Chair, the department received an unqualified audit opinion. However, there were matters of emphasis, to mention but a few: overspending; underadministration; unauthorised expenditure amounting to R3,7 million; R6,6 million disclosed as irregular expenditure; and you will read more about them in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee reports, the ATCs.
Let me go straightaway to the challenges. The committee noted that the department did not have a strategic plan and an annual performance plan for the year 2010-11, thus making it difficult for the committee to measure the department's performance against approved objectives. The committee noted that there was a lack of leadership within the department. It would appear that there was no guidance provided to support officials within the department for the period under review. The committee noted, with concern, that the department's objectives, targets and respective indicators did not always correlate with each other, thus evaluating progress made was very difficult.
The committee observed that most of the activities the department reported on as achievements related to the development of draft concept papers, attendance at meetings and conferences, collaborations and consultations. The outcomes thereof were unclear, hence the committee questioned how such activities would impact on and improve the lives of women, children and persons with disabilities in the country.
The committee was concerned about how the department would achieve its mandate, given that the mandate involved three sectors across all government departments. It was also unclear as to what the exact nature was of the relationship between the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities and the ministry's performance, monitoring and evaluation.
Regarding recommendations by the committee, the department is urged to address concerns, as highlighted by the committee, and report on progress accordingly in terms of the inner year monitoring reports. The department's objectives, targets and indicators should be linked accordingly to clear timeframes, bearing in mind the overall mandate. These targets should be reviewed so that they are more specific and narrow.
The department should strengthen relationships with other government departments and civil society through engagement with the national gender machinery, the children's machinery and the national disability machinery. The sanitary dignity campaign requires review in so far as the department's role is concerned, that is co-ordination. In addition, the impact of the campaign should be assessed to determine its sustainability and effectiveness. The dignity, privacy and respect of the beneficiaries, young girls, must be ensured. The outcomes of attendance of conferences, meetings and collaborations should be more apparent in its reporting on progress.
In terms of the target related to education for all children in South Africa, the department has to consider focusing on measurable and achievable targets. In terms of these targets, the department should assist with monitoring and evaluation of their outcomes. In terms of treaty compliance and monitoring of key legislation, the department should separate each piece of legislation and treaty with corresponding targets when reporting progress. The department needs to provide clarity on the status and nature of the various memoranda of understanding it has signed. I therefore table this report for adoption. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Thank you, Chair. A number of challenges have been raised in this report. Having noted them, I therefore move that, with all, that the portfolio committee must intensify its oversight of the department. I therefore move:
That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.