Question NW2355 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
26 November 2020 - NW2355
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) In light of the fact that the Independent Development Trust (IDT) was used as the implementing agent for the Expanded Public Works Programme’s (EPWP) Covid-19 response, (a) by what means were the nonprofit organisations (NPOs) identified, (b) what criteria were used to determine which NPOs would be used, (c) what number of the specified NPOs were already part of the nonstate sector (NSS) NPO EPWP programme; (2) what (a) number of organisations that were already contracted to the IDT as part of the NSS EPWP programme were not used and (b) were the reasons for not using them; (3) whether the original NSS EPWP NPO programme is going ahead for this financial year as well; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what legislation and/or legal provisions will she rely to avoid legal repercussions for the breach of contract; if so, how far is the IDT with the implementation of this programme?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I was informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) that the Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) that participated in DPWIExpanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) COVID-19 response,were identified from an existing database of NPOs that were contracted by the Independent Development Trust (IDT)in 2019. These NPOs entered into a contractual agreement, with the IDT, for a period of two (2) years (i.e. 2019/20 – 2020/21) to implement the NPO programme activities.Considering their contracts were still active, the DPWI deemed it appropriate for the IDT to utilise the existing NPOs from the aforementioned database, subject to them being compliant with the Central Supplier Database (CSD) requirements.
Prior to contracting with the IDT in 2019, the NPOs had to undergo due diligence. The following criteria had to be met:
- Valid Tax Clearance from SARS
- Valid UIF Clearance Certificate
- A valid letter of good standing from Compensation Fund
- A valid letter from Department of Social Development confirming NPO registration
- Proof that organisation has been in existence or operational for a minimum of 2 years
- Submission of information of how the NPOs will create labour intensive (60%) activities and EPWP work opportunities
- Proof of the NPOs good financial, administrative and reporting systems
- Confirmation that work to be undertaken will have a developmental focus
- Proof that the NPO has a presence where work will be undertaken
- Attendance of compulsory briefing sessions for all NPOs.
For the purpose of COVID-19 interventions, of the 339 NPOs on the IDT database, 189 NPOs were contracted.
Three Hundred and Thirty Nine (339) NPOs were already part of the Non-State Sector (NSS) Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) programme contracted for a period of two (2) years in 2019.
2.(a) I was informed that of the 339 NPOs who were already part of the NSS NPOs programme, a total of 150 NPOs contracted to the IDT were not used.
(b)The reason these NPOs could not be used is due to the fact that they either did not meet the participation criteria or were un-willing to participate in the COVID-19 emergency response project.The plan still remains to implement the original NSS EPWP NPO programme.
3.(a) The Plan still remains to implement the original NSS EPWP NPO Programme.
(b) Currently the IDT is implementing the EPWP COVID-19 response project until the end of November 2020.