.	Name of organisation	2017/2018
1.	Autism South Africa (ASA)	R1 723 000
2.	Albinism Society of SA (ASSA)	R 740 000
3.	South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH)	R1 000 000
4.	DeafBlind South Africa (DBSA)	R 700 000

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Reply:

The Department has not and does not intend taking any steps against former Acting Chief Executive Officer of the South African Social Security Agency, Ms Pearl Bhengu.

The Department cannot establish, from the findings of the Constitutional Court, any element upon which the Department can take any step against the former Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Pearl Bhengu.

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Reply:

Please refer to Annual Performance Plans 2018/19 of the Department of Social Development, National Development Agency and South African Social Security Agency as tabled in March 2018.

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Reply:

a) The total number of social work graduates trained through the scholarship programme is 10 760.

b) Total number of graduates who are still unemployed is 4 192.

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Reply:

a) In the 2018/19 financial year National Department has introduced a new approach for funding NPOs over a period of three (3) years. A call for proposals for multi-year funding (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21) was issued by the National Department of Social Development in order to solicit services of suitable NPOs to assist the Department in the implementation of various programmes in line with the core mandate of the Department.

This new approach resulted in delays as funding templates and internal processes had to be amended to accommodate the three year funding approach. This approach is expected to result in improved timing in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years and payments will be made on existing contracts and the processes for call for proposals, shortlisting, contracting will not be repeated.

In addition, delays in transfers to NPOs was due to the National Treasury Circular 21 on classification of expenditure as either transfer payments, goods and services or capital assets, the Department has to review its transfer payments budget as some of the planned transactions with NPOs should be classified as goods and services rather than transfer payments. This may result in shifting of funds from Transfer Payments to Goods and services. The Department is still in discussions with National Treasury for the way forward to resolve these challenges.

However, the delays in the transfers for HIV/AIDS organisations amounting to R62, 560 million has been proposed to be shifted to goods and services. The process is underway for National Treasury to effect such changes.

b) The Department’s transfer payment budget has not been reduced. The budget has increased from R132, 614 million in the 2017/18 financial year to R154,191 million in the 2018/19 financial year.

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Reply:

Not applicable

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Reply:

(1)(a)(i)(aa) The total number of deputy directors-general employed in an acting capacity is one (1).

(1)(a)(ii)(aa) There are no chief directors appointed in an acting capacity.

(1)(a)(i)(bb) The total number of deputy directors-general employed in a permanent capacity is six (6).

(1)(a)(ii)(bb) The total number of chief directors employed in a permanent capacity is twenty-six (26).

(1)(b) The total number women employed in a permanent capacity as deputy directors-general is three (3) and as chief directors fourteen (14).

REPLY: NDA

(2)(a)(i) The total number of chief executive officers in NDA is one (1)

(2)(a)(ii) The total number of Directors is ten (10)

(2)(b) Chief Executive officer is One (1)

Directors who are women is seven (7)

REPLY: SASSA

(2)(a)(i) The total number of chief executive officers is one (1)

(2)(a)(ii) Not applicable

(2)(b) Chief Executive Officers is zero (0)

Not applicable (0)

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Reply:

1. (a) (ii) The number of labour disputes currently being faced by SASSA is 22.

(b) The cause of dispute, (c) the nature of each dispute and (d) on what date was each dispute (i) reported and resolved (ii) is indicated as follows:-

DISPUTE DATE	DISPUTE TYPE	NATURE OF DISPUTE	CAUSE OF DISPUTE	DATE RESOLVED
8-Sep-17	Collective (5 officials)	Unfair Labour Practice	PMDS Bonus	Pending Arbitration
25-Jan-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Fraud And Gross Negligence	Pending Arbitration Date
9-Feb-18	Individual	Unfair Labour Practice	PMDS Bonus	Pending Arbitration Date
19-Feb-18	Individual	Unfair Labour Practice	PMDS Bonus	Pending Arbitration Date
19-Feb-18	Individual	Unfair Labour Practice	PMDS Bonus	Pending Arbitration Date
1-Mar-18	Collective (5 officials)	Unfair Labour Practice	Suspension	Part-Heard, To Continue On 15-17/08/18
23-Mar-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
6-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Part-Heard, awaiting New Date
17-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Part-Heard, awaiting New Date
20-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
20-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Part-Heard, awaiting New Date
23-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration
25-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
26-Apr-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
11-May-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
11-May-18	Individual	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date
23-May-18	Individual	Unfair Labour Practice	Non - promotion	Pending Arbitration Date
24-May-18	Collective (3 officials)	Unfair Dismissal	Dismissal	Pending Arbitration Date

(2) (a)(i) what number of employees have been dismissed by her department in the past five years (52) and (ii) for what reason was each employee dismissed and

