Questions and Replies

Reply:

(i) (ii) (iii)

(a) (i) 2 Buildings.

(ii) Leases 2 properties.

(iii) (aa) None.

(bb) 2.

(b) None.

(ii) To accommodate National Department of Social Development and the Social Security Branch at Harlequins Office Park.

(c)(i) The National Department of Social Development has lsased office accommodation since 2001.

Social Security Branch at Harlequins Office Park has leased office accommodation since 2000.

(ii) The National Department of Social Development has leased office accommodation f‹om the Human Science Reach Council (HSRC).

Social Security Branch at Harlequin6 Office Park has leased office accommodation from Delta Properties.

(iii) The National Department of Social Development has leased office accommodation from the Human Science Reach Council (HSRC) for

R2 284 518.83.

Social Security Branch at Harlequins Office Park has leased office accommodation from Delta Properties for R574 589.37

 

 

Reply:

Yes.

The Department conducted an exploration study in 2012 on the feasibility of implementing a family grant instead of the existing social assistance system. The study reviewed existing family grants in both developed and developing nations and further evaluated the resulting costs, benefits, and operational implications. The study zoomed into the lessons of international experience that inform good practice that included the Brazilian Bolsa Familia Programme.

The study demonstrated that the design of a family grant as a replacement programme will pose significant constitutional, legislative and implementation complexities. The Constitution (section 27 in particular) is individual-based rather than household-based. Given the complex issues raised in the report and the cost of implementing an additional grant, a decision was taken not to consider the option.

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

(aa)(aaa) 2016/17
(i) her and/or the former minister	(ii) her deputy and/or the former deputy minister
(a) BMW	(a) Jeep Grand Cheroke
(b) 740i	(b) 6.4 SRT
(c) R 1 302 525.00	(c) R1 161 687.00
(d) 25/09/2016	(d) 29/07/2016
aa)(bbb) 2017/18
(i) her and/or the former minister	(ii) her deputy and/or the former deputy minister
(a) None	(a) None
(b) None	(b) None
(c) None	(c) None
(d) None	(d) None
aa)(bb) since April 2018
(i) her and/or the former minister	(ii) her deputy and/or the former deputy minister
(a) BMW	(a) BMW
(b) 740i	(b) 541i
(c) R1 308 861.00	(c) R778 508.61
(d) 28/04/2018	(d) 11/08/2018

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

(a) (i) (ii) ( iii) and (b)The number of new grants added, per grant type, per financial year is indicated in the following table:

Grant Type	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19
Care Dependency Grant	17 159	17 453	17 528	15 692
Child Support Grant	907 747	838 749	866 718	818 007
Disability Grant	171 935	171 886	190 361	188 793
Foster Care Grant	47 863	45 778	43 749	38 055
Grant-In-Aid	41 953	45 794	48 090	48 396
Old Age Grant	227 360	237 384	242 908	243 069
War Veterans Grant	2	2
	1 414 019	1 357 048	1 409 354	1 352 012

N.B: The above table is based on the number of newly approved social grant applications per financial year. The 2018/19 figures are for the months of April 2018 to February 2019, as the March 2019 figures are not yet available.

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

SASSA RESPONSE:

Yes, SASSA implemented Resolution 1 of 2012 for part (a) and (b) of the question. However, DPSA issued Circular 4 of 2014 directing departments to implement Resolution 1 0f 2012 in a phases approach. Phase 1 was implemented in full, however, a number of implementation challenges were encountered regarding phase 2. These challenges resulted labour disputes, which landed at the CCMA and the Labour Court in Cape Town. The matter is set down in the Labour Court in Cape Town for 14 to 15 March 2019. SASSA will be guided by the decision of the Court in implementing the resolution further.

NDA RESPONSE:

(a) The NDA does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council. Therefore, that Council Resolution did not apply to NDA and accordingly was not implemented.

(b) Same answer as in (a) above.

