Parliamentary Research Unit
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Item Towards a monitoring tool for selective sites in the Criminal Justice system : mother and baby units in correctional centres monitoring tool(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-07-27) Parliamentary Research UnitMother Baby Units are designed to accommodate the needs of mothers and infants by providing a separate living environment within correctional facilities. While the intention is to protect the maternal bond and promote early childhood development, the presence of children in prisons raises difficult questions about the appropriateness of custodial environments for infants and the extent to which the state can fullfil its constitutional obligations toward children in such settings.Item Towards a monitoring tool for selective sites in the Criminal Justice system : victim friendly services in the SAPS(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-07-27) Parliamentary Research UnitCrime and violence, in particular contact crimes and inter-personal and gender-based violence, are pervasive in South Africa. Support services are an essential part of the response to violence generally and to gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, specifically. Given that the South African Police Service are generally the first port of call for victims of crime and violence, it is essential that the services provided meet the requisite standards to ensure that secondary victimisation is not experienced.Item Towards a monitoring tool for selective sites in the Criminal Justice system : court monitoring tool(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-07-27) Parliamentary Research UnitCourt monitoring is primarily a diagnostic tool that can be used by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Select Committee on Security and Justice as well as individual Members of Parliament to achieve three interrelated objectives: • Oversight: To strengthen Parliament’s ability to conduct structured, evidence-based oversight of court performance and service delivery. • Operational. To enable standardised data collection across courts, support real-time or near real-time reporting, and facilitate comparative analysis across jurisdictions. • Strategic. To support long-term monitoring of trends, identify systemic challenges, and enhance accountability within the justice system through improved follow-up and reporting mechanisms.Item Towards a monitoring tool for selective sites in the Criminal Justice system : background(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-07-27) Parliamentary Research UnitThis background paper outlines: • How a monitoring tool can improve parliamentary oversight • Design and development issues for consideration in development of a monitoring tool.Item 1976–2026: Advancing Youth Skills for Economic Inclusion in South Africa(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-06-25) Arendse, AgnethaThis research paper examines the relationship between historical inequality, labour market exclusion, and skills development in shaping youth unemployment outcomes. Drawing on national data and institutional evidence, it argues that youth unemployment in South Africa is structural rather than cyclical, driven by limited job creation, skills mismatches, and systemic barriers to labour market entry.Item Crime statistics analysis: Quarter 4 (2025/26)(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-06-18) Parliamentary Research UnitThe analysis is based on recorded crime statistics and therefore reflects crimes reported to, or detected by, SAPS. This paper analyses selected categories from these statistics, focusing primarily on year-on-year changes between Q4 2024/25 and Q4 2025/26. Where relevant, the available Q4 series from 2022 to 2026 is used to assess whether recent changes form part of a longer trend.Item Strengthening citizen participation in climate and green economy governance in South Africa: a guide for the Legislative Sector(Westminster Foundation for Democracy, 2026-04) Della Togna, Martina; Dutschke, MiraThis guide sets out a practical approach to strengthening citizen participation in climate and green economy governance across South Africa’s legislatures, encompassing the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and all nine provincial legislatures. Commissioned by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, it follows the promulgation of the Climate Change Act 22 of 2024, which establishes statutory obligations for parliamentary oversight of climate governance and requires public involvement in line with South Africa’s constitutional prescripts.Item Autism inclusion in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) Sector(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-04-21) Arendse, Agnetha (Dr)Item Implications of the 2026 State of the Nation Address for Cervical Cancer: Recommendations for Parliament(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-04) Parliamentary Research UnitItem Capital Infrastructure Efficiency Grant (CIEG) for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-04-17) Arendse, Agnetha (Dr)Item Highlights of the 2026 budget : Education and Recreation Cluster(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-27) Parliamentary Research UnitItem Highlights of the 2026 budget : Finance and Public Accounts Cluster(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-27) Parliamentary Research UnitItem Highlights of the 2026 budget : Social Services and Infrastructure Cluster(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-30) Parliamentary Research UnitItem 2026 Budget : Intergovernmental and Resource Matters (IRM) Cluster : highlights of the 2026 budget(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-20) Parliamentary Research UnitItem Debates on Human Rights Day(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-16) Parliamentary Research UnitItem 2026 budget : Justice and Security Cluster : highlights of the 2026 budget(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-20) Parliamentary Research UnitItem 2026 budget : Trade and Economic Affairs Cluster : highlights of the 2026 budget(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-20) Parliamentary Research UnitItem 2026 budget : Social Equity Cluster : highlights of the 2026 budget(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026) Parliamentary Research UnitItem Good governance in local government : the role of ethical leadership in restoring public trust(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03-23) Parliamentary Research UnitItem The use of Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments(Parliamentary Research Unit, 2026-03) Parliamentary Research Unit