No. OF EMPLOYEES DISMISSED	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL
6	Abscondment
2	Absenteeism
1	Abuse of state vehicle
1	Assault
1	Contravention of Transport Policy
2	Dishonesty
2	Failure to comply with lawful instruction
1	Misrepresentation
1	Financial Misconduct
22	Flouting of grant processes
5	Fraud
2	Grant Fraud
4	Gross Dishonesty
1	Non-disclosure of information
1	Sexual Harassment
TOTAL : 52

(b) (i) The number of the specified employees who were paid severance packages is (0)

and (ii) The monetary value of each severance package: - N/A

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Reply:

1. Yes, I have been informed of the complaint by two former SASSA employees from the Eastern Cape. I was also provided with two investigation reports a) the investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities in the OR Tambo District and b) Report on the complaints of Ms Bulu and Ms Sikwebu. I have studied both these reports and believe that the matter has been adequately dealt with.

2. The investigation report found, inter alia, that there were some irregularities regarding the manner in which the region conducted its recruitment process and that, notwithstanding the said irregularities, the complainants did not qualify to be shortlisted for interviews for the posts in question.

3. The officials who were appointed, except for one, did meet the required job specifications and no evidence could be found that they falsified their qualifications. The official who was appointed without a matric certificate subsequently resigned from SASSA. However, corrective action was recommended against the Regional Human Capital Management (HCM) employees with regard to the unprofessional manner in which they handled the recruitment process. The latter recommendation was implemented by the former Regional Executive Manager.

4. I am of the view that there is no need for another investigation as the matter was fully investigated during 2015, and the report dated 02 October 2015 submitted with specific recommendations. The investigation did not find any evidence of criminality on the part of employees who were involved in the recruitment process. As indicated above, the official who was appointed without a matric certificate subsequently resigned from SASSA.

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Reply:

No school governing body has requested access to the Child Protection Register before employing school staff, as required by the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, (a) in the (i) 2015-16, (ii) 2016-17 and (iii) 2017-18 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2018.

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Reply:

No social grant recipients received their social grants after the scheduled date in the months indicated. It should be noted that social grants are available from the first of each month, and are available for collections during that month. Apart from the beneficiaries who collect their social grants in cash at designated pay points, no beneficiary has a specific date on which to collect the social grant. Therefore, as long as the grant is collected in the month in which it is due, there is no delayed payment.

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Reply:

(ii) N/A

(b) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

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Reply:

The issue of illegal deductions is one of the matter that are before court.

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Reply:

All not applicable

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Reply:

1. There have been some delays experienced by new applicants for social grants in being able to lodge applications, particularly in the Gauteng province.

A) This has been largely as a result of a labour dispute related to the function of biometric enrolment, which is a function SASSA has insourced, as part of the application process.

B) With the revision of grants administration processes, SASSA indicated its intention to take the biometrics of every applicant. Prior to the contract entered into with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), SASSA took fingerprints manually from every new applicant. With the new payment contract, it was decided to discontinue the taking of fingerprints, as CPS was doing this, to enable payments, and SASSA could use the fingerprints taken by the contractor for purposes of ensuring the integrity of the database, by eliminating duplications. Having both SASSA and CPS take fingerprints was seen as a duplication of effort.

With the contract with CPS having come to an end, SASSA is again required to take fingerprints, as the value of biometric data in eliminating duplicate payments and fraud has been extensively proven. A dispute has arisen with staff who feel this is not their responsibility, despite this having been done prior to the contract. This has impacted on the ability of some SASSA offices to process new applications.

C) The matter is being addressed with organised labour. In addition, an interim process has been developed to ensure that new applications can be processed, even while the matter is being addressed.

2. A full statement will be made once the matter has been resolved.

 

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Reply:

(a) No furniture was procured for the Minister of Social Development.

(b) Crockery and cutlery were procured for the Minister’s official meetings and the hosting of VIP guests.

(i) There was no crockery and cutlery in those offices since it was long time it has not been purchased.

(ii) No furniture was procured;

(2) Crockery and cutlery amount was procured for R116, 528.56.

(3) Crockery and cutlery were purchased in compliance with National Treasury regulations.

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Reply:

(1) The powers, functions and duties of the Director General are in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended) and Public Service Regulations,

(2) N/A

(3) N/A

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Reply:

1. (a) Special Advisor to the Minister.

(b) I intended to appoint her on an Acting capacity as COO to assist the Acting CEO in reducing backlog during the time of transition.

2. Not applicable.

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Reply:

SASSA is engaged in a transition project, to move the responsibility for the payment of social grants from Cash paymaster Services to the South African Post Office. This project is being managed according to an approved project plan. While every effort is made to ensure that there is no disruption to the payment of social grants, it is inevitable that the changes may result in some inconvenience or disruption to some beneficiaries.

The payment of social grants in the revised payment environment will take place in line with Regulation 21 to the Social Assistance Act, 2004. This means that beneficiaries have the choice to receive their grants directly into their personal bank accounts or through the new SASSA/SAPO card which is currently being rolled out.

The first focus area in the transition is to ensure that all those beneficiaries accessing their grants in cash at designated pay points have the new card and are able to access their grants, either through the National Payment System (NPS) infrastructure (merchants’ point of sale devices or bank ATMs); a post office outlet or at one of designated cash points which will remain. As part of the transition, a process of realignment of the cash pay points has taken place, and the number significantly reduced, since many of these have been in close proximity to NPS infrastructure. However, the commitment remains that beneficiaries will have an access point to receive their grants within a 5 kilometre radius.

In order to limit disruptions and mitigate the possibility of any grant beneficiary not being able to access his/her social grant, SASSA has developed a deployment strategy for staff at all levels within the organisation to man previously serviced pay points; large merchants and other areas where beneficiaries are found, to ensure that they are assisted in accessing their grants. Arrangements have also been made for the call centre to be available over the weekend of 1 and 2 September, which is the start of the payment cycle for September. These arrangements will remain in place until the end of this calendar year, to ensure that a smooth transition is achieved.

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Reply:

Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Eastern Cape	16	Alfred Nzo	8909
	21	BCM	616
	35	Chris Hani	570
	30	O R Tambo	1500
	23	Sarah Baartman	971
	6	Joe Gqabi	3827
	20	Amathole	150
	24	NMM	490
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Free State	25	Thabo Mofutsanyane	1980
	13	Xhariep	1358
	14	Fezile Dabi	1313
	10	Mangaung Metro	8909
	15	Lejweleputswa	1568
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Gauteng	492	Ekurhuleni	N/A
	603	JHB Metro	N/A
	234	Sedibeng	N/A
	190	West Rand	N/A
	413	Tshwane	N/A
	1932
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
KZN		King Cetywayo	2525
		Zululand	1075
		Umkhanyakude	651
		uThukela	0
		uMzinyathi	2397
		Amajuba	900
		Ilembe	1366
		eThekwini South	2434
		eThekwini North	570
		uMgungundlovu	619
		Harry Gwala	209
		uGu	4358
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Limpopo	302	Capricorn	7300
	116	Vhembe	1384
	47	Waterberg	3771
	90	Mompani	4906
	107	Sekhukhune	2058
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Mpumalanga	122	Ehlanzeni	1114
	91	Gert Sibande	437
	89	Nkangala	848
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
North West	82	Bojanala District	284
	92	Dr Kenneth Kaunda District	118
	139	Dr Ruth Mompati	14
	89	Ngaka Modiri Molema	574
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Northern Cape	0	ZF Mgcawu	96
	0	JT Galeshewe	10
	0	Pixley ka Seme	67
	0	Namakwa	56
	0	Frances Baard	114
	The backlog in the Province is not due to a shortage of vehicles but related to supervision and management issues
Province	(a) Vehicle Shortages	(b)(i) Offices with Shortages	(b)(ii) Backlog to visits
Western Cape	1	George	NA
	1	Knysna	NA
	1	Mosselbay	NA
	2	Drakenstein	47
	1	Stellenbosch	98
	3	Breede Valley	562

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Reply:

Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. of Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Eastern Cape	200	Alfred Nzo	6964	245	200
	184	BCM	6442	238	184
	314	Chris Hani	9333	365	314
	318	O R Tambo	8196	323	318
	121	Sarah Baartman	4140	158	121
	113	Joe Gqabi	3467	137	113
	366	Amathole	10947	418	366
	99	NMM	4254	149	99
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Free State	673	Mangaung	14800	741	1018
	52	Xhariep	3240	122
	126	Fezile Dabi	9020	419
	319	Thabo Mofutsanyane	118160	883
	154	Lejweleputswa	11630	543
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Gauteng	2225	Ekurhuleni	15573	1797	1426
		JHB Metro	32133
		Sedibeng	14839
		West Rand	91948
		Tshwane	19700
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
KZN	556	King Cetywayo	6910	258	278
	648	Zululand	14599	340	336
	736	Umkhanyakude	18407	478	367
	369	uThukela	6370	250	170
	389	uMzinyathi	10112	162	197
	280	Amajuba	9740	337	146
	210	Ilembe	4707	236	111
	247	eThekwini South	6910	320	135
	394	eThekwini North	13984	644	204
	576	uMgungundlovu	11463	391	283
	376	Harry Gwala	3985	125	209
	641	uGu	15850	459	341
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Limpopo	3490	Capricorn	43381	1234	490
		Mopani	47162	1951	504
		Sekhukhune	32469	1106	479
		Vhembe	45655	1467	423
		Waterberg	24799	652	284
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Mpumalanga	665	Ehlanzeni	41219	1956	420
	342	Gert Sibande	23194	989	281
	377	Nkangala	21918	1268	326
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
North West	331	Bojanala	21914	74	110
	121	Dr Kenneth Kaunda	10424	99	59
	293	Dr Ruth Mompati	17243	119	157
	410	Ngaka Modiri	21115	166	135
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Northern Cape	58	ZF Mgcawu	3284	85	2346
	110	JT Galeshewe	6555	178	4971
	42	Pixley ka Seme	3699	65	2994
	40	Namakwa	1864	46	1600
	100	Frances Baard	7662	280	5660
Province	(a) No. of ECD	(b) Location	(c) No. Children	(d) No. of practitioners	(e)Funded
Western Cape	616	Cape Wine Lands	34657	Database still being compiled	15313
	265	Eden Karoo	22024		10097
	299	Metro East	19801		9636
	351	Metro North	24485		3763
	399	Metro South	27289		10645
	155	West Coast	9730		3871