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

• The forensic investigation was conducted by Provincial Treasury on behalf of the Department of Social Development, KZN.
• The report from Provincial Treasury indicates the following: -

• The reports were completed and issued in October 2012 by that time Mr Dlomo had left the Department of Social Development and was employed at the National Intelligence Agency. The recommendation by Provincial Treasury was that the allegations and findings be forwarded to National Intelligence Agency for their consideration and action.
• Regarding the criminal action, the case was registered against Mr Dlomo under Umbilo, case number 217/09/2010. The Investigating Officer is on record as being Captain Themba Sibiya. Following the Departments request for information, Provincial Treasury contacted Captain Sibiya who informed them that the case was still pending.
• The Provincial Treasury then requested a written response as to the reason why the case was still pending. Captain Sibiya had agreed to provide the response but it has not been received as yet.
• Furthermore, the former Minister of intelligence, Dr S. Cwele was officially informed about the outcome of the investigation and accordingly advised to implement the necessary action. To date the MEC for Finance or that of the Social Development did not receive any response from the Minister.

 

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

a) The total number of grants recipients as at 1 February 2019 is 17 791 179

b) Type of grant received in each province as at 1 February 2019 is a follows:

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

1. (a) The reason for the closed down of Kempton Park Child Welfare was due to the non-payment of salaries for the period of November 2018 to January 2019. They received their salaries for January 2019 on the 2nd February 2019. A resolution was taken in the meeting held on the 15th February 2019 with the employees and the board of management to pay February and March 2019 salaries to cover for November and December 2018 salaries not paid. Due to the deficit that led to the unpaid salaries, it was agreed that there will be no salaries paid for 2 months (February and March 2019).

(b) Kempton Park Child Welfare has caseload of 308 cases, which is disaggregated as follows:

• Finalized Foster Care cases :149
• Children placed in Child and Youth Care Centres: 40
• Lapsed foster care orders: 44
• New Foster care applications: 75

(c) During the strike, Ekurhuleni Social Development Kempton Park office was responsible temporarily for cases referred for social work intervention. Some of the social workers attached to Kempton Park Child Welfare attended to court cases while on strike. The staff/employees went back to work on the 21st February 2019 after they received salaries for November/December 2018 as per agreement.

2. (a) Eight (8) NGOs were closed during 2018.

(b) The name of organisations are as follows: (1) Tshitandani Child Care Foundation in Limpopo and (2) Cafda, (3) four Badisa offices (4) Child Welfare SA in Western Cape Province and (1) Child Welfare East London.

(c) Tshitandani Child Care Foundation is in Vhembe District in Limpopo Province; Cafda, the four Badisa Offices, Child Welfare SA are in the Western Cape Province (places affected is Riebeeck West and Lutzville areas in West Coast Region, Heidelberg and Ladysmith in Eden Karroo Region, Fisantekraal area in Metro North Region) and Child Welfare East London which is in East London.

(d) The reason for closure are voluntarily due to change of strategic focus and economic climate.

(e) 19 cases in Limpopo, between 200 and 4000 cases in Western Cape as informed by the province and 1418 cases in East London.

 

 

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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

a) The South African Social Security Agency has commenced with the utilisation of Evaton Multi-purpose hall to pay out social grants from February 2012 to December 2014 which is 35 months, from 2015 the agency moved to a different pay-point

b) SASSA spent an amount of R48 000.00 of which an additional amount of R9 600.00 was reimbursed to CPS in rentals during this period, since there was contract between SASSA and CPS for handing over of contractual payment of pay-points by SASSA.

c) The rental amounts were paid to Evaton Multi-Purpose Centre.

