National Assembly - 02 April 2003
WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2003 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 15:02.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - see col 000.
ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PARTY MEMBERSHIP
The SPEAKER: Order! I have to announce further changes in party membership that have occurred in terms of schedule 6A to the Constitution on 1 April 2003.
Mr R Jankielsohn had left the Democratic Party and joined the Democratic Alliance. Mr S Pillay had left the Democratic Party and joined the New National Party.
Mr B M Douglas had left the Inkatha Freedom Party and joined the New National Party.
THE IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY BY PARLIAMENT FOR TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE AND CONNECTING
THEM TO PARLIAMENT
(Subject for discussion)
Mr R J B MOHLALA: Chairperson, the institution called Parliament is a House or a Chamber from which the laws of the country are generated. These laws, at the end of the day, affect the whole citizenry. The laws are made and passed by elected representatives of the very same people that are beneficiaries and are affected by these laws. It becomes, therefore, imperative and paramount that the beneficiaries should become a very active, and not passive, citizenry.
When these laws are debated in Parliament, as the whole institution that includes even committees, these debates become debates in the country and, conversely, debates in the country and the whole world over are debates in Parliament.
In keeping with the principles as laid down in the Freedom Charter that the people shall govern and that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, Parliament has to remain connected with the people so that they are in a position to influence the course of events as they unfold, because debates are aggregates of information at the user’s disposal. Technology, therefore, becomes an enabler of delivery of services to the benefit of the citizens.
The technological advancement of this institution, namely, Parliament, will be meaningless if not reciprocated by the same where beneficiaries find themselves. People should be technology-friendly and literate, as technology on its own cannot achieve the end results of the business of Parliament. The human factor is still an integral part of technology and our lives, and it is a must as it still drives the strategic goals of what we are seeking to achieve.
The various access channels that are accorded by IT in the management and dissemination of information and communication should create an interactive forum between Parliament and the people or else Parliament might find itself talking to itself. We do not have to look at new ways but rather just further develop what we already have. The key to all this is to ensure that it should not be up to Parliament to determine what the people need. It should rather be the people themselves who inform Parliament as to what services they need.
The utilisation of IT should be such that it accords citizens access to Parliament and government services on demand and at the people’s convenience. Without information it will be impossible to achieve the objectives of public participation, thereby widening the gap between Parliament and the people. In a narrow sense, information and communication are weapons that can be used effectively to fight ignorance. Information and communication are wealth for this Parliament and are characterised by the extent to which there is the availability of IT networks such as computers and all associated amenities such as e-mail, Internet etc. But, as long as our e-mail facilities still reject some messages, this will not serve any purpose.
To illustrate this point, last night when I was preparing for this debate, I actually contacted Sita for them to send me some information via e-mail. Unfortunately they could not, because our server repeatedly rejected the e- mail. So, if we are sitting with such an amenity and we cannot use it, then it is useless.
Members of Parliament were all issued with laptops and there are still a few of us who, even up to today, cannot even open that laptop. As such, they become redundant and useless. Yet, these laptops, if they are utilised effectively, will be an asset to our constituencies who will be able to access information. Well, the fact is that at least by now there are more MPs who are computer literate than there were in 1994. Hopefully, by 2004, all members will be able to open up their laptops.
Therefore, technology needs to be part and parcel of the parliamentary environment so that the users are not technology-shy. We shouldn’t be shy to use technology because it is there to assist us. You know, as a matter of fact, there are those of us who even today do not know all the functions of a cellular phone. I must state, therefore, that at the click of a button, a member of the public can be able to access information as to what the activities of Parliament are, irrespective of where such a member is. And, in such a manner, such a member may even chart his view on any such subject of choice through the use of such a facility, thereby being able to be in touch with Parliament without having to be physically within the parliamentary precincts.
These technological facilities also enhance internal communication between committees, between Parliament and Government, and between Parliament and the departments. The only limitation about this information communication and dissemination tool is the fact that there are limitations due to resource constraints such as the absence of electricity and telecommunication cables in some rural areas. But, so far, the most effective telecommunication that actually transcends this limitation has been found to be a cellular phone. This device has really taken South Africa by storm.
The public education office of Parliament is one of the useful establishments to keep members of the public abreast of developments within Parliament as they distribute pamphlets, leaflets and other pieces of educative information on the basic operation of Parliament.
Of course, the limitation of this tool is the fact that its traditional distribution area is considerably small. Just yesterday, I was discussing an issue with the hon member Baloyi and he had this to say, and here I wish to quote him:
I was giving feedback last month to the Selwane community in the Phalaborwa area when members of the community found an opportunity to raise issues related to the fact that stray animals from the Kruger National Park are causing problems for them as they destroy their subsistence farming produce. I immediately realised a need to take the matter up with the relevant government department and, as I am speaking, the matter is receiving attention. In giving closing remarks, a Mr Mogalaka from the same village stated that they felt so good because they actually got an opportunity to debate as if they were all at Parliament Chambers.
Now, this goes to illustrate how our own people are yearning to participate in the proceedings of this august House.
The success of legislation that is decided upon by Parliament depends on the successful implementation thereof at executive level. There is a need to take this opportunity to look at the effectiveness of information and communication management within government departments. To this end, we would like to look at the activities of bodies such as the State Information Technology Agency, Sita. Now, Sita has been established to make sure that there is clear technological communication between departments, but the problem that arises is that Sita is unable to realise its full potential in Parliament, because when Sita has to come forward with any interventions in Parliament, the IT section of Parliament then has a problem in allowing Sita to actually make those interventions. This is one point that we need to look at.
Government established what we call Government Information Technology Officers, Gito. Now, this a group of public servants and officials who, from time to time, meet and look at the different needs of all the departments. It will be very interesting for Parliament itself to actually form part and parcel of Gito so that we should, at the end of the day, have systems that are able to talk to each other and not have systems that have got crossed lines. Allow me, in this last minute that is left, to inform the House on the objectives of the parliamentary website. First, it is to provide a vehicle for improving the legislative process in South Africa with policy-making strengthened by quality of input from the public. Second, it has to provide online access which is up-to-the-minute and archived parliamentary information to all of our targeted audience in a well-organised and easy-to- use manner. Third, it should provide a vehicle for greater, more effective and more accessible public participation in the legislative process using the Internet as an outreach programme. Fourth, it should educate and inform the public about Parliament, the Constitution and the legislative process. Lastly, it should make scheduled programmes available so that meetings, events and happenings that occur in Parliament or involving elected representatives are communicated to the public and the stakeholder. [Applause.]
Mr V C GORE: Deputy Chairperson, we live in a new world order of the globalised world, with its own defining technologies … [Interjections.] Mr M F CASSIM: Order! Can you hear? I think if you could please assist and bring the microphone closer to the speaker. Right, try now hon member.
Mr V C GORE: Deputy Chair, we live in a new world order of the globalised world with its own defining technologies: computerisation, miniaturisation, digitalisation, satellite communication, fibre optics and the Internet. The Cold War world order was defined by weight, most notably the throw weight of your missile. The defining measurement of the globalised system is speed; the speed of commerce, travel, communication and innovation.
In the Cold War, the two most frequently asked questions were, Whose side
are you on?'' andHow big is your missile?’’ In the globalised world,
these have changed to, To what extent are you connected to everyone
else?'' andHow fast is your modem?’’
One of the most undeniable consequences of globalisation is that it has changed forever the relationship between the individual citizen and the state. Because globalisation has brought down many of the walls that limited the individual in terms of movement and communication, and because globalisation has simultaneously wired the world into LAN and WAN and networks, it has given more power to the individual to influence markets and nation states than at any other time in history.
Individuals can increasingly act on the world stage directly, unmediated by the state. Therefore we not only have superpowers and supermarkets, but most importantly we now have superempowered individuals.
Unfortunately, the system of globalisation has come upon us far faster than our ability to retrain ourselves to see and comprehend this new beast. Think of just one fact. Most people had not heard of the Internet before 1990 and only a handful of people had an e-mail address. That was just 12 short years ago. But today the Internet, cellphones and e-mails have become essential tools that many people - and not only in developed countries - cannot do without. It is within this context of globalisation that we find ourselves as politicians and parliamentarians.
Politics in South Africa, if not the whole world, now has to compete with
the shouting slogans Buy me'' oruse me’’ from companies such as Coca-
Cola, MTN and Nike.
In the world of the superempowered individual everyone is competing for a slice of the cake. We are forced to compete against the likes of the Big Macs to iMacs to Mickey Mouse.
We need to give credit where credit is due. Madam Speaker’s initiative in delivering Parliament to the average South African citizen has delivered results and is most welcomed. She has championed the cause in ensuring that the people from Khayelitsha in Cape Town to Krugersdorp in Gauteng have a glimpse of what their public representatives are doing, whether it be on radio or on television.
The question that needs to be asked is whether we as an institution are doing enough in connecting Parliament with all our South Africa citizens? The simple answer is that we can never do enough. As public representatives we must continually strive to nurture relationships with citizens.
In an ever increasing globalised world, this becomes even more difficult and we must use every single weapon at our disposal, including all the modern weapons such as cellphones, PDAs, broadband, UMTS and WCDMA. But let us consider and ask the question, ``What are the barriers in using technology in communicating with the average citizen?’’
The largest chasm that divides us as public representatives from our citizens in the globalised arena is the digital divide. According to a recent survey by BMI Technology in 2002, less than 5% of South Africans have access to the Internet. Another survey found that only 10% of all South Africans have access to telephones. Similar studies have shown the percentage of people having access to telephony services in Singapore to be 58%, 55% in Hong Kong, and 49% in Japan. And corresponding Internet penetration to be 42% in Singapore, 25% in Japan, and 22% in Hong Kong. The big question that needs to be asked is, ``What is the big difference between these countries and South Africa?’’ The answer is simple - competition.
Where South Africa struggles under the burden of one fixed line operator Telkom in the countries that have achieved remarkable telephony and Internet penetration rates the consumer or the citizen has up to 12 operators to choose from. Choice and competition are the key ingredients for affordable and high quality communication services.
Therefore if we, as Parliament, wish all South Africans to use ICT technologies in accessing their elected public representatives, the current Government’s dalliance with managed liberalisation needs to stop. The market has to be opened to free and fair competition, and the market must decide how best to deliver these services to the consumers.
In conclusion, it is simply not good enough to discuss whether we should or whether we should not use ICT technologies to communicate with our citizens. Put very simply, if we choose not to embrace ICT, we do so at our own peril. The peril that we face is that the electorate become even more apathetic and even more disillusioned about politicians and politics. As the voter slowly drifts away, so too will the foundations of their democracy that we have fought so strongly to deliver. We have the power to avert this danger. Let us do it together. [Applause.]
Mr M F CASSIM: Chairperson, I asked for this topic and I am grateful to the Chief Whips of the various parties, the IFP and the others, and I hope to be able today to make the most important speech I have made in this House.
In 1999 Nelson Mandela speaking in the NA as President remarked,
Because the people of South Africa finally choose a profoundly legal path to their revolution, those who frame and enact Constitution and law are in the vanguard of the fight for change. It is in the legislatures that the instruments have been fashioned to create a better life for all. It is here that oversight of Government has been exercised. It is here that our society with all its formulation has had an opportunity to influence policy and its implementation.
We are indeed the new revolutionaries in the vanguard of change. We are confirmed in this role not only by our former president, but also through the Constitution in sections 59, 72 and 118 which require that South Africans have a voice in Government and that, very importantly, they act as a critical link between citizens and the Government.
The use of information and communication technology makes it possible for this Parliament to allow the critical link between the citizens of South Africa and Parliament to be established. When the hon Speaker invited some of us to join a discussion with the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, I could not have guessed the nature of the offer that was being made to our Parliament. The foundation was offering us the means and the technology to launch nothing less than e-Democracy.
Those who make e-Democracy possible and secure make tyranny and despotism absolutely impossible. However, if we argue that there are too many in our country that have no access to IT, nor are likely in the short term to become users of IT, we remove the necessity for them and for ourselves to change those limitations. We would thereby make those limitations permanent and self-inflicting.
Human beings rise to challenges as fast as the challenges are presented to them. The poor too often cannot escape their poverty because of the poverty of the vision of their leaders. If leaders look continuously over their shoulders they see the past, not the future, the starting point, not the destination. If they see poverty, but not the reasons for poverty, they will offer charity rather than capacity.
e-Democracy can never be meant to block the participation of citizens, but must rather be seen as the blocks in the building of communities. Where communities can effectively exercise their political voice, they will be able to speak louder than any voice that is raised here, and what is more they will be heard.
e-Democracy will allow for active participation and where sensationalism, terrorism and mannerism are the subjects of headlines in the media today, in the world of tomorrow activism by the people will be the main outcome of the new approach and it is that activism that will feature in news items and bulletins.
It is not enough in a dynamic and progressive democracy that a few representatives try to do much for everyone. It is vital that everyone can do much for himself or herself. That is the golden key to building a strong community and a strong community in turn builds a strong nation. The mobilisation of society is the aim and object of modern politics. It is hard to achieve, as is to be expected, but two factors can assist the mobilisation, and these are technology and the rising levels of education within society.
Never before in human history have so many people had the benefit of so much education and at such high levels. For the first time in human history individuals and society can be empowered and trusted to think for themselves and further to do things for themselves, leave alone being merely trusted, they should actually be entrusted to do so.
Citizens thus easily qualify today to engage in policy making, and the more effective representations for those who can speak for themselves is surely competent self-representation. e-Democracy is even more potent in another way. It can keep authoritarianism effectively in check, and in thus effectively checking the would-be tyrants and dictators, the door is opened wide for transparency and accountability.
e-Democracy does something else. It makes direct democracy a reality not just a possibility. In this way it diminishes the capacity of politicians to foist poorly considered policies on people and it expands the opportunities for consultation, participation and interaction by the people. By thus promoting authentic public debate, the true interests of the wider public are protected.
Over time, MPs here and elsewhere have lessened their closeness with communities and the proportional system of representation used in our country has exacerbated the problem. Our lack of closeness to the electors or voters leads to a corresponding lack of closeness by them towards us as public representatives. Estrangement and cynicism therefore grow and spread. It is only when the Government can reach all the people all the time that democracy will attain a high summit.
Democracy, as President Abraham Lincoln said, ``The government of the people, by the people, for the people should be defined now as `the government of all the people by all the people for all the people.’’ From apartheid politics that excluded the majority, we are now poised to develop a government for all that excludes no one. In despotic countries, citizens are desperate to escape the ravages of cruel policies; in advanced democracies they help to shape these policies.
e-Democracy also allows for real time gauging of public opinion. While the word `referendum’ is a choice term of politics, it has never been a practice of choice in the day-to-day running of politics. Now it can be. It is possible today to reach as many as a million people and have them e-mail their responses or votes as happens regularly on our TVs. With the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation it is possible to take this idea even further and to target selectively and specifically those whose opinions and views are sought.
Once again it is not pie in the sky, but a new mode of doing things. Already in the German Bundestag, leading parliamentarians from the major political parties are leading debates on significant current issues and engaging the German public. I do not have a cellphone yet and I will not have a cellphone, but with SMSs and so on we could actually be communicating.
With the use of IT the discussions could be transmitted to all our citizens. In the Republic of Peru, a country with which South Africa would be more inclined to compare itself, this has gone even further than we have. They encourage direct digital communication with their MPs in respect of their social needs. In Singapore, there is the e-Citizen Centre and in Holland the government has an essential databank on all important information on democracy.
We have been merely toying with the idea of e-Government, but we will need to go much further than that. e-Democracy will allow for something else. It will allow for corruption to be busted rather than to be lightly dusted at the surface. Speed of information and the wide spectrum of participation by citizens is possible.
The hon President asked that we should engage in backroom offices and I think that indeed, if I have to conclude with what Shakespeare had to say:
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
Colleagues, if you wish to have a copy of the speech I will give it to you gladly and I hope that this Parliament will be able to make e-Democracy and virtual Parliament a possibility. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order and I would request your immediate ruling. Is it in order for a Deputy Chairperson of Committees not to have a cellphone and to be totally unreachable when committee applications need to be consulted on, on an urgent basis? [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon Nel that is not a point of order. We proceed with the debate.
Mr M G PHADAGI: Thank you Chairperson and members of Parliament, we are all brought to Parliament to represent the people. As people who are representatives of structures, it is our duty to take all that is happening here to the people, and also to get those people who voted us to power to be connected to Parliament. This will help us make Parliament accessible to the people.
We all know that communication and information dissemination to our people is central to the internal functioning of Parliament. Communication plays a major role in deepening our democracy and promoting a culture of human rights. It is a key pillar in the transformation of our country. Parliament should communicate in a way that is simple and clear, and use the language that could be understood better by the people.
Parliament at this point must really make a concerted effort to improve its image. We need an all-out campaign to bolster the image of Parliament, that it is not seen as far removed from the people, but instead accessible to the masses. People must know that Parliament is not just about passing laws, but that it also has an oversight role, and that bread and butter issues affecting our people are discussed in Parliament on a daily basis.
Ri dovha hafhu ra vhona zwauri vhathu vhanzhi a vha koni u swikelela Phalamenndeni, ngauri vha dzula kule - mahayani. ANC kha guvhangano ḽayo ḽo fhelaho, yo ḓo dzula ya sedza heḽi fhungo ya vhona uri ndi khwine i tshi ḓa na nḓila ine ngayo vhathu vha ḓo kona u swikelela Phalamennde. Ya sedza ya vhona zwauri tsha khwine ndi uri ri vhe na theḽevishini fhano Phalamenndeni ine ya ḓo kona u hasha tshifhinga tshoṱhe musi Phalamennde yo dzula. Hezwo hu u itela uri vhathu vha kone u tevhelela zwine Phalamende ya ḓo vha i tshi khou ita zwone.
Yo dovha hafhu ya sedza ya wana uri hu na mafhungo a radio nga nnḓani ha a theḽevishini ane a hashiwa tshifhinga tshiṱukuṱuku. Hu dovha ha vha na mafhungo a radio ane a i ho i ambaho i tshi khou sumbedzisa zwine Phalamennde ya khou ita zwone. Ho ḓo pfaniwa uri kha hu vhe na radio fhano Phalamenndeni ine ya ḓo kona u isa zwithu zwoṱhe zwine zwa khou itea vhathuni henefho hune vha vha hone. Vhunzhi ha vhathu vhashu a vha na tshelede ya u renga zwithu zwine zwa nga ita uri vha kone u vhona zwine zwa khou bvelela Phalamenndeni kana u zwi pfa.
Hu dovha hafhu ha vha na mafhungo a gurannḓa ya fhano Phalamenndeni ine ra ḓo kona u i isa kha dziofisi dza mavunḓu dzashu. (Translation of Venḓa paragraphs follows.)
[Many people cannot access Parliament because they live far away in rural areas. During its past conference, the ANC looked at this matter and realised that it is better to formulate a way in which people will be able to access Parliament. It was realised that it would be better if Parliament had its own TV channel which would broadcast all the time when in session. That will help people to know what is actually happening in Parliament.
The conference also took the issue of radio news into consideration, besides the television which broadcasts for a short space of time. There is as yet no radio station which broadcasts the proceedings in Parliament. It was agreed that there must be a radio station which will take everything to the people. Many of our people don’t have money to buy apparatus that will enable them to see and hear what is happening in Parliament. Again, there must be a Parliamentary newspaper which will be distributed to our provincial offices.]
Furthermore, we realise the most effective method of communicating with our people besides radio is newspaper. So the suggestion is that we feel we should have a newspaper dedicated to Parliament, and it must be distributed in our constituency offices.
The multipurpose community centres can be used as a vehicle for the implementation of development, communication and information programmes as they can serve as a base from which a wide range of services and products can reach the community. These centres can be used as the response to the particular historical and social economic factors which are characterised by freedom of access to information and citizen participation in our past political system. These include the socioeconomic problems such as high levels of poverty, unemployment, low standards of living, poor access to basic services, remote settlement patterns, lack of access to information and technology, poor health services, lack of education and skills, lack of infrastructure and many other services.
The benefit to this community will include the following: Parliament information and service will be right at the doorstep of communities. These centres are also where the community events will take place such as music concerts, meetings, voting and workshops. The centres are placed where Government representatives and elected members of Parliament can hold forums to discuss with the communities.
GCIS has used MPCC and post offices to broadcast the President’s speech and the Budget speech. Parliament must learn from this and use video most widely to take out our people’s key pieces of legislation. These are also available on the parliamentary website, which is fairly interactive. Parliament’s website is certainly a step in the right direction. Meanwhile for those who are computer literate and are not truly overwhelmed by technology, the Public Internet Terminal - PIT - can also be used to access Government information and Parliament.
This service was launched in 1998 as a joint project between the Department of Communications and the Post Office. It has now successfully completed a pilot project, providing the accessibility of PITs concept. PIT entails multimedia kiosk-style terminals, being located in post offices and other sites around the country.
The use of PIT facilities is by smart card technology, accessing a range of electronic communication links. The terminals can be used by people to access discussions, documents or legislation. People should be able to e- mail members of Parliament and make submissions or submit questions to Parliament.
It is also good and well that we have a comprehensive and interactive parliamentary website, and that we have Public Information Terminals for people to access Parliament. This achievement must be celebrated as we now enter an era of globalisation and the global village. We cannot allow ourselves to be left behind by technology. However, the reality is that the majority of people feel very overwhelmed by technology. We know this from our own experience.
Uya nga tshenzhemo ine ra vha nayo, ri a zwi ḓivha zwauri vhathu vhashu tshiṅwe tshifhinga vha a takalela uri vha wane vhuṱanzi kha dzigurannḓa, dzi radio, na kha TV nahone vha sa vhu tevhelele kha dzikhomphutha dzavho. Sa zwenezwo, ri khou huwelela uri Phalemennde ino i vhe na gurannḓa na radio yayo. Ndi a livhuwa. Nnda! (Translation of Venḓa paragraph follows.)
[According to the experience that we have, we know that sometimes people are pleased to get the information from the newspapers, radio and TV rather than getting it from computers. Therefore, we are suggesting that this Parliament must have its own newspaper and a radio station. I thank you.]
Mr D V BLOEM: Mooi praat, Martha, mooi praat.
Mev M E OLCKERS: Ek sal, Blommetjie, ek sal. Voorsitter, as ons vandag wil praat oor hoe om die boodskap van die Parlement by die kiesers te kry, dan moet ons eerstens selfondersoek doen. Daar is ‘n verskil tussen die boodskap uitdra en die beeld bou en waardig wees. Kom ons gaan bietjie ``back to basics’’.
Ons as lede van die Parlement is deur die kiesers hierheen gestuur om namens hulle te praat. Maar as die Parlement se sittings deur ‘n klein handjievol lede bygewoon word en die komitees het nie kworums nie, doen ons nie ons plig nie. Daar is te veel mediaberigte en daar word te dikwels leë sitplekke op die televisieskerms gesien, om die waardigheid van die Parlement te handhaaf. As ons dus praat van die Parlement na die mense toe neem, moet ons as lede eers die sittings bywoon, sodat ons weet wat om aan die kiesers oor te dra. Lede moet in die Parlement wees om sinvolle bydraes te maak. Jy maak dit nie vanuit jou kantoor of jou huis of die gholfbaan nie.
Die bywoning van die Parlement strek ons as politici nie tot eer nie, veral nie as jy slegs vier keer per jaar in die Parlement is nie en jou party nie teen jou optree nie. Hoe kan ‘n sterk party toelaat dat een enkele lid hulle so gyselaar hou? Wat wil ons dan aan die kiesers bemark? Die feit dat daar nie meer ‘n vasgestelde kworum vir die werksaamhede van die Parlement se bywoning is nie, vererger hierdie feit ook. As daar van ons lede verwag word om te verstaan wat in die verskillende tale in die Parlement gesê word, moet ons ‘n vertaaldiens kry wat bekwaam en effektief is. Hiermee sê ek nie die persone wat die werk doen is nie goed genoeg nie. Hulle is in diens van die Parlement en vir hierdie diens om professioneel te wees, sal die werk aan ‘n professionele firma gekontrakteer word, bekwame vertalers is skaars en duur en daarom sal ‘n firma wat hierin spesialiseer, ‘n beter diens kan lewer.
Dit is ook onaanvaarbaar dat daar geen vertalingsdienste in die komiteekamers is nie of vertalingsdienste op die openbare galerye nie. Dit moedig nie die publiek aan om die sittings by te woon nie. Dit lei daartoe dat Engels meestal gebruik word en deur dit te doen, gee ons nie uiting aan die vereistes van die Grondwet nie. Die Parlement se komitee vir ledebelange sal eerstens sy eie huis in orde moet kry, voordat duisende rande spandeer word aan hoë tegnologie om buite die Parlementsgebou te gebruik. Die beste manier bly steeds om persoonlik die boodskap oor te dra, maar dit is nie moontlik as jy 50 000 of meer kiesers het om te bedien nie. Daarom is die radio, die televisie en die gedrukte media steeds die waardevolste wyses waarop die kiesers ingelig kan word, oor wat in hierdie Huis gebeur. Ons moenie vergeet ons woon in Afrika nie. Die publiek moet nie die idee kry dat slegs die Kabinet hard werk nie. Ja, hulle werk hard, maar hulle het ‘n onderbou en ‘n infrastruktuur wat baie help. Parlementslede werk hard, maar die persepsie daar buite is dat ons baie geld kry vir min werk. Dis omdat ons nie hier is nie. Hulle sien ons nie.
Dikwels gebeur dit dat lede vir ‘n tydperk in hul kantore moet werk en dan is daar nie ‘n televisie om die debat in die Parlement of in die komitees te volg nie, want die lede het nie televisiestelle in hul kantore nie. Wat sê die ledebelangekomitee daarvan? Daar sal indringend gekyk moet word na die onderbou van die gewone lid van die Parlement. Hoë tegnologie is waardevol en asemrowend, maar die mens wat daarvan gebruik wil maak, moet weet watter knoppie om wanneer te druk. Meer nog, die mens moet daar wees om die knoppie te druk; nie so leeg soos dit vandag hier is nie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr D V BLOEM: Speak nicely, Martha, speak nicely.
Mrs M E OLCKERS: I will, Blommetjie, I will. Chairperson, if we want to speak today on how to get the message of Parliament to the electorate, then we would first have to do some introspection. There is a difference between carrying out the message and developing the image and being dignified. Let us get back to basics.
We as members of Parliament were sent here by the voters to speak on their behalf. But if the sittings of Parliament are only attended by a small handful of members and the committees have no quorums, then we are not doing our duty. There are too many media reports, and too often we see empty seats on television, to maintain the dignity of Parliament. If we are therefore talking about taking Parliament to the people, we as members should first attend sittings, so that we know what to convey to the voters. Members should be in Parliament to make meaningful contributions. One does not make them from one’s office or from home or from the golf course. The attendance of Parliament does not honour us as politicians, especially if one only attends Parliament four times a year and one’s party does not reprimand one. How can a strong party allow itself to be held hostage by a single member? What do we want to market to the electorate? The fact that there is no longer a fixed quorum for attending the activities of Parliament makes this even worse. If it is expected of members to understand what is said in the different languages in Parliament, we need an efficient and effective translation service. By this I am not implying that the people doing the work are not good enough. They are in Parliament’s employ and for this service to be professional, the work has to be contracted out to a professional firm. Expert translators are few and expensive and therefore a firm specialising in this would deliver a better service.
