Barkhas Losolsuren 23 June 2010

 SA as defined by ANSA refers to ◦ “… actions initiated by citizen groups to hold public officials, politicians, and service providers to account for their conduct and performance in terms of delivering services, improving people's welfare and protecting people's rights”.  The ultimate objective of social accountability is accountable government. 2 issues:  Government’s own accountability framework;  Social accountability environment

 Political Accountability  Policy Accountability  Procedural Accountability

 Availability of mechanisms and arrangements by which citizens can hold the government accountable  Holding government accountable means ◦ Obtaining information; ◦ Receiving explanations and justifications; ◦ Enforcement - reward or punishment.  Direct and indirect means  In most cases, only instance of reward/ punishment is understood as accountability

 Accountability of the parliamentary majority  Accountability of the executive  Constitutional Court  Administrative Law system

 Elections  Direct means ◦ Referendum ◦ Constitutional amendment  Indirect means ◦ Standing committee open hearings ◦ Media

 Policy development process  Policy and planning  Policy input/output/outcome or impact framework

 Trade unions – limited area, but effective  Policy outcome evaluation – not mandatory  Obtaining comments from public - recommended but no specific procedures  Citizens’ oversight over implementation process - no mandatory mechanisms  Citizens’ evaluation of service delivery – not mandatory

 Financial procedures  Human resource procedures  Procurement procedures  Organizational governance/internal policies

 IAAC hotline  Citizens report card/surveys  Budget expenditure monitoring  National Audit Office – now includes survey  National Human Rights Commission – receives complaints, provides recommendations  No ombudsman’s institution  Courts

 Government accountability system is incomplete: ◦ Who is responsible ◦ Responsible for what ◦ Who is to hold accountable  By what means  Administrative Procedure Law is required

 No environmental financial mechanism  Rights and duties, hierarchy of responsibility are generally absent from laws  No proper accountability system for public organizations and officials (existing provisions are directed at citizens not public officials)  Functions and authority of law implementation organizations are poorly structured;

 Legislative provisions for participation of public and NGOs in decision making and monitoring is symbolic (rather than procedural), inducing lawlessness in government officials without the control of civil society  Administrative decisions for natural resources are not based on scientific research and analysis but on self-interest  Dispute resolution procedure is inadequate

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION