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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 2325
2325. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development:
(1) According to what criteria does his department judge a Thuthuzela
Care Centre (TCC) to be fully operational?
(2) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1741 on 19 August
2013, he intends turning the TCCs that are not fully operational into
fully operational service centres; if not, why not, in respect of
each specified TCC; if so, when, in respect of each specified TCC?
NW2774E
REPLY:-
The Thuthuzela Care Centers are considered fully operational once the
following is in place:
a. A Victim friendly designated space, with waiting area, counseling
room, examination room, ablution facilities and statement taking
room;
b. Two of the three posts (Site Coordinator, Victim Assistance Officer
and a Case Manager);
c. All services are rendered including police, health, psychological
and prosecutorial, whether in house or on call. This includes
referral system for 24/7 care and management;
d. Protocols are in place based on stakeholder cooperation;
e. Training conducted for relevant stakeholders; and
f. Essential equipment and / or furniture provided.
I intend turning the TCCs into fully operational service centres. The
timeframes cannot be specified at present, because the NPA is in the
process of turning all the outstanding TCCs into fully operational centers.
The NPA has advertised 21 Case managersâ positions, 215 site coordinators
and 25 Victim assistance Officers. Various interventions are also in place
to get all the relevant stakeholders to re-commit. Shortages of doctors and
social workers continue to be a challenge as the NPA struggles to get
dedicated doctors and social workers to work full time at the TCCs. The NPA
has also forged partnerships with USAID through which funds have been made
available to work with the Foundations for Professional Development (FPD),
Medical Research Council (MRC), Sonke Gender Justice and Soul City to help
in addressing the plague of sexual violence through community engagement
and stakeholder collaboration. Furthermore, the NPA has partnered with
SANAC to help support Non-Governmental Organizations which render
counseling services to the TCCs though the Global Fund joint proposal.