ATC131016: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on the Oversight visit Conducted in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces: 23-26 July 2013

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT CONDUCTED IN MPUMALANGA AND LIMPOPO PROVINCES: 23-26 JULY 2013

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration conducted an oversight visit in promoting intergovernmental relations and overarching public service in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces.

1. Introduction

In terms of South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 section 195 as well as parliamentary rules, the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (PC:PSA) has a responsibility to conduct oversight over any executive organ of state. Section 195 of the Constitution stipulates that public administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles. The Portfolio Committee is also charged with the constitutional responsibility to ensure the overseeing of the overall functioning of government, its state organs and public enterprises in terms of public administration values and principles.

The Department of Public Service and Administration cut across all government departments and serve as an engine of service delivery. Therefore, the Portfolio Committee seeks to promote and enhance intergovernmental relations and co-operative governance principles at various levels of government at the service centres. The Portfolio Committee had envisaged conducting its oversight visit to monitor service delivery in the Thusong Service Centres, police stations and hospital. Improving service delivery for the citizens of South Africa remains a key priority for the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration and other Committees in Parliament. The Portfolio Committee’s oversight visit was therefore essential to begin to clarify, and critically engage relevant stakeholders on complex issues to get a balanced and holistic framework on which to base their future plans.

2. Composition of the delegation

The multi-party delegation from the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration consisted of the following Honourable Members: Mrs. JC Moloi-Moropa, (Chairperson and Leader of the Delegation) (ANC), Mr D Ximbi, (ANC), Ms MC Mohale, (ANC), Ms Maluleka, (ANC), Prof CT Msimanga, (IFP), and Mr D du Toit, (DA).

The delegation was accompanied by the following parliamentary officials: Mr MJ Ngoepe (Content Advisor) and Mr F Bulawa (Committee Assistant).

The national Department of Public Service and Administration was represented by the following officials: Emmanuel Kgomo (Chief Director:Batho Pele), Fungi Rakoena-Tshabalala (Office of the Deputy Minister: Project Co-ordinator), Barbara Watson (CD Diversity Management), Shamiela Abrahams  (DPSA:PLO), Tania van der Walt (Acting CD ICT Infrastructure & Operation), Nicodemus N Tsimane (Director: Integrated Public Service & Administration), M Van Blerk (CD: Integrated Access Mechanism), V Motalane (Chief Director), Folusho N Mvubu (Director), Metsantika Seopela (Director:Project Management).

The delegation of the Limpopo Provincial Members of Legislature was as follows: Mashamba Joyce, (MEC: Safety, Security & Liaison), Mahlo Particia (Whip on constituency/Member of Committee Administration), Mhlari Nomvula (Chairperson of Health & Social Development), Koena Mafishi (Committee Co-ordinator-Portfolio Committee on Public Admin), Molebatsi Masedi (media Liaison), Ntshenge Maphaha (Unit Manager: Committee Co-ordinator).

The Provincial Departments delegations comprises of: Ms NN Tsebe (Head of Department of Safety, Security and Liaison), Major General LJ Mashilo (SAPS: Acting Provincial Commissioner and Deputy Provincial Commissioner), M Muluvhahothe, Brigadier M.S. Ledwaba (SAPS: Cluster Commander), Captain Moholane (SAPS: Station Commander), Moloa PJ (Office of the Premier: Deputy Manager), Ramajela MJ (Maruleng Thusong Service Centre: Centre Manager), Fuluwani Timothy Matodzi (Letaba regional Hospital: Chief Executive Officer), Dr MJ Muhlari (Letaba Regional Hospital: Senior Clinical Manager), Minyuku Lofty (Letaba Regional Hospital: Finance Manager), Machimana Gabaza Gloria (Letaba Regional Hospital: Acting Quality Manager), Nkuna Joel (Letaba Regional Hospital: Deputy Manager Risk), Masingi Ntsakisi J (Letaba Regional Hospital: Manager), Tsakisa Ellenia Rikhotso (Letaba Hospital: Deputy Manager Risking), Mr GL Moremi (Mpumalanga Province, Moremela, Centre Manager),  .

