announcements, tablings and committee reports - Parliament of ...
announcements, tablings and committee reports - Parliament of ...
announcements, tablings and committee reports - Parliament of ...
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Tuesday, 29 October 2013] 4865projects have been implemented. These projects, in most cases, areowned by Traditional Councils <strong>and</strong> operated by Community Trusts.Beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> these projects are local communities who derivebenefits through temporary employment during construction <strong>and</strong>permanent employment during the operation phase <strong>of</strong> the projects.Two regional support packages were developed whereby ruraldevelopment was prioritised. Seventy (70) EPWP projects wereimplemented in the period under review <strong>and</strong> a bulk <strong>of</strong> them are inrural areas. A total <strong>of</strong> 1 664 rural enterprises were supported.(vi)Reducing crime <strong>and</strong> corruptionThe Department discovered some irregular practices in through itsreporting system for the Exp<strong>and</strong>ed Public Works Programmewhereby some Project Implementers were defrauding theDepartment <strong>and</strong> had reported incorrect financial statements. In linewith the government priority <strong>of</strong> reducing crime <strong>and</strong> corruption in thecountry, the Department immediately suspended all the projects<strong>and</strong> funding for phase 2 was put on hold. A forensic investigationinstituted by the Department has led to some matters being referredto court <strong>and</strong> some Project Implementers will be prosecuted.(v)Payment <strong>of</strong> service providersIn line with the sentiments raised by the President in the State <strong>of</strong> theNation Address, the Department was able pay its service providerswithin a 30-day time period.5.1.4 Key reported challenges.The Department reported the following challenges in the periodunder review:(i)Vacancy rateThe Department had a vacancy rate <strong>of</strong> 11.17 percent. Thisperformance was against a revised target <strong>of</strong> 10 percent that wasinitially set at 5 percent. The Department reported a challenge <strong>of</strong> thedelays in appointing suitable c<strong>and</strong>idates for advertised posts. Thereis a tendency amongst government <strong>of</strong>ficials to ask for counter <strong>of</strong>fersfrom their current employers when they are <strong>of</strong>fered positions by theDepartment. C<strong>and</strong>idates then decline appointment by theDepartment when they have been given a counter <strong>of</strong>fer by thecurrent employers. In line with the government priority <strong>of</strong> jobcreation, the Department should engage other departments in orderto find a solution to this transversal government challenge. TheDepartment also may develop an attractive retention strategy tokeep experienced staff.ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS NO 147─2013
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