SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
1. Foreword
• BY THE CHAIRPERSON
As South Africans prepare to usher in the second decade of democracy, the South African Human Rights Commission is well placed to continue its contribution to the growth of our democracy and the well-being of the nation. The experience acquired by the Commission over the past 7 years as a credible and important institution will enable it to continue discharging its vital role in protecting and promoting human rights
The Commission during the past year continued to strive to be relevant in the lives of ordinary South Africans and to ensure that the interventions we make contribute towards the development of a more just and caring society. The Commission is mindful that the country is faced with numerous challenges, not least the eradication of poverty and the achievement of equality. To this end, the Commission will continue to sharpen its focus and strengthen its capacity in these areas, given its mandate to promote, protect and monitor human rights in the country. At the same time, we have worked closely with other sectors, including Parliament, the Executive, and civil society, in discharging our mandate and affirming the notion that the responsibility for advancing human rights is a collective one
The Strategic Plan serves to assist the Commission in achieving its mandate through its stated objectives and outcomes. It also serves as an important tool for measuring the performance of the organisation against objectives and service delivery targets agreed upon by the Commission for the next term
• BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The strategic plan of the Commission derives from its constitutional mandate, its broad strategic and policy objectives and an assessment of the human rights landscape that determines its priorities. These priorities include a strategic shift to align all our programmes to contribute to the achievement of equality and the eradication of poverty
The Commission’s strategic planning process consists of a number of cycles that include deliberations of commissioners, management, and a joint bosberaad. Cost savings mechanisms have been considered as well as the design and implementation of innovative strategies for improved protection, promotion and monitoring of human rights in the country. Gaps in the internal policy framework have been identified and are being addressed
The Advocacy programme has been restructured and its key objectives have been amended. These objectives have been moved to a newly established Media and Communications Unit and the current Education and Training Programme. The Commission is also presently hosting the Secretariat of African National Institutions, aimed at providing coordinated support to human rights institutions on the continent
This plan reflects the Commission strategic framework, as a guide to achieve its objectives. A set of strategies, outputs, service delivery indicators and milestones within specific time frames have been developed, in line with Treasury requirements and our own commitment to accountability
The Management Programme has been split into Strategic Management and Finance and Administration Programmes. This has no cost implications, but does reflect the programmatic work of the Commission more accurately, and also assigns clearer mandates to cost centre managers. Not all the goals lend themselves to set timeframes, as there are variables often beyond our influence, which make it difficult to work within set time periods
The Commission has certainly reached institutional maturity and will continue to take advantage of all opportunities available to render high quality human rights services that are accessible to most people in our country
2. Functions and Powers of the Commission
The functions and powers of the Commission as contained in section 184 of the Constitution (Republic of South Africa Constitution Act (Act No 108 of 1996)) are as follows:
Functions
(a) promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights;
(b) promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights; and
(c) monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic
Powers
(a) to investigate and to report on the observance of human rights; (b) to take steps to secure appropriate redress where
human rights have been violated;
(c) to carry out research;
(d) to educate; and
(e) to require relevant organs of state to provide the Commission with information on the measures that they have taken towards the realisation of the rights in the Bill of Rights concerning housing, health care, food, water, social security, education and the environment
3. Vision
The South African Human Rights Commission seeks to be an effective instrument for the promotion and protection of human rights, to be the focal point for human rights practice in South Africa and to be accessible to all South Africans
4. Mission statement The South African Human Rights Commission is a national institution established to entrench constitutional democracy through the promotion and protection of human rights by:
• Addressing human rights violations and seeking effective redress
• Monitoring and assessing the observance of human rights
• Raising awareness of human rights issues
• Education and training on human rights
5. Historical information
5.1 Past performance
An overview of major developments and past performance of the Commission include:
Commissioners As in the previous year, members of the Commission engaged in human rights awareness-raising activities with stakeholders such as government officials, organs of state, private bodies and civil society, and made strategic interventions to address various human rights violations at national, provincial and local government levels. The Commission has also hosted a number of foreign delegations interested in the human rights situation in South Africa