3. Background

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration conducted an oversight visit in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. The oversight visit is one of the main responsibilities of the Portfolio Committee to verify information reported by the Department of Public Service and Administration and its entities such as State Information Technology Agency (SITA) on the Thusong Service Centres. The information needed to be verified include amongst others, reports presented by SITA on Thusong Service Centres to the Committee, annual reports, budgets, strategic plans and programmes which contribute to the success of service delivery for the Department of Public Service and Administration. The Department of Public Service and Administration is an overarching which cut across all government departments at all three spheres.

Normally, the Portfolio Committee conducts its oversights within the parliamentary precincts. It was therefore important for the Portfolio Committee to verify information provided through conducting site visits to acknowledge the achievements and challenges that hamper service delivery to the South African. The Portfolio Committee has a constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight on matters regarding the provision of public services and clean administration as part of Government’s Priority Outcome 12. It was therefore prudent for the Portfolio Committee to investigate and gather information that would assist its engagements based on evidence based for purpose of adjusting departmental programmes, policies, plans and budget.

The Portfolio Committee conducted its oversight visit at the Thusong Service Centres, police station, and hospital to assess services in relation to section 195 of the Constitution. There are number of challenges facing service delivery at the rural areas such as long queues for services as result of poor planning by various departments. The front line officials play an important role in directing people to the relevant offices. In order to address some of the challenges confronted by the centres, the Portfolio Committee considered it necessary to conduct an oversight visit and learn more about the impact of the rural Thusong Service Centres in contribute to changing the lives of the citizens.

4. Objectives of the oversight visit

The main objectives of the oversight visit are as follows:

• Assess adherence of the public administration values and principles.
• To determine the service delivery challenges facing Thusong Service Centres, police stations, and hospital.
• To assess compliance with regard to the Batho Pele principles and quality of service delivery.
• To afford the Portfolio Committee with an opportunity to observe the proceeding of various services rendered at Thusong Service Centres, police stations, and hospital.
• Engage recipients/beneficiaries of services at the Thusong Service Centres, police stations, and hospital to note their concerns as a way of public participation in effort to improve service delivery.
• To assess how effective front line officials are in assisting people who seek services.
• To assess working conditions with aim of improving service delivery for the officials in executing their daily duties.
• To monitor compliance of the representatives of gender and people with disabilities.

5. Overview of the interactions of the oversight visit

5.1 Mpumalanga Province

5.1.1 Moremela Thusong Service Centre

(i) Background

Moremela Thusong Service Centre is situated in Mpumalanga Province under the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. The centre is 124 kilometers away from Nelspruit just adjacent to Graskop town. The Centre Manager, Mr GL Moremi welcomed the delegation from Parliament. Moremela Thusong Service Centre started operating in December 2007 as one-stop service centre providing information and services to the people of Moremela, Leroro and Matibidi communities through the development communication approach and in an integrated manner. The building occupied by the Thusong Service Centre used to be part of a Military base for the South African National Defence Force. The Service Centre is a focal point which comprises of a comprehensive range of essential services from various government departments such Home Affairs, Health, SASSA, etc. Thusong Service Centres plays a pivotal role to the lives of the poor South African who cannot afford to travel long and costly distances to require service at various departments.

Map illustrate entire area of Ehlanzeni District specifically Thaba Chweu Local Municipality

(ii) Service rendered

The integrated services are the primary goal to enable the poor and marginalized people to gain access to a collection of government services efficiently and affordably at a particular place. Moremela Thusong Service Centre render the following services: primary health care, emergency medical services, social grants, social work services, community development services, home affairs, agricultural extension and veterinary, reception/front office, youth development programmes, legal aid services, outreach programmes, computer centre, further education and training services, centre management and community development work.

