Nkomazi Local Municipality 20 - Co-operative Governance and ...

Inform employees and members of the public on how to take the matter further if they are dissatisfied with the response;andReassure employees and members of the public that they will be protected from reprisals or victimisation for whistleblowing in good faith.11.4.4.1.1. Scope of the policyThere are grievance procedures in place to enable employees of NKLM to raise grievances relating to their employment. This Policy isintended to cover concerns that fall outside the scope of grievance procedures. These concerns are indicated in the Act as follows:a) That a criminal offence has been committed, is being committed or is likely to be committed;b) That a person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with any legal obligation to which that person is subject;c) That a miscarriage of justice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur;d) That the health or safety of an individual has been, is being or likely to be endangered;e) That the environment has been, is being or is likely to be damaged;f) Unfair discrimination as contemplated in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000;or That any matter referred to in paragraphs 3.1 (a) to (f) has been, is being or likely to be deliberately concealed11.5. Special groups: status QuoMost people in the rural and farm areas have limited or no access to proper health and social welfare services. In most cases wheresuch services exist, the quality is poor. Most of the rural farming communities are isolated and sparsely located and health servicesare provided through mobile services, which are mostly unreliable and follow up remains a challenge.11.5.1. ObjectivesTo ensure that issues of targeted groups or marginalised groups are mainstreamed in all processes and programmes of themunicipality and that the issues are considered and prioritised in planning and budgeting.The transversal programmes unit has the responsibility to achieve the targets that government has set to ensure that alltargeted groups receive a better life for all.To ensure that the municipality implement the employment equity plan and also give priority to the targeted groups.To ensure that all sections and departments within the municipality put more emphasis and budget measures for specialgroups11.6. HIV/AIDSGlobally and nationally and at Local level, as Nkomazi Municipality we recognized and realized that the developmental and politicalgains will be reversed unless efforts are increased and intensified to combat HIV and HIV.The seriousness of this challenge has forced the international community to embrace the MDG targets specifically MDG target 6. MDGDeclaration states that the International community pledges to “spare no efforts to free our fellowmen, women and children from theabject &dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty”The National Government (SA) developed mitigating measures in the form of a National Strategic plan 2007-2011. It is Governmentcommitment and policy to confront the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is not only binding Government but all stakeholders to be involved anddeal with HIV/AIDS.Nkomazi HIV/AIDS Strategy has been developed on the basis of this National Strategy and the MDG targets, where all sectors,stakeholders and formations were involved in the exersice.The strategy serves as a tool to guide the Nkomazi Municipality (LocalGovernment) and its stakeholders in coordinating efforts and programmes, time, energy and resources in the fight against thepandemic and reduce its impending impact.Why should Nkomazi address the issue of HIV and AIDS? HIV/AIDS reverses all developmental and political gains.It reduces life expectancy and the quality of life.Increasing the mortality and morbidity rates.The reality is that Nkomazi is moving towards a mature phase of the HIV/AIDS epidemic meaning: We are observing increasing numbers of AIDS deaths, AIDS Orphans and AIDS related illnesses.Care issues have become a priority for the infected, affected with palliative care and Home Based Care and access totreatment.Prevention issues are also a priority to reduce new infections.NKLM Integrated Development Plan 2012_2013 72