Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. The interns will go through functional training that involves actual familiarizing them with processes of ensuring that workplaces and users comply with employment laws through advocacy, inspections and enforcement. They will also receive mentorship and coaching programmes.

2. The internship program will enhance the employability of the interns. They will gain some work experience that may assist them to apply for relevant posts. the DEL may also absorb some of the interns whenever there would be vacancies.

Reply:

(1) (a) (i) 95

(ii) 22 and 12828

(b) Grants = R780 937 447.55 Development = R196 279 611.73

(c) (i)Through the approval of Section 42C grant funding and recapitalization programme.

(ii) The post settlement support has been transferred to the Department under Land Development Support Unit (LDS).

(2)(a),(i),(ii),(iii),(b) Please refer to the table below.

Province	(a) (i) number of restitution claims were received	(ii) investigated	(iii) declined in each province in the specified period	(b) reasons for the investigation and rejection?
Eastern Cape	17638	17585	394	That the person was not dispossessed of a right in land after 19 June 1913 as a result of racially discriminatory laws or practices. The claim was not lodged on or before 31 December 1998 (c) just and equitable compensation was received at time of dispossession
Free State	3083	3078	155	The following reasons were provided in the letters to the claimants: 1) Dispossession took place prior 1913, 2) claim was lodged after the cut-off date, 3) claimants received just and equitable compensation during dispossession, and 4) frivolous or vexatious claim.
Gauteng	11949	11831	893	Non-compliance with section 2 of the Act: claims lodged after 1998; not a direct descendant; no racial law or practice; no proof of rights in land; no evidence of community claim; and adequately compensated. Tenure upgrade cases.
KwaZulu-Natal	14808	13085	808	Dispossession predates 19 June 1913. Claims were lodged after 31 December 1998 cut-off date. Claimants received just and equitable compensation at the time of dispossession. Claimants were not removed as a result of racial discriminatory laws. Claims dismissed by the Land Claims Court.
Limpopo	7203	7177	357	The claims are rejected due to non-compliance with the legislation.
Mpumalanga	6637	1441	973	In some cases, there was no dispossession some matters are of tenure rights, others lodged after 31st December 1998, which was the cut-off date, some were lodged for jurisdiction rights and not rights lost in terms of the Restitution Act.
North West	2095	2095	474	The claims were investigated in terms of section 2 of the Restitution of Land Rights Act to establish if they comply with the acceptance criteria of Act. Claims were rejected after it was established that they fell short of the acceptance criteria (Section 2 of the Act).
Northern Cape	3262	3262	282	The claims were dismissed because they did not meet the Restitution Criteria, Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act No.22 of 1994 as amended. Some claims were lodged after the cut-off date of 31 December 1998 and were found to be non-compliant and numerous claims were not lodged in the prescribed manner.
Western Cape	11858	11672	421	The claims did not meet the provisions of Section 2 of the Restitution Land Act 22 of 1994, as amended.

END

Reply:

a) The Temporary Employee Relief Scheme is targeted at companies in desires and also contemplating retrenching employees regardless the industry they are operating in. In the instance where the employer does not see the scheme as an option employee who are affected by reduced working hours' are afforded the opportunity to apply for reduced working time benefit. 

b) Each application as is adjudicated on its merit regardless of their industry they are sub- contracting in, are allowed to apply for the temporary assistance for the preservation of the affected jobs.

• Furthermore, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) implements two additional programmes through Labour Activation Programme (LAP) which are Business Turn-Around and Recovery Programme and Employability.

1.  Business Turn-Around and Recovery programme.

Through this programme the UIF funds Productivity South Africa to intervene in businesses to improve productivity in order to saves jobs and create more jobs.

2.   Employability

The Employability programme target unemployment people.  Through employability programme the UIF partner with employers, training providers to train and employ unemployed people.

Reply:

(a) The Protocol and Etiquette Training workshop held on 11 February 2025 was attended by 23 spouses and partners of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

(b) The total cost of the training workshop to DIRCO was nil. The Facilitator was a DIRCO employee.

(c) There is no rationale for the specified expenditure as none was incurred.

(d) (i) Facilitator: No cost incurred by DIRCO. (ii) Venue: No cost incurred by DIRCO. (iii) Travel: No costs incurred by DIRCO. (iv) Accommodation: No costs incurred by DIRCO.

Reply:

1. Apart from National Treasury, there are no alternative funding to fund employment in the Public Service. As a result, there are ongoing engagements with National Treasury to secure budget assistance to address the unemloyment of Health Care Professionals. The number of health care workers seeking employment post-community service is reducing as provinces create funded posts. Posts in various fields of study, have been advertised across provinces and the process is at different levels of recruitment stage. It is envisaged that most employments will be confirmed when the new financial year starts (i.e. 1 April 2025).

As indicated above, generally employment in the public service is a challenge due to austerity and fiscal consolidation measures introduced by National Treasury. Despite this, the department can confirm that a total of 564 medical doctors (i.e. post their community service) ,1 667 nurses and 629 pharmacists in various categories were employed during the period October 2024 to January 2025. This was further followed by a formal request letter to National Treasury for additional funding of Cost of Employment needs that aims to address the employment of health care workers including medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

2. In terms of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Policy, qualified medical doctors who wants to remain on the register, are required to perform certain number of Continuing Professional Development (CPDs) points. The Department supports that health professionals including doctors remain competent in their relevant fields by keeping up their CPDs through various platforms, that amongst others include the National Department of Health Knowledge- Hub, online courses, journals and workshops.

END.

Reply:

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)

As the Boegoebaai project is still at the pre-feasibility stage, it is too early for the requested details to be provided. The honourable member will therefore need to pose these questions at a later point in time.

Reply:

The Z83 form does not discriminate against South Africans but includes racial classification as a legal requirement under the Employment Equity Act (EEA), No. 55 of 1998. This classification ensures fair representation and supports affirmative action in public service employment. In compliance with Sections 13(2)(b) and 21 of the EEA, government departments must collect demographic data as part of their employment equity obligations. Section 42 of the EEA also mandates the Director-General to assess workforce demographics to ensure compliance with employment equity targets. Beyond the EEA, several legislative and policy frameworks reinforce the necessity of racial data collection in recruitment. The Constitution (Sections 9(2) and 195(1)(i)), the Public Service Regulations (Regulation 4(2)), and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, No. 53 of 2003, all emphasise the importance of demographic representation in the workplace. Since racial classification is a statutory requirement, any amendments to the Z83 form would necessitate legislative changes to the EEA, the Public Service Act (PSA), and the Public Service Regulations (PSR). However, should employment equity laws be revised in the future, the Z83 form may be subject to modification accordingly.

Reply (2):

The inclusion of racial classification on the Z83 form is a legal requirement under the Employment Equity Act (EEA), as outlined in Sections 1, 15(1), 15(2), and 42. This categorisation ensures compliance with affirmative action and demographic representation objectives. Importantly, it does not imply any differentiation in citizenship status all racial groups listed on the form are South African citizens. The Z83 form serves as a compliance tool, aligning public service hiring with employment equity laws and broader transformation objectives rather than functioning as a discriminatory mechanism.

Reply (3):

Non-African applicants are not automatically disadvantaged under the Employment Equity Act (EEA), as Section 15(3) explicitly prohibits the creation of absolute barriers against any racial group. Furthermore, Section 20(3) of the EEA mandates that recruitment decisions must be based on skills, experience, and qualifications rather than race alone. South African courts have reinforced this principle in key rulings, and the Constitutional Court confirmed that employment equity measures must be flexible and cannot result in the total exclusion of any group. If an applicant is overlooked solely due to race, this could constitute unfair discrimination. Such a case would be challenged under the EEA, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), No. 4 of 2000, and the relevant constitutional provisions.

End

Reply:

(a) There is a total of 16 012 bail absconders in the Republic that currently have active cases. It should be noted that bail is granted by the Courts and is not enforceable by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

(b) There is a total of 4 516 bail absconders in the Republic that have cases that are more than five years old.

(c)(i) There is a total of 262 bail absconders with filed cases who are foreign nationals. Note that filed cases implies that the case will re-opened immediately should the suspect be arrested.

(c)(ii) The classification of violent offenders is determined by the nature of the offence they were charged for. Absconders are re-incarcerated when found.

(c)(iii) When an absconder is incarcerated, and still in prison, they are no longer classified as an absconder.

(c)(iv) Absconders can only be released when the case that they were arrested for has been finalised in their favour or when they have been granted bail.

Reply:

(1) Noxolo Xauka Primary School - In Eskom's Financial Year (FY) 2022/2023, the Customer Network Centre relocated a transformer into the school premises as some members of the community were connecting themselves illegally. This alleviated the repeated faults that the school used to experience. It has been quiet since the relocation of the Transformer.

(2) Inkazimlo Primary School — The school has been experiencing repeated faults due to illegal connections, as a result of the community from the informal settlement directly connecting on the Eskom connection. This results in the Low Voltage (Morsdorf) fuses blowing up and thus, affecting the school. A site meeting has been organised with the school Principal for 28th February 2025 to devise a plan and pave a way forward. The Customer Network Centre will explore the option of relocating the Transformer into the school's premises.

Reply:

Gazprombank Africa has not officially pulled out of funding of the feasibility study. However, considering that the US expanded sanctions against Gazprombank Africa could significantly impact on its ability to fund the feasibility study in respect of the PetroSA tender 0001/2023 for the restart of the Mossel Bay Gas to Liquids Refinery, the Department and/or PetroSA will convene a meeting with Gazprombank Africa to discuss its contractual obligations and re-evaluate other alternative partnership. It must be noted that Gazprombank Africa has not officially pulled out of funding of the feasibility study.

The envisaged commencement date is dependent on the outcome of the above-mentioned meeting. (a) N/A and (b) N/A.

Reply:

(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			The Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum	Davos, Switzerland	R 103591.74	R741400	R27394
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Zungu RM		To provide Protocol services to the Minister.	The Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum	Davos, Switzerland	R105 621.74	R389758	R17032.00
Nqandela N		Special adviser	The Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum	Davos, Switzerland	R103591.74	R389758	R17192.00
(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R54108,74
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Masalesa M		Providing administrative support	Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R18096,74	R19000	R3534.14
Mohapeloa V		Support Minister during a bilateral meeting	Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R85004,74
Moloi KS		PA and providing administrative support to the minister	Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R54108,74
Tema TM		Content Developer and Media	Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R85004,74
Zungu RM		To provide Protocol services to the Minister.	Bilateral Meetings with the UAE Counterpart	United Arab Emirates	R54108,74
(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			THE 2ND VACCINE AND OTHER HEALTH MANUFACTURING FORUM FOR AFRICAN MEMBER STATES	Egypt		R205900	R6979.97
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Moloi KS		PA and providing administrative support to the minister	THE 2ND VACCINE AND OTHER HEALTH MANUFACTURING FORUM FOR AFRICAN MEMBER STATES	Egypt		R78000	R3464
Masalesa M		Provide administrative support to the officials	THE 2ND VACCINE AND OTHER HEALTH MANUFACTURING FORUM FOR AFRICAN MEMBER STATES	Egypt		R55700	R2638
Moloto KC		SA-Egypt cooperation desk officer responsible for the bilateral relations	THE 2ND VACCINE AND OTHER HEALTH MANUFACTURING FORUM FOR AFRICAN MEMBER STATES	Egypt	R8860,74		R927
Ramoutar Dr	Acting DDG responsible for the health Innovation and providing strategic advise to Minister		THE 2ND VACCINE AND OTHER HEALTH MANUFACTURING FORUM FOR AFRICAN	Egypt	R39029,74		R414
(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			Annual Conference on transforming Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in Africa	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	R58,335.74	R43,118.50	R58633.5
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Moloi KS	PA to provide Minister with administrative support		African Union Commissioner on Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	R32,249.74	R17,918.50	R8000
Zungu RM	To provide Protocol services to the Minister.		African Union Commissioner on Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	R58,335.74	R 17,918.50	R3900
(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			South Africa – Tanzania bilateral partnership	Tanzania	R21,547.74	R 59,468.50	R78035.50
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Zungu RM	To provide Protocol services to the Minister.		SA – Tanzania bilateral partnership.	Tanzania	R21,547.74		R8 000.00
Matshediso, T (Chief of Staff)	Provide Minister with administrative and content support on bilateral meetings		SA – Tanzania bilateral partnership	Tanzania	R10,911.74	R18,718.50	R8 000.00
(a)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			The Forum for Africa-China cooperation and the state visit UNESCO high-level ministerial roundtable on AI.	Beljing, China	R477777.8	R145649	R22 900.00
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Zungu RM (P	To provide Protocol services to the Minister.		Support for state visit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)	Beijing, China	R120,259.30		R33795.50
Moloi KS	PA to provide Minister with administrative support		Support for state visit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)	Beijing, China	R127186.8		R21 200.00
(b)			(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Nzimande BE			Bilateral meeting with the SA Ambassador and site visits to multilateral science organisations.	Italy	R253375.74	R548,895.50	R435602
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff					(V)
					Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Moloi KS	PA to provide Minister with administrative support		Bilateral meeting with the SA Ambassador and site visits to multilateral science organisations.	Italy		R111337.00	R 2,5095.50

(b)		(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
DM Gina		Green Hydrogen Summit	Namibia	R10232,92	R56938,5
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff				(V)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Mr. K. Nkwanyana	Provide Deputy Minister with administrative and content support on bilateral meetings	Green Hydrogen Summit	Namibia	R13533.92	R20718,5
Ms. S. Shongwe (PA)	Provide Deputy Minister with administrative support	Green Hydrogen Summit	Namibia	R8924,92	R16618,5
(b)		(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
DM Gina		BRICS Ministerial summit	Russia	R279706	R9237.0
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff				(V)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Mr. K. Nkwanyana	Provide Deputy Minister with administrative and content support on bilateral meetings	BRICS Ministerial summit	Russia	R99182	R14218,5
Ms. S. Shongwe. (PA)	Provide DM with administrative support	BRICS Ministerial summit	Russia	R99182	R14218,5
(b)		(i) Purpose of the trip	(ii) Destination	(iii)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
DM Gina		Brazil Ministerial G20 summit	Brazil	R239489.30	R99920	R16193.20
(iv) Names and roles of all accompanying support staff				(V)
				Air transport	Accommodation	Additional costs associated with trips
Mr. K. Nkwanyana	Provide Deputy Minister with administrative and content support on bilateral meetings	Brazil G20 Ministerial summit	Brazil	R181153.3	R59950	R3874.76
Ms. S. Shongwe (PA)	Provide DM with administrative support	Brazil G20 Ministerial summit	Brazil	R141337.3	R21140.00	R4825.22

Reply:

PRASA is continuing the work of adding more capacity to its service which will increase availability of inter-city routes. The following routes will run during the Easter peak period, departing from Johannesburg:

Johannesburg — East London departing on 17 April 2025 and returning to Johannesburg on 20 April 2025

Johannesburg - Durban departing on 17 April 2025 and retuming on 20 April 2025.

MS. BD CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

DATE: 3/3/2025

Reply:

1. Astronomy is one of the priority areas of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI). The DSTI leads a national science engagement programme that seeks to build a science-aware and science-literate society in South Africa, and its implementation is guided by the Science Engagement Strategy of 2015. This strategy prioritises, in terms of its fourth objective, “to profile South African science and technology achievements domestically and internationally, demonstrating their contribution to national development and global science, thereby enhancing their public standing.” To achieve such intentions, the DSTI collaborates with several stakeholders and role players, including universities and science councils, which conduct science outreach activities across the country. In addition to the Science Engagement Strategy, the National Astro-Tourism Strategy, launched on 27 September 2024 in Carnarvon as a collaboration between the DSTI and the Department of Tourism, will focus its implementation on leveraging astronomy to drive public engagement, job creation, and economic development.
2. The DSTI has established several ongoing initiatives to support infrastructure development, funding, and institutional support for astronomy research and public engagement across the country, the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal benefits immensely in some of these initiatives. The UNIZULU Science Centre received funding for an inflatable planetarium that provides an interactive space for students and the community to engage with astronomy and build awareness of the field, several similar initiatives have been implemented in several science centers across the province.

The DSTI also works with universities to further strengthen astronomy research and education in KwaZulu-Natal. DSTI collaborated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) to conduct the AstroLab workshop in 2018. These workshops are essential in equipping students with the technical skills necessary to pursue careers in astronomy and related fields.

Furthermore, the DSTI has funded a 0.45m robotic optical telescope which is in the process of being installed at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU). This initiative is being developed in partnership with North-West University (NWU), the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), and UKZN, beyond expanding research opportunities, the telescope will serve as a catalyst for astro-tourism by attracting both local and international visitors while also promoting public science engagement supporting the implementation of the Science Engagement Strategy.

UKZN is committed to public science engagement through its schools and community outreach programmes, which include interactive astronomy demonstrations, public lectures, and initiatives to make science more accessible to learners from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

3. The development and adjustment of the school curriculum is the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The DSTI can only make inputs to a process led by the DBE. In that regard, the DSTI is not the correct department to determine the time frames for modifying the curriculum and related activities.

4. The DSTI and the DBE have a long-standing collaboration, which dates to 2004. The recent meeting between the Ministers of the two departments is an endeavour to consolidate and deepen the departments’ collaboration considering the changing educational landscape and associated challenges.

As part of the partnership between DBE and DSTI, the DSTI is enabling the mandate of the basic education department in the following ways:

• National Science Week, which attracts over 4000 learners each year and engages them in a week long programme of exciting activities which are meant to spark their curiosity and encourage them to take up careers in science. We are currently looking at extending our National Science Week to become National Science Month.
• STEM Olympiads – Creating a platform for learners to informally experiment with scientific theories and is important for the development of such skills as problem-solving, critical, and computational thinking, communication, and creativity.
• SET Careers Material - We produce and distribute a well-researched STEM career publication that explains STEM careers and associated paths. It can be downloaded from our website for free and can also be delivered to schools, upon request.
• As part of contributing to 4IR literacy in schools, our Centre for High Performance Computing in Cape Town trained close to 200 educators from all nine provinces as trainers in the basics of coding. We will be continuing with this project in the next three years in partnership with DBE, incorporating the latest ideas and learning methodologies.
• Building and sponsoring a few but important computer laboratories, including in primary schools
• Working together to improve stem passes in STEM disciplines in our schooling, including ratcheting up the numbers of STEM passes in matric results.
• Lastly, but not least, working with the DHET in producing qualified and competent STEM educators, including creative pedagogy to teach STEM disciplines in our schooling systems.

 

Reply:

I am informed that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has not received reports of allegations relating to marriages of convenience by foreigners who fraudulently acquire South African citizenship.

If such allegations are reported to the SIU, the SIU will duly assess these against its statutory mandate and, if applicable, will then apply to the President for a Proclamation to investigate such allegations.

The current marriages which are civil marriage, civil union and customary marriages are governed by the Marriage Act. The process involves taking of biometrics through the online verification process and the applicant’s photos.

The process has been strengthened for marriages between South African and foreign nationals as it includes a Letter of Non-Impediment from the country of origin, the online verification report of the South African citizen and an extensive interview and a pre-investigation by an immigration officer prior to the marriage being conducted.

The Marriage Bill [B43-2023] and the automation of marriage registration processes seek to address issues of fraudulent marriages amongst other issues. Fraudulent marriage cases reported and/or detected are annulled or rectified.

Reply:

The following are the applicants that complied with the application requirements:

1. GROENWATER MINERALS (Pty) Ltd
2. M2 Precious and Base Metals
3. Gpres
4. Rorrissume (Pty) Ltd
5. Sebotron
6. Mwana wa Dunia

Reply:

a) The Communal Property Association Registration Office has not allocated a dedicated budget for CPA training. Capacity building was done through internal human resources; thus, this type of training incurred no additional costs except for the compensation of employees and their subsistence and travel expenses.

b) Training is provided to both compliant and non-compliant CPAs. This happens so that non-complaint CPAs are guided on what they need to do to become compliant and the compliant CPAs are trained so that they will remain complaint especially after electing new committees. Departmental human resources are used for this exercise. This type of training incurred no additional costs except for the compensation of employees and their subsistence and travel expenses.

Reply:

(1)(a)(b) The total number of operational and non-operational police vehicles in each district in the Free State province cannot be disclosed, as this may compromise policing activities and the safety of South African Police Service (SAPS) employees.

(2)(a) The total number of operational vehicles that are required to meet the strategic needs are reflected in the table below:

District	Vehicles required
Fezile Dabi	0%
Lejweleputswa	25%
Mangaung	3%
Thabo Mofutsanyana	1%
Xhariep	0%

(2)(b) The reason for vehicles not being operational, in each district, is due to the fact that vehicles are booked in at the garages for routine servicing, mechanical repairs and panel beating.

(3) The Minister will not be making a statement on the matter.

Reply:

(1)(a)(b) The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit at the Milnerton Police Station in Cape Town is not operating with only two vehicles. There are adequate vehicles available for use by all investigators assigned to the unit, ensuring they have the necessary transportation to carry out their duties effectively. The total number of operational and non-operational police vehicles in the unit cannot be disclosed, as this will compromise policing activities and the safety of South African Police Service (SAPS) employees.