(iii) Inspection in loco

On the arrival at the Moremela Thusong Service Centre, the Portfolio Committee conducted an inspection to the building. Portfolio Committee undertook a tour in the building before commencing with the formal meeting. Firstly, it was discovered that the building is not accessible for people with disabilities. Secondly, there were no ramps, no pavement outside the building and lifts to access other floors for someone who has mobile disability. Most of the offices are without filing cabinets which poses risk of information getting misplaced when someone is looking for the file. Lights on the corridors are not functioning well which make the building darker during the day and night. Windows are broken in some of the offices which might attract criminals to steal computers. There are no signs depicting the services and directions that are available at the Thusong Service Centre.

It was further noted that the building windows does not have blinds and burglar proofs for security purpose. Non-payment of the electricity bill is one of the major concern that affect services at the centre. Water shortage was a source of concern at the centre. Most of the toilets inspected could not flush; there was no water in the taps or the fire hosepipe. The corridor's ceiling was badly damaged and not repaired after apparent maintenance on the water pipes running above the ceiling. The centre manager’s office does not have a telephone line as means of communication to execute his duties.

There are no air conditioners in the centre. During winter the offices are too cold because of the topography and elevation. Generally there is a lack of maintenance in the building. The Thusong Service Centre manager reported that lack of general maintenance in the building is due to the budget constraints. It was reported that there are no lease agreements signed for the building occupied by the centre. The Department of Co-operative, Governances and Traditional Affairs does not have sufficient budget to refurbish the building. The Department of Public Works has been requested to assist with the renovation of the building.

During the inspection, it was discovered that the centre used to have an office allocated for the post office. The office was not occupied by the post office during the oversight visit. Furniture and signage were delivered. It was reported that the post office officials came to occupy the office for short time period and end up leaving. There are no post office services in wards 8 and 9 except receiving of mail from mail boxes. The nearest post office is in Graskop which is 60km from Matibidi, 50km from Leroro and 40km from Moremela villages. The cost implications for travelling to get post office is R26.00 per trip and more. Communities are struggling to receive post office services other than just getting letters, and if they want to post letters they travel a long distance.

There is a section that coordinate youth programmes to empower young people with various skills to prepare them for job opportunities such as computer training. The Department of Social Development had funded the youth programme at the Moremela Thusong Service Centre to train young people who require work skills. The centre indicated that there are criteria used to select youth who should attend the training. There is high turn up of the youth enrolling for the number of training courses facilitated by the centre, or so it is claimed, as no students were visible at the time. It looks like the computer equipment has been installed but is not in use yet. USSASA donated 20 computers for the training of the youth. Slow internet is one of the major challenges faced by the centre which affect service delivery in general for all departments.

There are fragmented reporting lines and coordination of functions which are not clear from various departments that render services in the Thusong Service Centre. The manager employed for the centre does not have powers to supervise officials in other government departments. It is not clear who takes responsibility for state employees to sign in and sign out at work. The impression is not created that all state employees turn up regularly and on time for work. The management of the Thusong Service Centres nationally should be provided with powers to command orders to staff of other departments when planning and coordinating services rendered. The Portfolio Committee realised that there is no uniformity in terms of management of Thusong Service Centres throughout the country e.g in some provinces, Thusong Service Centres report to their respective Municipalities and others to the Premiers’ offices.

The Portfolio Committee will organise a meeting in Parliament with all relevant government departments who provide support services at the Thusong Service Centres to ensure that there is integrated planning. It is important that the Portfolio Committee oversee all the government departments providing services to the Thusong Service Centres to ensure collaboration in an effort to utilise limited resources effectively, efficiently and economically.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) realised that there is need to collect information on the geographic norms at the service points. The department is working towards developing norms for services. The DPSA encourages collaboration of government departments to work together in achieving a common goal which is service delivery. Integrated services is critical at the rural areas, hence the Thusong Service Centres are the solution for government in ensuring shared services which provide variety of services by government departments. These will assist communities to reduce cost of travelling looking for departments which are far apart from one another.

