ADDENDUM 3
Rapid Assessment Report
RAPID ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANS
AND PLANS OF SECTOR DEPARTMENTS IN TWO DISTRICTS
IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE
Prepared for
By
Principal Researchers:
Prof J Kembo (Research Scientist)
&
Mr Thom Peeters (Local Government Professional)
24 JUNE 2015
i
FIGURE 1: MAP OF FREE STATE PROVINCE
Source: http://www.rainbownation.com/maps/
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Principal Researchers acknowledge the following people for their inputs during the
various phases of the rapid assessment:
Strategic Inputs: – NICDAM Project Management Team:

Mr Steph Le Roux (Managing Trustee, NICDAM)

Dr Alta Le Roux (Project Manager, NICDAM)

Ms Annelize Roos (Project Manager, NICDAM)

Mr Stanley Louw (Project Coordinator, NICDAM)
The following government departments and district municipalities are acknowledged for their
participation in this rapid assessment:
Social Sector departments:

Department of Social Development – Free State Province

Department of Basic Education – Free State Province

South African Police Services – Free State Province

National Department of Social Development, Pretoria
District Municipalities:

Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality

Lejweleputswa District Municipality
Funding and Commissioning of Rapid Assessment:
The Principal Researchers commend the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Pretoria
for commissioning and funding this noble rapid assessment whose results and
recommendations are important in improving the mainstreaming and support for projects
dealing with GBV, SRH and HIV prevention in district municipality IDPs and social sector
departments’ plans.
iii
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………………………………………
(v) to (xiii)
CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 AIM ................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 SCOPE OF THE RAPID ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 2
1.4 PERSPECTIVES ON GBV, SRH AND HIV PREVENTION .................................................................... 2
1.4.1 Gender Based Violence .......................................................................................................... 3
1.4.2 HIV Prevention ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.4.3 Sexual Reproductive Health ................................................................................................... 4
1.5 CONCLUDING REMARKS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
CHAPTER 2METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 RAPID ASSESSMENT DESIGN ......................................................................................................... 7
2.3 RAPID ASSESSMENT SITES ............................................................................................................. 8
2.4 RAPID ASSESSMENT PARTICIPANTS .............................................................................................. 8
2.5 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS............................................................................................................. 8
2.6 DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS MODEL .................................................................................. 9
2.7 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................... 9
2.8 CONCLUDING REMARKS ............................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 3ASSESSMENT OF SOCIAL SECTOR DEPARTMENTS .............................................................. 10
3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 MAINSTREAMING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN SECTOR PLANS ............................................... 11
3.2.1 Provincial Department of Social Development in the Free State ........................................ 11
3.2.2 SA INTEGRATED POA: ADDRESSING VIOLENCE v/s WOMEN & CHILDREN ……………………….13
3.2.3 Provincial Department of Education in the Free State
……………………………………………………14
3.2.4 Provincial South African Police Services in the Free State ................................................... 16
3.3 VICTIM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME ..................................................................................... 19
3.4 MAINSTREAMING HIV PREVENTION IN SECTOR PLANS ............................................................. 21
3.4.1 Provincial Department of Education in the Free State ........................................................ 21
3.4.2 National and Provincial Department of Social Development in the Free State .................. 22
iv
3.5 MAINSTREAMING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN SECTOR PLANS ............................. 23
3.6 MAINSTREAMING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT .................................... 24
3.7 MAINSTREAMING ACCESS TO JUSTICE ....................................................................................... 25
3.8 MAINSTREAMING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT................ 26
3.8.1 Early Childhood Development ............................................................................................. 27
3.8.2 Children and Youth .............................................................................................................. 27
3.9 CALENDARS ................................................................................................................................. 28
3.10 SEX-DISAGGREGATED DATA...................................................................................................... 28
3.11 LINKAGE BETWEEN GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, HIV PREVENTION AND SEXUAL, AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ................................................................................................................... 29
3.12 CONCLUDING REMARKS ........................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER 4ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANS ....................................................... 32
4.1 BACKGROUND TO LEGAL FRAMEWORK: MUNICIPAL IDP`S ....................................................... 32
4.2 RELEVANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FINANCIAL STATUS OF MUNICIPALITIES ............................ 35
4.3 SUMMARY OF DESK AND FIELDWORK: ....................................................................................... 37
4.3.1 Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality: (DISTRICT 1) .................................................... 37
4.3.2 Lejweleputswa District Municipality: (DISTRICT 2) .............................................................. 49
4.4 Key Findings ................................................................................................................................ 56
4.4.1 Key Findings: DISTRICT 1 ...................................................................................................... 56
4.4.2 Key Findings:DISTRICT 2 ....................................................................................................... 59
CHAPTER 5SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................... 61
5.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 61
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................. 61
5.2.1 Social Sector Departments ................................................................................................... 61
5.2.2 Integrated Development Plans ............................................................................................ 64
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 666
v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
This report presents the results of the rapid assessment conducted in two district
municipalities in the Free State province, namely:
Thabo
Mofutsanyana
District
Municipality and Lejweleputswa District Municipality. The rapid assessment was
commissioned to the National Institute Community Development and Management
(NICDAM) by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The aim of the rapid
assessment is to determine the extent to which gender-based violence (GBV), sexual
reproductive health (SRH) and HIV prevention are mainstreamed in social
development programmes and IDPs in these two district municipalities. The results
and recommendations are presented in this report, first for the assessment of the
social sector departments and second for the assessment of Integrated Development
Plans (IDPs).
Key Results: Assessment of Social Sector Plans
Evidence from this rapid assessment from the three provincial sector departments,
namely, Free State Provincial and National Departments of Social Development (DSD);
Department of Basic Education (DoE) and the South African Police Services (SAPS)
indicate that there is tangible demonstration of these sector departments’
commitment towards supporting GBV projects. Indeed all these sector departments
are well placed to support projects that guard against GBV in the communities in the
Free State province.
The Free State Provincial DSD has one-stop Victim Support Centres across the province
assisting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking with counselling and
referral to the relevant departments and to service points. The Integrated Programme
of Action (POA) from DSD highlights the need to work together across government
and with all sectors of South African society to prevent and respond to Violence
against Women and Children. The proposed interventions and programmes in the
vi
POA outline an extensive range of existing and new measures aimed at
complementing existing initiatives such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres, Sexual
Offences Courts and other victim empowerment initiatives.
The Provincial Department of Education in the Free State implements campaigns,
awareness programmes and Imbizo’s regularly at schools. In further support of these
campaigns, learners are provided the opportunity to arrange their own meetings and
campaigns and lead all discussions in order to maximize their involvement and
ownership of these programmes.
The Provincial SAPS in the Free State introduced and supports the Free State Provincial
Crime Prevention Strategy which incorporates aspects dealing with GBV. Free State
SAPS further introduced the strategy on the detection of rate of crime (women and
children) system in the province as part of the provincial social sector planning. This
is a system whereby the prevalence of crime against women and children is monitored
and tracked over time. Furthermore, SAPS is an active member of the Justice Crime
Prevention Security (JCPS) Cluster.
At national level, there is evidence in the social sector plans of National DSD to support
GBV, child protection and HIV prevention, among other social development aspects.
The DSD Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 Plan articulates that the progress in the fight
against the HIV and AIDS pandemic is still undermined by the high levels of sexual
violence against women and children. The plan further pronounces that National DSD
will continue with its efforts to fight against GBV in general and violence against
women and children in particular, to implement social and behaviour change
programmes especially targeting the youth, and to promote psycho-social wellbeing
so as to reduce vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in targeted key populations.
In support of victim support and empowerment, the National Crime Prevention
Strategy (NCPS) makes specific provision for an inter- sectorial programme, called the
NCPS Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP). The NCPS VEP programme is led by
the Department of Social Development and includes roles players such as the South
vii
African Police Service, the Departments of Justice, Health, Correctional Services and
Education, as well as NGOs, CBOs and academics in the field of victim empowerment.
The following section presents the key results from the assessment of the Integrated
Development Plans in the two target districts of Thabo Mofutsanyana and
Lejweleputswa:
Key Results: Assessment of Integrated Development Plans

Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (District 1)
i.
The District and its Dihlabeng Local Municipality do not have websites that fully
comply with the legislative prescripts.
The available documents do not
correspond exactly in respect of periods. This makes it difficult to check for follow
through and linkages, and also inhibits comparisons.
ii. The fact that the District is in financial distress and the local appears to have
serious financial issues, as well as that the local municipality is hugely indebted to
Eskom and has been placed on terms for the cut-off of electricity supply during
peak hours mornings and evenings, confirm that the municipalities also have
severe resource and capacity constraints.
iii. Shortcomings and needs are acknowledged by both the District and its relevant
local municipality under essentially each Thematic Area of the Rapid Assessment.
However, little or no projects, plans or programmes were found to address these
shortcomings or needs. Those that are identified, appear to be a drop in the ocean
and will probably have little or no impact at all. This was verified during the site
visit.
iv. The District has not demonstrated that it has met its responsibility for integrated
planning in its area of jurisdiction or that it has provided an IDP framework for its
local municipalities. In actual fact, it appears as if the mentioned local municipality
has essentially done its own IDP. It was also confirmed by the second local
viii
authority visited on 2 June 2015, and conceded by the District due to a protracted
vacancy in the IDP Office.
v. The need has been expressed by the District Municipality to engage Provincial and
National sector departments, and in particular the SAPS, in its planning and
implementation of projects processes. However, there is no evidence of either
the District or the local municipality doing so. This was verified during the site visit.
vi. Although certain needs and projects have been listed, there is no direct evidence
of provision of funding for addressing such needs in the Budget and
implementation of the projects in terms of a directly corresponding Service
Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP). It cannot be deduced if projects
were in fact implemented and, if they were, what the outcome and impact of each
is.
vii. The apparent lack of capacity and resources, coupled with the distressing financial
positions (whether resulting from or in addition to) of these municipalities, are the
main reasons for most of these findings. The Local Municipality acknowledged it
and indicated that the municipality needs support in the development,
coordination and presentation of a credible IDP in respect of GBV, security, health
and the vulnerable groups.
viii. During the site visits it was actually confirmed that funds originally earmarked for
inter alia GBV, HIV/AIDS, Youth, the Disabled and specific security issues have been
cut with the focus on cost containment, endeavouring to stabilise the financial
position of the municipalities, as well as the provision of service priorities such as
roads, water and electricity.
ix. During the site visit on 2 June 2015, it was established that although the District
Municipality indicated that it had identified one of its objectives to ensure more
effective, accountable and clean local government that works together with
national and provincial government, no meaningful interaction with SAPS took
place and there was no district-wide coordination in this regard. It was confirmed
ix
that the District municipality requires capacity and a mechanism to enforce
engagement with SAPS and sector departments and the sharing of information, as
well as coordinated planning and implementation.
x. There is a need for a VEP (Victim Empowerment Programme) after incidents of
GBV/rape/STI/HIV/AIDS.
xi. The District indicated it needs support in mainstreaming GBV and guidance on
SAPS engagement. It will also need support to provide a meaningful framework
to its local municipalities in respect of the compilation of their IDP’s and the
coordination of plans/programmes/functions/services relevant to the thematic
areas mentioned in this report. The coordination should include relevant national
and provincial sector departments.
xii. One issue that became clear during the site visits, was that the communities did
not distinguish between spheres of government or which sphere was responsible
for any particular function/service. Local government is the face of government
and the communities hold it responsible for all theirs woes, namely
unemployment (jobs), crime, roads, housing, electricity, and health issues. It is
suggested that a concerted effort at developing an appropriate strategy for
communication of the factual realities, without pointing fingers in this regard,
should be undertaken by the District together with its locals and the sector
departments.
xiii. The Dihlabeng Member of Mayoral Committee with the portfolio of Women,
Children, Disability and Vulnerable Groups does not have direct and dedicated
administrative support, which indicates a defective delivery structure in this
functional area.
x

i.
Lejweleputswa District Municipality (District 2)
The District and its Local Municipality do not have websites that comply fully with
the legislative prescripts. There are no clear linkages between projects, plans,
programmes, committed budget allocations and implementation roll-out and
monitoring of the IDP’s, Budgets, Service Delivery and Budget Implementation
Plans (SDBIP’s) and Performance Management Systems of the District and Local
Municipalities that could be established through this Desktop Review as obtained
from their websites. It compromises the exercise to check, evaluate and compare
the information.
ii.
The fact that Eskom has listed the local municipality as one of the defaulting
municipalities that will be subjected to electricity supply cut-offs during peak
hours, mornings and evenings, strongly indicates that the municipalities in the
area have severe capacity constraints. If this is in fact implemented, it will have a
serious negative impact on investment, job creation and the already dire socioeconomic situation in which the needy and vulnerable members of the
community, namely women, children and the elderly, find themselves.
iii.
The District has acknowledged its responsibility for integrated planning in its area,
but it has not provided an IDP framework for its local municipalities, which was
confirmed during the site visit. The local municipality of Mathjabeng prepared
the IDP on its own steam.
iv.
The District Municipality spent 61.84% of its income on staff and Councillors’
remuneration in terms of its 2013/14 Budget Forecasts. General expenditure,
which includes cost of the administration, amounted to 19.67%. If the cost of
administration is deducted from the available general expenditure provision it
does not allow for much money to be allocated to projects in support of the
Thematic Areas considered therein. Repair and maintenance of assets only
accounts for 0.61% of operational expenditure.
The mentioned financial
parameters fall outside of accepted norms and are indicative of inadequate
service delivery to the community.
xi
v.
The audited outcome figures for 2011/12 (page 121 of the District’s IDP) indicate
a 16% deficit, which is not permissible. These figures confirm that 86.5% of the
income was spent on salaries and cost of administration for the 2011/12 financial
year, leaving very little for social projects and actual service delivery. These
figures underscore the conclusion drawn above.
Recommendations
a) Recommendations Based on the Assessment of Social Sector Departments

The results from this rapid assessment clearly indicate that violence against
women and children continues unabated despite efforts by both government and
civil society groups to curb this scourge. This in turn undermines their rights to
dignity and contribution to sustainable development. The recommendation
emanating from this finding is that the Department of Social Development with
support from other sector departments should continue to facilitate the interdepartmental and inter-governmental work to intensify efforts to mitigate
violence against women and children. In particular the Victim Empowerment
Programme as well as prevention efforts towards GBV should be strengthened.

The HIV pandemic is still of major concern in the Free State province. Again, it was
shown in this rapid assessment that there is a link between GBV, HIV and AIDS
and SRH. In this regard, it was stated that GBV predisposes women to infection
from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In support of this finding,
according to Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi, Zuma, Jooste, Zungu, Labadarios, Onoya, D
et al. (2014) during 2012, the Free State province had the third highest HIV
prevalence in South Africa of 14.0%. This compared to the 12.2% national HIV
prevalence rate for South Africa. However, progress in the fight against the HIV
and AIDS pandemic is still undermined by the high levels of sexual violence against
women and children. The recommendation flowing from this finding is that
sector departments should continue with their efforts to fight against genderbased violence in general and violence against women and children in particular,
xii
to implement social and behaviour change programmes especially targeting the
youth, and to promote psycho-social wellbeing so as to reduce vulnerability to HIV
and AIDS in targeted key populations.

The empirical results from this rapid assessment indicate that gender inequality
and the marginalisation of women continue to stifle development efforts and the
building of a cohesive and safe society in the Free State province. Women and
children in the Free State province continue being the primary victims of violent
crimes in society. The recommendation emanating from this observation is that
these challenges require intentional investments and coordination of efforts from
government departments, civil society organisations and business sector, in to
effectively and sustainably address them. Again, the combat against gender
based violence should be strengthened through legislative and policy reforms
geared to further protect the rights of women and children and create a safer
society free from all forms of violence.

The development of youth in the Free State province remains a critical area. In
this regard, the recommendation is that that investments in youth leadership
programmes, skills development, and the creation of training and employment
opportunities for youth should be intensified. In addition, institutional capacity
building programmes for youth centres in the Free State Province should be given
priority as a viable channel for enhancing the benefit of the programmes to youth.

Finally, regarding sector departments, an overall recommendation emanating
from this rapid assessment is that the Free State Province social sector
departments should strengthen the mainstreaming of GBV, SRH and HIV
prevention programmes in their sector plans in order to concretely and
sustainably support these programmes. The inclusion of these aspects in sector
plans should continue to translate into tangible action at the local levels in the
communities if violence if GBV and HIV and AIDS are to be effectively combatted
and eradicated. Furthermore much still needs to be done to address societal
cultural norms in the Free State Province, particularly attitudes underlying
xiii
violence against women and children in the communities. There is an urgent need
for these initiatives to be supported and implemented so that positive values are
instilled in the communities.
b) Recommendations Based on the Assessment of District Integrated Development
Plans
Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality: (DISTRICT 1) and Lejweleputswa
District Municipality: (DISTRICT 2)
1.
That consideration be given to provide both the district municipalities under
review with support in the development, coordination and presentation of
credible IDP`s in respect of GBV, security, health and the vulnerable groups.
2.
That consideration be given to provide both the districts with support to identify
and implement a mechanism to enforce engagement with SAPS and sector
departments, as well as the sharing of information, including coordinated
planning and implementation.
3.
That consideration be given to provide support in mainstreaming GBV.
4.
That consideration be given to provide both the district municipalities with
support to ensure that a concerted effort is made to develop an appropriate
strategy for communication of the factual realities of which sphere of government
is responsible for which functions and to provide the correct and appropriate
contact details to also hold those responsible to account (a Service Charter), in
conjunction with their locals and the relevant sector departments.
5.
That recommendations 1 to 4 above be subject to confirmation by the said district
municipalities that they concur with these recommendations and that they will
report on progress and implementation of any or all thereof, as may be awarded.
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
In South Africa, vviolence against women and children continues unabated despite
efforts by both government and civil society groups to curb this scourge. This scourge
undermines their rights to dignity and contribution to sustainable development. GBV
and HIV and AIDS remain of major concern in South Africa. GBV is defined as violence
that targets individuals or groups of individuals on the basis of their gender, and is a
form of discrimination that seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and
freedom on the basis of equality with men. The ability of district municipalities and
national provincial government to compile sector plans that mainstream GBV
demonstrates commitment to support such programmes. Against this background,
the United Nations Population fund (UNFPA) in Pretoria commissioned National
Institute Community Development and Management (NICDAM) to conduct this rapid
assessment of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and plans of sector departments
in two districts in the Free State Province. These two targeted districts are namely:

Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality; and,

Lejweleputswa District Municipality
1.2 AIM
The aim of this rapid assessment was to investigate to what extent the IDPs in Thabo
Mofutsanyana and Lejweleputswa District Municipalities and social sector plans of the
Provincial government departments, that is, South African Police Service (SAPS);
Department of Social Development and Department of Education, incorporate aspects
regarding Gender Based Violence (GBV), HIV and AIDS and Sexual Reproductive (SRH)
issues affecting youth and adolescents.
2
In addition, this rapid assessment investigated the gaps and loopholes in the current
mainstreaming of GBV, HIV and AIDS and SRH in IDPS and social sector plans. This will
in turn inform the formulation of appropriate recommendations to address these
identified gaps in order to contribute to effective, efficient and sustainable IDPS and
sector plans that incorporate GBV, HIV and AIDS and SRH in the Free State Province.
One other purpose of this rapid assessment was to identify good practices of IDPs and
sector plans that showcase the mainstreaming of GBV, HIV and AIDS and SRH. These
can then be used to plan for the mainstreaming of these thematic aspects.
1.3 SCOPE OF THE RAPID ASSESSMENT
This rapid assessment covered 2district municipalities of the Free State province. It
involved conducting in-depth interviews with officials in the district municipalities and
provincial and national social sector departments. Details about the rapid assessment
approach and procedures and are provided in the methodology chapter.
1.4 PERSPECTIVES ON GBV, SRH AND HIV PREVENTION
A dedicated comprehensive report was compiled detailing the desk study on GBV, SRH
and HIV prevention. This report was submitted to the UNFPA. In this section, a
summary of the desk research will be provided. This is done in order to contextualise
the current research findings that are presented in this report. The full thematic
components covered in the desk study included the following:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Safety and security;
Access to justice;
Gender Based Violence – Prevention and Response
Child Protection;
Protection priorities in the IDPs and Plans;
Key Recommendations based on the Findings from the Rapid
Assessment;
Public participation in development and monitoring of
implementation of IDPs;
3
viii.
ix.
Sexual Reproductive Health issues affecting youth and
adolescence; and
HIV Prevention.
1.4.1 Gender Based Violence
GBV which is highly prevalent in South Africa has many social implications. According
Human Rights Watch (2001) Sexual violence in schools has a negative impact on the
educational and emotional needs of girls and acts as a barrier to attaining
education…Rape and other forms of sexual violence place girls at risk of contracting the
HIV/AIDS virus, which has in turn taken its toll on the educational system and disrupted
education…especially for girlsi. The impact of sexual and GBV resonates in all areas of
health and social programming: survivors of sexual violence experience increased rates
of morbidity and mortality, and violence has been shown to exacerbate HIV transmission,
among other health conditionsii.The impact of GBV resonates further than the primary
victim. Research indicates a link between maternal experience of violence and evidence
of increased mortality and under nutrition among children of abused mothers. iii
The true magnitude of GBV in South Africa remains unknown, despite agreement though
that it is widespreadiv. It is also observed that there are great disparities with respect to
reported cases of sexual violencev. For example, Statistics South Africa found that one in
two rape survivors reported to the policevi, while a Medical Research Council (MRC) study
(2002) found that only one in nine women reported their experience of rape vii. Both
studies point to gross underreporting of such cases. Added to this is the poor use of
health services by sexual violence victims, with only an estimated one in six women who
have experienced rape seeking health services. Intimate partner violence is often also
sexual and emotional, usually occurring in a broader context of relationships marked by
controlling behaviours by men and a pervasive sense of fear among women, limiting
freedom of choice and access to services. In research interviews over 40% of men
reported having been physically violent to a partnerviii. In a study on understanding men’s
health and use of violence, conducted by Jewkes et al (2008) one in 30 men reported to
have been victims.
4
1.4.2 HIV Prevention
Dealing with the challenges of HIV and AIDS continue to be a major public health
concern for South Africa. According to StatsSA (2014), the total number of persons
living with HIV in South Africa increased from an estimated 4.09 million in 2002 to 5.51
million by 2014ix. The StatsSA (2014) further points out that for 2014 an estimated
10.2% of the total population in South Africa is HIV positivex. Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi
et al. (2014) estimated the HIV prevalence for 2012 at 12.2%. Approximately one-fifth
of South African women in their reproductive ages are HIV positivexi. These estimates
indicate that South Africa faces the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS.
According to Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi et al. (2009), the past decade has seen South
Africa make considerable progress in “turning the tide of HIV incidence”xii. On the
other hand, Rehle, Hallett, Shisana et al. (2010)xiii; Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi et al.
(2009)xiv; and Gouws (2010)xv argue that by 2008, South Africa had begun to observe
a decline in HIV incidence among the younger age groups. The same authors observe
that to date, evidence-based interventions focused on HIV prevention, treatment,
care and support have been implemented with some success. According to NDOH
(2013a)xvi; SANAC (2011a)xvii; and Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi et al. (2009)xviii, although the
prevalence of HIV in South Africa has remained high, it has been stable over the last
decade. Johnson, Mossong, Dorrington et al. (2013)xix; and UNAIDS (2012) note that
South Africa has managed to increase the number of people on antiretroviral
treatment (ART), which has led to a decrease in AIDS mortality and an increase in life
expectancy. Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi et al. (2014) argue that although challenges
remain, South Africa continues to monitor the epidemic and is continually assessing,
strengthening and reviewing the response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
1.4.3 Sexual Reproductive Health
There are two reproductive health issues which are prominent in South Africa and its
provinces: gender based violence and teenage pregnancy. Since the Population Policy
was promulgated in 1998, these two components have received the most attention
5
under the auspices of gender equity, equality and the empowerment of women. In
addition, termination of pregnancy (TOP) is often an indication of using no (or less)
efficient methods of contraceptives, or using it incorrectly. It is seen as a reflection of
the unmet need for contraception. Studies have shown that unsafe TOP is still
responsible for 13% of all maternal deaths and approximately 20% of the overall
burden of maternal death and long-term poor sexual and reproductive healthxx.
The increase in the use of termination of pregnancy facilities between 1998 and 2005
is credited for the marked reductions in maternal morbidity (by 9%) and maternal
mortality (by 50%) from unsafe TOPxxi. Similarly, the number of women with
termination of pregnancy (TOP) – related morbidity had almost halved (from 16.5% in
1994 to 9.5% in 1999) and the vast majority (91%) had no signs of infection on
admissionxxii. Practitioners harbouring conscientious objections and who discourage
women from having termination of pregnancy hinder access to this service.
Civil society organisations in South Africa share the DoH’s concern over the decline in
the efficacy of fertility management programs resulting in poor sexual and
reproductive health outcomes, which continue to hinder the country’s development
and have called for intervention. This is backed up by national surveys indicating that
fertility management services in South Africa have not improved over the past eight
years and bringing into question national strategies for the provision of contraceptives
which has led to the under resourcing of public facilities and a reliance on a largely
under-equipped private sector. It is imperative to deliver long-acting methods of
contraception by increasing choice and uptake of appropriate methods of
contraception among target populations. This will ultimately reduce the number of
unplanned pregnancies and associated morbidity and mortality, contributing to a
reduction in South Africa’s maternal mortality.
1.5 CONCLUDING REMARKS
This chapter provided an overview of the rapid assessment with particular regard to
the aim, scope and perspectives on Gender Based Violence, HIV prevention and Sexual
6
Reproductive Health. The next chapter provides the methodology of the rapid
assessment.
7
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides the description of the methodology used in this rapid
assessment. Specifically, details on the rapid assessment design, sites, participants,
data collection tools, participants, data collection, and ethical considerations are
provided in this chapter.
2.2 RAPID ASSESSMENT DESIGN
This rapid assessment is designed in such a way that it will be implemented in three
intertwined stages. The first stage consists of a comprehensive desk study of two
district IDPs and district sector plans as well as other government-related
documentation while the second stage is the primary research, where data will be
collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders from the
relevant districts, municipalities and government departments from the TWO target
district municipalities in the Free State Province. The third stage involves data
analysis, compilation of draft report, finalisation and submission of final report to
NICDAM and UNFPA.
These three implementation stages are further expounded in the exhibit below:
This rapid assessment was conducted in three interweaved stages, consisting of:
A) Desk Reviews of two target district IDPs (in the Free State Province) and district
sector plans as well as other sector government related documentation;
B) Primary research to conduct face-face (one-on-one) interviews with key
stakeholders from the target two district municipalities in the Free State
Province and sector government departments; and
C)
Data analysis and compilation of a rapid assessment report detailing the extent
to which gender/GBV issues have been integrated in the district IDPs and sector
plans. The report also includes recommendations on how mainstreaming of
GBV, SRH and HIV prevention can be strengthened.
8
2.3 RAPID ASSESSMENT SITES
The two sites where the rapid assessment was implemented in the Free State Province
are:

Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality

Lejweleputswa District Municipality
In addition, one local municipality was covered in each of the two district
municipalities, Mathjabeng Local Municipality in Lejweleputswa District Municipality
and Dihlabeng Local Municipality in Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. This
approach enables the researchers to triangulate the findings at district municipality
level with those at local municipality level. The focus of the rapid assessment is
however at district municipality level.
2.4 RAPID ASSESSMENT PARTICIPANTS
The preferred study participants included Municipal Managers or other relevant
managers from the two target district municipalities as well as Government Officials
from the district sector departments that include: Police, Health, Department of Social
Development and Education.
2.5 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS
Data collection in this rapid assessment was conducted by the two Principal
Researchers using an in-depth interview guides. The data collection tools were
developed by the Principal Researchers. The design of the data collection tools was
informed by the Terms of Reference for this study as well as NICDAM and UNFPA
expectations and feedback on the draft tools. The tools were approved by NICDAM
and UNFPA before the Principal Researchers commenced with the data collection
process.
9
2.6 DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS MODEL
Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data from the in-depth interviews
with officials from the district municipalities and sector departments. The data was
pooled together into thematic components in this report to provide confidentiality to
the respondents.
2.7 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Standard ethical guidelines and principles were followed during the implementation
of this rapid assessment. Each participant was required to indicate on the in-depth
interview guide consent to participate in the rapid assessment prior to being
interviewed. Participants were not exposed to any risk as a result of taking part in the
rapid assessment. Participants were informed that participation in the rapid
assessment was entirely voluntary and that they could pull out of the interview at any
stage. The rapid assessment design was scientifically sound and all data collection and
management processes adhered to the highest quality standards in order to ensure
that the assessment findings can be used to fulfil the purpose of the rapid assessment.
2.8 CONCLUDING REMARKS
The methodology, data analysis model and ethical considerations were outlined in this
chapter. The findings from the rapid assessment are presented in the following two
chapters. Chapter three presents findings on social sector departments while chapter
four provides those on IDPs. Lastly, chapter five provides the recommendations.
10
CHAPTER 3
ASSESSMENT OF SOCIAL SECTOR DEPARTMENTS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides the findings relating to social sector departments at provincial and
national level. The provincial sector departments in the Free State Province whose
results are analysed and presented in this report are:



Provincial Department of Basic Education (DHE)
Provincial Department of Social Development (DSD)
Provincial South African Police Service (SAPS)
All the three provincial departments are located in Bloemfontein, the capital city of the
Free State Province. Dedicated officials were interviewed in these respective
departments on matters regarding the incorporation of GBV, HIV prevention and SRH in
social sector departments in the Free State province. In addition, at national level, the
Principal Researchers managed to interview officials from the National Department of
Social Development, a key department in the delivery of social services in the country.
It is considered pivotal that this national department could be included to shed light on
programmes mainstreaming GBV, HIV prevention and SRH as well. The sections that
follow provide thematic content analysis and interpretation of the findings from these
social sector departments. This is followed by a summary that provides a comparison
analysis of the all the social departments combined in order to obtain a holistic picture
of the extent that these social sectors incorporate matter regarding GBV, HIV prevention
and SRH in their sector plans. The findings are presented thematically for each
government department.
11
3.2 MAINSTREAMING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN SECTOR PLANS
This section presents the key findings on commitments in sector plans of government
department to supporting GBV. It is noteworthy that according to the DSD Strategic
Plan 2015-2020, GBV is a term that is neither simply synonymous with “violence
against women”; nor has it simply replaced a feminist emphasis on “women”. The
analysis of GBV recognises that violence directed against a person on the basis of his
or her gender identity is not directed at women and girls only. DSD efforts, whilst
biased towards women and children who are often the victims of violence, take
cognisance of the fact that violence in South Africa, and particularly sexual violence,
which affects boys and men as well. The homosexual community is even more
vulnerable because of discrimination and prejudices that continue to prevail. While
the South African Police Service Crime Statistics Report of 2012 indicates a decline in
a number of crimes, it still depicts a disturbing picture of violence in our society
especially sexual violence. According to the report, 40.1% (25 862) of sexual offences
were perpetrated against children; 48.5% (31 299) against women, and 11.4% (7 353)
against men.
3.2.1 Provincial Department of Social Development in the Free State
Evidence from the in-depth interviews conducted in this rapid assessment with officials
from the three provincial sector departments: Free State Provincial Department of Social
Development (DSD); National Department of Social Development (DSD); Department of
Basic Education (DoE) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) indicate that there is
tangible demonstration of these sector departments’ commitment towards supporting
GBV projects. Indeed all these sector departments are well placed to support projects
that guard against GBV in the communities in the Free State province. To substantiate
this observation, Free State Provincial DSD has one-stop Victim Support Centres across
the province assisting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking with
counseling and referral to the relevant departments and to service points. In this regard,
women who would have been abused are assessed and screened by Social Workers and
referred to shelters for further assistance. The social planning document that articulate
12
DSD interventions with regard to shelter for victims of Violence in South Africa. The
Department of Social Development is the lead department to champion the design and
compilation of the strategy on safe shelters for victims of domestic violence and other
victims in South Africa.
This shelter strategy document, entitled: Shelter Strategy for Victims of Crime and
Violence in South Africa speaks to DSD’s commitment to supporting GBV programmes,
and was developed by national and provincial DSD, with cooperation from the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union (EU), Victim
Empowerment Programme (VEP) Provincial Coordinators, JCPS Cluster Departments and
Civil Society Organisations. As a result of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No 116
of 1998) the lack of shelters for victims of domestic violence was brought to the fore in
South Africa. Resultantly, a shelter strategy was developed in 2003 to support, care and
protect victims of abuse and crime. In 2008 the Department of Social Development
reviewed the shelter strategy to identify gaps and challenges that could be have
hampered the effective implementation of the strategy. The process followed was one
of consultative workshops with various stakeholders after which the reviewed strategy
was developed. This is commendable of national and provincial DSD to have developed
and reviewed this shelter strategy in to address the challenges brought about by Gender
Based Violence.
The shelter strategy functions as a guide to stakeholders that include: Departments of
Justice and Constitutional Development, Social Development, Health, Education,
National Prosecution Authority, Correctional Services and the South African Police
Services, Civil society, Academic and Research Institutions and Business Sector. The
effective implementation of the strategy requires coordinated interventions from
stakeholders involved in the fight against GBV. In addition, despite these interventions
to address gender based violence, this phenomenon continues to present major socioeconomic and public health challenges to citizens of South Africa.
In addition, the provincial DSD in the Free State province support programmes for the
prevention of GBV in the communities. With regard to social planning these programmes
are supported by the document entitled: Strategy for the Engagement of Men and Boys
13
in Prevention of Gender–Based Violence. This strategy was brought about by the
realisation that full participation of men and boys as equal partners in fighting GBV.
Resultantly, this strategy seeks to engage men and boys in the prevention of GBV. The
strategy was developed by national and provincial DSD with inputs from various
government departments and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This strategy
developed in 2009 in South Africa was part of the implementation of the resolution of
the 48th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 2004.
It is noteworthy that the DSD facilitates the inter-departmental and intergovernmental work to intensify efforts to mitigate violence against women and
children. In this regard, the department is strengthening the Victim Empowerment
Programme as well as prevention efforts on GBV.
3.2.2 South African Integrated Programme of Action–Addressing Violence against
Women and Children (2013-2018)
The Department of Social Development is the lead Department of the Inter-Ministerial
Committee (IMC) on violence against women and children, established by Cabinet in
South Africa in 2010, with the other departments constituting of: Women; Basic
Education; Health; Justice and Constitutional Development; including the NPA; South
African Police Services; Home Affairs; Telecommunications and Postal Services and
Monitoring and Evaluation. In addition, in the same year, 2010, Cabinet, established
a National Council against GBV (NCGBV). It is against this background that the
Integrated Programme of Action (POA) highlights the need to work together across
government and with all sectors of South African society to prevent and respond to
(Violence against Women and Children (VAWC). The proposed interventions and
programmes in the POA outline an extensive range of existing and new measures
aimed at complementing existing initiatives such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres,
Sexual Offences Courts and other victim empowerment initiatives.
14
The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and
children (VAWC) has been established as a national priority by the Government of
South Africa. Though the country has been commended for its robust legislative
framework to address the scourge of violence, there remains an urgent need for
multi-sectoral interventions to prevent, protect against and respond to this
scourge.(p. 1)xxiii
One such initiative, which is aimed at improving services to women and children who
experience violence and abuse, is the establishment of the Gender-Based Violence
Command Centre by the Department of Social Development. This is a 24-hour call
centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of GBV. The command
centre is aimed at providing immediate psychological assistance and referral to victims
affected by GBV, and to assist them in avoiding additional exposure to violence.
Moreover, this POA provides a key platform for accelerating violence prevention and
response efforts at all levels.
3.2.3 Provincial Department of Education in the Free State
The provincial Department of Education in the Free State Province have social sector
plans for and are implementing programmes that demonstrate commitment to
supporting GBV programmes in schools in the Free State province, despite challenges
which are mainly resource-based. These challenges which are hampering the actioning
of the social plans to curb GBV in the Free State province will be expanded on in section
3.6 of this chapter. According to the official interviewed in the provincial department of
education in the Free State province:
GBV is key to the department’s plans in ensuring that everyone is treated equally
and has access to quality life and education. The department has regular
campaigns at schools and around communities to raise awareness of GBV,
Women and Child Abuse, Human Trafficking as well as Sexual Reproductive
Health issues affecting boys and girls and HIV/AIDS.
15
The official added that the commitment of the Provincial Department of Education in
the Free State to mainstream GBV in social planning is shown by the campaigns,
awareness programmes and Imbizo’s which are regular occurrences at schools. In
further support of these campaigns, learners are provided the opportunity to arrange
their own meetings and campaigns and lead all discussions in order to maximize their
involvement and ownership of these programmes.
In addition, in the Free State province, the school debate campaign has been a great
initiative in the fight against GBV as mostly girl-children are at the forefront of these
talks thus ensuring competent participation with their boy counterparts as well as
excellent dialogue. The official added that this programme contributes to raise the
awareness around the prevention of GBV in the communities within the Free State
province.
With particular reference to responding to GBV, the official added that in the Free State
Province, it would appear that learners who dwell on the farms are mostly at high risk
of experiencing GBV. This is mainly because they walk far and at night to get to and from
school. In response to this phenomenon, the Provincial Department of Education of the
Free State has re-introduced the learner-transport system as well the feeding scheme
to keep these learners properly fed and safe and thus promoting good education and
high participation in the school programmes and curriculum.
Furthermore, according to the official interviewed in the Free State province, the
Provincial Department of Education of the Free State is also in the process of building
hostels at schools with surrounding farming areas to safeguard these learners from
travelling long distances to and from school. This will safeguard these learners from
falling victim to persons who are involved in human trafficking and rape, both of which
are factors that co-exist with GBV.
16
3.2.4 Provincial South African Police Services in the Free State
According to the official interviewed at the Provincial South African Police Services in
the Free State, in support of the commitment towards curbing GBV in the province,
there are mandatory prevention indicators on the National Annual Performance Plan
for the following contact crimes:



Rape
Murder
Assault
The official added that the Free State SAPS Provincial office plans to institute victim
friendly service point across the province to deal with contact crimes as listed above.
The official interviewed at the Provincial SAPS in the Free State remarked that the fact
that the Free State Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy document incorporates
aspects dealing with GBV is testimony to the commitment of SAPS in the province to
mainstream GBV and support such programmes in the community. Indeed the Free
State Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy provides for GBV. This specific sector plan
first defines and then provides statistics on GBV in the Free State province. For instance,
the plan supports the assertion that GBV in South Africa is unacceptably high.
The strategy further adds that GBV has adverse consequences for women and girls and
their ability to achieve their potential in every sphere of social and productive life. In
addition, the strategy supports the fact that gender –based violence in all its forms
denies women and girls the opportunity to achieve equality and freedom as enshrined
in the South African Constitution. Finally, the strategy states that if gender-based
continues unabated, this will impede South Africa’s ability to achieve its growth and
development potential.
The statistics regarding sexual offences, which constitute GBV in the Free State
according to the Free State Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy are such that an
increase of 1.84% in reported Sexual Offences cases was recorded for 2011/2012
17
financial year. For the period 2003/2004 to 2011/2012 the reported Sexual Offences
increased by 4.08%. In 38.4% of the reported cases of rape, the victims were under the
age of 18 years. Furthermore, the perpetrators of these cases were also family members.
This is obvious that more needs to be done
The participant to the interview at SAPS in the Free State further added that the
commitment of the provincial SAPS in mainstreaming GBV in their sector plans is
demonstrated by the setting up of a Family Violence and Sexual Offences Unit.
The participant further shared that the commitment of the Free State SAPS in
mainstreaming GBV is demonstrated by the introduction of the strategy on the
detection of rate of crime (women and children) system in the Free State Province as
part of the provincial social sector planning. This is a system whereby the prevalence
of crime against women and children is monitored and tracked over time with a view to
designing measures to control the crime.
In addition, the participant in the rapid assessment mentioned that there are regular
Outreach Programmes e.g. Awareness Campaigns and Imbizo’s where these contact
crimes are discussed in detail. This is espoused in the Free State Crime Strategy plans
and is aimed controlling crime, including GBV.
In addition, Free State SAPS has a plan that allows the measurement of reported cases
to court rate and the success rate thereof. This ensures that victims of GBV are courtready and the dockets are correct.
Again, the conviction rate of GBV crimes are measured against specific targets in the
Free State province. This, according to the participant in this rapid assessment from Free
State SAPS, goes to show the commitment that the province has in combating GBV by
integrating all these strategies in the strategic planning.
In support of the mainstreaming of GBV in sector plans in the Free State SAPS, the
participant had the following to add:
18
There are two categories of vulnerable groups that SAPS has a specific view on
protection: women 18+ and those 18 and children. The provincial Commissioner
is very passionate about the early detection of GBV cases and conviction of the
perpetrators of GBV against women, children and the elderly.
In addition, the participant from Free State SAPS shared that in support of the Plan of
Action to curb GBV in the province, SAPS is an active member of the Justice Crime
Prevention Security (JCPS) Cluster. This cluster includes the following departments:
Justice, Social Development, SAPS, Correctional Services, Education, Health, National
Prosecution Authority (NPA).In the Free State, the JCPS is championed by the MEC’s
office under the leadership and guidance of HOD of the Department of Police, Roads and
Transport. The JCPS meets quarterly to measure indicators on the Programme of Action
(PoA) e.g. number of GBV awareness campaigns were conducted; number of human
trafficking activities held, in a specific quarter in the Free State province and within each
of the district and local municipalities. The JCPS committee works hand in hand with the
Office of the Premier on frontline activities (entry points) and gender-based related
incidents.
The SAPS official further added that the Free SAPS had prior to the Research Team’s visit
recently launched the Youth Crime Prevention Summit as a subsidiary of the Free State
Local Crime Prevention Strategy. The official further expounded that the recent
launching of the Youth Crime Prevention Summit in the Free State province led to the
hosting of the Free State Youth Outreach Summit, which was specifically targeted at
youth in the province. In this that summit, the youth were given the opportunity to
address all Government Departments and highlight their needs and to make
suggestions. It was further added that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS)
had youth offenders present at that summit. The outcome of the summit was to have
Youth Strategies in place in the district and local municipalities targeted at addressing
youth needs and issues affecting youth.
19
3.3 VICTIM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME
It is appropriate to consider the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) of the South
African Police Service as a vehicle for empowering and building capacity amongst SAPS
members to improve service delivery to victims of crime and violence. The National
Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) adopted by the South African Cabinet in May 1996
established a VEP for the country. Before 1996 the services to victims of crime and
violence were provide largely by the non-governmental organisations involved in work
with women and children.
The SAPS was an integral part of the VEP team from its introduction. The major aspects
of the VEP deal with the improvement of service delivery to victims of crimes and
violence. This incorporates the manner in which SAPS provides victims with appropriate
protection at the scene of the incident. Furthermore it involves the manner in which
SAPS liaises with other members of the social services and criminal justice system to
provide them with assistance in finalising their cases.
The following statement from the VEP – South African Police Service Manualxxiv (p. 2)
underscores the centrality of VEP as a model for victim empowerment:
The NCPS as the basis of the South African model for victim empowerment also
recognises that victim support and empowerment, which is often remedial,
could play a contributory role in the prevention of crime.xxv
In addition the NCPS recognised that victims of criminal activity if untreated would often
be victimised again or become the perpetrators of retributive or domestic violence.
In
this regard, the NCPS advocates for a victim-centred approach to crime and crime
prevention. Furthermore the NCPS makes specific provision for an inter-sectoral
programme, called the NCPS Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP). The programme
is led by the Department of Social Development and includes role-players such as the
South African Police Service, the Departments of Justice, Health, Correctional Services
20
and Education, as we’ll as NGOs, CBOs and academics in the field of victim
empowerment. The programme aims at empowering the victims of crime by:



Making the criminal justice system more accessible;
Providing a greater and more meaningful role for victims in the criminal
justice process, for example as witnesses in the prosecution of criminals;
and,
Addressing the negative effects of victimisation through providing
counselling and support services at local level.
Furthermore, the White paper on Safety and Security, 1999-2004 further underscores
the need for improved services to victims. The Department of Safety and Security views
victimisation as a violation of human rights, and subscribes to the United Nations’
Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power which
clearly states that victims have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, to offer
information, to receive information, to be provided with legal advice and the right to
protection, compensation or restitution. An important component of the NCPS VEP is
the establishment of Victim Support Rooms (VSR). The following is the definition of a
VSRxxvi:
This is a room or rooms at a police station35313531 provided or refurbished for use
by victims. Such a room or facility will provide privacy and confidence for the victim to
give his/ her statement. Victim facilities used for taking statements from children
could also include toys, even special toys used by experts (usually with assistance of
intermediaries) to assist in taking statements. VSR must not be confused with trauma
rooms. A victim-support room refers to space in a police station where services related
to the SAPS’ functions are rendered. If services beyond the mandate of the SAPS (for
example medical examinations of trauma counselling) are rendered, the facility
becomes a one-stop or multi-disciplinary Victim Support Centre and the involvement
of other service providers in government must be sought to assist in the management
and supervision of the Centre and the services renderedxxvii(p. 6).
21
All in all, South Africans are exposed to high levels of victimisation owing to the presence
of a combination of certain risk factors. Hence, victims who report the victimisation to
the police are often dissatisfied with the services they receive. To this end, the NCPS VEP
provides the much needed effective utilisation of available resources in the criminal
justice system, the social work environment and the community to support victims.
Moreover, the NCPS VEP model is based on the principle of coordinated service delivery
and has numerous positive outcomes which include: facilitating communication
between the National and Provincial coordination committees and the local victims
support services in a specific province such as the Free State and that victim-friendly
po0licies and interventions reduce repeat victimisation and prevent victims from
becoming perpetrators themselves.
3.4 MAINSTREAMING HIV PREVENTION IN SECTOR PLANS
This section analyses and presents the findings regarding the extent to which HIV
prevention is mainstreamed in sector departments plans. The first department to be
considered is the Provincial Department of Education in the Free State province.
3.4.1 Provincial Department of Education in the Free State
It was explained that the Free State Department of Education has regular campaigns
at schools and around communities to raise awareness of HIV prevention. These
strategies are in-built in the department’s strategic social planning. It was further
elaborated that the HIV and AIDS Directorate in the Department of Education is
responsible for drawing up plans and initiatives and then involve the different
directorates in the department to partner and assist in execution thereof by inviting
them to their campaigns and sharing information.
22
3.4.2 National and Provincial Department of Social Development in the Free
State
The Department of Social Development has over the years been involved in
implementing strategies to address HIV and AIDS in all the provinces in South Africa,
including the Free State province. To show its commitment to the prevention and
control of HIV and AIDS in its sector planning, the DSD has a Chief Directorate, namely,
HIV/AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS Chief Directorate develops, supports and monitors the
implementation of policies, programmes and guidelines aimed at preventing
and mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS in line with the 2012–2016 National
Strategic Plan for HIV, STIs, and TB.
At the national level, there is evidence in the social sector plans of National DSD to
support HIV prevention.
For instance the DSD Strategic Plan 2015 –
2020Planarticulates that progress in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic is
still undermined by the high levels of sexual violence against women and children. The
plan further pronounces that National DSD will continue with its efforts to fight against
GBV in general and violence against women and children in particular, to implement
social and behaviour change programmes especially targeting the youth, and to
promote psycho-social wellbeing so as to reduce vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in
targeted key populations.
In addition, the DSD Strategic Plan 2015–2020Plan states that over the medium term,
National DSD will intensify its efforts in protecting and providing for the rights of
Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). This is important to note that OVC`s, due to
their disadvantaged status in the community, are a vulnerable group to being sexually
abused and concurrently infected with HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted
infections. The DSD Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020Plan National DSD will invest more
than R100 million a year to improve timely availability of reliable data on programme
performance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and information on the social effects
23
of HIV and AIDS and other vulnerabilities faced by children. Also important is that DSD
will strengthen coordination, management and oversight of community care service
structures that protect and care for the most vulnerable children and their families;
and strengthen inter-sectoral integration and coordination between DSD and other
departments such as Health and Education, thereby building a supportive multi-sector
environment for vulnerable children through system- strengthening at national and
provincial levels.
3.5 MAINSTREAMING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN SECTOR PLANS
This section deals with mainstreaming of Reproductive Sexual Health in social sector
plans of government departments. An analysis and presentation is firstly done of the
Free State Department of Education. The official in this department interviewed
stated with regard to SRH, that there are no specific such projects on SRH in the
department’s sector plans. However, most campaignsconducted in the province
cover all areas of health and wellbeing. With regard to access to SRH, the department
hosts regular advocacy sessions at schools and communities around SRH and
prevention of HIV and AIDS. Learners have access to school nurses and social workers
and the department is looking into having mobile health service clinics stationed near
schools so that learners can have improved access to health services. Furthermore,
each school is allocated a Social Worker to help learners and educators faced with GBV
or other related issues, such as SRH and HIV and AIDS.
The Department of Education in the Free Sate further shared that in support of RSH in
the schools, they have started issuing young girls in the schools with sanitary towels
as well as complete school uniform.
They stated however that the priority area is the bursary scheme operated by the
Premier’s Office in the Free State Province. The bursary scheme ensures that
deserving, less privileged young girls are afforded the opportunity to further their
studies and for those learners who are already at tertiary level and are unable to afford
their fees, the scheme as of now makes provision for them as well. The latter and
24
former programmes narrated here are noble programmes in support of SRH and
women and girl empowerment, respectively.
3.6 MAINSTREAMING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment of women is essential for transformation because it addresses the
structural and underlying causes of subordination and discrimination of women in their
homes, in the workplace, and in religious and cultural institutions. According to the Free
State Provincial DSD and National DSD, gender inequality and the marginalisation of
women continue to hamper the development efforts and the building of a cohesive and
safe society in South Africa. Women and children remain victims of marginalisation in
the workplace, bearing the brunt of socio-economic challenges that the country faces
and being the primary victims of violent crimes in society. These challenges require
intentional investments and coordination of efforts to address them.
In this regard, DSD has incorporated gender in its sector plans with a focus on ensuring
that gender is mainstreamed in the department’s policy and programme development;
that workplaces are responsive to parents’ needs (such as providing places of care for
their children); and that programme funding is premised on addressing the particular
needs of women and children. To anchor and sustain these efforts, DSD has committed
in the DSD Strategic Plan 2015–2020Planto engage in proactive education and
awareness programmes on gender rights, thereby promoting attitude change and
shifting collective mind-sets towards realising South Africa’s goal of equality for all.
The Provincial Department of Education in the Free State emphasises that Gender
equality and equity are guided by the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) principles.
The department has embarked on a process of taking young female employees to the
different heritage sites around the province to enable them to understand the legacy of
the province so as to be able to compete with the men in conversation to promote
equality. It was further reported that the department has a gender equality policy in
place and most positions are mostly equally represented by both genders. The official
25
interviewed reiterated that 50/50 is the department’s priority and target in all cases.
With regard to women empowerment, the official further added that department is
planning a formal Free State Development Plan to assist and train women and girl
children on Management. The official reiterated that:
Girl learners are prioritised in terms of academic achievement by the Free State
Department of Education.
In addition, the Free State Department of Education, in partnership with UNICEF had a
train the trainer workshop on Gender Mainstreaming and these trainers were then sent
to different schools around the province to train up the learners, who in turn were
tasked with training their peers and parents. It was specified that Tshwaraganang Legal
Centre is the department’s gender mainstreaming (and GBV) partner and they roll out
most gender mainstreaming and gender-based programmes and activities to schools
and partners.
3.7 MAINSTREAMING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
According to the Free State Provincial Department of Education, the commitment of
the department in supporting access to justice in the social sector plan is demonstrated
by the observation that the department encourages communities, learners and
educators to report perpetrators of crimes such as domestic violence, GBV, and other
related crimes to SAPS immediately after occurrence.
In addition, it was revealed by the official from the Free State SAPS department that the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) established a Sexual Offences and Community
Affairs (SOCA) Unit in October 1999 in support of access to justice for victims of such
offences. SOCA’s broad objective is to eliminate “all forms of GBV against women and
children”. SOCA has four sub-units or ‘sections’. ‘Sexual offences’ is one such section,
focusing efforts to increase conviction rates, prosecution efficiency, and to reduce postevent trauma and victimization through initiatives like Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs),
26
and (ideally), in conjunction with special Sexual Offences Courts (SOCs). It is observed
that this is, in essence, South Africa’s anti-rape strategy. It should be explained that TCCs
are comprehensive post-rape treatment facilities, geared towards fast-tracking the
conviction and prosecution process.
In addition, at these centres victims of rape receive medical attention and care,
counselling, legal advice, the opportunity to submit a police report, and other services
aimed at reducing trauma and secondary victimisation. Sexual offences courts deal
specifically with sexual offences (i.e. they have a dedicated roll) and consist of
specialised prosecutors, social workers, investigating officers, magistrates and health
professionals. These courts are effective in dealing with sexual offences.
3.8 MAINSTREAMING YOUTH DEVELOPMENTAND EALY CHILDHOOD
DEVELOPMENT
The official from the Free State Department of Education shared that out of school
youth programmes in the province are handled by the Premier’s Office through their
Operation Hlasela programme. They also have regular workshops with these youth to
teach them the basics of how to start their own businesses. The Free State Department
of Education’s Employee Wellness Programme (EWP) is responsible for assisting and
developing the educators and other support staff in the schools with regard to health
and wellness.
The Provincial DSD in the Free State and National DSD support policies and
programmes dealing with youth development in the country and in the Free State
province. To this end, DSD, through its Youth Directorate, introduced Youth
Development Centres (YDCs) in the Free State province as well as in other provinces
of the country. One of the objectives of establishing the Youth Directorate in the Free
State province is to drive youth development in the province. Resources estimated at
over 100 million rand have to-date been invested to the youth centres of the Free
State province. Therefore, the youth centres in Free State province were established
with the main aim of developing the youth in the province in line with providing the
27
youth with information on entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, basic
computer skills training and linking the youth to entrepreneurship and employment
opportunities, just to name a few.
In addition, the DSD Strategic Plan 2015 reiterates that poverty has a significant gender
dimension that cannot be ignored. In general, the profile reveals that children, youth
and women continue to bear the brunt of poverty. This disturbing situation calls for a
coherent approach to addressing the ‘triple challenges’ of poverty, inequality and
unemployment. To address this and other related issues, the DSD commits to focus on
the following key areas:
3.8.1 Early Childhood Development
Over the medium term the DSD commits to focus on improving access to quality Early
Childhood Development (ECD) through the provision of comprehensive ECD services as
an instrument to make investments in health, development of capabilities, mitigate
vulnerabilities and to serve as the building blocks for future resilience. Effective ECD is
also critical for ensuring equitable participation of women in the labour force and the
productive and social life of communities. The DSD will develop a policy for ECD that will
amongst other things address the universalisation of ECD services and raising and
equalising subsidies, and working with the National Development Agency (NDA) to
address social infrastructure related to ECD.
3.8.2 Children and Youth
In a country where violence against children is reaching endemic proportions, DSD’s
commitment is to strengthen child protection services starting with a massive process
of screening people working with children against Part B of the Child Protection Register.
DSD further commits to intensify the roll-out of Child and Youth Care Services using a
model known as Isibindi in all provinces, including the Free State. This model effectively
addresses the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through the appointment of
child and youth care workers who provide children with direct support in the context of
28
their families and communities through, among others, safe parks and life skills
programmes. Youth development remains a strategic focus for government and DSD will
contribute to the development of young people through leadership camps and skills
development through its social work bursary programme.
3.9 CALENDARS
The Department of Education in the Free State has a calendar in place to support
programmes against GBV to promote the empowerment of women and girls in the
province.
All the sector departments interviewed in this repaid assessment, viz, Free State
Department of Education, Free State Provincial DSD, National Department of social
Development and Free State SAPS, alluded to observing the calendar events such as
Women’s Month, Sixteen Days of Activism, AIDS Day. However, it noteworthy that such
events do not improve the lives of women or lead to substantive equality. Resources
should be channeled to tangible programmes that empower and discourage the
practices of GBV and promote the empowerment of women and girls and prevent the
spread of HIV infection.
3.10 SEX-DISAGGREGATED DATA
All the interviewed sector departments generally concurred that information and data,
mainly on GBV is disaggregated by sex for reporting and monitoring and evaluation
purposes. The question to be posed is to what extent this disaggregated information is
utilised in monitoring purposes, especially at the sub-district levels where programmes
are implemented.
29
3.11 LINKAGE BETWEEN GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, HIV PREVENTION AND
SEXUAL, AND REPORDUCTIVE HEALTH
The linkages between HIV/AIDS and GBV have been identified in a recent literature
reviewxxviii. For example: forced sex may directly increase the risk of HIV transmission as
a result of physical trauma; violence or threats of violence may limit the ability to
negotiate safer sex; inadequacies in justice systems may result in a disincentive to
reporting rape and/or seeking post-exposure prophylaxis; childhood sexual abuse may
lead to sexual risk taking in later life; and sharing HIV results may increase the risk of a
violent response by a partnerxxix.
Organisations working in the field of GBV are increasingly noting the impacts of sexual
violence-related HIV infection, and are adopting integrated approaches in their
programmes, analyses, training and advocacy work. There are, however, few intersectoral linkagesxxx. Therefore, addressing the intersections between HIV/AIDS and GBV
in South Africa requires re-orientation in social policies and organisational practices.
GBV violates human rights and affects sexual and reproductive health. Widely prevalent
and socially silenced in most sub-Saharan countries, including South Africa, GBV is
increasingly recognised as a major public health concern in South Africa. GBV restricts
choices and decision-making of those who experience it, curtailing their rights across
their life cycle to access critical SRH information and services. It is a risk factor for
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unwanted pregnancy, in addition to
causing direct physical and mental health consequences. A few examples globally and in
South Africa of GBV’s impact on SRH include the following:

Studies in many countries, including South Africa, have identified that physical
abuse has been associated with higher rates of miscarriages, bleeding in late
pregnancy, premature labour or delivery, still births, termination of pregnancy
and suicide, which is often linked to gender based violencexxxi; xxxii

Research in South Africa show links between experiencing physical violence,
lower likelihood of adopting contraception and increased likelihood of unwanted
pregnancies. Studies in Kiribati, Samoa and the Solomon Islands show that
30
women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) were met with higher
rates of opposition to contraception.xxxiii;xxxiv

Correlations between HIV transmission and GBV, and the underlying gender
inequalities in preventing negotiation for safer sexual practices, have been
establishedxxxv. It is in part directly biological as women may be exposed to HIV
during rape, and partly mediated through gender power inequalities and the
impact of sexual violence on women’s sense of self, and in particular perceptions
of control over sexual access to their bodies and their self-esteem.

Follow-up studies on rape victims who were HIV-negative before being raped
show that these victims have a higher risk of becoming HIV-positive after having
being raped. This indicates a means through which GBV is directly linked to
causing HIV as most rape victims are indeed womenxxxvi.

When studies were done among couples who have one HIV-negative and one
HIV-positive partner, those who also reported GBV in their relationships had an
increased risk for HIV infection, once again showing a direct link between HIV
and GBVxxxvii.

Childhood sexual abuse has been both directly and indirectly linked to increased
HIV risk. As a direct result these children may be affected during childhood
experiences of sexual abuse and indirectly they may have higher risk due to the
effect being a victim, can cause a disabling effect on their prevention choices and
increase later high-risk behaviourxxxviii.

Coerced first intercourse at any age can have devastating effects on the
survivor’s mental role as a victim and will make her less likely to negotiate safe
sexual practices later on in lifexxxix.

Increased HIV risk associated with intimate partner violence have also been
shown where women who had experienced intimate partner violence were more
likely to have a high risk for being infected with HIVxl.
In addition, it should be noted that linkages between HIV transmission and GBV go both
ways. Covert contraceptive use by women increases women’s risk of violencexli. Some
SRH issues, such as infertility, STI and HIV, may be used by perpetrators to propagate
violence. Societal attitudes towards these conditions and to women’s non-compliance
31
to gender roles, which are mainly rooted in inequitable and unequal gender norms,
compound the problemxlii. Further research is needed to further understand and provide
effective responses towards combating GBV.
3.12 CONCLUDING REMARKS
This chapter presented results on the rapid assessment for the social sector
departments in the Free State province which include the Provincial and National
Departments of Social Development, Provincial Department of Basic Education and
the Provincial South African Police Services. In addition, the chapter presented the
National Crime Prevention Strategy Victim Empowerment Programme and the South
African Integrated Programme of Action for addressing violence against women and
children. Chapter Four will present the results on the assessment of Integrated
Development Plans in the Free State Province. Finally, Chapter Five presents
recommendations based on the results from the rapid assessment. For targeting
purposes, the recommendations are provided first for the social sector departments
and second for the IDPs, separately for Thabo Mofutsanyana and Lejweleputswa
District Municipalities.
32
CHAPTER 4
ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANS
4.1 BACKGROUND TO LEGAL FRAMEWORK: MUNICIPAL IDP`S
It is important to note that the major sources of access to information held by
municipalities are primarily their websites, and much less so public participation
exercises (provided they are meaningful engagements with the public) and personal
requests. Therefor it is very important that municipalities have up to date websites
that include the prescribed essential information.
National government has
acknowledged the importance of municipal websites and has thus created a
prescriptive legislative framework in this regard. This assessment thus started with a
desktop study.
The Desktop Study commenced with a reflection on the legislative framework
applicable to a municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the linkage of the
IDP to the municipality’s Budget and the accessing of such information through the
municipality’s website. In so doing we –

Referred to the Municipal Systems Act (32/2000)
-
Section 25 (A municipality must have an IDP)
-
Section 26 (Core components of an IDP)
-
Section 27 (District-wide framework for IDP, alignment and mutual consultation
procedure)
-
Section 29 (Process to be followed in drafting an IDP, public consultation and
participation, other organs of state to be consulted, alignment of local and district
municipal IDP’s)
-
Section 32 (Copy of IDP to MEC for Local Government)
-
Section 34 (Annual review of IDP)
-
Section 35 – (Status of IDP and its binding nature)
33
-
Section 21 B – (Requirement that each municipality must have an official website
and reflect the prescribed documents, or request the information to be placed on
the organised local government website and sponsored / facilitated by National
Treasury)

Referred to the Municipal Finance Management Act (56/2003)
-
Section 24 (Approval of Budget 30 days before start of the financial year)
-
Section 41 (Linkage of the municipality’s Performance Management System (PMS)
to its IDP)
-
Section 52 (Quarterly reports on implementation of the budget)
-
Section 53 (Approval of Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP)
within 28 days after budget approval and linked to PMS and made public within
14 days thereafter)
-
Section 72 (Mid-term Budget and PMS assessment)
-
Section 75 (Information that must be placed on a municipality’s website relative
to the Budget & SDBIP’s which must link to the IDP)
Flowing from the abovementioned legislative provisions, the required reflection of
documents relevant to this Rapid Assessment on a municipality’s website, should
ideally be as follows:
The IDP which is a 5 year plan and which must be reviewed annually. In the IDP
there must be a situational analysis of existing needs, and performance
indicator/s and targets must be developed to address each need. The IDP must
include a budget projection for at least the next 3 years.

The Budget for the current financial year 2014/15 indicating the level to which the
needs as per the IDP can be financed.

The 2014/15 SDBIP which lists and links the performance indicators and targets
as per the IDP to the budgeted amounts and indicates the actions plans and
34
programmes to be undertaken per quarter by the responsible person/department
in achieving the municipality’s objectives.

In-year quarterly and mid-term reports which indicate the measure to which the
performance indicators and targets have been met.

The Annual Report of the previous year 2013/14 indicating actual performance
and audited outcomes in terms of its IDP and SDBIP.
Thabo Mofutsanyana: District 1:
On 7 April 2015, we accessed the website of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District
Municipality. Only the following usable documents could be accessed from this
municipality’s website:

SDBIP 2013/14

IDP 2012/16
This municipality’s website does not fully comply with the applicable legislative
requirements.
On 7 April 2015, we also accessed the website of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality
(Bethlehem). No budget is uploaded. We downloaded the:

SDBIP 2014/15

Functional Area Service Delivery Report 2011-12, which did not really assist

IDP 2013/14

Budget estimates for 2013/14
The municipality does not fully meet the legislative prescripts in respect of its website.
35
Lejweleputswa: District 2
On 9 April 2015 we downloaded the following documents of this district municipality
from its website –

IDP for 2013/14

SDBIP for 2013/14 (revised)

Budget for 2013/14 (is latest on website)