The Commission launched its Report on the Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in Farming Communities in September 2003. This report was a result of a 2-year inquiry into the human rights situation in farming communities
The aim of the inquiry was to determine in a systematic manner the nature and causes of human rights violations in farming communities, and what could and should be done to ensure the rights of these communities are protected and promoted. The Commission has drawn up a followup plan to this inquiry
Submissions were made on the Immigration Bill and a workshop hosted on the Bill with various stakeholders. The Commission continues to monitor the Lindela Repatriation Centre, to promote the observance of the human rights of detained non-nationals
Presentations were made on the development of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, at the African Consultative Conference organised by the Office of the President, in May 2003
This conference was in preparation for the ad hoc committee meeting on the development of a specific convention for the rights of people with disabilities
The Commission has played a central role in the development of the Policy on Ageing and the formulation of the Older Persons Bill. This ranges from submissions on the Bill to provincial workshops held in November and December 2003 on the status of the Bill
The Chairperson of the Commission continues to chair the Equality Review Committee in terms of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA). Training has been conducted on the Act, primarily aimed at judicial officers
The Commission has established itself as one of the most reputable national human rights institutions in Africa and is accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC). At the Third International Conference of African National Institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights (ANHRIs), the Commission was invited to host the Secretariat of the Coordinating Committee of African National Institutions (CCANI). This decision was concretised at the Fourth Conference of ANHRIs, where the Commission concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with CCANI. As a result of the said Memorandum, the Secretariat was established in 2003, with its offices at the Commission. The Secretariat has engaged in a number of activities, including organising a Consultative Conference on Human Rights Training Methodology and a meeting for CCANI
The Commission continues to strengthen its role in relation to human rights promotion and protection across the continent and globally, particularly through engagements with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Management
The management functions of the Commission are important support services aimed at enabling the Commission to meet its objectives and targets, and to provide for financial and administrative procedures to meet the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The proper and efficient management of public resources is the primary objective of this programme
The Commission has established internal strategies and procedures relating to human resource management, financial management and administration, as well as information technology systems
The internal audit function in terms of Treasury requirements has been initiated and the internal audit committee meets regularly. Risk assessments have been done and a risk management strategy is being developed
Job evaluations are completed and the job evaluation committee has begun to function
Advocacy
In the 2003-4 financial year the Commission restructured the Advocacy Programme, following a review of operations. A Media and Communication Unit was established to deal with the internal and external communications functions. The public outreach and education functions have been moved to the Education and Training Programme
The Media and Communications Unit has ensured public access to the Commission’s information materials through the placement of all major reports, publications and policy papers on the website. Various publications, posters and reports of the Commission have been distributed to members of the public, NGOs/CBOs and government departments
The Unit has also ensured that the work of the Commission was covered by all major national, regional and local print and electronic media, which has contributed towards increased awareness and debate on human rights
Legal Services
The Legal Services department provides the public and the Commission with mechanisms to deal with complaints of human rights violations and to seek redress. A Case Manager has assumed duties, which will allow the Commission to track complaints more effectively
A 78% increase in complaints has been recorded from 5 297 in 2002/3 to 9 464 in 2003/4. The majority of ccomplaints fell under the right to equality (27%), labour-related rights (9%) and rights related to education (9%)
Cases that were resolved include access to a courtroom for a wheelchairbound attorney, and the right to vote for certain categories of South African citizens living abroad. The right to freedom of expression came into the spotlight when the Freedom Front appealed against the Legal Department’s findings that ‘Kill the farmer, kill the boer’ was not hate speech. A special panel heard the argument and upheld the appeal, ruling that the slogan in a particular context constitutes hate speech
Research and Documentation
The Fourth Economic and Social Rights Report was launched in April 2003 in all nine provinces. This enabled the Commission to present the contents of the report to civil society and government and receive feedback on the Commission’s monitoring and reporting function. Several of these suggestions were accepted and changes were made to the process of producing the Fifth Economic and Social Rights report
A well-attended workshop was hosted on Traditional Leaders and Economic and Social Rights in August 2003
