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Memorandum from the Parliamentary Office
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1940
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02/08/2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24 OF 2013)
Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
Whether all public institutions for higher education have (a) disability
policies and (b) policies that deal with staff becoming disabled,
specifying disability benefits and processes; if not, what are the relevant
details?
NW2289E
REPLY:
a) All 23 public universities have disability policies except for the two
new universities, i.e. University of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje
University. The establishment of these two new universities were only
gazetted in August 2013 and they will be developing systems and processes
to guide their operations and management, including policies on
disability.
b) Disability benefits are provided through the Human Resources Department
of universities and forms part of the staff memberâs risk contribution
towards various universitiesâ retirement funds.
Contributions provide for two types of insurance benefits:
⢠Disability income continuation and rehabilitation insurance; and
⢠A lump sum insurance benefit for permanent disability.
The disability income insurance insures the beneficiary's earned income
against the risk that a disability creates a barrier for a staff member
to complete the core functions of their work, e.g. the inability to focus
or maintain composure as with psychological disorders or an injury,
illness or condition that causes physical impairment or incapacity to
work. Disabled refers to not being able to continue with their everyday
job as a university employee due to injury or illness. This can be
temporary in nature where an individual is unable to work for a few
months or permanent in nature where an individualâs chances of a quick
recovery are slim. In the event of a permanent disability, a lump sum
payment is made to the staff member as part of their benefit.
In all instances, the Human Resources Department at the various
universities deals with these matters and once notified of possible
claims, they ensure that the necessary documentation is provided to the
insurer in order for the claims to be processed. The Human Resources
Department also advises on accommodation in the workplace whilst these
claims are being assessed.
Compiler/contact persons: Mr Shai Makgoba
Ext: 5284
DIRECTOR â GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 1940 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr B NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: