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Tuesday, 29 October 2013] 48356. KEY FINDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE6.1 Governance and operational issues• Concerns have been raised regarding audit findings as well as theincompatibility of the various IT systems in the Department and the slowprogress to address this.• The A-G’s note on Financial misconduct and the fact that no or lateinvestigations have been conducted into these matters, that areconcerning.• The fact that not 100% of senior management has signed their “Conflictof interest” declaration is concerning, as the Annual Report only statesthat compliance is high and not that all senior managers signed thedeclaration.• The finding by the A-G that Leadership is a challenge in the Departmentas it did not exercise sufficient oversight responsibility regardingfinancial reporting is a further cause for concern.• The Committee has on various occasions request information in writingand in several instances the Department has failed to submit therelevant information.6.2 Service delivery performanceThe Department has delivered on various Policy focus areas and theseinclude:• The Department has been involved in rural development throughconstructing bridges above overflowing rivers.• Peace keeping missions have been instrumental in ensuring regionaland continental stability to enhance diplomatic relations and economicstability to assist with fighting poverty and underdevelopment.• Issues raised in the SONA such as regional stability and peacekeeping,assisting with internal peace and security with borderline control andpreventing rhinoceros poaching, and assisting to address youthunemployment through the MSDS and NYS initiatives.• Delivering on the Ministerial priorities such as Maritime Security, jobcreation through the MSDS and NYS, enhancing the peacekeepingcapability and revitalising the Reserves.• A total of 8955 young South Africans were recruited to the MSDS.• A total of 2 891 members completed National Youth Service training, ofwhich 903 were at SAS Saldanha, and 1 988 at 3 South African InfantryBattalion.• A total of 14 285 Defence Reserve members were called up.• It is, however, concerning that the Landward capability has not beenfurther enhanced since “Modernisation of the Landward System hasremained stagnant, pending the finalisation of the Defence Reviewwhich will inform the required future Landward Defence Capabilities ofthe SANDF.”ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS NO 147─2013