ATCC220630: Report of the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings on the Executive Undertakings made by the Minister of Social Development during the House Sitting of 27 October 2020, As Adopted On 24 June 2022
NCOP Petitions and Executive Undertakings
REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS AND EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS ON THE EXECUTIVE UNDERTAKINGS MADE BY THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE HOUSE SITTING OF 27 OCTOBER 2020, AS ADOPTED ON 24 JUNE 2022
- BACKGROUND
On 27 October 2020, the President made the following executive undertakings during the Question and Answer Session in the National Council of Provinces (House):
- Executive Undertaking 1: “We are focused on efforts to ensure there is a model gender-based violence, GBV, one-stop centre in each of the identified 30 hotspot areas.”
- Executive Undertaking 2: “We are, therefore, working to expand the Khuseleka One-Stop Centres, in ‘the first phase, in Cape Town, Sol Plaatje Municipality, eThekwini, Mangaung, Ehlanzeni, Tshwane and Johannesburg.”
- Executive Undertaking 3: “In the second phase, we will identify buildings in the Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo to enhance the existing Khuseleka Centres and expand on sheltering services in the provinces.”
- REFERRAL PROCEDURE TO THE COMMITTEE
The concerned executive undertakings were referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings (Committee) by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), for it to scrutinise and subsequently report to the House on their implementation.
After their referral the Committee proceeded to extend an invitation to the Minister to appear before it and report on the progress made by the Department of Social Development (Department) in implementing the concerned executive undertakings.
- COMMITTEE MEETING PROCEDURES
On 05 May 2022, the Minister and relevant officials of the Department appeared before the Committee to report on the progress made in implementing the executive undertakings under consideration.
The following Committee Members were present at the meeting:
3.1 Hon Z Mkiva, ANC, Eastern Cape (Chairperson);
3.2 Hon S Shaikh, ANC, Limpopo;
3.3 Hon T S C Dodovu, ANC, North-West;
3.4 Hon E M Mthethwa, ANC, KwaZulu-Natal;
3.5 Hon B M Bartlett, ANC, Northern Cape;
3.6 Hon N E Nkosi, ANC, Mpumalanga;
3.7 Hon C Visser, DA, North West,
3.8 Hon I M Sileku, DA, Western Cape;
3.9 Hon K Motsamai, EFF, Gauteng; and
3.10 Hon Zandamela, EFF; Mpumalanga;
The following Committee officials were in attendance:
3.11 Mr N Mkhize, Committee Secretary;
3.12 Mr X Simelane; Committee Researcher/Acting Content Advisor;
3.13 Mrs N Fakier; Executive Secretary; and
3.14 Mr M Erasmus, Committee Assistant
The following representatives of the Department of Social Development appeared before the Committee during the meeting:
3.15 Hon L Zulu – Minister;
3.16 Mr L Mchunu – Acting Director General;
3.17 Ms S Kakaza-Chief Executive Officer-South African Social Security Agency;
3.18 Mr A Phahlamohlaka-Chief of Staff; and
3.19 Ms J Longwe-Parliamentary Liaison Officer
- PROGRESS REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Department reported as follows:
- Executive Undertaking 1:
The Department reported that it has partnered with the Health and Welfare and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to roll out a project that is targeting the GBVF hotspot areas across the country. It was indicated that GBVF ambassadors have managed to conduct 164 campaigns in all 30 hotspots. The Department further reported that it is implementing campaigns at institutions of Higher Learning in the hotspot areas.
4.2 Executive Undertaking 2:
The Department reported that the Khuseleka One Stop Centre Model is a multi-sectoral service consisting of the following:
- Sheltering service for protection
- Psychosocial services
- Reporting and investigation of cases
- Provision of medico-legal services
- Preparing victims for court hearings
- Skills development services/empowerment of victims
- Executive Undertaking 3:
The Department reported that as part of strengthening the services rendered by Khuseleka One Stop Centres, it has established a partnership with SETAs particularly in the IT (Computers and Textile Industry (sewing). The purpose of the established partnership is for women to be empowered with skills that will enable them to be financially independent and self-reliant.
They further presented future plans for 2022/2023 aiming to engage the following Sectors:
- Agriculture
- Beauty Therapy
- Hospitality
- Technology /digital skills
- Multi media
In conclusion, the Department indicated that its partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW) is faced with a number of challenges including financial constraints with regards to implementation of the project effectively. But they have a task team consisting of National and Provinces to resolve all challenges.
Lastly, the Department requested the Committee to intervene in engaging with the following critical stakeholders; Human Settlement for provision of housing and support to victims, SAPS for investigation of cases, NPA for prosecution, Health for the forensic investigation and Public Works for provision of habitable infrastructure for sheltering services. And the Committee to engage National Treasury to prioritize funds for these sheltering services/facilities as per the President’s announcement.
5. OBSERVATIONS AND KEY FINDINGS
In noting the progress report provided by the Department of Social Development in relation to the implementation of the executive undertakings under review, the Committee made the following observations and key findings:
5.1 Intervention centres needed to reach rural areas and should not only be concentrated in urban areas. And there needed to be monitoring and training of GBVF ambassadors, and local government need to be involved.
5.2 There is a lot of duplication in GBVF programmes.
5.3 There is a lack of facilities at the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) centres for GBVF victims.
- RECOMMENDATIONS
Further, in noting the progress report presented by the Minister of Social Development, the Committee, observes that the executive undertakings have been adequately implemented and therefore recommends that they be closed.
Report to be considered.