Question 6
Mr M W Makhubela (COPE-Limpopo) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether he has found the state of security in the country to be satisfactory; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
Honourable Member, the state of security in any country is never static. Our country is no different.
The relevant state security agencies are on an on-going basis conduct assessment of the security environment and take appropriate steps within the law to mitigate any potential threat.
Regular updates are reported to the Cabinet through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and the President is also kept well informed of the state of security of our country.
Government is satisfied that the security agencies are well equipped to deal with any matters that concern the security of our country including border security, illicit trade, cyber security and terrorism threats.
An integral part to the management and maintenance of any security system is the need to ensure that those charged with the upholding of such security protocols are individuals with the highest integrity. In this regard, the training of Security Managers continues to be intensified in various government departments and state-owned entities.
Question 7
Mr H B Groenewald (DA-NW) to ask the Deputy President:
With reference to his responsibilities to the Anti-Poverty Programme, what action is he taking regarding labour relations which are
(a) negatively affecting foreign investments and
(b) increasing unemployment?
Reply
Honourable Member, as I have explained at length before in this House, the War on Poverty Programme is meant to facilitate access to services already provided by government to individuals from poor households who for one or other reason are unable to access these services.
Thus, the issue of labour relations and its impact on foreign investment and increasing unemployment does not fall within the scope of work of the War on Poverty Programme.
Question 8
Mr T M H Mofokeng (ANC-FS) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether, in light of the (a) recent attack on the website of the SA Police Service, (b) publication of the details and personal information of nearly 16 000 whistle-blowers and (c) complete flaunting of security protocol in the use of the Waterkloof Air Force Base, the Government will consider firming up security protocol to ensure that (i) these incidents are not used to intentionally embarrass the Government and (ii) those who are assigned with the responsibility to implement such a protocol are thoroughly trained and vetted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
Honourable Member
Whilst hacking cannot be eliminated completely, Government continuously implements measures to ensure that hacking incidents are responded to through early warning systems. The aim is to ensure that all government critical systems are regularly tested for any vulnerabilities and systems owners are forewarned about those vulnerabilities and are able to take steps to correct them.
The State Security Agency has already initiated measures to ensure that those who are tasked with these responsibilities are thoroughly trained and vetted.
Question 9
Ms M G Boroto (ANC-Mpumalanga) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) In light of the commitments by (a) social and business partners and (b) the six commitments of the Accord signed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), what role does the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) play in (i) enhancing the essence of the Youth Accord and (ii) developing skills and experience gained by the youth;
(2) whether the Government is looking at other means to ensure that young persons who benefited from this process are able to use their experiences to uplift their communities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The National Skills Development Strategy III recognises that all South Africans, including youth must be given access to skills development. This policy directs and guides the programmes of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to ensure that young people have access to education and training.
The recently introduced improved Grant Regulations will ensure that SETAs allocate funding towards structured workplace learning and experience as part of the partnership programmes between education and training institutions, accredited training providers and employers. These regulations aim to incentivise employers to enrol young graduates for experiential learning.
SETAs are establishing offices in public Further Education and Training colleges, especially in rural areas where young people have the greatest need for skills.
In terms of the Service Level Agreements with the Department of Higher Education, and Training, SETAs are obligated to deliver on various learning programmes which include the provision of bursaries, learner ships, internships and the placement of University of Technology students and FET colleges’ graduates requiring work place experience.
SETAs have committed to place University of Technology students and 25 000 FET graduates in various workplaces across the country.
Question 10
Mr A G Matila (ANC-Gauteng) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, in light of the considerable amount that the Government is paying to settle litigation involving government departments and entities, the Government has a co-ordinated way of looking at all the cases in which it is involved; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the Government will strengthen the co-ordination and processing of cases in which it is involved by establishing a centralised office that will be tasked with reviewing the merits of the cases (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable Member, in May 2012, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development released a Discussion document entitled “A Framework for the Transformation of the State Legal Service”. This Framework seeks to transform the way in which the State litigates and is litigated against.
Thus, this initiative is a response to Government’s concern about the high costs of litigation against the State.
The Discussion Document identifies the following objectives:
(a) the consolidation, coordination and integration of state legal services across the government spectrum to ensure institutional efficiency;
(b) the creation of processes and infrastructure to provide for the strategic management of litigation; and
(c) the creation of a mechanism and structure to coordinate the effective delivery of legal services.
As part of this Framework, the consolidation and coordination of litigation involving the State will be led by the Solicitor-General. I am advised that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development expects this process to be completed soon.
Further details of the Framework may be obtained from the Minister and department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Question 11
Mr M H Mokgobi (ANC-Limpopo) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the National Planning Commission or any government entity has developed a system or processes to monitor whether all provincial governments have developed and implemented appropriate strategies and programmes for their provinces to target youth employment; if not,
(a) which provinces have failed in this regard and
(b) what are the Government’s plans regarding this matter; if so,
(i) what are the relevant details of each province and
(ii) how will the implementation of the commitments of the Youth Employment Accord be enhanced?
Reply:
Honourable Member, as an entity of government the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) monitors and evaluates youth development with an interdepartmental committee on Youth.
The NYDA also works with municipalities to mainstream youth development at a local level. It is through these structures that the NYDA is able to track progress on the development and implementation of appropriate strategies and programmes that target youth employment.
Each province will use the proposed comprehensive national monitoring and evaluation framework as a guide to compile a province specific youth development index.
Implementation of the Youth Employment Accord will be enhanced through the development of an implementation plan that is currently being crafted by a multi-stakeholder team lead by the Department of Economic Development. Provinces and municipalities have already submitted their input into the Plan. As part of the youth month activities, the NYDA and the South African Youth Council will popularise the Youth Development Accord in all provinces.
Furthermore the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, in consultation with the NYDA is in the process of developing an instrument which will be used to monitor the implementation of youth programmes including the Youth Employment Accord across various sectors in all spheres of government.