By 15 September 2003, only 31 out of 77 organs of State had submitted responses to the Commission’s fifth economic and social rights protocols
Thirty-eight government departments (7 national and 31 provincial) were served with subpoenas in terms of section 9(1)(c) of the Human Rights Commission Act 54 of 1994 in October 2003. By 17 December 2003, all organs of State had submitted their protocol responses or provided valid reasons for their lack of response
A national input workshop for 79 people from civil society and government was hosted on 27-28 January to facilitate comments on the Draft Fifth Economic and Social Rights Report. The format of the fifth report has been changed from one large omnibus publication to eight reports (one per right) with a common introductory chapter. This format will make the report more accessible to parliamentarians, government, civil society and the public
In order to give effect to the obligations of the Commission under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) the Commission established the PAIA Committee to oversee its activities. The PAIA Unit, which is attached to the Department of Research and Documentation, was established in 2002 to implement the Commission’s monitoring and jurisprudential obligations under PAIA
The PAIA Committee took a decision to review PAIA and to make recommendations to Parliament on necessary amendments to the Act or its Regulations
To this end the Commission organised the following activities
An Indaba on PAIA was hosted in May 2003, and the Second International Conference of Information Commissioners hosted in February 2004
The conference is an annual gathering of information commissioners from all over the world, to share information and experiences with regard to enforcement mechanisms for implementing the right to freedom of information
A national conference was held on 4 February 2004, to review progress made since the Indaba in 2003. The Commission organised a weeklong study tour to Canada in February 2004. The development and launch of the Commission’s PAIA manuals and the numerous briefings sessions and training workshops conducted by the Commission have contributed to a greater awareness of the Act
In October 2003 the Equality Unit came into existence with a clear legislative objective of overseeing the effective implementation of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. In discharging its monitoring obligation, the Unit has held seminars on equality issues, conducted equality court inspections, contributed to legislative reform and captured the latest developments around equality issues
Education and Training
As a result of internal restructuring, the public education and outreach functions were added to the key objectives of this programme
The Commission played a central role in ensuring the centrality of human rights in the curricula for General and Further Education and Training
Two educational publications relating to the formal education system were released, and the Standards Generating Body on Human Rights, Democracy and Peace Education developed unit standards for registration on the National Qualifications Framework. The Commission teaches at various higher institutions of learning and the Advanced Certificate in Education on Values and Human Rights. Advisory interventions relating to the institutionalisation of human rights in learning programmes and educational research have increased and two conferences on human rights education have been co-hosted by the Commission, one for national human rights institutions across the continent
The outreach of the Commission with workshops and Omnibus Training surpassed the output of 357 educational interventions in the 2002/3 financial year, with more than 400 interventions. The figures here include a number of international and regional interventions. Professional training and course development were sustained from the previous financial year, with two more courses planned
The focus on rural and marginalized communities has sharpened and education officers visited these areas at least once a month. During Human Rights Week more than 15 workshops and visits to a variety of institutions and communities took place; the use of community radio stations to promote human rights has increased. The Commission’s links with NGOpartners have been strengthened, as a strategic maneuver to reach out to an increased number of citizens. Quality assurance of the Commission’s education and training work, to ensure consistency across the institution, is now being directed by a sound strategy and implementation plan. Materials development has shifted towards empowering marginalized communities and the Commission is publishing most of its educative materials in all official languages
Provinces
The Commission currently has six existing provincial offices, in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo and Northern Cape. These offices serve as an extension of the activities of Head Office, bringing the services of the Commission to local level. The provinces without offices are served by the Head Office as well as by the provincial offices in close proximity to them. The Commissioners and Heads of Departments also serve the provinces without offices through various programmatic and thematic interventions
5.2 Expenditure trends
The South African Human Rights Commission’s baseline allocation has increased from R21 780 million in 2000/01 to R32 728 million in 2003/04
6. Organisational values
In the realisation of its vision and in the carrying out of its mission, the Commission operations are founded on the values of ubuntu, the promotion of dignity and equality, respect for human rights and accountability to the nation
To be an effective institution for the promotion and protection of human rights the Commission will pursue the following primary objectives: • To advance the public and parliamentary accountability of the Commission’s work and maximise the utilisation of public resources through sound strategic management and efficient financial and administrative systems and procedures; • To entrench the Commission as the major resource and primary focal point for human rights promotion, protection and monitoring in the country; • To publicise and convey the role and work of the Commission to the general public via an integrated internal and external communications strategy; • To protect human rights by investigating individual and systemic complaints of human rights violations and provide appropriate redress; • To monitor human rights by providing comprehensive research and documentation mechanisms designed to advance and assess human rights, especially social and economic rights; and • To promote human rights and contribute to developing a sustainable culture of human rights through education and training, community outreach and public awareness campaigns
Key objectives Strategy Output Service delivery Service delivery target or indicator milestones Strategic
Management To advance the public and parliamentary accountability of the Commission’s work and maximise the utilisation of public resources through sound strategic management Processing constitutional and legislative compliance Strategic reviews Aligning programmes to strategic objectives Respond to internal and external environment Implement accountability mechanisms Framework for legislative and statutory compliance Informed strategic choices/ Adherence to Strategic Plan Performance management system/ Job evaluation system Internal audit system/Risk assessment and management Operational synergy amongst programmes Assessment and quality assurance systems Level of statutory compliance Efficiency of strategic choices Functionality of human resource strategy Breath of risk management system Level of integration of programmes % of targets met according to Strategic Plan Frequency of assessment and quality assurance Up to date performance management system and staff appraisals Completed job evaluation by Dec 2004 Adopted risk management policy by Feb 2005 Monthly strategic reviews, assessments and quality assurance 100% compliance with statutory requirements Full implementation of provincial support policy 100% adherence to targets and objectives of Strategic Plan 14 Key objectives Strategy Output Service delivery Service delivery target or indicator milestones Finance and Administration
To provide efficient financial and administrative support Implementation of systems, procedures and policy Processing legal and statutory compliance Initiation of budget processes Performing financial and administrative functions Budget submissions MTEF and monthly budgets reports Management of systems and network; hardware and software maintenance Monitoring and implementation of IT security policy Asset management, administration and logistics, procurement and provisioning Project status reports to donors Level of PFMA compliance Level of SGAAP compliance Frequency and accuracy of financial statements Accuracy of budget Effectiveness of procurement, asset management, provisioning and logistical support Unqualified audit report 4 meetings of Audit Committee Monthly and quarterly reports submitted to National Treasury Upgraded Wide Area Network by August 2004 Provincial office in Mpumalanga fully operational by July 2004 Updated procurement and tender procedures by August 2004 Quarterly financial positions
Commissioners
To entrenched the Commission as the major resource and the primary focal point for human rights promotion, protection and monitoring in the country Strategic interventions on human rights issues Liaison with government, parliament and civil society Profile enhancement initiatives International, regional and national liaison Presentations, networking and advocacy Policy development Legislation monitoring Human rights compliance with international standards % increase in awareness Number of strategic interventions Number of people exposed to interventions % increase in people making use of services Number of agreed policy interventions Degree of human rights compliance against standards Number of agreed upon legislation monitoring activities Increase human rights knowledge and awareness by at least 10% annually especially in rural communities 10% increase in policy development and legislation monitoring 10% increase in human rights compliance/ reporting
Media and Communications
To publicise and convey the role and work of the Commission to the general public via an integrated internal and external communications strategy Developing corporate communication Establishing a sustained media profile Promoting human rights awareness through the print and electronic media
Publications Media releases Promotional materials Maintaining website Media and public relations exercises % increase of human rights awareness Number of publications Spread and distribution of publication Number, scope and reach of media interventions Increase human rights awareness by at least 10% annually especially in rural communities To reach 20% of the population annually through publications and media
Key objectives Strategy Output Service delivery Service delivery target or indicator milestones Legal services
To protect human rights by investigating individual and systemic complaints of human rights violations and providing appropriate redress Ensuring effective complaints handling Conducting investigations and litigation Processing complaints Determining appropriate remedies Conducting hearings Legal opinions Processing complaints Determining appropriate remedies Conducting hearings Legal opinions Number of complaints handled Number of investigations Number of public hearings Turn-a-round time on complaints Satisfactory completion of complaints handled Increase the number of complaints handled and successfully concluded by between 20-30% annually
To conduct at least one public hearing per financial year
Research