It is also unacceptable that there are no translation services in the committee rooms or translation facilities on the public galleries. This does not encourage members of the public to attend sittings. As a result English is used most often, and by doing so we are not acting according to the requirements set out in the Constitution. The parliamentary committee dealing with members’ interests should first get its own house in order before thousands of rands are spent on advanced technology to be used outside Parliament. The best way is still to convey the message personally, but that is not possible if one has to serve 50 000 voters or more. Therefore radio, television and the printed media are still the most valuable ways in which to inform the voters of what is happening in this House. We should not forget that we are living in Africa. Members of the public should not get the impression that it is only the Cabinet that is working hard. Yes, they do work hard, but they have an infrastructure that helps a great deal. Members of Parliament work hard, but the perception out there is that we get a lot of money for little work. It is because we are not here. They do not see us.
Often it happens that members have to work in their offices for a period of time, and then there is no television on which to follow the debate in Parliament or in the committees, because the members have no television sets in their offices. What does the committee on members’ interests have to say about that? We will have to look incisively at the infrastructure of the ordinary members of Parliament. Advanced technology is valuable and breathtaking, but the person who wants to make use of it has to know which button to press when. Even more so, the person has to be there to press the button; it should not be as empty as it is here today. [Applause.]]
Mr G T MADIKIZA: Deputy Chair and hon members, the accessibility of Parliament to the people is a duty of this institution that is clearly invoked in the Constitution of South Africa.
The use of information and communication technology could and should play a role in our endeavours to ensure that this is truly a Parliament of the people for the people. This does not mean that parliamentary access for the public should be reserved only for those fortunate enough to have access to the Internet and related technologies. The primary mode of access, for millions of South Africans, to information about Parliament remains the media - whether it is radio, television or print media. This is technology that is already at Parliament’s disposal.
Before we start talking about fancy new technologies, we should look towards the parliamentary media corps. The question then arises: Is Parliament following the correct and relevant course in its treatment of the parliamentary media? I submit that the answer is no.
The very people and organisations that dedicate their time and resources to inform the public of our activities here are being treated like squatters, despite their unquestioned commitment to the new democratic South Africa. If Parliament continues down this road of alienating the media, it is facing the very real danger of destroying the link connecting it to the people who elected it. I thank you.
Mr L M GREEN: Chairperson, an important role of Parliament is to communicate with its beneficiaries, the citizens. The strength of a democratic society is the amount of information that ordinary citizens can have access to. In a postmodern society the role of information and communication technology, or ICT, as we know it, has increased to such a level that information has become a highly competitive market.
Governments around the world are pressurised to compete with information from various sectors and organisations. The Internet is the most innovative way that information is distributed across the world. A problem, however, is the size of the information highway, with the initial cost in both hardware and software in order to be linked to the information highway being inhibiting factors.
It is this superinformation highway that creates difficulties for both Government and Parliament to effectively reach the people. The Internet has a variety of information products and Government information is but one of the many products. If Parliament wants to attract citizens’ attention their product offer should be attractive, interesting and up to date. Service delivery should be an important target objective of both Government and Parliament.
Therefore, ICT should be the next wave that requires major investment. Institutional capacity must be enhanced to draw people to centres, such as multipurpose centres, where ICT facilities should be made available. Schools and community libraries provide the best infrastructure for accessing information and enhancing the educational capacity. Therefore, there should be links between Parliament’s information system and public libraries, and possibly schools.
Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to commend the DTI for providing an excellent information centre on the sixth floor of 120 Plein Street. As MPs we must use this facility to bring Parliament closer to the people. Thank you.
Mr R P Z VAN DEN HEEVER: Chairperson, at the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Australia, in September 2001, it was strongly argued that today, more than ever, knowledge is power, and that MPs who have an instant access to the world of information would become better representatives of the people.
MPs present at that conference were urged to become knowledge-based parliamentarians. Parliaments were encouraged to set up networks throughout their respective societies so that their members could operate at the centre of a web of electronic links to community, business and other groups in society.
Nearer home, at the ANC National Conference in Stellenbosch, in December 2002, to be precise, it was noted that ``communications play a major role in deepening our democracy, promoting a culture of human rights and is a key pillar in the transformation of our country’’.
There is therefore sufficient consensus abroad, as well as nationally, that information and communication technology, or ICT as it is popularly known, both empowers MPs to become better representatives of the people and provides for more effective and more accessible public participation in the processes of Parliament. I would like to argue that although Parliament and Government have done a lot to utilise ICT in its policies and programmes, we may not have done so sufficiently to ensure that the institution and the MPs, which serve the institution, are properly connected to the people, and that the people are properly connected to Parliament through ICT.
Most certainly MPs have been supplied with laptops, an attempt has been made to bring constituency offices online as far as the Internet and e-mail are concerned, and Parliament Live does appear for two hours on SABC 3 and for a lengthier period of time on DSTV. But can we really say that we have connected with the people through our public information system?
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Please colleagues, you can continue with your conversations, but lower your voices.
While significant progress has been made since 1994 in eliminating historical disparities and inequalities in our society, we have the situation in South Africa where white people are still predominately wealthy, while, in comparison, blacks are still predominately poor. You therefore have a section of South African society with unlimited access to cyberspace, that owns computers and is online, and whose televisions are linked to satellites. Then you have another section of society that does not have TV, a computer or Internet access, let alone DSTV, on which Parliament Live is being broadcast. Any ICT programme in our country will have to apply itself to addressing the challenge of wealth versus poverty in order to ensure the continuous development of policies that promote universal availability of and access to ICTs and ICT-based services.
The strong view was expressed at the ANC National Conference that Government should increase access to the ICT sector of previously disadvantaged communities, and encourage co-ordination of existing ICT initiatives such as telecentres and multipurpose centres. One of the technologies, no doubt, which assists in providing access of the broader community to the Internet, e-mail and e-government, is the Public Information Terminals, or PITs as they are generally known. These PITs are situated in Post Offices and multipurpose community centres in the rural areas in particular, and enable communities to visit and access websites anywhere in the world, to access Parliament’s websites in particular, to have an e-mail address and write a message to anyone who has an e-mail address anywhere in the world.
These PITs would enable the public to make electronic submissions to committees and to communicate directly with the members of Parliament. I just wonder how many people know about these PITs. Perhaps we require proper marketing of these things. These PITs are those little red boxes that stand in Post Offices that look like post boxes, actually. But, I do think we should market them properly.
Chair, it is also very encouraging that Parliament has developed an interactive website in order to make parliamentary information as easily accessible as possible to the various groups of South African stakeholders, both inside and outside Parliament, and to maximise the opportunity for public input using online technologies. This website can obviously be accessed through the PITs and certainly goes a long way in making Parliament accessible to communities through IT.
Voorsitter, die ANC se nasionale kongres was ook van die opinie dat die openbare uitsaaier die publiek moet inlig oor die werk van die Regering, én dat dit ‘n rol moet speel om die deelname van ons mense aan die Parlement te verseker. In hierdie verband dink ‘n mens in die besonder aan radio, aangesien die draadloos baie meer mense bereik as televisie of die Internet. Dit is van uiterste belang dat die Parlement boodskappe oor die radio adverteer om ons mense in te lig oor die werksaamhede van die Parlement.
Hierdie boodskappe moet ook in alle landstale gekommunikeer word. Die mees inspirerende boodskap wat op mense ‘n indruk maak, is daardie boodskap wat in hul moedertaal gelewer word. As Afrikaanssprekende Afrikaan, wie se radio ingestel is op ‘n tweetalige program met ‘n sterk Afrikaanse inslag, spits my ore onwillekeurig as ek ‘n boodskap in Afrikaans hoor. Daarom is ek oortuig daarvan dat ons boodskappe of nuus van die Parlement in alle landstale moet uitsaai.
Die ANC se kongres was ook van mening dat die Parlement eenvoudige verduidelikings in verstaanbare taal in sy dokumente moet vervat. Ek het byvoorbeeld hier by my, en van u sal die pamflette herken, ‘n aantal dokumente oor die Parlement. Hierdie dokumente is kort en bondige beskrywings van hoe ons demokrasie werk, dit is in ‘n aantreklike formaat, en dit kan maklik in ‘n binnesak of handsak deur lede van die publiek geplaas word. Hierdie dokument kom in alle landstale voor.
Wat Parliament Live aanbetref, wat ‘n tydsgleuf het op beide SABC 3 en DSTV, is dit belangrik dat ons ook hier ‘n eenvoudiger aanbieding kry van die verrigtinge van die Parlement. Ek dink nie ons mense wil altyd na lang toesprake van die parlementariërs op televisie luister nie. Daarom is dit van uiterste belang vir ons om ook eenvoudiger en meer ontspanne kykstof aan kykers op televisie te bied ten einde hul belangstelling te behou.
