Social Development A

2015-03-25

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Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1471 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1471. Ms T Gqada (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many invoices from private contractors to her department currently remain unpaid for longer than 30 days and (b) in each case, what (i) are the details of the (aa) contractor and (bb) services provided and (ii) what is the (aa) date of the invoice and (bb) reason why the invoice was not paid within 30 days? NW1684E

Reply:

(b)(i)(aa) A1 Projects and Adv Mandla Mathapuna.

(b)(i)(bb) Out sourcing maintenance and repair and research by the advocate.

(b)(ii)(aa) 18 March 2015 and 10 March 2015 respectively

(b)(ii)(bb) The Department was unable to process the payments before year

end due to the slowness of the system. The information had to be

recapture on the LOGIS system after year end.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1435 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1435. Mr D J Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Does her department have a Regulatory Burden Reduction strategy in place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the strategy? NW1648E

Reply:

Government has adopted a strategy presented by the National Treasury on how the department will be reducing costs on goods and services.

Department has already saved more than R2 billion during its re-registration process and we are in the process of taking back the payment process to Government as stipulated by the SASSA Act, 2004
The National Development Agency (NDA) among other things is focusing on capacity building and the mentoring of NGOs as well as co-operatives so as to ensure that the programs we fund do not collapse.

NDA has involved the citizenry in some of its programs so as to stretch each and every cent we have so as to benefit the ordinary people. This is done through Adopt an ECD which is also extended to non-centre based ECD.

Mikondzo program integrates Social Development programs from municipalities, Provinces and National so as to ensure that we deliver services to the poorest of the poor.

There are many other programs that are at a pilot level that are meant to shift social development services to the deserving communities.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1400 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1400. Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What number of (i) financial, (ii) forensic and/or (iii) other investigations that were commissioned by her department have been completed since 1 April 2013 and (b) in each case, what are the relevant details on the (i) investigation including a synopsis of the facts and findings of each case, (ii) persons or third parties responsible for each investigation, (iii) total cost to date of each investigation and (iv) appropriate steps taken against officials and third parties implicated of wrongdoing in the findings of the investigations? NW1613E

Reply:

The member must clarify his question; right now the question does not say anything. If he has information he must bring it to the Department.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1290 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1290. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 120 on 17 March 2015, on what exact page of the SA Social Service Agency Annual Report for the 2013-14 financial year is the (a) information requested in each case and (b) reasons for the provision of protection services contained? NW1499E

Reply:

The Hon. Member can find the information in the Annual Report.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1287 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1287. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 115 on 17 March 2015, what is the (a) name, (b) surname and (c) title of the person at the VIP Protection Unit to whom she reported the threats made to her children;

(2) is the SA Social Security Agency still providing close protection services to her children; if not, why not; if so, for what reason? NW1496E

Reply:

The member must ask for the response to the relevant government institution.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1289 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1289. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 124 on 7 March 2015, the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) paid for close protection services to any person(s) other than SASSA staff members; if so, (a) how many persons are involved, (b) what amount was paid for each person for close protection services and (c) how is the money being recovered;

(2) which (a) section(s) of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 as amended by Act 29 of 1999, allow SASSA to provide such services to individuals not employed by SASSA and (b) who gave the authority to provide such services? NW1498E

Reply:

(a) Yes, 5

(b) R 3 364 958.00

(a) Section 66 (3) (b) commit SASSA to that recoverable inter-departmental expenditure.

Section 51(1)(a) of the PFMA states “An Accounting Authority of a public entity must ensure that the public entity has and maintains effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial and risk management and internal control.”

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1288 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1288. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 118 on 17 March 2015, on what exact page in the annual report of the SA Social Security Service are the detailed costs indicated in respect of each request? NW1497E

Reply:

Page, 68 in the SASSA Annual Report 2013/2014

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1286 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1286. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 267 on 17 March 2015, the post in the office of the chief executive officer was of critical importance; if not, why did the SA Social Security Agency appoint someone to act in a post that was not vacant;

(2) whether she has found that the amount spent on the acting allowance does not constitute wasteful expenditure; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, on what basis was the incumbent seconded to her department;

(3) has the post been advertised after it was vacated; if not, why not? NW1495E

Reply:

(1) Yes

(2) No. The post itself has a job description which the incumbent had to perform. As the incumbent has the necessary skills and experience to perform these tasks allotted to the post, the Agency has benefitted from the incumbent’s performance.

(3) No. This post will be advertised during the 2015/16 financial year.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1285 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1285. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 121 on 17 March 2015, what are the names of the duly qualified personnel that conducted the threat analysis? NW1494E

Reply:

The request was forwarded to National Commissioner of the South African Police Services to conduct the threat analysis. The Department is not responsible for determining which officers are assigned for such matters as it is the competency of the SAPS.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1284 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 April 2015

Internal question paper no: 10

1284. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 115 on 17 March 2015, (a) when did she receive the assessment report, (b) when did the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) stop providing or paying for protection for her children and (c) under which legislation or authority is SASSA allowed to provide security for her children? NW1493E

Reply:

The member must ask for the response from the relevant state institution.

The Minister’s children continued using the services of the Au Pair that she paid on a monthly basis because she did not want to confuse her children. Much as there was security, it did not interfere with the real life of the children of the Minister.

Private security was stopped when the Minister demanded that it should come to an end. Whether there is legislation or not the children of the Minister do not deserve to stay in fear because of the unscrupulous people who want to terrorise government officials as they do not want their matters of corruption and maladministration to be followed.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1245 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 09

1245. Dr M J Cardo (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Has her department or is it in the process of developing a youth allowance proposal linked to a labour activation programme; if so, (a) what is the nature of the proposal, (b) who will qualify for the programme, (c) when will the proposal come into effect and (d) how much will it cost? NW1454E

REPLY:

South Africa needs a skilled labour force to thrust the country onto a higher developmental trajectory. Taking into cognizance that youth development is a challenge that affects government as a whole, youth development activities are spearheaded across all government departments and at present government has undertaken a number of initiatives to address issues around job creation and skills development. For example, programmes such as the youth wage subsidy, the national youth service, skills development levy and the expanded public works programme, all target youth unemployment by helping young people enter jobs, acquires skills and obtain the necessary job experience. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) also runs a job placement programme which provide skills and training to youth. It also supports young entrepreneurs through the provision of loans. Labour Centres provided by the Department of Labour also seek to help the youth with job searches, career guidance and curriculum vitae development.

(a), (b), (c) and (d): To strengthen existing interventions my Department has commissioned work to develop a social security policy for the provision of social security to youth. The central policy proposal objective is to protect vulnerable and unemployed youth by preventing them from falling into destitution, whilst promoting education and skills development, and labour activation. The proposal builds on the successes of the social assistance programme and further tackles the gaps that have been identified in the programme. Further details will be made available in the comprehensive social security reforms discussion paper to be released soon.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1244 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 09

1244. Dr M J Cardo (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Has her department conducted or commissioned research into the effect of social grants on labour participation rates among young beneficiaries of working age; if so, what are the relevant findings? NW1453E

REPLY:

Over the past years independent research has consistently documented the substantial how Government’s social protection programmes, including social grants have contributed towards achieving the social and human development impacts.

The research clearly shows that social grants not only tackle income poverty; they also provide effective support for broader developmental objectives. Substantial evidence shows that households spend social grants primarily on food and on improving nutritional outcomes, especially for children in poor households. In addition, social grants have proved to be very helpful in eradicating intergenerational poverty and in keeping children in schools.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1199 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 09

1199. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What service agreement does her department have with the Edenvale Child Welfare? NW1404E

Reply:

The organization in question is being funded by Gauteng Department of Social Development and the Honourable Member is advised to refer this question to the MEC.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1198 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no: 01

1198. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 73 on 13 March 2015, what is the clear set of criteria for which funding is determined? NW1403E

Reply:

The criteria for funding of NPOs/NGOs are clearly stated in the Policy on Financial Awards and the Honourable Member is advised to consult it for clarity.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1171 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 09

1171. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many sick leave days were taken by employees of her department in the 2013-14 financial year and (b) what was the total cost thereof in rand? NW1372E

REPLY:

The service conditions governing public servants are set out in the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended) and relevant determinations and resolutions, in terms of which employees are eligible for 36 working days sick leave over a three year cycle.

When employees exercise their rights in terms of this legislative provision, it cannot be said that these days are ‘lost to the department’ as implied by your question.

The right for employees to sick leave is also protected by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The Department has a total number of 776 employees. Of this number, 589 took 4 115 sick leave days for the period in question.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1137 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 09

1137. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What amount did (i) her department and (ii) state entities reporting to her spend on each newspaper subscription in each month (aa) in the (aaa) 2011-12, (bbb) 2012-13 and (ccc) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) how many copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week (i) in each specified financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW1302E

Reply:

The Department of Social Development has spent the following amounts on subscription:

(aaa) 2011-2012 – R259 136.00, in the (bbb) 2012-13 – R251 670, (ccc) 2013-14 - R228 236.00 and (bb) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available – R 169 117.00. (b) (i) (ii)

The Department of Social Development subscribed to online newspapers during 2014-15.

National Development Agency (NDA)

The NDA has the spent the following amounts on newspaper subscriptions (aaa) in the 2011/2012 – R64 844.56 (bbb) in the 2012/2013 – R63 326.04 (ccc) in the 2013/2014 – R76 424.75 financial years and (bb) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available – R74 414.20. (b) (i) (ii) The NDA Newspaper subscriptions are annually procured and 8 copies are delivered daily for seven (7) Executive Managers and one (1) copy for the Knowledge resource centre.

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

(a) These were the amounts spent by SASSA on each paper subscription in each month:-

(i) 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013- April 2014

Star (Monday-Friday)		R 1 430.52
Soweto (Monday-Friday)		R 825.55
Business Day (Monday-Friday)		R 1902.42
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)		R 681.31
Citizen (Monday-Friday)		R 245.32
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)		R 401.60
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)		R 1 129.83
City Press (Sunday)		R 577.92
Sunday Times (Sunday)		R 642.51
Sunday Independent (Sunday)		R 383.25
Sunday World (Sunday)		R 163.31
Sunday Sun (Sunday)		R 133.00
The New Age (Monday -Friday)		R 133.00

September 2014- to date

Star (Monday-Friday)		R 1 213.36
Soweto (Monday-Friday)		R 746.96
Business Day (Monday-Friday)		R 2 343.25
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)		R 573.80
Citizen (Monday-Friday)		R 255.36
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)		R 509.11
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)		R 1 616.50
City Press (Sunday)		R 376.08
Sunday Times (Sunday)		R 493.98
Sunday Independent (Sunday)		R 494
Sunday World (Sunday)		R 208.08
Sunday Sun (Sunday)		R 176.76
The New Age (Monday -Friday)		R 510.44
Financial Mail (Thursday)		97.5

ii. The newspaper specification on monthly basis for the financial years- 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14:

(aaa) 2011-12 R 14 873.70

(bbb) 2012-13 R 12 064.30

2013-14 R 10 365.09

(bb) Sep 2014- to date R 9 615.18

(b) Number of copies of each newspaper which were ordered by SASSA on each day of the week:

2011-12

Star (Monday-Friday)	12
Sowetan (Monday-friday)	11
Business Day (Monday-Friday)	9
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)	7
Citizen (Monday-Friday)	4
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)	10
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)	13
City Press (Sunday)	12
Sunday Times (Sunday)	11
Sunday Independent (Sunday)	7
Sunday World (Sunday)	7
Sunday Sun (Sunday)	7
The New Age (Monday -Friday)	9
Financial Mail (Thursday)	1

2012-13

Star (Monday-Friday)	12
Sowetan (Monday-Friday)	11
Business Day (Monday-Friday)	9
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)	7
Citizen (Monday-Friday)	4
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)	10
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)	13
City Press (Sunday)	12
Sunday Times (Sunday)	11
Sunday Independent (Sunday)	7
Sunday World (Sunday)	7
Sunday Sun (Sunday)	7
The New Age (Monday -Friday)	9
Financial Mail (Thursday)	1

2013-14

Star (Monday-Friday)	12
Sowetan (Monday-Friday)	11
Business Day (Monday-Friday)	9
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)	7
Citizen (Monday-Friday)	4
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)	10
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)	13
City Press (Sunday)	12
Sunday Times (Sunday)	11
Sunday Independent (Sunday)	7
Sunday World (Sunday)	7
Sunday Sun (Sunday)	7
The New Age (Monday -Friday)	9
Financial Mail (Thursday)	1

2014-15

Star (Monday-Friday)	8
Sowetan (Monday-Friday)	8
Business Day (Monday-Friday)	7
Pretoria News (Monday-Friday)	5
Citizen (Monday-Friday)	3
Daily Sun (Monday -Friday)	7
Mail & Guardian (Fridays)	10
City Press (Sunday)	6
Sunday Times (Sunday)	6
Sunday Independent (Sunday)	5
Sunday World (Sunday)	6
Sunday Sun (Sunday)	6
The New Age (Monday -Friday)	7
Financial Mail (Thursday)	1

Attached please find detailed report for Department of Social Development (Annexure A), /files/RNW1137A-150429.docx

NDA (Annexure B) /files/RNW1137B-150429.pdf and

SASSA (Annexure C) /files/RNW1137C-150429.pdf

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1021 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1021. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 119 on 10 March 2015, (a) what (i) written agreements and/or (ii) contracts are there between (aa) SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) and (bb) the following companies that provide or have provided close protection services, (aaa) Vuco Security company, (bbb) Reshebile and (ccc) Blue Falcon and (b) in each case, can she provide copies of all (i) contracts and/or (ii) agreements;

(2) were there any extensions of any of the above contracts; if so, in each case, (a) how many extensions were granted, (b) what were the periods of the extensions and (c) what were the total costs to SASSA with regard to payment for each of the above companies? NW1181E

Reply:

(1) (a)	(a) (i) Written Agreements	(ii) Contracts
SASSA	None	(aaa) Contracts for all the officials that the company is protecting
SASSA	None	(bbb) Reshebile Aviation and Protection Services has a contract with SASSA since 2008 to provide security services. The scope of the contract was extended to include the provision of close protection services
SASSA	None	(ccc) Contract for the officials that the company is protecting

(b) (i) Yes.

(ii) Not Applicable

(2)	(a) How many extensions were granted?	(b) What were the periods of the extensions?	(c) What were the total costs to SASSA?
Yes. (Vuco Security Services)	2	July 2014 - September 2014 October 2014 – December 2014	R4 077 5770.00
Yes. (Reshibile)	1	April 2014- January 2015	R 3,323,083.61
No. (Blue Falcon)	None	None	None

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1020 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1020. Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 63 on 13 March 2015, what exactly does the process that has been initiated by her department of vetting the current members of the committee entail? NW1180E

Reply:

The National Strategic Intelligence Act (Act 39 of 1994) mandates the State Security Agency (SSA), formerly the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to undertake the security vetting of all applicants, employees and service providers to Organs of State that will have access to classified information. The NIA or SSA is in terms of the existing framework also involved in the screening of individuals for purposes other than determining the security competency of an individual, namely the verification of an applicant’s personal details, educational qualifications, etc for purposes of determining the suitability of a person for employment in the Public Service.

The process currently used by the Department to appoint all applicants, employees and service providers will be used to vet members of the Audit Committee. The process entails the vetting of members and prospective members of the Audit Committee appointed by the Department. The vetting/verification process will cover at least the following:

Criminal record;
Citizenship verification;
Financial/asset record checks;
Qualification/study verification;
Previous employment verification.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1019 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1019. Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 78 on 10 March 2015, (a) are all of the more than 10 million beneficiaries aware that they have bank accounts with Grindrod Bank and (b) have they been given their bank account numbers;

(2) how does the opening of bank accounts on behalf of the beneficiaries relate to Chapter 4 (a) of the Regulations of the Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004? NW1179E

Reply:

1. (a) Yes

(b) No, this is part of the current payment solution.

2. The Grindrod Bank Account is one of the optional payment channels which a beneficiary can use to access their grant. Previously AllPay used the Sekulula – ABSA Bank account. It is not the first time that this arrangement is being implemented.

The banking accounts are permissible in terms of Chapter 4 (a) of the Regulations of the Social Assistance Act, 13 of 2004.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1018 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1018. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 80 on 13 March 2015, is it not necessary for her department or the SA Social Security Agency to know exactly how many outlets Grindrod Bank has in order to achieve the objective of moving beneficiaries to the banking environment as required by current payment solution and since this bank is part of the solution provided by the current service provider? NW1178E

Reply:

There are 400 biometrically enabled ATMs which make use of the Grindrod Bank ATM acquiring License, when and if necessary across the 9 Provinces. Beneficiaries also have access through agreement of Grindrod Bank and CPS with all other banks ATMs.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1017 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1017. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 85 on 13 March 2015, a certain person (name furnished) is involved in the current social grant payment tender process; if so, in what capacity? NW1177E

Reply:

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1016 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1016. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 113 on 13 March 2015, when did she receive the report from the Office of the Auditor-General;

(2) do the recommendations in the report find that the services of the service provider were procured irregularly and should be terminated; if so, why does she delay implementing the recommendations of her report as a delay will increase the irregular expenditure;

(3) does she intend implementing the recommendations of the Auditor-General following the findings of the investigation into the appointment of a forensic investigation company; if not, why not; if so, when;

(4) does (a) she or (b) the SA Security Agency intend to seek a legal opinion before implementing the recommendations by the Office of the Auditor-General based on the findings of the investigation relating to the procurement of a forensic investigation company; if so, (i) why and (ii) will the opinion be requested from (aa) the State Law Advisors or (bb) private attorneys;

(5) whether private attorneys will be used; if so, what are the reasons for using such attorneys? NW1176E

Reply:

(1) N/A

(2) Refer to PQ 1015

(3) N/A

(4) (a) or (b) (i), (ii) refer PQ 263

(aa) and (bb) A review application has been lodged with the North Gauteng High Court set down for May 2015. The matter on behalf of SASSA is being dealt with through the State attorney.

(5) No.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1015 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1015. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether (a) the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) or (b) her department received any advice from the Auditor-General to ignore the recommendations of the SASSA Bid Adjudication Committee with regard to the awarding of the then R74m tender on forensic investigation to Nexia SAB&T; if so, (i) what was the advice and (ii) on what basis was the Auditor-General giving that advice? NW1175E

REPLY:

The matter which the Honourable Member is referring to currently constitute the subject of a legal action and the review application is set down for May 2015. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter at this stage.

I have also taken up the matter and there are processes that I am following.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1014 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1014. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the reasons that a certain person (name furnished) was appointed to a certain position (details furnished) without holding the qualifications as advertised (details furnished)? NW1174E

Reply:

Paragraph 5.4.1 of the Staffing Practices Policy states that “requests which constitute a deviation from any measures contained in the policy shall be approved by the Chief Executive Officer”. Although the candidate did not possess the minimum requirement of a 3 year tertiary qualification, she possesses vast experience and unique skills which is required to perform the functions of the advertised post.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1013 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1013. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, in terms of the SA Social Security Agency’s staffing practice policy, it is (a) the successful candidate or (b) Human Capital Management who is supposed to request a salary increase on appointment;

(2) who actually (a) motivated for and (b) approved the salary increase of a certain person (name furnished)? NW1173E

Reply:

(1) (a) In terms of Paragraph 11.9.2 (i) of the Staffing Practices Policy “salary negotiations may be initiated by a candidate, in which event it must be done in writing and submitted for consideration within 5 working days from date of receipt of the employment offer letter”

(b) Human Capital Management is responsible for issuing an offer letter to the candidate and to bring any requests for negotiation of salary increase to the attention of the Approving Authority.

(2) (a) The candidate motivated for a salary increase on appointment.

(b) In terms of the Staffing Practice Policy, the Chief Executive Officer has the Delegated Authority to approve the request for a salary increase.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1012 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1012. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department (a) requested and/or (b) received any legal advice from the Office of the State Law Advisor regarding the appointment of private attorneys; if not, what action has the department taken; if so, (i) what was the recommendation of the State Law Advisor and (ii) was the recommendation adhered to;

(2) did the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) use private attorneys in the (a) 2013-14 financial year and (b) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so (i) what are the names of the private attorneys, (ii) how were their services acquired and (iii) what amount did SASSA pay in each case? NW1172E

Reply:

(a)No.

None.

(ii)None.

(2) (a) Yes

(b) Yes

Mjali and Zimema Attorneys

(ii) Appointed through the office of the State Attorney.

(iii) Not yet paid.

Poswa Incorporated
Appointed from the Panel of Attorneys established by SASSA through an open tender process.
Not yet paid.

Renqe Kunene Incorporated
Appointed from the Panel of Attorneys established by SASSA through an open tender process.
R 64 980.00.

Prince Mudau Incorporated
Appointed from the Panel of Attorneys established by SASSA through an open tender process.
Not paid yet.

Pravina Rughoo-Nandan Attorneys
Appointed from the Panel of Attorneys established by SASSA through an open tender process.
Not yet paid.

Dockrat Attorneys
Appointed through a closed procurement process.
R 15 675.00.

Werksmans Attorneys
SASSA ‘s Annual Procurement General Exemptions SASSA-12/10 enables the Minister and the CEO to appoint a commission of enquiry, special investigating units, forensic auditors and also to enable the Agency to procure services to seek legal opinion from Legal Firms without following the procurement process due to the sensitivity of the nature of the service.
R 798 328.67

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1011 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1011. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) How many overseas trips funded by (i) her department or (ii) each of the entities reporting to her were undertaken (aa) in the (aaa) 2012-13 and (bbb) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2014 and in each case, (i) what was the purpose of the trip, (ii) which countries were visited, (iii) what was the date of each trip and (iv) what are the (aa) names and (bb) designations of each person that went on each specified trip;

(2) what was the cost of each trip with regard to (a) travel costs, (b) accommodation, (c) food and (d) any other specified costs;

(3) were any reports compiled in respect of each trip; if not, why not; if so, can she provide copies of the reports regarding each trip?

NW1171E

Reply:

As a country and a department we have international obligations and we report to various international bodies such as the UN, AU, ISS etc.

These international conferences are about the work we do as the department which in turn we get to learn how we are doing in respect of the humanitarian work we do and where we are placed amongst other countries.

The member can get financial reports when we give quarterly reports together with the content with the work we do, the achievements that we have made as South Africa in the international arena as well as receiving recommendations on what we have to change.