(2) The unit is provided with fully functional devices to facilitate communication and support investigations and ensure reliable access to SAPS systems and e-mail services, thereby enabling seamless connectivity for official tasks.

 

Reply:

1. The Department is not aware of the scraping of Commuted Overtime in the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH). However, it is aware that the ECDoH is undertaking a process to correct administrative errors that were identified and unjustifiable in lieu of the implementation of Commuted Overtime in the Province.

(a) The Department of Public Service and Administration is currently leading projects that relate to overall public service renumerations emanating from Personnel Expenditure Review (PER) report that was tabled at cabinet in April 2024.

(b) Cost implications for introduction of shift system for Medical doctors will be studied as a joint venture with Department of Public Services and Administration.

(i) (aa) Financial Year 23/24 Annual National COT expenditure was R14 777 278 049.38

(bb) Financial Year 23/24 ECDoH Annual COT expenditure was R1 404 132 910.59

(ii) The envisaged annual cost of shift system has not been worked out as yet

END.

Reply:

Question 1:

The UIF audit outcomes for the past 5 years has been Qualified, i.e 2019/20 – 2023/24. The key reasons for the qualifications are as a result of the following financial statements line items or disclosures (more info provided below in tabular form per financial year for the reasons for the qualification:

(1) Investments in associates, interest in joint ventures & other financial assets, (2) Investment Revenue (for the 2023/24 year), (3) Unemployment Alleviation Schemes,

(4) Prepayments- Labour Activation Programme, (5) Benefit Payments for COVID19 TERS (6) Cash flow statement, (7) Contingent Assets/Liabilities and (8) Material Losses.

Qualification and Financial Year	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
1) Investments in associates, interest in joint ventures & other financial assets.	The issue with the unlisted investment (SRI portfolio) line items has been the same throughout the past 5 years, the key reasons for this qualification relates to the fact that the investments held by the UIF have different financial year ends to that of the UIF, this creates a reporting misalignment as the AGSA requires audited information to be captured in the accounts of the Fund by 31 March. Through the accounting framework of the Fund, which is allows UIF to equity account for transactions using management accounts and draft financial statements of the investees. UIF has been doing this as recommended by AGSA since the qualification paragraph was raised. The AGSA has recommended that UIF provide assurance (Validity, Accuracy and Completeness) on the information used to account. The GRAP requires reasonability from management and not assurance. The UIF does not have control of these investments but rather significant influence through PIC (Asset manager) hence providing the level of assurance requested by AGSA is in legislation (Companies Act) complicated to impose as the Companies Act provides the investees with 6 months after year end to provide their audited financial statements, to this date the UIF has through the PIC issued letters of breach to the investees for non-submission of audited AFS post such a period. This above issue with the accounts has resulted in an issue with the valuation reports to fair value these investments and the other financial instruments/assets at year end, AGSA has stated that as a result of the information (Management accounts and draft financial statements) used to perform valuation not being audited or verified for validity, accuracy and completeness the source data to perform the valuation is thereof qualified on that basis, hence the continued qualification. UIF is in disagreement with AGSA on both the associates and financial instruments as the instruments are valued based on the contract, market related interest i.e CPI (Discounted for any risk, upward or downward) & related payments that indicate the likelihood of impairment on the instruments. UIF is confident that this information need not be audited as the proof of payments and contractual terms are proof of validity for the valuation to be an appropriate fair value of the instruments as at year end. All avenues have been explored by the UIF, consultations with National Treasury(NT) and Accounting Standards Board (ASB) have been done and the issue is still being discussed to bring all parties (PIC, NT, ASB and AGSA) to the table. As investment ticket is also shared by the GEPF however the GEPF does not have such a qualification in its audit report. We believe this will bring the Fund closer to resolving the issue and clear out any issues AGSA might have.
2) Investment Revenue.	New qualification paragraph raised in the 2023/24 audit, the reason for the qualification paragraph is as follows and management disagrees with it: AGSA indicated differences in Interest on Financial Assets at FV and Amortised costs, management disagreed because of the following reasons: Issue 1: The AGSA did not use the same source data as the Fund to journalize Effective Interest for Bonds (and other instruments) on a monthly basis. We use the PIC CR Effective Interest & Bid Prices Tab to derive the Effective Interest per instrument for the month. With regards to the FSR, kindly note that this is an Equity Instrument and Brokerage Fees needs to be taken into consideration as well. Brokerage fees are not indicated on the PIC CR but calculated separately from PIC Brokerage Spread sheet for the month. It should also be noted that AGSA is referencing the wrong instrument to the wrong GL transaction resulting in the perceived difference. The correct instrument reference on the PIC CR which reconciles to the GL transaction. Issue 2: Management disagrees with the finding as the differences noted are expected due to the fact the interest reflected in the financial statements for unlisted investments is the interest from the valuation reports not the s24J report. The interest from the client reports which is based on the 24J reports is adjusted at the end of the period to match the effective interest for the period as determined by the independent valuators. AGSA raised issues on Incomplete disclosure of investment revenue & Incorrect classification of foreign Investments management disagreed because of the following reasons: The off shore portfolio consists of a developed market Fund and an emerging market Fund and is classified as such and managed by an external asset manager, as approved by NT. AGSA refused to inspect the asset manager's investment mandate for the funds. The Funds are not listed such as ETF's but are similar in structure as ETF's. The Funds are structured to track an agreed upon listed exchange benchmark. The asset manager may invest in a diverse collection of securities, investment strategies, income generating assets, exchange rate fluctuations hedges, investor risk hedges, cash flow management instruments, equity instruments, cash (including dividends, receivables, taxes receivable, payable and rebates), futures, other soft derivatives to manage cash between the different currencies, Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs – property stocks) ( which are classified as equity instruments since they form part of the benchmark being tracked) as long as the underlying assets/securities within the Fund is benchmark cognisant and the investment in instruments is within the respective benchmark tracked. The reason why the developed market fund is not a listed ETF is mainly to be tax efficient as a segregated portfolio across various security exchanges in various countries. The dividend income (received and receivable) within the off shore portfolio's is therefore underlying securities within the FUNDS, which is classified as an asset and managed by the asset manager to track an agreed upon listed exchange's benchmark. It should therefore not be stripped out from the FUND and accounted for as income. These matters have been escalated to National Treasury & ASB for a technical accounting opinion on the matter as the UIF views this as a factual disagreement.
3) Unemployment Alleviation Schemes	There were limitation of scopes issues identified when AGSA requested information supporting the Unemployment Alleviation Schemes expenditure line item for the mentioned financial years				1 Invoices could not be submitted for audit in support of the adjustment made to the prior year balance when correcting the account. This one invoice led to the qualification in the 2023/24 audit for adjustment made in 2022/23, the current year expenditure was supported by invoices and listings- no limitation of scope was raised in 2023/24.
4) Prepayments- Labour Activation Programme	The AGSA identified overstatement of prepayment balance as a result of the lack of reconciliation performed on prepayments made during 2019/20- 2021/22 financial year.			Issue was resolved through monthly reconciliations performed on the historic balances, no longer an audit report issue in 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years.
5) Benefit Payments for COVID19 TERS	During the Covid19 pandemic UIF disbursed benefits to employers in South Africa amounting to R 65 billion, upon the audit of these benefit payments, covid19 TERS. AGSA identified certain payments were paid with the following issues related to the payments (1) Payments above threshold set (Overpayments), (2) Payments were made to deceased beneficiaries, (3) Payments made to invalid ID number beneficiaries and (4) Payments made to employees that were already receiving normal benefits from the Fund (Double Dipping). An SIU proclamation was issued for the investigation of these identified payment issues, furthermore the UIF launched a Follow the Money(FTM) project to audit employers who received payments during this period. This qualification remains in the audit report of the UIF until the Follow the Money project is finalised, on a year on year basis this project and its portfolio of evidence from audits conducted by contracted audit firms, the population of COVID19 TERS payments is tracked and validated with the AGSA. The FTM project is set to conclude by 31 March 2024, with the total population of R 65 billion being audited and AGSA confirming the validity, accuracy and completeness of the issues identified and cleared out by way of confirming Funds reached intended beneficiaries and were confirmed as fraudulent or incorrectly paid out such monies are recovered into the accounts of UIF, others are collected by SIU directly and were monies were misused by Directors of companies Orders for Asset forfeiture Unit are in place and some are criminally charged in line with PRECCA.
6) Cash flow statement	No Issues in 2019/20 & 2020/21	In 2021/22 the following issues caused the qualification: Management incorrectly double counted the amount of impairments for bad debts written off, which resulted in the incorrect balance of cash flow from operations. Management also incorrectly included interest receivable in the cash flow from operating activities instead of cash flow from investing activities resulting in incorrect classification. In 2022/23 the following issue caused the qualification: Management agreed and after correcting the 2021/22 issues agreed on an accounting policy that would result in the cash flow issues no longer being raised, to this effect the above issues were no longer identified, however AGSA raised an issue citing the incorrect presentation on the face of the cash flow statement and inadequate calculations of the following items: i) Cash flow statement included non-cash items and non- operating items in the cash flows from operating activites. (Investment income, Interest and Dividends receivable), ii) Interest from investments and dividends received from investments not reported as cash flows from the Investing activities. iii) Cash flow statement variances noted on the Cash flow from operating activities: In 2023/24 the following issues caused the qualification: Management after correcting the above issues and agreeing on a way forward with AGSA, a new audit team was on boarded for the 2023/24 audit and raised findings on the accounting presentation of the UIF interest citing the requirement to split interest between that of operating activities and that of investing activities. The AGSA proposed an audit adjustment of interest stating that Interest from investing activities had been incorrectly classified under operating activities. UIF receives interest from the PIC and FNB fixed deposits, according to AGSA, interest received needs to align with GRAP guidelines for cash flow reporting. In that interest earned from investment sources, like money market or fixed deposit accounts, should be classified under "investing activities," as it represents returns on investments rather than income from day-to-day business activities. Interest generated from regular bank accounts, used to manage day-to-day cash for benefit payments and contributions, should be classified under "operating activities”. Based on our interpretation of Generally Recognized Accounting Practice (GRAP) 2 paragraph 31; Cash flows from interest and dividends or similar distributions received and paid shall each be disclosed separately. Each shall be classified in a consistent manner from period to period as either operating, investing or financing activities. The above gives allowance for UIF to choose whether we present interest and dividends either as investing or operating activities and once a selection has been made, the Fund should consistently present it in that manner. Initially in the Financial statements, the Fund presented all interest as operating activities as per paragraph 31 and the auditors disputed that approach and requested that the Fund split interest as point number 4 above Management disagrees with this finding and has sought a technical accounting opinion from NT and ASB as the accounting standards (GRAP 2.31).
7) Contingent Assets/Liabilities	In 2019/20- 2022/23 financial year the AGSA raised issues on the contingent liabilities disclosure of the UIF, these were caused by the following: Limitation of scope on requested external confirmations from various State Attorneys, the state attorneys did not confirm status of the case with AGSA and as a result of the lack of external confirmation received by AGSA the matter became a qualification on the disclosure of contingent liabilities. In the year of 2023/24 the UIF adopted an proactive approach on the treatment of cases and performed reconciliation of outstanding cases and communicated in advance with the allocated State attorney on the need to be available and respond to AGSA external confirmations, this resulted in the Contingent Liability qualification being removed and issue being resolved.			In the 2023/24 financial year AGSA raised an issue on the contingent asset disclosure of the UIF, this was caused by the following: Differences noted between listing & AFS and issue with narration in the AFS. Documents supporting listing did not have specific balances as per the schedule Limitation of scope related to investigated debt balance in the contingent assets, this was a result of delayed response from Fusion Centre and the delay affected the AGSA ability to conduct the audit effectively and efficiently. This finding is a first of its kind the UIF has adopted a process with Fusion Centre to ensure all supporting documents are retrieved timeously.
8) Material Losses.	New qualification paragraph raised in the 2023/24 audit, the reason for the qualification paragraph is as follows: UIF had updated its annual financial statements to include the material losses note as required by PFMA to report material losses arising from confirmed cases of fictitious payments and criminal conduct through Follow the Money(FTM) and SIU investigations for cases finalised as at 31 March 2024. The issue at hand is that as at the year end of 31 March 2024, certain cases were finalised with an Rnil value of material loss to the Fund. These cases were not included in the disclosure as they had an Rnil values. Upon conclusion of the issue with AGSA, AGSA indicated that the omission of these Rnil value cases in the disclosure note raises completeness issues with the note, and since it cannot be quantified at the time of closing the audit the issue was elevated to the audit report as a qualification as it has a qualitative impact on the completeness of the note and the lack of transparency of the note diminishes the reliability and credibility of the financial statements. Management has since updated the note to include Rnil values for purposes of 2024/25 reporting to ensure that this qualification is corrected and removed from the audit report.

Response to question 2

a) 14 criminal cases (details furnished) reported to the SA Police Service for certain offences as required by section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004.

Detail breakdown of criminal cases reported to SAPS

No	TYPE OFCASE	ALLEGATIONS	AMOUNT	SAPS CASE NO
1	Suspected Fraud (UIF)	Fraudulent Declaration	R54 294.80	CAS 88/04/2023
2	Suspected Fraud (UIF)	Fraudulent Declaration	R51 885.20	CAS 130/04/2023
3	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R11 647 338.33)	CAS 295/04/2023
4	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R16 926 644.64)	CAS 296/04/2023
5	Suspected Fraud	Dispute of Employment	R889 313.04)	CAS 125/06/2023
6	Suspected Fraud	Dispute of Employment	R2 476 610.78	CAS 191/07/2023
7	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R1 462 694.44	CAS 192/07/2023
8	Suspected Fraud	Fraudulent Declaration	R15 090.66	CAS 401/07/2023
9	Suspected Fraud	Fraudulent Declaration	R86 951.81	CAS 516/07/2023
10	Suspected Fraud	Fraudulent Declaration	R134 926 .50	CAS 17/08/2023
11	Suspected Fraud	Fraudulent Declaration	R41 158.18	CAS 348/08/2023
12	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R14 375 462.49	CAS 89/09/2023
13	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R166 885.55	CAS 90/09/2023
14	TERS	Dispute of Employment	R325 290.26	CAS 91/09/2023

b) 18 Dismissals

Summary of dismissal cases

Year	Number of Dismissed
2020	1
2021	4
2022	8
2023	5
2024	0
	18

Details breakdown of officials dismissed

No.:	Implicated Official	Nature of misconduct	Outcome		Province	Termination Year
			Disciplinary outcome	Criminal charged
1	Noerudeen Brown	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS 679/10/2020	Western Cape	2021
2	Marika Mouton	Corruption, UIF Claims	Dismissed	Not charged, insufficient evidence for criminal charge	Western Cape	2022
3	Shane Wessels	Corruption, UIF Claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS 429/12/2022	Western Cape	2023
4	Matshogo P	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissal	Criminal charged, CAS 378/02/2020	North West	2021
5	Mokgobi M	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissal	Criminal charged, CAS 429/12/2022	North West	2022
6	Letsapa K	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissal	Not charged criminally, insufficient evidence for criminal charge, case linked to other officials.	North West	2022
7	Mokoena MJ	Fraud and corruption	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS 228/03/2020	Limpopo	2022
8	Slindile Nzimande	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2021
9	Athabongile Ngxange	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2022
10	Bongiwe Khumalo	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2022
11	Dudu Buthelezi	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2022
12	Xolani Khumalo	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2022
13	Lulu Sibiya	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2023
14	Vuyisa Mbambe	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2023
15	Nonkululeko Buthelezi	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2020
16	Prince Mkhize	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Criminal charged, CAS Number to be confirmed	Kwa-Zulu Natal	2021
17	Cebekulu PS	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Not charged criminally	Gauteng	2023
18	Mngomezilu T	UIF Fraudulent claims	Dismissed	Not charged criminally	Gauteng	2023

Reply:

1. (a) Amount owed by SADC Citizens was R1,369,311,191.00 as at the end of December 2024, however Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal are unable to split the amount due to system challenges hence their amount is consolidated in the next question for SA Citizens.

(b) Amount owed by SA Citizens was R2,955,069,446.00 as at the end of December 2024, therefore the total amount combined is R4,324,380,637.00

2. (a) There are internal processes in place such as Standard Operating Procedures and debt policy. Amount owed is classified in terms of ageing analysis (30 days ,60 days ,90 days ,120+ days) to allow follow up on outstanding debts.

The SADC patients where they are formerly referred by their respective countries, Provincial Departments can contact and follow up with the Embassies. All other patients the debts process will be similar, SMS notifications and some emails where applicable are sent. The challenge is those users who provide false information which is not helpful for follow up.

(In most cases citizens from SADC provides incorrect residential address hence to challenges in collection of outstanding debt. )

b) There are provinces that utilises Service Providers for collection of outstanding debts and others rely on internal processes for collection of debt due to funding constraints. There are other revenue and debt collection policies and procedures provided by National Treasury which assist the provinces with debt collection processes.

END.

Reply:

The matter of the hiring of undocumented foreign nationals is regulated through the Immigration Act which is in the domain of the Department of Home Affairs. The DEL will not be able to respond to the above questions.

In instances where inspectors of the DEL suspect such occurences, they alert the Department of Home Affairs.

Reply:

1. For the Financial Year 2023/24, 3152 workplaces were inspected to test compliance with the Employment Equity Act. Only 1082 (34%) of those were compliant whilst 2070 (66%) were not compliant. All the noncompliant workplaces were issued with notices. 210 workplaces that failed to comply after notices had expired were referred for prosecution.

As at the third quarter of the Financial Year 2024/25, 2375 workplaces were inspected to determine compliance with the Employment Equity Act. 830(35%) were found to be compliant and 1545(65%) were found to be noncompliant. All noncompliant workplaces were issued with notices. Thus far, 71 workplaces who failed to comply after notices expired were referred for prosecution.

2. Due to the POPI Act, we are unable to provide details of such workplaces.

Reply:

1. The department is doing the following to address resource constraints:

(a) Compensation of employees

The department has filled only critical positions to avoid exceeding the compensation of the employees’ ceiling. Positions are filled only when they are affordable over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. For some positions below Director level the department has filled the positions on a temporary basis to relieve the pressure on permanent staff.

(b) Goods and services

The department is applying cost containment measures to manage expenditure under the item. The are other measures such as having online meetings as opposed to face-to-face meetings, reducing delegations for trips etc. Having online meetings also reduces travel and subsistence expenditure. In addition, the department has developed travel management Framework to curb expenditure on travel and subsistence. The Framework has been approved and is currently being implemented.

(c) Transfers and subsidies

The department prioritize high impact projects within each of the sectors that it is involved in. The department applies strict monitoring and evaluation measures to ensure effective and efficient use of resources by implementing agencies. Budget process such as the Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure (AENE) and Estimates of National Expenditure are used to move funds between budgets to address short term funding pressures on projects.

2. (a) The 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), recognizes that very few of the ambitions of the White Paper will be realized without adequate funding. Financial resources directly influence the size, shape and strength of the NSI and its ability to support the National Development Plan (NDP). To address the issue of inadequate funding, the White Paper proposes the following:

• Increase funding to the National System of Innovation (NSI), with a focus on increasing business and foreign investment in STI, as well as to encourage provincial and local governments to invest more in STI as part of their development strategies.
• Improve the allocation of public funding for STI, and the coordination of public investment, to ensure that government’s STI priorities are appropriately funded.
• Enhance the efficiency of funding in the NSI

One of the policy intends of the White Paper is to institutionalize a framework for guiding public STI investment by DSTI and National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).

The framework will be based on an analysis of STI funding requirements in line with strategic and sovereign priorities, as well as consultation across government through an interdepartmental STI Budget Committee at the level of Director-General, including national and provincial governments with significant STI mandates.

(b) The 2019 White Paper on STI has a policy intent on exploiting new sources of growth. This includes:

(i) Support for emerging industries

To facilitate sustained and improved competitiveness, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the ability to incubate and support emerging industries is crucial. Therefore, to maximise the growth of Research and Development intensive and non-R&D-intensive emerging industries, joint planning and co-investment will be facilitated through improved partnering between firms, universities, science councils and government. Associated support initiatives with large business enterprises, State Owned Entities (SOEs) and Small Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMEs) should be prioritised for government support.

(ii) Greening the economy

The current economic crisis and climate change considerations present opportunities to transition to a low-carbon economy by accelerating eco-innovation. Policy makers are also increasingly paying attention to the need for radical and systemic policy innovations as a powerful lever in enabling a long-term transition towards a greener economy. In 2023 the DSTI established the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund, which aims to support the adoption of proven circular technologies, or innovative process improvements, that have yet to be widely deployed in South Africa. The demonstration fund assists in fast-tracking the uptake of these circular economy interventions in the private and public sector and contribute to South Africa’s transition to a more circular economy.

(iii) A focus on Information Communication Technology (ICT)

In collaboration with its NSI partners, government will shape the future of the digital economy and society by cultivating a shared, trusted digital environment that drives inclusion, economic development and social progress. The Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation developed a Decadal Plan, an implementation plan for the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation. The Decadal Plan identified 5 domains in which to build foundational digital capabilities. In 2022/23, on Exco’s approval, the DSTI started to fund the Foundation Digital Capabilities Research (FDCR) Platform as the initiative through which the foundational digital capabilities are to be built. The 5 domains are: Robotics Intelligence, Cybernetics and Robotics; Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality; Internet-of-Things, Networking and Cloud-to-Edge Computing; Cybersecurity and Blockchain; and Modelling and Simulation. These are required to form the building blocks of application development and customization within all the factor economy sectors that could be leveraged for South Africa to leapfrog into the Digital Economy space, as per the ICT and Digital Economy Masterplan.

(iv) The Fourth Industrial Revolution

This global trend has profound implications for South Africa and Africa. For instance, there are opportunities for increased economic growth through the modernisation of existing industries, but also a need to upskill and re-skill the workforce for new technological job opportunities, as technological changes will have a significant effect on the world of work. Various initiatives are under way at policy, industry and technology level, and there has been engagement with international stakeholders such as the World Economic Forum. However, a coordinated national policy response is required, including considerable support and actions from policy makers.

(v) Sector Innovation Fund

The DSTI’s Sector Innovation Fund (SIF) programme is aimed at incentivising the private sector to increase its investment in RDI. SIF is implemented through matching funding partnerships between the Department and industry associations, in Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Programmes aimed at addressing the competitiveness challenges of the supported industries. SIF was established in 2014, and is currently in its third phase of implementation, during which it has been supporting 6 sectors.

(vi) Space science

For space use the National Space Conference as platform to engage with private sector and encourage them to invest in space. For G20, we will also use the space track to also encourage the private sector to look at space as an investment opportunity.

(vii) Bio-economy

DSTI is leading the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy under South Africa’s presidency of the G20. The programme of work focusses on Africa and includes both a “Financing Bio-economies” component, and a “Platform for implementing Bio-economies in Africa”. Numerous financing stakeholders are involved and are being approached for consideration of increasing spending on African bio-economies.

(viii) Hydrogen and Energy

The DSTI does not have a designated initiative geared towards resource mobilisation from the private sector, however, the implementing agencies for all the four energy RDI Flagship Programmes (Hydrogen South Africa, Energy Storage, Renewable Energy Hub and Spokes and Coal CO2 to X/CCU) are always required to mobilise resources from the private sector, which forms part of the selection criteria when determining the projects that need to be supported/funded. One of the recent examples that is worth noting is the strategic partnership between Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Infrastructure Centre of Competence under the HySA Programme with Toyota South Africa, which has co-funded a total of R19 million for the development and installation of a mobile hydrogen refuelling station for its Toyota mirais range of cars.

The DSTI be hosting a Hydrogen South Africa conference later this year aimed at attracting private and public sector key stakeholders to invest in the value added components and products anchored on publicly financed and locally developed IP from the HySA Programme. Attendance is expected from Development finance institutions, OEMs, entrepreneurs, SMMEs, Science councils, academic institutions, National and Provincial Governments, etc.

• For the past two years, the DSTI through the Energy secretariat has been sponsoring/co-funding the annual South African National Energy Development (SANEDI) energy conference. The first day of the conference profiles and showcases the energy-related initiatives supported by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (now Department of Electricity and Energy) and the second day is solely dedicated to profile and showcase the Hydrogen and Energy related initiatives supported by the DSTI with a focus on sustainable local manufacturing and commercialisation of publicly funded and locally developed Intellectual Property (IP) from the four Energy RDI Flagship Programmes. The conference will take place later this year and the plan is to support it.

H&E has been supporting and still support the following annual conference:

• Southern African Sustainable Energy Conference focuses on research, development and deployment of methodologies, technologies, and systems within the Southern African context and beyond, related to sustainable energy;
• e-Mobility Summit in partnership with uYilo, Department of Foresty, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Department of Electricity and Energy, Department of Transport (DoT) and Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC). The summit will be held in October, which is transport month. The platform is aimed to give experts and industry leaders an opportunity to share valuable information about EV-related innovations and initiatives. South Africa has committed to developing a value chain for lithium-ion batteries to feed (mainly) into automotive and energy storage sectors. The DSTI's Energy Storage RDI Flagship Programme comprises a consortium working to developing the value chain. This includes RDI for mining, beneficiation and precursor materials, cell and battery manufacturing, testing and validation, recycling, as well as developing products for commercialisation.

Reply:

(a) To drive affordable tourism offerings for the domestic market, SA Tourism implements the Sho't Left campaign, themed under "It's Your Country, Enjoy it because Nothing's more fun than a Sho't Left" campaign.

(b) The campaign is driven in collaboration with the private sector and provinces, with the primary objective of encouraging the tourism trade to make affordable deals available for locals to access throughout the year. One of the seasonal campaigns implemented is Sho't Left Travel Week, where SA Tourism, in collaboration with the tourism trade partners, activates a campaign that produces travel deals with discounts of up to 50% across all nine provinces. The campaign delivery includes all the country's demographics, ensuring it reaches all the market segments across all the communities within the country.

It is promoted on TV, radio, out-of-home media platforms, and digital and social media.

END

Reply:

1. (a) The total number of projects administered by IDT in the past 5 years are as follows:

Programmes	Number of Projects/Packages
Renovation & Maintenance Programme	10
Solar Installation Programme	248
Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Programme	55
TOTAL	313

b) An investigation into the National Health Infrastructure portfolio managed by IDT is currently underway.

(2) (a) Reasons for the Investigations:

The investigation was initiated based on various factors, including the media coverage of the programme and the media allegations concerning the appointment of contractors.

(b) Outcome of the investigations:

The outcome is still awaiting the investigation's conclusion.

(c) Consequences Management for the investigations:

Consequence Management is awaiting the results of the investigation.

(3) (a) Project Oversight done:

• IDT undertakes daily coordination, monitoring, and execution of projects assigned by the NDoH. IDT is accountable for ensuring that project timelines, budgets, and quality standards are adhered to while overseeing contractors and consultants to achieve the desired outcomes. This encompasses risk management, compliance with procurement regulations, and reporting on progress.
• The Client (NDoH) provides strategic oversight, ensuring that the projects are aligned with National Health priorities, funding requirements, and policy frameworks. NDoH assesses IDT’s performance, approves crucial project milestones, and intervenes when necessary to tackle challenges.

b) Frequency of Oversight:

• The Implementing Agent (IDT) carries out frequent project management oversight, usually on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, to monitor progress, tackle on-site challenges, and ensure that contractors comply with project timelines, budgets, and quality standards. This encompasses regular site visits, progress meetings, and reporting to stakeholders.
• In contrast, the Client (NDoH) exercises oversight at a higher level, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis, through formal progress review meetings, monthly or bi-monthly site visits, financial reporting, and performance evaluations. NDoH’s oversight emphasises strategic alignment, budget compliance, and overall project impact, intervening when necessary to address critical issues.

c) Detail of the Oversight:

IDT engages in the daily coordination, monitoring, and execution of projects allocated by the NDoH. IDT is responsible for meeting project timelines, budgets, and quality standards while managing contractors and consultants to achieve the intended outcomes. This encompasses risk management, compliance with procurement regulations, and reporting on progress.

The Client (NDoH) offers strategic oversight, ensuring that the projects are aligned with health priorities, funding requirements, and policy frameworks. NDoH assesses IDT’s performance, approves key project milestones, and intervenes when necessary to tackle challenges.

END.

Reply:

(a) South Africa's G20 Presidency will assist in positioning South Africa as a destination worldwide. This is envisaged to increase market interest, increase tourist arrivals, and create employment.

Discussions in the G20 Tourism Working Group will focus on tourism growth, with specific attention to:-
• How Artificial Intelligence and innovative technology can support Start-Ups and micro, small and medium enterprises
• How can more financing and investment be generated in the tourism sector, and an investment summit hosted in this regard
• How to enhance seamless travel between G20 economies
• How to increase the tourism sector's resilience to shocks and stresses, as well as systemic risks such as climate change's impact.

Tourism businesses will also benefit from the many meetings being held across sectors. G20 visitors will be encouraged to extend their stay by sharing information about the tourism offerings of all nine provinces in South Africa on the G20 website.

Informing the tourism sector about the G20 meetings planned and working towards the G20 experience solidifying South Africa's reputation as a business events destination.

It should be noted that the G20 is not directly linked to the target of 1.7 million jobs, but it is an enabler that will create jobs in the tourism and related sectors.

SA Tourism introduced the Free Grading Promotion, set for February 2025, in preparation for the 2025 G20 Summit. This initiative, led by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, aims to onboard ungraded properties into the grading system, significantly boosting the number of high-quality, internationally recognised establishments in South Africa.

(b) The Department of Tourism will table the Medium-Term Strategy and Annual Performance Plan in due course that will illustrate strategies to be implemented to ensure that job opportunities are accessible to marginalised communities and jobs are created as per the priority of the Government of National Unity's Key priorities and statement of intent.

(c) The Department of Tourism creates and supports job opportunities and initiatives for women, black-owned businesses, and small, micro, and medium enterprises in accordance with the government procurement frameworks that seek to promote the economic empowerment of these groups.

Employment in the tourism sector resides with the private sector. The Government facilitates job creation by creating an environment conducive to it.

END

Reply:

The road in question (DR18033) between the N2 in Mgqumo and KuMatshamba in Elliotdale is not part of the identified Strategic and Primary Road network, and as per the Road Infrastructure Strategic Framework for South Africa (RISFSA) classification it is classified as R4, a rural collector road, and does not meet the criteria for transfer to SANRAL.

2. (a)(b) The Department of Transport has established Provincial Road Maintenance Grants (PRMG) that seek to support provinces in the maintenance of their strategic and secondary road networks.

There is a refurbishment component of the grants that funds upgrading of gravel roads. The provincial authorities are advised to re-prioritise allocation to favour this 21 km stretch.

3. (a)(b)(i)(ii) The Eastern Cape Provincial road authorities are advised to consider and include this road in the 2025/26 Table B5 project List for implementation. However, this project must be approved and gazetted based on the requirements of the PRMG and Division of Revenue Act.
 

Reply:

(a) The KwaZulu-Natal coverage of electrified villages has exceeded 90% of households for all the district municipalities in the Eskom areas of supply, however, Umkhanyakude District has achieved approximately 80% access due to network capacity challenges. The network capacity challenges were since resolved after the construction of the Gezisa substation. Umkhanyakude District remains the focus area, mainly at Jozini and Umhlabauyalingana Municipalities, where there are still green fields. The balance of electrification in KwaZulu-Natal is mainly brownfields, new developments, informal settlements, farm dwellers and the normalisation of illegally connected customers. Electrification is a moving target due to constant population growth.