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Reply:

Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Eastern Cape	1601	Alfred Nzo	60
		BCM	183
		Chris Hani	243
		O R Tambo	297
		Sarah Baartman	155
		Joe Gqabi	150
		Amathole	254
		Nelson Mandela Metro	259
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Free State	481	Mangaung	130
		Xhariep	53
		Fezile Dabi	60
		Thabo Mofutsanyane	118
		Lejweleputswa	101
		Provincial Office	19
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Gauteng	1939	Ekurhuleni	492
		JHB Metro	603
		Sedibeng	241
		West Rand	190
		Tshwane	413
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
KZN	1596	King Cetywayo	150
		Zululand	174
		Umkhanyakude	147
		uThukela	169
		uMzinyathi	77
		Amajuba	148
		Ilembe	107
		eThekwini	165
		uMgungundlovu	126
		Harry Gwala	72
		uGu	136
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Limpopo	1605	Capricorn	374
		Mopani	324
		Sekhukhune	261
		Vhembe	438
		Waterberg	208
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Mpumalanga	535	Ehlanzeni	225
		Gert Sibande	157
		Nkangala	153
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
North West	650	Bojanala	186
		Dr Kenneth Kaunda	125
		Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	142
		Ngaka Modiri Molema	197
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Northern Cape	238	ZF Mgcawu	26
		JT Galeshewe	34
		Pixley ka Seme	56
		Namakwa	51
		Frances Baard	71
Province	Total per Province	Total per office
Western Cape	643	Cape Wine Lands	115
		Eden Karoo	90
		Metro East	122
		Metro North	103
		Metro South	124
		West Coast	42

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Reply:

There is no one comprehensive document that addresses all the elements mentioned in this question. However, almost all of them are addressed in the following documents: National Norms and Standards for Social Infrastructure Delivery; Blue Print on Office Accommodation for Social Workers; Gazetted Public Works Space Norms; Integrated Social Services Delivery Model; Social Work Indaba Action Plan 2017 etc.

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Reply:

a) There is a total of 7 667 active pay points that SASSA utilizes as social grant distribution points. The number of pay points is broken down in the table below per province.

Region	Pay Points
Eastern Cape	2 399
Free State	192
Gauteng	145
KwaZulu-Natal	1 617
Limpopo	1 744
Mpumalanga	384
Northern Cape	349
North West	604
Western Cape	233
Total	7 667

b) The location of each specified cash pay point is in the attached spreadsheet “National list of pay points” per province.

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Reply:

Eastern Cape	71
Free State	25
Gauteng	138
KZN	91
Limpopo	22
Mpumalanga	8
North West	74
Northern Cape	9
Western Cape	62
TOTAL	500

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Reply:

(a) According to section 27(a) (i) of the Children’s Act, no. 38 of 2005,

An applicant who has to provide an ECD programme has to possess the National Certificate in ECD at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 4 as a minimum requirement specified by South African Qualifications Authority.

(b) (i) NQF level 4 training is provided for 18 months.

(ii) 18 981

(c) There is currently no minimum salary level for practitioners. Each ECD centre remunerates its practitioners based on their available budget.

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Reply:

Yes, with reference to the reply to question 1541 on 4 June 2018, the six individuals referred to are listed on the Child Protection Register as part of the 1 188 stated in the reply to question 884 on 10 April 2018. The Department has not received information from courts on individuals who have been found unfit to work with children as a result of a disciplinary hearing.

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Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

1(a)(i) There was one case of alleged sexual harassment reported in 2016/ 2017 financial year.

1(b) Allegations were levelled against an SMS member making remarks against an official’s dress code.

2 Investigations were conducted by an internal and external investigators who both gave reports to the effect that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY:

Both 1 and 2 are not applicable

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY:

1. (aa) 2016 - There was one (1) case reported within SASSA. It was alleged that an official hugged, kissed and touched the buttocks of a cleaner without her consent.