This remains the responsibility of the National Government and all Patriotic South Africans.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1010 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1010. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many offices is the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) renting from private landlords;

(2) does SASSA have lease agreements for all the offices for which it pays rent; if not, (a) on what basis is rental paid where there are no lease agreements, (b) which SASSA offices have no lease agreement and (c) how much rent is being paid in each case? NW1170E

REPLY:

152 out of 413 offices

SASSA is paying rent on the basis of the expired lease agreements as per the agreement between the National Department of Public Works and respective landlords since SASSA continues to occupy these offices.

and (c) Offices without lease agreements and rental paid:

Verulam Local Office = R71 495.18 per month
Danhauser Local office = R39 000.00 per month
Umzinto Local Office = R64 980.00 per month
Enhanzeni District Office = R271 497.81per month
Makhado Local Office = R80 999.00 per month

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1009 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1009. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Did the SA Social Security Agency or her department at any stage use private attorneys to respond to the Public Protector's office; if so, in each case, (a)(i) when and (ii) why were the private attorneys used, (b) what is the name of the private attorney used, (c) how were the services of the private attorney acquired, (d) how much were they paid and (e) on which date were all the documentation requested asked by the Public Protector handed over to that office? NW1169E

Reply:

Yes

(i) 10 May 2014

(ii) The private attorneys were acquired due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

Werksmans Attorneys

SASSA ‘s Annual Procurement General Exemptions SASSA-12/10 enables the Minister and the CEO to appoint a commission of enquiry, special investigating units, forensic auditors and also to enable the Agency to procure services to seek legal opinion from Legal Firms without following the procurement process due to the sensitivity of the nature of the service.

R 575 461.63

13 June 2014

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1008 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1008. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) On what date did a certain person (name furnished) and a former member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), (i) commence with duties as a Senior Manager in the Directorate: Orphans and Vulnerable Children and (ii) resign from the MAC and (b) what amount was the specified person paid as a member of the MAC? NW1168E

Reply:

Ms Pakkies officially assumed duty in the Department on 6 January 2012 as a Senior Manager in the Chief Directorate: Children. She resigned on 09 April 2014. She did not resign from the Ministerial Advisory Committee but finished her work when the Minister received the Committee’s final report on 09 December 2014. She was appointed as the member of the Ministerial advisory committee in September 2013 and the total amount paid for the duration of the Committee’s term is R 897 223.00.

It should be noted that the role Ms Pakkies played in the Committee was invaluable, in that she was able to bring her experience in the field of Child Welfare as well as to ensure that the needs of consumers of welfare services informed the recommendations made.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1007 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1007. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the Public Service Commission (PSC) has completed its report into the appointment of a certain person (name and details furnished); if so, (a) did she receive the report from the PSC, (b) on what date did she receive the report and (c) what (i) were the findings and recommendations and (ii) action has she taken in implementing the findings? NW1167E

Reply:

20th September 2013

(c) (i) The report stated that the contract procurement for the post of GM: Fraud Management and Compliance is irregular and must be reversed. The post should be re-advertised on a permanent basis in order to attract suitable qualified candidates for this position.

(ii) I provided the PSC with a copy of the legal opinion from Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys regarding the findings and recommendations emanating from the above mentioned investigation. A permanent post has already been advertised as part of the new established Inspectorate.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1006 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1006. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her replies to question 115 and 116 on 17 March 2015 and 9 March 2015, respectively, (a) what is the (i) case number(s) and (ii) name of the police station where all the cases were reported to in connection with threats against (aa) the Chief Executive Office of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA), (bb) her children, (cc) her spokesperson, (dd) her spokesperson’s children and (ee) any other SASSA officials and their family members and (b) can she stipulate the relevant details where applicable, that resulted in all the above receiving close protection services? NW1166E

Reply:

If the member wants to establish information about this particular issue, she has a full right of asking for the relevant information from the relevant Government Departments. It is not our wish to give answers that will lead to the exposure of the information that will compromise our whistle blowers.

We have an example of a question that has been asked be a certain member of department and the lives of whole family of the whistle blower has been disorganised.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1005 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1005. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether Cash Paymaster Services has been paid any amount since the awarding of the R10 billion tender, over and above the initial tender amount; if so, (a) what amount was paid to the specified company, (b) for which services and (c) on what date(s)? NW1165E

Reply:

Yes, SASSA paid an additional amount of R316 447 361.41 (including VAT) to CPS for the additional re-registration of social grants beneficiaries. This payment is in line with the services that CPS rendered. There is no legal requirement to inform the National Treasury as this was accounted for in the agency’s annual report.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1004 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

1004. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she received a report from National Treasury with recommendations regarding the awarding of a tender to SABT&T; if so, (a) what are the recommendations, (b) on what date was the report received and (c) which recommendations have been implemented;

(2) whether she can provide a complete copy of the specified report of the investigation conducted by National Treasury? NW1164E

Reply:

(a), (b) & (c) refer to PQ 263 of 2015

(2) Refer to PQ 263 of 2015

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 952 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

952. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What were the total costs to her department in respect of facilitating, participating or hosting (a) two United Nations, (b) one International Social Security Agency, (c) one Pharmaceutical Product Development, (d) two European Union, (e) three Japan International Co-operation Agency, (f) one Southern African Development Community, (g) one AIDS, (h) one Institute of Security Studies and (i) one African Union conferences;

(2) (a) what was the breakdown of costs for each of these events, (b) under which account, department or entity was the budget allocated, (c) who attended these events, (d) on what criteria were the delegates selected and (e) what was the cost of each delegate in respect of each event? NW1110E

Reply:

As a country and a department we have international obligations and we report to various international bodies such as the UN, AU, ISS etc.

This remains the responsibility of the National Government and all Patriotic South Africans.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 951 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

951. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to the 274 labour relations cases that were reported between 1 April and 30 September 2014 and the 107 cases that were carried over from the first quarter, how many SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) staff members (a) were suspended for alleged (i) fraud and (ii) corruption, (b) appeared before disciplinary committees or (c) have been taken to court;

(2) (a) how many SASSA staff members were suspended but have returned to work without facing disciplinary procedures and (b) why;

(3) (a) how many labour disputes were lodged against SASSA for suspensions which did not result in a disciplinary enquiry, (b) what was the resultant cost in respect of each province and (c) what is SASSA doing to ensure that fruitless and wasteful expenditure does not result from similar situations in the future? NW1109E

Reply:

(1) (a) Since 2012, 265 staff members were suspended for alleged (i) fraud and (ii) corruption.

(b) 169 staff members appeared before disciplinary committees.

(2) (a) 80 Staff members were suspended. Their suspensions had to be uplifted because of the 60 day stipulation that had been exceeded. It was challenged by labour due to the complex nature of the forensic investigations.

(b) Once the final report is received, both criminal and disciplinary process will be re-instituted.

(3) (a) Two (2) labour disputes were lodged in the Eastern and Western Cape respectively.

(b) The cases are still progress and a cost award has not been issued yet.

(c) The SASSA Disciplinary and Procedure (approved by the CEO in February 2013) Paragraph 6.3.2 (b) on Precautionary suspension states as follows:

“If an employee is placed on a precautionary suspension, the employer must within 60 days hold a disciplinary hearing with due consideration of the complexity of the matter and the length of the investigation. Should a need arise, the chairperson of the hearing may decide on any further postponement.”

This policy will be applied in future similar cases.

In two other cases, Tembisa and Upington, where disputes were lodged by officials against the sanctions of dismissal in fraud related misconduct, the CCMA awarded in favour of SASSA.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 913 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

913. Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What amount was spent by (a) her department and (b) state entities reporting to her on (i) tickets and (ii) sponsorships on The New Age Breakfast Briefings for the last three financial years? NW1062E

Reply:

(a)

(i) Nil

(ii) Nil

(b)

South African Social Security Agency

(i) Nil

(ii) Nil

National Development Agency

(i) Nil

(ii) Nil

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 878 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 08

878. Mr J Vos (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department or the entities reporting to her provides any type of sponsorships; if not, what is her department’s position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of each sponsorship, (b) what is the value of each sponsorship, (c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and (d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end;

(2) whether her department or any of the entities reporting to her intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made, (ii) what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be, (iii) when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts (aa) commence and (bb) end and (iv) what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts? NW1027E.

Reply:

& (2) The Department of Social Development and its Entities (NDA and SASSA) do not currently provide any type of sponsorships to any organization nor do they plan to do so for the current financial year.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 803 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 07

803. Mr M L W Filtane (UDM) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to her statement on 11 September 2014, she has completed the process of (a) designing and (b) implementing a system owned and controlled by the SA Social Security Agency to ensure that (i) illegal deductions from the payment of a large number of pensioners’ grants are stopped and (ii) affected pensioners are refunded with interest and bank charges; if not, (aa) why not and (bb) what is the time frame for the implementation of the specified system; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether she has found that the system has been tightened up since her statement on 11 September 2014 to avoid a reoccurrence of the same problem? NW953E

REPLY:

SASSA has begun with the necessary processes for the transition to the new social grants payment solution, key amongst which was the re-registration campaign to ensure data integrity and beneficiary authentication.

This process has resulted in the re-registration of 22 million beneficiaries and voluntary cancellation of over 150 000 social grants, leading to a saving of R150 Million. In addition, the re-registration project saw 8000 job opportunities were created, of which 3000 were permanent.

As I stated in the media statement which you refer to, I appointed a Ministerial Task Team made up of representatives of Black Sash, the Association for Community Advice Offices in South Africa (ACAOSA), other civil society partners, DSD and SASSA. The Task Team was mandated to explore the nature of the deductions, provide recommendations to stop them, and ways to ensure that grant recipients had access to appropriate recourse. The Department and SASSA has begun implementing the measures recommended by the Ministerial Task Team. One such, is the dispute resolution mechanism, which was approved for implementation in December 2014.

The roll out of this mechanism and training of staff at all local offices and service points is currently underway. It should however, be noted that resolution of the disputes is still dependent on co-operation by the current social grant service provider. By 31 January 2015, approximately 6 076 disputes have successfully been resolved.