Latest Annual Report for 2012/13
This website does not fully comply with the legislative prescripts.
On 9 April 2015 we also downloaded the 2012/16 IDP of the Matjhabeng Local
Municipality from the MFMA Treasury website. No other usable documents seem to
be available.
This local municipality’s website also does not comply with the legislative prescripts.
4.2 RELEVANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FINANCIAL STATUS OF MUNICIPALITIES
We also referred to the National Treasury Assessment (November 2014) of the state
of local government finances and financial management as at 30 June 2014, as well as
the recent publication of Eskom (national electricity generator and supplier) in respect
of municipalities that face severe electricity cuts due to huge arrears in payments
unless these municipalities enter into arrangements to pay the current accounts and
start to repay the arrears. The reason for referring to these matters is that if
municipalities are in financial distress or if they face severe electricity cuts, they will
be compelled to channel all available funds into perceived essential services and into
stabilising their finances at the probable expense of other “softer” community projects
and programmes.
36
Thabo Mofutsanyana: District 1
In terms of the November 2014 National Treasury Assessment, the Thabo
Mofutsanyana District Municipality is identified as a municipality in financial distress.
This aspect was confirmed during the site visit on 2 June 2015.
The Dihlabeng Local Municipality is NOT identified as a municipality in financial
distress. It does however have severe financial constraints, as confirmed during the
site visit on 1 June 2015.
Eskom has threatened to cut its supply of electricity to this local municipality
(Dihlabeng) as announced due to non-payment issues, indicating possible financial and
management constraints and concerns with a resultant negative impact on service
delivery. During the site visit on 1 June 2015 it was confirmed that this local
municipality had entered into an agreement or was in the process to do so with Eskom
in respect of its current account and repayment of the arrears.
Lejweleputswa: District 2
The Lejweleputswa District Municipality is not identified as a municipality in financial
distress in terms of National Treasury’s November 2014 assessment.
The Matjhabeng Local Municipality is likewise not identified as a municipality in
financial distress, but it does have severe financial constraints.
Eskom has threatened to cut the electricity supply to this local municipality
(Matjhabeng) as announced due to non-payment issues, indicating probable financial
and management constraints and concerns with a resultant negative impact on service
delivery.
37
4.3 SUMMARY OF DESK AND FIELDWORK:
The sourced documents of the municipalities and as reflected under the Desktop Study
heading were checked for linkages to the nine Thematic Areas as contained in the
Rapid Assessment Proposal.
The result of this exercise will be reflected in each mentioned municipality relative to
each Thematic Area.
4.3.1 Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality: (DISTRICT 1)
4.3.1.1 Thematic Area 1: Safety and Security
The issue of transport, safety and security is listed as a priority issue on page 34 of its
2012-16 IDP.
On page 52 of the said IDP it is stated that the highest levels of crime are experienced
in townships. It also states that the safety of farmers and farmworkers is a concern.
Reference is also made to the fact that there is confusion about the powers of local
and provincial traffic officials.
On pages 105 and 106 of the same IDP the District Municipality intends to encourage
the local municipalities in its area to participate in the drawing up of safety plans, as
well as to encourage involvement of the SAPS in municipal planning activities.
However, we could find no reflection of a manifestation of these concerns/intentions
in its SDBIP or of any budget allocation for any such activity, nor of a plan to
achieve/address any of them or whether anything has been done or not.
Based on the site visit, the local municipality engages SAPS but there was no evidence
of a co-ordinated approach by the District Municipality.
38
The only project under this Thematic Area is the erection of 6 high mast lights in the
Lusaka Township (p 50 of its SDBIP). No budget or plan is indicated for this project.
During the site visit on 2 June 2015, it was claimed that 3 high mast lights were funded
by the District for each ward in the various wards. There was no evidence provided
for this.
Under the District IDP Objectives and Strategies, on page 105 reference is made to the
need to encourage its local municipalities “to participate in drawing safety plans” to
achieve a crime free district, but no further reference to any project, plan or
programme in this regard was found. The same applies to the involvement of the SAPS
in municipal planning activities (p 106).
The SDBIP 2013/14 of the District municipality appears to be incomplete as it
terminates abruptly.
On page 6 and 2 of its SDBIP the Dihlabeng Local Municipality identified strategies to
inter alia promote a safe and healthy environment.
Based on the site visit, it was found that what is lacking is a clear strategy to plan
activities on the basis of SAPS crime statistics/information. The local municipality
intends to address this aspect (e.g. cut grass in high crime areas), but the District does
not play a leading or coordinating role in this regard.
In the 2014/15 SDBIP of its Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Public Safety, Emergency and
Fire Services are reflected as Priority 10. In terms of the 2014/15 IDP it indicates the
following:
i)
R30 000 is allocated for awareness campaigns. No detail as provided.
ii)
R200 000 is likewise mentioned for acquisition of a radio network/control
room, without detail.
iii)
R240 000 is provided for CCTV’s in the streets, without detail.
iv)
R1 000 000 is likewise mentioned for the establishment of a crime prevention
unit, without detail.
39
v)
R300 000 is mentioned for the first year in establishing a one stop in Bohlokong,
without detail.
vi)
It states on page 19 that the response time of SAPS to complaints needs
improvement and that certain wards are far from police stations.
From none of the documents accessed from its website was it established whether
this crime prevention unit was established, what its functions are intended to be or
whether there is a roll-out plan. The same applies to the establishment of a one-stop
service. No further information could be found dealing with the SAPS response times
and long distance from certain wards.
During the site visit no evidence was provided whether these projects were rolled out.
However, the IDP Manager indicated that a budget was provided in general, without
specific programs/projects. The local municipality will pay from the provided votes as
issues are raised or proposals are submitted (e.g. NGO, NPO’s who experts are). They
thus provide support or funding for external projects without compiling their own
plans/projects. For example, the costs of catering for or transport to deserving
workshops, or the provision of a venue for free, could be such support. If a specific
plan/proposal was submitted, it could also be funded from this general provision.
As mentioned earlier, for the new financial year, Dihlabeng has reached an agreement
with Eskom to pay the electricity arrears or is in the process to do so. However, this
has necessitated cutting on expenditure and even certain “nice to have”
projects/programmes. The prioritised focus is now on essential services.
Projects
relevant to GBV, health and security under these thematic areas will only receive little
or no contributions.
4.3.1.2 Thematic Area 2: Access to Justice
No references were found under this heading.
40
4.3.1.3 Thematic Area 3: Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
In the 2012-2016 IDP (page 34), the District municipality lists Municipal Health as its
function.
On page 48 it reflects that there are 69 primary health care clinics in the district. In
most towns a 24 hour service is not available. There are 18 functioning mobile clinics
at weekly to monthly intervals at more than 1000 points throughout the district. Not
all areas are covered, especially rural areas due to inaccessible roads or remoteness.
It proceeds to indicate that serious illnesses such as HIV/Aids affect the lives of many
people. Not all towns have ARV centres. The statement that in many instances people
are still reluctant to talk about the disease and its effects is an apparent contradiction
to a statement on page 53 that Aids is no more a big problem as in past years. It also
states that ARV’s are now freely available (for free).
On the same page 53 it states that there is an increase in violence against women and
children. It also envisions access to government services for the vulnerable. However,
no reference was found in the IDP or SDBIP to any plan, project or budget allocation
to address these issues.
Under the IDP Objectives and Strategies from page 100 – 112 of the District IDP, no
provision is made to address GBV, child protection or HIV/Aids as per the Thematic
Areas.
Furthermore, in respect of the listed projects identified after public participation (page
124), there are no GBV, child, HIV or safety/security projects/needs listed. This may
be indicative of a deficient public participation process, which is possibly underscored
by the envisaged IDP development process which does not reflect on when the
community is consulted for input into the IDP or when feedback on what is included
in the IDP is given to the community (page 66). As needs are reflected on p124 et seq,
it appears there may have been some form of community participation, but this is not
41
clear. The listed needs also appear to be very limited for an area with 34.2%
unemployment and perceived widespread poor living conditions.
On page 7 of its 2013/14 IDP, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality states that gender and
gender-based violence (GBV) is also central to the HIV/AIDS and STI transmissions.
A very confusing aspect in the said IDP of Dihlabeng is that it has dedicated a Member
of the Mayoral Committee to the issues of Women, Children, Disability and Vulnerable
Groups (page 1 of its 2011/12 Annual Financial statements and website information).
However, on page 23 of the 2013/14 IDP there is no departmental function that
indicates that there is any support for the mentioned political portfolio. Neither was
any reference found to any project, plan or budget allocation that would action
anything towards achieving this political mandate. During the site visit this was
actually confirmed and it was said that the expectation was that the MMC concerned
should champion these Mayoral projects. However, without dedicated support it is
not surprising (and given the financial situation), that nothing really tangible
materialised.
On page 57 of the 2013/14 IDP of Dihlabeng Local Municipality, it is stated that the
District is responsible for coordination and provision of support to the Free State
Department of Health and Social Services and the National Department of Social
Development in fulfilling their mandate. There is, however, no later concretisation of
what is to be done in giving effect to this responsibility. There was a Local Aids Council,
but the IDP Manager was not aware if it is still functional.
On page 58 it is stated that R200 000 is provided for a Women Empowerment
Programme, and R150 000 for Social Security Programmes as Mayoral Projects. There
is no confirmation that these programmes are in place or what they entail. A total
amount of R1.836 million has been provided for Mayoral Community Development
programme in the 2013/14 financial year.
42
The local municipality states that it does provide venues for meetings and sometimes
assists with transport. It also sometimes provides catering and a venue for other
spheres conducting workshops.
Dihlabeng prepared its IDP for its 2015/16 Budget in-house and on its own steam, and
provided for the following Mayoral projects:
Health Awareness Campaign
Community support relief
programs
Women empowerment
Right to learn
LED
Mayoral Imbizo
Veterans/Senior support
Youth empowerment
Local & farming communities
Local and farming and
childhood households
Vulnerable and disabled
Youth
SMME Development
Communities
Communities
Youth
R100k
R1m
R200k
R75
R300k
R400k
R150k
R1.7m
The spending of these amounts is dependent on whether the funds will still be
available if cost-cutting measures are enforced. There are also limited plans existing
to indicate the exact way forward in this regard.
4.3.1.4 Thematic Area 4: Child Protection
On page 53 of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality’s 2012-2016 IDP it is
stated that there is an increase in violence against women and children. However, no
projects, programmes or budget allocations were identified to provide substance to
anything being done to address this matter at district level.
On page 57 of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality’s 2013/14 IDP, it is stated that child
protection, orphans and the homeless are some of the key areas of work located
within the Welfare Service.
It also mentions that approximately 112 children
registered with Welfare are living on the streets.
On page 11 of the last mentioned IDP, R10 000 is indicated for the integration of intersectoral/departmental projects. On page 58 it is indicated as a Mayoral project that
43
R200 000 is earmarked for youth development, with a further R150 000 for children
and disability support. In its Budget for 2013/14 an amount of R854 240 has been set
aside for women, children and the disabled. No further details were found to indicate
whether the money has in fact been set aside in the Budget and used for these
projects, or whether there are any plans, programmes or activities to implement these
projects. In its 2015/16 budget, the Dihlabeng municipality earmarked R2 775 000.00
for youth-related projects/programmes. Whether these will be executed remains to
be seen, given the financial and other constraints.
4.3.1.5 Thematic Area 5: Protection Priorities in the IDP’s and Plans:
Other than as reflected under Thematic Areas 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 herein, no further
references were found to provide substance to this Thematic Area.
4.3.1.6 Thematic Area 7: Public Participation in Developing and Monitoring
of Implementation of IDP’s:
On page 31 of the 2012/16 IDP of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, the
District acknowledges its responsibility to do integrated development planning for the
district as a whole, including a framework for IDP for the local municipalities within
the district.
On page 56 of the stated IDP, it is stated that communication between the district and
its local municipalities is good although it can still improve. It then states that high
hopes are placed on the IDP process (our emphasis) to come up with solutions to many
problems, as well as that one of the key areas where improvement is needed is the
coordination with government departments and service providers (our emphasis).
Despite these very important acknowledgements, there is no indication that anybody
has been assigned any duty to address them or whether any projects, plans,
programmes or budget allocations have been committed to provide substance
thereto.
44
During the site visit on 2 June 2015, it was established that the District Municipality
had a staff problem and the IDP Office was vacant for approximately 2 years. The
previous IDP Manager passed away and the IDP support officer was away on maternity
leave. For months they had no capacity to deal with the IDP or to provide a framework
for their local municipalities.
On page 66 of the stated District IDP, the programme in developing the IDP is provided.
There is no indication of consultation with the community. However on pages 124 and
125 certain needs have been identified under the heading of 2014/15 IDP Public
Participation and Community Needs. It is not clear how these needs were identified
if no community participation activities were scheduled – were these needs obtained
from the local municipalities? During the site visit it appeared as if the needs were
listed as per the IDP sessions of the locals that the District had attended.
The District Municipality attended several IDP meetings of the locals, but gave no
guidance in the IDP process. Dihlabeng had scheduled meetings per an advertised
schedule with various categories of stakeholders (business, churches, communities,
etc.).
In its 2013/14 IDP, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality indicates in its IDP/Budget process
that it will consolidate public inputs on ward-based planning through its IDP Forum. It
also sets aside public meetings on the final draft IDP by the Mayor and Municipal
Manager and his/her team.
On page 11 it has earmarked R60 000 for these
consultation processes but in its budget it appears as if R255 000 has been set aside
for this activity. On page 15 it provides dates and has allocated the responsibility for
the previous year’s public participation meetings in specified wards. It indicates that
a District representative was responsible to attend the last scheduled meeting on its
IDP on 11 October 2012. On page 19 it lists the summary of issues raised by
communities during the previous IDP community meetings.
There is no evidence to suggest that the District executed its responsibility in respect
of the IDP processes within its area. It is not sufficient just to sit in on a wrapping-up
45
of the IDP process meeting of a local municipality. The local municipality seems to
have addressed this requirement on its own. This was confirmed during the site visit.
The District needs support to comply with its duty to provide a meaningful framework
to its local municipalities to compile their IDP’s as well as to coordinate interaction on
the issues of security, GBV and vulnerable groups, as well as HIV/AIDS and the youth,
inclusive of gender mainstreaming. The interaction should be with its locals and the
relevant national and provincial sector departments concerned.
The current financial situations of the District Municipality and of its local
municipalities support the abovementioned findings.
4.3.1.7 Thematic Area 8: Sexual Reproductive Health Issues affecting Youth
and Adolescents:
Other than as mentioned under Thematic Areas 1, 3 and 4, no other references were
found to provide substance to this Thematic Area.
4.3.1.8 Thematic Area 9: HIV Protection
On page 48 of its 2012-16 IDP, the District Municipality reflects that there are 69
primary health care clinics at weekly to monthly intervals at more than 1000 points
and not all areas are covered. It also indicates that serious illnesses such as HIV/Aids
affect the lives of many people and not all towns have ARV centres. There is a
statement on page 53 that Aids is no more such a big problem as in past years and that
ARV’s are now freely available.
The District has not provided for HIV/Aids projects / programmes in its IDP.
In its 2013/14 IDP, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality has earmarked R250 000 for
HIV/Aids programmes.
46
Further than the above, no other measures were found to address this Thematic Area.
During the site visit, it was established that the District Municipality has earmarked
R800 000 in the 2015/16 Budget for moral regeneration, gender and disability
projects. It has also partnered with Eskom’s Ingula Power Station and the Provincial
Department of Health in fighting AIDS, as well as for counselling and voluntary testing.
It remains of limited reach, if it will be implemented, given the huge needs and the
financial situation of the municipalities in the area.
4.3.1.9 Key Findings:
i)
The District and its Dihlabeng Local Municipality do not have websites that fully
comply with the legislative prescripts.
The available documents do not
correspond exactly in respect of periods. This makes it difficult to check for
follow through and linkages, and also inhibits comparisons.
ii)
The fact that the District is in financial distress and the local appears to have
serious financial issues, as well as that the local municipality is hugely indebted
to Eskom and has been placed on terms for the cut-off of electricity supply
during peak hours mornings and evenings, confirm that the municipalities also
have severe resource and capacity constraints.
iii)
Shortcomings and needs are acknowledged by both the District and its relevant
local municipality under essentially each Thematic Area of the Rapid
Assessment. However, little or no projects, plans or programmes were found to
address these shortcomings or needs. Those that are identified, appear to be a
drop in the ocean and will probably have little or no impact at all. This was
verified during the site visit.
iv)
The District has not demonstrated that it has met its responsibility for integrated
planning in its area of jurisdiction or that it has provided an IDP framework for
its local municipalities. In actual fact, it appears as if the mentioned local
47
municipality has essentially done its own IDP. It was also confirmed by the
second local authority visited on 2 June 2015, and conceded by the District due
to a protracted vacancy in the IDP Office.
v)
The need has been expressed by the District Municipality to engage Provincial
and National sector departments, and in particular the SAPS, in its planning and
implementation of projects processes. However, there is no evidence of either
the District or the local municipality doing so. This was verified during the site
visit.
vi)
Although certain needs and projects have been listed, there is no direct evidence
of provision of funding for addressing such needs in the Budget and
implementation of the projects in terms of a directly corresponding Service
Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP). It cannot be deduced if
projects were in fact implemented and, if they were, what the outcome and
impact of each is.
vii)
The apparent lack of capacity and resources, coupled with the distressing
financial positions of these municipalities, are the main reasons for most of
these findings. The Local Municipality acknowledged it and indicated that it
needs support in the development, coordination and presentation of a credible
IDP in respect of GBV, security, health and the vulnerable groups.
viii) During the site visits it was actually confirmed that funds originally earmarked
for inter alia GBV, HIV/AIDS, Youth, the Disabled and specific security issues have
been cut with the focus on cost containment, endeavouring to stabilise the
financial position of the municipalities, as well as the provision of service
priorities such as roads, water and electricity.
ix)
During the site visit on 2 June 2015, it was established that although the District
Municipality indicated that it had identified one of its objectives to work
together with national and provincial government, no evidence of meaningful
interaction that may have taken place was found and there was no district-wide
48
coordination in this regard. It was confirmed that the District municipality
requires capacity and support to engage with SAPS and sector departments,
share information, and coordinate planning and implementation.
x)
There is a need for a VEP (Victim Empowerment Programme) after incidents of
