Questions & Replies: Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities

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2012-11-30

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Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 999

Mrs L Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

(1) What measures does she intend to put in place to ensure that equality, equity and social justice are monitored for persons with disabilities to achieve equal access to all service opportunities;

(2) Whether her department has set any deadline for the implementation of the 2% equity targets for people with disabilities in all government departments; if so, (a) when is the deadline and (b) how does she intend to ensure that this target is met by the deadline?

REPLY:

(1) The Department is in the process of finalizing its overall Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to enable it to report on progress made with the progressive realization of rights of women, children and people with disabilities.

The aim is not to duplicate monitoring and evaluation work already being done by transversal departments and institutions, but to ensure that the government-wide monitoring and evaluation system provides sufficient information for cross-cutting analysis on progress being made with the progressive realization of rights of people with disabilities.

Specific monitoring and evaluation focus areas as it pertains monitoring the progressive realization of rights of persons with disabilities include:

· Coordinating surveys at institutional and service delivery level on for example assessing progress in the quality of education and care at special schools following the Department of Basic Education 2002 Audit, conducting surveys of the experiences of people with disabilities on current Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) sites, disabled public servants, and students with disabilities at institutions of higher education;

· utilizing Disability Month in November to coordinate disability parliaments across all three spheres of government where people with disabilities are able to hold their government and MPs, MPLs and councilors accountable;

· finalizing the First Country Report on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and reporting to the United Nations on periodic thematic reports required by UN bodies;

· publication of an Annual Report on the Status of Persons with Disabilities as it pertains the five key government priority areas, i.e. education, employment, rural development, safety and security and health.

Whilst it is acknowledged that the above merely touches the surface of the task at hand, current human and financial resource constraints do not allow for a more elaborate and in-depth approach.

(2) With regards the 2% employment equity disability target for the public sector, the DWCPD has not set the deadline target date, as it was;

(a) announced by President Zuma as March 2013.

(b) The responsibility for meeting the target by the deadline rests with every political head and accounting officer of every department and entity, with direct oversight by the Department of Public Service and Administration.

The role of the DWCPD is to support the process, by among others,

· engaging departments on their quarterly status and progress, as received from the Department of Public Service and Administration,

· providing technical assistance and support, for example facilitating the consolidation of databases of disabled job-seekers, and unemployed matriculants and graduates with disabilities within the Department of Labour's database for unemployed job-seekers, supporting the finalization of the Policy on Reasonable Accommodation in the Public Service, spearheaded by the Department of Public Service and Administration;

· engaging with disabled public servants on their experiences in the public service to sharpen and accelerate interventions in creating an enabling work environment for public servants with disabilities.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 801

Mr JH Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether any officials from (a) her department and (b) any entities reporting to her were on an officials visit to Bloemfontein in (i) December 2011 and (ii) January 2012; if so, in each case, what (aa) is the (aaa) name and (bbb) position of the specified official, (bb) was the (aaa) purpose and (bbb) date of such visit and (cc) was the cost of (aaa) transport, (bbb) accommodation and (ccc) other expenses?

REPLY:

(i) (a) Yes the (aaa) Names, (bbb) position of the officials (aaa) purposes and (bbb) date of visit (cc) costs for transport(aaa), (bbb) accommodation and (ccc)other expenses.

(ii) Nobody was on official visit to Bloemfontein in January 2012 from my department.

Name

Position

Transaction Purpose

Date

Type of service

Cost

Mailula Raesibe

Assistant director (WEGE)

