North West Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will host maintenance IMBIZO at Temba (Mandela Community Hall) on 25 November 2011 starting at 10H00. Keynote address will be on Maintenance service delivery.
The Maintenance Act, Act 99 of 1998, came into operation on 26 November 1999 and repealed Maintenance Act of 1963 in totality. The preamble refers to our Constitution and the role it should play in establishing and ensuring that a fair and equitable Maintenance system is established. In line with the Convention of Rights of the Child which requires State parties to take all appropriate measures in order to secure the recovery of maintenance for the child from the parent or other person having financial responsibility for the child. In introducing this legislation with its amendments the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was reaffirming its commitment and determination to improve the enforcement of maintenance in South Africa.
“As a Department we deemed it relevant to have this type of interaction with maintenance beneficiaries to check if they are happy with services we render, listen to their complaints and try to continuously improve were we are lacking behind. Were we have improve the community should feel free to commend the Department for the work well done. This type of interaction serves as barometer or a mirror and we will continue improving our maintenance services as Maintenance has been declared one of the priority project by our Minister Mr Jeff Radebe.
"I must point out that the Department maintenance turn around strategy is yielding positive results; cooperation from maintenance beneficiaries cannot be left unnoticed - “Together we can do more”. Since we encounter problems regarding maintenance payouts around June 2010, we decided to encourage respondents to pay maintenance money directly into the beneficiaries’ bank account in honouring the Court order. All our court orders recently are directing respondents and employer to pay maintenance money to beneficiary’s bank accounts. Most beneficiaries are now receiving their money at banks and this has reduced a burden of having money at our Courts coffers.
"Through efforts of combating theft, fraud or corruption within our cash halls, a number of investigations are already underway some officials are suspected of theft, fraud or corruption. No effort will be spared in removing corrupt officials from public service,” explains North West Regional Head Mr Tsietsi Malema
Media enquiries can be directed to:
Mr Isaac Mokaila
Tel: 018 397 7071
Cell: 073 742 39 06
