Hansard: NCOP: Unrevised hansard
House: National Council of Provinces
Date of Meeting: 31 May 2023
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WEDNESDAY, 31 MAY 2023
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HYBRID MINIPLENARY - NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
Watch: Plenary
The Council met at 14:02.
The Deputy Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): ...
[Inaudible.] ... relating to virtual and hybrid meetings and sittings, in particular, subrules 21,22, and 23 of Rule 103, which provides as follows: The hybrid sitting constitute a sitting of the National Council of Provinces. Delegates in the hybrid sitting enjoy the same powers and privileges that apply in a sitting of the National Council of Provinces. For purposes of a quorum, all delegates who are logged onto the virtual platform shall be considered present. Delegates must switch on their videos if they want to speak. In any case I don’t know why I am saying it all the time. Delegates should ensure that the microphones on their electronic devices are muted and must always remain muted, unless they are permitted to speak. All delegates in the Chamber must connect to the virtual platform as well as insert their cards to register on the Chamber system.
Delegates who are physically in the Chamber must use the floor microphones. All delegates may participate in the discussion through the chat room. In addition, I would like to remind delegates that the interpretation facility is active.
Permanent delegates, special delegates, the SA Local Government Association, Salga, representatives and members of the executive on the virtual platform are requested to ensure that the interpretation facility on their electronic devices is properly activated to facilitate access to the interpretation services. Permanent delegates, special delegates, Salga representatives and members of the executive in the Chamber should use the interpretation instruments on their desk to access their interpretation facilities.
Hon delegates, before we proceed, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure - I can see there is an added thing - the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, MECs, all special delegates, permanent delegates and Salga representatives as well as the administration to the House.
Hon delegates, I have been informed that there will be no notices of motion or motions without notice. We will now proceed with the First Order of the day – it is the Policy Debate on Budget Vote No 30: Public Works and Infrastructure, Appropriation Bill B3-2023, National Assembly section 77. And I will now ask all the members take their seats before I call the Minister to the podium. I will now call on the hon S Zikalala, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to open the debate. The DA men’s caucus is late.
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Policy debate)
Vote No 13: Public Works and Infrastructure:
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon Chairperson, the hon Chairperson of the NCOP, Deputy Minister Mahlobo, MECs for Public Works and all members of this House, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure carries the crucial mandate of co-ordinating infrastructure development and looking after the biggest portfolio of property in our country. During this financial year of 2023-24, the department will work with all stakeholders to strengthen its role in poverty alleviation, job creation, economic transformation. As part of the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan announced by His Excellency, President Ramaphosa, attention will be given to contract management through capacity building, risk management and monitoring. The war room approach and the project management units, PMU, will help us fast-track the implementation of all projects. Infrastructure SA continues to be our special purpose vehicle that package strategic projects that are financed via the strategic partnership with private sector.
Our supply chain like legal and other line function units as well as departments will engage regularly to address all transversal challenges. Responding to the floods that bedevilled KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape as well as North West, the department offered or released 18 parcels of land to KwaZulu-Natal for accommodation for floods victims. It further released 2,8 hectares to Msunduzi Municipality in March this year.
As part of land restitution, the department in the previous year released 221 land parcels to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development. The target of 10 000 ha has thus been exceeded. Approximately 1 576 ha is earmarked to be released during this financial year.
For human settlements purposes, 44 land parcels were released the previous year and in this financial year, we will release
6 320 ha. In terms of land redistribution, 125 land parcels were distributed for agricultural purposes and this year, we are going to release 50 parcels of land - during this financial year. We are going also to release land for purposes of socioeconomic transformation, especially to Eskom for servitudes, for the construction of generation transmission and distribution power lines. Approximately 2 230 ha will be released during this financial year.
We are moving ahead with the construction of Welisizwe Bridges. During this financial year we are going to construct
96 rural bridges for communities to have access to amenities.
This will be 17 bridges for KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga each as well 14 bridges for Free State and North West.
We are moving ahead with the development of small harbours. There are 13 proclaimed fishing harbours empowered over 100 small, medium and micro-sized enterprises, SMMEs, in the Western Cape with the investment of about R501 million. We are undertaking the feasibility studies to establish fishing opportunities and develop small harbours in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. Unlike the past apartheid regime that fishing is Western Cape alone, we are covering the whole of South Africa.
Through Infrastructure SA, Isa, we are implementing the Infrastructure Investment Plan as approved by Cabinet in May 2020. In addition, we are working on Green Hydrogen Projects that are at a value of over R300 billion. Among these projects is the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Project in the Northern Cape which has a potential to create 35 000 work opportunities.
Eighty-eight Strategic investment Projects, SIPs, have been gazetted covering foundational infrastructure networks in particular, in energy, water and sanitation.
Let me take this opportunity to update the House. To date, the total value of projects completed is R21,4 billion – mainly roads, energy and human settlement projects. The total value of projects currently under construction is R313 billion, while those that are at a procurement stage stands at
R295,2 billion. We continue to work through Isa to register other projects in the pipeline.
With regard to Infrastructure Fund pipeline, the National Treasury confirmed in December 2022 that the approval of blended finance projects which stands at a value of
R31,7 billion from the fiscus in South Africa. The Infrastructure Fund is earmarking a total of nine projects amounting to R45 billion. And I must say that this is the first initiative where government offers a fund directed to ensure that we kick-start a link in packaging strategic infrastructure projects.
As the department, working with the Ministry of Electricity, together with Government Technical Advisory Centre’s, GTAC, we are finalising the request for proposals, RFP, under the Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme. This RFP will be issued before the end of June this year. We will offer 3 740 MW of electricity and therefore we are going to ensure that buildings have alternative source of energy and is not dependent on the grid alone.
We are consolidating the construction project management. In the previous financial year, R3 billion was spent on contractors and consultants for infrastructure projects. About
95 projects were completed and 65 sites were handed over to contractors. This include the projects completed which is a police station in Namakwa District in Northern Cape, phase 1 of Emanguzi Police Station in Umkhanyakude, the Department of Public Works’ ICT Disaster Recovery Centre in Johannesburg and the Komatipoort Police Station in the Ehlanzeni Municipality.
The department has identified top 50 significant projects which we are going to ensure that they are fast-tracked, and among those is the Durban High Court, Burgersdorp Correctional Centre and the Groote Schuur Estate Heritage in Cape Town.
In 2023-24, the target is to hand over 168 infrastructure sites for construction, complete 109 infrastructure projects and deliver 154 design solution for user departments. The President launched one of the biggest and catalytic project that is spearheaded by private sector in the eastern part of Tshwane.
Let me update this House that the upgrading of the Hills sewer treatment works has been completed as well as the development of road intersection going into these settlements. The Mooikloof Development is going to be one of those that shows the role of the private sector in partnership with the public sector in offering affordable housing.
For victims of gender-based violence, the department continues to offer access to shelter for the victims of gender-based violence. We continue to release properties in all provinces this year. The leasing portfolio of the department continues to increase dramatically, as it now stands around R5 billion. We aim to reduce the leasing portfolio by enhancing the department’s Refurbishment, Operate and Transfer Programme.
So, we would want those are in the private sector to invest in
refurbishing government building and we want to stop going out to lease the private buildings.
With regard to maintenance, we are ring-fencing the budget for maintenance together with Treasury, and we would want the budget of maintenance to be preserved and used for maintenance alone. We are also going to ensure proactive maintenance of all facilities by embarking or introducing the total facility management approach. In the current financial year, a total of
15 total facility management contract will be issued at a value of R434 million over a three-year period.
With regard to the Expanded Public Works Programme, we continue to ensure that the Expanded Public Works Programme, as the pro-poor ANC-led programme continues to cushion the poor from poverty. The Expanded Public Works Programme marks
20 years since it was introduced. During this financial year, we are going to conduct a thorough review to ensure that EPWP continues to be impactful but ensure that there is a clear exit strategy for beneficiaries.
Out of the target of 1 000 000 over a five-year period, we’ve managed so far to introduce or to offer 990 000 opportunities
that have been offered and it is clear that in the remaining period, we are going to surpass the target for this financial year.
The Independent Development Trust, IDT, is showing signs of revival after experiencing difficulties in the past two years. During this financial year that has just been completed, it managed to deliver 45 projects. Eighteen of these projects were delivered on infrastructure out of 21 facilities that were earmarked.
A total of R905 million of infrastructure expenditure was delivered, focusing especially on the broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE-compliant entities. The Public Works, under IDT continues to perform well and the target for the upcoming year is 64 000 work opportunities.
We continue to enhance skills development in the built industry. Hundred bursaries across provinces are going to be issued this year at the value of R16 million. Seventy-nine candidates will be recruited in the Young Professionals Programme.
In partnership with the Banking sector education and training authority, BankSeta, 994 youth under the Graduates Internship Programme were employed. To massify this programmes, we are going to recruit 2 500 youth within the artisans’ trades. We are going to recruit 1 500 young people in the graduates and work integrated learning programme. We are going to recruit more than 200 youths for the ocean economy and more than 500 for Water and Energy Efficiencies Programme. Through the Construction Industry Development Board, CIDB, we will also contract not less than 1 000 contractors for this year, and that would also ensure that we create opportunities for the youth to be in training.
Reflecting on a number of our programmes and policies, let us now move to present the budget for the upcoming year. The department’s budget allocation for 2023-24 is R8,782 billion. For the entire MTEF it is R27,5 billion. Nine point seven billion during the MTEF period, is expected to go to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
For project preparation, we are happy to announce that Isa is allocated R600 million over the medium-term period. We are continuing to ensure that the Property Management Trading
Entity, PMTE, is effective. To this end, for this financial year, the PMTE is allocated R23,9 billion to ensure that it focus on precinct development, integrated government planning by grouping departments and allocating departments in precinct and ensuring that departmental offices are refurbished, repaired and capital projects for 15 departments will be carried during this financial year. We will continue to spend on goods and services as well as ensuring compensation of employees through this budget.
Under the PMTE allocation, an amount of about R983 million will be allocated to projects that are led by the department. We are very mindful of challenges that we are facing, including economic sabotage and hijacking of construction sites. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, the private sector and communities to end the hijacking of construction sites. We want to applaud the police for the work that have been done so far, but we are going to consolidate and strengthen our intervention in this regard.
I take this opportunity to thank the Asset Forfeiture Unit for obtaining of orders to ensure that stolen properties are brought back to government. The Special Investigating Unit,
SIU, also continues with a number of investigations on buildings of government that have been stolen and those that are hijacked
During this year, we are going to ensure that a number of Bills that are led by the department are finalised. This includes the Expropriation Bill that has gone through the portfolio committee and it’s now with the National Council of Provinces. It also includes the Construction Industry Development Board Bill as well as Public Works Bill. We believe that we all have to ensure that we play our part. We must turn South Africa into a construction site. Let South Africa work for all of us. South Africa works because of the Public Works. I thank you.
Mr K M MMOIEMANG: Deputy Chair, greetings to the Minister, the Deputy Minister and the MEC present in the House and my colleagues and special delegates that are on the virtual and to the public at large. Deputy Chair, the ANC rise to support Budget Vote 13 and this is quite critical, Chair, because in the coming year, we will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the creation of our constitutional democracy and over the years since 1994 the ANC-led government has created many
opportunities for the majority of our people, and these opportunities had to be created to reverse the effects of the legacy of apartheid colonialism.
It is quite critical, Chair, that the legacy of apartheid colonialism must be confronted because it resulted in the structural and systemic poverty, inequality, unemployment and historic economic exclusion of the majority of the country’s population. The ANC-led government is still dealing with the correction of these historical injustices of the past and seeking to overcome the legacy of apartheid colonialism.
Deputy Chair, the programme of the ANC government, since the majority of the people attained political freedom in 1994 was to ensure a programme of economic transformation to reverse the historical injustice of the past. And therefore, the work by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as presented by the hon Minister continues to play a critical role in the transformation process to move the masses of the people out of an economy of poverty or necessity to an economy of affluence. Since the beginning of the 6th Administration, the department continues to record progress. Of course, we note also a number of challenges. A clear in example was the
Beitbridge in the middle of the pandemic but we appreciate the department has indeed confronted this maladministration because it deprived our people when they need to have secured borders.
And it is important, Chair, that we note that, tremendous work continues to be led by the department through its entities including both the Property Management Trading Entity and also as the Minister has indicated the repurposing of the Independent Development Trust.
This budget, Chair, that the ANC support Vote 13: we support it because it is an instrument of transformation and the people of the country look to the ANC-led government to execute transformation through its programmes and budget. And we are unapologetic about that those who are mamaring is official’s bystanders.
Hon Deputy Chair, the Budget of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to execute this mandate as the Minister has indicated has been allocated close to R8,8 billion. This total budget will increase to R9,2 billion in 2024-25 financial year and R9,6 billion in 2025-26 financial year. Is quite critical,
hon Deputy Chair, that we note and present to the House that this budget has been allocated for the five critical programmes of the department and for transfers to its entities as outlined by the Minister.
Some 85% of the department’s allocated budget clearly is a transfer to entities and provinces to execute the programmes of the department. And we need to note that only 6% of the budget is allocated to the administrative programme which indicates that the bulk of the budget is geared towards implementation of the programme and delivery in the entities and provinces.
It is important that the department through the administrative programme is also able to fill critical vacancies and not be underspending in relation to ensuring that it is staffed with capacity, capability and the necessary skills to implement the critical programmes of the department as outlined by the Minister.
Deputy Chair, provinces must become more accountable for the funds and programmes which have to be implemented by Public Works and Infrastructure so that people on the ground must
positively feel the changes and improvements in the quality of their lives through impactful and qualitative spending.
Deputy Chair, the national department as outlined by the Minister develops policy for the sector and implementation of policy priorities and programmes occur through its entities. These entities are oversighted by the department
Deputy Chair, as the Minister has indicated, the Property Management and Trading Entity manage the property portfolio on behalf of government. It is required to enhance the value of the property portfolio. The Property Management and Trading Entity implements the policies of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and has a national footprint in 11 regional offices in the different provinces which are linked by head office. It is imperative that the Annual Performance Plans of the Property Management and Trade Entity is aligned with the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to ensure infrastructure investment and job creation in the property sector does indeed materialised.
The department as the Minister has also indicated generates revenue through letting properties and also the sale of land
and buildings. We note the revenue that was collected by these entities in the previous financial year but also, we note that there was a decrease in terms of the collection and it is important that we note that this decrease was largely as a result of non-payment of rentals as well as the department paying for services of client departments.
This has resulted in the entity running a large overdraft which negatively impacts on the financial sustainability and viability of the entity. Therefore, as the select committee the ANC will be encourage the department to take concerted steps towards improving low payment rates, including declaring Intergovernmental Disputes where necessary to ensure that payment is made timeously.
It is important because this law collection of revenue negatively impacts on the ability of the Property Management Trade Entity to ensure maintenance of government property to enhance the value of the property in its portfolio as this will aloe the Property Management Trade Entity to operate efficiently as there is no contradiction in being a centre of excellence and ensuring that transformation occurs at the same time.
We have noted and support the allocation that the department has made to the Property Management Trade and Entity as was also outlined by the Minister. In relation to the issue of maintenance which has been raised for a while, it is important that maintenance occurs so that the property value of the asses of this Property Management Trade Entity is enhanced.
But also, it is important that, the immovable property register which has been an issue for quite sometimes is also enhanced. This will ensure that indeed, we put in place the necessary controls that will enable effective management of management of the property portfolio to enhance its value and revenue.
Deputy Chairperson, the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is critical to reverse low economic growth and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is driven by infrastructure development, beneficiation, local industrialisation, and local economic development and most importantly, it is geared for job creation.
So, therefore, we appreciate the articulation by the Minister in terms of the role that the infrastructure South Africa will be playing because it is a single point of entry for National Priority Infrastructure Projects. And we note the allocation highlighted by the Minister that was given to infrastructure South Africa. But also, critical is to mention to the House that one of the key strategic project as the Minister has indicated is the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme which is indeed in a partnership between the Department of Public Works, the Departments of Transport and Defence.
And as the Minister has indicated, as a select committee and also as the ANC, we would be paying too much attention to how this programme unfolds because already we have seen successes as the Minister outlined through the restructuring of the department budget with 24 bridges being built in the provinces whose infrastructure was affected by floods such as KwaZulu- Natal. But also, we note the numbers that were outlined by the Minister in terms of the 96 rural bridges, with 18 bridges built in provinces like Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and 12 bridges in Free State and also North West. This is part of the need to improve infrastructure which enables direct investment into the rural areas to ensure
that the development of infrastructure benefits benefits land reform and the development of the agricultural sector and enables the country to develop food security to reduce its dependence on imported food which is a critical lesson learnt from COVID-19 pandemic.
As the ANC, through the select committee, we will pay particular attention to the roll-out of this programme. Also, we also need to appreciate the presentation that we got around the lessons learned from the international relationships that South Africa and the United Kingdom has entered into particularly with regard to the commitment for South Africa government infrastructure agenda and to leverage UK expertise and innovation.
We also note the contribution as outlined by the Minister that the department will be making in support of the spatial justice and land reform programmes. And we have listened attentively a figures that the Minister has indicated in relation to the release properties for land restitution, for human settlements, for agrarian purposes and accommodation.
This is an important part of the process of land reform and agrarian transformation as this will enable the development of small and medium scale black farmers. This will also include, social infrastructure such as police stations and schools.
Deputy Chair, in conclusion, the department must continue on the path of steady improvement and positively grow the entities that report to it to efficiently and optimally function to deliver on its mandate.
Moreover, Deputy Chair, it is important that the department and its entities are able to implement the work that they do, but more than that, we appreciate the clean audit that was received. And as the select committee, we will certainly oversight the implementation of the programmes and expects successful delivery, hon Minister. The ANC supports the Policy Vote 13 of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Thank you, Deputy Chair.
Ms N NKOPANE (Eastern Cape): Hon Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ministers and Deputy Ministers present here today, hon members, members of executive councils, the special delegates from all the provinces, ladies
and gentlemen. I bring you salutations from the Home of Legends, the Eastern Cape. Molweni, Dumelang [Greetings.]
Chairperson, it is with great honour and privilege for me to represent the Eastern Cape Provincial Government here today. We gather here on the last day of Africa month. A month dedicated to the commemoration of the formation of Organization for African Unity, OAU in 1963, which is known today as the African Union, AU.
The Eastern Cape government remains committed to founding principles and ideals of the African Union and building an Africa we want. We do so, fully aware that for Africa to rise, we need to build a world class infrastructure that will serve as the bedrock for sustainable economic development as envisaged in the Agenda 2063.
Hon Chair, allow me to refer this to the hon Minister that, we believe that through infrastructure investment, Africa will no longer need to export raw materials and create employment opportunities in other parts of the world whilst her children live in abject poverty. We must ensure that the entire value
chain of our riches beneath the soil, create jobs and employment for Africa and her people.
In less than 24hrs from now we will begin the youth month in June. This is the month that was set aside by the democratic government in honour of the 1976 youth brigade that braved the brutality and vicious apartheid regime, in protest against the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in our schools. This is the generation of young people who brought the apartheid government on its knees and a new South Africa was born.
We salute and pay homage to the 1976 generation. Our government has done tremendously well in addressing the plight of young people in the past 29 years of our democracy, and we know that more needs to be done to mitigate the prevailing challenges confronting young people, especially young women.
IsiXhosa: Malibongwe!
English:
In order to honour the 1976 generation, we commit ourselves to build a more inclusive economy, deracialise the property space and construction industry to ensure meaningful participation of young people. My organisation the ANC declared 2023 as, the year of decisive action to advance people’s interests. Our people need work opportunities, they need electricity and they need decent infrastructure that will promote economic growth. Our President Ntate [Mr] Cyril Ramaphosa has given us marching orders during the state of the nation address ours is to act, and act now in the interest of our people.
Hon members, climate change is a real phenomenon. In the Eastern Cape we have been met by devastating floods that have damaged public infrastructure. We therefore, concur with the Minister that we need to build climate resistant infrastructure. We welcome the commitment by the national government to build 17 bridges in the Eastern Cape as part of the Welisizwe Programme in the current financial year.
Now looking at building the capable institution, the public works and the property space has for decades been a male dominated space. Today I am proud to stand here and boldly say 56% of the top management at the Eastern Cape Department of
Public Works and Infrastructure are women. This is a good story of progress.
Through you Chair, hon Minister through the skills development programme, the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has 24 professional candidates that obtained their professional studies and status in the different professional councils. As we speak, all those candidates are now absorbed in the department. The department will continue to support the 79 candidates that are currently enrolled in the Professional Development Programme.
In the current financial year, the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will award 40 bursaries to needy students in regard to the prioritisation of students in the built environment and property sector. The remainder of the Sixth Administration term will be about solidifying the capabilities of public works as an implementing agent of choice and provincewide infrastructure co-ordinator. Our department will also ensure that delivery of this fit purpose office accommodation to our clients is not just a dream, it is practical.