The long term resolution to the illegal deductions will be addressed through the introduction and implementation of a new payment solution. To date, SASSA has drafted RFP for a new payment solution which was published on 28 October 2014. The RFP categorically prohibits any deductions from social grants, except for the deductions permissible as per 26A deductions of the Social Assistance Act.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 730 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 07

730. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What number of social worker students were registered for (a) 1st year and (b) 4th year of study at all respective universities in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv)2008, (v) 2009, (vi) 2010, (vii) 2011, (viii) 2012, (ix) 2013, (x) 2014 and (xi) 2015? NW878E

Reply:

In terms of the Social Service Professions Act, 110 of 1978, (as amended) the Council registers students as from their second year of study at all 16 universities of whom two have satellite campuses, namely UCT, UKZN, LIMPOPO, UFS, NW (Potch, Vaal and Mafikeng campus) UP, UJ, UWC, WITS, UNIZL, FH (Alice and East London campus), VENDA, US, UNISA, WSU, NMMU


Student Statistics from 2005 to 2014
Resident Universities
Levels	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
2nd level	990	930	950	1150	1487	1887	1684	1514	1525	1014	-
3rd Level	988	930	947	1140	1400	1487	1880	1680	1508	1525	-
4th level	975	920	948	1140	1450	1458	1487	1840	1684	1580	-
Distance learning: UNISA
Levels	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
	680	692	750	789	999	1150	1200	1258	1269	1300

The Honourable member should note that the increase and decrease in student numbers is attributed to student drop out and/or returning of students to complete the BSW at various levels. The statistics of student social workers for 2015 will only be available as from the end of April 2015. This is due to the fact that Council starts receiving their application at the end of March as per the Regulation governing the registrations of students in the RSA training institutions.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 728 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 07

728. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her department’s marketing and advertising initiatives that reached a total of 21 059 500 persons for the 2014-15 financial year, as referred to in the Second Quarterly Report that was presented to the PC on Social Development on 25 February 2015, (a)(i) what total amount has been spent on newspaper advertising and (ii) what was the cost of advertising in each newspaper in each case and (b) what amount was spent on other forms of marketing;

(2) whether marketing companies and/or agencies were used; if so (a) which companies and/or agencies and (b) what amount was spent on each such company and/or agency in each case;

(3) whether the cost of Project Mikondzo was paid from Programme 1 of the Communications budget; if not, (a) from which budget and/or entity was the specified project funded and (b) what amount was (i) budgeted and (ii) spent on the specified project to date? NW876E

Reply:

(1)

R138 095.80 – Newspaper Advertising
R62 723.80 – Eastern Cape Today, R75 372.00 – Phoenix Tabloid

R922 664.20 – SABC Radio

(2)

(a) N/A

(b) N/A

(3) Yes

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 727 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 07

727. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to the Protocol Workshop Plenary of the African and First Lady Meeting that was facilitated by her department according to its second quarter presentation on 25 February 2015, in the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (a) who attended this meeting, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, guests and First Ladies and (b) what was the total cost of (i) the workshop (ii) travel, (iii) accommodation, (iv) allowances and (v) meals;

(2) was this event budgeted for; if so, (a) what amount was budgeted for and (b) out of which budget or line item was it paid? NW875E

REPLY:

The consolidation of the African Agenda remains the principal focus of South Africa’s foreign policy. It is against this backdrop that Social Development, in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) became involved in the meeting of the Executive Bureau of the African First Ladies Peace Mission. This involvement should be seen within the broader context of Social Development in promoting social justice and creating peace and security in the African continent. There were costs incurred by the Department.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 668 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 07

668. Mr M W Madisha (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the 17,5 million people who will be accessing social assistance by 2017-18 will (a) have strong incentives to undertake any remunerated work if they are (i) of age and (ii) have the skills and opportunity to augment their income to improve their economic situation, thus freeing themselves from being solely dependent on social assistance which is inadequate for their families’ needs; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of such a programme? NW799E

Reply:

(i) In South Africa social assistance is currently only provided to older persons, people living with disabilities and children. These are generally categories of people who are outside the labour market, and it is not a societal norm to expect children or older persons to seek employment.

(ii) Social assistance to low income households remains the most important pillar to eliminate income poverty. Evidence suggests that people in households receiving social grants have increased both their labour force participation and employment rates faster than those who live in households that do not receive social grants. Consequently, workers in households receiving social grants have realized more rapid wage increases. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that South Africa’s social grants increase both the supply and demand for labour.

Research studies further show that grants beneficiaries are willing to take up work opportunities and develop themselves when this opportunity becomes available to them. In various studies, examples are cited of older person providing small amounts of money to job seeker for job seeking activities (writing and printing of C.Vs, transport fare etc.). In essence, the majority of working age recipients for all intent and purposes prefer the joy and independence of being employed rather than living on a grant.

Thus the challenge we have is not a lack of incentive to work, but a lack of decent employment opportunities. To this extent, government has made a number of commitments to employment creation which the President has highlighted extensively in his State of the Nation Address. The department has also begun work on a number of initiatives around co-operatives which will contribute to job creation in our country. This is over and above our substantial contribution to public employment programmes in the social sector.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 551 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 06 March 2015

Internal question paper no: 05

551. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any employees in her department have been on suspension with full salary since 1 January 2014; if so, (a) how many employees and (b) what is the total cost thereof? NW631E

Reply:

No employees at the National Department of Social Development were suspended with full salary since 1 January 2014.

and consolidated.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 325 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

325. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many shelters for abused victims of violence are present in each province;

(2) how many are fully functional and operative in each case;

(3) what is the (a) breakdown of staff and (b) average number of clients at each centre;

(4) are there any plans to build more centres; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) time frame, (b) target and (c) budget allocated for such purpose? NW350E

REPLY:

(1)There are currently 89 shelters for abused victims of crime and violence that are fully functional and operative throughout the country (see the provincial breakdown below):

Gauteng	Free State	Eastern Cape	North West	Western Cape
24	5	22	2	13

(2)The staffing norm per each centre is as follows:

1 x Shelter Managers
1 x Social Workers
1 x Social Auxiliary Workers
1 x Cook
1 x House mothers
Volunteers (Optional)
Psychologists on sessional basis (Optional)

(3) The average number of clients in the centres is dependent on the registration certificate of the shelter and the capacity of each centre.

North West

Name of Shelters

Breakdown of staff

Grace Help Centre in Bojanala District

1 Social Worker

1 Administrator

1 Director

1 Social Auxillary worker

1 House mother

1 Gardener

1 Cleaner

1 Cook

1 Handyman

1 Driver

Dr R.SM. Khuseleka one stop centre

6 Counsellors

2 Cleaners

1 Gardener

1 Shelter Manager

4 Volunteers

Name of Shelters	Average number of clients
Grace Help Centre in Bojanala District	55 children included
Dr R.SM. Khuseleka one stop centre	40

Free State Province

Plans are in process for the establishment of a shelter in Clarens (Eastern Free State).

(a) Time Frame: 2015/16 - will be for the establishment of the shelter and for 2016/17 the shelter will be fully

operational

(b) Target: All victims of crime and violence

Eastern Cape Province

For building of centres; the Department only provides funding for the programme for victims of crime and violence not the structure for the centre. It has no budget for building of centres.

North West Province

No plans are in place to build more shelter due to budgetary constraints

Gauteng

In Gauteng there are currently 24 shelters for abused victims of which one is for male victims of abuse

All the 24 shelters are fully functional

Shelters employ Shelter Managers, Social Workers; Social Auxiliary Workers; House mothers, Cook; Security Guards

(b) The average number of clients in a shelter is dependent on the registration certificate of the shelter. The capacity in shelters is different. The 24 funded VEP shelters in the province can accommodate approximately 700 women and their children at any given time. Four shelter in Johannesburg region can accommodate approximately 200 victims of gender based violence, Seven shelters in Ekurhuleni can accommodate 128, six shelters in Tshwane can accommodate 138, eight shelters in the West Rand can accommodate 225 and the one shelter in Sedibeng can accommodate 11 women and their children.

(a) A shelter is planned to be built in Ratanda, Sedibeng

(b) The shelter is planned for the financial year 2015/2016. The need for Sedibeng region has been identified as there is one shelter that can accommodate 8 women and their children. The establishment of shelters is spearheaded by the NGO sector but due to the IDP plans and the need for the service in the region the Department has undertaken to build a shelter.

(c) The shelter will accommodate 20 women and their children and the allocated budget is R 2015/2016 -R5 million, 2016/2017- R 10 million

WESTERN CAPE

(1) The Western Cape Department of Social Development funds 13 shelters in the province. Each shelter has been capacitated to comply with the minimum norms and standards and is monitored quarterly

(2) 13 (thirteen) shelters are functional and operational

(3) Please refer to annexure A

(4) Department of Social Development does not build any shelters as we partner with existing NPO’s who run shelters in the province. We plan to expand the number of funded shelters in the rural areas of the province.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 320 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

320. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) When will a full audit of all the international agreements be conducted in order to ensure that all organisations rendering inter-country adoptions in the Republic adhere to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;

(2) with regard to her reply to question 3351 on 14 December 2012, what are the reasons that the ABBA adoptions in Sweden were not listed as one of the working agreements that continue to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation? NW345E

Reply:

Continuous monitoring and auditing of international agreements is taking place on annual basis to organisations rendering inter-country adoptions. As part of the monitoring of organisations in South Africa, on site visits are conducted to ensure compliance to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, the SA Constitution and The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption.

At the time of the written reply to question 3351 on 14 December 2012, ABBA adoptions in Sweden were not included as there were no allegations of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against their organization.

The policy of ABBA adoption regarding inter-country adoptions states that “within their service delivery, they do not practice or accept any form of discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or any other factor”

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 319 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

319. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the names of all the short listed candidates for her department’s advertised posts of fraud management? NW344E

Reply:

The Department has not advertised the post that the Honourable Member is referring to in the question. Such a position does not even exist in the Department’s structure. I would therefore appreciate it if the Honourable Member can furnish me with a copy of such an advertisement.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 303 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

303. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many names currently appear on (a) Section A and (b) Section B of the Child Protection Register? NW328E

Reply:

There are currently (a) 34919 names appearing on Part A and (b) 597 on Part B of the Child Protection Register.

and consolidated.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 302 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

302. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to her reply to question 335 on 3 April 2014, (a) on what date was the electronic Older Persons Abuse Register implemented, (b) how many names appear on the register and (c) what is the budget for the administration of the register? NW327E

Reply:

The Department’s previous reply to question 335 on 3 April 2014 indicated that it will implement the electronic Older Persons Abuse Register on the 01 April 2014 and this could not take place due to training of personnel that got delayed. However, the Department embarked on training the officials and stakeholders and a total of 365 from eight provinces were trained from 23 April 201. The last group (60) will be trained on the 26 and 27 February 2015.
No names appear on the electronic register, but the Department continue to implement the manual register for Older Persons Abuse Register and a total of 69 convicted cases have been registered as at 31 January 2015
The Department budgeted R1, 500 000 for training and for the administration of the register.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 301 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

301. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any person(s) who served on the (a) Technical Committee and/or (b) Evaluation Committee for the R10 billion Cash Paymaster Services tender, received a promotion after the tender was awarded; if so, (i) what are the names of the specified person(s), (ii) from what position to what position was the promotion, (iii) what are the names of the members of each panel who recommended the individual promotions and (iv)(aa) when were the promotions approved and (bb) by whom;

(2) Whether any additional positions were created for any of the specified person(s); if so, (a) which additional positions were created and (b) which of the specified person(s) were promoted to these positions? NW325E

Reply:

(a) No: person(s) are not automatically promoted in posts, it will be advertised

and they have to compete for the advertised posts.

N/A
N/A
(aa) N/A (bb) N/A

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 300 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

300. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many military veterans will be appointed in (i) her department and (ii) any entity reporting to her, (b) how will these military veterans be appointed, (c) at what salary level will they be appointed and (d) on what authority are these appointments based? NW324E

REPLY:

Total of 450 Military Veterans will be appointed.

(a)(i) The National Department of Social Development will not be appointing Military Veterans at this stage. It however, supports the approach of utilising Military Veterans in pursuance of its fourfold mandate i.e.:-

Psycho – Social support
Economic Opportunities
Social Security and
Community Development initiatives

(a)(ii) The National Development Agency (NDA) NDA will not be appointing military veterans at this stage.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

The SASSA would be appointing 450 Military Veterans (MVs) for the period of two years, commencing April 2015. The recruitment and selection of qualifying MVs will be done in line with the SASSA Act and SASSA’s Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP). The breakdown below is proportional to the number of MVs that appear in the database per province.