To provide a comprehensive research and documentation facility designed to advance human rights, through the monitoring, assessment and observance of human rights Monitoring the realisation of socioeconomic rights, equality and access to information rights and assessing the observance of human rights in general Legislation monitoring of economic and social rights, equality rights and access to information Annual socioeconomic rights, equality and access to information rights reports Increased awareness of legislative developments and appropriate interventions into law reform Workshops and seminars on human rights issues (economic and social rights, equality and access to information) Submission and publication of annual reports within targeted periods Number of submissions to legislature Quality of library services Number of awarenessraising inventions Submission of economic and social rights, equality and access to information rights reports to Parliament within six months of the end of each financial year One awareness raising intervention per month
Education and Training
To develop a sustainable culture of human rights through formal and public education and training Translating human rights standards into tangible and deliverable education and training outcomes, and the implementation of these Human rights training courses, seminars and workshops In-house capacity building programmes Materials Public education initiatives Number of education and training interventions Number of professionals trained Level of human rights infusion according to compliance checklist Number of advisory interventions Quality of human rights networking and programmes Number and reach of public education activities 350 interventions per year (all inclusive) 240 trained professionals 50 % alignment of human rights infusion in programmes and materials 12 quality assurance activities per year
8 outreach initiatives in rural areas 4 sets of educative materials 16
8. Capital investment strategy
The Commission will procure new assets at an estimated cost of R1 587 000 in the 2004/5 financial year. R80 000 is contained in the operational budget of the Commission, while the remainder will be utilised from the 2003/4 surplus. This will include computers for new staff as well as replacing obsolete computers, servers, office furniture, equipment and a vehicle for the provincial office to be established in Mpumalanga. The Mpumalanga office will be fully operational during the 2004/5 financial year and new premises for the North West office will be identified
Existing office equipment and vehicles are maintained through various lease and maintenance agreements with suppliers
9. Service Delivery Improvement Programme Number of investigations and results The Commission received 9 464 complaints during 2003/4 in comparison to 5 297 in 2002/3. To deal with this phenomenal increase, a Case Manager has been appointed and a complaints audit has been undertaken
Levels of public awareness of the Constitution and in particular the Bill of Rights A new sub-programme on public education and community outreach has been developed for implementation in 2004/5. This includes a broadened community outreach strategy aimed at empowering communities to access their rights, raising the level of public awareness and ultimately establishing communities as an accountability mechanism to assess human rights delivery. The use of community radio stations will be employed in a much more structured and strategic manner and educative materials will be published in all official languages
Number of seminars and courses regarding human rights conducted During 2002/3 the Commission conducted 357 educational interventions (at an average of 29.75 per month) reaching 40 140 participants. In the 2003/4 financial year the Commission improved on this performance, with a total of 420 interventions. The opening of the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga provincial offices are inter alia aimed at increasing the educational outputs of the Commission
17 Monitoring economic and social rights To improve the economic and social rights monitoring functions during the 2004/5 financial year, the Commission will place more emphasis on field research in order to verify information received from relevant organs of State. The Commission will also continue to solicit and take heed of comments from key stakeholders in order to improve the quality of the economic and social rights monitoring process. In 2003/4, more use was made of Annual Reports from organs of State as part of the monitoring function. During 2004/5, the Commission intends to make even better use of Annual Reports from organs of State. This will be possible if these documents are accessible to the Commission early enough in its annual monitoring cycle
Monitoring the right to equality The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 imposed various obligations on the Commission, including monitoring the implementation of the Act. Assessment reports on the implementation of the Act and a monthly report on equality are two strategies the Equality Unit is developing to deliver on the Commission’s mandate
A series of briefings and workshops are also planned for 2004/5 as well as the integration of equality matters into our outreach and community education programmes
Monitoring the right of access to information A unit has been established within the Commission to meet the monitoring obligations under the access to information legislation. An information management system is being explored, including a viewing room to allow the public access to the manuals submitted by public and private bodies
Public outreach The Omnibus Training will be the Commission’s primary tool for public outreach. This, for 2004/5, will consist of an interdepartmental team to undertake promotion, protection and monitoring work for sustained periods in particular communities