(b) For the 2024/25 financial year, KwaZulu-Natal has a budget allocation of R418 million for 9,039 connections and infrastructure. The majority of this budget, that is, R153 million, is allocated to Umkhanyakude District, with a plan of 3, 735 connections. Similarly, for the 2025/26 plan, Umkhanyakude District is planned to receive the highest allocation. This allocation is subject to the approval of the 2025 Division of Revenue Act (DoRA).

(c) According to the Census 2022 results, access to electricity in South Africa is 94.7%. This means that out of a total of 17.8 million households in South Africa, 16.8 million households have access to electricity.

Also, according to the Census 2022 results, the average household in South Africa is 3.5 people, therefore 58.7 million persons had access to modern energy services by 2022.

In addition to the above, it should be noted that the Ministry of Electricity and Energy is committed to achieving universal electricity access by 2030. To this end, we are revising the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) subsidy into a universal access subsidy. This strategic shift aims to ensure that all households, regardless of location, receive equitable and affordable access to electricity services. Our approach involves redefining universal access to encompass 97% of households, acknowledging that complete electrification may be challenged by ongoing urbanization and delays in formalizing informal settlements. We plan to electrify approximately 90% of households through grid connections, with the remaining 10% served by high-quality non-grid solutions, such as solar home systems, tailored to address both current and future backlogs. To enhance efficiency in planning and delivery, we are developing a comprehensive master plan that integrates both grid and non-grid electrification efforts, ensuring that all communities, particularly those in rural and peri-urban areas, benefit from reliable and affordable electricity access.

Reply:

1. The South African Employment Laws are applicable in all the companies, including digital ones. The measures meted out to test compliance with our laws are threefold, namely:

Advocacy: this is a process of raising awareness regarding the laws that are enforced by the Department through various platforms such as briefing sessions and workshops.

Inspections: this is a process of determining the extent to which employment laws are being complied with. Inspectors actively interrogate systems and processes to determine compliance. This includes the interviewing of various relevant people.

Enforcement: where noncompliance is detected, inspectors issue out notices that are relevant to the laws that are being flouted. In instances wherein noncompliance persists after the expiry of notices, the department refer such companies to law enforcement agencies. These include the CCMA, Labour Courts and the NPA

2. PES to respond

3. where noncompliance is detected, inspectors issue out notices that are relevant to the laws that are being flouted. In instances wherein noncompliance persists after the expiry of notices, the department refer such companies to law enforcement agencies. These include the CCMA, Labour Courts and the NPA. The Department discharges this function through the legal and statutory services that work directly with the law enforcing agencies.

4. The strategy that the Department utilises is a combination of providing advocacy and inspections. Where noncompliance is picked up, enforcement mechanisms kick in.

Reply:

1. The following key factors impacted the procurement of the new nuclear power stations in the Republic:

(a) As is common cause, the Minister issued a section 34 determination (Under ERA) to initiate the procurement process for new nuclear capacity in terms of the 2019 IRP.

Following this determination, a court challenge was launched to challenge the s34 determination. Rather than risk the entire process being delayed and sterilised through a lengthy court proceeding, the Ministry opted to withdraw the (s34) determination.

The 2023 IRP (initial publication date) is currently being processed through NEDLAC and will be finalised and adopted by Cabinet this year (anticipated by mid-year). The IRP will inter-alia address itself to the role, scale and pace of additional nuclear capacity in SA'S energy mix.

The Department is simultaneously working on the Feasibility Report that addresses the cost (including cost-benefit), financing mode, technical requirements (convention and Small Modular Reactors), and scale and pace considerations for the procurement of new nuclear capacity, cognisant of the modelling assumption in the draft IRP Once these processes have been concluded, the Ministry will follow a due process to re-issue a section 34 determination for new nuclear capacity, which will lay the basis for the procurement process.

2. The envisaged date of (a) issuing the requests to submit bids for the nuclear power and (b) completing the procurement process will be communicated by the Department in due course.

 

Reply:

1. What are the relevant details of the audit outcomes for the Compensation Fund over the past five financial years, including the (a) classification of each outcome and (b) key reasons for any qualification.
2. Classification of each outcome

PAST FIVE (5) FINANCIAL YEARS	CLASSIFICATION OF EACH AUDIT OUTCOME	AUDIT RATING
		MATTERS AFFECTING THE AUDITOR’S REPORT	OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS	ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS	INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) FINDINGS
2019/2020	Disclaimer of audit opinion	48	43	9	-
2020/2021	Disclaimer of audit opinion	89	94	14	37
2021/2022	Disclaimer of audit opinion	177	112	0	23
2022/2023	Disclaimer of audit opinion	185	97	16	21
2023/2024	Disclaimer of audit opinion	132	35	10	14

b Key reasons for any qualification (disclaimer of audit opinion) are due to the limitation of scope in the following areas:

1. Receivables from non-exchange transactions and impairment of receivables
2. Statutory receivables
3. Investments
4. Investments in associates
5. Investments in unlisted loans
6. Payables from non-exchange
7. Provisions for outstanding claims
8. Capitalized value of Pensions
9. Revenue from non-exchange transactions
10. Compensation Benefits
11. Impairment of Investment
12. Uncorrected prior period errors
13. Contingencies
14. Fruitless and wasteful expenditure

Disclaimer paragraph	Nature of audit finding
Receivables from non-exchange transactions and impairment of receivables	The following supporting documents were not submitted for audit: Statement of account Invoice raised in the current year If payment was made in the current year, proof of payment If an instalment plan was entered into, proof of the instalment plan If payment was not made, proof that appropriate steps were taken to collect all revenue, i.e. the dunning process.
Statutory receivables
Investments; Impairment of Investment	Non-compliance with GRAP Disclosure requirements: Investments and investments in unlisted loans. Non-compliance with GRAP Disclosure requirements: Investments and investments in unlisted loans (The CF did not comply with GRAP 104 paragraph 118 disclosure requirements; the financials did not disclose the required details for each class of instrument measured or disclosed at fair value). The audited financial statements of the investee entities are not readily available for consolidation into the AFS of the CF due to differences in the year ends between the CF and the investee entities.
Investments in associates	Non-submission of valuation reports – Impairment loss/Fair value adjustments/Investments in unlisted shares Source data limitations: Valuation of unlisted investments in associates – The PIC valuation reports still included disclaimers on the reliability and/or accuracy and completeness of the source data used in the valuation reports.
Investments in unlisted loans	Non-submission of valuation report – Investment in unlisted loans/impairment loss Source data limitations: Valuation of unlisted investments in unlisted loans - The PIC valuation reports still included disclaimers on the reliability and/or accuracy and completeness of the source data used in the valuation reports. Non-compliance with GRAP Disclosure requirements: Investments and investments in unlisted loans (The CF did not comply with GRAP 104 paragraph 118 disclosure requirements; the financials did not disclose the required details for each class of instrument measured or disclosed at fair value)
Payables from non-exchange	Supporting documents were not submitted (there is a lack of accounting records to support the balances). For the claim number, the information required is: Physical invoice, Employer Report, First and Final Medical Reports
Provisions for outstanding claims	Unreliable actuarial valuation reports due to lack of integrity of benefits expenditure
Capitalised value of Pensions	Unreliable actuarial valuation reports due to lack of integrity of benefits expenditure
Revenue from non-exchange transactions	The nature of the business and earnings the employer declares are not verified. Registration documents of employers not submitted. Certain Return on Earnings (ROEs) received by the Fund were not assessed by the reporting date. No supporting evidence for the COIDA section 85 assessments to verify the eligibility of certain employers for the Section 85 reduction/loading was not provided.
Compensation Benefits	Intercepted payments between CF and the Bank Unauthorized changes in the system Incorrect measurement of benefits/Lack of supporting documents or records to support the expenditure (benefits) paid
Uncorrected prior period errors	Limitation of scope on follow up on prior year uncorrected misstatements
Fruitless and wasteful expenditure	Lack of controls to prevent fruitless and wasteful expenditure Not all incidents of fruitless and wasteful are recorded in the register for fruitless and wasteful expenditure register

Question 2

For each financial year in the past five financial years, what is the breakdown of the total number of Compensation Fund employees (a) reported to the SA Police Service for certain offences (details furnished) as required by section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, and (b) subjected to disciplinary action, specifying the nature and outcome of such actions (details furnished)?

FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS

Our mandate to conduct investigations is derived from the provisions of section 7 of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) Act, 1993 (As amended by Act 61 of 1997. The investigation results are based on the facts established from documentation provided and/or information obtained during the investigation and are limited to the evidence presented at the time.

Therefore, all the fraud incidents detected, investigated and reported to the SAPS as well as other law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation are subject to the Criminal Procedures Act and, therefore, by law, classified as Strictly Confidential and cannot be divulged to any third party in any form, oral or written, without express written permission of the delegated authority. Consequently, the publication of the identity of the accused is prohibited. The accused person first appears in court and pleads. This is to prevent undue prejudice to a person before the prosecuting authority decides to prosecute.

The Anti-Corruption & Integrity Management receives allegations through various mechanisms, including emails from internal and external sources, telephone calls, and walk-ins.

Analysis is performed on all allegations received, and where the elements of fraud are identified, an investigation is conducted. Upon the investigation's finalisation, a formal report is compiled with findings of the allegations and recommendations to correct the identified internal control weaknesses. Other corrections include referring cases to law enforcement where criminal elements are identified. Where the internal officials identified misconduct, a disciplinary process is recommended where consequence management will take place.

There are instances where Service Providers are outsourced to assist with the investigations since they will have more resources, and there might be a possibility of conflict of interest, bias, or skill that the unit does not have.

In the past five financial years, we have had investigations that resulted in disciplinary action against internal officials who participated in corrupt or fraudulent activities. These disciplinary cases also include cases where internal officials identified negligence.

We have also had cases where a criminal element was identified during the investigation; such cases were reported to law enforcement for further criminal investigations. These cases include both internal and external people where collusion was identified.

Table A below refers to officials referred to SAPS for criminal proceedings. ACIM opened criminal cases against 13 officials during the financial year 2019/20 and 1 official during the current financial year 2024/25.

Table A

FINANCIAL YEAR	NUMBER OF OFFICIALS	NATURE OF MISCONDUCT	OUTCOME
2019/20	13	Fraudulent medical claims.	Officials were dismissed, and others resigned. Nine people were arrested in September and December 2024. The case is in court (Commercial Crime). The next court date is 7 March 2025 at 8h30. SAPS CAS number 533/08/2028
2020/21	0
2021/22	0
2022/23	0
2023/24	0
2024/25	1	Fraudulent Employer assessment and return of earnings	The criminal investigation is ongoing

In addition, fifty-one (51) cases have been opened with law enforcement to date, and they are at different stages of investigation with SAPS, NPA, and the Hawks. The law enforcement and Compensation Fund regularly engages in continuous engagements on the progress of the investigation through the Fusion Centre.