Region	Military Veterans required	Unit costs
Eastern Cape	76	Number of contract workers X 3000 per month
Free State	40
Gauteng	78
KwaZulu Natal	76
Limpopo	40
Mpumalanga	40
Northern Cape	30
North West	30
Western Cape	40
Total	450

The provision of employment opportunities is therefore both an element of providing economic opportunities and improving the quality of life of veterans and their dependents who are largely destitute. The Department of Military Veterans provided a database of unemployed and indigent military veterans from which the SASSA recruitment and the selection will be made.

They would receive a stipend of R3000 per month.

In line with the Military Veterans Act, the Department of Social Development through the South African Social Security plans to facilitate employment opportunities for the military veterans

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 299 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

299. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any co-operatives are used by (a) her department and/or (b) any entity reporting to her; if so, (i) what are the (aa) names and (bb) addresses of the co-operatives, (ii)(aa) when and (bb) how were they appointed, (iii) what projects are they involved in and (iv) how much money has each co-operative been paid to date? NW323E

REPLY:

Yes, the Department and its entities has been in the forefront of promoting local economic growth through the use of community cooperatives, focusing mainly on those that are run by women in poor rural communities. This is part of the broader strategy to link cooperatives to economic opportunities created through its programmes such as the household food and nutrition security programme and the Social Relief of Distress.

In addition to jobs opportunities and income to its members, cooperatives have a multiplier effects in that they also represent an important income stream for poor households. The cooperatives are mainly involved in food production and other income-generating activities such as school uniforms, transport and catering services. The cooperatives are identified through the database of the Department and its entities as well the database of municipalities.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 298/2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

298. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any member(s) has left the Ministerial Advisory Committee since its inception; if so, (a) when, (b) what are their names and (c) what payment did they receive (i) whilst serving on the committee and (ii) after having left the committee? NW322E

Reply:

and (b) (c) (i) and (ii)

	(a) Date of Resignation	(b) Name	(c i)Payment amounts	(cii)Payment received after resigning
1	February 2014	Mr Themba Langa (Chairperson AC)	R 352 035.40	None
2	March 2014	Prof Ann Skelton	R 244 853.10	None
3	July 2014	Dr Makhosi Khoza (Chairperson AC)	R 601 066.50	None

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 297 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

297. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What legislation was used to establish the Ministerial Advisory Committee and (b) what scope does this legislation give the Committee? NW321E

Reply:

Please refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question 295 on the same matter.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 296/2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

296. Mr T R Majola (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What (a) reports or (b) outputs has the Ministerial Advisory Committee submitted since its establishment?

NW320E

REPLY:

The Ministerial Advisory Committee was tasked with the responsibility to explore the existing market for a suitable payment model that will make SASSA to pay social grants in-house. To do this, the Committee has to conduct a number of reviews and benchmarking exercises in various countries that have social security programmes. Since its inception, the Committee has compiled a number of reports, including the international study tour report, exit report from the chairperson and the final report which was submitted to me on 30th October 2014.

The Portfolio Committee will get a full report on the work that has been done by the Advisory Committee once its finalised.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 295/2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

295. Mr T R Majola (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) When were the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee appointed, (b) how were the members of this committee appointed and (c) what are their (i) names and (ii) qualifications;

(2) what is each member’s (a) skill and (b) experience in (i) payment systems and (ii) social security;

(3) what (a) amount has been paid to each member, (b) what amounts are still outstanding, (c) from which (i) line item and (ii) entity were the members paid and (d) for which meetings where these payments made;

(4) what amount was paid for (a) travel, (b) accommodation, (c) subsistence and travel allowance, (d) catering, (e) venue hire and (f) any other expenses?NW319E

REPLY:

The Advisory Committee was officially established on the 2nd of September 2013 in terms of Regulation 20 of the National Treasury Regulations 2005, and their remuneration was in terms of the DPSA’s prescribed rates.

The Committee was required to review a broad number of elements relating to the payment systems for social security benefits distribution or payments, taking into account the accessibility of services; payment infrastructure requirements - the current level of South Africa’s infrastructure development and affordability; legislative and general regulatory environment; cost to state and to beneficiaries; and the macroeconomic environment. SASSA currently spends over 30% of its administration budget on payments of third parties to facilitate payments of social grants. The Advisory Committee also had the responsibility to assess and make recommendations on the best possible method to eliminate the middleman and ensure that government fulfils its mandate of paying the right beneficiaries on the most cost effective way.

The key findings of the Advisory Committee are that Government must invest in the insourcing of the payment systems. The Advisory Committee acknowledges that significant progress has been made in centralising of beneficiary payment information. In order to build on this achievement, the Committee recommends the investment in advanced ICT infrastructure that will support the application to payment processes that are fully controlled by SASSA. This is necessary for facilitation of proper control and ownership of the payment process.

In addition, the Advisory Committee recommended that the leveraging of the social assistance spend should serve as social investment in communities who receive the grants. The committee envisages a situation where local and community merchant stores/chains could serve as infrastructure for the provision of goods and services to grant recipients via use of the electronic payment card. SASSA can negotiate specific discount structures with the large merchant chains and subsidy structures with local community.

This recommendation is in line with the 2015 – 2016 Fiscal Commission Report (attached as Annexure) which acknowledges the positive impact of the social assistance programme, in particular, the extent to which they have reduced poverty and inequality in South Africa. The report further emphasises the fact that the social grants, although targeted at individuals, have a potential to positively impact on many aspects of households and communities that are benefiting from the programme.

The membership of the Committee was drawn from different sectors of society to enhance its functioning. With regards to (c) (i) and (ii), and 3 (a), (b) and (c) refer to the table below.

Name	Qualification (s)	Experience	Amount		Outstanding Amount
Mr Themba Langa	LLB	Extensive experience in law	R353 035.00		-
Mr Mark Davids	National Higher Diploma: Electrical Engineering	Extensive experience in business development and management in the ICT sector	R763 221.50		-
Mr Sipho Majombozi	B Ed	Extensive experience with regulatory bodies, policy and government	R712 809.00		-
Mr Tim Masela	BComm	Extensive experience in central and commercial banking	-		-
Mr Patrick Monyeki	MBA	Extensive experience in ICT sector	R499 390.00		-
Mr Sizwe Shezi	MA in Social Policy	Project management, relationship management	R469 754.00		-
Dr Makhozi Khoza	PHD Administration	Financial Management, Total quality management	R601 066.50		-
Ms Tangkiso Parkies	Honours in Sociology	Project Management	R897 233.50		-
Prof Ann Skelton	PHD Degree in law restorative and child justice	Local and international experience on child law and justice, family law	R244 853.10		-
Mr Sanjiv Mital	Engineering Degree Information Technology / Management Degree	Engineering Degree Information Technology	R45 045.00	-
Mr Barend Petersen	Honours B Compt	ICT and ICT infrastructure	R167 310.00	-
Mr Tim Sukazi	LLM in Commercial Law	Commercial Law	R240 240.00	-
Mr Andile Nyhonyha	LLB	Local and international Commercial Law	R248 820.00	-

The payments were for the professional hours the Advisory Committee members spent doing the Committee work (inclusive of meetings)

(4) what amount was paid for (a) travel, (b) accommodation, (c) subsistence and travel allowance, (d) catering, (e) venue hire and (f) any other expenses?NW319E

(a) Travel	Amounts
Domestic	R 116 012.00
International	R 303 640.00
Shuttle Services	R 22 100.00

(b) Accommodation	R 313 850.00

© S& T Allowances	R 64 264.00

(d) / (e) Catering & Venue Hire	R 287 535.00

(f) VISA Application	R 8 500.00

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 294 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

294. Mr T R Majola (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the SA Social Security Agency contributed (a) financially or (b) in any other way to any of the Presidential events in KwaZulu-Natal (i) in the (aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, if so, what are the relevant details for each event? NW318E

Reply:

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 293 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

293. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether all senior managers at (a) her department, (b) the SA Social Security Agency and (c) the Ministry have been security vetted; if not, in each case, what are (i) the (aa) names and (bb) positions of the persons who have not been vetted, (ii) their dates of appointment and (iii) the reasons for not being vetted? NW317E

Reply:

All Senior Managers in the Department and its public entities are subjected to a suitability check by the National Intelligence Agency before appointment into the public service as outlined in the Public Service Regulations and related prescripts.

Any offers of employment are conditional upon the completion of satisfactory vetting checks having been made, therefore an offer of employment or appointment is not made until the vetting result is known. Currently all senior managers in the Department, Ministry and its public entities have undergone this test.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 292 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

292. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) When will the SA Social Security Agency be able to take over the payments of social grants;

(2) whether the use of the SA Post Office is being considered as a possible alternative to the outsourcing of the payment services to external entities such as Cash Paymaster Services; if so, by what date will this be implemented? NW316E

Reply:

(1) SASSA planned to take over the payment of social grants in 2007. However, the Constitutional Court ruling instructed that the new tender must be awarded for a period of five years. If tender is awarded in 2015, the takeover will only take place in 2019.

(2) No

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 291 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

291. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any staff member of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) is transported from home to work and back again at the expense of SASSA; if so, in each case (a) what are the names of the staff members, (b) how far is the round trip per day, (c) on which date did the transporting first take place and (d) what is the total cost to SASSA? NW315E

REPLY:

Yes, a total of 17 SASSA employees who are currently under protection services, inclusive of transportation. As I mentioned in my earlier reply to this question, I cannot disclose the names of the said officials as this will compromise their security and that of their families.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 290 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

290. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any additional monies have been paid to (a) Cash Paymaster Services and/or (b) Net1 by the SA Social Security Agency over and above that of the signed contract for the (i) re-registration of beneficiaries and (ii) administration of social grants; if so, what (aa) amount was paid and (bb) was the reason for the additional payment;

(2) whether there is a requirement to inform the National Treasury of this payment; if so,

(3) whether the National Treasury was informed; if not, why not;

(4) whether she was aware of such payments? NW314E

Reply:

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 276 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

276. Ms D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA), has paid for any (a) funeral costs or (b) costs of meals in respect of her family members’ funerals; if so, in each case (i) which family member’s and (ii) how much did SASSA pay? NW300E

REPLY:

I am shocked by the continued peddling of these allegations. Once again, I wish to categorically state that they are false, malicious and unfounded and are without any basis whatsoever. I challenge those shielding behind the veil of reliable sources to come out in the open and produce evidence to support these spurious allegations.