GBV/rape/STI/HIV/AIDS.
xi)
The District indicated it needs support in mainstreaming GBV and guidance on
SAPS engagement. It will also need support to provide a meaningful framework
to its local municipalities in respect of the compilation of their IDP’s and the
coordination of plans/programmes/functions/services relevant to the thematic
areas mentioned in this report. The coordination should include relevant
national and provincial sector departments.
xii)
One issue that became clear during the site visits, was that for the communities
it is irrelevant which sphere of government is responsible for any particular
function/service.
Local government is the face of government and the
communities hold it responsible for all theirs woes (unemployment, crime,
roads, housing, electricity, health issues). It is suggested that an appropriate
strategy for communication of the factual realities should be developed and
communicated.
xiii) The Dihlabeng Member of Mayoral Committee with the portfolio of Women,
Children, Disability and Vulnerable Groups does not have direct and dedicated
administrative support, which indicates a defective delivery structure in this
functional area.
49
4.3.2 Lejweleputswa District Municipality: (DISTRICT 2)
From the onset, it needs to be mentioned that the desktop review results in respect
of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District (District 1), were essentially confirmed during the
site visits to that area.
During the initial site visit to the Lejweleputswa District (District 2), the desktop review
results were likewise confirmed in essence.
Both districts under review face similar financial and resource constraints, as well as a
similar challenge in respect of the electricity supply by ESKOM. They have similar socioeconomic challenges in both districts.
Consequently, it is only logical to deduce that the findings and recommendations in
respect of both districts should be very similar in this assessment.
4.3.2.1 Thematic Area 1: Safety and Security
The District municipality does not have a safety or security function (p 26 of its
2013/14 IDP).
However, on p 67 of the said IDP reference is made thereto that, in facilitating the
development of safer communities through better planning and enforcement of
municipal by-laws, metro police services (our emphasis) should contribute by
increasing police personnel, improving collaboration with the SAPS and ensuring rapid
response to reported crimes.
As the District is not a metropolitan area and in view of there being no designated
safety or security function, the question arises as to what this refers to? There is no
reference thereto or indication in the IDP or its SDBIP of how this strategy will be rolled
50
out or who the responsible person is.
It may possibly refer to inter-sectoral
cooperation, but this is also not clear and there is no indication of its implementation.
The only reference to this thematic area in its SDBIP is the allocation of R31 620 to
conduct crime prevention awareness campaigns.
In its 2012-16 IDP, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality reflects on the public safety
function. On page 29 it indicates that the current level of crime is a concern and is not
bound to a specific area or person/s. There is specifically an increase of violence
against women and children. It is indicated that some contributing factors are the high
unemployment rate and migration patterns, lack of resources within the police
service, ineffective neighbourhood watch systems and community policing forums,
lack of visible policing and lack of access to police stations, as well as the required
improvement of crime prevention and emergency response.
On page 104 of its IDP, this local municipality has set aside R5m for a joint control
centre for better response times to incidents/accidents. The funding source is said to
be the District municipality. As it is contained under the heading of Fire and Rescue
Services, it may thus probably not address this thematic area.
On page 48 of its IDP, this local municipality has identified as a safety and security goal
its area to be free of fears of crime and violence. Other than as mentioned, nothing
further tangible to action this goal was found.
On page 245 of the local Matjhabeng IDP, reference is made to sectoral inputs and the
interaction with the SAPS on the training of 100 security officers across the province
at an amount of R3m and the training of an unidentified number of CPF members
across the province at an amount of R440 000, but there is no indication of the benefit
thereof for this area or of any other details.
51
4.3.2.1 Thematic Area 2: Access to Justice
No reference were found to support this Thematic Area.
4.3.2.3 Thematic Area 3: GBV – Prevention and Response
On p 28 of the District IDP 2013/14 it is stated under Millennium Development Goals
that goal 3 is the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women.
On p 46 of the stated IDP it reflects that there are inadequate Social Workers and
counselling services and facilities to deal with problems such as alcohol and substance
abuse, family violence, child abuse, trauma and crime incidents and other welfare
problems. It is recommended that there should be a development of a coordinated
programme for the whole district that should include provincial departments of social
development and health, as well as departments within municipalities to plan and
coordinate identified issues. Unfortunately, no budget allocation, responsible person,
project or plan was found to support this recommendation.
On p 39 of its IDP, the District Municipality has allocated R53 600 to gender, disability
and the elderly awareness campaigns. In its SDBIP for 2013/14, the District reflects
that R79 500 has been allocated for moral regeneration, R125 000 for the
elderly/disabled/gender. These allocations are for awareness campaigns and appear
to be more than as reflected in its IDP.
In its 2012/16 IDP, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality has earmarked R2m for policy
and strategy formulation on all five focal points relative to be able to monitor
compliance with the Bill of Rights and other legislation. It has also projected a budget
of R5m for national day celebrations to mobilise for the plight of women, children, the
elderly and the disabled. An amount of R3m is earmarked for the destitute as a
Mayoral Social Responsibility project. Unfortunately, no further details of planning,
projects, programmes or implementation could be obtained.
52
4.3.2.4 Thematic Area 4: Child Protection
On p 66 of its IDP, the District Municipality has identified an output to reduce maternal
and child mortality rates to 30-40 per 1000 births. It indicates the role of national
government and also the role of local government, but it does not give any indication
of how it will respond to this role other than by conducting potable water samples or
samples on food selling outlets.
On page 44 of its IDP, the District Municipality indicates that as per the 2011 census,
there is a 36.5% unemployment rate, the highest in the Province, and which it
attributes partly to mining closures. This is a concerning statistic and may be an
indicator of the situation in which the vulnerable members of the community,
particularly children, women and the elderly, find themselves.
On page 80, read with the provision on page 93 of its IDP, the District has indicated
R50 000 will be set aside for targeted awareness campaigns on children’s programmes.
No further detail was found.
On page 155 of this IDP, reference is made to a list of sector department projects for
2013/14 to be implemented in the district area. The only reference is to the
Department of Water Affairs. No alignment in respect of all these Thematic Areas
mentioned in this review were found to provide linkages to the SAPS or the National
or Provincial Social/Health Departments with the District Municipality.
On page 163 of the stated IDP, the social development projects in the District relate
to food, nutrition and recycling of waste, as well as “Men on the side of the road”, for
which R100 000 is reflected.
On page 157 of its 2012/16 IDP, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality has identified the
envisaged establishment of a Youth Development Forum to encourage the youth to
participate in youth development programmes and earmarked R3m over three
financial years for this purpose. No further details could be found.
53
Please also refer to the other Thematic Areas herein.
4.3.2.5 Thematic Area 5: Protection Priorities in IDP’s and Plans
Other than as reflected under Thematic Areas 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 herein, no further
references were found to provide substance under this heading.
4.3.2.6 Thematic Area 7: Public Participation in Developing and Monitoring
Implementation of IDPs
On page 15 to 20 of its 2013/14 IDP, the Lejweleputswa District Municipality sets out
its IDP and Budget process, in which it includes a workshop with its local municipalities.
On page 94 the District Municipality has earmarked R100 000 to engage stakeholders
in decision-making processes of the municipality, namely in the annual report process.
It is uncertain whether this would include the IDP consultation process.
On pages 154 and 155 of its 2012-16 IDP, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality
acknowledges its responsibility to conduct public participation processes. It identifies
these processes as a key priority of the local municipality which involves creating an
enabling environment for public participation in the planning and decision-making
processes of the municipality, and by promoting ward committee involvement in
municipal governance. However, we could not find greater clarity on these processes.
On page 241 of its 2012-16 IDP, the local municipality accords the IDP public
participation meetings on infrastructural issues a weighting of 50 out of 100 under the
customer relations strategic objective. However, no target is set and no mention is
made of actual performance in previous years as an actual or realistic benchmark.
On pages 249 and 250 of its stated IDP, the local municipality indicates the single most
common issue arising from community meetings is the bad state of roads. Other
issues reflected are high mast lights, community policing forums and grass cutting. In
54
a municipality, with such a high unemployment rate (36.5%) in the district as a whole
and that just over 11% of its revenue (see page 60 of its IDP) is available for general
expenditure from which it must also allocate funding for social projects / programmes,
and given the socio-economic situation within the area, it is inconceivable that only
the mentioned issues were raised by communities as the most prioritised problems.
This may be indicative of a defective or merely a cursory public participation process.
4.3.2.7 Thematic Area 8: Sexual Reproductive Health Issues Affecting Youth
and Adolescents
Other than as mentioned under Thematic Areas 1, 3, and 4, no other references were
found to substantiate this Thematic Area.
4.3.2.8 Thematic Area 9: HIV Protection
On page 28 of its 2013/14 IDP, the District Municipality states it as a goal number 6 to
combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases by consolidating district efforts with
other relevant national programmes. On page 46 it is stated that the Matjhabeng area
is one of the areas with the highest infection rates in the country. On page 80 of its
IDP, an objective is set to convene District Aids Council meetings, and on p 93 an
amount of R20 000 is earmarked for this purpose. On page 108 it appears as if 4 such
meetings is the annual target. On p 29 of its 2013/14 SDBIP, an amount of R180 000
was allocated to HIV/AIDS programmes coordination in the district for that financial
year. No confirmation was given that this was in fact done or achieved. No further
details of these or other projects, programmes, plans or implementation thereof were
found to provide substance to these notes.
On pages 37 and 48 of its 2012-16 IDP, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality highlights
healthcare and the need to make a massive reduction in HIV/AIDS prevalence or
incidence rates and reduced impact of HIV/AIDS on communities. On page 157 it is
stated that an amount of R3m is earmarked over 3 years to roll out the national and
55
provincial AIDS strategy. No further details of projects, programmes or plans or
implementation or monitoring thereof were found.
On 29 April 2015 the websites of the four mentioned municipalities were revisited to
determine whether any new relevant information had been uploaded. None was
found.
4.3.2.9 Key Findings
I.
The District and its Local Municipality do not have websites that comply fully
with the legislative prescripts. There are no clear linkages between projects,
plans, programmes, committed budget allocations and implementation roll-out
and monitoring of the IDP’s, Budgets, Service Delivery and Budget
Implementation Plans (SDBIP’s) and Performance Management Systems of the
District and Local Municipalities that could be established through this Desktop
Review as obtained from their websites. It compromises the exercise to check,
evaluate and compare the information.
II.
The fact that Eskom has listed the local municipality as one of the defaulting
municipalities that will be subjected to electricity supply cut-offs during peak
hours, mornings and evenings, strongly indicates that the municipalities in the
area have severe capacity constraints. If this is in fact implemented, it will have
a serious negative impact on investment, job creation and the already dire socioeconomic situation in which the needy and vulnerable members of the
community, namely women, children and the elderly, find themselves.
III.
The District has acknowledged its responsibility for integrated planning in its
area, but it has not provided an IDP framework for its local municipalities, which
was confirmed during the site visit. The local municipality of Matjhabeng
prepared the IDP on its own steam.
IV.
No evidence was found of inter-sectoral collaboration of a meaningful nature.
56
V.
The District Municipality spent 61.84% of its income on staff and Councillor
remuneration in terms of its 2013/14 Budget Forecasts. General expenditure,
which would include cost of the administration, amounts to 19.67%. If the cost
of administration is deducted from the available general expenditure provision
it does not allow for much money to be allocated to projects in support of the
Thematic Areas considered therein. Repair and maintenance of assets only
accounts for 0.61% of operational expenditure.
The mentioned financial
parameters fall outside of accepted norms and are indicative of inadequate
service delivery to the community.
VI.
The audited outcome figures for 2011/12 (page 121 of the District’s IDP) indicate
a 16% deficit, which is not permissible. These figures confirm that 86.5% of the
income was spent on salaries and cost of administration for the 2011/12
financial year, leaving very little for social projects and actual service delivery.
These figures underscore the conclusion drawn above.
4.4 Key Findings
For purposes of expediency, the key findings under each of the two districts under
review will be listed again hereafter.
4.4.1 Key Findings: DISTRICT 1
i.
District and its Dihlabeng Local Municipality do not have websites that fully comply
with the legislative prescripts. The available documents do not correspond exactly in
respect of periods. This makes it difficult to check for follow through and linkages,
and also inhibits comparisons.
ii.
The fact that the District is in financial distress and the local appears to have serious
financial issues The, as well as that the local municipality is hugely indebted to Eskom
and has been placed on terms for the cut-off of electricity supply during peak hours
57
mornings and evenings, confirm that the municipalities also have severe resource
and capacity constraints.
iii.
Shortcomings and needs are acknowledged by both the District and its relevant local
municipality under essentially each Thematic Area of the Rapid Assessment.
However, little or no projects, plans or programmes were found to address these
shortcomings or needs. Those that are identified, appear to be a drop in the ocean
and will probably have little or no impact at all. This was verified during the site visit.
iv.
The District has not demonstrated that it has met its responsibility for integrated
planning in its area of jurisdiction or that it has provided an IDP framework for its
local municipalities. In actual fact, it appears as if the mentioned local municipality
has essentially done its own IDP. It was also confirmed by the second local authority
visited on 2 June 2015, and conceded by the District due to a protracted vacancy in
the IDP Office.
v.
The need has been expressed by the District Municipality to engage Provincial and
National sector departments, and in particular the SAPS, in its planning and
implementation of projects processes. However, there is no evidence of either the
District or the local municipality doing so. This was verified during the site visit.
vi.
Although certain needs and projects have been listed, there is no direct evidence of
provision of funding for addressing such needs in the Budget and implementation of
the projects in terms of a directly corresponding Service Delivery and Budget
Implementation Plan (SDBIP). It cannot be deduced if projects were in fact
implemented and, if they were, what the outcome and impact of each is.
vii.
The apparent lack of capacity and resources, coupled with the distressing financial
positions (whether resulting from or in addition to) of these municipalities, are the
main reasons for most of these findings. The Local Municipality acknowledged it and
indicated that the municipality needs support in the development, coordination and
presentation of a credible IDP in respect of GBV, security, health and the vulnerable
groups.
58
viii.
During the site visits it was actually confirmed that funds originally earmarked for
inter alia GBV, HIV/AIDS, Youth, the Disabled and specific security issues have been
cut with the focus on cost containment, endeavouring to stabilise the financial
position of the municipalities, as well as the provision of service priorities such as
roads, water and electricity.
ix.
During the site visit on 2 June 2015, it was established that although the District
Municipality indicated that it had identified one of its objectives to work together
with national and provincial government, no evidence of meaningful interaction was
found in this regard. It was confirmed that the District municipality requires capacity
and support to engage with SAPS and sector departments, share information, and
coordinate planning and implementation.
x.
There is a need for a VEP (Victim Empowerment Programme) after incidents of
GBV/rape/STI/HIV/AIDS.
xi.
The District indicated it needs support in mainstreaming GBV and guidance on SAPS
engagement. It will also need support to provide a meaningful framework to its local
municipalities in respect of the compilation of their IDP’s and the coordination of
plans/programmes/functions/services relevant to the thematic areas mentioned in
this report. The coordination should include relevant national and provincial sector
departments.
xii.
One issue that became clear during the site visits, was that for communities it is
irrelevant sphere of government is responsible for any particular function/service.
Local government is the face of government and the communities hold it responsible
for all theirs woes (unemployment, crime, roads, housing, electricity, health issues).
It is suggested that an appropriate strategy should be developed and communicated
(together with its locals and the sector departments).
xiii.
The Dihlabeng Member of Mayoral Committee with the portfolio of Women,
Children, Disability and Vulnerable Groups does not have direct and dedicated
59
administrative support, which indicates a defective delivery structure in this
functional area.
4.4.2 Key Findings: DISTRICT 2
i.
The District and its Local Municipality do not have websites that comply fully with the
legislative prescripts.
There are no clear linkages between projects, plans,
programmes, committed budget allocations and implementation roll-out and
monitoring of the IDP’s, Budgets, Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans
(SDBIP’s) and Performance Management Systems of the District and Local
Municipalities that could be established through this Desktop Review as obtained
from their websites. It compromises the exercise to check, evaluate and compare the
information.
ii.
The fact that Eskom has listed the local municipality as one of the defaulting
municipalities that will be subjected to electricity supply cut-offs during peak hours,
mornings and evenings, strongly indicates that the municipalities in the area have
severe capacity constraints. If this is in fact implemented, it will have a serious
negative impact on investment, job creation and the already dire socio-economic
situation in which the needy and vulnerable members of the community, namely
women, children and the elderly, find themselves.
iii.
The District has acknowledged its responsibility for integrated planning in its area, but
it has not provided an IDP framework for its local municipalities, which was confirmed
during the site visit. The local municipality of Matjhabeng prepared the IDP on its own
steam.
iv.
No evidence was found of inter-sectoral collaboration of a meaningful nature.
v.
The District Municipality spent 61.84% of its income on staff and Councillor
remuneration in terms of its 2013/14 Budget Forecasts. General expenditure, which
would include cost of the administration, amounts to 19.67%.
If the cost of
60
administration is deducted from the available general expenditure provision it does
not allow for much money to be allocated to projects in support of the Thematic Areas
considered therein. Repair and maintenance of assets only accounts for 0.61% of
operational expenditure. The mentioned financial parameters fall outside of accepted
norms and are indicative of inadequate service delivery to the community.
vi.
The audited outcome figures for 2011/12 (page 121 of the District’s IDP) indicate a
16% deficit, which is not permissible. These figures confirm that 86.5% of the income
was spent on salaries and cost of administration for the 2011/12 financial year, leaving
very little for social projects and actual service delivery. These figures underscore the
conclusion drawn above.
61
CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The previous two analytical chapters have provided detailed results on the rapid
assessment of the extent to which GBV, SRH and HIV prevention, among other
thematic aspects, are mainstreamed in social sector departments plans and IDPs, in
the Free State province. An assessment of national departments, where appropriate
was also provided. This chapter provides the summary and recommendations based
on results from this rapid assessment.
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.2.1 Social Sector Departments
The following key recommendations are expected to facilitate improvement of the
design of sector plans in government departments in the Free State Province that
support projects dealing with GBV, SRH and HIV prevention, among other thematic
aspects covered in this rapid assessment.