International day of disabled preparations

01/12/2012

Land transport

R950.00

Lidia Pretorius

Chief Director: Disability

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Accommodation

R1 615.65

Makgae Maggy

Admin officer: research

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Land Transport

Accommodation

R 900.00

R2 535.00

Mokgope Surprise

Assistant Director: Disability

International day of disabled preparations

02/1202012

Land Transport

R810.00

Lukhele Sithembiso

Deputy Director: HRD

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Land Transport

Air Transport

R 900.00

R 3 388.00

Molekwa Sello

Communication officer

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Air ticket

Accommodation

R3 388.00

R1 276.25

Ralasi Ketshengana

Assistant to Mr. Palime

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Air ticket

R3 388.00

Toni Zolisi

DDG: Rights of people with disability and children

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Air ticket

Accommodation

Land transport

R3 388.00

R1 328.00

R2 214.00

Cornelius Monama

Chief Director: communication

International day of disabled preparations

03/1202012

Land Transport

Air ticket

R422.00

R3 388.00

Moreki Bathabile

PA to minister

International day of disabled preparations

03/12/2012

Air ticket

R3 388.00

Magi Vusimuzi

Assistant director: facilities

International day of disabled preparations

03/12/2012

Accommodation

R1 254.25

Simon Zulu

Deputy minister's guide

International day of disabled preparations

04/12/2012

Air ticket

Accommodation

R3 378.00

R1, 984.00

Roseline September

Chief director: Children's rights

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Accommodation

Air Transport

Land transport

R2,220.00

R2 972.00

R 950.22

Thabo Sephuma

Deputy director: Deputy minister's officer

International day of disabled preparations

02/12/2012

Air ticket

R2 972.00

Amos Lebalo

Minister's Protector

Centenary celebrations

03-05/01/2012

Accommodation

R7 200.00

Joseph Gaborone

Deputy Minister's Protector

Centenary celebrations

03-05/01/2012

Accommodation

R7 200.00

Joel Sheshaba

Minister's protector

Centenary celebrations

03-05/01/2012

Accommodation

R7 200.00

TOTAL

R74 701.32

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 727

Mr ND du Toit to ask the Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

(1) Whether she has assessed the legislation that enables her department to carry out its mandate; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether she intends to recommend further (a) legislation, (b) amendments to existing legislation or (c) regulations; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, when will the proves commence and (ii) what are further relevant details;

(3) What is the target expressed as a percentage to measure the success rate of carrying out the mandate and (b) measures in place to follow the success rate;

(4) Whether an internal monitoring and evaluation system is implemented in her department to report on progress and the impact on the progressive realization of the rights of people with disabilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how is the effectiveness of the system (a0 measures and (b) reported on?

REPLY:

(1) The Department's Strategic Plan (2012-2017) states that the work of the Department is not governed by any singular Act of Parliament but is informed by a range of national laws that deals with equality, empowerment, human rights and human dignity processes. Hence, the Department is assessing legislation relevant to its mandate pertaining to the three sectors on an ongoing basis. The relevant legislation is also assessed from an inter-sectoral perspective.

(2) The National Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Policy, the Integrated National Disability Strategy as well as a project aiming to assess Legislation Relevant to the Rights of Children will inform the scope and content of further legislation and amendments of existing legislation to be recommended by the Department.

(3) The Department is in the process of finalizing its overall Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to enable it to report on progress made with the progressive realization of rights of women, children and people with disabilities. See also the Reply to Question (4)

(4) The main focus of the monitoring and evaluation work of Programme 4 of the Department is to report on progress being made with the progressive realization of rights of people with disabilities. Work done to date has focused on mainstreaming disability considerations into the government wide Monitoring and Evaluation system, and has included, among others,

a) conducting a diagnostic review of the monitoring and evaluation environment within which the Department operates with the aim of understanding the work being done by other cross cutting departments such as DPME, National Treasury, DPSA, the Department of Labour and the Public Service Commission, among others;

b) conducting an analysis of the delivery agreementsfor the twelve outcomes, including information available in existing data sources, to improve mainstreaming of gender, children and disability considerations during the review process currently under way;

c) facilitating consultation with government departments and the disability sector on the identification of gaps in baseline information, the development of disability specific indicators and targets, combined with the need for disability disaggregated collection of data;

d) coordinating surveys at institutional and service delivery level on for example assessing progress in the quality of education and care at special schools following the Department of Basic Education 2002 Audit;

e) coordinating the drafting of the First Country Report on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

f) The ultimate goal of the Department is therefore not to duplicate Monitoring and Evaluation work already being done by transversal departments and institutions, but to ensure that the government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation system provides sufficient information for cross-cutting analysis on progress being made with the progressive realization of rights of people with disabilities.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 671

Mrs BC Diemu (COPE to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether, with reference to the rescue in Durban of 16 young girls including minors, her department is collaborating with the SA Police Service to locate the families of these girls; if not, why not: if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities contacted the office of the rights of the child in KwaZulu-Natal province regarding the matter. The details obtained are that the children were rescued by South African Police during the raid at Point road in Durban. They were twenty two (22) girls and their age categories are as follows: two of them are 14 years, four are between 15 and 17, and sixteen are between 18 and 21 years.