Hon Chair, we are proud to report that in the following months we will be handing over the following completed projects to our client departments, completed multimillion schools, nine of them will be handed over as well as three community libraries. We want to assure that we will be handing over schools every month until the end of the Sixth Administration. This another story of good progress.
Below we have projects that are on the pipeline of
R661 million and construction has already commenced. The construction of EmaXesibeni office precinct located at Umzimvubu Local Municipality in Afred Nzo District to accommodate 10 government departments. The construction of Mqanduli cluster offices in King Sabatha Dalindyebo District Municipality in OR Tambo to accommodate four departments. The construction of Makhanda training centre in Sarah Baartman.
That is our artisans training centre.
Through Chair, Minister we call for your intervention please in our establishment and construction of the Bhisho precinct office project. The completion of the Bhisho office precinct will provide accommodation to all departments in the Eastern
Cape, whilst also contributing to the revitalization of Bhisho as an Eastern Cape state capital.
In support to the fight against gender-based violence, GBV and femicide, hon Chair ...
IsiXhosa:
... ikhwelo lityala.
English:
I want to reiterate our commitment to uproot the scourge of GBV and femicide in our communities. We have already initiated engagements with the Department of Social Development with a view to release properties for the purposes of supporting gender-based violence victims.
Student accommodation is also a serious problem that is confronting our government. With the limited funds to finance the scholar transport, we believe that student accommodation will come as a catalyst. The lives of our children, particularly young girls are vulnerable to GBV and femicide.
As I conclude Chair, we are taking heed of the Operation Bring Back, the Operation Khusela that prevents vandalism of our properties as well as the hijacking of state properties. We have been to the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces residences to benchmark the houses there. As the Eastern Cape, we shall now build smaller houses. We may say they are single quarters, smaller units or bachelor units.
In conclusion Chair, our economic situation is dire let us work within the available resources at our disposal to build a South Africa we want. Let us clamp down on corruption and malfeasance. Let us promote values of good governance. Let us be ethical and exercise due diligence in the execution of our tasks. Let us build South Africa and make South Africa a construction site. That is a directive from the Minister.
Finally, I move to support Budget Vote 13. Thank you Chair.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S C Lucas): No one must accuse me. You see time right in front of you, try to stay within time. I don’t need an advocate. I don’t need an advocate. The debate is continuing. I will be calling on hon T Brauteseth. Hon Tim Brautesth, the guy who won his own by- elections.
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: Hon Madam Deputy Chair, hon members, hon Minister, fellow South Africans, good day.
Hon Minister, before I get cracking here I just want to point something out to you. I, myself, never served in the army. I never served in the SA Police Service, SAPS, when I was a young man. In fact, I joined many organizations against the apartheid government. So, I’ve got a special place of dislike in my heart for the National Party. But even them, I don’t think they thought that only the fish in South Africa were in the Western Cape. I’m pretty sure you fall in the west coast and the east coast where we’re from as well. Anyway!
In its published documents, the vision of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is: A trusted choice for innovative asset management and quality infrastructure delivery for sustained economic growth. Wonderful!
The mission of the department is: To provide strategic direction and quality services that offer innovative and proactive socioeconomic infrastructure delivery and maintenance of public assets, while protecting the environment and the cultural and historic heritage, safety in the working
environment and safer communities towards sustainable development. Isn’t that wonderful?
Meanwhile back on planet earth, unclouded by the effects of insangu, the reality is that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is the largest delinquent landlord in the country. They are so delinquent that they are not exactly sure what they own.
The Immovable Asset Register, IAR, has been in a state of audit since 2014, when I first ran into it when I served in Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa. Then the Minister was Hon Nxesi and his deputy was Jeremy Cronin. At the time, Price Waterhouse Coopers, PWC, were conducting an audit of all the properties under the control of the department.
About eight years later, this year, very little has changed. In fact, at a portfolio committee meeting on 15 March 2023, the Auditor-General, AG, report on the Property Management Trading Entity was discussed.
The outcome of the AG’s report, a disclaimer opinion. Let me remind the House what a disclaimer opinion means. A disclaimer opinion means that there is insufficient evidence to form an opinion; in accounting talk. In simple terms, the AG is saying that you are so disorganised, so noncompliant and so incompetent that it’s impossible to even express an opinion on you. It is frankly a shameful state of affairs.
The reason I point this out forcefully, hon members, is that the audit of the properties that are owned by the department and supposed to be ... [sound cut off.] ... form the very basis of any Public Works and Infrastructure budget.
Without an audited IAR, very little of the pipe dream set out by the department can be accomplished as the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure cannot implement its own Government Immovable Asset Management Act and, therefore, cannot apportion land for the building of schools, police stations, hospitals or clinics. It cannot appropriately lease buildings to client departments or repair buildings it owns before they fall into such a state of disrepair that they are of no longer of use to anyone else.
The Member of the Executive Council, MEC, from the Eastern Cape pointed put about all the wonderful schools they are building. Can we please tell that to the students and the staff at Doon Heights Primary in my ... [Inaudible.] ... in Amanzimtoti, that is literally about to collapse and we are going to have another Hoërskool Driehoek tragedy again; and I have communicated with the department on this and they keep saying ‘not our problem, talk to the Department of Education’.
Minister De Lille, your predecessor, who was happily led around by her staff and started every sentence with ‘I am advised’, was unable to sort this out.
And since the appointment of you, Minister Zikalala, back in March, it is important for this House and South Africans to note that this Minister is yet to attend a single portfolio committee meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is supposed to be an enabling department. As such, it is supposed to be ensuring that client departments such as Police, Health, Education as well as local government, to name but a few, have
the facilities to undertake their respective constitutional mandate.
This extends further than just the buildings. This includes the state of the building, the maintenance of the building, and loadshedding interventions like generators.
However, what this department has enabled is the creation of informal settlements on government properties where people live in squalor, far removed from job opportunities and with absolutely no access to basic services such like running water, sanitation, access roads and many more. And they are large scale invasions, small occupations of Department of Public Works and Infrastructure properties taking place all over the country and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure seems incapable and also disinterested in preventing these.
The Minister admitted such when he announced that a registry would be established to establish who leased properties from Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in order to take action against defaulters.
We agree that this is a sensible move but it’s also a tacit concession that the department has lost control.
So, instead of spending the lion’s share of this proposed budget on tightening up control in this asset base and the dutiful maintenance thereof, the ANC, unfortunately, lose focus and move to peripheral issues to shore up their ever dwindling support. Which I understand, 2024 is coming and you have a ... [Inaudible.] ... concerned.
So, enter stage left, the Extended Public Works Programme, EPWP, which, basically, is not really a property maintenance programme but more a patronage programme. R3 billion is going to be spent on it. Why is this a problem? EPWP is a problem not because it provides work, but because it is routinely abused by implementing agents and councillors, and it is very seldom actually monitored make it an efficient programme in the municipalities and wherever else it’s supplied.
This is not to mention the corruption that takes place in the various forms including bribery, fraud, embezzlement, nepotism and misappropriation of funds. These illicit activities are hardly brought to book.
There is very little thought in this budget about how this sort of behaviour is going to be curbed. There is also very little thought given in the budget at all of creating a culture of integrity and ethical behaviour among program officials and stakeholders, including a willingness of governments and relevant authorities to investigate and prosecute corruption cases when they arise, or to assist citizens in pushing forward ... enabling them to report cases of such corruption.
Moving on - in the short time I have - another distraction from the main business of the department is the Expropriation Bill. After the failed section 25 debacle, the ANC is now focusing on using this legislation, which is actually supposed to be for the public good, now for the public interest.
The problem is this Bill is a fool’s errand and is riddled with constitutional problems and a wide ranging property definition that will allow government, armed with the ‘public interest’ clause to expropriate businesses and intellectual property, not just land.
The Bill will end investment in both land and business due to the uncertainty it creates. And it will also will no doubt end up in court and the governing party will be handed another humiliating defeat.
Strangely enough, in terms of their own Expropriation Bill, property that is not looked after and is abandoned, like many of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure properties are ... as many of those properties are abandoned and neglected, they can also be expropriated without compensation.
The bottom line, Chairperson, in conclusion, is until this Minister turns this department around and starts focusing on the main business, which is looking after properties of the client departments, the DA cannot take him seriously and we cannot support the budget.
We will, however, taking ... winning the legislature in KwaZulu-Natal very, very seriously in 2024 and then we will sort out these properties.
IsiXhosa:
Siyabangena. [We will win.]
English:
Thank you.
Ms M L MOSHODI: Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Ministers, hon MEC, ...
Sesotho:
Modulasetulo ntumelle ...
English:
MECs, ... Don’t interfere with me, Chairperson.
Sesotho:
Motlatsa Modulasetulo wa NCOP, ntumelle ka ho otloloha hore ke lebohe boteng ba Leloko la Lekgotla la Phethahatso, MEC, ya rona, ho tswa mane Freistata, MEC Dibolelo Mere. Ke a leboha moetapele wa ka!
English:
Hon members, the ANC has declared this year as the year of decisive action to advance the people’s interests and renew
our movement. Advancing the interests of the people means the transformation of our society to enhance the quality of life for the majority of the people. This is to ensure that our people not only have political freedom, but also attain economic freedom.
The current economic climate necessitates that during this budget vote that there is focus on infrastructure development and job creation in the context of implementing the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, ERRP. The ANC-led government sees the achievement of economic freedom through achieving inclusive economic development and growth through the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
It is imperative that there is a deepening of economic transformation in the country through the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to reverse the structural challenges of poverty, inequality, unemployment, and historic economic exclusion which are a legacy from the apartheid colonial past. In other words, we must fix a problem which is not of our own creation. At the same time, we seek transformation and the creation of a better life for all.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has an important role to play in the implementation of the ERRP. It can contribute directly to the implementation of the ERRP not only through implementation of the important projects through Infrastructure SA but also through the other entities which report to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The department and the entities which report to it must strengthen its skill set, capacity, and capability for the implementation of these important programmes for economic renewal. We are confident that the Department will strengthen itself and its entities through the filling of important vacancies in this financial year, which will enable implementation of priorities and programmes as there far too many acting positions in senior management. The select committee will focus its oversight on many of these matters which are strong pillars for delivery of the department and its entities plans and programmes.
The oceans economy has important economic value for coastal communities and was the focus of Operation Phakisa. The development of small harbours along the coast is an integral part of developing local economies in line with the DDM and an
integral part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Coastal communities require investment in infrastructure to ensure economic development. The Small Harbours Repairs and Maintenance Programme is an important area of economic development to ensure creation of sustainable job creation in these coastal areas.
There are 12 proclaimed small harbours, largely in the Western Cape, and 55 unproclaimed harbours along the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coasts. Small Harbours Development has been gazetted as SIP 21. An amount of
R501 million was allocated for the 2023-24 financial year for the restoration and development of small harbours.
This project has created over 600 jobs in the refurbishment of existing small harbours, and it is important that this project be extended to other small harbours in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape. The fishing industry makes an important contribution to the economy and job creation and therefore the importance of this project to enhance economic renewal.
The department has several regulatory entities and implementation entities that impact on the construction sector such as CIDB and CBE. The construction industry is the key driver for infrastructure development, and it is important that the regulatory entities function efficiently to ensure the smooth functioning and development of the construction sector. This should also include the work which is carried out by the PMTE and IDT as these entities are engaged in property and infrastructure development.
These entities need to ensure that apartheid spatial planning is reversed in the country. The skills, capability and capacity contained in these entities need to be harnessed for the development of infrastructure projects and social housing, as well as the development of smart cities. The programmes and plans of the department and its entities must ensure social delivery and transformation.
The work of Agrément South Africa, Asa, is not commonly known to the public as it does critical work in relation to new building innovations that are water and energy efficient, as well as environmentally friendly. This is especially important for energy efficiency to ensure that the demand side
management of energy occurs during the energy crisis. This is far sighted planning for future design and construction. The entity undertakes technical assessments of innovative construction products. This work will impact positively on building regulations in the future.
Asa’s eco labelling is an important initiative which addresses indoor air quality, environmental, material and resource conservation. This entity is involved with a green rating tool for public buildings as this is already occurring in private sector buildings and needs to be introduced to public buildings. Environmental considerations are going to influence the built environment going forward. Cost effective methods for the developing of low-cost housing and its modular development must also ensure housing in urban and rural areas are being advanced.
The Expropriation Bill is currently being processed by Parliament and is an important arena for ensuring that development in the public interest is not prevented. It also allows for expropriation of land in the public interest for the correction of historical injustice and ensures land restitution in certain instances for labour tenants.
While it is not legislation dealing with land redistribution in general, it will enable development in urban and rural areas, which is in the public interest. This will ensure that land is available for infrastructure development for the benefit of communities, which is in the public interest.
It is important that the development work of the Department in all provinces is conducted within the framework of overarching legislation which enables the national Department of Public Works to coordinate its work across the three spheres of Government and ensure accountability of its entities in all provinces. The PMTE and IDT requires guiding legislation to ensure that it can operate in a financially viable manner.to perform the functions that it has been mandated to carry out in relation to acquisition and disposal of property.
This means that it is important that the Public Works Bill is completed and processed by Parliament. This will ensure greater accountability by all sectors which deal with the programmes and projects led by the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The executive and legislature of the 6th Parliament inherited a situation of corruption in the Department and many of its entities. It is important that the fight against corruption continues, and legal action and consequence management must occur to deal with such instances as this negatively impacts on the efficient functioning of the department and its entities and reduces the financial value of budgets and properties.
This must continue until the scourge of corruption is eradicated. However, there has been improvement in the corporate governance of the department and its entities, and this ensures focus on implementation of priorities and programmes.
It is critical that entities under the department operate on the highest levels of corporate governance and strict financial controls as this will enhance implementation and delivery of plans and programmes by the department and its entities where it is most economically required. Irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure must be dealt with, and strategies put in place to mitigate this issue. Supply chain
management in the department and its entities must follow proper procurement procedure and process.
There must be greater accountability for budgets and programmes from the provinces, municipalities and entities. Programmes must be efficiently implemented if transformation, job creation and improvement in people’s lives are to occur. The people on the ground must be able to feel the change and difference in their lives through the programmes of the department and its entities.
In the final analysis, there is a need for quality of spend and value for money in the context of stretching budgets to get greater value for money when implementing projects.
Departmental budgets need to be utilised for the implementation of plans and programmes as unspent budgets reflect underperformance in one area or another. Senior management positions need to be filled with permanent personnel. The department and its entities have far too many acting positions which does not bode well for stability and focus for implementation of programmes and projects.
The select committee will engage in enhanced oversight in this financial year to ensure that programmes are implemented and match the budgets appropriated. The ANC supports the Budget Vote 13 of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
Sesotho:
Ke a leboha Motlatsa Modulasetulo. Mohl Nyambi, ke nkile karolo ngangisanong. Leloko la Lekgotla la Phethahatso le teng. Ke nkile karolo ngangisanong!
Mrs K D MANCE (Free State): Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, permanent delegates to the NCOP, Minister Sihle Zikalala and all Deputy Ministers all here today, there is a rule of simple logic which says, two diametrically opposed statements about the same thing cannot both be correct. I must assume that the account given by the opposition in relation to the debate of today represents what is sometimes described as a breakdown in communication, rather than an example of bad faith or misrepresentation of the truth.
Let us once again return to the difficult matter of the truth, contrary to the falsehoods peddled by speakers. By all accounts, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
Budget Vote does exceedingly well in laying out a concrete set of interventions which are key pillars on which all the economic interventions are anchored as proposed by the ANC’s 6th national policy conference. These pillars speak to accelerating the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to advance, amongst other objectives, increased infrastructure investment, improved energy security and wider access to improved data services. The elimination of the spatial disparities within our country and integration of our communities in the mainstream economic activities.
Expanding investment in infrastructure to improve community access to basic services, thus increasing the overall efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.
Because for a country such as ours, investment in infrastructure is critical, any underinvestment on new economic infrastructure will result in constrained economic growth and hamper service delivery. Hence, we as the ANC unashamedly support every effort in the expansion of infrastructure investment, as we know, the critical role it plays in providing basic services to our urban and rural communities and improving South Africa’s overall economic performance and job creation.
Therefore Chairperson, allow me to support the clarion call that was made at the 55th national conference, that budgeting at all levels of government needs to reverse the trend whereby infrastructure investment is being crowdedmout by other expenditure items. As an organisation we are also cognisant of the fact that climate change and climate vulnerability pose a threat not only to human life but also to livelihoods. The ANC’s response to climate change presents opportunities to introduce a new more inclusive growth path for South Africa.
This approach brings about an integration of climate resilient methods in infrastructure planning and development. It sets us on a path to progressively move towards a low carbon development path that is environmentally sustainable and contributes towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
Chairperson, allow me to briefly deal with the key issues. Let’s start with the worrying trend of hijacking construction projects by so-called construction mafias. The so-called construction mafias not only impact negatively on the implementation of projects by legitimate businesses, but also have a negative impact on business confidence. We are confident that the department in collaboration with economic sabotage unit setup within the police will look into the
necessary safety and security measures to protect the country’s economic infrastructure as a matter of priority.
We seek to address what we have termed the original sin which was committed against black South Africans during colonial and apartheid days through the land dispossession. We welcome the release of approximately 2 230ha of land parcels in support of socioeconomic purposes that are earmarked to be released within the 2023-24 financial year. The accelerated access to urban land is vital for transforming apartheid’s spatial geography and human settlement development. The 6 320ha of land that is earmarked to be released during this financial year will go a long way in achieving that objective.
On the other hand, Agriculture provides significant employment opportunities. In this regard the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure also plays a significant role in ensuring access to land to unlock employment, farming and agro- processing opportunities. We applaud the number of interventions that are being undertaken to accelerate land restitution and redistribution that will enable the support for black farmers.
Hon Chairperson, we must remind hon Brytens ... I am sorry to pronounce your name wrongly ... but however, we warned them in the National Assembly when I was a member of the National Assembly that their approach towards expropriation Bill ... [Interjections.]
Mr J J LONDT: [Inaudible.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S C Lucas): Order hon
Londt, please.
Mrs D K MANCE (Free State): We warned them in the National Assembly when I was still a member of the National Assembly that their cartel arrangement with the EFF to collapse section
25 Bill on the land will not collapse us from making sure that members of our communities’ land is returned to them. We said, the land was stolen, and the land must be returned.
The millions of South Africans in rural areas roads and bridges provide access to schools, clinics, hospitals, markets and employment opportunities. In his 2023 Sona, the President, hon Cyril Ramaphosa announced the upscaling of this programme from delivering 14 bridges a year to 95 bridges a year at a
cost of R1,1 billion. The Free State province is among the participating provinces that will have 14 bridges built this year in various towns. As the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State province, I proudly welcome the inclusion of five artisans, two civil engineering supervisors, 15 special workman trainees, a site agent and five civil engineering into the programme.
We welcome the efforts to reduce the department’s leasing in portfolio from an initial 571 leased properties to 132 which translates into 77% reduction along with the reduction of R273 million for 330 leases through renegotiation of existing leases with various landlords.
It’s also important we commend the work done in the recovery of fraudulently stolen properties through the Special Investigating Unit, SIU, which uncovered numerous properties belonging to the state which were hijacked and stolen.
The department has also not only radically scaled down from the R5 billion on renting private properties in 2020, but it is also winning the fight to recoup millions in overpayments to landlords. Let me also mention that the Free State
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has also achieved a transformation target of 63,8% of our leased property that is owned by previously disadvantaged individuals. ““Siyaqhuba” [We are forging forward] in terms of transformation in the Free State.
Hon Chairperson, one of the key tasks of the national democratic revolution, NDR, is to progressively reduce income inequality in order to create an equitable society. That is why employment creation remains the overriding priority for the ANC’s programme of economic transformation aimed at uplifting the lives of the majority of people in South Africa and the youth in particular as we enter the Youth Month.
Therefore, training participants in public employment programmes such as the department’s Young Professional programme, existing Graduate Internship programme, Massification of Skills programme, Ocean Economy Skills Development programme need to be expanded to provide increased work opportunities particularly for young people. We welcome the progressive interventions in prioritising closer co- ordination between government and social partners through the Sectors Education and Training Authority, SETAs, these kinds
of initiatives assist in deepening the process of social compacting.
Having introduced the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, in 2004 as one of government’s major public employment programmes under the antipoverty strategy, the Expanded Works Public Works Programme has over time been reconceptualised and extended to offer training opportunities to a large number of participants. Hence we see nothing wrong with the allocation of R23,5 billion of the main Vote’s total budget over the next three years for conditional grants to provinces and municipalities to implement the Expanded Public Works Programme. The Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure prides itself in leading by example when coming to the co-ordination of EPWP across all spheres. During the 2022-23 financial year, the department was able to create 2 696 work opportunities against the target of 2 600 by the end of fourth quarter. Furthermore, the department successfully
co-ordinated the creation of 51 081 work opportunities against a target of 50 000 for all three spheres of government.