Voorsitter, ek weet nie hoe waar dit is dat die SABC die parlementêre kanaal van SABC 3 wil afhaal nie, maar ons sal ten alle koste moet keer dat dit gebeur. Terwyl ek pas gesê het dat ons moet toesien dat die formaat van die aanbiedings verander, is ek ‘n sterk voorstander daarvan dat die parlementêre kanaal op TV behoue moet bly. Dit sal ‘n ernstige terugslag wees vir ons kommunikasie- en tegnologieprogram as ons nie die werk van die Parlement oor televisie aan die massas kan beeldsend nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Chairperson, the ANC’s national congress was also of the opinion that the public broadcaster must inform the public of the work of the Government and that it must play a role in ensuring the participation of our people in Parliament. In this regard one thinks of the radio in particular, since the radio reaches far more people than television or the Internet. It is of the utmost importance for Parliament to advertise messages on the radio to inform our people of the activities of Parliament.
These messages must also be communicated in all official languages. The most inspiring message which makes an impression on people is that message which is conveyed in their mother tongue. As an Afrikaans-speaking African, whose radio is tuned into a bilingual programme with a strong emphasis on Afrikaans, I involuntarily prick my ears when I hear a message in Afrikaans. For that reason I am convinced that we must broadcast messages or news of Parliament in all official languages. The ANC’s congress was also of the opinion that Parliament must include simple explanations in understandable language in its documents. For example, I have here with me, and some of you will recognise the pamphlets, a number of documents on Parliament. The documents are short and concise descriptions of how our democracy works, they are in an attractive format and they can easily be put into an inside pocket or a handbag by members of the public. This document is available in all official languages.
Regarding Parliament Live, which has a time-slot on both SABC 3 and DSTV, it is important that here also we get a simpler presentation of the proceedings of Parliament. I do not think that our people always want to listen to long speeches by parliamentarians on television. It is therefore of the utmost importance for us to provide our viewers with simpler and more relaxed viewing material in order to retain their interest.
Chairperson, I do not know how true it is that the SABC wants to remove the parliamentary channel from SABC 3, but we will have to prevent this from happening at all costs. Whereas I have just said that we must ensure that the format of our presentations is changed, I am strongly in favour of the parliamentary channel being retained on TV. It will be a serious set-back for our communication and technology programme if we cannot broadcast the work of Parliament to the masses on television.]
Mr I S MFUNDISI: Chairperson, the world has turned into a global village in which information has to be communicated with minimum delay. It has become necessary for Parliament to disseminate and access information very fast.
The internet has come in very handy for legislators. They are able to access information from webpages across the globe. Civil society is kept informed about all that is happening in Parliament while in their homes or offices. The use of the e-mail also assists in accelerating communication in written form. While fast, the medium is also user and ozone friendly, as it is paperless in the main. For MPs an added advantage of the internet is that they are able to zoom into the sites of departments and thus continue their oversight function of Parliament.
Members of the public are able to participate in the parliamentary deliberations by accessing legislation, order papers, compositions of committees, parties represented in Parliament, including their elected representatives on the website.
Departments such as Education and Public Service and Administration, and of late Agriculture, have gone the extra mile by having their annual reports on CD-rom. The gadget enables an individual to have a bird’s eye view of the activities of the departments by merely pressing the button and or scrolling up and down. Access to information could not have been made much easier than that.
It gives much pain, however, when at times it becomes difficult to access the webpage of Parliament. Hopefully the commissioning of a high level e- business strategy that is currently underway, will allow for easier access to the parliamentary website. I thank you.
Miss S RAJBALLY: Thank you, Deputy Chair. The MF notes the importance of transparency in this democracy. Further it is felt that to be representative of a people and part of the Government that has been put in place by the people for the people, the importance that this debate puts to the House is crucial.
A harsh reality though is that we have a citizenry that is largely illiterate. Further poverty hinders the accessibility to modern forms of communication such as the internet, where Parliament has a website.
The MF finds the website to be an efficient database, keeping the South African population abreast of all our activities and content. However, as mentioned earlier, there are factors that do not allow the greater majority to do so.
Though the media represent a form of keeping the people in touch and informed of Parliament’s activities, we should not rely on this form noting that mediarised collections of events at times camouflage or distort the reality of the situation. Parliament Live is also an important means but once again, how many South Africans actually have access to televisions? It is also important to note that it is broadcast during hours when most are at work and may not have the luxury or ability to watch whilst completing their tasks.
The MF feels that there are many factors that minimise our ability to reach our citizenry efficiently and effectively. Ways to bring the public more up to date with Parliament in a cost-effective manner should be done and is supported.
The MF supports the need of connecting people to Parliament via information and communication technology. [Applause.]
Mr C AUCAMP: Chairperson, the hon Cassim, that is you, Sir, said that you were going to make the most important speech in Parliament, but you lost the opportunity because you did not announce that you were crossing the floor to the National Action. [Laughter.]
Regarding the matter of the internet and IT technology, it is very important and we support that we discuss it. I must warn that we do not overemphasise this.
Daar is niks wat die persoonlike kontak van ‘n LP en sy mense kan vervang nie. Daar is niks wat die voetwerk wat teenwoordig moet wees, kan vervang nie. Ons sit met ‘n Catch 22-situasie. Ons wil hê hulle moet meer van die Parlement vir die mense wys, maar hoe meer ons die Parlement wys, hoe meer sien hulle die leë banke. So hoe meer ons wys, hoe slegter word ons naam. Ons moet eerstens die eie Huis in orde kry en kyk dat ons ons werk doen; kyk dat daar iets is om te wys en kyk dat ons gereeld ons mense verteenwoordig en doen waarvoor ons gekies is.
‘n Mens kan die Internet ook oorlaai. ‘n Mens kan e-posse ook oorlaai en die feit is so dat e-posse kom en gaan en naderhand steur jy jou nie meer daaraan nie. Belangrike sake is dat ons bekommerd is oor ons beeld na buite en ons kommunikasie na buite. Ons stuur die arme mense van die persgalery uit die parlementêre terrein uit om doer anderkant in ‘n gebou te gaan sit. As ons ernstig is, sal ons daardie mense terugbring en hier laat bly. Verder sal Ministers dan meer hul belangrike verklarings vanuit die Parlement maak en nie vanuit Pretoria op ‘n afstand nie.
Ek pleit ook vir die terugkom van die program On Camera, Sondagaande kwart voor 10 op SABC 3. Dit het ‘n mooi beeld van die Parlement gegee en die hoogtepunte van die week is gewys. Dit het verval. Kom ons gebruik dan ook ons tegnologie om ‘n beter vertaaldiens hier te kry, dat die oomblik wanneer ek hier in Afrikaans praat, u in u eie taal alles kan hoor. Ons vergelyk dit met die kriekettoernooi: Ons het krieket gekyk toe Suid-Afrika gewen het. Die oomblik toe ons verloor het, is daar nie meer belangstelling nie. Kom ons maak van ons Parlement ‘n wenspan en dan sal die mense ook belangstel om te hoor wat ons sê. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[There is nothing that can replace the personal contact of an MP and his people. There is nothing that can replace the footwork that should be present. We sit with a Catch 22 situation. We want them to show more of Parliament to the people; but the more we show Parliament, the more they see the empty seats. So, the more we show, the worse our name becomes. We must firstly get our own House in order and see that we do our work; see that there is something to show and that we regularly represent our people and do what we have been elected for.
One can also overload the Internet. One can overload e-mails and the fact is that e-mails come and go and later you do not notice it anymore. Important issues are that we are concerned about our image to the outside and our communication towards the outside. We send the poor people of the press gallery out of the parliamentary terrain to go and sit in a building way over there. If we are serious, we would bring those people back and let them remain here. Furthermore, Ministers will then deliver important statements from Parliament and not from a distance in Pretoria.
I also plead for the return of the programme On Camera on Sunday evenings at a quarter to ten on SABC 3. It presented a fine picture of Parliament and showed the highlights of the week. It has been discontinued. Come let us also use our technology to get a better translation service here, so that the minute I speak Afrikaans here, you can hear everything in your own language. We are comparing it with the cricket tournament. We watched cricket when South Africa was winning. The moment we lost there was a loss of interest. Come, let us make a winning team of our Parliament and then the people will also be interested to hear what he have to say.]
Mr C M LOWE: Chairperson, and thank you to all our colleagues who sat here so patiently waiting for my speech this afternoon. Deputy Chair, a lot of words have been exchanged here this afternoon and I have asked to speak especially in this debate to suggest something practical that can be done immediately to make parliamentarians more accessible to people and people more accessible to Parliament. And that is the question of the use of our Internet and our e-mail.
Now you said that you do not have a cellphone, so I do not know if you have a laptop or a computer, but for those of you here who do have those facilities, you will know just how long and how difficult it is to access your e-mails and send e-mails. Now virtually every NGO we interact with, many organisations, lots of people and individuals communicate with us by means of an e-mail. It is just the way things happen these days and we - and most of my colleagues and colleagues in other parties too - use that e- mail facility. I am not an IT specialist at all. I do not know what the terms and technology are that we should refer to, but quite simply, the width of the band is not wide enough and you find that it takes up to five days to download your e-mails. That is totally unacceptable and it is a situation where people literally cannot get in contact with us. I see people nodding around and it is happening now. Let us take some of that EU money or other money and let us spend it, not on just training for training’s sake, but on widening the width of the band for communication by means of e-mails.
