Hon Speaker and hon members, the Programme to Support Pro-poor Policy Development, PSPPD, is a research and capacity-building programme which is located within the National Planning Commission of the Presidency. It is a partnership between the Presidency and the European Union. The PSPPD is a five-year programme which started in October 2006 and will end on 31 December 2011. It will then enter a six-month closure period to conduct final evaluation and final audit processes, effectively closing at the end of June 2012.
The programme was developed to improve the effectiveness of public policy interventions. To achieve this, the programme has focused on strengthening policy-making around poverty and inequality through the use of research within the social and economic clusters.
The programme has focused on promoting evidence-based policy-making through research on poverty and inequality; developing the capacity of researchers to contribute evidence to policy; developing the capacity of policy-makers to understand how to use research evidence; supporting government's monitoring and evaluation system to help it evolve in a way that contributes effectively to evidence-based policy-making; and collating, documenting and sharing examples of the use of evidence with stakeholders.
To date the programme's activities have seen the culmination of inputs and linked activities since the start of its implementation. In August this year a two-day conference was held in Gauteng where 13 research papers were presented to an audience of policy-makers and academics. In addition to this, a series of articles were published in the print media, showcasing some of the research studies for a wider audience. Also, the PSPPD funded activities that resulted in a draft National Evaluation Policy Framework, and a scoping exercise and workshop for the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration was done to define citizen-based monitoring.
The PSPPD Phase 2 proposal is currently being processed by the European Commission in Brussels and a decision is awaited by the Commission on the General Budget Support programme. Thank you.
Ndiyabulela Sekela-Mongameli ngenkcazelo yakho egabalala necace gca. Kodwa ke, ndinqwenela ukwazi ukuba kwezi ziphumo ezithe zafumaneka kolu phando, nolubonakala ngathi luya esiphelweni, ingaba zikhona kusini na iimpawu ezibonakalisa ukuba kuza kufuneka kubekho utshintsho kuMgaqo-nkqubo okanye kwiRegulatory Framework esinayo apha eMzantsi Afrika? Enkosi.
USEKELA MONGAMELI: Somlomo, olu phando lwenziweyo luncedise kakhulu ekuhloleni nasekuhlalutyeni izinga lokusebenza, yiyo loo nto ebangele ukuba namhlanje sikwazi ukulihlalutya izinga lokusebenza kwamasebe. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Ms B N DAMBUZA: Thank you, Deputy President, for the clear and well- presented report. But I would like to know, in the findings of the research, which is at its final stage, whether there are any distinct signs that indicate a need to change our Constitution or the regulatory framework here in South Africa. Thank you.
Speaker, the research conducted has assisted a lot with the assessment and in analysing the level of work. That is why we are able today to evaluate the level of work that is being done by the departments.] It is due to this research. In fact, as I indicated, both the Human Sciences Research Council and nine universities are involved in this programme. So, we stand to benefit practically from this research in ways of eradicating poverty. It is very pertinent and important. We believe that the second phase of this programme should be welcomed by all, once Brussels has decided positively in our favour. Thank you.
Mr Speaker, the PSPPD's research facility has funded and commissioned papers into both youth unemployment and the youth wage subsidy proposal. These are matters which are not only high on the programme's agenda, but also no doubt high on the Deputy President's agenda, as the political head of the war on poverty campaign.
However, the government continues to stall on the implementation of the much-needed youth wage subsidy. Had the wage subsidy been implemented on 1 April 2010 it could have benefited almost 225 000 unemployed young people thus far. With every day that passes, the delay in implementing the wage subsidy denies even more young South Africans the chance to move out of poverty and into meaningful employment.
Mr Speaker, will the Deputy President tell us whether the government will implement the youth wage subsidy by the target date set by the National Treasury of 1 April 2012? If not, what is its justification for denying hundreds and thousands more young South Africans access to work opportunities? Thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you very much, hon Mazibuko. Let me take this opportunity once again to congratulate you, my dear sister.