(bb) 2017- There was one (1) case reported within SASSA. An official allegedly placed his hand on an official’s private part without her consent and further made comments with sexual overtones about the official’s body and hairstyle.

2. 2016 - The incident was investigated by a team of two investigating officers who discovered inconsistencies in the statement of the complainant. No wrong-doing was established against the alleged perpetrator.

2017 - The incident was investigated. The outcome of the investigation resulted in the perpetrator being charged and found guilty on the above stated charges.

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Reply:

Province	a) (i) Total No of Social Workers	a) (ii) Forensic Social Workers	a) (iii) Other professional care workers	b) Ratio per case
Eastern Cape	1997	0	254	Varies : 1:10 -1:61
Free State	768	0	113	Varies: 1:100 – 1:400
Gauteng	1245	0	628	1:60
KwaZulu Natal	1814	0	181	1:62
Limpopo	1599	0	89	1:20 – 1:300
Mpumalanga	474	0	77	1:6 – 1:141
North West	815	0	51	1:40
Northern Cape	349	0	86	1:80 -1:120
Western Cape	642	0	406	1:75 - 1:80

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Date……………………….

Reply:

Province	(a)Social Worker	(b) Other Professional Care worker	(b)(i) Full Names	(b)(ii) Position	(b)(iii) Office	(b)(iv) Crimes
Eastern Cape	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Free State	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Gauteng	ONE	N/A	Nozipho P. Mvalese	Social Worker	JHB Metro	Theft (Later cleared by SAPS)
KwaZulu Natal	One	N/A	N.G Mkhize	Social Worker	UMgungundlovu	Fraud
Limpopo	TWO	TWO	Bidzha T.L.; Mahlare M.S.; Mashumu T.J.; Sebona M.	Social Worker Social Worker CDW CDW	Vhembe Sekhukhune Sekhukhune Waterberg	Public indecency shoplifting Road Traffic Act Road Traffic Act
Mpumalanga	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
North West	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northern Cape	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Western Cape	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

With reference to the reply to question 884 on 10 April 2018, the Child Protection Register contains six names of individuals who were found to be unfit to work with children during disciplinary hearings.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The National Department of Social Development, SASSA and NDA:

(1) (a) (i) None. Do not own land.

(a) (ii) None. Do not own land.

(b) (i) Not applicable.

(b) (ii) Not applicable.

(2) (a) None. Do not own land.

(b) (i) Not applicable.

(b) (ii) (aa) Not applicable.

(b) (ii) (bb) Not applicable.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date …………………………....

Reply:

a) Exact Criteria for each grant type listed below AND (b) who (i) qualifies AND (ii) who does not qualify for a pension payout.

• Criteria for Older Persons Grant:

Men and women aged 60 years or older

South African citizens, refugees or permanent residents

Must reside in South Africa (only exception to this are those SA citizens who reside in Walvis Bay)

Together with spouse, must comply with the means test

Cannot be in an institution funded by State

Since 2011, all older persons above the age of 75 receive an additional amount of R20 in addition to the grant

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for War Veterans’ Grant:

South African citizen or permanent resident (not refugees)

Must live in South Africa

60 years and is unable to provide for maintenance due to a disability AND served in one of the four wars listed (in reality only those who served in the Second World War or Korean War are still alive)

Includes a supplement over and above the regular disability or old age grant (R20)

Must comply with means test

Cannot be in institution funded by the State

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for Grant In Aid:

Supplement for people who have a disability or are so frail that they require regular attendance by another person

Requirement is that the applicant must already be in receipt of a grant for older persons, war veterans or disability grant

Beneficiary cannot reside in subsidised institution

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for a Child Support Grant:

Primary care giver must be South African citizen, refugee or permanent resident (citizenship of child not an issue)

Primary care giver and child must live in South Africa

Paid to primary caregiver of the child (the care giver must be over the age of 16 and doesn’t have to be related)

Primary care giver and spouse must comply in terms of means test

Confirmation of school attendance or enrolment to be provided on application (but this is a soft condition). Failure to provide this does not result in no grant

Primary care giver limited to a maximum of 6 non-biological children

Primary care giver cannot be formally or informally employed to care for the child

Child cannot be resident in an institution funded by the State

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for a Foster Child Grant:

Foster parent must be South African citizen, permanent resident of refugee (citizenship of child not an issue)

Both foster parent and child must live in South Africa

Court order places child in the care of someone else (foster parent includes a person, other than the biological parent of the child, in whose custody a child has been placed)

Magistrate’s court and social workers play a role in deciding who should care for the child

Grant only valid for the period of the court order

Social worker to review the situation before extension of court order

Foster child grants are not means tested at all

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for a Disability Grant:

South African citizen or permanent resident (not refugees)

Must live in South Africa

18 years or older until age 60 when DG changes to an old age grant

Due to physical or mental disability unable to work & maintain themselves

Medical assessment by SASSA appointed medical doctor & a medical assessment report containing the certification of the degree of disability or not of the applicant

Grant is means tested (income of applicant and spouse)

DG can either be given as permanent (longer than 12 months) or temporary (6 – 12 months)

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for a Care Dependency Grant:

Primary care giver must be South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee (citizenship of child not an issue)

Primary care giver and child must live in South Africa

Paid to primary care giver of a child who is severely disabled (and is under 18 years – after age 18 the person then qualifies for a disability grant)

Care giver must be the parent, the primary care giver or the foster parent of the child

Child severely mentally or physically disabled

Grant to offset care-giver being unable to work full-time and higher expenses

If child looked after on a full-time basis for more than 6 months in a government-funded institution, then the parent is not eligible to receive this grant

Grant is means tested

Where a care dependent child is fostered, foster parent can receive both grants – neither grant is means tested

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

• Criteria for Social Relief of Distress:

SRD is a short term relief for addressing crisis situations

Paid to South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the following criteria:

Awaiting payment of an approved grant

Medically unfit for period of less than 6 months

Does not receive maintenance from a person legally obliged to pay such

Breadwinner has died and there is no other means of survival (application to be made within 3 months of death)

Breadwinner admitted to an institution funded by State

Person is affected by a disaster

Refusal will cause undue hardship

Only time a person receiving a grant can also receive social relief of distress is as response to disaster (no repayment)

Amendments allow payment of SRD to care giver even where child receives another social grant (CDG, FCG or CSG)

(b)

1. Anybody meeting the above criteria qualifies
2. Anybody who does not meet the above criteria does not qualify

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(1)(a) The cash payment tender process has been suspended pending investigation into various concerns raised. The final decision on the status of the tender will be determined, by no later than 11 May 2018.

(b) Since the tender process is not yet finalised, information about bidders cannot be made public.

(c) The concerns raised are about the accuracy and completeness of the statistical information (numbers of beneficiaries paid per pay point), needed to prepare a credible costing model.

(2) We are not aware of any persons or officials in the department who have been part and parcel of a process to ignore the Constitutional Court rulings against the department, however any evidence to the contrary will be considered. Suffice to state that the rulings of the Constitutional Court will be met.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

I have assumed Office in the Department of Social Development on 26th February 2018. The Department is currently reviewing the White Paper on Social Development which, amongst others, deals with the institutional and coordination mechanisms within the Department. This process may necessitate the review of related legislation including the implementation of the Advisory Board for Social Development Act, 2001 (Act No. 3 of 2001).

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

a) The department is implementing the social work scholarship programme to train social workers for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Once qualified, these graduates are eligible for placement in the Public Service, Non-Profit Organisations and the private sectors. The department has developed the Demand and Supply Model for Social Service Practitioners where an analysis of the geographic distribution and workload requirements for these practitioners was done. The model would assist in determining the population ratio and future projections in terms of the demand and supply of practitioners across provinces. It will also assist to determine the nature of the gap between the demand and supply with recommended strategies for integrated workforce planning. This model is yet to be shared with other key government departments to assess their demand for practitioners.

b) The department is currently implementing the Conditional Grant to fund employment of social work graduates who have benefitted from the Scholarship Programme. These graduates are employed by the provincial departments of social development. Since 2017/18 the department engaged other sector departments to lobby for employment of graduates. A draft business plan was developed to guide employment by other departments. Lack of adequate funding for compensation of employees in the Public

Service hampers all departments’ ability to employ additional social workers. Support from National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration will ensure that vacant posts for entry level social workers are funded, thereby ensuring absorption.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(a) A reprioritisation of posts in terms of the allocated budget for 2018/2019 will be embarked upon in ensuring that the critical posts are filled once the moratorium on filling of posts is lifted.

(b) The Agency envisages to fill critical posts within the 2018/2019 financial year period.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

1. (a) SASSA paid security services for the former Minister’s children in the year 2014/15

(b) Amount spent was R 2 008 086

2. SASSA stopped payments after expiry of the contract i.e. February 2015. Currently SASSA wrote to the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to make representation why the said amount should not be recovered from her, this forms part of preliminary steps to recover the amount concern.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(A) (i) Department of Social Development

