Speaker, in answer to the first part of the question, government has adopted a victim-oriented approach in the criminal justice system. The department has led the development of the Service Charter for Victims of Crime and the Minimum Service Standards for Victims of Crime within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster, JCPS.
The Minimum Standards were developed as a guideline for the implementation of the Victims Charter and therefore set the framework within which the various departments implement the Victims Charter. Led by the Department of Social Development, this Victims Charter is implemented as part of the Victims Empowerment Programme of the JCPS.
In answer to the second part of the question, I wish to point out that the department is still investigating the viability of the proposed victims' compensation in the more general sense. In this regard, the SA Law Commission did an investigation and made a report on a possible compensation fund for victims of crime. In terms of the legislation, the commission makes recommendations to the Minister of Justice for consideration on investigations it has carried out in terms of a programme approved by the Minister.
After studying the report under discussion and after obtaining advice, my predecessor was of the view that a number of critical aspects needed further investigation. I endorsed this approach, as did Cabinet. On that basis, I requested the commission to consider investigating the aspects in question and possibly to address them by means of a supplementary report. The commission has informed me that my request in this regard would indeed be considered by it in terms of their criteria for the inclusion of the new programmes. Thank you very much.