18 10. Organisational management 10.1 Human resources strategy Human Resources endeavors to offer a professional service, which is fair, transparent and consistent with national imperatives, thus creating an enabling environment of quality for our clients. Our mission is to create a pro-active comprehensive one-stop human resource service, through effective communication and proper consultation, guided by legislation, Commission policies and procedures and human resource best practices, thereby empowering all staff within the Commission
The Human Resources Programme will strive to be a leader in terms of human resource best practices. In achieving this objective, the Programme will be face the following challenges: • Capacity building and organisational development • Remuneration management • Employee well-being • Human resource administration and management • Labour relations and employment equity • Benefit administration • Updating all existing policies and procedures The following are some of the achievements of the Human Resources unit, in terms of the period under review: Job evaluation The Job Evaluation Committee has been established and committee members were trained in terms of the Equate Job Evaluation System. This system will address discrepancies in terms of the level of positions and will enable Human Resources to address salary anomalies, if any. Various positions have been subjected to the job evaluation process and the Committee is in the process of ratifying the information for implementation
Affirmative action programme The Employment Equity Committee has been constituted and members of the Committee are meeting monthly. An employment equity policy and plan will be developed. The role of this committee will be to monitor progress made in achieving employment equity targets
19 Through the implementation of the employment equity plan, the Commission aims to reach a stage where it is viewed as an equal opportunity employer and regarded as an ‘employer of choice’ in its field by all South Africans
10.2 Information technology strategy The Commission’s information technology strategy is contained in the Master Systems Plan (MSP). The MSP is used as a guideline to ensure the effective expansion and upgrade of the computer system and equipment and to determine whether expansions or upgrades meet the business requirements of the Commission. The Commission’s Head Office and provincial offices are linked by Wide Area Network with 128kb/s links. The provincial offices have their own Local Area Network with a peer-to-peer environment. Head Office has a client to server environment and a firewall, which secures the entire network
The life expectancy of computer software and hardware is 3 years, after which it may become obsolete. The process of computer/software audit is conducted every six months in order to support the upgrading of computers and software. The following upgrading and expansion needs have been identified: • Install fax server to enable the user to fax from workstation and receive faxes through Outlook Express • New Server and upgrade to the already existing 3 Servers • Upgrade the network backbone; replace the 10mb/s hubs with 100mb/s switches which are manageable with gigabytes statistics for servers • To standardise computer specifications, that is, to replace all obsolete computers, upgrade the ones that can be upgraded to 128MB of RAM and for power users to 512MB, and the operating system to Windows 2000 or Windows XP • To establish an Intranet • To acquire additional Microsoft Office 2000 licences • To acquire 150 Cals for Windows 2003 Server, as the new Server will come pre-installed with Windows 2003 server software • To upgrade the Charms data-base to a web-base data-base which will be accessible to the provincial offices through the Intranet 20 • To have a voice over IP to enable the user to use our Wide Area Network when dealing with provincial offices and vice versa, instead of using Telkom direct lines
• To acquire Sniffer S/W to assist with trouble shooting the network Video conferencing facilities have been installed in the national office and in most provincial offices
10.3 Information on consultants and professional services Expenditure on consultants and professional services relates mainly to fees for legal counsel, contract researchers, expert facilitation of workshops, conferences and events organising, management consultants (for example, performance management and internal auditing) and specialised information technology operations. Terms of reference are drawn up for each specific assignment depending on the nature of the project and the services required. Consultants are only utilised when there are in-house capacity constraints
10.5 Organisational structure 11. Planning information for 2004/05 Programme and output details for the year ending 31 March 2005 The Commission will pursue the implementation of the following programmes:
Programme 1: Strategic Management To ensure constitutional and legislative compliance within the operations of the Commission To conduct strategic reviews in response to the internal and external environment To guarantee the alignment of the Commission programmes with its strategic objectives and national priorities
