2. Disciplinary matters. The Committee notes the Public Service Commission's finding that a lack of discipline and slow finalisation of misconduct cases at the Johannesburg and Protea courts has left these courts with limited capacity to function effectively. The Committee made similar observations when it visited the South Gauteng High Court. The Committee is extremely concerned that the performance targets for the finalisation of grievance and misconduct cases have been reduced. In 2011, the Department estimated that it finalised 50% of grievance cases and 65% of its misconduct cases. However, performance in 2012/13 is estimated to be 20% and 35% against the targets to finalise 60% and 70% of grievance and misconduct cases respectively. For 2013/14, these targets are 40% and 50% respectively. The Department is asked to provide the Committee with a comprehensive written report on the progress of its disciplinary and grievance matters, including a section that deals specifically with cases of financial misconduct by 19 July 2013. 3. Security at courts and justice centres. The Committee appreciates that the Department's budget to adequately secure courts and justice centres is stretched - even more so as a result of the expansion of justice services. In its 2011 and 2012 BRRR reports, the Committee supported the Department's bid for additional funding to provide increased security at courts and justice offices but National Treasury's response was that additional funding had been allocated in the past and that the Department had not submitted a request for funds to secure courts and justice service points for 2011. Through reprioritisation of its budget, the Department increased the budget for security services by 12% over an eight-year period from 2008/09 to 2015/16. This reprioritisation has, however, adversely affected service delivery areas in the Department. Limited funds have led to some of the security projects planned being reduced. The National Security Infrastructure project, which was meant to reduce reliance on external service providers and build sustainable capacity in the Department, was initially intended to cover 127 courts. Projected expenditure patterns indicate that only 90-98 sites can be covered. In addition, finalising the plan remains a challenge and this affects preventative maintenance of security equipment. In its 2013 BRRR, the Committee therefore supported the Department's request that additional the following amounts are allocated for security: R361.5, R399.2 and R441.4 million for 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 respectively. This year, the Department will receive additional funds for security at courts but has estimated that it requires R3.1 billion over the medium term to secure its courts. Despite spending pressures, the Department has clearly indicated that ensuring securing its courts and justice service points is a priority. The Committee requests that the Department provide a report, in writing, on its progress in securing courts and justice centres by 19 July 2013, and be prepared to brief the Committee at the next quarterly meeting in July or August 2013. 4. Rates and municipal taxes and leased accommodation. The Department reported previous that, in the past four to five years, the budget for leasehold expenditure has grown on average by 5.5% per annum, while actual expenditure charges have escalated by more than 8% per annum. In real terms, the shortfall on the budget increased from R31.7 million in 2009/10 to more than R185.7 million in 2012/13. It is projected that the shortfall will increase to around R242 million by 2014/15. The Department has told the Committee indicated that it is no longer able to absorb the shortfall within its baseline without compromising service delivery. Similarly for rates and taxes, all municipalities have increased their property taxes at a rate that is higher than inflation. From 2009/10 to 2012/13, the shortfall between the allocation and actual accounts has grown 172% from R9.8 million to R58.9 million. If the current trend continues, the deficit will be R102.9 million by 2015/16. The Committee, therefore, supported the Department's request for the following additional amounts for municipal rates and taxes and leased accommodation: R250 million in 2013/14; R293.3 million in 2014/15 and R345 million in 2015/16.