I find the malice disturbing and calculated to insult and tarnish my reputation, my family and the party I represent in Parliament. As I have explained before, these allegations are baseless and reprehensible. I find it more disturbing that the Honourable Member of Parliament is party to these scandalous allegations. I hope, therefore, that the Honourable Member will establish the facts before repeating these unfounded allegations against me and my family.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 275 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

275. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many times did her department decide not to use the bid invitation process and instead use the price quotation process for procurements that are over the value of R500 000 in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years, (b) what was the value of the contract in each case and (c) which companies were awarded the contract in each case? NW299E

Reply:

(a) 2012-13: 3 times

2013-14: 10 times

2012- 13 (b) (c)

R 1 829 130.00 SABC

R 1 751 040.00 ICT Works

R 2 815 300.00 Birchwood hotel

2013-14 (b) (c)

R 820 800.00 SABC

R 1 413 746.00 ICC Durban

R 2 815 300.00 Birchwood hotel

R 980 950.00 Birchwood hotel

R 1 089 700.00 The Lakes hotel

R 2 087 773.00 Primedia (Pty) Ltd

R 407 073.00 Primedia (Pty) Ltd

R 1 985 800.00 Vodacom

R 1 020 466.76 Independent Newspapers

R 1 579 212.12 Ilitha labantu

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 274 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

274. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any investigations have taken place in order to determine who is accountable for the Constitutional Court finding that the awarding of the R10 billion social grants tender to Cash Paymaster Services was invalid on the grounds that it was procedurally unfair; if not, why not; if so, when will the investigation be finalised? NW298E

Reply:

No, no investigations have been conducted since the Constitutional Court did not find any fraudulent or corrupt activities other than technical non-compliance with certain procurement procedures.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 273 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

273. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many events have occurred as part of the Mikondzo Project and (b) in each case, what was the (i) date and (ii) location of the event? NW297E

Reply:

Mikondzo is a programme not an event, it has many elements and it entails dialogues, community and household profiling, psychosocial services, school programmes, social relief of distress, addressing social ills and poverty eluviation, formation of co-operatives and the securing and strengthening of organs of civil society, capacity building.

Looking at this as events suggests that these are once off interventions.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 272 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

272. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How are child-headed households identified in respect of the Mikondzo Project? NW296E

Reply:

Project Mikondzo uses household and community profiling to identify child-headed households through the guidance and leadership of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Unit which is located in the Chief Directorate: Children.

Child-headed households are identified within parameters of Section 137 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 which proposes new child protection measures for child-headed households.

According to this section, the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development may recognize a household as a child-headed household if:

the parent, guardian or caregiver of the household is terminally ill, has died or has abandoned the children in the households;

no adult family member is available to provide care for children in the household;

a child over the age of 16 years has assumed a role of caregiver in respect of the children in the household;

it is in the best interest of the children in the household.

This section makes provision for appointing an adult to supervise a child-headed household. Furthermore, it makes a provision that the child heading the household or the adult supervising the household may collect and administer for the child-headed household any social security grant.

Mikondzo project does not only focus on child-headed households. Mikondzo is a program that was started by DSD and other departments supporting the program to increase the footprint of the Department. It is aimed at breaking the structural barriers that were created by the Apartheid system to stop the poor from accessing services.

The program focuses on the poor and not a privileged few as this used to happen before. It is a program of taking services right to the door step of the poorest of the poor, the abused, people with disabilities, youth, children and older person’s households etc.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 271 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

271. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) With regard to the (a) Mikondzo Project or (b) any of her official projects or (c) any other project sponsored by (i) the SA Social Security Agency or (ii) her department, how many (aa) vanity bags, (bb) school uniforms, (cc) blankets and (dd) food parcels have been distributed to date, in each case;

(2) what is the total cost spent on each item mentioned above? NW295E

Reply:

Mikindzo is not about the distribution of Blankets and other items mentioned above. Social relief of distress responds to even disasters that happened in the Western Cape, taking out these items as if they are the only ones is misleading because it takes out the whole of other benefits and impact made by Mikondzo, and reduce this to Blankets, Vanity Packs and Uniforms.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 270 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

270. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How are (a) beneficiaries of the Mikondzo Project identified and (b) grant beneficiaries prevented from receiving social relief of distress from the project? NW294E

Reply:

Beneficiaries are identified through household profiling which is undertaken by social workers and community.
Beneficiaries for Social Relief of Distress must meet the criteria set in Social Assistance Act. A beneficiary of a grant does not qualify for social relief of distress unless the grant being received is a child grant, in which case social relief may be provided in terms of Regulation 16 A.

There are also situations where children receiving Child Support Grant (CSG) have malnutrition because of the type of food their families buy, e.g. potatoes and mielie meal. These are both starches. Whilst counseling and advising families to cook nutritious food, we support those that are malnourished for three to six months. Most of the children that we support are diagnosed by the Department of Health as suffering from malnourishment.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 269 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

269. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) Which service providers have been used for the Mikondzo Project;

(2) is each specified service provider that has been used registered on the SA Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) database; if not, how were the providers who were not on the SASSA database when they were first appointed identified; if so, which services did each service provider provide for each event;

(3) what amount was paid to each service provider for each event from inception of the project to date? NW293E

REPLY:

The Department has used many service providers for the procurement of goods and services across all 9 provinces since the beginning of Project Mikondzo. Most of these service providers were from local communities in which Project Mikondzo took place.

As part of Government’s broad strategy of promoting local economic development and assisting local communities to participate actively in the economy of the country, the Department and SASSA used the database of the local municipalities for services such as catering, transportation, etc.

The cost for each Project Mikondzo

Mikondzo work is about various interactions and taking part of the program will not show the total impact that Mikondzo has made and continues to make.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 268 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

268. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) When did the Mikondzo Project become part of the strategic plan of her department and (b) what is the (i) page reference and (ii) year of publication of the strategic plan document wherein mention is made of the specified project;

(2) on which date did the specified project become a SA Social Security Agency project;

(3) what amount of money (a) has been spent on the specified project to date and (b) was spent on the specified project before the project became part of her department’s strategic plan;

(4) from which Budget Vote was the money for the specified project obtained? NW292E

Reply:

The mandate of my Department entails mobilizing and developing communities especially in 23 Cabinet declared poorest Districts and 1300 wards. In these wards the Department conducts community and households profiling, mobilize communities and host outreach programmes. Since 1994 “the new democracy” Department has been implementing community outreach programmes where the department and Ministry visits communities. These outreach programmes were initially called “taking Social Development to communities” in 2011. The purpose of these outreach programmes are to interact with communities to witness the citizens plight and problems, get first-hand information on the service delivery challenges and provide several immediate interventions. In 2013 these outreach programmes were given the name called “Mikondzo”. Project Mikondzo was launched 2013 but was not reflected in the Strategic Planning document as Mikondzo but formed part of the community development programme. After discussion with National Treasury it was reflected in the 2014/15 Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Department.

Page 80 of the Annual Performance Plan (APP).

(ii) 2014/15 Annual Performance Plan (APP) document

2. Project Mikondzo is a Social Development Sector Project that includes South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and National Development Agency (NDA). It was a concerted effort to integrate the sector services thereby ensuring that the Department works closely with its Agencies. This means that project Mikondzo is implemented by the Department of Social Development (DSD), South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA). Therefore, SASSA has always been part of the Project Mikondzo since its inception.

(a) and (b). Project Mikondzo is a continuation of the community development approach where outreach programmes were done each year. So far, an amount of R3 678 870 has been spent from DSD Budget and SASSA has to date spent R108 412 182.12 on Project Mikondzo.

4. Project Mikondzo is part of the Department of Social Development vote 19

Its budget is under the Community Development programme and was created out of the reprioritization exercise within the Department of Social Development. Project Mikondzo has been embraced by SASSA as part of the on-going outreach programme (ICROP). SASSA utilised its operational budget which is part of the funds that are included in the transfer payment from DSD.

QUESTION 267 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

267. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether a specified person (name and details furnished) has acted or is acting in a senior management position at present; if so, (a) which position, (b)(i) when did the specified person occupy the position in an acting capacity and (ii) for how long, (c) what qualifications are needed to act in such a position and (d) what are the qualifications of the specified person;

(2) whether the specified position had been declared vacant when the specified person began to occupy the position in an acting capacity; if so, on what date did this position become vacant? NW291E

Reply:

Yes,

(a) Senor Manager: Administration in the Office of the CEO

(b) (i)1 November 2012 (ii) two (2) years and four (4) months

The incumbent was seconded to the Department of Social Development as per the request of the Director-General. The incumbent subsequently vacated the position in October 2014

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 266 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

266. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the (a) accommodation, (b) transportation and (c) any other expenses of (i) the Chief Executive Officer of the SA Social Security Agency, (ii) the Minister’s parliamentary officer (name furnished) and (iii) any other senior managers are paid by her department; if so, (aa) what amount is being paid for each specified individual in each case and (bb) from which line item;

(2) whether the contracts of each specified individual stipulate that the state will pay for such expenses; if so, whether she can provide the relevant section of the contract that refers to this stipulation in each case? NW290E

Reply:

(1)

(a) Refer to Parliamentary Question 123

(b) All officials who receive protection services are transported in line with close

Protection contract (all inclusive price).

Memorandum for Recognition of secondment benefits: This covers daily

allowances, lunch ,official kilometers , return flights, accommodation, parking

fees and separation allowances.

(2) Letters of seconded officials state that they will be entitled to secondment

benefits.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 263 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

263. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any investigations have been conducted against her department, or any entity reporting to her, by an external government or state body; if so, (a) what was the reason of each investigation, (b) which institution conducted the investigation, (c) on which date was the investigation completed and (d) on which date did she receive each report;

(2) in each case, what action has she taken against persons implicated in the report? NW286E

REPLY:

Yes, there are investigations currently underway and some concluded. These relates to allegations of maladministration, illegal procurement processes and fruitless and wasteful expenditure by SASSA. The investigation by the Public Protector is currently underway. I am awaiting the finalisation of this investigation and the recommendations by the Public Protector.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 262 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

262. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 1577 on 14 October 2014, (a) what steps is she taking to ensure that the Germiston Child Welfare is not underfunded by 50% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Germiston Child Welfare? NW285E

REPLY:

Honourable Member, there is no doubt whatsoever that NGOs have played and continue to play a very critical role in the provision of social services in this country. However, the financial sustainability and viability of an NGO remains the primary responsibility of that NGO. Government funding to an NGO is provided on the basis of a service to be delivered and according to a clear set of criteria as well taking into consideration Government’s limited resources.

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 261 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 20 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 02

261. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) When will the Kempton Park office of the SA Social Security Agency be opened and (b) what are the reasons for the delay? NW284E

Reply:

South African Social Security Agency has initiated a procurement process to acquire office accommodation through the Department of Public Works at the beginning of this financial year. It was envisaged that this office would have been reopened in the third quarter of 2014/2015 financial year. However due to non - responses of suitable bidders, this has since not materialised as envisaged. In insuring that the service is provided in Kempton Park while searching for permanent office space the Agency had secured a temporary office through Ekurhuleni municipality whereby services are provided three times a week.

The lack of suitable office accommodation in Kempton Park and none responses from potential bidders has caused the delay in securing the office space. An effort to intensify the search for a suitable space has been made through revising the accommodation needs assessment and resubmitting to Department of Public Work for procurement instructions to be issued out again and continuous engagement with the Ekurhuleni municipality is ongoing.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 217 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

217. Mr M S Mbatha (EFF) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What is the reason for increasing the age limit of the child social grant recipients to the age of 23 and (b) how much will the additional child grants to people aged between 19 and 23 cost the state annually;

(2) (a) how is her department working with other government departments to ensure that employment is created for the youth of working age instead of making them dependent on grants and (b) what are her department’s concrete plans in this regard? NW238E

REPLY:

1. (a) The age limit to the Child Support Grant has not been increased. The Department plans to extend the Child Support Grant (CSG) to the age of 21 and not 23. The main reason for extension is to align the CSG and Foster Child Grant (FCG). Although the two grants provide income assistance to a caregiver caring for children, are misaligned. Currently the FCG is only terminated in the year the child turns 18, and if the child continues with their education or training, they can continue receiving the grant up to age 21. The CSG however, is terminated abruptly in the month that the child turns 18, with no consideration of the child’s educational status. The continued payment of the CSG to persons 18 to 21 who are still in education or training will enable them to complete their studies and enhance their chances of being economically active. Supporting young people until they are 21 enables them to have a good start in life. Grants are received by vulnerable groups.