Table B below refers to officials referred to Employee Relations for disciplinary action during the financial years 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2022/23. In 2021/22, 2023/24, and 2024/25, ACIM did not refer any officials for disciplinary action. In addition to dismissing the officials, criminal charges are also pursued with SAPS/NPA.

Table B

	BREAKDOWN OF OFFICIALS REFERRED TO EMPLOYEE RELATIONS FOR DISCIPLINARY
	FINANCIAL YEAR	NUMBER OF OFFICIALS	NATURE OF MISCONDUCT	OUTCOME
	2019/20	2	Fraudulent claims	2 officials were dismissed
	2020/21	4	Fraudulent claims & Fraudulent letters of good standing	2 officials dismissed
	2021/22	0
	2022/23	10	Irregular expense	Two official cases were referred to the Department of Community & Safety and Transport since officials resigned from CF.
			Negligence	1 official got one month's suspension without a salary
			Fraudulent Claims	2 Suspension and later reinstated Dismissed
			Fraudulent Claims and breach of business process	The cases of 4 officials are ongoing
	2023/24	0
	2024/25	0

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1 ) The record of decision is attached to this reply as Annexure A.

I am not convinced by the reasons provided for the dramatic increase in costs, which include maintenance and so commissioned and independent investigation into the tender scandal with PWC being the independent investigators. I look forward to their findings and will share them with the public once done so.

(2) (a) The choice for IDT to administrate the project was not made by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), as it is a project of the Department of Health.

(b) There are no costs incurred by the DPWI in relation to the PSA project.
 

Reply:

The curriculum that is delivered in the classroom is underpinned by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which emphasises the principles of democracy, human rights, equality and the values of ubuntu. These principles are dispensed progressively in the learning area of Life Skills and Life Orientation from Grade 1 up to Grade 12 in an age-appropriate, culturally relevant and scientific manner, also recognising the indigenous knowledge systems. The thread of ubuntu values is also carried in Religious Studies and Social Sciences. 

In the co-curricular programming, a small-scale intervention of Ubuntu Youth Leadership programme was introduced in a selection of schools. The programme uses training as a means to engage a broad range of learners. The training aims to foster servant leadership, strengthen relationships among learners and boost participation in school activities. It acknowledges the crucial role of learner involvement in promoting social cohesion and instilling positive values. Teacher Liaison Officers (TLOs) are trained to implement the programme alongside Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs) and other learners in typical leadership roles.

The programme aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. To train servant leaders and bridge-builders, focusing on RCL members and other learners in typical leadership roles;
2. To foster safe and inclusive school environments for all learners;
3. To cultivate a culture of care, encouraging learners to empathise with others;
4. To shift beliefs and promote Ubuntu values, enabling learners to distinguish between right and wrong; and
5. To uphold and restore human dignity.

The Department of Basic Education remains committed to instilling Ubuntu values in learners, both through the formal curriculum and leadership development initiatives. These efforts aim to promote ethical citizenship, positive learner behaviour and a culture of mutual respect in schools — ensuring that schools are safe, inclusive and conducive to learning.

Reply:

In terms of the South African Schools Act, read with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, provinces are responsible for the provisioning, management and maintenance of public school infrastructure.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is responsible for setting norms and standards for public school infrastructure, while Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) are responsible for the implementation, maintenance and delivery of school infrastructure projects, including the provision of permanent structures. The DBE provides support and oversight to PEDs and, in some instances, implements projects through programmes such as the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) and the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative.

As MECs for Education and their respective PEDS are responsible for the provisioning, management and maintenance of public school infrastructure in their respective provinces but do not report directly to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Basic Education or the DBE, heightened collaboration and oversight between the national and provincial education departments is required to ensure that national priorities are effectively implemented at the provincial level. PEDs should not be returning funds to the National Treasury while public school infrastructure backlogs persist.

The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure require PEDs to include their annual progress reporting information on how infrastructure backlogs will be addressed. PEDs are finalising infrastructure plans that identify outstanding backlogs and outline strategies to address them.

PEDs, in collaboration with the DBE where necessary, are continuously working to address infrastructure challenges in public schools. Plans for infrastructure improvement are prioritised based on available funding and urgency. The timelines for implementation are determined by PEDs based on their respective infrastructure delivery plans.

The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement now outlines the integration of multiple conditional grants, including the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) and the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant. While this reform aims to streamline resource allocation, it reduces the ability of the DBE to directly influence infrastructure delivery at a provincial level. Consequently, provinces will play an even greater role in the implementation of public school infrastructure projects.

Under the EIG, PEDs have submitted infrastructure plans that include the upgrading of existing facilities. These plans consider population growth, urbanisation and the distance learners travel to school.

The DBE is in the process of submitting a budget bid to the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) to supplement the EIG, assisting provinces in eliminating backlogs related to overcrowding, infrastructure deficiencies and inadequate classroom availability.

Accountability mechanisms will need to be strengthened to prevent systemic negligence and to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners. In this regard, the Minister of Basic Education intends to review the Regulations relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure to ensure that they are clear, provide for clear oversight mechanisms and can lead to improvements in infrastructure delivery at a school level.

The questions concerning Thandokhulu High School (which is understood to be a public school in the Western Cape) fall under the executive authority of the MEC for Education in the Western Cape. The Honourable Member is kindly advised to refer these questions to the MEC for Education in the Western Cape in accordance with Section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Rule 134(5)(b) of the National Assembly Rules.

Reply:

The Chris Hani District Municipality as the Water Services Authority is currently handling the disciplinary matter. Their legal team is engaging all parties involved in the dispute including supplier, contractor and consultant. Based on the outcomes of the above process, Chris Hani District Municipality is to follow its internal disciplinary procedures should there be any official implicated.

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Reply:

(a) Honourable Member we wish to inform you that even in provinces which have got children’s hospitals, such hospitals are highly specialised, and children have to start their care in a normal regular hospital before they are referred. In the Free state, all hospitals have sections that cater specifically for children and these areas are separate from the adults. In the hospitals, the demarcation is as follows:

• In casualty: there are demarcated sections for children.
• In the wards: there are paediatric wards where only children are admitted.
• In outpatients departments: there are specific out-patient clinics that cater for children only.

b) In hospitals and clinics, children are prioritised and managed according to the sorting system that is based on the medical condition. Once they are sorted and prioritized (triaged), they are managed in areas that are designated for children.

END.

Reply:

a) The Free State Department of Health is reprioritising its infrastructure budget to focus on refurbishment and renovations of existing facilities rather than on building new facilities.

b) The Honourable member has not indicated what services are lacking in the Free State province and therefore we are not able to respond to the question directly. However, it is to be noted that the Free State Department of Health has the following health care facilities where health services are being delivered:

Type of facility	Total number of facilities	Operating hours
PHC Clinics	194	8 hours
	3	12 hours
Community Health Centres	6	24 Hours
District Hospitals	25	24 Hours
Regional Hospitals	4	24 Hours
Tertiary hospitals	1	24 Hours
Specialised Psychiatric Hospital	1	24 Hours
Central Hospitals	1	24 Hours

c) The Free State Department of Health has approved the filling of critical posts. The posts have been advertised with the plan to fill all of them in the first quarter of 2025/26 financial year.

END.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) considers school safety a top priority and has implemented various policies and measures to safeguard all learners, educators, and stakeholders in schools.

The National School Safety Framework (NSSF) serves as a key management tool to help schools identify and manage safety risks, including ensuring the safety of learners waiting for transport outside school premises. Schools are required to develop and implement school safety plans that are contextually responsive and include measures such as:

• Establishing School Safety Committees, comprising educators, police officers, and school governing body members;
• Strengthening partnerships with the South African Police Service (SAPS) by linking schools with local police stations;
• Implementing access control measures, traffic-calming strategies and incident reporting mechanisms; and
• Promoting Codes of Conduct for Learners to instil discipline and ensure a safe learning environment.

The Regulations for Safety Measures at Public Schools declare all public schools as drug-free and weapon-free zones. The DBE has also developed guidelines for preventing and managing sexual violence and harassment, which outline how schools should support victims and respond to such cases appropriately.

Additionally, the DBE recognises the role of parents and communities in ensuring school safety and encourages their active participation in creating secure learning environments.

Some provinces have developed exemplars of school safety policies to guide learners and the broader school community. Attached is an exemplar school safety policy from Gauteng as an example for reference purposes.

Furthermore, to address broader safety concerns, the DBE has:

• Developed the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use among learners;
• Provided schools with a Guide to Drug Testing in South African schools; and
• Released the "Speak Out – Youth Report Sexual Abuse" handbook, equipping learners with knowledge on sexual abuse, their rights and reporting mechanisms.

It must be noted that scholar transport falls under the responsibility of provincial governments, primarily through their respective Departments of Education and Transport, in accordance with the National Learner Transport Policy. Provincial responsibilities include:

• Ensuring safe, reliable and efficient transport for qualifying learners;
• Managing routes, fleet operations and service providers to prevent overloading and ensure safety standards;
• Ensuring schools implement supervision policies for learners waiting for transport outside school premises;
• Implementing traffic control measures around school zones, such as designated pick-up/drop-off points, speed calming zones and pedestrian crossings;
• Working with law enforcement to prevent crime and accidents in areas where learners gather while waiting for transport;
• Ensuring that all learner transport operators comply with road safety laws, including vehicle roadworthiness and driver competency;
• Conducting regular safety inspections on scholar transport vehicles;
• Implementing learner awareness programmes on safe commuting practices;
• Addressing learner placement issues where scholar transport is required;
• Providing alternative arrangements such as additional buses or transport subsidies in cases of overcrowding or service disruptions;
• Engaging school governing bodies, parents and local authorities to identify safety risks related to scholar transport; and
• Encouraging schools to report transport-related safety concerns to provincial education and transport departments.

While school safety is a shared responsibility between national, provincial, and local authorities, provinces play a critical role in ensuring scholar transport safety, particularly in overseeing transport providers, enforcing safety regulations and creating secure waiting areas for learners.

The DBE will continue working with key stakeholders, including provincial education departments, to protect the rights of all children and create safe, supportive school environments.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(a) (i) Total number of state-owned vacant land as at 27 February 2025 is 1259.

(ii) Total number of vacant houses as at 27 February 2025 is 207.

(iii) Total number of abandoned farms have not yet been allocated for utilization as at the latest at 27 February is 830.

