Page 50 - DSD ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2

PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Programme 3: Social Security Policy and Administration

Programme Purpose

To provide for social security policy development, administrative Following the publication of two editions of the Social Budget
justice, the administration of social grants, and the reduction of Bulletin, the Department finalised the work on the third edition
incorrect benefit payments. which focuses on social expenditure in South Africa. Considering
government’s interventions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Social Security Policy Development edition reviews and analyses the socio-economic impact and
expenditure incurred to save economy and improve the livelihoods
During the reporting period, the Department conducted extensive of the poor and vulnerable individuals and households. The third
consultations on extending Basic Income Support (BIS) for those edition of the bulletin will be launched and published in the new
between the ages of 18 and 59. With the support of the International financial year.
Labour Organisations, the Department released a technical report
on feasibility and sustainability of extending the BIS. Furthermore, the Appeals Adjudication unit continued to ensure
service delivery and that appeals were adjudicated within the
A draft SASSA Amendment Bill was developed during the year. stipulated timeframe. In this regard, a total of 97.96% of appeals
The main aim of the amendment is to improve the governance (1 588 of 1 621) were adjudicated within ninety (90) days of
arrangements for the entity. The process to obtain approval for the receipt. A significantly lower number of appeals were received than
amendment and to submit the Bill to Parliament will commence in estimated due to delays in the approval of the regulations to the
the next financial year. Social Assistance Amendment Act.

The Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement During the reporting period, the Inspectorate for Social Assistance
Reform was gazetted for public comments. This Paper presents conducted a Phase 2 audit on social grants payment model. The audit
the significant gaps in South Africa’s social security system and reviewed the SASSA and SAPO compliance with the Master Services
presents recommendations. The intent is to build a comprehensive Agreement (MSA) and Service Level Agreement (SLA), as well as the
social security system that meets the Constitutional mandate of grant payment processes and monthly payment and reconciliation
ensuring access to social security for all. of SAPO service fees and social grant expenditure processes. The
audit provided important recommendations for strengthening of
The Paper will also ensure that the institutional framework the controls in the management and administration of the social
contributes to coherence in policymaking and benefit provisions grants.
across social assistance, social insurance and voluntary private
arrangements. However, the Green Paper was withdrawn to allow
for further refinements on some of the contentious issues that
were misrepresented and misinterpreted. The Department has
commenced the refinements. The level of interest in the paper
shows the significance of the issues at hand and there is need for a
public engagement of these comprehensive social security issues.

The Department launched the inaugural Social Security Review
publication in February 2022 under the theme, “Evolution of Social
Security in South Africa: An Agenda for Action…working towards
a Social Compact”. The publication is central to the activation of
debates and enhances broader public participation in topical social
security issues.

The publication covers a wide spectrum of issues, from the
historical perspective of social security in the country; linkages to
Section 27 of the Constitution and the rights-based approach; the
relationship between social security and the economy; and some
policy actions undertaken by Government to provide social security
and protection for South Africans. The Department commenced the
work to produce the second edition of the publication based on
critical and analytic research on cross-cutting themes for a wider
readership audience.

50 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22