DFFE and MLRF Q1 and 2 2024/25 Performance; with Minister and Deputy Minister

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

04 February 2025
Chairperson: Ms N Gantsho (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment updated the Portfolio Committee on its performance during the first two quarters of the 2024/25 financial year. It was commended for over-achieving its targets during this period. The Minister said the improvement in its performance had resulted from efforts to accelerate the implementation of programmes. Previously disadvantaged businesses had received support from interventions was such as donations, access to market investment opportunities, accredited training, capacity building and funding.

Members raised a wide variety of issues. They questioned the value of the Department's bursaries, and whether recipients were offered internships on completion of their studies; sought details of the extent to which non-compliance with environmental legislation was investigated; asked about progress with government's tyre recycling programme; and urged the Department to ensure cheap permits were available to fishers so that they could make a living instead of having their activities criminalised.

Other matters discussed included the Department's need to meet its employment targets, its support for the Expanded Public Works Programme, its plans to address climate change and improve air quality, waste management initiatives for municipalities to enhance local environments, and the regulation of fish markets to avoid exploitation.

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and emphasised Parliament's constitutional role in ensuring both financial and non-financial performance in government institutions. She highlighted the importance of financial information for assessing progress, particularly in the environmental sector. Quarterly reports from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and its entities were essential for the Portfolio Committee's responsibilities, aiming to ensure citizens receive deserved services and the Department meets its outcomes. Parliament focuses on results, not daily operations. The Department had to meet 50% of its targets and spend 50% of its budget by the end of the second quarter, so achieving 80% by that point had exceeded expectations. She commended the Department for exceeding minimum performance standards, and concluded by welcoming everyone to the meeting.

Minister’s opening remarks

Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, opened the presentation with a brief overview. He said that in the first quarter, the Department had achieved 28 of its 36 (78%) targets, of which 15 had been exceeded. In the second quarter, it achieved 29 of its 36 targets (81%), of which 17 were exceeded. The improvement in its performance resulted from efforts to accelerate the implementation of programmes. Previously disadvantaged businesses had received support from interventions such as donations, access to the market investment opportunities, accredited training, capacity building and funding. The Department monitored the progress in implementing corrective measures for all the programmes that achieved less than 80% in the first quarter. Management had also focused on developing measures to improve internal controls during the 2024/25 financial year. The Department had a committee which had been sitting on a weekly basis to accelerate procurement measures.

The Marine Living Resources Fund had eight targets for the 2024/25 financial year. Five had been achieved, representing a 63% performance.

DFFE's quarterly performance report

 Programme 1: Administration

In the first quarter (Q1), the Financial Management System (FMS) expenditure amounted to R51.8 million, representing 28% of the original budget. The Corporate Management Services expenditure was R139.5 million, which accounted for 24% of the original budget. The administration programme successfully achieved good governance, compliance with legislative requirements, and effective financial management. The workforce was adequately capacitated, gender mainstreaming initiatives were implemented, and 110 bursaries were issued.

Programme 2: Regulatory compliance and monitoring

The regulatory compliance and monitoring programme achieved a 100% success rate, with 80% of the targets met. It inspected 195 environmental authorisations and issued 270 enforcement notices.

Programme 3: Oceans and Coasts

The oceans and coasts programme was 31% over budget. However, 20% of its goals were not achieved, with additional challenges in identifying sampling points and securing funding for the Nahoon Estuary.

Programme 4: Climate change and air quality

The climate change and air quality programme achieved 33% of its goals. It submitted draft emission targets, and raised $292,331 from international donors for South Africa's environmental programmes through a $100 million quarterly donor fund.

Programme 5: Biodiversity and Conservation

The biodiversity and conservation programme achieved 100% of its targets. Its objectives included adding 900 000 hectares of land to conservation estates, designating Ramsar (wetland) sites, establishing a wetland, securing rhino populations, and supporting 100 disadvantaged businesses in the biodiversity economy value chains.

Programme 6: Environmental programmes

The environmental programmes' expenditure was R757.8 million, 27% of the original budget. The programme focused on creating jobs, prioritising youth, women, and persons with disabilities, and rehabilitating ecosystems. It achieved high performance, implementing 23 wetlands and integrated fire management projects.

Programme 7: Chemicals and waste management

The chemicals and waste management programme aimed to reduce hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption by 60%, address skills gaps, and conduct 29 municipal cleaning campaigns. It achieved 80% of its action plan for non-achieved targets. Additionally, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had approved an extension to establish an industry advisory committee for the industry waste tyre management plan.

Programme 8: Forestry management

The Forestry Management programme spent R128.6 million, achieving 100% of its budget. The programme aimed to sustain state forests, transform the forestry sector, and mitigate environmental threats, repositioning the Department as a regulator.

Programme 9: Fisheries management

The fisheries management programme had involved 1400 inspections in six priority fisheries, verification of rights holders, development of a regulatory framework, the Aquaculture Development Bill, and an action plan, despite facing funding issues and ongoing public consultations.

See attached document for details of Q1 and Q2 performance

Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF)

 The Department said the Aquaculture Development Bill had been delayed due to public consultations taking longer than expected. It focuses on managing marine and freshwater resources, covering sectors like investment, employment, inspections, and socio-economic conditions.

In Q1, 62.5% of goals were achieved. Revenue was generated from various sources, with total operating expenditure of R433.6 million and capital expenditure of R14.5 million. As of 30 June, 2024, assets totalled R390.6 million, and liabilities were R2.319 million and net assets amounted to R365,102. Revenue included fees, permits, fines, grants, and sales of confiscated assets.

In Q2, 75% of goals were achieved, with the MLRF finalising the Aquaculture Development Bill and increasing inspections in small-scale fisheries. Revenue included fees, chartering, and grants, while expenditure increased by 130%, reaching R448.6 million, with notable cost increases in advertising and services.

See attached document for details

Discussion

Mr N Paulsen (EFF) said that the presenter had mentioned on slide nine why there was a zero for programs, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, and he thought that point was understood. However, on slide 18, there was mention of bursaries, but it was unclear which bursaries were valuable. It would be more meaningful to know what the valuable bursaries were, and how to ensure that they were awarded to deserving students.

On slide 22, a target of 270 administrative enforcement notices was issued for non-compliance with environmental legislation. What happens if the target of 270 was not met, or if more than 270 were issued? Targets should not be set for enforcement -- the focus should be on doing the job, ensuring that those responsible for breaking the law are held accountable. Targets might lead to missing other violations once the goal is reached.

Regarding the processing of tyres, he questioned what it meant to recycle or reprocess them. Some people converted them into pot plants, which could be dangerous, as they contained harmful chemicals. He asked what exactly was done during the recycling process. On slide 56, there was no quarterly breakdown for 1 800 hectares of temporary unplanted areas. Without a quarterly milestone, it seemed that progress could not be tracked. He suggested breaking down targets to monitor progress effectively. Additionally, there was no quarterly breakdown in programme 8, with 150 000 trees planted outside the forest footprint. He proposed that the output should be divided into smaller targets per quarter, such as 37 500 trees.

On the Marine Living Resources Fund, there was mention of R10 million for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). He questioned whether the EPWP met the United Nations' decent work standards, as it often resulted in people lying on the pavement with no proper work to do. He urged there should be a proper EPWP programme that provides decent work.

On slide 19, he criticised the criminalisation of fishers without permits, noting that historically, their ancestors had fished in the same waters. He asked for cheaper permits to allow these people to make a living, rather than criminalising them. He also praised the small-scale fishery case allocation, which he felt had achieved more than under other ministers. He expressed concern over criminalising people trying to make a living.

Dr L Mananga (EFF) said that in programme nine on fisheries management, the status for quarter one was blank, and in quarter two, no numbers were provided. She emphasised the need to see numbers showing how many small-scale fisheries were established. Her concern was also about job creation. Regarding programme 6 on environmental programmes, she observed that municipalities hired EPWP workers through "tenderpreneurs," often resulting in workers being paid less than expected. She asked why tenderpreneurs were used instead of municipalities directly employing people. She said that EPWP workers often lacked protective clothing, and could remain employed for six to eight months without sufficient support. In job creation under programme 8, temporary positions were doing better than full-time roles, and she suggested improving the full-time programme. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the report, saying that the Department needed to improve.