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

Question	DSD	NDA	SASSA
(a)	3	24	26
(b)	3	6	20

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

No person has been held accountable and responsible for the SASSA’s 2012 awarding of a contract to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) in respect of the payment of social grants. This contract was subsequently found to be constitutionally invalid after the successful challenge of the award to CPS during January 2012. However the declaration of invalidity was suspended three (3) times, i.e first from the judgement of the Constitutional Court during November 2013, the second was during April 2017 when the contract was also extended and the third and last suspension of invalidity was during March 2018 to allow the phasing in of the South African Post Office (SAPO) as the entity to pay social grants.

SASSA’s focus was on attending to the court processes; complying with the orders of the Constitutional Court and facilitating the taking over of the payments of social grants by SAPO, and thus ensuring no interruption or minimal interruption of access to social grants by beneficiaries.

Since 2012 to date, there has been five accounting officers responsible for SASSA, with two on a permanent basis and the rest on acting positions. This not only caused instability at administrative leadership level, but made those in acting positions to prioritise the payment of social grants amongst other issues. Now that there is some degree of stability regarding the payment of social grants, SASSA is now in a position to attend to the outstanding residual issues. These include reviewing the award to CPS and determining if further investigation is necessary because prior to holding any person accountable and responsible for any conduct there must first be an investigation.

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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(a)(i) Refer to Annual Reports for 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

(a)(ii) Refer to Annual Reports for 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

(b)(i) Refer to Annual Reports for 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

(b)(ii) Refer to Annual Reports for 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

(c) Refer to Annual Reports for 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

(d) Refer to Annual Reports for 2012/13; 2013/14; 2014/15; 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18 financial years.

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

preparatory
Province	Preschool/Nursery school/Grade 00 or 000	Crèche/Educare centre	Day mother/Gogo	Other	Total
Western Cape	12 009	49 988	25 524	2 782	90 303
Eastern Cape	24 704	38 173	23 374	*	86251
Northern Cape	1 681	7 564	5 068	*	14 313
Free State	6 141	29 583	9 653	5 465	50 842
Kwa-Zulu Natal	20 035	75 956	12 451	3 992	112 434
North West	8 788	27 172	*	*	35 960
Gauteng	49 219	170 028	73 087	12 469	304 803
Mpumalanga	11 953	34 642	15 678	*	62 273
Limpopo	2 771	67 716	41 441	*	111 928
RSA	137 301	500 822	206 276	24 708	869 107

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
BG Felem	471013 0518 087	Applied for grant for older persons in 2013, but this was not approved, because of the application of the means test
HM Fillis	480129 0073 086	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2010
AD Frost	531024 0022 085	No record of any application having been received by SASSA
NA Gcilitshana	461221 0519 086	In receipt of a grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of the application of the means test since 2016
LA Goncongo	381029 0265 080	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount since 2013

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
N C Matshoba	420619 0310 085	In receipt of both grant for older persons and grant in aid since 2013
R C Windvogel	610226 0121 084	No record of any application having been received or processed
NE Maye	441012 0438 087	Application made in 2015. Refused because of application of means test
N M Mayinje	480617 0651 083	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2012. Grant paid at reduced amount because of means test application
B L Mbele	471023 0552 085	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2010

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
KE Mooi	350329 0164 086	In receipt of both grant for older persons since 2001, with grant in aid added in 2014
MD Mphala	511120 5483 084	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2016
NG Mtshemela	480928 0604 083	Applied for grant for older persons in 2016. Refused because of application of means test
N E Ncapayi	420402 0436 089	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of the means test application and grant in aid since 2011. Prior to that was in receipt of disability grant since 2003. Grant lapsed in 2017, as beneficiary passed away.
GN Mali	380707 0131 086	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2001

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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

Not applicable

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Reply:

(a) NA

(b) NA

(i) NA

(ii) NA

(aa) NA

(bb) NA

(iii) NA

(iv) NA

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
HG Africa	630823 0200 082	In receipt of child support grant since 2007. Second child added in 2012. In receipt of a disability grant since 2009.
DL Arendse	460107 0130 084	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2016, paid at reduced amount because of application of means test
NE Badi	381201 0266 083	Applied for grant for older persons in 1999, which was paid until 2004, when it was cancelled on review because of application of means test
HN Bafo	470205 0617 080	Applied for grant for older persons in 2017 which was refused because of application of means test
NP Bungane	481101 0565 089	No record of any application being received by SASSA

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
NA Buwa	441128 0453 080	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount since 2012
DE Bruin	650325 0224 083	Was in receipt of a child support grant from 2006 until 2013, when it lapsed as it had not been collected for 3 consecutive months
NF Doro	411130 0230 084	In receipt of grant for older persons at reduced amount since 2017. Reduction in amount is as a result of application of means test
NV Duba	480417 0552 088	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2011
NC Dunga	560119 0158 089	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of the application of the means test, since 2016

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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
BE Malusi	391019 0262 086	No record of any application having been lodged with SASSA
P Maneli	481229 0646 088	No record of any application having been lodged with SASSA
E Mapoe	570719 0175 080	No record of any application having been lodged with SASSA
R N Masekwana	450923 0545 085	Application for grant for older persons applied for in 2017 but refused as a result of the application of the means test
TV Matchikwe	370122 0218 085	No record of any application having been lodged with SASSA

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
MT Kenane	480605 5652 081	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2009
RE Klaasen	490205 0568 081	Applied for grant for older persons in 2013, but application refused because of application of means test
PN Landu	451125 0544 087	No record of any application having been received by SASSA
AE Lee	500919 0209 086	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2011
MV Limapi	461213 0537 085	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of application of means test since 2016

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
NL Gubeva	470928 0625 080	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2016
SD Gunya	430928 0401 085	No record of any application having been received by SASSA
LE Hoko	490706 5301 089	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2011, with grant in aid added in 2014
S Jones	600309 0110 089	No record of any application having been received by SASSA
NI Kave	430512 0338 081	Application for grant for older persons done in 2016 but rejected because of application of the means test

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
BG Lubazana	471013 0518 087	Applied for grant for older persons in 2018, but application refused because of application of means test
NB Mafulo	530105 5760 083	In receipt of grant for older persons at reduced amount because of application of means test since 2018
Makamba	530608 0785 088	No record of any application having been received by SASSA
NE Makapela	480812 0773 082	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of the application of the means test since 2011
VP Malgas	500616 0494 086	No record of any application having been received by SASSA

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
N C Matshoba	420619 0310 085	In receipt of both grant for older persons and grant in aid since 2013
R C Windvogel	610226 0121 084	No record of any application having been received or processed
NE Maye	441012 0438 087	Application made in 2015. Refused because of application of means test
N M Mayinje	480617 0651 083	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2012. Grant paid at reduced amount because of means test application
B L Mbele	471023 0552 085	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2010

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

The table below indicates the status for each of the supplied identity numbers:

Name	ID Number	Status
KE Mooi	350329 0164 086	In receipt of both grant for older persons since 2001, with grant in aid added in 2014
MD Mphala	511120 5483 084	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2016
NG Mtshemela	480928 0604 083	Applied for grant for older persons in 2016. Refused because of application of means test
N E Ncapayi	420402 0436 089	In receipt of grant for older persons at a reduced amount because of the means test application and grant in aid since 2011. Prior to that was in receipt of disability grant since 2003. Grant lapsed in 2017, as beneficiary passed away.
GN Mali	380707 0131 086	In receipt of grant for older persons since 2001

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

a) NA

b) NA

i) NA

ii) NA

(aa) NA

(bb) NA

iii) NA

iv) NA

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

N/A

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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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Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

Not applicable

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Approved by the Minister on

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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)

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

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Reply:

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

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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.

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

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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.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

All not applicable

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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

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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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….

Reply:

(ii) N/A

(b) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

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Approved by the Minister on

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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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Approved by the Minister on

Date……………………….