In conclusion, this budget provides sufficient scope to begin to implement priority areas of the programmes already outlined
by Minister. We therefore as the ANC supports the budget tabled by the hon Minister. Thank you very much, House Chair.
Ms S A LUTHULI: Thank you, Chairperson, they are taking my time.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Allow the beautiful girl to continue.
Ms S A LUTHULI: Thank you, Chairperson ...
IsiZulu:
... ngibingelele ikakhulukazi kubabukeli emekhaya. Namhlanje Sihlalo, lo nyaka, unyaka omkhulu kakhulu kwezepolitiki yaseNingizimu Afrika, ikakhulukazi kubasebenzi.
English:
It marks 10 years since the formation of the Economic Freedom Fighters, the only radical, militant, economic, emancipation movement that brings together progressive forces on a mission of economic freedom in our lifetime. As we move towards a celebration to mark the 10-year anniversary, we call upon all South Africans to donate to their organisation. To donate, you
simply need to SMS EFF donation to 42191 or go to effonline.org.
Chairperson, let me now turn to the Budget Vote debate on Public Works and Infrastructure. The EFF rejects the proposed budget for Public Works and Infrastructure. You can howl, but you’ll still listen. We reject the budget of the department, which is a custodian of all properties in South Africa, but find itself wanting and not being able to provide voters with basic infrastructure for schools, hospitals, clinics and is exposing them to pit toilets.
Public Works is the biggest property owner on behalf of the state in this country and is assigned with the responsibility of co-ordinating, implementing and managing new infrastructure and maintaining the existing one. Yet...
IsiZulu:
... Mhlonishwa Zikalala uMnyango wakho ubonakala ungaboni ubungozi ofaka abantu kuwona ikakhulukazi abantu ababonakala bahlala kulezi zakhiwo ezibonakala ziwa futhi zibeka izimpilo zabo encupheni. ELimpopo Mhlonishwa kubonakala kukhona usonkontileka owashiya inkontileka yokwakha ingakapheli
yokwakha i-MacGyver sports centre ngenxa yokuthi wasebenzisa izinto zokwakha ezishibhile futhi wabonakala enciphisa inkundla ngoba efuna ukwenza inzuzo.
Omunye umklamu obonakalayo yilapho kwakhiwa khona ilenke lamatekisi phakathi nemizi kuwadi-24. Lapho kubonakala khona kahle ukuthi kukhona lo owayenqena ukwenza umsebenzi wakhe wokuthi akwazi ukuthola umhlaba ofanele ukuze kwakhiwe ilenke lamatekisi. Awukaze ulibone ilenke lamatekisi lakhiwa Phakathi kwemizi lapho kuhlala khona abantu.
English:
Chairperson, all across the country...
IsiZulu:
... kunezikhungo nezakhiwo eziningi ezibonakala ziwa futhi okungabonakali ithuba lokuthi zingase zilungiswe.
English:
There are over 1 000 government properties that have been hijacked. Yet, to date...
IsiZulu:
... kubonakala uMnyango wakho kungabonakali ukuthi yini okufanele uyenze...
English:
... to reclaim those properties and to ensure that they are redistributed back to those who need them.
IsiZulu:
Ngqongqoshe, kubonakala sengathi lo Mnyango awunayo indlela yokuphatha amabhilidi awo. Ubonakala uncamela ukuthatha amabhilidi uwanikeze imikhandlu uphinde futhi wona uhambe uyoqasha lamabhilidi emkhandlwini, kunokuthi ngabe uyawathatha lamabhilidi uwanikeze abantu abawadingayo singabala nje ibhilidi elisetshenziswa isiteshi samaphoyisa Ekurhuleni. uMnyango wakho ubonakala uliqashile leli bhilidi.
English:
There have been no attempts to utilize unoccupied buildings to solve the issue of homelessness or to build student accommodation, which has been thorn for students and parents across the country. Year-in and year-out, we, however, have to deal with various forms of corruption occurring in this
department through the tender system, with no one being prosecuted or sent to jail for their actions.
Isizulu:
Futhi kuyasimangaza lokho ngoba akusho ukuthi abantu abaziwa. Bayaziwa, kepha asiboni muntu eboshwa.
English:
The high-level of corruption taking place in this department deprives the people of this country of a better life and to reduce poverty and unemployment.
Chairperson, this department is also tasked with managing provincial land in all corners of South Africa, but it is currently clueless as to which property or building belongs to who or whose land belongs to whom, and they do not even know the building that belongs to them.
Yes, they have pushed for the Expropriation Bill that will not be effective for those who may need land or property for growth of the economy of this country and contribute to the GDP of this country.
This department is also the custodian of the expropriation legislation in this country, but it has gone forth to adopt Expropriation Bill that was ill-founded and only benefits the minority privilege in South Africa. This department has failed the people of South Africa by not providing them with land for farming and other residential purpose.
Most of our land is still lying fallow, and the department has done absolutely nothing to ensure that the land gets released for productive purpose to those black people who need it. This department has also assigned the responsibility of co- ordinating and the implementation of Expanded Public Works Programme in all provinces, which is a policy framework to provide income relief through temporary work, but because...
IsiZulu:
...lento yamathenda Ngqongqoshe ebonakala iqashe abantu abaningi kulento ye-EPWP futhi ihholela abantu-R1500 kweminye imikhandlu ubabona behhola o-R800 ngona ingxenye enkulu kufanele iye kosokontileka noma kulabantu bamathenda futhi okubonakala okuyinto ecindezela kakhulu abantu bakhithi abamnyama abahluphekile abadinga ukuthi babeke isinkwa etafuleni.
Chairperson, as the EFF, we once again call for the abolishment of the tender system because it is where corruption happens and we call for the establishment of the construction company, which will be able to build all government buildings and institutions and employ more workers.
IsiZulu:
Lokho kuzokwenza ukuthi abantu bakithi bangadlali osokontileka kanye nalabantu bamathenda.
English:
Lastly, Chairperson. The Economic Freedom Fighters will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary on the 29th of July at the FNB stadium we invite all South Africans to come celebrate with us as the giant of the movement turns ten. We also invite you Chairperson, and we invite everybody in this House to come and celebrate with us. Chairperson for this reason. Tell me when you are done, so that I will finish my speech. I still have time.
So, Chairperson as we invite everybody who is here in the House to come and celebrate with us. Come in numbers. We will be celebrating the biggest movement turning 10 years and for
those reasons Chairperson EFF rejects the budget vote of Public Works and Infrastructure.
IsiZulu:
Wozani nizogubha umkhosi nathi. Siyabonga
Ms H S BOSHOFF: Hon House Chairperson, hon members, hon Minister and fellow South Africans, at the heart of all things broken in South Africa, lie infrastructure problems, with power cuts, water shortages and potholes all too common, with South Africa at risk of becoming a failed state, as stated by your secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula.
Hon Minister, your department is indeed a key role-player in your Economic Recovery and Reconstruction plan, and is central in driving the implementation of the NDP. However, this can only be achieved, if fundamental policy shifts are implemented. If your department is to improve its economic prospects, it will have to take more concerted efforts to better maintain its infrastructure as well as build new infrastructure.
In May 2023, the Presidency presented an inaugural draft Country Investment Strategy or CIS that reiterated a target of achieving 30% for the gross fixed capital formation to GDP ratio by the year 2030.
Unfortunately, in 2021, this figure was just 15%, while the highest percentage in democratic South Africa was at 23,5% in 2008. This is way below the target of 30% and more needs to be done to increase this figure. This can be achieved through strong momentum and dedicated focus. You and your government must take us as South Africans into your confidence by sharing with us what specifically is being done, to drive up the gross fixed capital formation.
In 2013, Indonesia, found itself in the same precarious economic situation, being listed amongst Morgan Stanley’s fragile five economies, so to was South Africa. However, Indonesia today is a thriving economy and how was this achieved? In 2014 when Joko Widodo became President, he prided himself on focussing on improving infrastructure. Indonesia today, is regarded as an economic success story with a GDP growth of more than 5% in 2022 and same is being expected for 2023. This is the success story South Africans want to see.
Back to the South African reality. The recent outbreak of cholera, and with e-coli being detected in the Vaal River, will definitely have devastating consequences on all municipalities deriving their water from this artery. This can all be attributed to underinvestment in infrastructure maintenance and delays in the renewal of old infrastructure.
More than 60% of the country’s waste water treatment plants are in a critical state and measures to address this are few and far between.
It is projected that your department will spend R903 million on infrastructure projects, be it maintenance or the renewal of old infrastructure over the medium term and the largest portion, around R448 million will be spent by state-owned companies, public entities and through public-private partnerships.
The rapid collapse of infrastructure and the damage from disasters and lack of maintenance are multiplying by the hour and the costs of repairs will be taking a huge bite from the budget, leaving very little for the building of new infrastructure, which is critically needed for a flourishing economy.
The DA will be watching this to see that the money is wisely spent, as this department has a habit of failing when spending on new infrastructure. We have seen contracts being awarded, not based on merit, but because of political connections. We only have to look at the failed washing line project on the Zimbabwe border to get an idea of how your department has failed.
It is imperative that your department treats all public assets with the care it deserves as good infrastructure is the apex for development and needs to be fast-tracked through the consideration of driving up gross fixed capital formation, the establishment of a centralised master plan, through planning and technology and last, but not least, the maintenance of the existing infrastructure through monitoring and management of the state of the infrastructure.
Minister, you have today again stated that you are committed to the work of growing the economy through infrastructure delivery and that you are going to make South Africa a construction site. Well Minister, I truly hope that this is not only another empty promise, but a statement that South Africans can rely on. Thank you.
Mr M A P DE BRUYN: Hon House Chair, infrastructure is the backbone of any economy and without it, a country cannot function effectively. That is why the FF Plus acknowledges and supports the need for infrastructure investment and public works projects, as well as the maintenance of existing facilities.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is an essential organisation that is supposed to play a vital role in the growth and development of the country. The department is responsible for the provision of essential services, such as road construction and maintenance, public transportation, water and sanitation, housing, and infrastructure development. But if we look at the state of the above-mentioned, it is obvious that this department is failing in its mandate.
Afrikaans:
Ons beleef daagliks die swak toestande van ons paaie wat agteruitgaan, ons stelsel van openbare vervoer wat oneffektief en onbetroubaar is, ons waterinfrastruktuur wat onder enorme druk gaan, en selfs ons netwerk van energievoorsiening, wat in duie stort. Hierdie probleme het ’n direkte uitwerking op ons
ekonomie, wat deur hierdie tekortkominge ingeperk word en bydra tot die hoë werkloosheid syfer.
Daarom, uit ’n logiese oogpunt is daar drie areas wat dringend aangespreek moet word, om hierdie uitdagings te beredder.
Eerstens, moet die departement verseker dat die regering en die private sektor beter saamwerk, om die infrastruktuur in Suid-Afrika te verbeter. Hierdie saamwerking sluit die opleiding en die ontwikkeling van vaardige personeel in, soos ingenieurs, argitekte en bouers, om verantwoordelikheid te neem vir die bou en onderhoud van die land se infrastruktuur.
Tweedens, moet al drie vlakke van regering in Suid-Afrika meer effektief en doelgerig wees wanneer dit by die bestuur van groot infrastruktuurprojekte kom. Hierdie projekte moet geskeduleer word, om te verseker dat werk nie onnodig gestaak of gestrem word, as gevolg van wanbetaling van kontrakteurs of as gevolg van korrupte tenderpreneurs wat kontrakte toegestaan word deur kaders in die regte posisies nie,
Derdens, die departement sal moet verseker dat die misbruik van openbare hulpbronne en die korrupte praktyke wat daarmee gepaard gaan, uitgewis word. Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat groot
hoeveelhede geld vir infrastruktuurprojekte aan korrupte individue of ondernemings betaal word, in plaas van dat hierdie geld aan die bou van infrastruktuur en openbare werke bestee word.
Die departement moet nie net verseker dat nuwe infrastruktuur gebou moet word nie, maar moet ook die nodige instandhouding en onderhoud daarvan verseker. Dit geld ook vir bestaande en ou infrastruktuur. Daar moet nie net in infrastruktuur belê word, wanneer daar ’n krisis is nie voorsitter, maar eerder stelselmatig deurlopende instandhouding waarborg.
As gevolg van die ANC se gebrek aan effektiwiteit is daar talle probleme wat onopgelos bly. Ons sien hoe derduisende mense in plaaslike gemeenskappe steeds sukkel met die tekort aan water, sanitasie en padinfrastruktuur, byvoorbeeld.
Hierdie probleme is al dekades lank bekend, maar die departement en regering kon in drie dekades nog bittermin oplossings of suksesse na die tafel bring, in die verband.
Daar word eerder prestasiebonusse aan werknemers en amptenare toegeken wat geen erns aan die uitvoering van hul pligte toon
nie, en bloot net in die ry staan by die voertrog om hulself te verryk.
Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat belastingbetalers moet opdok vir dienslewering wat nie gelewer word ter wille van hierdie trogvreters nie. Dit wys dat die ANC-regering net homself prioritiseer, ten koste van Suid-Afrikaners.
Suid-Afrikaners verdien ’n Departement van Publieke Werke en Infrastruktuur, wat sy verantwoordelikhede nakom en doeltreffend optree, om die land ten bate van al sy burgers te verbeter en wat deursigtig is oor hoe fondse spandeer word.
Suid-Afrika kan nie bekostig om nog belastinggeld te vermors aan ’n korrupte en oneffektiewe ANC-regering nie. En na drie dekades van ANC-bewind sal Suid-Afrikaners in 2024 verseker dat hulle kry wat hulle verdien - ’n werkende regering sonder die ANC aan bewind. Dankie.
Mr M NDLOVU (Mpumalanga): House Chairperson, thanks for your time, greeting to the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the Hon Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Mr Sihle Zikalala, Hon Deputy Minister Ms Bernice Swarts, Chief Whip of the
Council, delegates to the NCOP, SA Local Government Association, Salga, representatives, director-generals and all technocrats that are here today, I’m honoured to be part of the team of ANC public representatives that are participating in this budget.
Public representatives that are representing the biggest organisation and the oldest political party ... I don't understand why other members here will come here and convince themselves that they are representing the biggest organisation. They know that there is only one biggest organisation here in South Africa and that is the ANC. We welcome the decision taken by the Minister to build the capacity of the department to embark on infrastructure development than rely on service providers, strong departments that can compete with big companies on the implementation of projects. As a province, we commit to accelerating the delivery of infrastructure to our people which is valuable, viable, cost-effective and visible in our province. The economy of the country is shrinking. Infrastructure acts as a support system for production activity in the economy and thereby contributes to economic development. Infrastructure increases productivity, encourages investment, generates
linkages and production and enhances the size of the market. We will pay special attention to our infrastructure development because it is undeniably assisting in many ways to achieve economic transformation and job creation.
We are revising the Mpumalanga Infrastructure Master Plan which should be completed by the end of June 2023. This plan provides an overview of the infrastructure and special development goals of the province. Moreover, supports the District Development Model to address the lack of coherent planning in government projects and programmes. Also, Infrastructure South Africa has assisted the province to build capacity to develop bankable project pipelines. These collaborative efforts in infrastructure planning, budgeting and implementation are aimed at facilitating the delivery of sustainable social infrastructure as well as the achievement of envisaged socioeconomic outcomes.
We support the vision of the Minister to reduce spending on rentals who are paying bonds for landlords. As a province, we are building a state-of-the-art parliamentary village to accommodate all our public representatives. The project will be completed before the end of this year. We also intend to
enter into an arrangement with property investors that will provide the department with an opportunity to rent the property for an agreed period. In the end, the property will be transferred to the department. We are resuscitating a well- articulated, deserted programme, BOT, build, operate, and transfer. We have to enter into a mutual relationship, not parasitic not commercialism. All of us have to benefit.
We are willing to utilise the front-loading funding concept which can assist the department to accelerate the building of our offices while protecting the cash flow of the department. There are big projects that we completed in the province, like the Bethal Hospital, Mmametlhake Hospital Mashishing Boarding School, Jameyana Primary School, Mpisi Primary School, Msholozi Primary School and others. However, there are a few incomplete projects. They need our special attention. They will benefit from the programme on project management that we developed to strengthen our department to conduct monitoring. We have deployed project managers to assist contractors to complete all our projects in the province. We will not hesitate to blacklist contractors that are giving us Shoddy work. The national department has made additional funding available to the province, an amount of R190 million to build
17 rural access bridges, especially in areas which were cut off from social amenities. the energy crisis cannot be fixed without decisive action to improve the energy efficiency of homes and other buildings. Generators provide reliable emergency power for some public buildings but they have a negative environmental impact. In addition to harmful pollutants, the cost of keeping this going is too expensive and is not sustainable in the long term. In other instances, some generators cannot withstand long operational hours, thus resulting in frequent breakdowns.
More funds are required for the diesel budget, refurbishment, and maintenance of all generators. Provincially, the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has been allocated R70 million in the 2023-24 financial year to facilitate the installation of solarised energy in our buildings and facilities across the province. Infrastructure does not only play a significant role in reducing backlog but it also stimulates economic growth and creates jobs. We continue to implement infrastructure that stimulates trade, boosts tourism and serves as an avenue for the Mpumalanga people to reach for their dreams. Our public employment programmes have proven to improve the labour and income
prospects of key segments of society, in particular the poor, unemployed and informal workers. Amongst this is the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, which creates work opportunities through the use of labour-intensive construction and maintenance methods. This year Mpumalanga has a target of
45 925 EPWP work opportunities and the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has been given the responsibility to lead the provincial efforts towards job creation. The province always brings emerging contractors to our Sakh’abakhi Programme which is a programme designed for disabled youth and women. We also have a programme that is aimed at capacitating young professionals. We give an opportunity to young professionals to work while they gain experience by facilitating their professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa.
The President announced that we should have at least one Gender-Based Violence Victim Centre per district. In the province, we have one Gender-Based Violence Centre per municipality. We commit that we will work together with the Department of Social Development to ensure that the victims should not become secondary victims. Today is Wednesday, a Cabinet sits today, also our executive councils in provinces
sit today, if we participate here, we must know that we apologised to our provinces to be here because we cannot be in two places at the same time. If you convene select committee meetings on Wednesdays, don't expect to always get our Ministers. I know that there is one who said here that Minister Sihle Zikalala is not attending select committee meetings. I just want to remind this member that you must know that the Minister cannot be in two places but it's not true that Minister Zikalala has never attended a single meeting. He has attended some of the meetings on Wednesdays but sometimes because of his commitments as a Minister, he must attend a Cabinet meeting. Sometimes he will be attending a Cabinet meeting. He cannot be in two places at the same time. I don't understand why a member can come here and lie. As I conclude
... selective attention is a problem, Mr Brauteseth.
I enjoy working with Minister Zikalala and his Deputy Hon Bernice Swarts. They do not make pronouncements without a budget. They promise at least and they're not disappointing at all. I support the budget because I know that it is not ambitious. It is realistic, tangible and implementable. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon members, I would like to recognise Minister Senzo Mchunu for being with us and also the Deputy Minister Ma’am Tshabalala ...
IsiZulu:
... siyabonga.
English:
Delegates, now we continue with our debate. I would like to recognise N Hadebe from the IFP.
IsiZulu:
Bhungane [Clan name for Hadebe]
Mr N M HADEBE: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers, hon Deputy ranging from unemployment to poor service delivery. And unfortunately, inadequate public infrastructure has also contributed to the challenging realities South Africans face.
The function of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is to act as custodian and manager of government immovable assets, including the acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of such assets. However, judging by
the dilapidated state of public infrastructure, it seems as if the department has lost sight of its function.
Our people are dependent on access to vital services, such as hospitals, clinics, home affairs offices, community halls, development centres, and police stations, which are all incredibly important. Unfortunately, under this department’s watch, there are still many areas that call for repair improvement, and in some instances, complete replacement to ensure that people’s needs are responded to.
It is important to highlight a number of areas which we believe need major improvement and intervention from the government. One such area is the department’s oversight of its buildings. As we have come to learn that apartments built to house government employees, and some houses built for provincial government Ministers have in the past been hijacked by armed hitmen who are refusing to vacate the properties.
Furthermore, our railway networks are under co-ordinated attacks by mafia-run trucking companies. Therefore, the IFP finds the department’s lack of urgency to address this matter highly concerning. The budget needed for the maintenance of
public infrastructure and the employment of skilled personnel for the implementation of maintenance projects remains feeble.
In the event that budgets are readily availed, it is a common occurrence that these funds are not used for their common papers.