5.2 Limpopo Province

5.2.1 Leboeng Police Station

(i) Background

Leboeng Police Station is situated in Greater Tubatse Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The police station is 220 kilometers away from Polokwane and 60 km from Burgersfort town. Police Station is just at the border line between Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province. The Portfolio Committee was welcomed by the Head of Department of Safety, Security and Liaison (Ms NN Tsebe) and Acting Provincial Commissioner (Major General LJ Mashilo). In terms of the approved structure, Leboeng Police Station was supposed to have 60 police officers. The station comprises of 33 officers and running short of 9 police officers which are unfunded post on the structure. Out of 33 police officers, there are 4 investigators for the entire police station. The station operates 24hours for provision of safety, security and liaison services to the communities. There are four reliefs (cluster) which amongst other have a fair gender representative. All the clusters are led by women which are commanders. There is a population of 26 000 for the entire complex of villages that is being policed by Leboeng Police Station.

Map illustrate entire area of Mopani District specifically Greater Tubatse Local Municipality

(ii) Services rendered

Within the precinct of the Leboeng Police Station, there are number of services provided by various government departments such as SASSA, Education, Health, Home Affairs, periodic court, Social Development, Emergency and Correction Services. The police station provides range of services to assist people to avoid travelling distance for different departments within the district.

(iii) Inspection in loco

In the past years, the station used to have lesser population around the district to police. Today the population had increased drastically which requires 24hours policing. Population affects the capacity of the police to carry out its mandate effectively and efficiently. When the station was opened, the entire villages’ safe guarded by Leboeng police station used to have 2 taverns. Due to increase of population, there are 42 taverns. Currently, there are 18 secondary and 12 primary schools. Only 3 secondary schools had challenges with regard to number of crimes committed. Learners who are schooling are the ones committing crime offences in those schools such as theft of computers.

The Department of Safety, Security and Liaison requested the SAPS Leboeng Police Station to patrol 24hours in the schools. After the police intervention at Matsiela Secondary School, the results had improved because learners are disciplined and reading their books. Crime experienced during school holidays mostly is burglary. With regard to the crime trends around the jurisdiction of the police station; burglary is the most committed crime at schools and business.

In terms of substance abuse, weed (dagga) is the only crime reported because people planted it at the mountains. 10 people were arrested for planting marijuana every month. With the police intervention, there is a reduction of crime on substance abuse. With regard to abuse of women and children, only one case of rape was reported for the old man of 87 years who raped 6 girls and 2 boys. The police are currently running the anti campaigns to alert communities to be aware of the different types of sexual abuse and how to mitigate such. Door to door campaign and crime awareness at school contributes to the reduction of crime in the area. One of main reason of lesser crime mentioned by the Station Commander was good working relationship with the traditional leaders, councilors, mayor and 32 community police forums.

There are challenges facing the police station, 11 villages are not electrified which make the work of the police difficult to work at night. Service delivery protest strikes contribute to act of crimes because community tends to misbehave when they are on mass protests. A satellite station has been opened at Kgatswane. Kgatswane village is regarded as sophisticated area with high rate of livestock theft. The police encouraged the owners of livestock to landmark their animals for easy identification if there are stolen. The station has 19 key points which are critical to be policed. There are no farms around the municipality. Numbers of crimes committed around communities policed by Leboeng Police Station are committed by the youth. SAPS and other departments opened a youth desk in the police station to assist most of the youth with various skills and to get job opportunities.

With regard to the police operations, the Station Commander indicated to the Portfolio Committee that the area is too mountainous which requires good vehicles. However, SAPS had given the station new vehicles which can manage the places which are mountainous and to respond to the crime within the required standards. All 10 police vehicles in the station are still in good conditions. There is a shortage of admin personnel in the station. The station has 1 admin clerk and 1 supply chain clerk to assist the Station Commander with the operation of the station. This skeleton staff affects the effective operation of the police station. It becomes difficult when two officials are on leave nothing much is functioning in their area of work.