Currently eight girls have already been reunified with their families and they are receiving psychological support and counseling from the Department of Social Development and Child line. The remaining girls are under witness protection and two of them have babies.

According to information four suspects have been arrested and the case is ongoingin the Durban court. The fourth suspect is a Doctor who is alleged to be the owner of the brothel. He was arrested with his wife but released on bail amounting to R30 000. Their passports were confiscated and their case is also ongoing as well.

The office on the rights of the child in the Province is monitoring the situation to ensure that the girls are protected, rehabilitated and that they will later go back to school or FET Colleges for their educational development.

The Department of Women, Children and people with Disabilities is liaising closely with the Provincial Office on the Rights of the Child (based in the Office of the Premier) to monitor the development with regard to this matter to ensure that the children are adequately protected and that they receive appropriate services.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 590

DR HC van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

(1) Whether her department has an internal audit unit; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many staff members are employed in the unit and (b) what (i) is the structure and (ii) are the functions of the unit;

(2) Whether the audit committee considers the internal audit reports, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether she holds meetings to discuss (a0 the internal reports and (b) their findings with the audit unit; if not, in each case; if so, (i) on what dates since 1 April 2010 has each specified meeting taken place and (ii) what are the further relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the Department has an internal audit unit.

(a) None. Two of the recommended candidates for the post of Director were found to have financial problems while the other declined the offer even after having been offered higher notches. The Deputy Director and Administrative Officer posts are unfunded.:

(b) (i) Four posts: 1 x Director; 2 x Deputy Directors and 1 x Administrative Officer

(ii) Purpose: To ensure the provision of independent and objective internal audit and risk management services.

Functions: Conduct forensic, financial and operational audits.

Conduct performance audits.

Coordinate the implementation of audit recommendations.

Coordinate and facilitate forensic investigations.

(2) No internal audit function was conducted since the establishment of the Department. The Internal Committee has held two meetings, on 15 December 2011 and 25 January 2012 since its inception.

(3) (a) No meetings were held to discuss internal audit reports as no internal audit function was performed.

(b) No findings were made

(i) No meetings were held since April 2010; and

(ii) No further details.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 504

Mr DJ Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether she met with the internal audit committee in the (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) on which dates did they meet and (ii) what are the further relevant details?

REPLY:

I have met the Audit Committee this year. We discussed the reports of the Auditor- General and governance issues in the department. A follow up meeting was agreed to on the reports of the Auditor-General further.

Reply received: March 2012

QUESTION 25

Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether any other persons have driven (a) her and (b) her Deputy Minister's official blue light fitted vehicles; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, in respect of the (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 financial years, (aa) what is each specified person's (aaa) name and (bbb) designation, (bb) which vehicle and (cc) why?

REPLY:

The question posed by the Honourable member was once raised by his Colleague, the Honourable Mrs SV Kaylan as Question 3803 of 2011 dated 25 November 2011, which is exactly identical to the current question 25 of 2012.

The honourable member Waters should therefore refer to Question 3803 of 2011 for a response.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 290

Mrs BC Diemu (COPE) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2269 on 2 October 2011, she intends putting plans in place to demonstrate her department's commitment to the achievement of gender equality and the equal treatment of women in accordance to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, by finding a solution to the problem of the remuneration gap facing women who do work of equal value to the work done by men; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

Question 2269 to which the Honourable MP refers is actually based on "whether any progress has been made in achieving Millennium Development Goals 3 and 4 which aim to (a) promote gender equality and empower women and (b) reduce the maternal mortality rate by 2015; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details."

In responding to question 2269, there was no reference made on the matter of narrowing of remuneration gaps facing women who do work of equal value to that of men. However, the response noted that "South Africa has demonstrated commitment to the achievement of representivity and gender parity in order to narrow the gap between men and women and the races.

The DWCPD remains fully committed in achieving gender equality and the equal treatment of women in accordance to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. In this regard, in finding a solution to the problem of the remuneration gap facing women who do work of equal value to the work done by men, the department is currently finalizing its work on the Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, which will pronounce most strongly on this matter. Furthermore the department plans to engage on this issue with the Department of Labour who is the custodian of such matters. Currently the Employment Equity Act calls for the equal remuneration for women doing work of equal value with men.