In October of 2022, President Ramaphosa announced that the infrastructure investment plan forms a central part of the economic reconstruction and recovery plan aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation. But how much of this is visible in our provinces? There are major security concerns at our small harbours, such as the lack of physical security infrastructure, including access gates, and security cameras, as well as the required security personnel for the harbours, which further exposes these infrastructures to vandalism and crime.
Although all these issues have been raised repeatedly, the government has shown a serious disinterest in addressing them. Our people are heavily reliant on this department, and as a result of this, the IFP supports the Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr J J LONDT: Thank you, hon House Chair. Good day to the hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers and members, public works and a few of the colleagues from the ANC says “South Africa works because of public works”. Now, if public works do not work, it has a direct impact on South Africa, and that is, in fact, true because South Africa, we are falling apart, cracking at the seams because public works are not stepping up.
I laughed when colleagues from the ANC said, “Let’s turn South Africa into a construction site”. Well, you have done brilliantly in ensuring that the seat of Parliament is turned into a construction site. Your good Minister made sure that all the checks and balances and safety procedures are not in place, and now the seat of democracy has burned down. But in fact, I must actually correct myself. You are so inept in making sure that South Africa works because of public works.
To this day, you have not started working on the rebuilding of the seat of Parliament. So public works do in fact not work.
Hon Mmoiemang, you refer to corruption as being a challenge, and that is unacceptable. It is illegal to be corrupt. But I mean, if I am going to go on that analogy of yours, I will
call you a challenged party. That I think is very apt. So from now on, I will refer to you as the challenged party.
To the MEC from the Eastern Cape, well done on your maiden speech. You have done better in pronouncing hon Brauteseth’s name than some of our House Chairs, and I am not mentioning who is, but it is a good first speech.
Mr K M MMOIEMANG: Hon Chair, I rise on a point of order. Is it parliamentary for a member to mislead the House? Because Parliament is the one that is in charge of rebuilding Parliament, not the Department of Public Works in terms of the latest arrangement. Thank you, House Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON: (Ms W Ngwenya): You may continue, hon member.
Mr J J LONDT: Do you have a ruling Chair?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W NGWENYA): No, that’s not a point of order.
Mr J J LONDT: Oh, I will wait for the ruling. Hon Mmoiemang, you are very good at defending your challenged party, and your challenged party will hopefully be convicted in a court of all the challenges that you have implemented over the past 30 years now. Hon Nkopane, you said that our government has done well looking after the young people, and then you referred to the youth of 1976. And I do agree you did well looking after the youth of 1976, but what about the youth of 1986, the youth of 1996, the youth of 2006, or even the 2016 youth? Because of the 2016 youth now, the only thing they have to look forward to is a government. Ensure that 80% of them cannot read for comprehension. And it’s kind of ironic that it’s almost 47 years since the 1976 youth uprising, and our youth unemployment is currently standing at just under 47%. So you are truly living up to a challenged party.
There is one thing, hon Minister that I want to ask you. There is a group called The Mtongwe Voice of the Voiceless in the Eastern Cape, they call themselves the voice of the voiceless. And there is a road from, and I hope you will correct me if I’m wrong, from Cofimvaba to Cala via the Village. The road is DR 08248. Their pleas to have that road fixed, have fallen on deaf ears. and it has fallen on deaf ears. They are now going
around trying to raise funds out of the businesses that are already struggling in that community to rebuild that road. So my plea to you is please look into this and assist that community to help rebuild... Because yes, hon Deputy House Chair Sylvia Lucas, if they were in the Western Cape, they would have already received the help, but unfortunately, they are not here. So I have to plea that you help them, hon Minister.
So, to the challenged colleagues in the challenged party, your time is up and next year you will be challenged at the polls. And finally, the corrupt ANC will be voted out. I thank you.
Mr M DANGOR: House Chairperson, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the budget vote on Public Works and Infrastructure is occurring at a critical moment as the country seeks to overcome the effects of low economic growth and the impacts of the COVID 19. This is compounded the structural inheritance from the apartheid era of systemic poverty, inequality, unemployment, and historic economic exclusion of the vast majority of the people.
In response to the plight of the people in urban and rural areas government has responded through the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to reverse the challenges of poverty, inequality, unemployment, and historic economic exclusion.
Achieving political democracy meant that the ANC led government could equalise opportunities in the country, but this did not translate into economic transformation. Economic transformation of the country in order to improve the lives of the majority of the people of the country lies at the core of the government’s programme.
While the ANC led government has delivered much in terms of social delivery such as housing, electrification of homes, schools and health facilities which were developed in many instances by entities that report to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, it has not won the battle for economic freedom as yet. But part of improving quality of the lives of the people is through defeating high unemployment in the country especially amongst youth and women.
The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is geared towards infrastructure development, beneficiation, localisation, industrialisation, and the creation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, SMMEs. The District Development Model for the micro economic development and these programmes are geared towards job creation.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure over the years has ensured that they able to develop the Extended Public Works Programme. Programme 3 of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure focuses on the EPWP and has budget of R3,08 billion which is some 35,1% of the budget of the department. Now, we speak to the budget, we don’t speak politics here, of trying to promote the next election, which we talking to the budget.
The programme is implemented through the grants from the national department to the provinces, local government and entities which are engaged in labour intensive programmes.
The programme employs people from working class and poor areas which do not have the skills or the possibility of securing employment in the labour market. It provides homes which would
not ordinarily have an income and many cases, the only income for the family. The job opportunities also ensure that people who employed in the programme develop some skills in the labour-intensive sectors. This ensures that they are able to gain employment in the formal sector of the economy.
Since the inception of the 6th Parliament the EPWP programme has met its target of employing nearly one million people per annum and will meet the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, target of creating five million work opportunities. This is an important deliverable on the part of the ANC led government to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment and an achievement worth celebrating as part of the 30th Anniversary of our democracy.
Infrastructure development will require capacity skills and capability. It is important that youth graduates with qualifications who are currently unemployed and those are required skills to go into built environment, be given job opportunities in these projects to gain work experience.
The Department is also busy through the Extended Public Works Programme with a skilling programme for artisans in terms of
dress making, hair dressing, electricians, plumbers, and other related areas of services, for maintenance in all provinces.
It is important that the department is able to enhance this programme and generate funding for the expansion of this programme. Construction artisans can be employed in social housing projects and infrastructure development to ensure that they are able to concretely gain work experience.
Job creation is critical and in this case the capability and skills that is being imparted for the development of job creation. Thus far is over 600 people have been trained as artisans.
Through the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, process the department has been able to successfully place and train artisans in a permanent job opportunity. This occurred through nine artisans being trained in skills and it is related to the motor industry being placed on probation for nine months at Isuzu motor manufacturers and then absorbed into the permanent employment of the company. This is real and another success story of the programme.
The department must work with Small Business Development to ensure that trained artisans can develop small business initiatives in the service and local manufacturing sector.
The department intends utilising the procurement of goods and services to ensure the creation of small and medium enterprises. Procurement can be utilised as a tool of economic empowerment. This is a critical part of ensuring entrepreneurship and job creation as the micro economy is a major job creator in local communities.
It is imperative that people in the different communities in all provinces access the opportunities which the government is making available in terms of job creation, skilling and SMME creation.
It is pleasing to note that the select committee report further indicates that the department reported that for the 2022¬23 financial year it was not necessary to withhold any Expanded Public Works Programme transfers or grants to requirements.
This means that the department should optimise the budget and ensure an impactful spending and maximise the impact on the ground. People in our communities and in all provinces need to feel the difference that the budget is making in their particular lives.
The department faces a number of challenges. And of course, we’ve got challenges as well, with its entities and needs to deal with the challenges to ensure that entities are able to efficiently perform in accordance with their mandates.
It is imperative that the immovable asset register, which is under the Property Management Trading Entity, PMTE is completed and verified as well as audited by the Auditor General, AG.
In the select committee report the department has undertaken the task of the physical verification of 65 790 immovable assets over the next three years and that National and Provincial Immovable Asset Registers will be assessed for compliance. This has the positive implication of the government being able determine the usage and maintenance of properties to ensure development.
Furthermore, this will enable the enhancing of the value of the properties and ensure maintenance can occur.
The Independent Development Trust, IDT, has traditionally played a crucial developmental role for the infrastructure development and over a number of years the entity has experienced a number of challenges with donor funding drying up and the entity not being able to collect its fees from client departments which created a going concern issue.
Instead of closing the IDT the state funded with it with its financial commitments to enable it to be repurposed. In many developmental projects, in all provinces in the past IDT have ensured that it has the capability for the development of social infrastructure projects and the entity which is
self-funding.
House Chairperson, in my last few minutes let me return to what our opposition colleagues say here. And will because they are our colleagues. The opposition has no concrete programme for ensuring social delivery to the historical disadvantaged communities. And are therefore, no programme for transformation of the lives of ordinary South Africans.
The opposition levels criticism which does not drive the programme of the department forward, in any progressive way to ensure delivery and accountability to Parliament. The historical injustice of the apartheid past must be corrected. And many, many levels of this Department, the Public Works and Infrastructure endeavour is critical in this regard.
With high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality inherited from the past. It is disgraceful that unapologetically racists, for people who benefited from the system. That perpetrated genocide against the indigenous people of this country, to challenge the politics and the terms to transform our society and to make it inclusive for everyone who lives in it.
The opposition, I think we should call them without ... [Inaudible.] ... the united opposition. I’m seeing a different opposition but it’s a united opposition.
But Deputy Minister Mahlobo, I gave you my seat, particularly because you and I have walked the streets when our bloods flowing, you and I walked where blood still is flowing now.
And if people think that a colour revolution is going to work
here, and some people have gone to Ukraine to look at a colour revolution process.
A colour revolution here, would be very similar to a Libya and very similar to a Syria and I think we need to understand that, before we actually ask people, we want to encourage colour revolution take place. What the consequence of a colour revolution is? It happened ten years ago; people are still losing blood today. They still know ... [Inaudible.]
By the way talking about the colour revolution – people and particularly in the press and particularly in the western press refer to the people in the Ukraine and I agree with them there. That the people of Ukraine are suffering, citizens of Ukraine but what do they say about the people suffering in Afghanistan, the people who are suffering in Iran, the people suffering in Iraq, the people suffering in Libya? They call them damage, they call them damage, they don’t them people.
They don’t call them suffering citizens, they call them collateral damage.
So, what is the difference between a human being in one place and collateral damage in another place? So, it is a clear
statement of subliminal racism, coming through from the press in this country, from the opposition in this country to the opposition and the press in the west.
Collateral damage, now Zimbabwe is collateral damage, their suffering is collateral damage. And if a colour revolution will happen here, we would become collateral damage. We would be regarded as citizens because we don’t have blue eyes and we don’t have ... [Inaudible.] ... so, this is really the situation.
The subliminal racism must come to end. And need to actually to withdraw everybody in, this was our intention. Thank you, a united South Africa that brings everybody on board, that includes everybody to ensure that nobody is left out. Anybody that is left out will become a problem. Anybody that is left out will take up arms. And Anybody that is left out will create a system that is sustainable.
Having said that, I want to say that one of the few opposition people that actually speak to the budget is hon Tim, the others howl. Thank you very much.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon Chair, I
want to thank hon Mmoeiemang, hon Nkopane, hon Moshodi, Mance, Ndlovu and Dangor for unpacking the speech we have presented.
Hon Luthuli, all issues that you have raised are fair and we are attending to them. Hon Hadebe, thank you, we are taking care of harbours and I have been there personally. Hon Du Toit, hon Londt, and hon Boshoff, may you please learn from what hon Dangor has said now.
Hon House Chair, allow me to respond to one issue. A habitual liar in the House ... Here we are to debate issues of national importance. Hon Brauteseth stand up and lie. Okay fine ... [Interjections.]
Mr W A S AUCAMP: On a point of order, House Chairperson!
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: [Inaudible.]
Mr W A S AUCAMP: House Chairperson, the hon Minister has just called a member of this House a liar. We know it is unparliamentary, and he should retract that, please. [Interjections.] He cannot call a member by the name and call
him a habitual liar. It is unparliamentary and the Minister should retract that statement, please.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Minister, Order, hon members. Hon Minister ...
IsiZulu:
... ngizokhuluma ngesintu khona uzongizwa kahle. Ngicela ukuthi uhoxise ukwenzela ukuthi umsebenzi wami uzoba lula.
English:
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon House
Chair, to make your work easy, I was very diplomatic. I tried not to tell the truth. Let me tell the truth. I withdraw calling him a habitual liar.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thank you.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: An hon member
stands here with a stratcom mentality. This stratcom mentality that tries to always perpetrate a perspective that whatever is said by a white man is legitimate. Let me say as a matter of fact ... [Interjections.]
Mr W A S AUCAMP: On a point of order, House Chairperson!
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Let me say as
a matter of fact ... [Interjections.]
Mr W A S AUCAMP: On a point of order, House Chairperson!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): What is the point of order, hon member?
Mr W A S AUCAMP: House Chairperson, the hon Minister just called a member racist by insinuation. House Chairperson ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Order!
Mr W A S AUCAMP: His words are that hon Brauteseth thinks that only a white person can be right. It is not acceptable. It is unbecoming of this House, and it is unbecoming of the Minister. Please ask the Minister to withdraw that.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, I didn’t hear that because sometimes ...
IsiZulu:
... isingisi lesi basitolika kaningi ngakhoke angizosithatha isinqumo sokuthi ngabe lelo yiphuzu lokukhalima okuphambukayo kodwa engizokwenza ukuthi ngizocela iTafula ukuthi lingihlolele kahle ku-Hansard ukuthi utheni uNgqongqoshe kungabe akuwona na umthetho okufanele ukuthi ngabe awukhulunywa eNdlini. Ngiyabonga.
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: House Chairperson, on a point of order! [Interjections.]
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Let me be
factual with what I am saying ... [Interjections.]
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: Okay, I should raise my hand ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, you know, always when we preside, that’s the Deputy Chair and me, you always disrespect us, hon members. When you make a point of order, don’t stand up, ask both of us as presiding officers, me, and the Deputy Chair. Now, hon member, what is the point of order?
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: It is twofold, House Chairperson, firstly, you ruled in IsiZulu, and I don’t have the benefit of the interpretation service. I do not ... [Interjections.] ... no, no, House Chairperson ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Order, hon members.
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: ... the howling can continue because what I am familiar with is that if you can’t play the ball, you play the man. The bottom line is that you gave two rulings in this House, both involving me, and they were both in IsiZulu. I apologise that my IsiZulu is not at such a level that I can understand fully what you were saying. Can I ask you to repeat both rulings in English ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member ...
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: ... and secondly, I am not finished, House Chair. If I may complete my statement ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member ...
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: House Chairperson, despite your warning from ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, you have raised your point of order. Now, don’t make a speech.
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: He is impeding my integrity. He called me a liar, then he says I am a stratcom-type of person. In our history, stratcom means I was part of the apartheid regime ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, can you please sit down ...
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: I will not be silenced. I was not a member of the apartheid regime. I fought against apartheid ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Can you sit down ...
IsiZulu:
Ngicela uhlale phansi baba.
English:
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: For him, with our history, to say I am a member of the stratcom is intensely insulting to me. His needs to understand that.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, can you sit down?
Mr T J BRAUTESETH: He needs to get out of this moment ... [Inaudible.] ... all wrapped up in a racist agenda and stop attacking members. Attack the issue, hon Zikalala, not the man.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Please, sit down. That’s what I was raising at the beginning that, you, hon members always undermine us when we are presiding. You don’t want to take orders from us. Hon Mohai, before I make a ruling, can I hear what you want to say.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE NCOP: House Chair, I want to appeal that members do respect the rulings of the House because there is a standing ruling. The Minister withdrew the words that he used, and that was accepted by the House. So, for hon Brauteseth to come back, and in a manner that is insulting, a small men
syndrome, I do not understand why he is coming back with such words. It is incorrect, hon House Chair. I want to appeal that the ruling made be sustained in the House so that members do not speak in the process to insult other members. Thank you very much, House Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thanks very much, Chief Whip. I hope, Chief Whip that ...
IsiZulu:
... ukuzwe kahle ngoba ukhulume ulimi lakhe. Mina Sotswebhu Omkhulu besengisithathile isinqumo futhi ngeke ngilokho ngiziphindaphinda kaningi ngoba lezi zinkinobho zalana ekhaya ziyasebenza. Uma ngingacindezela unombolo-2 uzomutshela ukuthi bengithini. Ngakhoke mina ngeke ngilokho ngiziphindaphinda Somtswebhu.
English:
Thanks very much. Hon Minister, please continue.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Thanks, House
Chair ... [Interjections.]
Mr C F B SMIT: House Chairperson, on a point of order
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): I will never take a point of order on top of a point of order.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: As a matter
of fact ...
Mr C F B SMIT: It is not a point on top of a point.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon House
Chair, as a matter of fact ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Minister, hold on a bit. If it is the same thing as I said to you, I am not going to take a point of order on top of a point of order.
Mr C F B SMIT: No, it is not. Thank you, House Chairperson, it is, in fact, a totally different point of order. I think it is standard practice in this House that if somebody stands on a point of order – oh, now he sits down – then the Minister should sit down, although I know that you can’t see the difference whether you stand or sit. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thank you very much, hon member, there is no point of order. Minister, go ahead.
Mr M NHANHA: Hon Ngwenya, can I rise on a point of order?
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon House
Chair, my time was four minutes, now it is finished. Let me just address few issues ... [Interjections.]
Mr M NHANHA: Hon Ngwenya, can I rise a point of order?
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Firstly, hon
House Chair ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): House Chair, can I rise on a point of order?
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk W Ngwenya): Ubani manje loyo?
Mr M NHANHA: It’s Mlindi Nhanha speaking. Can I rise on a point of order? It’s Mlindi Nhanha who is talking.
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk W Ngwenya): Ngqongoshe, awuhlale phansi kancane ngizwe ukuthi ushokoledi ukuthi uthini.
English:
Mr M NHANHA: Maybe as a starting point, you should stop calling me “chocolate” when you are sitting on that podium. I don’t like it. Secondly, hon Ngwenya, if you want us to respect you and your rulings as a presiding officer, you must take us seriously first, and respect us. It is unprecedented
...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Nhanha ...
Mr M NHANHA: Can I just finish? Can I just make my point? You are starting again.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Nhanha, we can’t hear you. What I heard is that you don’t want to be called chocolate today. I didn’t get your point of order. Can you repeat again?
Mr M NHANHA: I am saying to you, Mama uNgwenya, firstly, stop calling me “chocolate” when you are sitting on that podium, or I will call you things as well. I do not like it. If you want to be taken serious as a presiding officer, you must start taking us seriously as well. You cannot predict what a member is going to say.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Nhanha, we can’t hear you, Baba. We can’t hear you. Not only me.
Mr M NHANHA: I can hear you loud and clear.
AN HON MEMBER: Come to the House.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Finish, we can’t hear what you are saying.
Mr M NHANHA: Can you hear me, House Chairperson?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon Nhanha, we cannot wait for five minutes ...
IsiZulu:
... simele wena singakuzwa ukuthi uthini. Bengizocela ukuthi siqhubeke. Ngqongqoshe, qhuba.
English:
Mr J J LONDT: Sorry, hon House Chair ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): You can’t just stand up. I didn’t allow you to speak or stand up.
Mr J J LONDT: In terms of Rule 26 ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): No. Please, order.
Mr M NHANHA: House Chairperson. Can you hear me now?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): I didn’t recognize you, hon member.
Mr J J LONDT: As the House Chairperson, you are obliged to recognise a member.
Mr M R BARA: Strangely, we can hear you, Mlindi.
Mr M NHANHA: It’s only Mama uNgwenya who can’t hear me.
Mr M R BARA: Yes, it’s only her.
Mr M NHANHA: I know it is only her who can’t hear me.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Can both of you, can you please sit down before I make a ruling for undermining me.
Mr M R BARA: Who is undermining you?
IsiZulu:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hlalani phansi. Noma ningahlali phansi ...
English:
... I will make a ruling.
Mr M NHANHA: Who is undermining you, now? Can you hear me?
Mr F J BADENHORST: House Chair, in terms of Rule 69(1), a delegate may rise on a point of order at any time during the proceedings.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): I am not going to recognise him ...
Mr F J BADENHORST: Rule 69(1).
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Please respect me. No, I didn’t recognise you. The two of you. Sit down. [Interjections.]
Mr
F
J BADENHORST: I am rising on Rule 69(1).
Ms
C
LABUSCHAGNE: This is the Rule.
Mr
F
J BADENHORST: I rose on Rule 69(1).
Ms
C
LABUSCHAGNE: House Chairperson.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon members, all of you, can you please keep quiet now.
IsiZulu:
Thulani nonke nithi cwaka. Hlala phansi mhlonishwa u- Labuschagne, hlala phansi. Hlala phansi!