Let us give more power to the IT department. The help desk, with respect, is no help at all. If anybody has ever phoned up IT, they are undercapacitated, overworked, they are on leave and they cannot help. We simply are not able to do our jobs properly. In the year and a half since I have been here there has been absolutely no improvement. We have simply been told that it is coming, it will be another two months and nothing has happened.
Deputy Chair, I would ask you that if we do one thing, we deal with that and we do it very quickly. Let us utilise funds and empower members. I would also like to suggest that the parliamentary website, which is good, is also used to put Hansard onto and to record members’ questions to Ministers and replies there too. That would be a very good use of the parliamentary website.
I think I have run out of time. I would also like to let you know, Deputy Chairperson, if you would like a copy of my speech I would be very glad to give one to you. [Applause.]
Mr E N NGCOBO: Chair, I heard some members inferring that the Government is probably engaged in replacing the communications system as currently used by the information systems … [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Order! Hon members, you are speaking much louder than the gentleman at the podium. You may proceed, hon member.
Mr E N NGCOBO: I think that the aim of the Government in introducing this Government Communications and Information System, is to provide a comprehensive communications system on behalf of Government so as to facilitate the participation of the majority of South Africans in the process of governance, reconstruction and development, nation-building and reconciliation processes. This must be clear; it is not replacing the presently used information systems.
It is an indisputable fact that knowledge in our modern society is a critical component to production, and hence access to it represents a key divide between the rich and the poor. It is therefore the single duty of every patriotic South African across the political party divide to work to support the current ANC-led Government’s initiative which seeks to ensure that access to information relating to governance in particular is afforded to every South African citizen.
An increasing portion of the world’s production and trade involves information and the exchange of information. The changes brought about by an information economy are profound and arguably as significant as those brought about by the Industrial Revolution. These will affect the lives of everyone, including those not directly involved. This is the reason why the UN Secretary-General, in concluding his Millennium Report, correctly captures these arguments:
Finally, the corporate in this sector, meaning information, has unique attributes nurtured by others. The steel used to construct buildings or the goods worn by the workers constructing it cannot be consumed by anyone else. Information is different. Not only is it available for multiple uses and users but it also becomes more valuable the more it is used. The same is true of the networks that link up different sources of information. We in the policy-making world need to understand better how the economics of information differ from the economics of inherently scarce fiscal goods and use it to advance our policy goals.
But, the UN Sustainable Development Networking Programme further argues that information and communications have become an essential component of the development process itself, since information and communications technologies are now fundamental to dealing with all the development issues in developing countries.
It is with support to the above-mentioned internationally based communications development strategies that our ANC-led Government has decided that the time has come when Parliament and the people it represents must find a convergence point via information and communications technology initiative. The Government has a vision that, locally, this initiative will make South Africa’s future generation become a knowledge-based society and hence will help create an information economy. The latter is expected to be achieved by establishing a network information community to empower the way people work, live and play whilst at the same time it will make South Africa globally competitive. This will no doubt improve the quality of life of all South Africans. Such a universal service is expected to enable people to have access not only to traditional media but also to the convenience of information technology, which is at the centre of accelerating human resource development and hence economic growth of the nation.
Some of the key objectives and programmes of this communications strategy are to set up a new government communications system as well as to transform existing communications functions in Government, which will culminate in departments being tasked with responsibilities of managing communications channels between Government and the public through direct dialogue, especially with communities in disadvantaged areas.
Communications strategies and programmes for the whole Government at the national level as well as communications operations of all departments will find expression through this communications initiative strategies. It is hoped that this communications system will help foster a more positive communications environment which will result in a clear understanding of the information needs of the public as well as of Government as a whole.
One may ask: How will these above-mentioned goals be achieved in advanced technology defined terms with our future generations? We should consider possibilities and momentary assumptions as captured in the following scenarios in addressing the present question: Firstly, suppose we classify the telecommunications system as modern technological extensions of the postal system, as currently known where these would be subsidised with public funds in much the same way as say public transport and highways; secondly, we use public funds to supply each new existing residential unit with telephone connections and microcomputer terminals of acceptable capacity; thirdly, we equip the existing postal facilities with a video studio receiving dish and satellite application; fourthly, we dedicate radio frequencies and fibre optic lines for public affairs communications channels; fifthly, we install and maintain a national public affairs information main frame computer which would be accessible through an 0800 toll free number; and sixthly, we provide access to this system through a magnetically stripped social security card or an access code assigned to each voter upon registration.
With such a system in place, each voter or citizen would have access to an interactive public affairs system which would allow individuals to read all Government documents and reports from a central video tax computer. It will allow entering of any written expressions of fact or opinion into the system for reading by other citizens. It will record and transmit their opinions of video tapes for storage in central public affairs video tape data bank and it will be able to select and play video presentations from other citizens and officials entered in the same manner.
So, this is how this information system, if developed, will be used. No doubt such a system would eliminate any need for a legislative branch or structure of government in the vicinity since the technology of direct democracy would allow each voter to decide issues personally and vote on any legislative proposal entered on the national agenda by electronic initiative petition of the eligible voters. Even the actual voting on each proposal could be announced well in advance on a dedicated public affairs channel whilst the teller could remain open for a 24-hour period, etc.
In a nutshell, as envisaged by our ANC-led Government, the benefits of such information communications technology system are as follows: It will provide excellent media and communications services to Government; it will make Government information centres and multiple community centres critical elements of Government communications; it will assist in developing Government media, communications and information policy; it will ensure excellent and efficient service to the media; it will produce information products for dissemination to citizens, co-ordinate the international marketing of South Africa whilst simultaneously transforming the mindset and positive cultural outlook of society both internally and internationally; it will continually transform the communications strategy and develop its management and employees to meet the demands of its mandate; and it will economically benefit society as the mode of communication shifts from cellphone-based to Internet-based, almost cost- free systems.
This is the strategy which the Government seeks to augment into the presently used communications systems. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The House adjourned at 18:23. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- Introduction of Bills:
(1) The Minister of Finance:
(i) Financial and Fiscal Commission Amendment Bill [B 21 -
2003] (National Assembly - sec 76) [Bill and prior notice of
its introduction published in Government Gazette No 24700 of 2
April 2003.]
Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Finance of
the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging
Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160, on
3 April 2003.
In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification of
the Bill may be submitted to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)
within three parliamentary working days.
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces: Papers:
- The Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
Country Corruption Assessment Report - South Africa.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
National Assembly:
- First Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Commmittee on Public Accounts, having considered the
Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the
Zoological Gardens of South Africa for the year ended 31 March 2002,
tabled on 5 September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the Zoological Gardens of
South Africa for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the
Auditor-General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be
equally unqualified.
The Committee, however, notes that the Auditor-General has raised
several issues of concern.
2. Investments
The Committee notes that the Zoological Gardens incurred a loss on
an investment held in a private bank, which was subsequently
placed under curatorship.
Through intervention of the South African Reserve Bank, the loss
was reduced to R60 277 at 31 March 2002. The Zoological Gardens
received an interim distribution of 44 cents in the Rand on 8
April 2002. The Committee recommends that the management make
every attempt to recover the outstanding balance from the
appointed curator, and that funds be securely invested in future.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report and Financial
Statements were tabled in Parliament on 5 September 2002.
This late tabling constitutes non-compliance with section 65(1)(a)
of the Public Finance Management Act.
The Committee recommends that the management of the Zoological
Gardens strictly adhere to the relevant sections of the PFMA at
all times.
4. Going concern
The Committee also notes that the Zoological Gardens is totally
dependent for its funding on the Department of Arts, Culture,
Science and Technology. They must explain by 30 April 2003 why
funds cannot be generated from patrons of the Zoological Gardens.
5. Decision on hearing
Because the audit opinion is unqualified, the Committee recommends
that no hearing be held for the financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Commmittee on Public Accounts, having considered the
Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the War
Museum of the Boer Republics for the year ended 31 March 2002, tabled
on 4 September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the War Museum of the
Boer Republics for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the
Auditor-General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be
equally unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 4 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Decision on hearing
Because the Auditor-General has not cited any issues of concern,
the Committee recommends that no hearing be held for the financial
year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Third Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the South African
Heritage Resources Agency for the year ended 31 March 2002 [RP 125-02],
tabled on 4 September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the South African
Heritage Resources Agency for the unqualified audit opinion
expressed by the Auditor-General, and trusts that future audit
opinions will be equally unqualified.
The Committee, however, notes that the Auditor-General has
emphasised several issues of concern.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 4 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Late submission of financial statements
The Committee notes that signed financial statements, submitted to
the Auditor-General's Office on 14 June 2002, contained several
over- and understatements, which were referred back to the
management. These were subsequently adjusted and resubmitted on 26
July 2002.
The Committee recommends that management avoid a recurrence of
this lapse in 2003.
4. Property, plant and equipment
* The financial statements do not disclose the movement of
assets, as required in terms of GAAP.
* Depreciation for additions were calculated for the full year,
irrespective of the actual purchase date.
The Committee recommends that management ensure that GAAP
requirements are adhered to and that depreciation is calculated
correctly.
5. Decision on hearing
The Committee recommends that no hearing be held for the financial
year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Business and Arts
South Africa for the year ended 31 March 2002, tabled on 9 September
2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of Business and Arts South
Africa for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the Auditor-
General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be equally
unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 9 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Decision on hearing
The Auditor-General has not cited any issues of concern which
would warrant further consideration.
