Chairperson, the reply to that is that the estimated missing funds and/or cash for the department for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2010 amount to R838 645. This amount is comprised of: firstly, Third Party Fund losses of R809 515,14; and secondly, Voted Fund losses of R29 130,75.
Yes, the department is implementing measures to strengthen security of cash at courts by rolling out the national security infrastructure programme to 127 courts. In terms of this programme, security systems at court buildings will be installed or upgraded to ensure a safe and secure court environment and further strengthen the integrity of the justice system.
The cash office and records department will be fitted with the following equipment: passive infrared detectors with closed-circuit television, CCTV, cameras to cover the offices and the approach to them; fixed or remote panic buttons; and an alarm to cause a "lock down" on the perimeter, preventing the perpetrators from being in the court facility.
To date the complete security installation has been completed at eight courts, and it is expected that a further 63 courts will be completed by March 2012, and the remaining courts will be completed by 2013. The department has also commenced with the roll-out of electronic funds for payments of the maintenance monies directly to the beneficiaries so as to minimise the level of fraud and corruption by employees.
In the last financial year, the department has effected numerous appointments of high-level skilled and qualified security officers to ensure that security policies and standards are implemented on a daily basis at the courts. There has also been an increase in the provision of cash-in-transit services at 547 courthouses and sites through accredited service providers. The purpose of this service is to secure and safeguard state monies at the respective premises.
Hon member, the department has initiated measures to vet all staff responsible for the handling of cash in courts. In addition, new employees who work in the cash halls will undergo pre-employment screening. However, due to the lengthy period to conduct these screenings and the capacity challenges within the State Security Agency, some of these applications must still be processed and finalised.
In conclusion, I should maybe just indicate to the member that the amount for the year under review is R838 645,89. The member might recall that on a previous occasion the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, when addressing a Justice, Crime Prevention and Security, JCPS, media briefing, alluded to an amount of R23 million in missing Third Party Funds. That announcement drew quite a lot of attention but I just want to clarify that that amount was not for a single year. That was an amount that added up over quite a substantial period of time. It is something that the Minister expressed great concern about. He also outlined the steps that had already been taken to deal with that matter. Thank you.
I don't have a follow-up question, Chair.
Chair, I would just like to ask a follow-up question. Was this cash stolen as a result of a robbery, or was it only money from the Third Party Fund? Can you explain, Deputy Minister? Thank you.
Hon Bloem, how shall I say it? It is all of the above. It is an amount that reflects monies that were stolen both by outsiders as well as insiders. That is why I have alluded to the different measures that we are putting in place to deal with that. Those measures deal with the inside part of the problem, as well as the outside part of the problem.
Thank you, Deputy Chair. Through you to the Deputy Minister: You alluded and said that the security environment at the courts will be improved. Does the department still use private security firms in most instances to secure the courts?
Chair, yes indeed it is the case that in the vast majority of courts the security is provided by outside contractors. However, discussions are under way with the SA Police Service to take that function over, and that would obviously have a major impact on the police, and thorough processes of consultation and discussion with them would need to take place.
Minister, the issue of CCTV for the outsiders is understood, but what measures have you taken or put in place for insiders?
Chair, I think in the answer to the question we alluded to the fact that we would be putting systems in place that would provide the necessary checks and balances. We also referred to the fact that the employees working in cash halls would be vetted. There would be pre-employment screening. Thank you.
Proposed amendments to Constitution to give Salga voting powers
23. Ms B V Mncube (ANC) asked the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Whether his department is planning to (a) strengthen co-operative governance by allowing the SA Local Government Association, Salga, to participate in the National Council of Provinces on a fulltime basis and (b) propose amendments to the Constitution in order to give Salga voting powers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?