The youth wage subsidy is being discussed at Nedlac and, as you know, Nedlac is made up of four chambers. The reason for it is that we need buy- in. It is important that when it is implemented, it should not be resisted and opposed by unions who are of the view that it would casualise labour, that young people who would benefit from it would end up being treated as though they were permanent employees as it were, and that it would depress overall wages. It is the fear of competition by employed workers.
We believe that through discussion in Nedlac consensus will emerge. I am sure you know that a number of accords have already been signed at Nedlac level by all the key stakeholders. We are quite positive that a positive outcome will emerge out of the discussions. Thank you.
Speaker and Deputy President, South Africa suffered a 70% decline in foreign direct investment during 2010, compared to 2009. During the same period in 2010, Angola increased their foreign direct investment significantly and attracted 20% of Africa's total foreign direct investment. This is according to research done by the University of Johannesburg.
In the same period, other middle-income states, like Chile and Indonesia, were ranked in 19th and 20th place respectively, while South Africa lagged behind at 128th in the world.
Does the Deputy President agree that this is a serious problem and that so- called economic freedom marches by the ANC Youth League add to concerns about South Africa as a safe investment destination, which ultimately leads to growing unemployment? Does he also agree that the best pro-poor policy is to create sustainable jobs for the 25% unemployed people in our country? Thank you.
Hon member, let me start with your second point. Yes, I do agree that the creation of employment opportunities, permanent jobs actually, for the poor is the correct policy.
With regard to the loss of foreign direct investment and how we compare to Angola, I think all the sceptics - those who think that through our pronouncements and actions, we are driving away investors - have been eloquently answered by the country's assessment conducted by Walmart. Walmart has done the country's assessment and it gave us the thumbs-up, namely that it actually wants to be in South Africa and that that is where other investors ought to be. I can't find a more eloquent response to all of these doubts and questions than the country's assessment done by Walmart.
What it means is that no other American company will have to do a similar assessment, because it has already been done. They will simply follow. That is why the Walmart investment here in South Africa is a very important step. [Interjections.]
Well, the point is that they went through everything. They did a thorough country assessment, they went through the Competition Tribunal and they got the thumbs-up. These are processes that are in place. The point I'm making is that they are saying all investors must come to South Africa. That is what I'm saying. We are very happy that this is what they have done. Thank you.
Steps to ensure corrective action on shortcomings identified in Ministerial portfolios
10. Mr N Singh (IFP) asked the Deputy President:
(1) Whether he intends taking any steps to ensure that Ministers act on the recommendations and shortcomings that have been identified by the Auditor-General for each Minister's portfolio; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (2) whether there are any timeframes for monitoring and evaluating the corrective action that is required; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO3944E
Hon Speaker and hon members, as you are aware, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, directors-general of departments, as accounting officers, are responsible for managing the finances. They are therefore responsible for addressing the shortcomings and implementing the recommendations identified in the Auditor-General's reports. As Ministers are ultimately responsible for the overall performance of their line departments, they are expected to take appropriate steps to ensure that accounting officers act on the Auditor- General's recommendations.
In order to strengthen the performance monitoring system, the Presidency has put in place the following measures: the Director-General of the Presidency is the Chairperson of the Forum of South African Directors- General, Fosad. With Cabinet approval, Fosad has started to monitor the implementation of key improvements to management and administration in the Public Service.
The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency is facilitating this monitoring on behalf of Fosad, and it provides the Fosad Management Committee with regular reports on progress towards improving a number of key administrative problems. The aim of this monitoring is to increase the focus of accounting officers on addressing these matters and to provide Cabinet and the President with periodic reports on progress in this regard.
The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration is currently working with the Department of the Public Service and Administration to revise the performance assessment system for accounting officers, to increase the role of the Presidency and the Offices of the Premiers in this system, and to ensure that the managerial and administrative performance of a department is a key factor in the performance assessment of the accounting officer of that department.