Mr S Mkhize (MK) raised concerns regarding programme 4. He asked how the Department responded to concerns that climate change measures did not align with the experiences of local communities facing unemployment. He requested a breakdown of the resources allocated to programme three on the oceans and coasts programme. He also asked for clarification on which plantations had been completed in quarter one under programme 9. Regarding programme 6, he wanted to know when rural areas would receive programmes focused on wildfires and illegal dumping, as such programmes were currently found only in urban areas.

Ms J Khumalo (ANC) asked for the percentages planned to improve achievements in climate change and air quality. She also questioned the non-achievement of fisheries management targets and the actions taken to address this. She requested clarification on how the DFFE planned to allocate resources to underperforming areas. She also asked about the measures taken to address a financial loss of R1.469 million in quarter one, and how the Department had increased its expenditure, particularly in transportation and operating costs.

Mr T Themba (ANC)said he was disappointed with the lack of progress in programme 9. He asked how the Department planned to address the needs of local coastal communities under programme 3. He also raised concerns about abandoned buildings in Hout Bay, and asked what measures were in place to ensure these buildings were used to benefit communities.

Ms N Makasi (ANC) said that she wanted clarity on the disability target, which had not been met. She also questioned why the Department had not met the target for reducing vacant posts. Regarding gender equality, she pointed out that the target of 50% of women appointed had not been met, as only 48% of appointments were women, and asked why the target had not been reached. Regarding the EPWP, she asked about the exit strategies for beneficiaries to ensure they were empowered beyond their time in the programme. She also requested a breakdown of the achievements reported in quarters one and two, and whether these figures reflected real improvements for South Africans. She raised concerns about the small-scale fisheries sector, and asked if mentors for fisheries were effective in supporting beneficiaries. She also questioned the financial loss of R1.469 million by the MLRF, and asked for clarification on how this issue was being addressed.

Ms R Nalumango (ANC) asked how the Department ensured small businesses were supported in job creation, particularly regarding fishing permits. She also inquired about the Department’s efforts to protect government forests and property. She requested a breakdown of the financial loss reported under the MLRF. She asked how the Department had managed to increase its expenditure on transportation and vessel operating costs in quarter two.

Mr A de Blocq van Scheltinga (DA) said he was disappointed with the Department's goal-setting, particularly regarding programme 9. He highlighted that while some programmes had exceeded their targets, the targets themselves may not have been set appropriately. He asked for more detailed reports on inspections and beneficiary breakdowns to help evaluate the Department's success in meeting targets. He also raised concern about the need for sub-entities like the MLRF, questioning whether they duplicated functions and added unnecessary administrative costs.

The Chairperson asked about programme 1 on administration, and the target to allocate 30% of performance spending to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). She requested details on how much of the Department's R4.4 billion expenditure in the first two quarters had been allocated to SMMEs. She also asked how irregular or unauthorised expenditures had been addressed during the review period. Regarding programme four on climate change, she asked for clarification on how non-compliance issues identified by the Auditor-General (AG) had been resolved. Lastly, she noted that the target for recycling tyres had been removed from programme 7 in the 2023/24 financial year, and she asked for clarification regarding this change. She also mentioned that law enforcement inspections had been low, particularly in the Eastern and Northern Cape, and asked for an update on how this issue was being addressed.

Minister's response

Minister George referred to the goal-setting for the administration, and outlined what had been achieved in the process so far. The bottom line was that the focus was on growing the economy, reducing poverty, reducing inequality, and ensuring a capable government. Recently, there has been the legotla, followed by the medium-term development plan (MTDP), which is currently being categorised. The plan would soon be finalised, as they had come a long way. The annual performance plans (APPs) for each department would emerge from this plan.