English:
Ms C LABUSCHAGNE: House Chairperson, I rise on Rule 69, where it states that clearly that a delegate may raise a point of order at any time.
Mr M NHANHA: House Chairperson, can you hear me?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): When you stand up and speak, I am not going to recognise you, and you are wasting our time, hon members.
Mr J J LONDT: You are utterly incompetent to be a Chair of this House. Utterly incompetent.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): I would like to make a ruling now. Hon members, I have made a ruling that the Minister must continue, please.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: My friend, I
think we are together now. Hon Chair, as a matter of fact, let me indicate that in March, I attended ... [Interjections.]
Mr W A S AUCAMP: On a point of order, House Chairperson. It doesn’t work like that. [Interjections.] You aren’t recognising me? Minister, I promise you, you will not continue with your speech today. She must do her job. My hand is up.
Can I please be recognised?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon members, I have made a ruling that if hon members are still on the matter I have ruled on, I am not going to allow you.
Mr W A S AUCAMP: You don’t know what I want to say.
Mr M NHANHA: How do you know what we are going to say Mama uNgwenya? Just do your work right Mama.
Mr W A S AUCAMP: Am I recognised?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Yes, hon member.
Mr W A S AUCAMP: Thank you, House Chair. House Chair, the ruling that you have made right now is not a ruling that the speaker is allowed to speak, the ruling that you must make is that you must hear point of orders. It was clearly mentioned
to you. The point is, hon House Chairperson, you want people to sit down, and I understand that, but you do not recognise them when they raise their hands. Then, people will stand up. So, what you should do, and I don’t want to give you a lecture, but if a hand is raised, you must recognise the member. Then immediately the speaker must sit down. You do not know the Rules, hon House Chair, with all due respect. You cannot not rule that no one must make a point of order.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Hon member, can you please sit down because there is no point of order on what you are saying. I am saying, each and every member that is going to stand up and speak, I am not going to recognise them. [Interjections.] Can you proceed, Minister.
An HON MEMBER: Madam Chair, you are wrong. Rule 69(1). Read the Rule. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: House Chairperson.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon House
Chair ... [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Thank you
very much for allowing me ... [Interjections.] ... House Chairperson ... [Inaudible.] ... [Interjections.]
Ms C LABUSCHAGNE: How come she is recognised and nobody else?
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Anyone
shout at me again; I will also be unruly as they are. People are beginning to unnecessarily make this sitting unruly. I am bringing Rule 69, the House Chairperson was correct in saying that she made a ruling on the point of order. So, my order is that members should allow the House Chairperson to continue with the House sitting for the plenary.
Mr J J LONDT: It is because you selected an incompetent House Chairperson.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thanks, Deputy Chair. Hon members, I am not going to take any point of order. We have wasted a lot of time ...
IsiZulu:
... Ngqongqoshe ngicela uqedelele baba ukhulume kakhulu uze ugcine udlule kule nto.
English:
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Hon House
Chair, we attend portfolio committees as we did ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thank you, hon Minister can you please continue. Respond Minister, please.
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: I have
attended portfolio committee meetings that have been scheduled not coinciding with Cabinet. On 22nd March, and even today. [Interjections.]
Mr M NHANHA: Mama uNgwenya ...
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Now, the
problem with some members of the DA is that some of them sleep in the portfolio committee meetings. They are unable to attend to issues, and we deal with issues. Even today, I had to plead with them to be serious and take the work of the portfolio committee serious.
The hon member who spoke here, spoke about the schools that are collapsing at the Durban South, specifically, in Amanzimtoti. I must say that there are several schools in Amanzimtoti that we have built. Some of them are centres of excellence. But there are schools that were there, we inherited them. We have improved them. One of the schools that we pride ourselves with is the Kingsway High School in Amanzimtoti. It is a microcosm of the future South Africa. A truly non-racial school where in the top 10, you’ll get an African, a coloured, an Indian, and a white. Where in their sports ground you will find them playing rugby together, where during weekend, they will take time to go and assist the students of Umlazi and some in Umbumbulu. I am saying this to impress that the era of white domination is fading with history. And those who still believe so, must know that they are now irrelevant. There are those who said people don’t have water, they then say it is because of the past three decades, they don’t talk about the three centuries, the centuries of apartheid colonialism that left the majority of this country with no infrastructure at all. The bridges we are building are built by the ANC government. The schools in rural areas have been built by this government. There are those people who are hellbent in peddling the propaganda and trying to create a
myth in the society that nothing has been done since the era of democracy. In fact, all national roads have been built in the era of democracy. Bulk water infrastructure ... if you talk about the maintenance we are now doing in various areas, it is because of this government led by the ANC.
I want to say as I conclude that we are not allergic to criticism, we will always take criticism. I think hon Luthuli, we are going to fight corruption and dela with corruption wherever it shows its ugly head. People must not throw stones whilst they stay in glass houses, and when we respond, they become so irritated and allergic. Let us live in this country together. Let us do away with the mentality that there are those who are better because of the colour of the skin. We are all South Africans. We must be tolerant of each other.
Criticise to build.
As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we are determined to turn South Africa into a true construction site. If Public Works work, South Africa will work. I thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thank you very much, Minister, hon delegates, order! Hon members, we have come to
an end of the debate of Budget Vote 13. I would like to thank the Minister, MECs, and special delegates for their participation. Hon delegates, I would like to invite house Chairperson Nyambi to continue with Budget Vote 41. Thank you.
Ms M DLAMINI: House Chairperson, I think before we continue, it’s important that we address what just happened now. It has become a trend from the Democratic Alliance that whenever hon Ngwenya is presiding they will attack and bully her there.
Therefore, as a black woman myself, I think it’s important that we address it, and then the Table must come to a conclusion that the conduct that happened, especially when it’s her, must come to an end. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Thanks. It’s a valid point. I think we must have the right forum under the leadership of Ntate Masondo so that we can do justice to it, and the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chair. We must address it once and for all. Therefore, it might not be appropriate now, but it’s a valid point that you have raised, and it will be addressed appropriately at the right platform. Thanks. We move to ... [Interjections.]
Mr J J LONDT: Sorry, hon House Chair, on that point, I do think it is important to note that at no stage ever was it raised, and you allowed other people. Therefore, I will trust that you will allow the same about the gender or race. It’s purely about her competence to hold that position. Sorry, House Chair, let me finish because on point ... [Interjections.] ... sorry, House Chair, let me finish on point 37 ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon Londt! Hon Londt! Hon Londt, take your seat.
Mr J J LONDT: I want to ... but let me just finish.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Take your seat. Take your seat. Take your seat.
Mr J J LONDT: ... keeps starting us, that’s why ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon Londt, I’ve already made a ruling about the issue, and I will not review it.
Mr J J LONDT: Sorry, House Chair, but it’s because you don’t listen to the end.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon delegates, we now proceed to the Second Order.
Mr J J LONDT: House Chair, you don’t listen to the end, that’s why you interrupt ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon ... [Inaudible.]
... you are not recognised.
Mr J J LONDT: It’s a separate point.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): You are not recognised. Can you take your seat?
Mr J J LONDT: I will take it, but sir, there’s a separate point. If you want to make a ruling, you must do to each one.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Do you want to be part of the House.
Mr J J LONDT: You can chuck me out.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): No, I’m not chucking you out, I’m asking you if you want to be part of the proceedings in this House ... [Interjections.]
Mr J J LONDT: House Chair, part of the proceeding allows us to raise a point of order. Therefore, there’s a point that you did not hear.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon Londt, take your seat. Hon delegates, we now proceed to the Second Order, Policy debate on Budget Vote 41 Water and Sanitation, Appropriation Bill, B3 - 2023. We have already welcomed the Minister, Deputy Ministers, and special delegates. I’ll now call upon hon Minister Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation to open the debate.
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Policy debate)
Vote no 41 – Water and Sanitation:
The MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION: We are partnering with other departments such as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment as well as the Budget Facility for Infrastructure as the spear fund under the National Treasury.
The component of the water value chain for which we need to mobilise much greater levels of private sector investment is municipal water services. In this regard, we have established a Water Partnerships Office in partnership with the Development Bank of SA, DBSA, and SA Local Government Association, Salga to assist municipalities to package bankable projects to take to the market, focusing on projects such as the reduction of non-revenue water and water re-use.
With regards to the sustainability of the water sector and water services, and this is a very important aspect of our work. Just to assure South Africans and investors equally that we are building the sector and also attending seriously the issue of water services management in the country.
Hon House Chairperson, in our budget last year, we indicated Indicated and accepted responsibility for arresting and
reversing the decline in municipal water and sanitation services. This decline is evidenced by the results of our Green and Blue Drop reports. Many municipalities are in a downward spiral of poor and declining water services, reduced payment rate, increasing debt, and low investment. To address this downward spiral, we need to ensure that water services are provided by professionally managed, capable, efficient, and financially viable institutions. In the main, sustainability in the sector encompasses the following key aspects: Financial services sustainability, water pricing and good governance.
The key cause of the decline is poor governance and ineffective management in municipalities. Weak billing and revenue collection at municipal level is resulting in escalating debts across the water value chain. In February this year, municipalities owed the water boards R16,7 billion, and municipalities and the water boards in turn, owed the department R17,4 billion. What is most worrying is that these debts are escalating rapidly, and this poses a grave risk to the financial sustainability of the water sector.
If municipalities do not bill properly and collect revenue effectively and if citizens and businesses do not pay for the water they consume, their livelihood will end up with no water at all. We cannot allow that.
Hon House Chairperson, we had a successful symposium last week which focussed on the sustainability of the water sector.
Expects, members of the academia and other sector role-players actively engaged and contributed to various commissions which was set up which focussed on water resource security, governance and on addressing the debt challenges, pricing and tariffs as well as the regulation of the water services.
We will be processing feedback from commissions and implement what can be implemented. We are very happy with the outcomes so far and we think they came up with workable solutions to the problems we indicated above.
With regard to measures of dealing with debt, we have agreed with National Treasury and the water boards on several
measures to be taken to address the escalating debts, and we are in the process of consulting about these measures with
Salga and all the other water services authorities before the
implementation.
With regard with measures of improving pricing,
We are also implementing several measures to improve the
pricing of water in South Africa. During this financial year, we will be issuing revised norms and standards in terms of the
Water Services Act for the setting of retail water tariffs by
municipalities. We will be issuing the revised raw water pricing strategy this financial year, and we will also be
working on the introduction of a multiyear tariff regime for bulk and raw water charges. In doing this work, we are being
advised by the Regulator Commission, which was established during this financial year.
With regard to amendments with the Water Service Act, One of
the underlying causes of the decline in municipal water
services, both in terms of the reliability of service delivery and in terms of financial sustainability, is the
nonimplementation of certain key requirements of the Water Services Act by municipalities. The Act distinguishes between
water services authorities and water service providers and
requires municipalities to separately manage and account for
both roles. It further requires water services authorities to
ensure that water service providers provide access to efficient and sustainable water services to everyone; almost
all water services authorities have been failing to do this. This point is under serious consideration. There will be
consultations on how this can be amended and reviewed to separate water service authorities and service providers and
ensure accountability. Water service authorities need not be
service providers at the same time. We need a body that will be professional and independent or a mechanism to do that. I
am happy that the President has convened a meeting this Friday to discuss among other things this reform because we urgently
need it.
Now with regard to improving water use license is one of our key regulatory roles is to ensure water use licenses. In our
budget speech last year, I indicated that we would be
implementing a plan to improve our capacity and systems for processing water use license applications.
We are now processing approximately 70% of water use license
applications within 90 days throughout the country. We are
currently implementing the we are currently implementing the
last element of our improvement plan, which involves hiring
approximately 100 additional staff in our provincial offices to ensure that we have the required capacity to deal with the
volume of work. We envisage that this will enable us to get much closer to the President’s target of processing all water
use license applications within 90 days during this financial year. This is real work. When we assumed duty in August last
year, we had 300 for instance outstanding licenses in the
Western Cape. We have zero today, except those who are with the tribunal.
Hon House Chairperson, on how are we supporting municipalities
on water and sanitation, the department has a constitutional obligation to support municipalities, as well as to regulate
them. We manage two conditional grants which are aimed at supporting municipalities to develop their water and
sanitation infrastructure and to address backlogs of
infrastructure. For this financial year, we will be allocating R10,1 billion to municipalities through the Regional Bulk
Infrastructure Grant, RBIG, alone and then R4,6 billion through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant, WSIG. The
RBIG will be spent their money or this grant on about 130
different projects across the country, and WSIG will be
allocated to more than 400 projects across the country.
This is separate from Municipal Infrastructure Grant, Mig.
Over the past year, we have gone throughout the country, assessing municipalities with regards to water and sanitation.
Many municipalities are failing to manage water services and
the situation is deteriorating. We have been meeting with mayors, municipal managers, technical staff, and local
stakeholders to analyse the problems and to identify what needs to be done.
Now, some of what I have indicated are things that we have glinned from this consultations and we now want to apply. However, in many cases we have mobilised water boards to assist municipalities as well and to implement improvement plans. However, what needs our focus more than any other thing is to follow these grants. What are they used for? Foe when we make our assessments we are not getting joy in terms of what is investment and what is invested via these grants and what actually gets done on the grant and assessing also the demand?
You find that the two are high and satisfaction on the ground is not equal to the investment that has been made.
So, by and large it is not so much about money. Yes, we need more money, but it is not like where we are is because there is lack of money from the national fiscus, but it is more like how are we managing money in order to make sure that we provide people with water that they need so much.
Now in the Free State, Bloem Water is assisting the Maluti-a- Phofung Local Municipality for instance with a range of projects and has been provided with R130 million of grant funding for this purpose. We are seeing progress.
The Rand Water continues to assist Emfuleni Local Municipality and Midvaal Local Municipalities with a range of projects and there, there is a turnaround.
The department is supporting all the district and local municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, in some cases with the
support of the Umgeni and Mhlathuze Water Boards. We are almost covering the whole of KwaZulu-Natal via this practical
support.
Hon House Chairperson, I am pleased to be able to indicate the bulk pipeline from Nandoni Dam in Vhembe to Ntsami in Giyani has now been completed and is delivering water to that dam in Giyani. Now this has been completed.
This has enabled Mopani District Municipality, with the
support of the department, to start the upgrading of the water treatment works in Giyani so that it can treat more water, and
to start incrementally constructing water reticulation systems
to 55 villages in Giyani to improve the level of service. The department is assisting municipalities. However, just to say
that reticulation is underway and we will soon look at the vision of water in Giyani as something that would be in the
past.
However, furthermore we are assisting municipalities in Moutse in Limpopo and Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities in
Mpumalanga with a R1,3 billion project using Loskop Dam to
provide water to these municipalities. They have been thirsty for a long time.
In North West, we recently initiated Operation Bulela Metsi in
collaboration with the provincial government and the
municipalities in that area. A short, medium, and long-range
projects will been identified. In fact they have been
identified. In July we will be starting projects in various municipalities to provide them with water that is so much
needed.
Chairperson, while this kind of support to municipalities is critically important and is making a difference, it is not
addressing the underlying problem of poor governance and weak
management of the water and sanitation function at municipal level, and the lack of proper separation of the water services
and providers. We now need to get to that level, separate the two and see the results.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon Minister, I will
allow you to move to your conclusion.
The MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION: Hon House Chairperson,
as I do so, I want to move to the bucket system. Just to say that the bucket eradication programme has been in existence
for quite a while. We have just introduced a National Sanitation Framework and we have introduced new norms and
standards. However, we are making the Northern Cape our first
target to totally this time eliminate. They are co-operating.
In two weeks we will be there to outline this. We have
outlined our targets properly in that province so that we eliminate the Northern Cape and we remain with the two. This
time is for real.
Boards are also been reconfigured from nine to seven. We are at an advanced stage with this, so that we add an additional
power to ensure water services to the ailing municipalities
throughout the part of the work we are doing.
I will then in the last five minutes that I will get later, hopefully if I am granted the five minutes to just indicate
our budget for this financial year. Thank you very much, hon House Chairperson.
Mr T S C DODOVU: Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Sylvia Lucas, Minister of Water and Sanitation, hon Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation, hon David Mahlobo and hon Judith Tshabalala, heads of entities under the department, permanent and special delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I must confess that it is always difficult for me to deliver a speech in this Chamber on this day - 31 May -
without refreshing our memories on the many painful events which happened in this country which are now part of our historic past.
It was on this day in 1902 that a Treaty of Vereeniging, between the British and Afrikaners was signed at the exclusion of the African people to end a three-year Anglo–Boer War of 1899. It was on this day in 1910 that the Union of South Africa came into existence, bringing into the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange River colonies. And as such, the 31 May, which was then declared a public holiday. It was that moment in history which propelled and instigated the formation of the ANC on the 8 January 1912. It was indeed on the 31 of May in 1938 that the old apartheid flag was first flown, and a new national anthem Die Stem was adopted and sung to coincide with the hundreds antennary anniversary of the great track of the Voortrekkers. On this day in 1961, South Africa became a republic, that severing its long-standing ties to the old British Empire and adopted the rand as is monetary currency to replace British pound sterling.
In rejecting the decision to proclaim South Africa a republic, at the exclusion of the African people, Nelson Mandela, who
later served 27 years in prison and thereafter became the first President of the democratic South Africa, formed a national strike on the 31 May after the government rejected a call for a foreign for a sovereign national convention representative of all South Africans to draw up a new non- racial Constitution. It was as a result of this event that only 26 May, a day declared Freedom Day since 1952 by the liberation movement, that President Mandela while underground, issued a statement under the famous title, The Struggle Is My Life, and he said:
Only through hardship, sacrifice and militant action can freedom be won. The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.
Today, under the DA in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, the struggle is life for the people of Hammanskraal. As a result of its lack of vision and commitment to serve, and it’s don’t care attitude, last week, 22 lives were lost in Hammanskraal. It is extremely painful that all the warnings about water pollution in that area fell on deaf ears because the interests of the DA, as we all know, was never about providing safe, drinkable and portable water to the people of Hammanskraal.
But as we said yesterday, it was to look for votes, and as such, acted and continued to act like a predator at a smell of blood, and always reminding us how they will take power in 2024.
Let me present to you a series of events which sought to warn the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality about the contaminated water in Hammanskraal and the urgent need to resolve it. Let’s set the record straight. On the 20 June 2019, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, conducted a study about water in a Hammanskraal and the results were negative.
Showing that residents with boreholes in Stinkwater for example, were not spared the health risks associated with using water from the area’s catchment area.
The water sampling was also conducted at the Temba Water Treatment Works, Kekana primary school, Refentse clinic and Hammanskraal secondary school, and shown that water was unfit for human consumption. Also in July 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission also instituted a public inquiry into the broader water pollution challenges in the City of Tshwane. The results showed that there were water supply challenges due to pollution of raw water by Wastewater Treatment Works. Due
to insufficient treatment capacity at the Rooiwal and Davenport Wastewater Plants.
On the 10 September 2019, our Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation, summoned the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality here in Parliament as the crisis was in the public domain. I know very well because I was charing that meeting. Hon Michalakis, hon Visser, and hon Sileku were there. At the time, the former DA MMC for Utility Services, Abel Tau, who later defected to Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA, led the delegation to Parliament because the then mayor, Solly Msimang who is now the DA leader in Gauteng, was licking wounds after he was badly assaulted by a Hammanskraal businessman, most probably due to the underhand dealings pertaining to water.
During the 16 and 17 March 2020, our select committee again visited Tshwane to engage the internal and external stakeholders after the municipality was dissolved by the Gauteng government. One of the many reasons for the dissolution of Tshwane was the Hammnskraal water crisis. In a report which was adopted by this House in our sitting in the
Gauteng legislature. This House made this following observation on the report:
The water shortage in Hammanskraal is a higher risk for the municipality, as it poses health hazards to the communities, schools and healthcare facilities, especially the Jubilee Hospital, which had to close and transfer patients to other areas. This is an issue that is high potential to lead to the outbreak of diseases and unrest within the affected areas.
Even in October last year, our select committee had to cancel our visit to Hammanskraal to deal with the water crisis when we were already in Gauteng due to the political infightings and instability in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Even this year, we had to cancel our oversight visit to Tshwane due to these problems. We can go on and on showing that the water crisis in Hammanskraal is not new. It is due to the incompetence of the DA-led coalition, which have reached unparallel proportions.
Therefore, on the matter of the cholera outbreak which led to the loss of 22 lives in Hammanskraal last week, as I stand
here today, we now know who is responsible for the Hammanskraal crisis. Is this their good governance? Is this the governance model that South Africa must emulate and practise? Only history will tell.