Name of consulting firm (b)(i)	Service provided in each case (b)(ii)	Start Date (b)(ii)(aa)	Time period (b)(iii)(bb)	Monetary value (b)(iii)(cc)	Individual who signed off (b)(iii)(dd)
Reasonate	Design and implementation evaluation of the household food and nutrition security programme	26/02/2018	31/07/2018	R 466 046.25	Mr. M Ratshisusu Dir: Legal Services
Holistic Business connection	Gender Mainstreaming	14/03/2018	31/09/2018	R 440 000.00	Adv. S Misser Dir: Legal Services
Practical Design	Office space	22/03/2018	22/06/2018	R 476 019.77	Adv. Dladla CD: Legal Services
Leruobauweng	Compiling of bill quantities	07/02/2018	30/08/2018	R 495 420.17	Adv. SD Misser Dir: Legal Services
Deloitte and Touché	Cost analysis for older persons bill	15/12/2017	31/03/2018	R 491 354.00	Adv. Dladla CD: Legal Services
Mafoko Security	Security services	01/03/2018	28/02/2019	R 3 129 097.20	Mr. M Ratshisusu Dir: Legal Services
Tirisan tech solutions	CPR	01/03/2018	31/08/2018	R 4 646 057.46	Mr. M Ratshisusu  Dir: Legal Services
Tirisan tech solutions	NISIS	01/03/2018	31/08/2018	R 6 000 000. 00	Adv. Dladla CD: Legal Services
XL NEXUS	Travel management	01/09/2017	31/08/2018	R 9 000 000.00	Mrs. NI Vilakazi  Acting DG
Vodacom	E- Submission	01/04/2018	31/03/2019	R 774 301.68	Contract not yet signed
Pamoja Asset Management	Service provider to conduct a national audit of 20 000 registered and funded non-profit organisations (NPO) across nine provinces over 24 month period.	26/11/2017	26/11/2018	R 1 803 480.00	Mr. M Ratshisusu Dir: Legal Services
Vodacom	Mobile Communication RT15 Cell phone Contract	01/04/2018	31/03/2020	R 2 900 000.00	Adv. Dladla CD: Legal Services
Vodacom	Command Centre: Gender Based Violence	01/10/2017	30/09/2018	R 9 800 000.00	Adv. Dladla CD: Legal Services

(a) (ii) NDA

(b)(i)

(ii)

(iii)(aa)(bb)cc)(dd)

Not applicable, since the National Development Agency does not have consulting firms or companies contracted to it currently.

(a)(ii) SASSA

(b)(i)

(ii)

(iii)(aa)(bb)cc)(dd)

Not applicable, since the SASSA does not have consulting firms or companies contracted to it currently.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

Please refer to DPME

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

a) SASSA uses the Pay Master General Account held with the South African Reserve Bank.

b) 16 October 2017

c) (i) SARB – R0

Bankserv – R1 per transaction

(ii) SASSA pays all transaction fees at the agreed upon rate on a monthly basis.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

Refer to the Department of Health.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(1)(a) Submissions and other documents routed for CEO’s signature are attended based on her availability in office. The mentioned submission was signed on 5 December 2017 because ACEO was in office on that day.

(b) SASSA has an obligation to ensure that the payment of social grants is uninterrupted notwithstanding the phasing-in or phasing-out of services providers. Accordingly stakeholder management and constant communication becomes critical to prevent confusion amongst beneficiaries and their families

• The beneficiary education and awareness campaigns are held to reassure clients of government’s commitment to continue with the provision of paying social grants without any interruptions
• The campaigns are used as a platform to educate people on different types of grants e.g. Grant in aid; various SASSA projects e.g. Regulation 26A, Foster care backlog mop-up project. With regards to Reg 26A: SASSA has insourced the services to do direct funeral cover deductions on qualifying grants thus communication with beneficiaries was critical in order to allow beneficiaries opportunity to update their information, and to be within the legislation requirement of one policy per person and the policy not to be more that 10% of the grant amount.
• The beneficiary and stakeholder engagement was critical due to the need to provide clarity on the SASSA card that was to expire December 2017 and to inform beneficiaries that it has been extended to December 2018.

(c) No, only three events took place at the following places:

1. Makhosini

2. Kwamakhutha

3. Matshensikazi

(d) At head office level regions are allocated amounts to spend per event and the breakdown of cost is done at the regional level as they do their procurement process.

(a) 1. MAKHOSINI

NAME OF SUPPLIER	SERVICE RENDERED
Silver Ark Projects	Main Marque
Mbengiwe	Flooring
Mxinwa	Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals
Thinasonke	Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)
Sweet Basil	Catering For Public , VIP and Officials
Skhova's	Transport
Pubag	Sound System
Barlon Suppliers and Projects	Gift & Promotional Items

2. KWAMAKHUTHA

NAME OF SUPPLIER	SERVICE RENDERED
Bright Cloud	Main Marque
Thingo Investment	Flooring
Thengokhulu	Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals
Summer Rock	Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)
Ethel Investment	Catering For Public , VIP And Officials
Platonic	Transport
Silver Solutions	Sound System
Mbombo Events	Gift & Promotional Items