The Minister, who co-chaired a sub-committee on International Cooperation, Trade, and Security with Minister Lamola, said that every item discussed had been agreed upon by the Department of International Cooperation and Development (DIRCO). The National Development Plan (NDP) had been established, and the next step was to cascade it down to specific objectives. Previously, the Minister had named several key objectives, including tackling climate change, "Fishing for Freedom," and ensuring fiscal efficiency. These objectives had now been broken down into APPs. The Minister said that he expected clearer objectives for the future.

Regarding state-owned entities (SOEs), he said that there was a need for a review. One of the key objectives of the NDP for the Department was to examine financial challenges, particularly the difficulties surrounding a transfer to the Department. Audit findings had raised concerns about value, but discussions had indicated that potential value could be realised despite these challenges. The Minister acknowledged the complexity of engaging with the board on this matter.

On disability and gender targets, he acknowledged that the Department had fallen short in this regard. However, he confirmed that the Department had several capable women in senior roles and remained committed to improving in this area.

The Minister said that fisheries were a very contested sector. The goal of "Fishing for Freedom" was to ensure small-scale fishers gained more access to resources, allowing coastal communities to benefit. Licensing allocations were previously handled by the former Minister, but the Minister had advocated more access for small-scale fishers, particularly in the appeals process. The complexities of fisheries management, such as overfishing and the need for sustainable practices, remained challenging, but he was committed to improving the system. One of the first actions taken was to assess why the licensing process was so difficult. Efforts were now focused on ensuring better access and preventing overfishing, while continuously monitoring catch quotas.

The Minister had also engaged with local communities, going on what was called the "Fishing Breeding Tour" and visiting 12 designated harbours. Issues such as legal complications in Lamberts Bay, where the harbour was established, had hindered licence allocations, but significant progress had been made. The Department continued to ensure that communities were organised effectively and had access to fish stocks.

He confirmed that the plan for climate change and air quality had now been finalised. However, the situation remained complicated, especially concerning Eskom's power stations and government's decisions about decommissioning stations by 2030. Eskom's request for extensions was a point of contention. Balancing the need for clean air with the need for a functioning economy was a difficult challenge, as power shortages hindered growth. This issue would undoubtedly become a topic of ongoing debate.

On waste management, Minister George said that an effective waste management plan had been submitted to the Cabinet, but more work was needed, particularly in financial areas. The goal was for the plan to be rolled out across all municipalities to improve environmental cleanliness. A problematic company was currently in court, but the new model should work and was expected to be implemented soon.

Finally, regarding the abandoned buildings in Hout Bay, he said that these buildings were not under the DFFE, but were managed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). He had engaged with the responsible Minister, as the condition of these buildings was unacceptable. Some buildings were occupied illegally, and there was a need for restoration. The goal was to ensure these buildings were available for the local community, contributing to both the local economy and security. Improved security at harbours was also a priority, with plans for medium-term security upgrades already underway. The Minister said that cleaning and restoring these buildings would benefit the local community and improve overall harbour operations.

Deputy Minister's comments

Ms Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said there were numerous EPWP programmes within the Department. After 20 years of the EPWP's existence, Phase 5 of the programme had been launched in 2024. This phase was designed to ensure that all entities involved in EPWP programmes understand the necessity of having an exit strategy in place before any programme was implemented. She emphasised that the Department must align with this approach, noting that in Phase 5, municipalities were responsible for implementing the programmes, while the Department's role was to support and monitor the municipalities. The DFFE had to ensure that funds were used effectively for various programmes, whether for fire management, water projects, or any other initiative. Phase 5 was designed to ensure that participants in the programme could exit with meaningful skills, enabling them to work in businesses, cooperatives, or secure jobs. This was how Phase 5 was implemented, overseen by the Department of Public Works (DPW), which coordinates the EPWP across all government Departments.

Deputy Minister Swarts explained that the Department had issued fishing licences, a responsibility that was previously managed by the former Minister. Many of these licences had already been in place for 15 years. As part of the medium-term development plan (MTDP), she said there needed to be better coordination between departments. For instance, the DFFE issues fishing licences and, when necessary, fights in court to protect the interests of small-scale fishers. However, these fishers often lacked the necessary resources, such as boats and nets, so the Department worked with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to secure grants (not loans) for small businesses, ranging from R50 000 to R10 million. She said that now that fishing licences had been issued, the DFFE also had to assist small-scale fishers in securing grants to improve their businesses. Small fishers were supported by mentors provided by the Department, who helped them meet compliance requirements.

While many small fishers may not be able to read or write, they possess the skills to fish. The challenge arises when these fishers are unable to fish due to a lack of equipment. Some harbour workers had exploited this situation, using other people's licences to fish and offering a small payment to the licence holders. She stated that the Department, under the direction of the Deputy Director-General (DDG), would ensure that coordination and collaboration, as discussed in Cabinet, was implemented. The Department’s role was to ensure that small fishers were properly supported in accessing grants for essential equipment, such as cold storage. However, she pointed out that even larger corporations were refusing to purchase from these small fisheries, which added to the challenges small fishers face.

On the issue of legal battles, she said that the Department had won a case in 2024 against large fishing companies that had sought to restrict small fishers’ access to additional fishing licences. Despite winning the case, the ongoing challenge was ensuring that small fishers could effectively run their businesses with the licences they held.

Deputy Minister Swarts also commented on the Department's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the DPWI, which was responsible for managing small harbours. She commented that the DPWI lacked the necessary knowledge of harbour management and focused mainly on revenue collection from docking ships. She agreed with the Minister that further discussions with Public Works were needed to improve harbour management, particularly in terms of security and the overall operations of harbours.

In rural areas, she said that the Department was working to address waste management challenges. Recently, officials visited deep rural areas in all nine provinces to address various waste issues, including tyres, e-waste, and general household waste. The Department also donated yellow dustbins to small municipalities to promote better waste management practices. She highlighted the growing environmental concern of disposable nappies in rural areas. She said that the Department was engaging with local communities through Imbizos (community outreach meetings) to raise awareness about waste management. She shared an example from Bushbuckridge, where a local entrepreneur was using disposable nappies to create bricks. A survey conducted in Limpopo showed that approximately 350 000 disposable nappies were used daily, and in Bushbuckridge alone, around 72 000 nappies were used every day.

DFFE's response

 

Ms Nomfundo Tshabalala, Director-General (DG), DFFE, said that the issue of irregular expenditure, which was reported to the Committee and stood at R3.6 billion, was historic. This irregular expenditure had arisen due to a lack of objectivity when tenders were advertised. Although not all the details had been provided, a condonement of over R1.9 billion was granted. For a condonement to occur, it was crucial to ensure that the cases were carefully broken down, assessed regularly, and addressed appropriately. Regular assessments were necessary to comply with the law, and they helped in determining exactly what had contributed to the irregularities. Where non-compliance was found, it must be taken further, especially when services had been delivered and value derived.

In some cases, when a tender was advertised, one aspect may have been missed, which was not evaluated, while everything else complied. As a result, the project was still delivered. These were the assessments that the Department conducted.

Once it was realised there was non-compliance, they identified the responsible officials and moved towards consequence management. Consequence management could take various forms, including corrective measures, training for officials who may be unaware of certain aspects, and disciplinary actions when fraud is discovered. The chief financial officer (CFO) would provide further comments on irregular expenditure.

Regarding the 30% allocated to SMMEs, this would not be visible in their annual performance plans (APPs), but an operational plan was in place. However, a challenge had arisen because, according to the 2022 Treasury regulations, the 30% requirement was no longer necessary, primarily due to challenges with the Procurement Bill. Any tenders issued before 2022 did, however, still require sub-contracting, especially for tenders above R50 million, and the CFO could provide these figures.

Regarding entities in the Department and the potential for duplication, the DFFE was sensitive to these issues. Every effort was made to avoid duplication. While some historic issues existed due to the number of entities, they had been established according to the law. Legislation mandates the creation of entities responsible for the implementation of policies. Some of these aspects could be addressed only by reviewing existing legislation. The Department also had a mandate to provide guidelines and implement policies. Entities were responsible for ensuring that these policies were properly carried out, ensuring there was no overlap of responsibility.