The availability of clinic and SASSA office does not disturb the functionality of the police station. All the departments which have offices within held monthly meetings to discuss the progress of their work and plan together on certain services. There is a doctor coming once a week. There is no any other person who can render a health service for minor ailments and smaller emergencies. It is not clear if the emergency service staff has the equipment to save a life in the event of body trauma, such as a high impact motor vehicle accident or assault with a sharp or heavy blunt object. Urgent fire fighting equipment in the form a smaller type fire truck pick-up or trailers with the necessary water carrying capacity are needed.

There are some minor housekeeping issues that can easily be solved, but that is not attended to, for example, the lawn grass is invading the walkways and paving, threatening the eventual destruction of the said infrastructure. A relative inexpensive intervention in the form of a seasonal dose of systemic weed killer will eradicate the threat. According to the Station Commander, there is a problem with the one borehole not supplying enough water and running dry which affect the sewerage system. A connection of water pipes with the working borehole should solve the problem. During the tour around the police station the Portfolio Committee noticed that there are structural defects on the Leboeng periodic court building due to poor maintenance.

5.2.2 Maruleng Thusong Service Centre

(i) Background

Maruleng Thusong Service Centre is situated in Maruleng Local Municipality. The Municipality is situated at the south quadrant of the Limpopo Province within the Mopani District. There are 12 wards comprising of 33 villages with 24589 households. The centre is approximately 198 kilometers away from Polokwane. On 4 February 2008, the Office of the Premier and Local Municipality launched Maruleng Thusong Service Centre which is one stop service centre providing information and government services in an integrated approach to the communities. The manager for Maruleng Thusong Service Centre is Mr Josias Ramajela. The centre will change the lives of the people by bringing services closer; address high number of unemployment and high level of poverty in the local municipality. Thusong Service Centre will minimise the cost of travelling to town for government services. Community members used to travel 100km to access services either at Ba-Phalaborwa or Greater Tzaneen Local Municipalities.

Map illustrate entire area of Mopani District specifically Maruleng Local Municipality

(ii) Services rendered

The centre provides the following services to the 33 villages which are far apart from one another: Home Affairs, Health and Social Development, Independent Electoral Commission, SASSA, Agriculture, SAPS, Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. The following departments come once or two times during the week at the centre which are: National Youth Development Agency, National Treasury, Labour and Limpopo Business Support Agency.

(iii) Inspection in loco

Unclear reporting lines hamper the effectiveness of the Thusong Service Centres. Thusong Centre’s Managers are not provided with powers to manage the entire centre and coordinate functions of other departments who operate within the same building. Officials are employed by various government departments which make it difficult for the Thusong Centre Manager to exercise authority over their work. There are no systems in place to ensure officials reports to duty as mandated by their respective departments to provide service at the centres. The coordination of the monthly reports from various departments to consolidate single report for the centre becomes a challenge.

Reports are always consolidated very late at the Maruleng Thusong Service Centre as result of non existence or ineffective reporting lines of the departments and manager who carries no authority to enforce compliance. Some departments represented at the centre fail to submit their reports to the Centre Manager who is responsible for the overall function of the centre. Centre Manager indicated that a reminder on every 25th of the month is forwarded to the departments who are late to submit their reports.

The manager emphasized that the centre is reaching its objectives of ensuring that it serve the committees. Suggestion boxes are placed outside the building to allow communities to raise their concerned about the services offered at the centre. The Centre Manager together with other relevant officials in other departments like Home Affairs opens suggestion boxes. Suggestion boxes are attended urgently to respond to the community needs. Community forums utilise facilities of the centre for their meetings. Generally, Thusong Service Centres are not taken seriously by the municipalities. Thusong Service Centres are considered as unfunded mandate. The Department of Public Service and Administration should decide whether the location of Thusong Service Centres should reside with the Office of the Premier or Municipalities.