The Committee therefore recommends that no hearing be held for the
financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the Engelburg
House Art Collection for the year ended 31 March 2002, tabled on 30
September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the Engelburg House Art
Collection for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the
Auditor-General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be
equally unqualified.
2. Late submission
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 30 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Internal audit
The Committee notes that, due to the limited activities of this
organisation, an internal audit department and an audit committee
were not established for the past two financial years. This is
contrary to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The Committee recommends that management attend to this issue
urgently and that the Auditor-General report thereon in his next
Report.
4. Decision on hearing
The Committee recommends that no hearing be held for the financial
year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the Freedom Park
Trust for the year ended 31 March 2002 [RP 141-02], tabled on 4
September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the Freedom Park Trust
for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the Auditor-
General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be equally
unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 4 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Late submission of financial statements
The Committee notes that signed financial statements were only
submitted on 12 July 2002, and not 31 May 2002, as prescribed by
the PFMA.
The Committee recommends that management avoid a recurrence of
this matter in 2003.
4. Decision on hearing
The Committee recommends that no hearing be held for the financial
year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the Pan South
African Language Board for the year ended 31 March 2002 [RP 166-02],
tabled on 16 September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the Pan South African
Language Board for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the
Auditor-General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be
equally unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 16 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. Decision on hearing
The Committee recommends that no hearing be held for the financial
year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Group Financial
Statements of the South African Bureau of Standards for the year ended
31 March 2002, tabled in Parliament on 12 September 2002 and referred
to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the accounting authority for the
unqualified audit opinion expressed by the Auditor-General in
respect of the financial audit as well as the audit of performance
information. The Committee trusts that audit opinions in future
will be equally unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the SABS Annual Report and Financial
Statements were tabled in Parliament on 12 September 2002.
This late tabling constitutes non-compliance with section 65(1)(a)
of the Public Finance Management Act.
3. Accounts receivable (SABS)
The Committee notes with concern that:
* Accounts receivable are not followed up on a regular basis to
ensure timeous recovery thereof.
* 67% of the accounts receivable were outstanding for longer than
120 days, whereas the SABS normal repayment terms are 30 days
only.
* The provision for doubtful debts is currently in excess of
R10,5 million, which represents 49% of the total outstanding
amounts and which seems unacceptably high to the Committee.
The Committee recommends, in terms of section 51(1)(b)(i) of the
PFMA, that the accounting authority take effective and appropriate
steps to collect all amounts timeously.
The Committee further recommends that the accounting authority
furnish Parliament with a progress report on the above
recommendation by 30 April 2003.
4. Hearing
Having considered the Report, the Committee recommends that no
hearing be held on the South African Bureau of Standards for the
financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Annual
Report, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements, of the Financial and Fiscal Commission for the year ended
31 March 2002 [RP 132-02], tabled in Parliament on 28 August 2002 and
referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the Chairperson and management of the
Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) for the unqualified audit
opinion expressed by the Auditor-General, and trusts that future
audit opinions will be equally unqualified.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes that the Auditor-General has raised one issue
of concern under "Emphasis of Matter". This issue requires the
attention of management, and the Committee deals with it in
paragraph 4 below.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee commends the management of the FFC for having
timeously tabled its Annual Report, thereby complying with section
65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act.
4. Internal audit
The Committee notes:
* That the FFC obtained Treasury approval on 22 October 2002 for
sharing the internal audit function with National Treasury.
* That the internal audit function was not operational during the
financial year under review because National Treasury had
obtained exemption until 30 April 2002.
* That at the time of completing its Report (June 2002), the FFC
was still waiting for Treasury to complete its internal
processes of contracting an appropriate service provider.
Since the Committee considers the establishment of the internal
audit function as vital for the development of a fraud prevention
plan, necessary for the detection and prevention of fraud, it
trusts that this outstanding matter will be resolved speedily, and
recommends that the Auditor-General report thereon in his next
report on the FFC.
5. Matters arising from management report
(a) State of financial affairs
The Committee notes:
* That the accounts reflect a net surplus of R422 963, which
has been earmarked for capital expenditure during the 2002-
03 financial year.
* That estimates suggest a more sustainable budget level for
the FFC to be in the region of R10 million per annum.
* That a significant part of the expenditure is related to
personnel, together with the contracting in of researchers,
analysts and various experts, whose inputs are essential to
the FFC.
(b) IT-server network
The Committee notes that the revamping of the FFC's IT-server
network was originally earmarked for implementation during the
2001-02 financial year, but that the implementation will only
be effected during the 2002-03 financial year.
The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General report
thereon in his next report on the FFC.
6. Decision on hearing
Having considered the Report of the Auditor-General, as well as
having dealt with the Matter of Emphasis raised by him, the
Committee recommends that no hearing be held on the Financial and
Fiscal Commission for the financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Tenth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 5 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Annual
Report, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements, of the Financial Services Board (FSB) for the year ended 31
March 2002, tabled in Parliament on 28 August 2002 and referred to it,
reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the Board of the FSB and the Executive
Officer for the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the Auditor-
General, and trusts that future audit opinions will be equally
unqualified.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes, and welcomes the fact, that the Auditor-
General has not raised any issues of concern under "Emphasis of
Matter".
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee commends the management of the FSB for having
timeously tabled its Annual Report, thereby complying with section
65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act.
4. Insider Trading Directorate (ITD)
The Committee notes:
* That since its inception in January 1999, the ITD has logged 136
cases for investigation, of which 100 have been finalised,
resulting in a decision to institute legal proceedings in 20
cases, of which 13 have been settled out of court.
* That the FSB will increase its resources to deal with the
backlog of outstanding cases.
* That during the year under review, the ITD considered 22
investigation reports, of which four were settled out of court.
* That in terms of the settlement, the FSB received R5,4 million
which, after the recovery of costs, was distributed to investors
prejudiced by insider trading.
The Committee commends the progress made thus far and looks
forward to the additional resources being allocated to provide
further improvement in efficiency.
5. Chairperson's review
The Committee notes that, in the environment of recent
conglomerate failures and other factors, the shortcomings of
corporate governance, more specifically the duties of directors,
should increasingly receive attention from the FSB (also the
responsibilities of auditors).
6. Internal controls
The Committee notes and welcomes the following aspects in relation
to internal controls:
* That management maintains a comprehensive system of internal
controls.
* That these controls include a risk-based system of internal
accounting and administrative controls designed to provide
reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and
transactions executed and recorded in accordance with generally
accepted business practices and the Board's policies and
practices.
* That these controls are implemented by trained and skilled
personnel with an appropriate segregation of duties.
* That monitoring by management includes a comprehensive
budgeting and reporting system operating within strict deadlines
and an appropriate control framework.
* That the internal audit function conducts operational,
financial and specific audits and co-ordinates audit coverage
with the external auditors.
7. Decision on hearing
Having noted the unqualified audit opinion expressed by the
Auditor-General, the Committee recommends that no hearing be held
on the Financial Services Board for the financial year under
review.
Report to be considered.
- Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 25 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the
Report, including the Annual Report of the Independent Auditors of the
Financial Statements, of the Development Bank of Southern Africa
Limited for the year ended 31 March 2002, tabled in Parliament on 5
September 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of the DBSA for the
unqualified audit opinion expressed by the Independent Auditors,
and trusts that future audit opinions will be equally unqualified.
2. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that the DBSA's Annual Report was tabled in
Parliament on 5 September 2002, thereby constituting non-
compliance with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
3. General matters
(a) Risk management
The Committee notes that:
* A risk management framework is being implemented for the
entire Bank, which will consolidate risk management
oversight to include all risk categories across all business
and functional areas.
* It is anticipated that the framework will be fully
operational during the next financial year.
(b) Internal audit
The Committee notes that the DBSA's Internal Audit Unit:
* Aims to be an independent, objective assurance and
consulting service to add value and improve the Bank's
operations.
* Reports directly to the Managing Director.
* Has unlimited access to the Chairperson of both the Board
and the Audit Committee.
* as considered the strategic impact of changes within the
bank and its operating environment.
(c) External audit
The Committee recommends that the CEO indicate the extent to
which external auditors of the DBSA provide consulting and/or
advisory services to the Bank.
4. Conclusion
Having noted some issues of special concern, which are being
addressed, and as the Report is unqualified, the Committee is of
the view that no hearing is necessary on the DBSA for the
financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Twelfth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 25 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the Energy Sector
Education and Training Authority [ESETA] for the year ended 31 March
2002 [RP 98-02], tabled in Parliament on 10 September 2002 and referred
to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management of ESETA for the unqualified
audit opinion expressed by the Auditor-General, and trusts that
future audit opinions will be equally unqualified.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes that under "Emphasis of Matter", the Auditor-
General has raised one issue, on which the Committee makes
comments in paragraph 4 below.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee notes that ESETA's Annual Report and Financial
Statements were tabled in Parliament on 10 September 2002.
This late tabling constitutes non-compliance with section 65(1)(a)
of the Public Finance Management Act.
4. Internal audit
The Committee notes that no internal audit was conducted during
the year under review. This is contrary to section 51(1)(a)(ii) of
the Public Finance Management Act.
The Committee, however, notes that the internal auditor was
officially appointed only towards the end of the financial year,
and therefore was not in position to conduct an internal audit.