3. MATSHENSIKAZI

Name Of Supplier	Service Rendered
Kokumo Holdings	Main Marque
White Dove Investment (Pty) Ltd	Flooring
Tito Whl Trading	Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals
Idlomo Production	Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)
Duma Suppliers Group (Pty) Ltd	Catering For Public , VIP and Officials
Oakgotla	Transport
Sbani Samagela Trading Enterprise	Sound System
Marujwane Trading And Projects	Gift & Promotions Items

(b) The detailed breakdown of all costs incurred for each event:

1. MAKHOSINI

Service Rendered	AMOUNT(R)
Main Marque	485,021.00
Flooring	482,653.92
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals	490,000.00
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)	487,230.90
Catering for Public , VIP and Officials	493,650.00
Transport	493,000.00
Sound System	492,853.80
Gift & Promotion Items	480,000.00
	3,904,409.62
KWAMAKHUTHA

 

SERVICE RENDERED	AMOUNT(R)
Main Marque	487,398.00
Flooring	491,379.00
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals	490,100.00
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)	493,250.00
Catering For Public , VIP And Officials	490,750.30
Transport	494,500.00
Sound System	467,240.00
Gift & Promotion Items	495,000.00
	3,909,617.30

MATSHENSIKAZI

SERVICE RENDERED	AMOUNT(R)
Main Marque	467,021.00
Flooring	496,950.70
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals	488,399.50
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations)	491,489.30
Catering For Public , VIP and Officials	493,728.00
Transport	494,478.15
Sound System	493,050.00
Gift & Promotions	352,470.00
	3,777,586.65

(c) Approximately 3000 people attended per event

(d) SASSA does not keep a record of official who attend the events. Officials attending events include representatives from Head Office, Provincial Offices as well as District and Local Offices.

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

1. In 2009 the Department finalised an intersectoral implementation plan and a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that provisions of the Children’s Act are implemented in an intersectoral and integrated manner.

2. The Department is not exempted from any of the provisions of the Children’s Act.

3. The Minister’s Office has not been informed of a written agenda by departmental officials describing the involvement of nonsocial work professionals such as lawyers and psychologists as unnecessary in service delivery to children.

4. The Minister’s Office undertakes to inquire within the Department regarding this matter with a view to establish (a) which departmental officials (i) authorised the agenda, (ii) conducted the meetings and (iii) attended the meetings and (b) The Minister’s Office will take steps to ensure that (i) these officials are held to account, (ii) the misperception that has been created is rectified and (iii) written communication is sent to all members of the department to request them to refrain from infringing upon the constitutional rights of children and contravening section 5 of the specified Act.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

Not applicable.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

a) It should be noted that there is no specific criteria for persons seeking to apply for Disability Grants as a result of albinism. Section 9 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 states that a person is eligible for a disability grant if he or she “is, owing to a physical or mental disability, unfit to obtain by virtue of any service, employment or profession the means needed to enable him or her to provide for his or her maintenance”. The assessment for eligibility is thus based on a medical assessment which should confirm the impact of the condition on the applicant’s ability to support themselves.

A person with albinism may meet the eligibility criteria for a disability grant if complications associated with albinism have activity limitation consequences on that person’s ability to function to the extent that they will not be able to meet the inherent demands of open labour market employment. It is not the condition itself which is the qualifying criteria, but rather the impact the condition has on the applicant’s ability to function independently.

b) The SASSA system does not capture detail of the diagnosis or impairments of persons applying for disability grants for reasons of confidentiality and privacy. The information is on the medical reports which remain in the files. It is therefore not possible to report on the numbers of people with albinism who receive disability grants.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

No. The Minister for Social Development was not informed that her department’s Central Authority for Intercountry Adoptions lodged an appeal against a children’s court order.

The mandate of the South African Central Authority (SACA) is to regulate inter-country adoptions. In this regard the SACA strictly applies the principle of Subsidiarity. This means that the SACA is satisfied that all in country care options are explored before consideration of intercountry adoption.

The Department of Social Development took the stance to continue with the appeal so lodged on the following ground: That there was a breach of mandate by the accredited child protection organisation (CPO) facilitating this matter.

a) The issues surrounding the breach of mandate, procedural and administrative misconduct could lead to the deprivation of the child’s constitutional right to be cared for by his own biological family in his own country of origin.

b) The Department lodged its appeal in March 2017. However, the court has not provided a date for the matter to be heard. The applicant has filed a notice to oppose the leave to appeal, however, she has not filed opposing affidavit indicating the basis of her opposition. The delay is therefore not on the side of the Department.

c) The cost to taxpayers of the appeal is justified because the Department is of the view that all parties involved in this matter should act in an objective manner which favours the best interest of the child rather than the interest of any party concerned.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….