Another major issue derives during the oversight was the renting or leasing of other government departments at the Thusong Service Centre. Some of the departments cannot afford to pay rent to provide services at the centres. The Department of Home Affairs and SAPS are the only departments operating functionally at Maruleng Thusong Service Centre. SASSA office operates at the hospital. The farthest away communities from the Thusong Centre travel approximately 30-35 kilometers to receive services.

Building maintenance is a challenge due to lack of dedicated budget. The budget of the centre is sometimes diverted to other priorities which confirmed that municipalities do not take Thusong Service Centre seriously. Centre Manager does not have direct control over the budget of the Thusong Service Centre. USSASA would be giving computers to the centre in due course. Communities have access to the post office and library which are located at Ments village. Internet was reported as it is too slow, which delays provision of effective services. The NYDA left the building of the Maruleng Thusong Service Centre which disadvantage the youth from various villages who seeks its services.

5.2.3 Letaba Hospital

(i) Background

Letaba Hospital is situated in Greater Letaba Local Municipality under Mopani District Municpality. Greater Letaba Municipality is situated in the north-eastern part of Limpopo Province. The municipality is bordered by the following municipalities: Greater Tzaneen to the South, Greater Giyani to the East, Molemole to the West, and Makhado to the North. The hospital is just outside Tzaneen town and 115 kilometers away from Polokwane. The population in Greater Letaba municipal area is estimated at 247 736. Approximately 59 539 households live in the area with an average household size of 4.2 which is smaller than the district average of 4.4. StatsSA indicates that, within the Greater Letaba Municipal area, 42% of communities reside within 20 km of a hospital, 4% of communities reside within 10 km of a Health Centre and 91% of communities live within 5 km of a clinic.

Map illustrate entire area of Mopani District specifically Greater Letaba Local Municipality

(ii) Services rendered

There are number of specialisation services rendered at Letaba regional hospital such as dentist, laboratory services, gynaecologists, obstetricians, and paediatricians, etc.

(iii) Inspection in loco

The Portfolio Committee conducted unannounced oversight visit in the hospital to assess issues pertaining to service delivery in terms of chapter 10 of the constitution. One of the main reason was to assess how effective are front line officials in ensuring that the people needs are responded to timeoulsy. On the arrival at the hospital, it was discovered that front line officers were performing their work diligently without Portfolio Committee encountering or observing long queues. Letaba is a regional hospital caters for all small hospitals in Mopani district. The hospital is level 2 which has specialisation in its departments. However it is difficult to attract specialised skills from all over the country due to the fact that hospital is situated in semi rural area.

The hospital, Chief Executive Officer indicated to the Portfolio Committee that there are delays in the recruitment and appointment of health practitioners in the hospital. Ineffective human resource system in terms appointment of the new staff by the Provincial Department of Health and Social Development hamper health service in Letaba Hospital. Section 100 of the Constitution further affected effective operation of the hospital due to shortage of staff. Moratorium of funded vacancies contributed to ineffective of functioning of the hospital.

Organisational structure is not actually matching the strategy of the hospital. Employees are overstretched with a lot of responsibilities which might lead to committing errors and claiming overtime. The hospital is not doing well due to the shortage of personnel in various fields. The budget allocated for the Letaba Hospital is R293million of which R266million is spent on the compensation of the staff. The hospital has insufficient budget on the goods and services such as maintenance of X-ray equipments not complying with the licensing conditions of the radiation control board. It was reported that R27m is spent on the laboratory services on an annual basis. The hospital is operating without resources such as human resource and adequate finances to enhance service delivery for the communities. The hospital Chief Financial Officer indicated that if an addition of 15% of the budget allocated can be provided then everything will operate effective and efficiently.

