CRL Rights Commission Briefing on the 2012/13 Annual Report

Focus During the year that ended, the Commission channelled its resources towards fostering peace and tolerance by engaging communities to define their cultures, religions and languages. Through this definition, communities were in the process able to educate one another on their diverse cultures, religions and languages.

Focus The Commission also encouraged participatory democracy by involving the public in its attempt to address legislative or policy mischief. To foster tolerance, the Commission discouraged, through education and advocacy, behaviour that denigrates cultural/religious practices of others perceived as barbaric thus protecting the non- derogable right to human dignity of those stigmatised as uncivilised.

Focus Definition of culture, religion and language Community engagements were embarked on focusing on practices such as ukuhlolwa kwe ntombi (virginity testing), ukuthwala and ukungena to demystify misconception of barbarism stigma Participatory democracy in addressing legislative/policy mischief Investigation and research into the exclusivity noticed in Schedule 1 of section 2 of the Public Holiday Act 36 of 1994; Dress code in the workplace and institutions of learning, and challenges of traditional healers – BCEA; Schools Act

Focus Discouraging denigrating behaviour towards other cultures The Commission engaged communities and organs of state on the role of culture in preventing teenage pregnancy.

Overall performance The Commission received an unqualified report. However, a number of concerns were raised in by the Office of the Auditor General and the Audit Committee of the Commission. The concerns will be briefly outlined, infra.

Performance Information Targets Research -9 reports -9 recommendations Community engagement -10 preparatory meetings on community council registration -10 community councils launches Actual -9 reports -9 recommendations -10

Performance Information continue Target Community Engagement (continued) -4 capacity building workshops (CCs) -9 NCC preparatory seminars -Host NCC Commissioners - 6 plenary sittings (4normal, 2 special) Actual Hosted successful NCC -6

Performance Information continued Target ICR -5 recommendations -5 legal advises/drafts -80 cases - PEA -40 round table discussions -Distribution of pamphlets Actual cases investigated (37 resolves and closed; 46 variance)

Audit opinions and concerns Auditor General Financial statements present financial position of the Commission fairly; Performance against predetermined objective - 29%of targets not specific & not measurable; - 93% of targets not time bound; 64% of indicator not well defined Lack of frequent review of reported achievements against source documentation. Financials not always accurate and complete. Audit Committee Ineffective systems internal control to mitigate risks owing to lack of commitment from management in implementing those controls; Dissatisfied with the content and quality of quarterly reports. (require more attention)

Adv. Kgositoi Aubrey Sedupane Acting CEO Financial statements to be presented by the CFO