With regard to our engagement with the department on its Annual Performance Plan and budget for 2023-24, we have noted that the department has identified several delivery target priorities that require implementation, executive accountability and parliamentary oversight. These priorities include the participation of private sector in the water sector, improvement of turnaround time on water use licencing, transformation in water use, improvement of billing and revenue collection across the water value chain, the establishment of the remaining catchment management agencies and the transformation of irrigation boards into water use associations.
We have also noted the commitment of the department in eradicating under expenditure, spending financial and human resource controls, finalising all financial misconduct related disciplinary cases, pursuing condemnation of historic irregular and unauthorised expenditure.
While we welcome the department’s strategic priorities, we have however raised concerns about lack of information on progress made especially on war on leaks programme. Lack of information in dealing with historical problems relating to corruption, contingency liabilities, accruals, abuse of water tankering system, state of Water Treatment Plants and reticulation, backlog of sanitation, lack of maintenance of water pumping stations and sewer spillages in our communities.
As part of ensuring accountability, we are calling upon the department to provide progress report on implementation of financial recovery plan to address the historical problems of corruption in the department on lack of consequence, management, irregular expenditure and plans to mitigate the impact of vandalism, theft and load shedding on Water Treatment Plants and reticulation.
As part of performing oversight, our committee will undertake proactive oversight visits to selected municipalities in order to assess the state of Water Treatment Plants, sanitation programmes, War on Leak programmes, water reticulation, and turnaround time on water licencing.
During the state of the nation address in 2023, our President pointed out that the full-scale construction works for the Lesotho Highlands Phase II Project will commence very soon in order to ensure security water supply to Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape provinces, like the Minister has indicated this afternoon. We are happy that the construction has begun.
The President also announced that. The first phase of Mzimvubu Water Project will start soon to construct the Ntabelanga Dam and later the construction of the Lilane Dam, which will include hydropower station. These are good news that the Minister delivered this afternoon, that in some of these projects, construction has begun.
We are saying, as we conclude, that we stand here this afternoon to say the situation of Hammanskraal cannot be left unchallenged. Thorough investigations are required to establish all the facts about what happened and those who are responsible for the water crisis must be held accountable and face consequences for their ineptness and incompetence.
Intervention is needed, and this intervention can include the invocation of section 63 of the Water Service Act which
empower the Minister of Water and sanitation to issue directives. But also, the Gauteng department to ensure that it invokes Section 154 of the Constitution to ensure that it supports and strengthen the capacity of the municipality to undertake all the necessary operations.
Equally important, what is also needed is the consideration of invocation 139 in respect of that particular situation because people cannot be killed, cannot die in the way that they did, and there is no concomitant action that is taken in this regard. In conclusion, let me pass our condolences to the affected families of Hammanskraal and wish those who are sick a speedy recovery. Based on that hon Chair, as the ANC, we support the Budget Vote for Water and Sanitation. Thank you very much.
Mr C F B SMIT: Hon House Chair, hon members, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, fellow South Africans, before I move on with my speech today, I think it is necessary to respond to the hon Dodovu. I think what he did on stage today is quite vulgar, and should let his head down in shame in playing cheap politics at the expense of people’s lives. It is not only in Tshwane where it is, if you have checked now there’s already
cases in Limpopo, Free State and all over because of the situation now throughout our country with water and sanitation.
House Chair, there are two types of stories told by people, the one is a fairy tale and the other one is a scary story. Today I want to tell you a story of a small town in Limpopo, by the name of Mokopane situated in Mogalakwena. By now you should already know this is going to be a scary story.
It is around 7pm and you are entering this town, first thing you notice is that it is dark and 90% streetlights are not working. Then you must drive very slowly and drive like an intoxicated driver to avoid all the potholes or rather dongas is a better description. Luckily there are no lines left on the street as it hasn’t been painted for ages. But be careful that you don’t skip a stop, without a stop sign or a traffic light that doesn’t work as other drivers are also trying to navigate through the dark donga infested streets. Then you smell this stench that takes your breath away while you see the glow of a steam flowing down the street from a fountain from a manhole next to the road.
As you arrive at this house all the lights go off as stage 6 load shedding kicks in, hopefully it is not a four hour session but only a two hour session. That is if there isn’t another problem with the electricity network that hasn’t been maintained for decades now, a faulty circuit breaker or a transformer blowing up. We also must not forget the risk of the cables being stolen during this period.
You navigate with a light from your cellphone to the front door, entering the house to quickly run to the bathroom to find there are no water in the taps for hours or even days now. You try to call the municipal call centre that barely answer calls anymore but there is no network as the cellphone towers have no time to recharge their batteries or the batteries are stolen for that matter.
House Chair, this sounds like something out of a horror movie, but this is a reality for many communities out there. This is the story of ANC failure. I have written to Minister Sisulu when she was still Minister of Water and Sanitation and consequently to Minister Mchunu, Minister Mantashe as well as Eskom to urge them all to intervene as the Lepele North Water Board struggles to keep up with the water demand for
Mogalakwena due to load shedding and electricity outages that make it impossible to keep the reservoirs full. So, the town needs to implement water shedding, beyond load shedding.
Due to a lack of water the sewer systems are starting to block up as the effluent are getting dry and hard in the sewer pipes that causes the sewer spillages all over. The pumps at the sewer plants are not keeping up with constant load shedding and outages. That is beyond the capacity challenges due to zero forward planning and corruption as there were no expansions to deal with the increased load.
This could all have been avoided if the Flag Boshielo bulk water project was done under Minister Mokonyane a decade ago, but that money disappeared. Minister, that Flag Boshielo project was at that stage going to cost about R7,2 billion and it is now R24 billion. Minister, I want to know what has been done about the over R200mil wasted on the unfinished Masodi bulk water treatment plant due to corruption? The same question needs to be asked about the water line from Nondoni dam to Makhado that has multiple sets of pipelines laying side by side as it has been redone over and over again and still not delivering any water to the community of Makhado.
This department is stained with failure and non-delivery and should lower its head in shame for failing South Africans.
Minister, I know it is something you inherited, but the reality is that it’s from your organisation that pride itself for being pro-poor and allowing people to drink water with animals from fountains or whatever, where people have to dig for water.
At the end we have only one option as South Africa and that is to ensure that we all register to vote and to go and vote for a government that has a proven track record of the best service delivery in South Africa. A government that is accountable, trustworthy and get things done. This government is no other than a DA-led moonshot pact. Let’s fix this mess South Africa and turn this horror story into a fairy tale for the generations to come. Vote DA in 2024. I thank you.
Ms S E MANI–LUSITHI (Eastern Cape): Hon House Chair, greetings to you, the hon Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the hon Minister of Water and Sanitation, the Deputy Ministers, chairperson of the portfolio committee, all delegations from provinces and the leadership of the various entities and all present, as we extend our greetings to everyone present in
this plenary today, allow us to start by conveying profound greetings from our beautiful province of the Eastern Cape, the home of legends.
Indeed, we are pleased to participate on behalf of the Eastern Cape in this important National Council of Province’s Plenary debate on the 2023-24 financial year Budget Vote of ... [Interjections.] ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr J A Nyambi): Hon MEC! Hon MEC, even if you can switch off the video so that the sound can be good. I can see that the network is a little bit of a problem. We are allowed to switch off the video and continue with the debate.
Ms S E MANI–LUSITHI (Eastern Cape): Thank you very much, Chair. Hope I’m better now. We are experiencing load-shedding. I think hon Minister Mchunu did give an account of the work done in the previous financial year. We are going to resist the temptation of electioneering in this debate, unlike the hon members that came before us, but engage on the Minister’s care plans of the department for the financial year of 2023- 24, when he tabled his budget speech on the 16th of May.
On the Budget Vote of Water and Sanitation as tabled by the Minister. It not only gives an accurate account of the road traversed in the delivery of water and sanitation, but it also drew concrete plans for the lived experiences of our people.
In our province, we are one of the hardest hit by drought and related water scarcity challenges. Our farmers, both subsistence farmers and commercial farmers have been facing serious challenges because of the drought occasioned by the phenomena of global warming. The water scarcity challenges have been severe in many parts of the province with a negative impact on the livelihoods of our people, with the Nelson Metropolitan Municipality being the most affected area. And that was close to day zero.
As a provincial government, we’ve been part of the efforts to find lasting solutions, including the servicing of water treatment works, improvement of water catchment plans, et cetera. In the area of Gqeberha in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, as it has been affected by drought for the past five years, various interventions have been implemented by the Department of Water and Sanitation and Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta and Water
Boards, where they explored terms of water restrictions and water cutting in some areas.
To address this perennial water crisis, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipal team has embarked on a desalination project, with the support of the Coega Development Agency. The hon Minister has been leading the departmental efforts, working with the municipality and all other relevant stakeholders in an attempt to find lasting solutions.
In the OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, and Joe Gqabi regions where we still have around 50% water backlogs with the ... [Inaudible.]
... Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani heavy backlogs of around 20%, and our two metros that are sitting below 1%. The sanitation backlogs range between 30 to 50% in the majority of our district municipalities, except Sarah Baartman and the two metros. That is ranging between zero and just below 10%.
Hon members, indeed there is a need to upgrade the existing bulk water and sanitation supply due to the increase of demand for further housing development, whilst the eradication of the backlog remains critical. The raft Western Cape Water and Sanitation Master Plan suggests that more than hundred R120
billion is required for the eradication of the water supply backlog for the domestic sector and R20 billion for sanitation inclusive of upgrades of their existing systems.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has invested more than R10 billion since 2010 in our province alone and has identified 43 Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, RBIG, projects of which 12th of them are complete. And that is the story the hon member from the DA for forgot to tell. Eighteen are under construction and 13 of them are in the various stages of planning. That is a story of the government at work in resolving people’s challenges. On average, 20 Water Services Infrastructure Grant, WSIG projects are completed every year, and more than 50 are under implementation, be it design, procurement on construction stages.
Implementation has been by our water servicing authority municipalities themselves and a few by Amatola Water. The progress in the financial performance has not been satisfactory across our water servicing authorities, and I think the Minister when he spoke earlier on, went into detail about the need to support these municipalities in implementing their mandate.
Whilst the hon Minister announced that the work is underway on the Umzimvubu Water Project, as the province we are awaiting the implementation of this project and we are elated for the huge role it will play in the delivery of clean drinking water to many parts of our province.
As the provincial government, through our provincial Department of Cogta, we are assisting the municipalities in ensuring that the adequate spending of WSIG and Municipal Infrastructure Grant, MIG, for better water provision is done. Thank you very much, hon Chair.
Ms A D MALEKA: Greetings to the Minister, Deputy Ministers, Deputy Chairperson, Mme Lucas, House Chairperson, the Chief Whip, special and the permanent delegates, we have come over a long way as a country. For three and a half centuries, basic services in our country were a privilege of the white minority population, with the black majority being excluded from accessing them. There is no doubt that the ANC-led government has built and expanded water infrastructure in the majority of our communities. We, the African National Congress, are the first to accept and acknowledge that much still needs to be done to bring about universal access to adequate, safe
drinking water and dignified sanitation for all our people and to ensure we leave no one behind.
There are still remote areas in our country where there are still people who have to cross dangerous rivers to get to town. Some learners in these areas have to be tucked into a drum to cross the bridge in order to reach their schools.
There are still communities where people fetch water from dams and rivers, which they share with their livestock. These are the stories that must make all of us work harder and smarter to bring much-needed development to those areas through building water and sanitation infrastructure.
Our ANC-led government is committed to building and expanding water infrastructure, as demonstrated by the budget allocated to the Department of Water and Sanitation. The department is one of the sector departments that was not affected by budget cuts. Instead, it received increased allocations. Hon members, the building of water infrastructure has great potential not only for expanding access to water but also for contributing to economic growth and development and addressing the triple challenges of inequality, poverty, and unemployment in our country.
Hon Chairperson, the ANC-led government has for years invested and continues to invest a lot of resources in the building of water infrastructure. The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, TCTA, has been leading in financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure development and providing treasury management services to the Department of Water and Sanitation. In the coming financial year 2024–25, the TCTA will be transformed through its merger with the Water Trading Entity to become the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency.
The rolling out of big water infrastructure projects to expand the existing bulk infrastructure continues to be the priority of our ANC-led government. Minister Mchunu has been calling for a public-private partnership between the ANC-led government and the private sector to ensure the building of big water infrastructure projects because the government has limited resources to invest as compared to the private sector. Already, the big infrastructure projects implemented by the TCTA are partly funded through investments and loans from the private sector. We support the call by the Minister. However, the government has to be cautious not to commodify the provision of water and make it expensive and not accessible to the working class and the poor of our society.
Hon members, the TCTA is not only able to source funding for the big infrastructure projects; it also has the capacity to generate its own revenue through fees for financing and managing projects for the department. The TCTA continues to play a leading role in the rollout of water infrastructure in the country. Just recently, President Ramaphosa launched Phase
2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is an important government intervention to supply water to the Vaal River system, which ensures water security for Gauteng, the Free State, the Northern Cape, and the North-West. Our government’s stated objectives, which include boosting local industry and economic growth, enhancing the country’s tourism potential, and facilitating the development of micro and small industries, will be accomplished with the launch and implementation of Phase 2.
Hon Chairperson, President Ramaphosa, in his state of the nation address, committed his government to continuously create jobs for the unemployed in our country, the bulk of whom are young people. The implementation of large water and sanitation infrastructure projects has the potential to not only create much-needed jobs but also alleviate poverty in
those communities. The policy of the government as it relates to project implementation prioritises labour-intensive projects over machine-intensive methods. Through the implementation of the various water and sanitation projects that are more than 500 across the country, we expect the department to create thousands of jobs for young people to contribute to the President's announcements on job creation programmes.
Hon members, we must insist that through the implementation of big infrastructure projects, there should be a transfer of and certification of skills by the Department of Labour and Employment so that all those who have participated in these projects will be able to either work for themselves or increase their chances of employment in the labour market.
Furthermore, local communities must ensure that construction companies contribute to these communities as part and parcel of their social responsibility to alleviate poverty through the building of community centres.
Hon Chairperson, it is a known fact that water under apartheid was used for the benefit of the wealthy and, mostly, for the white minority in our country. The dams and water
infrastructure were built solely for the purpose of ensuring that the white minority lifestyle is maintained at the expense of the black majority. The apartheid government ensured that water rights and privileges were the preserve of the white minority. Dams were built to support white commercial farmers.
Since 1994, the ANC-led government has embarked on a programme to deracialise water rights and has sought to transform the water sector to conform to the demographics of our country.
The ANC-led government has been and continues to build water infrastructure not only to supply water to communities, but to support black-emerging farmers as well. Coupled with building and expanding access to black communities and farmers, our
ANC-led government has embarked on a process to transform irrigation boards into water user associations and align catchment management agencies along the provincial boarders.
Hon Chairperson, I have highlighted earlier that there are more than 500 water and sanitation infrastructure projects that are being implemented by the Department of Water and Sanitation across the country. The building and expanding of water and sanitation infrastructure ensures that our government achieves the constitutional imperative of taking
reasonable measures to provide sufficient safe drinking water and dignified sanitation infrastructure for our people.
Billions of rand are spent annually on water and sanitation infrastructure. The Department of Water and Sanitation has made a commitment that the building of essential water and sanitation infrastructure be used as a wealth redistributive mechanism in favour of women, youth and people living with disabilities in our country.
Hon members, Minister Mchunu announced during his budget vote speech that the total value of the major water resource infrastructure projects that are in the implementation stage, most of which I have just alluded to, collectively amount to R130 billion. As members of this august House, we have a responsibility to ensure that women, youth, and people living with disabilities benefit from this allocation of the department.
We must not only be content with seeing on paper that women, youth, and people living with disabilities benefit. We must also ensure that these are the people coming from the communities where these infrastructure projects are being implemented. In instances where there are no businesses owned
by women, youth, or people living with disabilities, the department should work with the department of small businesses to ensure that people are trained and that they are assisted with the establishment of these small and medium enterprises in these local communities, as it is their democratic right to benefit from government procurement processes. As the African National Congress in this House, we will ensure that the building of water infrastructure contributes to economic growth and development to address the triple challenges facing the country: inequality, poverty, and unemployment. Hon Smit
...
IsiZulu:
... mina ngikhule ngaphambili kuka1994 ...
English
... where there was a permanent load shedding in the country.
IsiZulu:
Akukhona manje ngoba sikhule ngamakhandlela, singawazi ugezi ukuthi wawukhona. Ngenxa ye-ANC namhlanje siyakwazi ukukhanyisa ugesi sibe no-apholo nemigwaqo enogezi. Ngeke ukhulume ngamalokishi ukuthi awanagesi, nogesi emigwaqeni
awusebenzi ngoba ngaphambili kuka1994 asikwazi lokho. Indle yamabhakede sasiyazi ngakho loko. Ukugwedla indle ngamanzi ezindlini zangasese sasingakwazi, sikwazi ngemuva kwa1994.
English:
As the ANC, we support the budget vote.
Ms M DLAMINI: This year the Economic Freedom Fighters celebrates 10 years since its formation. It has been 10 years of fighting exclusion, affirming the humanity and dignity of African people, and it has been 10 years of fighting for and with the downtrodden, for basic services such as housing, education, and water and sanitation.
House Chairperson, the right to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right that is provided for in the Bill of Rights, and there exists a duty on all spheres of government to ensure that water and sanitation services are provided in a manner which is efficient, equitable and sustainable. Yet, violations to the right to access water and sanitation are unacceptably high in this country, with most violations taking place in rural and informal communities. The EFF therefore
rejects the Budget Vote of the Department of Water and Sanitation that is in a consistent breech of the Constitution.
The concept of clean water and sanitation as essential to health is not a novel idea, however, in South Africa water and sanitation services are still severely lacking, and progress with respect to sanitation has been slow. Back in the year 2015, the total number of people in South Africa lacking access to improved sanitation was 18 million, meaning that only 66% of the total population had access to improved sanitation in that year. The figures have not changed much even though improving access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation is one of the most effective ways of improving public health and saving lives.
South Africa’s sewage system has also largely collapsed. In Springbok in the Northern Cape, the sewerage infrastructure in that remote town is failing at a dramatic rate due to neglect over the past 30 years, so much so that its sewerage works are now scoring a meagre 30% or less in the Green Drop Assessment.
In eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, 19 out of the 27 wastewater treatment plants work, leading to raw sewerage
spilling into the ocean and other fresh water reservoirs, risking the lives of people and biological life in that area.
In the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo, residents have experienced a chronic water crisis which has persisted for decades and has left communities in and around that region without water. This too, a consequence of incompetence, corruption and neglect that has become synonymous with the government of the ANC.
Everyday black people are forced to live in unhygienic and unsafe conditions, as they have to use unenclosed toilets that are unclean and against norms and standards for delivery of services. The lack of access to clean water across South Africa has resulted in many difficulties including issues with health, education, gender equity, and economic development.
It is not enough to only provide improved water and basic sanitation to those who currently lack these fundamental services. What is essential is ensuring that these services provide safe drinking water and adequate quantities of water for health, hygiene, agriculture and development. For health impacts of inadequate sanitation can be serious and even
deadly, as is evidenced by the recent outbreak of cases of cholera in Hamanskraal.
Hammanskraal, a township located in Pretoria, has struggled with poor water management for several years, and many residents have reported receiving discoloured or foul-smelling water from their taps. The crisis in Hammanskraal therefore is only a natural outcome of the neglect that the ruling clique has had over issues that affect communities across the country. The People of Hammanskraal have been ignored by both the ANC and the DA which now rules that municipality.
The residents of Hammanskraal have been faced with the water crisis since 2011, to an extent that the 2016 EFF’s election manifesto the commander in chief and president of the EFF highlighted that the Human Rights Commission issues out reports every year that the water in Hammanskraal is not good for human consumption, and further called out that politics should be put aside and that there should be an emergency national procurement to immediately deal with the issue of Hamanskraal. Today, 23 people have died in Hammanskraal. They have been killed by your corruption, your incompetence and your general disregard for African life.
The former President Thabo Mbeki correctly weighed in on the challenges faced in this department regarding the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, describing it as an illustration of the continued deterioration of governance. There exists a lack of proper co-ordination between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the water boards. There is a growing demand of water and there has been strain to the debilitating and ageing infrastructure and the department is not keeping up with the pressure to perform effectively. This also has to do with the lack of a successive plan from the department.
This department has failed to address this problem, and the result of your failure is everywhere to see. This department is so thoroughly dysfunctional that it would not make a difference were it not to exists. As the EFF, we have long emphasised the importance of providing clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as promoting public education campaigns on proper hygiene practices. Over the past 10 years, and particularly in the nine years that we have been in Parliament, we have repeatedly highlighted the deteriorating quality of water infrastructure in this country, and that if we failed to act, we were inviting a water Armageddon to the citizens of this country.