(b) Due to vacant properties being at risk of invasion should their details be made public, I am open to discussing this matter further with the Member in my office in Cape Town

(c) The estimated potential revenue lost in 2024/2025 financial year is R83million based on the Property Management Information System (PMIS) calculations in terms of holding costs.

(d) Based on the PMIS, the total spend on rates and taxes, as at 31 January 2025 is R65million.

(e) The Department has initiated a programme of letting out unutilised state owned properties to interested investors. Currently, the Department has placed 31 properties to the open market inviting interested investors to submit proposals on optimal utilization and revenue generation.

Furthermore, the Department will undertake the following programmes in the new financial year (2025/2026):

 Release a further an estimated 30 properties for long term leasing, inviting interested investors to submit proposals on development/ re-development of such properties.
 Re-advertising of about 600 state-owned properties for general letting out.
 Release Agricultural Farms that are not earmarked for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform for long term leasing.
 Permanent disposal of non-core Residential Properties.

Reply:

The demarcation of education districts differs from municipal boundaries. For this purpose, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) considered police stations that service multiple education districts in some instances. These police stations were identified based on consistent crime patterns affecting schools in their respective policing areas.

The DBE considered the South Afri SAPS quarterly report and crime statistics for Quarter 2 of the 2024/25 financial year. The top 10 crime hot-spot police stations were identified based on criminal activities occurring in schools within their policing areas. This data was a key determinant for prioritising focus areas for intervention by the DBE and SAPS.

The DBE and SAPS have:

• Reviewed the Collaborative Partnership Protocol to strengthen school safety initiatives;
• Developed a national work plan for implementation across all provinces; and
• Established regular quarterly standing meetings between the DBE and SAPS to monitor and update progress on the implementation of the work plan.

The updated Partnership Protocol is expected to be signed by the end of March 2025.

The key changes that will be introduced compared to the previous Adopt-a-Cop model are as follows:

• Strengthening the functionality of school safety committees;
• Ensuring consistent support and engagement from School Safety Officers at local police stations; and
• A joint DBE-SAPS work plan to ensure structured collaboration and progress tracking, with quarterly reporting mechanisms.

The protocol will have an open-ended timeframe, and the work plan will be continuously adapted to address emerging safety concerns in collaboration with all key role players.

For further information, the Honourable Member is advised to engage with the respective Provincial Education Departments for district-specific implementation details.

Reply:

The Director-General attended the meeting referred to in the details furnished on 25 and 26 January 2025.

1. The Department did not incur any expenses for travel, accommodation nor subsistence.
2. Falls away, please refer to (a) above.

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Reply:

Yes, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) keeps records of the total number of learners who benefit from the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in each province. The DBE has advised that the breakdown requested is as follows:

Province	Number of Learners Benefiting
Eastern Cape (EC)	1,587,635
Free State (FS)	586,473
Gauteng (GP)	1,141,515
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)	2,437,259
Limpopo (LP)	1,661,650
Mpumalanga (MP)	999,685
Northern Cape (NC)	198,116
North West (NW)	653,508
Western Cape (WC)	535,383
Total	9,801,224

 

The DBE has further advised that the breakdown of the total number of public schools in each province that provide (a) one meal and (b) two meals per day under the NSNP is as follows:

Province	(a) one meal	(b) Two meals
EC	22	4780
FS	0	775
GP	0	1659
KZN	1467	3938
LP	1254	2277
MP	1172	348
NC	24	385
NW	1020	298
WC	0	1043
Total	4306	15503

The DBE remains committed to ensuring that all qualifying learners continue to receive nutritious meals under the NSNP to support their well-being and academic performance.

Reply:

1. I am not aware of any discussions between the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J H Steenhuisen and the Minister in The Presidency, Ms K P S Ntshavheni, regarding section 33 of the National Health Insurance Act, Act 20 of 2023.
2. No.
3. No.
4. Not applicable.

END.

Reply:

1. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), through the assessment of the municipality’s Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) and alignment to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), has been monitoring the inclusion of projects related to water and sanitation services provision in informal settlements. The plans for Marikana are anticipated to be included in the 2022-2027 amended IDP which will be assessed by DWS in April 2025 and will be recommended as such.

The Department annually monitors the performance of the WSDP and implementation of water and sanitation projects. In the meantime, there is continued engagement with the City of Cape Town (CoCT) on the situation in Marikana and monitoring that the National Compulsory Norms and Standards in relation to interim water and sanitation services are being met by CoCT.

2. The constitutional responsibility for providing water and sanitation services rests with the local government. The role of DWS is to regulate how these services are provided, monitors, and supports municipalities providing water services and has a duty to intervene where national norms and standards are not met. In line with this mandate, DWS constantly monitors the implementation of access to water and sanitation services in informal settlements in accordance with the National Compulsory Norms and Standards to ensure that basic standards for provision are met.

DWS provides ongoing support to Water Services Authorities (WSAs) to ensure proper planning for the formalising of settlements and improvement of water and sanitation services provision. The planning and implementation of WSA led projects are subjected to the planning and procurement processes of WSAs. The Department can only commit to timelines where interventions in municipalities are funded by DWS grants which is not the case in the Marikana.

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Reply:

The National Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not responsible for paying electricity accounts for public schools. The responsibility for the payment of municipal services, including electricity services, to public schools generally lies with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), which allocate funding for these services from their respective equitable share allocations in terms of the Norms and Standards for School Funding.

Where the function of paying for electricity services is taken on by the School Governing Body of a public school by arrangement with the relevant PED, that School Governing Body will be responsible for ensuring the timeous payment of these services. Where a public school struggles to meet its financial obligations, the relevant Provincial Education Department is expected to intervene and provide the necessary support to prevent disruptions to teaching and learning.

The DBE’s financial responsibility to PEDs is limited to Conditional Grants, which are transferred to PEDs in terms of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) to fund specific programmes. Conditional Grants are separate from school allocations made from equitable share funding received by PEDs.

The DBE has been informed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Education (which is responsible for the electricity accounts of 14 public schools in the Lesedi Local Municipality) of the following:

• A total outstanding debt for electricity accounts of R1 180 179 was recorded as at 31 January 2025;
• On 20 February 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Department of Education paid R835 961.85 towards this debt, leaving a remaining balance of R344 217.15, which is expected to be settled during March 2025;
• The Gauteng Provincial Department of Education has experienced cash flow challenges, which resulted in delays in settling the outstanding electricity accounts; and
• The Gauteng Provincial Department of Education will strengthen its cash flow management processes to ensure timely payment of municipal accounts and prevent future disconnections that disrupt teaching and learning.

This question falls under the executive authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in Gauteng. In accordance with Section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Rule 134(5)(b) of the National Assembly Rules, the Honourable Member is advised to refer the question to the MEC should further details regarding the specific public schools in question be required.

Reply:

(1)

Once the identified sanitation projects have been completed under the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) will continue working collaboratively with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to ensure that pit latrine toilets at public schools not identified under the SAFE initiative are appropriately and urgently replaced with suitable sanitation facilities. To assist the basic education sector to eradicate pit latrine toilets in schools, we have launched a Safe Schools app – a digital platform developed and donated by Vodacom South Africa to empower users to report unsafe toilets in schools, monitor progress on their removal and provide real-time feedback on infrastructure improvements. The Vodacom Safe Schools App is currently live and can be access via the following link: https://safeschools.gov.za/.

By enabling the public to crowd-source information about unsafe toilets not identified for the purposes of the SAFE initiative, PEDs, together with the DBE, will have access to current data necessary to inform budgeting, planning and implementation of school sanitation projects.

(2) 

In terms of the South African Schools Act, read with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, provinces are responsible for the provisioning, management and maintenance of public school infrastructure. Liability for acts or omissions arising in the use of provincial property is regulated by the Government Immovable Asset Management Act.

The DBE is responsible for setting norms and standards for public school infrastructure. The DBE provides support and oversight to PEDs and, in some instances, implements projects through programmes such as the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) and the SAFE Initiative.

As MECs for Education and their respective PEDs are responsible for the provisioning of public school infrastructure in their respective provinces but do not report directly to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Basic Education or the DBE, heightened collaboration and oversight between the national and provincial education departments is required to ensure that national priorities are effectively implemented at the provincial level. PEDs should not be returning funds to the National Treasury while public school infrastructure backlogs persist.

The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure require PEDs to include their annual progress reporting information on how infrastructure backlogs will be addressed. PEDs are finalising infrastructure plans that identify outstanding backlogs and outline strategies to address them.

PEDs, in collaboration with the DBE where necessary, are continuously working to address infrastructure challenges in public schools. Plans for infrastructure improvement are prioritised based on available funding and urgency. The timelines for implementation are determined by PEDs based on their respective infrastructure delivery plans.

The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement now outlines the integration of multiple conditional grants, including the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) and the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant. While this reform aims to streamline resource allocation, it reduces the ability of the DBE to directly influence infrastructure delivery at a provincial level. Consequently, provinces will play an even greater role in the implementation of public school infrastructure projects.

Under the EIG, PEDs have submitted infrastructure plans that include the upgrading of existing facilities. These plans consider population growth, urbanisation and the distance learners travel to school.

The DBE is in the process of submitting a budget bid to the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) to supplement the EIG, assisting provinces in eliminating backlogs related to overcrowding, infrastructure deficiencies and inadequate classroom availability.

Accountability mechanisms will need to be strengthened to prevent systemic negligence and to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners. In this regard, the Minister of Basic Education intends to review the Regulations relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure to ensure that they are clear, provide for clear oversight mechanisms and can lead to improvements in infrastructure delivery at a school level.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education has advised that it does not keep a record of officials who serve as the acting Head of the Provincial Education Department in each province.

Section 32 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended) entrusts the MEC for Education, as the responsible executive authority, in each province with the authority to appoint an official to act as the Head of a Provincial Education Department. In this case, the MEC for Education in the North West is responsible for maintaining records of acting appointments in respect of the Head of the North West Department of Education in accordance with the requirements of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended), read with applicable regulations.

The question therefore falls under the executive authority of the MEC for Education in the North West. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Education in the North West, as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Rule 134(5)(b) of the National Assembly Rules. 

Reply:

1. The relocation to Block A and Block E of the Bester Building was necessitated by the evolving problematic security situation, the significant increase in traffic congestion and parking shortages at the previous facilities, rendering it unsuitable for a military establishment, as well as to reduce the lease footprint as required by Auditor General.

2. While the Bester Building comprises of five blocks, only three blocks were affected by a fire in 2013. The remaining two blocks, Block A and Block E, were never affected by the fire and have been declared safe and fit for purpose by both the structural engineer and the OHS Officer.

3. It is confirmed that the Bester Building is not rat-infested.

Reply:

I do not use a DA email account for any of my departmental communication. I make use of [email protected] for correspondence.