Cleaners at the hospital are ageing which will require the filling of posts to maintain the healthy environment. More cleaners will be required as result of building extension of some of the departments in the hospital such as newly constructed maternity ward. Procurement division is a major problem which affects operation of all hospital divisions. It was reported that a wish list comprises of hospital requirements was forwarded to the Provincial Department of Health and Social Development to procure. The hospital has long been refurbished without strictly relying to the time line for completion of the project.

The supply chain management division experience problems in ensuring that contractor complete the project on time. Another ward was shut down due to the sewerage pipe blockage. The rising ground water level problem, compounded by the frequent massive leaks from the crumbling or damaged water supply infrastructure and sewer system [both witnessed by PC members at the site] puts the whole operation of the hospital under risk and casts a long shadow over future costs to be incurred. Ineffective water system cause severe damage in the entire hospital. Hospital is situated in a wet land which poses future structural defects of the buildings. The budget for the maintenance of the hospital is critical to ensure sustainability of the infrastructure. Again the hospital is using ordinary icon which is not allowed by the health norms and standards. The dysfunctional cooling plant for the theatre as a prerequisite/precondition for an air conditioned and germ-free theatre, is a disgrace and should be seen by the provincial health department as an absolute priority

5.2.4 MEC Safety, Security and Liaison

(i) Interaction with MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison

The Portfolio Committee was welcomed by the newly appointed MEC of Safety, Security and Liaison; Ms Joyce Mashamba. Honourable Ms N Mhlari (MPL) officially declared the meeting open. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee: PSA outlined the purpose of the visit. The meeting was at 19H30 in the evening which could not afford the members of the PC and MPL an opportunity to discuss issues into details. The HOD (MS NN Tsebe) for the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison presented a report to the members of the Portfolio Committee, see attached report as Annexure A .

Report was compiled jointly by the Department and SAPS. The Province is moving away from just focus on policing but concentrates more on community policing. Community policing afforded the communities to know more about programmes that the Department together with SAPS are providing rather than arresting people. Community Police Forums are used as an instrument that the department impart knowledge to the communities about other programmes offered which are not well known. Community Police Forum differs from one area to another because in other areas at rural and urban they receive the stipend while others not.

The visibility of the police on the ground has been improved as result of CPF. There are 25 Local Safety Community Forums to assist the department and province in strengthening the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Currently the Department is facilitating the process of establishing street and village committees in targeted high crime areas. The SAPS will start targeting hot spot crime areas in the province. Communities are urged to report crime in any police station if they are been victimized. The police station has to record the crime and facilitate it to the right police station if the area falls out of their jurisdiction. This will help the province to act immediately to the scene of crime.

The HOD mentioned that the victims of crime are treated with dignity and privacy when they open their cases at various police stations. There are special rooms for victims of crime in all 97 police stations. Property crimes have been a challenge in the province as results of foreign nations who stay in the province. Most of foreign nations staying in the province have business and they don’t save their money with Banks which tempted criminals to commit burglary. Trio crimes such as house robberies, car hijacking and business crime are reaching alarming stage since 2009 to 2013.

6. Conclusions

It was therefore important for the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration to conduct its oversight to Thusong Service Centres, Leboeng Police Station and Letaba Hospital to assess compliance of section 195 of Constitution and verify information reported for purpose of enhancing effective service delivery on the ground. Part of the oversight was to promote the intergovernmental relations and overarching public service in the Thusong Service Centres. The Thusong Service Centres play significant role in the society by providing integrated services. However, it was discovered that Managers of the Thusong Service Centres do not have powers to coordinate the overall activities of the Service Centres which is caused by the employees’ employment by various government departments. Lack of funding is critical at the Thusong Service Centres.

With regard to Leboeng Police Station, the Portfolio Committee established that the station is functioning well however there is shortage of admin clerks to compliment the work of the police officers. Crime level is very low in the area. During the unannounced visit to Letaba Hospital, it was discovered that maintenance of the entire hospital is a problem. Moratorium of posts affects the operation of hospital. Section 100 of the Constitution contributed to the ineffective health services at Letaba hospital. Supply Chain Management division was highly affected due to section 100 of the Constitution. The interaction with the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison revealed that the province is moving away from just mere policing but empowering communities to deal with number of related crimes through Community Police Forums. Crime in the Limpopo Province is manageable as compared to other provinces. The department mentioned trio crimes as they have reached an alarming stage.