House Chairperson, access to clean water is a basic human right, and it is unacceptable that residents of Hammanskraal had to pay with their lives for this department’s ineptness. Corruption, incompetence and lack of vision skills have put us where we are today. May of our people must view this for what it is. It cannot be that the ultimate price is of African lives. Never forget where we are. For this and for the people of Hamanskraal we reject this Budget Vote.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION (Ms J Tshabalala):
Hon Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Lucas, House Chairperson Ms Winnine Ngwenya ...
IsiZulu:
... ngithi qhuba Mama, ungahlehleli emuva ...
English:
... Mr Nyambi, hon Minister Senzo Mcunu, Deputy Minister Mahlonbo, hon members of the National Council of Provinces, special delegates and permanent delegates viewers at home, ladies and gentlemen.
Sesotho:
Ke se ke le dumedisitse kaofela.
English:
Hon Chairperson, allow me to reiterate our deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends affected by the tragic loss of loved ones in Hammanskraal due to the cholera outbreak. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of immense sorrow. Please know that you are not alone.
It is unfortunate that the hon member who just left the podium seeks to deal with this matter in a manner that they are doing, including the hon Smith from the DA. It is very heartening at this time. We have a society that is coming from a history that is very difficult.
When lives are involved, it's quite important that, as hon members, we behave honourably because if we are about to deal with the people, we need to ensure that indeed we are not faced, we are with the people, we come together, whether black, green and white, whether the number or rather the colour that you represent in any other organisation, we put that aside and we pull together so that we are with the people who are bereaved. That is quite important.
Members of the House, we gather today after having celebrated, if not observed, the World Africa Day, on the 25th of March.
Believe me, I don't mind being helped, I’m from that House. I used to do it. I can do it even more.
This day’s significance commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of the African Unity known as the African Union and this is incredible continents, diverse cultures, and achievements under the theme, The Africa We Want.
The same day, Minister Senzo Mchunu called us to a water symposium under the themes, water sustainability for the future. The themes speak for themselves, attending to the future services of the country, water resources, security, governance, regulations amongst others, indeed, Minister the response from the sector was positive.
As we conclude the month of May today, we begin our youth month. I would like to remind all members of this esteemed House that all the words of the express, but the longest serving President of the ANC, that Mr Oliver Tambo when he said that, and I quote:
“A country that does not take care of its children does not deserve its future.”
It is in this light that the ANC government, whenever we hear of water leaks, sewer spillages and sanitation that affect the schooling of our unwavering commitment to speedily to attend to them. This, we have done because we remember very well that the future of this country depends on its youth. As Mr Nelson Mandela outlie stated that, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world and that is education not only equipped individual with necessary skills for economic success also plays a crucial role in the nation building and reconciliation.
Hon House Chairperson, the local government is central to providing crucial services to the people of South Africa, as highlighted in the Constitution, and the Constitution recognizes the vital role of local government by empowering municipalities to deliver democratic and accountable governance, along with the sustainable service provision.
Municipalities have the autonomy to handle local government matters, generate revenue and impose taxes, placing them at
them at forefront of providing essential services to communities. The Constitution also emphasizes the importance of cooperative governance promoting collaboration amongst national, provincial, and local spheres.
To enhance service delivery efficiency, provinces on their part opposes the authority to enact legislation that ensures peace, order, and good governance within its regions. The District Development Model, DDM adopted by the democratic governments aims to enhance inter government relations and expedite service delivery to the people. Wait for me to finish, I'm coming to you.
This model facilitates faster and more efficient provision of services including water and sanitation to communities by promoting collaboration, coordination, and community involvement. It ensures targeted ... [Interjections.] ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Sorry Deputy Minister, let me deal with hon Smit.
Mr C F B SMIT: Hon Chairperson, I would like to know if the hon member will take a question from me?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Order, members. Hon Deputy Minister, are you ready to take a question?
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION (Ms J Tshabalala):
I don't think it's ready for the answer I won't take your question, you won't like the answer.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): No, she id not ready. Take your seat. Continue Deputy Minister.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION (Ms J Tshabalala):
... and improve service delivery outcomes. The revised Medium- Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, has prioritized water sanitation as a key focus area with the goal of enhancing service delivery in this sector. This emphasizes alliance with the objectives of the economic recovery plan and reconstruction plan and the national development of the government. By aligning these plans, there is a concerted effort to address challenges in water and sanitation provision, improve service quality and contribute to overall socioeconomic development in line with the national goals and aspiration.
The government investment in water and sanitation infrastructure demonstrates a commitment in addressing sector challenges and fulfilling promises outlined in the 2019 elections manifesto. Efforts are a focus on building municipal capacity to provide reliable services, issue payments efficiently and enforce regulations and bylaws effectively by promoting investment, job creation and improved service delivery.
Now the significant progress in water and services infrastructure development and increase funding of about R15,5 billion under the Water Services Management through the grants demonstrate the government commitment to improve access to clean water and sanitation. Now somebody wants to tell me that we're not committed.
The investment normally addresses basic needs, but also improve economic growth and job creation, reducing inequality and supporting emerging sectors by monitoring performance and ailing with national development objectives. The government is actively working towards fulfilling promises made to our people and our continued support and investment in the sector
are crucial for driving holistic developments and improving the quality of life for all South Africans.
The locations provided for various municipalities underscore the importance of strategic investment in the infrastructure development. The financial resources play a crucial role in addressing the needs of communities, enhancing the service delivery, and stimulating economic growth.
The significant funding allocated to different regions indicates a commitment, equitable development and improving the quality of life for residents by directing resources towards infrastructure projects as I said, with job creation.
We thank hon Mchunu for really driving the ship, and sterling the ship and ensuring that the Department of Water and Sanitation come together through with the municipalities where the section 139 and he invoked section 63 to ensure infrastructure does not stop infrastructure proceed and we come together as levels of government. We really thank that, leadership.
When we invest and this is much important that through the DDM, the ANC government has made significant investment in the provision of connected water to our communities, therefore ensuring that they do not solely rely on collecting water from the rivers.
In addition, our department has ensured that we adequately address challenges of water reticulation building of dams, increasing our water reservoirs have given attention in this budget to the construction of wastewater and water treatment plant to ensure reliable water supply to all South Africans.
This is done to ensure that equitable distribution of our water resources is in line with the provision of Freedom Charter as the custodians of the Constitution with a clear obligation to support and regulate municipalities in the crucial role of the service delivery, through the management of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grants, RBIG, and Water Services Infrastructure Grant, WSIG, we are committed to allocating significant funds to addressing the infrastructure needs across the country with an allocation of R10,1 billion for RBIG and R4,6 billion for WSIG, we are able to over 130 projects and 400 projects respectively. These grants are
instrumental in addressing critical infrastructure gaps, ensuring reliable water supply and improving service delivery to the communities.
IsiZulu:
... sithi qhuba mqhubi bakubhekile abantu bayabona ukuthi amanzi ayeza. Abantu bethu bayabona ukuthi ngempela sisemsebenzini. Manje angithi ukuphendula laba abalokho bekhuluma la.
English:
There is a task team since the issue of Hammanskral has happened that hon Mchunu has invoked, that is led by the Deputy Minister of Health, we have got two Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation that is sitting there, we've got provincial government that is sitting there from the Health Department, we've got Government Communications and Information Systems, GCIS, that is sitting there.
Immediately when the outbreak happens hence you see the people receiving water and portable drinking water, we've ensured that we've upped the game so it can’t be correct that we stand and say nothing has happened. Government is doing too much.
It's important that as an hon member, you must read and follow what government is doing so you provide people correct information. There's no time for rhetoric. It's time to resolve the issue of their lives.
Coming to the DA, it's unfortunate that you came here, and you said nothing. There was nothing happening in your speech. We are busy. We were here with the President just next to you and we resolved several issues including the issues of the wastewater treatment plant. You must ask me, I was there, sent by the Minister. Your municipalities don't have capacity, we are given the WSIG grant to yourself. You must be grateful. In fact, you must be shameful if you're not going to adopt this, this Budget Vote because you are saying people must not receive water.
You are saying people must not receive water in this country. You are saying the schools must not receive water. You are saying people must not be receiving water. You are saying we must not resolve the sewer issues, but you want to stand here and say you are not adopting this Budget Vote?
Tell South Africans that you don't care about them. You don't care about their lives and the quality of water in this country. Whoever does not support this Budget Vote must be shameful to themselves because you are saying to the South Africans that you are not interested. You're speaking about corruption ... but it's 54 seconds. It's 54 seconds. Allow me with these people allow me, allow me. Thank you so much.
Tshiven?a:
Ndo livhuwa.
Ms C VISSER: Hon Chairperson, hon members, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, fellow South Africans, just to add to the Rooiwal situation, it did not happen yesterday, or in this year or at the end of last year. While I was the Deputy President of the South African Ratepayers’ Association, I visited that place with the University of Pretoria way back in 2009. It was already a crisis there, as all the waste water treatment plants in South Africa are. You cannot deny that, because it is printed in the Green Drop report. There is absolutely no governance from the ANC’s side.
It’s laughable that this inept government makes us forget that our power is off six hours a day, because what is happening to our water supply is much, much more serious.
Chapter 8 of the Constitution of South Africa determines the Right of Sufficient Water of quality and quantity. These rights are interlinked with the right of every South African to food, health, housing, and a clean and healthy environment.
The state is constitutionally obliged to provide clean drinking water for human consumption, the provision of quality drinking water as well as the provision of basic sanitation services to protect the environment.
After two decades of neglect and little or no maintenance of municipal sewerage plants, corruption and indifference, South Africans are vulnerable to medieval waterborne diseases and something even more - thirst! We are thirsty. We don’t have water.
We are seeing villages, towns and even cities experiencing severe water shortages, caused by a combination of years of
bad management, drought and endemic fraud and corruption within the department. Water is life!
Therefore, the sustainability of human development depends on water. So, why was it allowed that municipalities and industries decant their toxic effluent of millions into our rivers, lakes, wetlands, and the environment?
The toxic heavy metals in the effluent from industries changed life giving water, into potential toxic killer cocktails to our nation. Why does the Departments of Water and Sanitation, and Environmental Affairs not comply with their legislated mandated responsibilities, to ensure the water of South Africa does not kill South Africans?
Although the backward trend in water quality was already evident in 2013 after the state of water and sanitation reports was released, the Blue- and Green Drop reports of 2013 confirmed the devastating results of the infringement of human rights, yet no further monitoring was done until 2022.
Although the government was fully aware of the ongoing deterioration of water quality, there was no accountability
and millions of people were exposed to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
The SA Human Rights Commission has in 2019, described the collapse of 44 sewerage pump stations in Emfuleni Municipality as a human rights violation, yet millions of litres of raw untreated sewer still flows daily into the Vaal unabated.
The lack of access and availability to safe drinking water is a human rights problem that needs to be urgently addressed and resolved by government.
Currently, every river and stream, including the Vaal- and the Orange Rivers are saturated with sewer and toxic industrial effluent, not only causing disease by those consuming it, but also threatening food security by irrigation of grains, fruits and vegetables. But, for the past 20 years, media reported daily on dysfunctional management of water users and the subsequent environmental pollution of South Africa’s water, but there was no action from government,
The ANC government must admit that water provision is a serious problem to the detriment of South Africa. Now the
government is congratulating itself for rolling out water infrastructure to 95% of the population. But, a third of South Africans do not have regularly flowing water. In fact, they are without water in areas where I moved for three to six months before anything is done. In fact, water is pumped to reservoirs that never reach the reservoir, as in Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Naledi and all municipalities and villages in North West.
Dysfunctional municipalities, district municipalities and provincial governments must be held accountable by the department, which is supposedly the uppermost authority of South Africa’s water, but they all miss the value of water.
If all the levels of co-operative governance were functional and active, and there were well informed leaders at municipal level, water would become a tool of development, rather than a constraint on growth and livelihoods.
How do we stop the decay and destruction of bad, incompetent governance? Make the polluter personally pay by implementing legislation. Environmental legislation clearly says those who pollute must pay, but a lack of implementation and capacity in
government means this rarely happens, even more so when politically connected companies are doing the law –breaking, like Sasol.
If the law is enforced and heavy fines are imposed, which rarely happened in the past 20 years, it would act as a deterrent and provide a source of funding.
No matter who we are or where we come from, we’re all entitled to basic human rights of clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and a healthy land to call home. I thank you.
Mr M A P DE BRUYN: Hon House Chair, as we all know, Water is a precious resource that sustains life, and access to clean drinking water is not only our constitutional right, but is essential for good health and well-being. However, it is sad to note that even in urban areas, many South Africans still lack access to safe drinking water.
In rural areas, the situation is even worse. Thousands of South Africans still have to walk long distances just to reach a water source that is often contaminated with harmful bacteria and other pollutants. This is not only a health
hazard, but also an economic burden as families spends hours fetching water instead of engaging in productive activities.
This department has repeatedly promised to implement measures to improve this situation, but has failed to deliver on any of these promises. The fact of the matter is, millions of rands have been spent on projects that have not materialised, leaving our citizens to suffer in silence.
The hon Dodovo attempted to give us a history lesson earlier today. I think, it is worth noting that, since we are handing out history lessons, of the more than 500 dams that are currently in South Africa today, since 1994, only one was built under the government of the ANC. You have renamed a few, but that is how far the success go. That is how the ANC is providing for the people.
Afrikaans:
Ons kiesers en gemeenskappe ly al te lank onder ’n tekort aan skoon water en sanitasie. Dit is ’n reg wat in ons Grondwet vasgelê is, en dit is ’n reg wat nie benadeel mag word nie, maar tog doen die ANC en hierdie departement presies dit. Die feit dat talle Suid-Afrikaners nog steeds nie toegang tot
skoon water het nie, is ’n skande. En die feit dat riool daagliks deur die strate van elke woonbuurt in die land vloei is nog ’n groter skande.
Verlede jaar tydens die provinsiale week het ons die Mangaung, Masilonyana en Kopanong munisipaliteite besoek. U kan enigeen van die vrystaat afvaardiging, selfs ANC-lede vra of hulle tevrede was met wat ons daar gesien het. Die antwoord sal verseker nee wees. Ons kon in die drie munisipaliteite nie een enkele rioolsuiwerings-aanleg kry wat funksionerend is nie. In elke geval het ons gesien hoe rou riool ons spruite en riviere besoedel, terwyl amptenare met verwarde gesigte rondstaan en probeer verskonings uitdink.
In springfontein het ons vir meer as ’n halfuur na die aanleg gesoek en dit was duidelik dat die amptenare so lanklaas daar was, dat hulself nie eens seker was waar die aanleg as nie.
Dit is hoe belaglik dit nou al is.
Die hartseer van die saak, is dat dit nou al meer as ’n jaar later is en in plaas daarvan om hierdie belaglikhede aan te spreek, het die munisipaliteite onder die oorsig van hierdie
departement absoluut niks daaraan gedoen nie en die situasie nou erger is ooit te vore.
Maar ons moet vandag hier hoor hoe hierdie departement sy fiktiewe suksesse wil staan en smous en te kenne wil gee dat hy en die ANC-regering in die belang van sy mense optree.
Niemand glo dit meer nie. Ons kan nie.
Die Minister het in Maart vanjaar in antwoord op ’n geskrewe vraag erken dat die Mangaung metro meer as 46% van sy water vermors, as gevolg van lekkasies, verouderde infrastruktuur en onwettige aansluitings. In dieselfde asem skuld die Mangaung metro die entiteit Bloem Water honderde miljoene, en nie eens om te noem dat ons ’n waterskaars-land is en jaarliks minder en minder water tot ons beskikking het nie.
Ek sou graag in die antwoord van die agb Minister ook wou gehoor het hoe sy departement die vermorsing en die munisipaliteit gaan aanspreek, maar in getroue ANC-gees, is die onderwerp eerder vermy.
English:
Prof Anja du Plessis, a research specialist in water resource management, made the following statement regarding the recent cholera outbreak and I quote:
The current cholera outbreak is not necessarily an issue of drinkable water, it’s as the result of a combination of factors. These include dysfunctional and non-compliant wastewater treatment works, mismanagement, underinvestment and misappropriation of funds. Along with the lack of political will and action over the past two decades, these factors have formed a perfect storm. It is a legacy issue that has been emphasised by myself and other researchers, since as far back as 2002” close quote.
Afrikaans:
Om op te som, onder hierdie departement, oor die laaste drie dekades is bestaande infrastruktuur vernietig en staan meestal in ongebruik. Bittermin tot geen nuwe infrastruktuur word suksesvol gebou nie, weens ’n tekort aan befondsing en in meeste gevalle, politieke wil. En die bietjie diens wat ons kry vanaf hierdie departement is van so gehalte, dat dit gesondheids risiko’s teweegbring.
Dis verseker nie suksesverhale nie. Suid-Afrikaners kan en gaan nie langer tevrede wees met hierdie blatante skending van hul regte nie. Dit sal duidelik gemaak word by die stembus in 2024. Dankie.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION (Mr D Mahlobo):
Your excellency House Chairperson, my brother, Comrade Jomo Nyambi; your excellency the Deputy Chair of the NCOP; Minister Macingwane; Deputy Minister Tshabalala; all members of the executive council, MECs, that are on the virtual platform; permanent and special delegates, let us tell no lies, let us not claim easy victories and let us not mask our difficulties.
What is the state of water in our country? It is important that we must note that since the ANC took over this country in 1994, where millions of South Africans were denied the right to access to water and economic benefit. As we stand here today, more than 90% of South Africans have access to water and the economic benefits. However, the ANC government is the first to admit that more still needs to be done. Secondly, our people were denied the right to human dignity with respect to access to sanitation. Your ANC government has moved access to sanitation from 62% of South Africans to above 84%.
Nevertheless, we do know that there are those who are still having inhumane conditions around issues of sanitation. As the ANC we admit that we too are still coming to those people.
Today marks 44 years when the revolutionary student movement was established, the Congress of South African Students, that shaped the shape of our politics in our country. We salute those young men and women who are the martyrs of the Congress of South African Students, Cosas, but more importantly, the hon President of Cosas, Comrade Nelson Mandela. Your excellences, comrades and friends, safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes.
Therefore, improved water supply, sanitation and better management of resources can boost our country’s economic growth and contribute to greater poverty eradication. We know that every South African has a right to sufficient continuous safe and acceptable physical accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use. As we are crappling with the deaths of people in Gauteng and the Free State, as Minister Macingwane has said, our President has directed all of us to
stop at nothing to stop the spread of the outbreak and ensure that citizens are given water. Let’s not play with the people’s lives in politics.
We convey our condolences to those that have lost their loved ones, but more importantly, let’s not do finger pointing because it is indisputable fact that Rooiwal is not working. One of the most important things that we also wanted to indicate is actually that there are those who wanted to create an impression as if this Ministry is doing nothing. We visited all municipalities in our country, irrespective who leads them. Our conclusion is that we are attending to matters of old infrastructure that has not been maintained by all municipalities irrespective of a political party.
The poor management of Water and Sanitation services in Tshwane, Mr Smit if you are not aware, I stayed for 10 days without water and my two kids goes to school. It is happening when Minister Macingwane went to Khayelitsha and phoned the mayor, you must know that people were swimming in sewage there. Their sin is because they are black. Masodi Treatment Plant ... [Inaudible.] ... I was there sent by the Minister. That treatment plant is being done. When that contractor was
appointed that went to Rooiwal, messed up of R250 million, it was not the ANC-led government. Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house.
In the last five years the grants that have been provided by the ANC government more than R35 billion have been used covering more than 950 projects. We have given water to more than 350 000 households and created more than 285 jobs.
Macingwane’s budget is giving right now 530 projects that are already in the pipeline. The ones that are intervening in terms of section 63 and 54 of the Constitution they are estimated at 120, in total this year 650 projects that are meant to restore the dignity of our people.
One of the issues that we know is that we must deal with the challenges of climate change. We must also deal with the consumption patterns of South Africans where we are over consuming water estimated at more than 273 per capita per liter per person. We must also ensure that we safeguard our infrastructure. On infrastructure, this is what we wanted to tell you, it’s a fact not fiction. The South African Institute of Civil Engineers produced a report last year. It confirmed that the bulk infrastructure in South Africa is in good
condition and is comparative with all the infrastructure in the world.
The only matter of concern for all municipalities is a wastewater treatment works. It is only Minister Mcunu not these so-called expect who brought back the green drop. Don’t confuse the green drop with the blue drop. The results that we gave is for the effluent. The stories that you are saying to people that don’t drink water, we as scientists we know that our water remains safe. The water that gets into the rivers and dams you cannot drink it because it must still be treated. Tell no lies and claim no easy victories.
Tomorrow, Minister Mcunu will release the status of water around the drinking water standard for the country. Don’t jump and say people must not be able to drink or not but just wait. Later on, we will also deal with the no drop, which is about the nonrevenue water. Our dams in our country a safe and we have done well because we have approved personal people that are dealing with those issues. We are even doing dam rehabilitation projects. More than 43 of them have been done by the ANC government.