(b) Should the policy be approved the extension of CSG to 21 will be introduced in phase format, starting with 18 – 19 in the first year, 19- 20 year old in the second year, and finally 20 – 21 year olds in the final year. The extension will cost about R1.2 billion in the first year, R2.2 billion in the second year and R3.3 billion in the third year. Overall, about 750 thousand children are set to benefit from extending the CSG.

2. The primary focus of the Department is mainly poverty alleviation and social development. Our research shows that social grants alone have increased labour participation amongst beneficiaries including youth of working age. The Department is currently developing a youth allowance proposal linked to a labour activation programme. The Department is also working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry through the Community Work Project (CWP) as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The main objective of the CWP is to create regular and predictable work for the unemployed in the community. Besides its potential to create work opportunities, the CWP has proved to be beneficial in terms of strengthening community participation in local development planning and community development; in creating an institutional mechanism that facilitates integrated development at the local level; and in strengthening the economic ‘agency’ of poor people and hopefully countering the impacts of structural ‘dependency’.

Research including impact studies show that vulnerable groups have benefitted out of the system. Social Development works with other government departments to create job opportunities that are sustainable.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 185 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

185. Mr Y Cassim (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to the reply of the Minister of Communications to question 1031 on 27 November 2014, what was the total amount that (a) her department and (b) each of its entities (i) spent on and/or (ii) budgeted for advertising for each month between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014, excluding expenditure transferred through the Department of Communications for advertising;

(2) does such figure for each month represent the (a) total value of advertising that appeared in the media in that month, (b) amount paid in that month for advertising that may have appeared previously or (c) amount paid in advance for advertising that appeared at a later date;

(3) in each specified case, what amount did (a) her department and (b) each of its entities spend on advertising in (i) print, (ii) radio, (iii) television, (iv) online and (v) outdoor;

(4) in each specified case, what is the breakdown of advertising by (a) her department and (b) each of its entities in terms of (i) name of and (ii) amount spent on each (aa) publication, (bb) radio station, (cc) television station, (dd) website and (ee) billboards location in each province? NW194E

Reply:

Jan 2013 – R00

Feb 2013 – R00

Mar 2013 – R1 200 000.00(GCIS)

April 2013 – R00

May 2013 – R867 000.00

June 2013 – R3 786 383.71(GCIS)

July 2013 – R150 000.00

August 2013 – R4000.00(GCIS)

Sept 2013 – R150 000.00

Oct 2013 – R350 840.00(GCIS)

Nov 2013 – Feb 2014 = R16 934 763.27(Transferred R1 884 200.00 to GCIS)

Mar 2014 – R00

April 2014 – GCIS Community radio (GCIS)

May 2014 – June 2014 = R1 066 640.00

July 2014 – R00

South African Social Security Agency

(i)Jan 2013 – R 00

Feb 2013 – R 3 069 717

Mar 2013 – R 4 035 351

April 2013 – R 6 327 473

May 2013 – R 8 195 129

June 2013 – R 4 026 409

July 2013 – R 23 182 228

Aug 2013 – R 5 994 507

Sept 2013 – R 754 680

Oct 2013 – R 3 000 543

Nov 2013 – R 338 352

Dec 2013 – R 2 799 756

Jan 2014 – R 113 191

Feb 2014 – R 1 519 265

Mar 2014 – R 1 620 464

Apr 2014 – R 260 303

May 2014 – R 1 728 992

June 2014 – R 00

July 2014 – R 3 910 509

Aug 2014 – R 1 750 781

(ii)

National Development Agency

(i)R49 534.00

(ii)

a)Yes, payments of advertising were made after the service has been rendered according to proposals.

b)N/A

c)N/A

South African Social Security Agency

a)N/A

b) amount paid in that month for advertising that may have appeared previously

c)N/A

National Development Agency

The figure is an average amount spent each month over the 17 months period under review. This is based on a total figure of R842 077.00 spent between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014.

R3 902 799.72
R3 902 982.53
R3 084 412.00
R491 550.00
R2 087 773.00

South African Social Security Agency

R61 706 606
R11 236 046
N/A
N/A
N/A

National Development Agency

R728 511.00
R113 567.00
R00.00
R00.00
R00.00;

(i)Name of media	(ii) Amount	Type
		(aa) Publication:
Independent Newspapers	R1 848 274.13
Media 24	R799 817.19
Eastern Cape Today	R895 003.60
Phoenix Tabloid	R359 704.80

(bb) Zibonele Community Radio-R45 258.00

(cc) SABC TV- GCIS, ENCA TV-R490 000

(dd)Website – N/A

(ee)Billboards- WC province, Gauteng Province, KZN and Northern Cape, Eastern Cape

South African Social Security Agency

Media 24, Independent Newspapers, Times Media and SABC Radio
(aa) Media 24 R 24 936 825, Independent Newspapers R 21 316 276, Times Media R 15 453 505

(bb)SABC Radio Stations R11 236 046

(cc) N/A (dd) N/A

(ee) N/A

National Development Agency

(i)Name of media	(ii) Amount	Type	Province
		(aa) Publication:
Government Printing Works	R14 200.00	Tender bulletin	National
Independent Newspapers	R219 443.53	Adverts & advertorials	National
Mail & Guardian	R171 000.00	Advertorial	National
Times Media PL	R165 691.09	Adverts	National
Media 24	R133 127.43	Adverts	National
Daily Dispatch	R4 719.60	Adverts	Eastern Cape
Mafikeng Mail	R11 526.00	Adverts	North West
Lowveld Media	R8803.01	Adverts	Mpumalanga
		(bb) Radio station:
SAFM	R98 040.00	Phone-in programme	National
North West FM	R15 526.80	Interviews	North West
Nul		(cc) television station	-
NDA website	R00.00	(dd) Website	National
Nul		(ee) Billboards	Nul
Total	R842 077.00

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 124 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

124. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) paid for close protection services to any person(s) other than SASSA staff members; if so, (a) how many persons are involved, (b) what are their (i) names and (ii) positions, (c) what amount was paid for each person for close protection services and (d) how is the money being recovered;

Reply:

SASSA work exposes some officials to undue risks and threats which at times requires the provision of protection services. Given the sensitive nature of this matter, I am not at liberty to disclose the details of the affected officials.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 123 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

123. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any security (a) upgrades or (b) installations have been installed at any of the persons that have (i) received or (ii) continue to receive close protection from the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA); if so, (aa) what is the total cost at each home, (bb) which company installed the security (i) upgrades or (ii) installations and (cc) for which person(s) were the security (i) upgrades or (ii) installations;

(2) whether the SASSA pays for the accommodation, either hotel or housing, of (a) close protection services providers and/or (b) any official of SASSA, if so, (i) what is the nature of the accommodation, (ii) what is the monthly cost to SASSA for each type of accommodation, (iii) from which date did SASSA start paying for the accommodation in each case and (iv) what are the names of the individual(s) benefiting from the said accommodation;

(3) has SASSA paid for any (a) furniture and/or (b) appliances at any of the (i) accommodations or (ii) houses occupied by the (aa) close protection service providers and/or (bb) officials of SASSA; if so, what do these (aaa) furniture and/or (bbb) appliances comprise, (c) what are the amounts paid by SASSA for each of these items and (d) are all these items recorded in the SASSA asset register? NW128E

Reply:

Honourable member, I am not in a position to provide the detailed information asked for in this question due to the highly sensitive nature of such information. Furthermore disclosing this information may put those under a witness protection programme at high risk.

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 122 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

122. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many security tenders were advertised by her department (a) in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 financial years and (b) during the period 1 January 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) in each specified year, (a) how many of the tenders were cancelled and (b) what were the reasons for each canellation?

NW127E

REPLY:

The only tender advertised for security was for the physical security.

(i) In 2011-2012 Born to Protect was awarded the tender which ended

(ii) In 2012 – 2013, a new tender went out which was awarded to Maxi Security for 2 years which ends 2014 financial year.

(iii) The security tender will be advertised and awarded to another company for 2 years (2014-2015/2015-2016)

No tenders where cancelled

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 121 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

121. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Is her permission needed if a government entity, such as the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA), wants to provide close protection services to (a) her, (b) her children and (c) staff of her department and their family members; if so, on what date was such permission (i) requested and (ii) granted to SASSA? NW126E

Reply:

As stated in my previous reply to this question, the protection service for the Minister is provided by SAPS VIP Unit. I have clearly stated the reasons for the provision of protection services in my reply to question 115 and 116. A threat analysis and assessment is conducted by duly qualified personnel on the above mentioned matter.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 120 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

120. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she is aware that the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) is providing close protection services to (a) her, (b) her children, (c) staff of her department and their family members and (d) SASSA staff and their family members;

(2) does SASSA have the authority to provide such services to (a) her, (b) her children and (c) staff of her department and their family members;

(3) does (a) she and (b) her children also receive protection from the VIP Protection Unit; if so, what are the relevant details? NW125E

Reply:

The information and the reasons for the provision of protection services is contained in the SASSA annual report for the 2013/14 financial year.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 119 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

119. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) Whether there are any existing contracts between the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) and close protection service providers for each individual or family protected;

(2) whether any of the contracts pertaining to the provision of close protection services expired and the provider concerned continued to provide services; if so, what (a) are the dates that the contract was extended from and to, (b) is the name of the company and (c) amount was paid in each case;

(3) whether SASSA paid for the (a) overland travel, (b) flights and (c) accommodation expenses of the close protection detail for each specified individual or family; if so, what amounts were paid since 2012 in each case? NW124E

Reply:

The Honourable Member is advised to read the Annual Report of the South African Social Security Agency in respect of this question.

QUESTION 118 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

118. Dr H C Volmink (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What amount has the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) paid to each service provider providing close protection services and (b) for what period was each amount for;

(2) whether any additional amounts have been paid to any of the service providers providing close protection for (a) petrol and (b) vehicles; if so, what was the (i) make and (ii) quantity of each vehicle in each case;

(3) whether any additional amounts have been paid to any of the service providers providing close protection for (a) cellphone(s), (b) airtime and (c) firearms; if so, what was the (i) make and (ii) quantity of firearms in each case;

(4) whether any additional costs occurred; if so, what are the relevant details? NW123E

Reply:

The information and the detailed costs are contained in the annual report of the South African Social Security Agency.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 117 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

117. Dr H C Volmink (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What is the security experience in terms of (a) years, (b) qualification(s) and (c) the competency of each of the companies that (i) have provided or (ii) are currently providing close protection services to her? NW122E

REPLY:

Protection services in respect of Members of the Executive is provided by the VIP Protection Services (SAPS) in terms of the Ministerial Handbook.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 116 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

116. Dr G A Grootboom (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Does the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have a mandate to provide close protection services to (a) her, (b) her children or (c) any other staff member or their relatives; if so, (i) who gave SASSA such authority and (ii) on what date was this authority given;

(2) will she make available the correspondence in this regard? NW121E

Reply:

(1) (a) Refer to Question 115 (a).

(b) Refer to Question 115 (b).

(i) As a result of SASSA's historic inability to react timeously and effectively to a threat issued against a SASSA official as was in the case of the Office Head in Ngwelezane, in Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2008, when the Office Head had reported to SASSA that his life was being threatened after he had uncovered incidents of fraud in the grants application process and implicated the persons involved in the scheme. Shortly after notifying SASSA, the Office Head was shot dead at his office desk in full view of the public and his colleagues by those persons implicated by him in the grants application fraud. Six perpetrators were found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2013.

Based on credible threats made on the lives of her spokesperson and her children, a submission was written to Minister to provide Close Protection to the above identified person on the 26 August 2013. The Minister approved the recommendation and the approval was noted by the BAC on the 12 September 2013. On request of the Director-General of Social Development, the Office of the CEO requested the BAC to approve Close Protection to this official and her children. Forma approval procedures were used for this purpose.

(ii) 26 August 2013

(2) Yes.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 115 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

115. Dr G A Grootboom (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the reasons that the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA), provided (a) her and (b) her children with close protection services;

(2) on what date did she inform the VIP Protection Unit (a) of such reasons requiring protection for her and her children and (b) that she was utilising close protection services provided for by SASSA;

(3) does she have any relations with any person linked to any of the companies that (a) have provided or (b) are currently providing close protection services for her or her children; if so what is the nature of the relationship? NW120E

Reply:

(1) (a) Protection services to the Minister are provided by the SAPS VIP Unit as per the Ministerial Handbook. The reasons for the provision of protection services to the children were as a result of threats made to my family following several incidences of housebreaking, home invasions and threatening calls. These threads emanated during a period in which a tender was being evaluated for the payment of grants and a strong campaign against alcohol and drug abuse was being conducted. Protection services was provided as an interim measure whilst waiting for the full security assessment report as SASSA already had a company providing protection services to employees facing security threats.

(2) SAPS VIP Protection Unit was informed on matters relating to security threats on several occasions, including in a meeting on 26 August 2013. Whilst waiting for the assessment report SASSA had to provide protection to the children.

(3) No.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 114 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

114. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Which companies (a) have been appointed in order to provide close protection services for her department since 2012, (b) on which dates did each contract (i) commence and (ii) end and (c) which individuals did they protect;

(2) in each case where protection was needed, did the individual report the threat to the police; if not, why not; if so, what is the relevant case number? NW119E

Reply:

Please refer to the parliamentary question 119 of 2015 on this matter.
Please refer to the parliamentary question 115 of 2015 on this matter.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 113 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

113. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With regard to the tender for a service provider to conduct a forensic investigation into the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA), what were the reasons that the chief executive officer (CEO) of SASSA ignored the recommendation of the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) and appointed a service provider that was not recommended;

(2) whether the CEO of SASSA went back to the BAC to consult with them; if not, (a) why was this not done and (b) what (i) policy and (ii) regulations of SASSA, if any, were transgressed in this regard? NW118E

REPLY:

Given the high levels of fraud and corruption, there was an external tender awarded to deal with this matter at SASSA. With regard to the procurement of forensic investigation services by SASSA, I have received a report from the Minister of Finance and I am considering the findings and recommendations of the Accountant General on this matter, after which I will ask officials implicated in the report to respond to the findings. This will inform the next course of action.

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 112 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

112. Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What (i) was the value of the initial contract that Nexia SAB&T was awarded and (ii) were the reasons that the contract was not put out to tender, (b) who took the decision not to put it out to tender but rather to ask for quotations and (c) what regulations were transgressed by doing so;

(2) was the deviation reported to National Treasury; if not, what are the reasons why the deviation was not reported to the National Treasury; if so, when? NW117E

Reply:

The procurement of the afore-mentioned services was in line with the provision of the 2012/2013 Annual General Exemptions SASSA 12/10. This has been done before and it is not a transgression of any regulations whatsoever was there a closed procurement process. Other Government Departments have asked for quotation before.

The procurement of services was in line with the provision of the 2012/2013 Annual General Exemptions SASSA 12/10.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 85 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

85. Ms T Gqada (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any persons, formally or otherwise, involved in the initial tender awarded to Cash Paymaster Services at a cost of R10 billion, as advisors of any sort, are involved in the current social grant payment tender process, as directed by the Constitutional Court; if so, (a) who are they and (b) in what capacity are they involved in the new tender? NW87E

Reply:

None. There are however officials who have, in line with their normal operational responsibilities, supported the tender process to date and they will form part of the BEC and BAC.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 84 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

84. Ms T Gqada (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many persons for each month have used the voice recognition facility since its inception;

(2) how many persons does her department envisage will use the facility in each month;

(3) how many voices are on record at (a) the voice centre or (b) any other storage facility? NW86E

Reply:

1) Approximately 500 000 beneficiaries have used the system since its inception on a monthly basis.

(2) The system has been suspended pending a technical review due to complaints from beneficiaries.

(3) Approximately 7 million voice prints were collected during re- registration and stored on server.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 83 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

83. Mr M H Hoosen (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Which section or division in her department is responsible for the creation of a standard for biometric verification;

(2) whether she is aware that the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) awarded a R10 billion tender which included the use of biometric verification through fingerprints and voice recognition; if so, (a) did her department give SASSA the authority to do so and (b) on what date was this permission given? NW85E

Reply:

Please refer to Parliamentary Question 82 on the same subject.
(a) It is commonly known and widely reported that this tender has been awarded and the former Minister of Finance, in Parliament, has for 2 consecutive years, praised the gains made with this system which has improved service delivery. We are going to continue to improve our systems so as to ensure that the dignity and human rights of our vulnerable groups are adhered to. The Financial and Fiscal Commission has also given us more responsibility on this matter and we have received with open arms because this endorse the reasons why SASSA was formed. It also strengthens the form on which government delivers services to our people.

(b) I concurred with the outcomes of the tender process on the 17th January 2011.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 82 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

82. Ms T E Baker (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has established a standard with regard to biometric verification;

(2) has her department commissioned any entity to develop a standard; if so, (a) who is the entity, (b) what amount has been paid to date and (c) by which date will the standard be developed? NW84E

Reply:

(1) No standard has been developed as yet.

(2) (a) & (b) Discussions and consultations are currently underway between SASSA and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Payment Association of South Africa (PASA) and the Department of Home Affairs, to commission the work towards developing a biometric standards. PASA and CSIR are finalising the Terms of Reference.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 80 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

80. Ms T E Baker (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to the reply to question 522 on 5 August 2014, (a) how many outlets does Grindrod Bank currently have and (b) where are they located? NW82E

Reply:

Our responsibility is to ensure that our people get their social assistance at the correct time and get it at the right place. It is the responsibility of the service provider to extend the accessibility of grant payment to the poor.

What we know is that grant recipients get their grants in 9000 pay points that we visit promptly so as to ensure that they are properly functioning, 21 000 ATMs, 300 000 points of sale devices in various retailers and 2 500 biometrically enabled stores. This is to ensure that the vulnerable receive their grants with dignity. ter which I will ask officials implicated in the report to respond to the findings. This will inform the next course of action.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 79 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

79. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the SA Social Security Agency pays any monies to any bank for the subsidisation of bank charges; if so, (a) which bank and (b) how much per month has been paid since the inception of the Cash Paymaster Services’ approximately R10 billion tender? NW81E

Reply:

Sassa does not subsidise bank charges for beneficiaries and as such has paid no monies to any bank to subsidise bank charges.

I am concerned about the high levels of bank charges to our beneficiaries and we have, working together with other partners, looking into this issue. We met with the Reserve Bank and there is a process in the pipeline to deal with this matter.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 78 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

78. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many social grant beneficiaries (a) have bank accounts with Grindrod Bank and (b) gave the SA Social Security Agency permission to open a bank account on their behalf through signed authorisation forms;

(2) how did Grindrod Bank open bank accounts for the beneficiaries if no permission was given;

(3) what (a) regulations or (b) laws has she found have been transgressed by opening bank accounts on behalf of individuals without their consent? NW80E

Reply:

(1) (a) As at the end of January 2015, the number of active SASSA Bank accounts was 10 069 370. This has happened in the past where other service providers opened accounts for the grant recipients and this has always been part of the solutions e.g. Sekulula Bank Account.

(b) In terms of the request for proposals for the current payment solution, required beneficiaries to move in the banking environment. This was essentially to reduce the administrative costs associated with the previous solution. The successful bidder provided the banking partner.

(2) Refer to my response above.

(3) No banking laws or regulations have been transgressed by SASSA

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 77 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

77. Ms N I Tarabella Marchesi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1575 on 14 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Tembisa Child Welfare is not underfunded by 43% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Tembisa Child Welfare? NW79E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 76 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

76. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1580 on 14 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Springs Child Welfare is not underfunded by 77% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Springs Child Welfare? NW78E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 75 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

75. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1582 on 14 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Nigel Child Welfare is not underfunded by 67% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Nigel Child Welfare? NW77E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 74 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

74. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1574 on 21 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Kempton Park Child Welfare is not underfunded by 71 per cent for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Kempton Park Child Welfare? NW76E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 73 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

73. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1573 on 14 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Edenvale Child Welfare is not underfunded by 49 per cent for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Edenvale Child Welfare? NW75E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 72 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

72. Ms K de Kock (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) With regard to her reply to question 1576 on 14 October 2014, what steps is she taking to ensure that Boksburg Child Welfare is not underfunded by 57 per cent for providing statutory services on behalf of her department, (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund Boksburg Child Welfare? NW74E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 71 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

71. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 1578 on 21 October 2014, (a) what steps is she taking to ensure that the Benoni Child Welfare is not underfunded by 50% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund the Benoni Child Welfare? NW73E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 70 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

70. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 1581 on 14 October 2014, (a) what steps is she taking to ensure that the Alberton Child Welfare is not underfunded by 70% for providing statutory services on behalf of her department and (b) on what basis does her department continue to underfund the Alberton Child Welfare? NW72E

REPLY:

The Department has embarked on the review of the White Paper on Social Welfare and funding of social services is one of the critical areas that will be considered under this review.

I am keen to know how the Honourable member arrived at the percentage the government is not contributing to this NGO given that the NGOs also have a responsibility to raise own funds.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 63 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

63. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What process is used to vet the (a) members and (b) applicants of her department’s audit committee in order to ensure that persons with integrity are appointed? NW65E

Reply:

The Public Finance Management Act requires of an Accounting Officer for a Department to ensure that a system of internal audit - under the control and direction of an audit committee is established and maintained. While there is no legal requirement to vet members of the audit committee, the Department has initiated a process of vetting the current members of the Committee.

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 62 /2015

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 February 2015

Internal question paper no: 01

62. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to the intercountry agreement regarding abba adoption, what are the reasons that her department still allows abba adoption with Sweden to continue to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation when approving parents for adoption? NW64E

Reply:

The Department of Social Development as the Central Authority on Inter-country adoption has never allowed Abba adoption with Sweden to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation when approving parents for adoption.

The South African Central Authority (SACA) as the signatory to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country remains committed to the principles expounded in the above Convention as well as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Section 231 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 (Chapter 15) provides for persons who may adopt a child as follows:

A child may be adopted-

Jointly by:

a husband and wife
partners in a permanent domestic life-partnership, or
other persons sharing a common household and forming a permanent family unit

The policy of Abba adoption regarding inter-country adoptions states that “within their service delivery, they do not practice or accept any form of discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or any other factor”.

2015-03-25

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