To manage effective accountability mechanisms Total: 883 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Framework for legislative and statutory compliance Meeting statutory requirements 0 Strategic reviews and adherence to strategic objectives Compliance with strategic plan 0 Risk assessment and management and internal auditing Functional internal audit 165 Human resource strategy Labour brokers Performance management systems Job evaluation Human resource IT system Employment equity Staff regulations 123 Assessment and quality assurance Monthly reviews 0 Project management 0 National and provincial coordination Ongoing management and operational support 0 Consultancy service, legal fees, studies and contributions Public service alignment Management development ANHRI’s Consultancy and legal fees 595 Programme 2: Finance and Administration To provide efficient, effective and economical corporate services To maintain and develop high-level information and communications technology systems To develop and implement financial, administrative and procurement systems in line with the PFMA and Treasury prescripts and regulations Total: 390 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Financial management and administration systems Finalisation of annual financial statements for auditing by the Auditor-General by 31 May 2004 in terms of the PFMA MTEF budget submission for the 2005/6 – 2007/8 period to National Treasury by 31 July 2004 Preparation of monthly expenditure reports by 10th of each month to Accounting Officer for submission to Executive Authority and National Treasury by the 15th of each month, in terms of the PFMA provisions Review financial policy and procedure by 30 June 2004 0 Information and communications technology systems Development and maintenance of systems, programmes, hardware and software in terms of the Commission’s IT Security Policy and Master Systems Plan. Charms system support and maintenance 90 Audit services Full implementation of internal audit function in terms of Treasury requirements (including 4 meetings for the internal audit committee) 200 Building and Facilities Upgrade building to disability–friendly level 100 Programme 3: Commissioners To raise the profile of the Commission by engaging with various stake holders, including government and civil society on issues relating to human rights To ensure strategic interventions on various human rights issues such as policy development To contribute to the creation of a human rights body of knowledge To ensure the fulfilment of the Commission’s constitutional and statutory mandates Total: 247 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Consultative meetings with government ministries, statutory bodies and members of civil society Established presence of Commission and improved promotion, protection and monitoring of human rights in provinces and nationally Networking and partnering with relevant stakeholders Section 5 Committees - advising the Commission on particular human rights issues and contributing to the policy development of the Commission
36 Strategic interventions on human rights Number of interventions in focus areas of child rights, disability, older persons, non-nationals, NGO/CBOs, international standards, HIV/AIDS, etc Written reporting mechanisms within the Commission on human rights issues for publication, to establish a human rights body of knowledge 211 Attendance of meetings and reports to African Coordinating Committee of National Institutions, United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and International Coordinating Committee (ICC) Reports on monitoring of treaty obligations and country reports Effective participation in and reporting to regional and international human rights institutions and bodies (and promoting the work of the African Commission) Continuous monitoring of international treaty obligations and country reports of the South African Government Travel and accommodation budget Programme 4: Media and Communications To establish a communication friendly environment within the Commission and with stakeholders / role-players To promote human rights awareness by implementing an effective and efficient communications strategy To promote the work and corporate image of the Commission through public and media relations initiatives Total: 548 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Reports, publications, promotional materials, website and Intranet Intranet to improve internal communications Production and targeted distribution of the following publications: Kopanong, My Rights Your Rights, Annual Report Production and targeted distribution of the following promotional materials: SAHRC General Poster; SAHRC Diary; SAHRC Annual Calendar 343 Media liaison, media statements and articles, media monitoring and consultancy Quarterly report on Commission’s media coverage Improved coverage of the Commission in national and provincial media 155 Corporate and PR Initiatives Improved corporate image of the Commission to corporate profiles of the Commission in leading magazines 50 Programme 5: Legal Services To investigate individual and systemic complaints of human rights violations To provide appropriate redress and resolve disputes regarding violations Total: 451 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Complaints handled Increase number of complaints handled by 20- 30% per annum over the MTEF period To successfully investigate, mediate and conclude at least 50% of complaints received within 90 days of receipt 50 Litigation 175 Court inspection 16 Hearings and Inquiries Khoisan Health Sexual abuse Non-nationals 210 Programme 6: Research and Documentation To monitor and assess the observance of economic and social rights To monitor and assess the observance of human rights, including the right to equality and the right to information To maintain a leading human rights library and documentation centre Subtotal: 1 601 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Socio-economic rights reports, protocols and workshops Production of the 5th ESR report Refine the economic and social rights monitoring process in terms of section 184(1) and (3) of the Constitution Build capacity for members of civil society and government officials by conducting 9 provincial workshops 9 workshops and seminars on economic and social rights 497 Equality Equality monitoring system Production of annual report to Parliament Recommendations on law reform and other reform 9 workshops or seminars 1 conference/ indaba Donor funded Access to information Production of annual report to Parliament, including recommendations on law and other reform Revision of Commission section 14 manual Production of section 10 guide 9 workshops or seminars 597 Development and maintenance of library