Ms Tshabalala noted that some APP targets lacked quarterly breakdowns. It was essential to highlight that targets should be SMART -- specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, when covering unplanted areas in forestry management, the task may involve covering land exceeding 8 000 hectares. In some cases, the full target may be measurable only at the end of the year, though progress could be reported in stages, such as quarterly or half-yearly reports. This approach aligned with the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPMP) guidelines.

Concerns regarding fisheries had been noted, and the Department was also concerned about fisheries' management performance. Interventions had been made on specific targets, with regular meetings between the Deputy Director-General (DDG) and senior management to track progress. Action plans were in place where necessary to address any challenges and ensure that targets were met. The Department also follows up on recommendations from the Consultative Advisory Forum (CAF) to ensure progress.

The Chairperson instructed Members to allow the Department to respond to questions that require detailed answers. If there were questions that needed further explanation, the Department should respond in writing to ensure clarity.

Ms Veronicah Mogolla, Acting CFO, DFFE, said that irregular expenditure unfortunately included non-compliant contracts that were still ongoing until the end of Quarter 3, which was December 2024. The Department had made R20 million from the waste contracts that were still running until the end of the new plan. The sub-contracting and procurement issues would be responded to in writing.

Ms Vanessa Bendemen, DDG: Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring, said the Department had 858 bursaries for the calendar year, amounting to R3.2 million. R1.2 million was allocated for internal officials and part-time students, while R2 million was for full-time students. These bursaries were advertised in national newspapers and on the Department’s official website. All full-time bursary holders were placed in internships once they had completed their studies, except those who may request permanent employment elsewhere. After completing their internships, they were encouraged to compete in the job market for full-time jobs, just like any other candidates within the Department.

The DFFE's employment target for women stands at 50%. In both quarters, there were 11 appointments, six of whom were women. Regarding people with disabilities, the Department had 64 employees in the first quarter and 65 in the second quarter. These were not new individuals but people who had declared their disabilities following awareness sessions held in various regions and operational areas. In Quarter 2, performance reduction was linked to the administration, mainly due to the bursary process not being concluded to the point where letters were being issued to applicants who had been awarded bursaries.

Adv Radia Razack, Acting DDG: Oceans and Coasts, said that in terms of administration notices, the targets were quantitative. The Department looked at the statistics over the years, and the targets were determined accordingly. The Department also conducts qualitative assessments regarding enforcement notices issued. It was important that when targeting, the industries, sectors, and authorisations that were issued be considered, ensuring that compliance was assessed by the Chief Director of Compliance. Enforcement and administrative notices were issued in the event of non-compliance. This approach was proactive, addressing non-compliance rather than reacting to it. Administrative notices were another form of enforcement outside of the criminal court process. The targets were determined by evaluating the means of ensuring compliance across different sectors.

She also mentioned the plan to engage local coastal communities to ensure their needs were addressed. This was a critical aspect of the Department's mandate. The mandate for oceans and coasts was distinct from fisheries, which dealt with species, fishing rights, and allocations. The Department’s broader mandate was focused on the entire ocean and coastal landscape, aiming to grow the economy and ensure sustainability. Coastal communities were key stakeholders, and over the years, the DFFE had strengthened its engagement with them, recognising their role in development. Various interventions had been made to include coastal community representatives, ensuring they were informed about issues concerning the ocean and coastal mandate.

For example, access to beaches did not necessarily mean access to fishing or resources. During the apartheid era, private beaches were created, excluding local communities. While beach access fell under municipal mandates, municipalities have often lacked the resources and budget to manage this. The Department had engaged in projects to address this, as they were responsible for managing a 3 000 km coastline. Working on access without engaging with people living in coastal areas was not feasible. In the Eastern Cape, for example, the Department had reached an agreement granting coastal communities access to beaches. This had taken considerable time, but it was an ongoing process.