7. Recommendations

The following are the recommendations of the oversight visit:

7.1       The Moremela Thusong Service Centre should be refurbished to accommodate the people with disabilities who will be requiring services.

7.2        To ensure that the rural Thusong Service Centres are provided with a sufficient budget

7.3       Filling storages are necessary for safeguarding the files to avoid losing or misplacing valuable information.

7.4       The Thusong Service Centres should reflect its services available on the boards outside the building to indicate which departments are represented to avoid people travelling long distance.

7.5        In Mpumalanga Province, Office of the Premier and Thaba Chweu Municipality should reinstate the post office at Moremela Thusong Service Centre. This will minimize the cost (R26.00 per trip) of travelling by taxi to get post office services in town.

7.6       The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration will arrange a meeting with other relevant government departments which provides essential services to the Thusong Service Centres to discuss the state of Thusong Service Centres at the rural areas and its effectiveness in providing services to the people.

7.7         The Portfolio Committee witnessed the progress of ICT connectivity reported by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) during the meeting of June 2013. However, SITA should upgrade internet connectivity at the rural Thusong Service Centres which is always slow and hamper service delivery. The internet lines are very slow and kept hanging for long time.

7.8        The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is conducting a study on geographic norms on service points. The findings of the study should be shared with the Portfolio Committee.

7.9       Lack of clear reporting lines and coordination of functions from various departments that render services in the Thusong Service Centres need to be refined. The Centre Manager’s employed does not have powers to supervise other officials from government departments. The management of the Thusong Service Centre’s should be provided with powers to command orders to staff of other departments when planning for the efficient and effective service delivery.

7.10     The Department of Public Service and Administration should consider reviewing roles and responsibilities of the Managers of the Thusong Service Centres.

7.11     The Portfolio Committee will engage the DPSA about the issues of lack of uniformity of some Thusong Service Centres reporting to the Municipalities. The Portfolio Committee felt that the Thusong Service Centres should directly report to the Premiers Office to foster provincial departments to collaborate in delivering integrated services to the people.

7.12     The Portfolio Committee indicated that Thusong Service Centres can function effectively, efficiently, economically and sustainability only if the departments provides their services.

7.13     Leboeng Police Station to consider procuring for fuel tank to avoid travelling long distances for refilling the vehicles petrol tank.

7.14     The statement taking by the police is still a challenge. The Portfolio Committee recommended that the Station Commander together with the Provincial Department of Safety, Security and Liaison should consider taking police officers constantly to training to improve their writing skills which ultimately result to quality statements.

7.15     The Portfolio Committee together with Department of Public Service and Administration and Department of Co-operative Governance to discuss how best Municipalities can collaborate with the rural Thusong Service Centres as way to fast track and improve service delivery in our communities. The budget for the Thusong Service Centres needs to be relooked to ensure that they are fully funded.

7.16     Renting or leasing of buildings at the Thusong Service Centres force other government departments not to operate for all the weekdays.

7.17     The Portfolio Committee should in future conduct the joint oversight with relevant Committees to assess state of Thusong Service Centres as machinery by government to provide services closer to the communities.

7.18     The Provincial Department of Health and Social Development should ensure that its human resources process should not jeopardize the operation of Letaba Hospital which ultimately put the lives of the people at risk.

7.19     The budget allocated of R293m with R266m spent on the compensation of employees pose a threat to the effective and efficient health services. There is need for the Department of Health and Social Development to conduct a cost analysis of the hospital to beef up budget for the goods and services activities.

7.20     Ineffective water system needs to be attended to at the Letaba Hospital which causes pipe leakages and some wards not getting water regularly.

Report to be considered.