Chairperson, the critical question is whether the state is succeeding in its constitutional obligations towards the progressive realisation of socioeconomic rights, particularly in the fight against poverty.
The ACDP believes that the greatest challenge in delivering services to the poor lays not so much with government policies, but in the implementation of such policies. This was confirmed by the 2002 Taylor report, which stated that: "The barriers to access, especially in regard to the poor, remains administrative and institutional."
The ACDP appreciates that some 12 million citizens now receive social grants and that a comprehensive social welfare pension system is proposed. Presently there are sufficient funds for housing, education and health, yet hugely inadequate capacity to actually deliver services due to corruption, patronage and a shortage of skills.
Home Affairs is a good example as it plays a central role in enabling access to public services. Its services fall far short of basic, acceptable standards. Unless urgent corrective steps are instituted in this and other departments and municipalities, the low level of public service delivery will frustrate the state's attempts to meet its constitutional obligations in the fight to alleviate poverty in our country. Thank you.