Fosad started monitoring managerial and administrative performance issues three months ago. This will be an ongoing process until managerial and administrative performance improves. The new performance assessment system for accounting officers is planned to start in the 2013-14 financial year. In the meantime, the existing performance assessment system for accounting officers will continue. I thank you.
Hon Speaker, I thank the Deputy President very much for that response. While I accept that the accounting responsibility of any department resides with the director-general or the head of department as we know it, I think it is very important for us as Members of Parliament to know that somebody is going to crack the whip when these directors-general do not perform their functions. The Auditor-General's report on the national outcomes suggests that a number of departments are struggling to maintain sustainable controls within the financial environment.
Now, we have seen the positive effect the hon Minister of Home Affairs has had in cracking the whip in her department, and there has been a wonderful turnaround in the Department of Home Affairs.
So, Mr Deputy President, we as the IFP believe that the proverbial buck stops with members of the executive. It is for them to ensure that the heads of departments do the kind of work that they are supposed to do and that clean audits become something on which the hon Ministers are assessed in terms of the performance agreement. I would like to know if the hon Deputy President can comment on that aspect. Thank you, sir.
Hon Speaker, yes, indeed, I agree that the buck stops with the political head. However, the point I was clarifying is that it is the accounting officers who will have the responsibility of ensuring that the recommendations and points made by the Auditor-General in his report are attended to and implemented. Indeed, when we think of government administration or Public Service administration, it is the directors- general who are in charge. That is why, together with the senior managers, they need a great deal of support and, indeed, the political heads, the political leadership, ought to give them all the requisite support as well as direction. Yes, I agree with that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon Deputy President, will you agree that the Ministers are the leaders in their ministries and therefore in their departments, and that they should always set an impeccable example in how they run their own ministries? If so, is the fact that they all too often book into luxurious hotels, ... [Interjections.] ... maybe travel too much, maybe drive the cars they should not, not sending the wrong message to the departments, who can then say: The ministries do not care, so why should we as departments?
Hon Speaker, I thank the hon member very much. Yes, I agree that as Ministers we are supposed to set a good example, but the accounting officers would not, or should not, sign off on any instruction that is likely to get them into trouble. If they do so, they should ask that the instruction be in writing so that down the line they have proof that they came under pressure.
To put the question differently, as the President indicated the other day in a public debate, he has no control over renovations in his office. In positions of leadership, such as that of the President or a Minister, we also have to submit to being managed.
What do I mean by this? You know, I may get into the car here and know the destination. If the driver turns in the opposite direction, I cannot give him instructions and say, "Look, turn this way, because it is shorter. It will be quicker." That is because of what happens down the line. [Interjections.] You may say to me, "You have the authority. Why don't you do it? It would save petrol and wear and tear on the car," and so on. However, the reality is that the way the system works is that we should not ... [Interjections.]
No, the point I am trying to illustrate is that if we get used to giving these kinds of instructions, down the line something like the following will happen. Tomorrow when somebody that I dislike intensely crosses the road, I may say to them, "Shoot him!" [Interjections.] So, there must be no ... [Interjections.] I am trying to explain a principle, that we must accept being managed and that those who manage us must have that authority so that they can be accountable as well.
An accounting officer such as a director-general should not accept unlawful instructions. Yes, that is the point I am making. It is teamwork. However, we do say that the buck stops with the political head. We cannot avoid taking responsibility for that. When the newspapers say a certain amount of money has been spent on flowers, I do not want the flowers myself. I think I can do with plastic flowers, actually! [Interjections.]
Mr Speaker, the Public Service Commission recommends that senior managers who do not submit financial disclosures should be charged with misconduct. Yet months after due date there has been no action. The Public Service Act states that criminal charges must be laid for financial misdemeanours of R100 000 or more. Yet, most officials found guilty of this offence receive only a written warning. Perhaps this is why, in one year, fruitless and wasteful expenditure by national departments increased by 200% and irregular expenditure rose from R13 billion to R21 billion.