5. Conclusion
Having considered issues of special concern, addressed under
"Emphasis of Matter", and as the report is unqualified, the
Committee is of the view that a hearing on ESETA for the financial
under review is unnecessary.
Report to be considered.
- Thirteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 25 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the Media,
Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and
Training Authority [MAPPP-SETA] for the year ended 31 March 2002 [RP
105-02], tabled in Parliament on 30 August 2002 and referred to it,
reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee notes with concern the qualified audit opinion
expressed by the Auditor-General. The Committee trusts that
management will pay the necessary attention to those issues which
resulted in the qualified opinion, so that future audit opinions
will be unqualified. The Committee comments on these matters in
paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 below.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes that under "Emphasis of Matter" the Auditor-
General has raised several issues, in respect of which the
Committee makes comments and recommendations in paragraphs 7 and 8
below.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee commends the management of MAPPP-SETA for timeously
tabling the Annual Report and the Financial Statements, thereby
complying with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
4. Levy income
Although the completeness of levy income could not be confirmed,
the Committee notes that the South African Revenue Services did
not submit substantiating evidence and detail in respect of the
levies transferred to MAPPP-SETA.
5. Value-added tax
The Committee notes that no proof could be submitted for audit
purposes that reconciliations had been performed between the VAT
2001 returns and the VAT control account.
6. Post-retirement medical aid benefits
In terms of generally accepted accounting practice, certain
disclosures are necessary for post-retirement medical aid
benefits. The Committee notes that these disclosures have not been
complied with in MAPPP-SETA's financial statements for the year
under review.
However, the Committee notes, and welcomes, the actuarial
valuation of the employer's ability in respect of health care
benefits for retirees, that was performed by actuarial consultants
for the previous and financial year under review.
7. Receipting
The Committee notes with concern that the audit procedures
regarding the accuracy and completeness of income could not be
carried out satisfactorily.
The Committee welcomes the indication by management that receipt
detail will be recorded in the relevant register to confirm that
payments received were accurate and complete.
The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General report thereon
in his next Report.
8. Internal control
The Committee notes with concern that there are certain
shortcomings in MAPPP-SETA's internal control measures.
The Committee welcomes management's assurance that the necessary
steps will be taken to place the relevant checking and control
measures on a sound footing.
The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General report thereon
in his next Report on MAPPP-SETA.
9. Conclusion
Despite the qualified opinion expressed by the Auditor-General,
the Committee, having considered the various issues of concern
raised by the Auditor-General, recommends that no hearing be held
on MAPPP-SETA for the financial year under review.
Report to be considered.
- Fourteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 25 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Annual
Report, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements, of the Compensation Fund for the year ended 28 February
2002 [RP 118-02], tabled in Parliament on 6 August 2003 and referred to
it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee notes the reasons for the qualified audit opinion
expressed by the Auditor-General. It trusts that management will
pay particular attention to the aspects which led to the
qualification and will address the concerns raised, with a view to
avoiding such negative audit opinions in future. The Committee
deals with these in paragraphs 4 and 5 below.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes that the Auditor-General has cited several
issues under "Emphasis of Matter", which need management's
attention. The Committee comments on these issues in paragraphs 6,
7 and 8 below.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee commends the management of the Compensation Fund for
having timeously tabled its Annual Report in Parliament, thereby
complying with section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management
Act.
4. Disallowances
The Committee notes with grave concern that disallowances
consisting of overpayments and duplicate payments in respect of
medical, compensation and pensions payments had increased by
nearly 23% to more than R6,78 million, compared to the previous
year.
The Committee strongly recommends that, as a matter of priority,
management put in place effective control measures to prevent such
payments, and that it submit to Parliament, by 30 April 2003, a
report indicating the nature of those controls and their
effectiveness.
5. Property plant and equipment
The Committee notes that there was a net difference of R1,01
million between the general ledger and the fixed assets register
as at 28 February 2002, compared to the R1,24 million the previous
year.
The Committee notes the Auditor-General's assurance that the
difference had been identified, and welcomes his indication that
it will be corrected in the following financial year.
6. Financial management structure of fund
The Committee notes that, in terms of the relevant legislation,
the Director-General of Labour accepted the responsibility as the
accounting authority of the Compensation Fund.
The Committee notes the Auditor-General's recommendation that, due
to several practical difficulties being experienced, the Director-
General should consider obtaining the required approval for
appointment of the Compensation Commissioner as the accounting
authority.
7. Information system environment
The Committee notes with grave concern that:
* Control weaknesses still exist in the control environment as a
whole.
* The most significant control weakness is that a formal
documented disaster recovery plan has still not been developed
and implemented.
* There is no assurance that it would be possible to recover
business activities in the event of a disaster.
The Committee therefore recommends that Auditor-General assess the
adequacy of corrective action taken to rectify the weaknesses in
the information system environment and report thereon in his next
Report.
8. Control over fixed assets
The Committee is concerned that:
* Physical control over fixed assets is not effective.
* The disposal of assets were not recorded in the asset register.
* The incorrect classification of fixed assets has resulted in
the understatement of depreciation.
The Committee recommends that Auditor-General, during the 2002-03
audit, assess the effectiveness/adequacy of corrective measures
with regard to control over fixed assets and report thereon in his
next Report.
9. Conclusion
Having considered the reasons for the qualified audit opinion
expressed by the Auditor-General, and despite having noted various
issues of concern which will be reported on, the Committee is
nevertheless of the view that a hearing on the Compensation Fund
for the financial year under review is not necessary.
Report to be considered.
- Fifteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 25 February 2003:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Annual
Report, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements, of the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority
[CETA] for the year ended 31 March 2002 [RP 136-02], tabled in
Parliament on 30 August 2002 and referred to it, reports as follows:
1. Audit opinion
The Committee commends the management for the unqualified audit
opinion expressed by the Auditor-General, and trusts that future
audit opinions will be equally unqualified.
2. Emphasis of Matter
The Committee notes that the Auditor-General has cited various
issues under "Emphasis of Matter" which need the urgent attention
of management. The Committee comments on these issues in
paragraphs 4 to 10 below.
3. Tabling of Annual Report
The Committee commends the management of CETA for having timeously
tabled its Annual Report in Parliament, thereby complying with
section 65(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act.
4. Recovery of levy payable by employers
The Committee notes that:
* Any levy which remains unpaid on the last day of payment
thereof, may be recovered by instituting action in a
magistrate's court.
* CETA or its collecting agents must obtain approval from the
Minister of Labour to follow up the outstanding levies, but that
such approval has not been received.
* CETA cannot collect current levies, except in terms of a
determination issued by the Minister.
The Committee is concerned that there are a large number of
outstanding levies which have not been followed up by CETA, and
that this could result in losses to CETA if no effective debt
recovery procedures are in place.
The Committee recommends that this matter be accorded the urgent
attention it deserves, and welcomes the indication that additional
information will be compiled by the staff of CETA, after
consultation with the Auditor-General's Office, for presentation
to Parliament.
5. Accumulated surplus funds
The Committee notes that:
* Surplus funds from operations for the period under review
exceeded R4,5 million.
* Written approval should be obtained from National Treasury to
retain the said surplus funds.
* Application for the above has been made, but CETA has not
received a response yet.
The Committee recommends that CETA indicate to it whether they
have received approval from National Treasury, and if not, why
not.
6. Transfer of assets and liabilities
The Committee notes with concern that the transfer of assets
amounting to more than R5,8 million and liabilities in excess of
R4,2 million, belonging to the now abolished Building Industry
Training Board (BITB) and the Building Industry Training Scheme
(BITS), has not been finalised.
As this matter increases managerial and financial risk, the
Committee recommends that the matter be finalised as a matter of
urgency and that the Auditor-General report thereon in his next
report.
7. VAT liability
The Committee notes that:
* An amount in excess of R1,38 million under current liabilities
in the balance sheet represented grant levies when they were
committed to projects.
* There is uncertainty on whether VAT should be paid when the
liability is raised or when project claims are paid.
* As a result of this uncertainty, the timely payment of VAT
could not be properly managed.
* A response from SARS to clarify the matter is still being
awaited.
The Committee recommends that management resolve all the above
issues raised by the Auditor-General, and that the Auditor-General
report thereon in his next report.
8. Risk assessment
The Committee notes with concern that CETA did not conduct a full
risk assessment for the year under review, as required by the PFMA
and the Treasury Regulations of 2001.
The Committee notes that this non-compliance impacted negatively
on the completion of a fraud prevention plan.
Having noted that the outsourced internal audit function had begun
facilitating a risk assessment subsequent to the end of the
financial year, the Committee recommends that the Auditor-General
report thereon in his next report on CETA.
9. Audit Committee
The Committee notes that the composition and functioning of the
Audit Committee was in accordance with the PFMA, but that it was
not fully operational for the year under review, as it was only
established during the year.
The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General report thereon
in his next report.
10. Internal audit
The Committee notes that the internal audit function will only be
fully operational during the next financial year, as it was
established during the year under review.
The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General report thereon
in his next report.
11. Conclusion
Having noted that some issues of special concern are being
addressed, and as the report is unqualified, the Committee is of
the view that a hearing on CETA for the year under review is not
necessary.
Report to be considered.