Another example involved a fishing community restricted from fishing in a privatised area. The Department had formed a task force with Committee representatives and conducted joint inspections to identify blockages. It had then engaged property owners in a cooperative effort with the communities. This approach reduced conflicts between landowners and fishers, making it more productive.

The Department used its limited resources effectively, focusing on areas with greater challenges. Additionally, it works with provinces and local municipalities to identify problematic sites in local communities. While the budget was constrained, it continued its engagement efforts. When dealing with other issues, the Department recognises that public consultations cannot simply involve publishing notices in newspapers, as it is no longer effective.

Regarding allocating resources and funding for the Oceans and Coasts (OC) mandate, the Department would break this down in a spreadsheet for the Committee. As a heads-up, the Department’s major cost drivers were science voyages to remote islands, which were essential for research on climate change predictions, disaster management, and early warning systems.

Mr Maesela Kekana, DDG: Climate Change and Air Quality, and Sustainable Development, said Eskom was responsible for decommissioning power stations. It had a decommissioning plan, as it was known that power stations were planned to be decommissioned after 40 to 60 years. Some of the oil-powered stations were not being decommissioned due to climate change requirements, but because they had reached the end of their planned life. Government stated that decommissioning should not happen before repurposing due to the consequences. Resources were being mobilised, not necessarily for the Global Safety Information Project (GSIP), but for other programmes such as green mobility, financing facilities, sustainability cities, and the integrated programme. When the Department submitted its strategy, proof was also provided to show what the funding was for.

Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize, DDG: Environmental Programmes, said she would like to emphasise and expand on what the Deputy Minister had said regarding the EPWP, which was guided by the Ministerial determination and the code of good practice. The Department’s focus on the EPWP was aligned with its mandate. Examples of EPWP programmes included the work done through rehabilitation interventions of working lands. The projects run by the EPWP included both accredited and non-accredited training, though the focus had now shifted to accredited training.

Regarding the appointment of service providers for contracts, particularly cleaning projects in municipalities, she confirmed that the DFFE did not use a service provider model, but instead uses in-house project management capacity. Its project managers work directly with municipalities on these projects. Monitoring these projects was done through feedback from municipalities, which led the Department to approve internships based on the impact the programme was making on the ground.

Regarding waste management, she clarified that the Department was not primarily responsible for service delivery in this area, as it was the responsibility of the municipalities. For the greening and cleaning projects undertaken with municipalities, it monitored illegal dumping hotspots, which were managed by the waste management branch, and follows up to ensure they were cleaned.

The second aspect was the Working on Fire programme, through which the Department had committed to supporting communities living primarily in forestry areas. When responding to wildfires, the Department operates within the context of the National Forests Act (NFA) of South Africa. Other stakeholders, such as district and provincial disaster management centres, also had responsibilities in this regard. Under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA) of 1998, individuals or communities form fire protection associations to receive assistance and information. Notifications were issued when a wildfire was predicted, such as on "orange" or "yellow" days, which were related to the weather forecast. The Department also looked into how rural areas could access this vital information.

A DFFE official explained that the processing of waste tyres followed the waste management hierarchy. This hierarchy consisted of three main strategies: reuse, recycle, and recover. For example, tyre retreading focuses on giving truck tyres a second or third life. Another process, tyre pyrolysis (also known as thermal cracking), breaks down waste tyres into smaller molecules. Tyres could also be used in road construction, mixed with asphalt to make roads more durable. Additionally, they could be burned for energy, which helps reduce coal consumption.

The DFFE official clarified the meaning of "no milestone," using Programme 7 as an example. When drafting regulations, it was crucial to assess the progress of implementation and determine the critical elements that would elevate to quarterly milestones. While some stakeholders may view the lack of formal milestones as a gap, she explained that in practice, the Department was monitoring progress even if no measurable targets were set. For example, while waste tyre diversion had not been formally targeted, waste tyres were being managed under the government model. The Department was also prioritising other waste streams, such as packaging, e-waste (now including batteries), and lubricant oil, managing them through extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations.