Mr Deputy President, why do you allow this phenomenal failure in implementing the law on financial management in the Public Service? [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Ndiza kuphendula, mlungw' am. [I will respond, sir.]
Indeed, where the law is very specific and clear, it should be implemented. There is no excuse for not following the law and therefore I would proffer no excuse for such delays. In fact, it is something that should happen on an urgent basis. There is no reason why, other than just inefficiency, really, such people - once the assessment and report indicate that they have acted irregularly - should not have actions instituted against them. But, of course, we also have labour laws which prescribe procedures, and so on. [Interjections.] So, the point is that it has to be followed procedurally, but there is no excuse for any delays. Thank you.
Speaker and Deputy President, central to the objectives of the ANC is an improvement in service delivery for the betterment of the lives of our people. [Interjections.] Now, clearly ...
Order, order! Order, order!
Now clearly, in the report that the Auditor-General has just released and that hon Singh is alluding to, not only are we seeing the challenges that are being highlighted - some of which seem to be persisting - but also some positive stories as well. To cite an example, the Department of Home Affairs has been withdrawn from ICU and placed as a shining example of how improvement can be achieved, thanks to the current Minister of Home Affairs. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Now, Deputy President, taking that as an example, will government ensure that there are more positive stories such as those, by seeing to it that Ministers continue to play a leading role to ensure that departments which have persistent challenges begin to address them seriously so that we can begin to celebrate the achievements? Thank you. [Time expired.]
Speaker, I agree with the hon member that that is something that should be achieved. Clean audits should be achieved by all ministries, basically. Thank you.
Steps taken to unite South Africans in the fight against substance abuse
12. Mrs M V Mafolo (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
What steps has the Government taken to unite South Africans in the fight against substance abuse by our youth, which robs them of their future? NO3891E
Hon members, a significant part of government's programme in the fight against substance abuse is led by the Central Drug Authority. This is a statutory body made up of a number of government departments, nongovernmental and community-based organisations, academics and substance abuse experts.
It has the responsibility to co-ordinate efforts to reduce the supply of and demand for drugs and substances of abuse; strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating drug trafficking and related crimes; promote the integration of substance abuse issues into the mainstream of socioeconomic development programmes; ensure appropriate intervention strategies through awareness raising, education, prevention, and early intervention and treatment programmes; and promote partnerships and the participation of all stakeholders at local and provincial levels in the fight against substance abuse.
The objectives and plans of the Central Drug Authority are captured in a National Drug Master Plan. The government departments involved in this plan include Arts and Culture, Correctional Services, Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, International Relations and Co-operation, Health, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Labour, Social Development, Police, Sport and Recreation, Trade and Industry, and Transport, as well as the SA Revenue Service. Particular government departments are charged with drawing up and implementing operational plans, referred to as Mini Drug Master Plans, in line with their core functions. Youth substance abuse has been identified as one of the key priorities in the Drug Master Plan.
In recognising the critical situation of growing substance abuse in South Africa, Cabinet has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, IMC, chaired by the Minister of Social Development. Eight Ministers and Deputy Ministers are part of this committee. Youth substance abuse has been a specific focus of the IMC. Plans to reduce substance abuse, which have taken into account local and international best practice, have recently been adopted by Cabinet.
Given the importance of obtaining wide stakeholder involvement in substance abuse strategies and plans, the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority hosted a Substance Abuse Summit in March 2011. This was attended by 750 stakeholders, comprising the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organisation, the Parliament of South Africa, provincial executives, legislatures, substance abuse forums, local drug action committees, organised labour, the House of Traditional Leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations and youth structures.
The government and other stakeholders signed a declaration committing to accelerated action to ensure the implementation of the resolutions adopted by this summit. These resolutions have been incorporated into the main plans of the Inter-Ministerial Committee. I thank you.
