As Prof Asmal would have said, the hon Boinamo has transmogrified into the hon Coetzee. The reply is as follows: In terms of agreed policy for 2007-08, the National School Nutrition Programme provides school meals on all or some school days for about six million learners at 18 000 primary schools throughout the country at a budget of around R1 billion.
My department works closely with the provincial departments in the implementation of this important programme. We have indeed taken note and account of the reports of the Auditor-General, and various measures have been taken to improve accountability. These include the establishment of internal audit procedures within departments of education, and the development of a regular reporting system in order for us to ensure that we identify irregularities and shortfalls speedily. We are also working together to develop solutions to challenges that are identified, and these are discussed and further developed at the regular interprovincial meetings which are held on a quarterly basis or, when required, more regular basis.
At our second quarterly meeting of this year between the national department and provincial programme managers, we developed a set of performance indicators and agreed on financial reporting procedures, as well as on the use of the existing business plan template on a more strict basis in order to ensure that we correct the irregularities that have been identified in some of the departments of education. I have been asked to extend this scheme to all school days and to provide the scheme to secondary schools. I have, at this point, not had any approach which asks that we should provide meals during school holidays.
Thank you, Chairperson, and thank you, Minister. We are obviously very pleased to note the things that you are doing to ensure that the money the taxpayer spends on this important programme, as you said it is, is being properly spent. I wonder if you can comment on the situation in the Eastern Cape where a vast amount of money - R230 million - has gone missing, essentially. The provincial authorities did get a forensic auditor from the firm Ngubane & Co. They found significant corruption. The Scorpions have been called in, but that forensic report by the auditors has not been made public. I wonder if the Minister could say why it has not been made public and whether she would intervene with the provincial department to have that report made public. This is because we can see no downside to the public knowing what has happened to its money. I think that is the point at the end of the day. These things need to be made public because it is the public's money that is being stolen by a lot of fraudulent companies. [Time expired.]
As I have indicated, we continue to work with all departments. I am very concerned about the fact that children in the Eastern Cape have not been provided with the programme and meals for a number of months. I am personally going to the Eastern Cape next week in order to ensure, as we begin the implementation following the investigation, that indeed the situation is addressed adequately.
The forensic report is the property of the provincial executive of the Eastern Cape, and I am sure the education standing committee in the province would probably have the report tabled before them and at that time I am certain it would be released. I shall, I am sure, advise the member to put his request to the DA representatives in the Eastern Cape legislature. I don't see the need for the intervention, which would be a section 100 one, given that the investigation was at the instance of the provincial government. I believe they will deal with it there.
My own is to ensure that funds are utilised appropriately. They are a conditional grant; you are able to stop them. We did when the intervention by the premier occurred. We continue to work together to ensure that the scheme which we will develop following this process is indeed implemented better than has been in the past. The investigation has also involved suspension of officials and so on. I am sure you are aware there are various procedures. Therefore, to demand public domain access immediately, I think, may infringe upon those processes.
Nevertheless, I do invite the member to put the request to the provincial legislature through the DA representatives there.
Implications of establishment of Housing Delivery Agency
286. Mr D C Mabena (ANC) asked the Minister of Housing:
In view of her media statement that her department intends finding practical solutions to housing delivery, in particular deadlines for delivery through the establishment of a Housing Delivery Agency, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) to what extent will this agency be different in terms of (i) scope and (ii) practice to existing departmental agencies? NO1970E
Chairperson, I am the acting Minister for the Minister of Housing. Given her deep interest in replying to the questions, there was a request to the National Assembly that the questions posed to the Minister stand over. The table had agreed that this would be done.
Practical implications of National Credit Act regarding extension of credit by municipalities
301. Mr P F Smith (IFP) asked the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
What are the practical implications of the National Credit Act, Act 34 of 2005, on the extension by municipalities of credit to their consumers?