Acquisition and maintenance of human rights materials in terms of subscription contracts and providing quarterly reports on new acquisitions 507 Less donor funding: 769 Total: 832Programme 7: Education and Training To conduct training, workshops, seminars, presentations and capacity building programmes on equality, economic and social rights, promotion of access to information, farming communities and the Commission’s focus areas, and respond to requests for training from organisations and communities To provide in-house capacity building for the Commission on equality legislation, access to information, and general human rights themes and training methodology To ensure the institutionalisation of Human Rights Education and provide a system of quality-assuring the education and training programmes of the Commission To implement human rights education projects in line with the strategic objectives of the Commission, nationally and regionally To conduct community outreach and awareness programmes To develop appropriate human rights educative and training materials Total: 1 251 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Seminars, omnibus outreach, training programmes, workshops, public education initiatives and educative leaflets and materials 120 interventions: Economic and social rights Equality Access to information SAHRC and human rights 753 Training materials and equipment 4 sets of material based on focus areas In-house capacity building and quality assurance 1,5 quality assurance and co-ordination activities every two months 2 in-house capacity building sessions 134 Institutionalisation of Human Rights Education Convening Forum on DHRE (twice a year/coordination and networking) Curriculum and NQF project SAQA representation and co-ordination (SGB for Peace, Human Rights and Democracy Education) – once a semester for co-ordination/quarterly NSB and SGB workshops 81 115 Human Rights Week 7 day intense community outreach programme Increase of 20% in outreach from previous year 168 Training programme for African National Institutions One 5-day training programme for national institutions before November 2003 (Subject to availability of donor funds) Donor funded Programme 8: Provinces To enhance the accessibility of human rights services to ordinary people at a local level To promote human rights and create awareness among all stakeholders Investigation of individual and systemic complaints of human rights violations, at the point of occurrence and to provide appropriate redress Total: 833 Outputs Service delivery indicator and target Estimated cost R’000 Complaints handled Recommending at least 2 cases for litigation to the Complaints Committee in terms of set criteria and the strategic focus areas of Commission Successfully resolving at least 50% of complaints received within 90 days of receipt Audit of old (unresolved) cases pertaining to previous financial year by 30 April 2004 The costing for provinces is included in the Legal programme 140 Training programmes, workshops, information sessions and seminars Responding to requests for training One 2-day workshop per province per month on focus areas One 1-day workshop per province per month on request Two education and training interventions Public awareness programmes Effective synergy with national projects and targets The costing for provinces is included in the education and training programme Parliamentary Liaison 63 630 12. Services to be scaled down or abolished during 2003/04 The cost saving objectives for 2003/04 are the following: • During the formative years of the Commission, a thematic human rights arts competition was introduced in primary schools. Over the years the competition generated a great deal of interest and provided a basis for the Commission’s public education materials. An evaluation of this project has assisted the Commission to identify an underlying urban bias, and the under-representation of rural disadvantaged learners. An outcome of the evaluation is strategic discussions to assess the Commission’s child participative programmes on various human rights themes
• In order to develop a more integrated approach to the work of the Commission, provincial visits by members of the Commission are now linked to various projects, thereby reducing the frequency of provincial visits and related costs
• Cost effective measures relating to transport and travel will be introduced in the current financial year
• Plenary meetings of the Commission are the highest decision making forum, attended by commissioners, senior management and provincial co-ordinators over a two-day period. During the first term of the Commission, plenary meetings were scheduled every second month. These meetings will now be brought in line with the internal reporting obligations (as set out in the PFMA Guidelines) and be held once a quarter, thereby effectively reducing costs
• The Commission will make every effort to raise additional funds from donors, to finance some of its important activities, projects and litigation
13. Departmental focussed financial statements SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECTED EXPENDITURE FINANCIAL YEAR 2004/2005 Programmes Strategic Finance Media & Commissioners Legal Research & Training Provinces Total Management & Admin Communications Documentation R’000 Government Grant 3,591 8,456 1,290 3,760 3,343 5,981 3,565 7,667 37,653 TOTAL 3,591 8,456 1,290 3,760 3,343 5,981 3,565 7,667 37,653 Standard items Strategic Finance Media & Commissioners Legal Research & Training Provinces Total Management & Admin Communications Documentation Personnel 1,847 2,301 699 3,251 2,825 4,973 2,159 6,114 24,169 Administrative 847 1,150 25 236 35 104 85 540 3,022 Inventories 14 218 18 26 32 72 40 180 600 Equipments - 120 - - - - 30 - 150 Land and Building rentals - 4,277 - - - - - - 4,277 Professional services 883 390 548 247 451 832 1,251 833 5,435 TOTAL 3,591 8,456 1,290 3,760 3,343 5,981 3,565 7,667 37,653NOTES