Speaker, arising out of the hon Deputy President's reply, the festive period is around the corner and I want to know from the hon Deputy President whether the government can implement some of these steps, especially the resolutions of the Biennial Substance Abuse Summit. Can they be implemented now, to alert and conscientise the youth and their parents about the dangers of substance abuse during this period, since many see the festive period as the season to be merry?
Hon Speaker, all organisations which were participants at the March summit, including the government, members of this august House, and all other formations, have an obligation to implement the resolutions. Thank you.
Speaker and hon Deputy President, I think the problem of drugs is one that is threatening us as a nation from all sides. No less a voice than that of Mr Jackson Mthembu has made a heart-rending appeal to the people of our nation to stand up and fight in this battle because of what it is doing to his family personally. Therefore I would like to ask this question: What is the Presidency's plan to convince the nation that it is determined to uproot this scourge?
A senior Cabinet Minister's wife was recently convicted of drug trafficking. Has he declared the income from this trade? Ministers also have to declare what their families' income is, and the proceeds of drug trafficking are big. Has that been declared? [Interjections.]
What is the government doing to ensure that Cabinet, the core leadership of government, is clean in regard to this crime? [Time expired.][Applause.]
Speaker, on a point of order: The hon Lekota has just launched an unacceptable personal attack on another member of this House, for which there is no basis. We request him to withdraw it.
I will study the Hansard and come back with a ruling on the matter. Hon Deputy President, if you wish to respond, you may.
Hon member, the activities of the hon Minister's wife were obviously clandestine and that is why it took lots of crime intelligence activity to keep tabs on her and to eventually nail her and the other drug pushers, the partners in crime.
Now, your question, sir, is: Did the Minister declare the income from this activity? The activity itself is not only unlawful, but it is a criminal activity. The Minister does not regard that as gainful employment - he is employed as a Minister. He could not have been party to such activity; otherwise he himself would be behind bars.
I think in all fairness the answer must be no, he did not declare that as income of the family, because obviously he was unaware and not implicated in the matter in any manner. The matter went through the courts and a determination was made, and at no stage was he ever called in, either as a witness or as a partner in the crime. I wouldn't want to go in that direction. I suppose it is sufficient to simply say that the likelihood is that he would not have declared such income. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker and Mr Deputy President, in 2004 this government closed down the Narcotics Bureau. If I remember correctly, it was closed down then by the now discredited Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, and this has resulted in centres of excellence being destroyed.
The DA, through our national spokesperson, hon Dianne Kohler-Barnard, and our MEC for Social Development in the Western Cape, Mr Albert Fritz, has repeatedly called for the re-establishment of these specialised units. When will the Deputy President reinstate these units? If not, why not; and if so, what steps are being taken to do so and what is the timeline thereof? I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon member, I am not in a position to give a clear answer on that one, since I am not privy to any discussions in the Cabinet on the restructuring of the police. Therefore, if the hon member desires that the Narcotics Bureau should be re-established, she should make the proposal and I will communicate it to the relevant Minister for attention. Thank you.
What is your view, Mr Deputy President?
My view is that all the law enforcement units that we have should be in the frontline of combating the spread and peddling of narcotics, and that the kingpins, the real masterminds behind these activities, should be nailed, brought to book and sentenced. Thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker and hon Deputy President, do we know of any particularly successful prevention campaigns anywhere in the world that we can draw on or are drawing on? Will the government be prioritising relevant prevention campaigns in line with the recommendations of the Medical Research Council, and will funding be made available for this?
Hon member, the summit that I alluded to made very specific resolutions with regard to the fight against substance abuse. Now, prevention means that we should ensure that there is no supply. We must cut off the supply pipes and inspire young people to engage in friendlier activities. We should also ensure that even adults who are a bad example diminish in number. We must promote sports for young people and make sports facilities available.
In other words, we must provide better examples to ensure that the majority of the people in communities and in families inspire younger people not to veer into activities involving substance abuse. If we do that, and eradicate poverty and give meaning to life to ordinary people, I think we will be able to achieve a drug-free society, yes. Thank you.