On Thursday, 10 October 2024, the North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development led by Hon Karabo Magagane conducted oversight visits

On Thursday, 10 October 2024, the North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development led by Hon Karabo Magagane conducted oversight visits to the KOSH Crisis Centre at Tshepong Hospital, the Enablement Centre (TEDCORD), and Matlosana Child and Youth Care Centre in Jouberton, all situated in the Matlosana Local Municipality, within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

This was part of the Oversight Week program that kick-started on the 08 – 11 October 2024, with the aim of strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.
The committee met with the management at KOSH Crisis Centre who alluded before the committee that the centre operates 24 hours a day, providing support to survivors of rape, sexual assault, statutory rape, suspected rape, and domestic violence. The Centre also offers counselling services for programs on bereavement, suicidal thoughts, relationship and marital problems, child abandonment, behavioural issues, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Amongst some of the challenges found were delays in the signing of Service Level Agreement (SLA) and trench payments, which negatively impacts on the operational work of the centre, as well as the livelihoods of staff members. There is no increase in funds appropriated to the centre, and staff salary wages remain unchanged and not in accordance with inflation rate of the country.

The committee proceeded to the TEDCORD Enablement Centre, a registered non-profit organisation that amongst others provides services on social rehabilitation for people with disabilities, psycho-social support including counselling services, life skills programs, awareness and educational programs.

Amongst challenges mentioned was the late signing of SLA’s due to non-compliance with the funding requirements. Additionally, the centre is not fully compliant with the NPO Act regarding the composition of its governance structure. The facility is small, with only one entrance and exit, and lacks an emergency exit in case of fire or other emergencies. Additionally, the centre is not wheelchair-friendly or compliant, and there is a shortage of funds to purchase wheelchairs. The centre has a professional nurse, but have a shortage of some medications and lack a sick bay bed for examining beneficiaries when they are unwell.

The Chairperson of the committee, Hon Magagane advised the centre to form a collaboration with the Daphne Lee Centre for Disability and suggested that the Department of Social Development should arrange a workshop for its beneficiaries to educate them on compliance issues, ensuring there are no delays with application processes.

The committee made their last visit to the Matlosana Child and Youth Care Centre, which was officially opened in September 2007 and outsourced to Bosasa Youth Development Centres (PTY) LTD. The contract between the Department of Social Development and Bosasa Youth Development Centres (PTY) LTD was terminated due to the company’s liquidation. The Department of Social Development then took back control of the Child and Youth Care Centre in November 2019.

The facility accommodates boys only, between the ages of 14 to 17 years, who are in conflict with the law and are awaiting trial. The centre provides amongst others, catering (ensuring that the boys receive three meals per day, including snacks), social work services, child and youth care services, health care, education, cleaning and laundry, transport services, sports and recreation.

Amongst some of the challenges found was that there are 14 vacant positions that need to be filled, and the centre is still awaiting the department to advertise the positions, as all job postings are managed at the provincial level. The infrastructure is not in good condition as most parts of the roofing in the formal school leaks during rainy weathers.
The committee requested that the facility and district write a motivation letter for the vacant positions that need to be advertised and send it to the head office, requesting them to advertise those positions. They must also submit that motivation letter to the committee.