A review of the Department's targets and indicators was necessary to make reports more useful and audit-compliant. Confirmation of the numbers in the South African market was essential for verification purposes. Enforcement of regulations, especially around standard procedures, was increasing as the Department actively monitored and followed up with producers. Waste management regulations required recyclers to report, and the Department was taking action where necessary. The Department also consolidates waste streams, although not all indicators and targets fall within its scope, as some were managed by other branches. The Department had an annual operational plan that included waste diversion.

A DFFE official said the first quarter for tree planting was typically focused on planning, sourcing trees, and engaging with stakeholders about planting. Due to this planning phase, the Department could not set a target for tree planting in the first quarter. As for the transfer of plantation management, there were eight sites in the Eastern Cape -- one in the Amathole District Municipality, and seven in OR Tambo District Municipality, split between Mhlontlo Local Municipality (five) and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (two). The Department was on track to meet its targets and finalise the process by the end of the financial year. The forestry masterplan, which focuses on transformation, growth, and investment in the sector, also addresses illegal activities in forests. The Department was piloting a collaboration between district municipalities, provincial stakeholders and the police in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. This initiative would be expanded to other regions with similar hotspots if successful.

Mr Belemane Semoli, Fisheries Management, said that in fisheries, the DFFE did not use intermediaries. Instead, it directly employs people and pays them via the Department's bank account. This allowed for proper training and integration into the Department's functions. Feedback indicated that the fishermen valued the Department’s communication efforts. However, he pointed out that the fish the Department sells did not come from small-scale fishermen, but from larger syndicates.

The Department was working on the management of small-scale fisheries with co-ops established across different provinces. For example, in the Northern Cape, two co-ops consisted of 103 fishers; in the Western Cape, there were 62 co-ops, with 3 400 fishers; in the Eastern Cape, 72 co-ops had 5 000 fishers; and in KwaZulu-Natal, 35 co-ops involved 2 000 fishers. The Department relied heavily on intelligence-driven interventions due to limited resources, and collaborates with law enforcement to address issues such as marketers exploiting small-scale fishers. Moving forward, the Department planned to regulate fish markets to prevent such exploitation. The Department’s scientific approach, supported by biologists and mathematicians, ensured sustainable fisheries management.

Ms Mogolla explained that the deficits resulting from transport and vessel costs stemmed from a grant received by the Department. This grant was used primarily for vessel operations, including covering repair costs, such as those for the Africana, one of the Department’s oldest vessels. Although the fleet was minimal, the Department had acquired nine vehicles in 2024 but had had to hire additional vehicles, such as 4x4 patrol vehicles, due to budget constraints. The Department was exploring options to return underutilised vehicles to save costs.

She clarified the difference between licences and permits. A licence authorised a client to perform a specific activity, while a permit was granted to a right holder to fish.

Further questions

The Chairperson then asked if there were any follow-up questions from Members.

Mr de Blocq van Scheltinga asked when the Department planned to replace older vessels, acknowledging the high costs involved.

Mr Semoli responded that the DFFE had been trying to source new vessels for years, but there was competition for resources within the Department and other branches.

Ms Makasi raised concerns about the illiteracy of small-scale fishers and their access to grants and support from the Department. She asked if there was a task team dedicated to these grants, as some fishers were reportedly being exploited by marketers.

The Chairperson instructed the Department to respond to these concerns in writing within 3 weeks.

Concluding comments

 Deputy Minister Swarts said the Department was working collaboratively to create jobs and grow the economy. Mentors within the Department assisted small-scale fishers, but grants were managed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTIC), not by the DFFE. The Department was not directly responsible for these grants, but worked with the DTIC and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) to assist fishers. The DG would coordinate with the DGs of the DTIC and DSBD to address this issue and ensure small-scale fishers receive appropriate support.

Ms Makasi reiterated concerns about small-scale fishers who had permits but lacked knowledge of the available grants and how to access them.

Ms Mogolla addressed the issue of vessel management costs, noting that the Department was exploring options for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other procurement processes to address fiscal constraints. The Department was also working to maintain older vessels while exploring cost-saving measures.

The Chairperson instructed the Department to provide written responses within three weeks.

The meeting was adjourned.

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