The results from this rapid assessment clearly indicate that violence against
women and children continues unabated despite efforts by both government and
civil society groups to curb this scourge. This in turn undermines their rights to
dignity and contribution to sustainable development. The recommendation
emanating from this finding is that the4 Department of Social Development with
support from government departments, sector departments should continue to
facilitate the inter-departmental and inter-governmental work to intensify efforts
to mitigate violence against women and children. In particular the Victim
Empowerment Programme as well as prevention efforts towards GBV should be
strengthened.
62

The study findings from the interviews conducted with the government officials
indicate that a significant proportion of households in the Free State province are
living in poverty, thus exposing the children to abuse, which includes sexual abuse.
This also compromises the health status of these household members. This
finding is supported by official statistics from the Statistics South Africa Social
Profile of Vulnerable Groups in South Africa Report (2002-2011) which shows all
too clearly that many South African households are still severely affected by
poverty. The study found that only one third (32.6%) of children live with both
their parents; 24.4% live with neither of their parents; and 8.1% live in skipgeneration households with their grandparents. Moreover, 65.1% of children live
in households with per capita incomes of less than R650 a month. A
recommendation flowing from this key result is that firstly, the care and
protection of women and children, from poverty therefore becomes an urgent
area of work for the sector departments, particularly the Department of Social
Development, and other stakeholders in government, business and civil society.
Secondly, it indicates that poverty has a significant gender dimension that cannot
be ignored. In general, the profile reveals that children, youth and women
continue to bear the brunt of poverty in the Free State province. This disturbing
situation calls for a coherent approach to addressing the ‘triple challenges’ of
poverty, inequality and unemployment.

The HIV pandemic is still of major concern in the Free State province. Again, it is
shown in this rapid assessment that there is a link between GBV, HIV and AIDS
and SRH. In this regard, it was stated that GBV predisposes women to infection
from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In support of this finding,
according to Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi, Zuma, Jooste, Zungu, Labadarios, Onoya, D
et al. (2014)xliii during 2012, the Free State province had the third highest HIV
prevalence in South Africa of 14.0%. This compared to the 12.2% national HIV
prevalence rate for South Africa. However, progress in the fight against the HIV
and AIDS pandemic is still undermined by the high levels of sexual violence against
women and children. The recommendation flowing from this finding is that
sector departments should continue with their efforts to fight against gender-
63
based violence in general and violence against women and children in particular,
to implement social and behaviour change programmes especially targeting the
youth, and to promote psycho-social wellbeing so as to reduce vulnerability to HIV
and AIDS in targeted key populations.

The empirical results from this rapid assessment indicate that gender inequality
and the marginalisation of women continue to stifle development efforts and the
building of a cohesive and safe society in the Free State province. Women and
children in the Free State province continue being the primary victims of violent
crimes in society. The recommendation emanating from this observation is that
these challenges require intentional investments and coordination of efforts from
government departments, civil society organisations and business sector, in to
effectively and sustainably address them. Again, the combat against gender
based violence should be strengthened through legislative and policy reforms
geared to further protect the rights of women and children and create a safer
society free from all forms of violence.

The development of youth in the Free State province remains a critical area. In
this regard, the recommendation is that that investments in youth leadership
programmes, skills development, and the creation of training and employment
opportunities for youth should be intensified. In addition, institutional capacity
building programmes for youth centres in the Free State Province should be given
priority as a viable channel for enhancing the benefit of the programmes to youth.

Finally, regarding sector departments, an overall recommendation emanating
from this rapid assessment is that provincial sector departments, including the
Free State Province, which is the geographical focus of study in this rapid
assessment, and at National level in South Africa, should strengthen the
mainstreaming of GBV, SRH and HIV prevention programmes in their sector plans
in order to support these programmes. The inclusion of these aspects in sector
plans should continue to translate into tangible action at the local levels in the
communities if GBV and HIV and AIDS are to be effectively combatted and
64
eradicated. Furthermore much still needs to be done to address societal cultural
norms, particularly attitudes underlying violence against women and children in
the communities. There is an urgent need for these initiatives to be supported
and implemented so that positive values are instilled in the communities.
5.2.2 Integrated Development Plans
The following key recommendations are expected to facilitate improvement of the
design of IDPs within the two surveyed district municipalities in the Free State
province, that support programmes dealing with GBV, SRH and HIV prevention, among
other thematic aspects covered in this rapid assessment.
5.2.2.1 Recommendations:-Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality:
(DISTRICT 1) and Lejweleputswa District Municipality: (DISTRICT 2)
1.
That consideration be given to provide both the district municipalities under
review with support in the development, coordination and presentation of
credible IDP`s in respect of GBV, security, health and the vulnerable groups.
2.
That consideration be given to provide both the districts with support to identify
and implement a mechanism to enforce engagement with SAPS and sector
departments, as well as the sharing of information, including coordinated
planning and implementation.
3.
That consideration be given to provide support in mainstreaming GBV.
4.
That consideration be given to provide both the district municipalities with
support to ensure that a concerted effort is made to develop an appropriate
strategy for communication of the factual realities of which sphere of government
is responsible for which functions and to provide the correct and appropriate
65
contact details to also hold those responsible to account (a Service Charter), in
conjunction with their locals and the relevant sector departments.
5.
That recommendations 1 to 4 above be subject to confirmation by the said district
municipalities that they concur with these recommendations and that they will
report on progress and implementation of any or all thereof, as may be awarded.
66
REFERENCES
i
Human Rights Watch (2001). Scared at School: Sexual Violence against Girls in South African Schools.
New York: Human Rights Watch.
ii
IGWG of USAID. 2006. Addressing GBV through USAID’s Health Programs: A Guide for Health Sector
Program Officers. Washington, DC.
iii
Jejeebhoy, S. 1998. Associations between wife-beating and fetal and infant death: Impressions from
a survey in rural India. Studies in Family Planning 29(3): 300-308.
iv
R Hirschowitz, S Worku and M Orkin, Quantitative research findings on rape in South Africa, Pretoria,
Statistics South Africa, 2000
v
R Hirschowitz, S Worku and M Orkin, Quantitative research findings on rape in South Africa, Pretoria,
Statistics South Africa, 2000
vi
R Hirschowitz, S Worku and M Orkin, Quantitative research findings on rape in South Africa, Pretoria,
Statistics South Africa, 2000
vii
S Mathews, N Abrahams, L J Martin, L Vetten, L van der Merwe and R Jewkes, Every six hours a
woman is killed by her intimate partner: A national study of female homicide in South Africa, MRC
Policy Brief No 5, June 2004
viii
Jewkes R, Dunkle K, Koss MP et al. Rape perpetration by young, rural South African men: prevalence,
patterns and risk factors. Soc Sci Med 2006; 63: 2949–61.
ix
Statistics South Africa. (2014). Mid-year Population Estimates 2014. StatsSA. Pretoria.
Statistics South Africa. (2014). Mid-year Population Estimates 2014. StatsSA. Pretoria.
xi
Statistics South Africa. (2014). Mid-year Population Estimates 2014. StatsSA. Pretoria.
xii
Shisana, O, Rehle, T, Simbayi LC, Zuma, K, Jooste, S, Zungu N, Labadarios, D, Onoya, D et al. (2014)
South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey,2012. Cape Town, HSRC Press.
x
xiii
Rehle, T.M., Hallett, T.B., Shisana, O., Pillay-van Wyk, V., Zuma, K., Carrara, H., and Jooste, S. (2010).
A decline in new HIV infections in South Africa: Estimating HIV incidence from three national HIV
surveys in 2002, 2005 and 2008. PLoS ONE 5(6): e11094. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011094.
xiv
Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Zuma, K., Jooste, S., Pillay-van Wyk, V., Mbelle. N.,
Van Zyl, J., Parker, W., Zungu, N.P., Pezi, S. and the SABSSM III Implementation Team (2009). South
African national HIV prevalence, incidence and communication survey2008: A turning tide among
teenagers? Cape Town: HSRC Press.
xv
Gouws, E. (2010). Trends in HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour among young people aged 15 to
24 years in countries most affected by HIV. The International Group on Analysis of trends in HIV
Prevalence and Behaviours in Young People in Countries most Affected by HIV. Geneva: Switzerland.
xvi
National Department of Health. (2013a). District Health Information System, Pretoria:
NDOH. Received November 2013.
xvii
SANAC. (2011a). National strategic plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012–2016. Pretoria: SANAC.
67
xviii
Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L.C., Zuma, K., Jooste, S., Pillay-van Wyk, V., Mbelle. N., Van Zyl, J.,
Parker, W., Zungu, N.P., Pezi, S. and the SABSSM III Implementation Team (2009). South African
national HIV prevalence Incidence and communication survey2008: A turning tide among teenagers?
Cape Town: HSRC Press.
xix
Johnson LF, Mossong J, Dorrington RE, Schomaker M, Hoffmann CJ, Keiser O, Fox MP, Wood R,
Prozesky H, Giddy J, Belen Garone D, Cornell M, Egger M, Boulle A: Life expectancies of South African
adults starting antiretroviral treatment: collaborative analysis of cohort studies. PLoS Med, 10:
1001418.
xx
David A Grimes, Janie Benson, Susheela Singh, Mariana Romero, Bela Ganatra, Friday E Okonofua,
Iqbal H Shah. Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic. The Lancet Sexual and Reproductive Health
Series, October 2006.
xxi
Reproductive Rights Alliance. Five year review of the implementation of the Choice on Termination
of Pregnancy Act, 92 of 1996. Johannesburg: Progress Press, 2002.
xxii
ibid
xxiii
Department of Social Development. (2014). South African Integrated Programme of Action,
Addressing Violence Against Women and Children (2013-2018).
xxiv
South African Police Service. (1996). Victim empowerment Programme - The South African Police
Service Manual. BTC.
xxv
South African Police Service. (1996). Victim empowerment Programme - The South African Police
Service Manual. BTC.
xxvi
South African Police Service. (1996). Victim empowerment Programme - The South African Police
Service Manual. BTC.
xxvii
South African Police Service. (1996). Victim empowerment Programme - The South African Police
Service Manual. BTC.
xxviii
Kristner, U. (2003). Gender Based Violence in South Africa. Centre for AIDS Development,
Research and Evaluation (CADRE), South Africa.
xxix
Kristner, U. (2003). Gender Based Violence in South Africa. Centre for AIDS Development, Research
and Evaluation (CADRE), South Africa.
xxx
Kristner, U. (2003). Gender Based Violence in South Africa. Centre for AIDS Development, Research
and Evaluation (CADRE), South Africa.
xxxi
Kristner, U. (2003). Gender Based Violence in South Africa. Centre for AIDS Development, Research
and Evaluation (CADRE), South Africa.
xxxii
Abrahams, N., (2005) Effects of South African Men’s having witnessed abuse of their mother’s
during childhood on their levels of violence in adulthood. Am J of Pub Health, V95 (10):330-337.
xxxiii
Jewkes R. Dunkle, K, Koss, MP; Levin, J; Nduna, M; Jama N & Sikweyiya Y. (2006). Rape perpetration
by young, rural South African men: Prevalence, patterns and risk factors. Social Science & Medicine
63:2949-2961
68
xxxiv
Abrahams, N., (2005) Effects of South African Men’s having witnessed abuse of their mother’s
during childhood on their levels of violence in adulthood. Am J of Pub Health, V95 (10):330-337.
xxxv
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xxxvi
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xxxvii
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xxxviii
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xxxix
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xl
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xli
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
xlii
Andersson, N., Cockcroft, A., Shea, B. (2008) GBV and HIV: Relevance for HIV prevention in
hyperendemic countries of Southern Africa. AIDS, Dec 22, Suppl 4: S73-86, in Waal, de A., Klot, J.,
Mahajan, M., with Huber, D., Freks, G., M’Boup, S. (2010) HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New
Realities, New Responses. AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative.
Shisana, O, Rehle, T, Simbayi LC, Zuma, K, Jooste, S, Zungu N, Labadarios, D, Onoya, D et al. (2014)
South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, 2012. Cape Town, HSRC Press.
xliii