We have actually refurbished and rehabilitated more than 26 of them, whether Injaka Dam, whether De Hoop Dam. Fortunately, the youngsters were involved when De Hoop Dam was being built. Check the results, we have done more than 26 including the Glen Williams Dam and the Berg River Dam that were doing in the Western Cape. Don’t mislead our people. The issues of the failing dams like Jagersfontein, we have made a determination. Minister Mcunu sent me there. I opened up a case and we have instructed all those mines that have been tilling dams to keep them in good condition.
One of the issues that we are also dealing with is about dams being accessible, no longer for one sector use. Now, these dams like Jozini, Nandoni and all of them they are multipurpose dams that even communities around these dams for the first time they will have an opportunity of access for recreation, for culture, for sports, you can name them. We have started even in Nandoni. We must be able to say that saving water is an important issue. However, water conservation goes to scientific issues like water resource management, distribution management, including consumer demand management and return flow management.
South Africa will not run out of water. We will actually enter into a water mix. We will reuse our water, that is the international standard but also managing the waste well. On issues of conservation, the catchment management agencies, CMAs, we are rolling them out, the waterboards they are being reconfigured already from nine to seven and we are completing the issues of water use association. The issue of the independent regulator is here. The issues of pricing we are dealing with. We must conclude the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency. As I conclude, South Africans you are in good hands.
We might have done mistakes in the past, but we want to guarantee you there is no doubt under the leadership of Macingwane, ourselves and President Ramaphosa will turn the situation around. We are faced by several challenges globally, domestically and many have lost hope. Through the dark tunnel there is a light. Our collective effort and resilience of our nation will see us through. Let us remain vigilant of the dangers faced by our revolutionary advancement. We should never be rigid, inflexible or inactive to change. We have a shared dream and aspirations beyond our ideologies and beliefs. The words of His Excellency ...
IsiXhosa:
... Isithwalandwe ...
English:
... Nelson Mandela, remain timeless as he inspires us when many people have lost hope when he said:
I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.
Let us work together towards the prosperity of our nation and for the benefit of our future generation by using water efficiently and by protecting our environment. God bless South Africa, her sons and daughters. I thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Thank you. Order, members. I regard the Deputy Minister as my brother but I don’t know whether I would keep the brotherhood because mama
[mom] is appreciating him and I always thought that I am the only one with mama [mom.] So, mama [mom] is creating problems for us my brother.
Mr N M HADEBE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, the Department of Water and Sanitation stands as a custodian of our country’s water and sanitation resources as an innovative and committed partner in the drive for the sustainable development and in being service and delivery orientated.
However, the poor state of our water infrastructure which functions as if they have not been maintained since they were built, clearly indicates that this department is failing to deliver on its mandate.
Chairperson, water is not only a basic human right but is essential to life. Therefore, the government has to ensure access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities for all citizens.
President Ramaphosa recently stated that water quality in South Africa is of a high standard and that it compares well
with the best in the world. However, both the green and blue drop reports prove that, exact opposite.
No Green Drop Certificates were issued in 2022 for any of the country’s waste water systems as none of them scored the required minimum of 90% when measured against the Green Drop Standards for the audited period.
On the contrary, there are a significant number of waste water systems that scored under 31% and are regarded as being in a critical condition. This just goes to show how out of touch the current government is, with the realities of South Africans.
South Africans are dying because of contaminated drinking water. Twenty-three people have succumbed to cholera in Hammanskraal and the Gauteng Department of Health stated that
229 patients have been treated at the Jubilee District Hospital since 15 May for cholera, whilst since 27 May seventy-seven people were admitted for diseases related to
diarrhea. Yet, the President boldly downplays the issue of our country’s water quality.
Investment in new water infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas, is crucial to extend access to water and sanitation services.
Therefore, the IFP, once again, would like to express our appreciation to Water and Sanitation Minister for the recent intervention and allocation of funds as a relief to KwaZulu- Natal municipalities including Zululand.
The water and sanitation challenges faced by South Africa require immediate attention and robust solutions. By prioritising water infrastructure development, we can make significant progress towards ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all South Africans.
Let us cease this opportunity to uphold the rights and dignity of our citizens.
Hon Chairperson, in closing, the IFP accepts the budget. I thank you.
Mr F J BADERNHOST: Hon Chair, hon members, hon Ministers, hon Deputy Ministers, fellow South Africans, good day.
Hon Chair, just before I start, I would like to say to you, unequivocally, that a new member of this House, the NCOP, I only came in, in December if you recall, I am so disappointed in the level of the chairpersonship of one of your Chairpersons. Whenever she ascends the ... [Interjections.] [Inaudible.] ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Order, members. Order!
Hon Badernhost, you know very well in terms of the Rule of the National Council ... order, members ... in terms of the Rule of the NCOP it’s against out rules to cast aspersion to a presiding officer. So, refrain from doing what you’re doing.
Focus on what brought you to the podium, please ...
Mr F J BADERNHOST: Thank you, Chair. Let’s stop going to a battle of wits of ... [Inaudible.] ... people ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): ... I’m appealing to you.
Mr F J BADERNHOST: Hon minister, it’s quite a coincidence that you are in the House today because the Minister that was here
before you, Minister Zikalala, you actually share the same fate, I believe; you both stood for Chair in the KwaZulu-Natal ANC and you both lost and ... ya [yes], you both got out that.
Anyway. Minister, the problem is, your department is broken and it’s systemic. What’s happening in the country at the moment it’s systemic of what your broken department has become. I mean, your department presides over ... in a year
... financial year 2018-19, over R1,4 billion irregular expenditure.
So, how can we not expect stuff to not go right? I mean, I don’t want to stand here and point fingers at ... everybody is being talking about Hammanskraal but ... let me give an example, there’s the Sol Plaatjie and Dikgatlong Municipalities that were brought to your attention by this hon member sitting in the House, brought to your attention three years ago that the infrastructure of those waste water treatment plants at those two municipalities have gone, they are broken. Those municipalities ... Kimberley is floating in sewerage. That sewerage is flowing into the Vaal River and that’s going down stream.
So, what do you expect will happen eventually? We will have cholera outbreaks. It will continue happening because your department continues to break the system.
Let’s look at what your department should be doing. So, one of the things that your department should be doing is attend to creating bulk water supply. Yes, municipalities are supposed get water to the residents and treat the water; yes, that’s correct.
But your department, Minister ... let me just give one example, your department, with its grossed ineptitude, in the way you are handling bulk key water infrastructure projects, you’ve sat on ... let’s take, for example, the Clanwilliam Dam wall, that started in 2014 already, that project, we are now in 2023 and you are promising it will be done by 2028. What has happened? Thousands of jobs are lost every single day because of your department being totally incompetent and cannot run projects and cannot do procurement properly, I’m sorry; but that’s a fact. Fifteen thousand new jobs are lost because of that delay in that project.
Hon Dodovu, thank you so much for the history lesson. It’s really important that you do oral history lessons because, thanks to your government the future ... the youth of this country cannot read ... eight out of ten cannot read for comprehension. You broke the education system as the water and sanitation system has been broken by the ANC government. so, thank you for that, keep on doing it because you have to, people can’t read anymore.
Hon Lusithi, sorry, I couldn’t I hear online, so, I can’t comment on whatever you said.
Hon Maleka, ya [yes], the Trans-Caledon Water Authority that you so lauded to us today, you didn’t mention anything about the R243 million acid mine drainage contract irregular expenditure that they got involved in. And that organisation
... the parastatal is wash with irregular expenditure, noncompliance with most things and Treasury irregularities.
Hon Tshabalala, the one who speaks so fast. Thank you very much for being in the House today. You said something very valuable. You said local government is crucial in service delivery. Yes. Go and have look, out of the eight ANC-run
provinces, there are 14 municipalities that got clean audits. There’s one province run by the DA that has 19 municipalities with clean audits. Why are we not surprised that the water and sanitation that’s supplied to residents are broken?
And yes ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Hon Badernhost ...
Mr F J BADERNHOST: ... As I conclude, hon Chair ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Yes. Conclude!
Mr F J BADERNHOST: And yes, go and talk to the residents of Hammanskraal, please. Please go and talk to them when you do your investigation. The issues there started, hon Mahlobo, in March 2013, where people had diarrhea. Then in 2014 there was another outbreak [Time expired.] the system was broken when the ANC was in control already. Thank you, Chair. That was history lesson.
IsiXhosa:
Nks N NDONGENI: Sihlalo weNdlu, ndivumele nje ndingekaqalisi, khe ndingene apha kohloniphekileyo uBadenhorst. Uyayazi ukuba ngokweminyaka yakhe bendiba noko ulibonile kanti akalibonanga. Kuthiwa xa kuthethwa phaya emakhaya, inyathi ibuzwa kwabaphambili, kodwa yena, dololo. Ubamba apha, abambe phaya, asimazi ukuba ebesithini na ntonje ukwiNdlu yonke, asimva ukuba uthini kwaye akukho apho singamamela khona. Mamela ke, wena uhlala usithi iqela lakho lezopolitiko lelona lilungileyo, nceda uye phaya eKhayelitsha, uye ePhillipi, uye naseKraaifontein. Nantsi enye indawo phaya ngasePelican Park, ngakwaShoprite namhlanje ume apha usiqhayisela ngeqela lakho lezopolitiko.
Smith ohloniphekileo, wena usiphathela nje
IsiZulu:
... inganekwane. Yinganekwane emini le ...
IsiXhosa: ... yotyatyazo eLimpopo endingayaziyo nokuba yicorona okanye yicholera. Hayi bhuti awukwazanga ukuzigwagwisa ntonje nina nifuna abantu bakuthi banivotele babe bevotela into engekhoyo. Liphelile ixesha lokwenza loo
nto, masiphumeni apho. Khumbula ngolawulo lweNational Party, nina naxhamla okanye ke sithi uyihlo. Sasisela amanzi neehagu thina kodwa wena uzigwagwisa ngokukhathalela abantu abantsundu. Uqale nini ukukhathalela abantu abantsundu? Hayi noko akwenziwa kanjalo.
Wena Dlamini ukhula ntofo-ntofo kuba ukhula le-ANC sele ikulungiselele. Namhlanje ubona i-ANC engamasela kodwa ngela xesha kwakulawula iNational Party loo magama ayengekho.
Uyakwazi ukutsho kuba i–ANC ikulungiselele kwaye ukutsho oko ngomzimba okhululekileyo. Wena Visser ohloniphekileyo, uphi, vela? Ooh, usaphumile? Zenithi phaya kuye, uNokuzola uthe uMasipala oMbaxa iTshwane uphethwe ngumbutho weDA. Izikhalazo anazo ngala masipala makazise kwi-DA, hayi kule Ndlu. UVisser lo, wayengusekela mongameli wombutho iRate Payer’s Association. Wenza ntoni ngela xesha wayebambe esa sikhundla? Namhlanje kufuneka simamele yena ezigwagwisa apha. Enkosi Sihlalo weNdlu.
Sihlalo weNdlu, abaPhathiswa namaSekela abo, malungu ale Ndlu ndiyanibulisa ngale njikalanga emva kweentsomi esithe sazifumana apha. Mandiyidandalazise ukuba nathi siyazivuma izono zethu.
English:
We are not 100%...
IsiXhosa:
... kodwa musani ukusixuluba ngamatye sonke masilungiseni.
English:
Hon Chairperson, the ANC National Executive Committee, NEC, Lekgotla, has instructed us in government to, “act with urgency, agility, and decisiveness,” in addressing the service delivery challenges facing our communities. Can you please listen because you’re going to unquote me. It further said that we should:
Take steps to improve the delivery of basic services and maintain infrastructure, so that we should not ever have similar crises in key areas such as water, sanitation, roads, and rail.
We are confident, as the ANC in this august House, that the Department of Water and Sanitation budget conforms to the ANC directives. The Water Services Authorities are at the center of the provision of water and sanitation in our country. As
per the democratic Constitution, the local government sphere is responsible for this important function of providing safe drinking water and dignified sanitation infrastructure. ... [Interjections.] ... Woo, woo, listen.
Hon members, as stated in the National Waters Services Act of 1998, a water service authority is a municipality, it may be a local or district, responsible for guaranteeing access to water services.
IsiXhosa:
... nditsho kuwe ohloniphekileyo uVisser.
English:
The formulation and approval of a water service development plan that will guarantee effective, efficient, cheap, and sustainable access to water services is required by these water service authorities by law. However, the local government sphere is facing some challenges of its own, which impact negatively on the provision of water and sanitation services. Minister Mchunu, when tabling his departmental Budget Vote on May 16, 2023, made a commitment to fixing the
Water Services Authorities to ensure the provision of quality water and sanitation services to the people.
Minister Mchunu acknowledged the decline in the provision of municipal water and sanitation services. Hon members, the ANC is the first to admit weaknesses in local government that result in poor governance and underspending by local municipalities as water services authorities. Today, we are faced with the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, North of Pretoria, as a result of poor management of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plants. It is unfortunate that 23 people have died due to the water being contaminated with cholera.
Poor governance and management of the wastewater treatment plans are at the center of this tragedy that could have been avoided if the City of Tshwane had implemented its own water service development plan as required by legislation. If the allegations are true about the City of Tshwane officials fighting over a R250 million tender that was meant to fix and maintain the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant, it is proper for us to call for investigations by both the SA Human Rights Commission, SAHRC, and by the Office of the Public Protector
to ensure consequence management against those municipal officials.
Hon Chairperson, not only do these municipalities have poor governance, but there is also underspending on the grants allocated to them by the national government. Billions of rands are allocated to various departmental entities, including municipalities, which are responsible for providing water and sanitation services to their communities. In its annual report for the 2021–22 financial year, the department highlighted that its grants and transfers had been underspent by just more than R2 billion.
We will never be happy when allocated funds are not being used for their purpose while our people are in dire need of basic services, in particular water and sanitation. Water is life, sanitation is dignity. Go to Philippi. We call upon the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the SA Local Government Association, Salga, to urgently act to resolve the challenges of poor governance and underspending by local municipalities.
We welcome the announcement by Minister Mchunu on amending water-related Acts to enable his government to intervene where municipalities are failing to provide the department’s mandate of providing safe drinking water and dignified sanitation to South Africans.
IsiXhosa:
Kutshiwo kuni keMasipala oMbaxa waseTshwane, qhuba Mchunu sihamba nawe Mphathiswa.
English:
Hon members, President Ramaphosa had observed that:
Too many municipalities have collapsed, and our people have to deal with almost daily sewage spills, water restrictions, uncollected rubbish, potholes, and inaccurate billing.
IsiXhosa:
... Kutshiwo apha ke eNtshona Koloni...
English:
Exacerbating these problems are the state of municipal and social infrastructure and improper or unskilled people in
municipal positions, which badly affect people’s quality of life and local economic activity.
Many of our water service authorities’ infrastructures have insufficient capacity to meet the increasing demand for the services due to population growth and the migration of people from rural to urban areas. Some of our towns are more than 200 years old and have an ageing, and in some instances, nonfunctional infrastructure. On top of that, these local municipalities tend not to allocate resources or underinvest in the operations and maintenance of this important social infrastructure.
This underinvestment in maintenance and operations of water and sanitation infrastructure happens even though grants from the Department of Water and Sanitation allow for funds to be used for such activities. Hon Chairperson, we must acknowledge that our labour market is very competitive as it relates to critical skills such as those needed in technical and infrastructure units of local government. Some of our municipalities are unable to attract and retain these highly skilled staff.
Some of these people, once they acquire the necessary experience in local government infrastructure, resign and become consultants for the same municipalities. Urgent steps need to be taken to ensure that we rescue the decline in the provision of water and sanitation services in the short and long-term. In the short-term, the department of water and sanitation needs to transfer some of its personnel with the requisite skills to struggling municipalities to assist with fixing the aging and broken water and sanitation infrastructure.
The department, working with the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs needs to open engagements with the
government Sector Education and Training Authorities, SETAs, responsible for infrastructure training, such as the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training, EWSETA, the Manufacturing and Engineering and Related Services SETA, merSETA, and the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority, CHIETA, to ensure that workers in these local municipalities are capacitated, including local people, as part of the skills development of society.
Lastly, we need to ensure that senior officials in the technical and infrastructure units are competent and qualified. Hon Chairperson, one of the challenges facing local municipalities is the nonpayment of the services that communities have received from the government. As the ANC, we made a commitment a long time ago, that our government would provide free basic services to all those South Africans who could not afford to pay for such services, like the unemployed, disabled, and the elderly or pensioners.
It was the ANC government that introduced the equitable share to ensure that all those households without income are provided for, in terms of basic services such as refuse collection, electricity, water, and sanitation. However, we expect those households that can afford to pay for the services to do so, in order for the local municipalities to be in a position to provide these basic but quality services to our people.
Hon members, in this House, we have received reports on the billions of rands owed to municipalities by their residents and how these municipalities ended up owing huge sums of money to water boards, as a result of communities not paying for
service rendered by their municipalities. Some municipalities have appointed service providers to collect water and sanitation revenues on their behalf, and in many instances, these service providers were unsuccessful.
A few years ago, the SA Local Government Association made a proposal for a new strategy to collect revenue for local municipalities, and it suggested that the SA Revenue Service, Sars, strategy of collecting taxes from individuals should be cascaded to local municipalities as well, in particular targeting homeowners.
IsiXhosa:
...uza kukhala ke wena Labuschagne.
English:
Hon members, it is our responsibility as the legislative arm of government to consider the proposal and make the necessary legislation to make it possible for this proposed revenue collection strategy. In the meantime, we need to ensure that our councillors embark on public awareness campaigns about the importance of paying for water and sanitation services. Hon Chairperson, if we are serious about ensuring the provision of
quality basic services to our communities, we must not only rely on the reports that we are receiving from the various government departments such as water and sanitation, co- operative governance, and traditional affairs.
We have a responsibility to conduct oversight visits to communities that are affected by water and sanitation challenges. It is through planned and unplanned oversight visits to these local municipalities that we can bring to light the challenges with water and sanitation infrastructure and ensure that the affected departments respond accordingly and timely. Increasing our oversight visits to infrastructure projects will enable us and the affected municipalities to act swiftly to avoid another Hammanskraal cholera outbreak.
IsiXhosa:
Siya apho ke thina eTshwane.
English:
We must move with speed to fix our water service authorities to ensure the provision of water and sanitation services to our communities. The ANC supports the Budget Vote 41. Thank you, Chairperson. [Time expired.]
Mr F J BADENHORST: Hon Chair, I am rising on a point of order.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Order, order, members. What’s your point of order? Order, members, let’s have the point of order.
Mr F J BADENHORST: I just wanted to bring this to your attention, I think it is very unparliamentary for the hon member to stand here, finish her speech, stick her tongue out at the members of this House and then go back to her seat.
That shows a lot of her character and her upbringing ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Order, members.
Mr F J BADENHORST: ... and I take offence to it.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr A J Nyambi): Order, members. Hon members, I am appealing to all of us that, whatever we do, let us not compromise the decorum of the House. I am appealing to all of us. Let’s allow the Minister, Macingwane [Mchunu clan name} ... your mic hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION: Hon Chair, I just want to start my concluding statements by saying that South Africa is, in some many cases, a very strange country. Even the African people of this country who are victims of decades and decades of racial abuse, we rise up to face you and say to you it was not yourself as a person. Even though it was your dad or your great dad, but we put limits to what we say to our white compatriots in this country. We don’t just say all of you and include you in that. We know you were not necessarily there or maybe you were a young star, but we put limits.
You say your department has failed to raise the Clanwilliam Dam for what and for what, but you don’t mention the work that we are doing currently since we arrived in this department. It hurts! But understand that when you get appointed in a department you inherit liabilities and assets and you must have limits. You must qualify and acknowledge what is being done currently. You must acknowledge that. So, I am just saying that it is important to heed to what the hon Deputy Minister was saying that let’s tell no lie. We will never build South Africa if you take the sins of whatever in the past. We are in a new era now, and we are not in the past. We
living now and we must deal with what is in front of us now and overcome it.
Chairperson, the budget of the department over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is R132,6 billion. The department’s budget consists of two components, the main account and the water trading entity. On the main account the department has been allocated R72,3 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF. Included in the main account budget are conditional infrastructure grants for municipal water services totalling R37,6 billion over the MTEF. This includes
R37,6 billion for regional bulk and water services infrastructure grants which I mentioned earlier.
The trading water entity is mostly funded through revenue collection from the sale of water but also receives some transfers from the fiscus for infrastructure. The water trading entity has budgeted R60,3 billion over the MTEF. We will make every effort to ensure that the department deploy these resources as efficient as possible to ensure that service delivery reaches our communities. This includes our commitment to prevent improper expenditures. I thank you very much, Chairperson.
Debate concluded.
The Council adjourned at 19:16.
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