Questions and Replies

Reply:

Honourable Member, the said Regulations do not make provision for a National Procurement Officer.

Rand Water was appointed to provide programme management for the provision of water tanks, water tankers and augmentation of water resources such as the equipping of boreholes as part of the COVID-19 intervention. Rand Water utilised its internal staff for the procurement of all goods and services for the implementation of the COVID-19 Intervention Project on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation. Further, Rand Water’s emergency procurement processes were applied for the procurement of goods as per the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and the Water and Sanitation Emergency Procurement Covid-19 Disaster Response Directions issued in terms of Regulation 10(8) of the Regulations issued under section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). The Government Gazette containing the Directions referred to is attached as Annexure A.

Reply:

(a) The tender specification of Travel With Flair (TWF) is attached as Annexure A.

(b) The tender was awarded to Travel with Flair on 16 October 2017.

(c) & (d) From the commencement date of the tender until to date the department paid R401 113 751.00. This is a total amount spent inclusive of local accommodation provided, international accommodation provided, local air transport, international air transport, local land transport, community events management, conferences, seminars, departmental functions, information sessions, training sessions, departmental management meetings (away from department’s offices and usually with other spheres of government), travel agency service fees, travel agency back office processing fees and travel agency conference and events management fees.

(e) to (h) There were no deviations processed. The personal protective equipment paid for were part of the costs of community events the company coordinated or managed on behalf of the department. This was to ensure that the events comply with requirements of the guidelines issued by the Department of Health and SAPS as well as the disaster management regulations on Covid-19 issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,

 

Reply:

1. The appointment of personnel additional to the establishment is done in accordance with Section 14 of the Public Service Act of 2007 and the Public Service Regulations of 2016.

2. No.

Reply:

Honourable Member, the annual report referred to was tabled on 09 March 2021.  

The reasons for the late tabling of the 2019/20 Annual Report of the Department of Water and Sanitation are set out in my letters to the Speaker and were subsequently referred to the Portfolio Committee for deliberation. For ease of reference, I have attached the parliamentary paper referred to Announcements, Tabling’s and Committee Reports (ATC), wherein my letters were published.

Reply:

The matter raised by the Honourable Member falls within the ambit of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, hereinafter referred to as the City.

Nevertheless, I have been advised that the City has approached the High Court for an application that consists of three phases:

• to conduct a survey to establish the profile and circumstances of the occupiers as well as the total number of occupiers that are currently residing at the property unlawfully. 
• to engage with those occupiers that will be rendered homeless should they be evicted and to determine a solution for them.  
• the final phase will be the eviction of those unlawful occupiers who do not qualify for emergency accommodation and refuse to vacate the property to be relocated elsewhere.   

The purpose of the survey is to determine the number of illegal occupants, their identities, monthly income and eligibility for state-subsidised housing and whether any illegal occupants fall within the vulnerable groups as stated in Section 4 of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act No. 19 of 1998 (‘Pie Act’)

I am informed that the City is aware of its constitutional obligations in this matter, hence it launched Part 1 of the application to survey the illegal occupants, because Section 26 of the Constitution provides that “everyone has a right to access to adequate housing”. Section 26(2) confers a duty upon the State to progressively facilitate access to adequate housing within its available resources.

The issue of alternative accommodation will be addressed once the survey has been completed, as the results of the survey will be a consideration in the eviction proceedings.

Reply:

Department of Human Settlements:

(a) Only one foreign national is employed by the Department of Human Settlements and the appointment was done in terms of Regulation 66(1) (a) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016.

(b) The official was recommended on consideration of her previous working history. The official has the requisite expertise, experience and reliability required for the post.

Department of Water and Sanitation

(a) As of the end of the 2019/20 financial year, the total number of foreign nationals within the Department of Water and Sanitation was 29.

(b) Reasons for the department to employ the employees referred to in (a) include:

• Scarcity of qualified and experienced persons available locally or they are available but do not meet the applicable employment criteria
• Technical areas of work in the department for which persons require advanced knowledge in a specified subject area or science
• The department has also entered into a bilateral agreement with the government of the Republic of Cuba on 6 February 2020 on cooperation in water resources management and water supply which will run up to 2024. The Cuban Specialists employed in various engineering and scientific disciplines are deployed in infrastructure operation clusters, regional offices and the Department’s Head Office. Among the areas of cooperation agreed upon by the parties are:
• Capacity building through training and skills transfer to officials responsible for operation and maintenance of water infrastructure throughout the water value chain at national, regional and local government levels;
• Operations and maintenance of water infrastructure in various clusters and provinces, where there is a dire shortage of technical skills.
• Provision of training and mentoring to local candidate engineers and artisans

 

Reply:

The Honourable member is referred to my reply to her questions 90 and 113, which are attached for ease of reference.

I also wish to remind the Honourable Member that the National Department of Human Settlements (NDHS) is not responsible for the implementation of Human Settlements Programmes. These are implemented by provinces and municipalities. The NDHS is responsible for developing policy and set norms and standards for the human settlements sector.

However, challenges encountered in the implementation of human settlements programmes are discussed at Human Settlements MinMEC and Joint MinMEC meetings with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

Reply:

Honourable Member, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has advised that the total planned units for Kwazenzele Ext 1 is 6424 housing units. However, the current available bulk capacity can only cater for 345 housing units in the first phase of development. The budget for the implementation of the first phase of development (i.e. 345 housing units) is R92 725 175. This amount includes the installation of services such as water and sewer as well as the construction of roads and storm water drainage.

Further, I have been informed that the Developer was appointed in 2018 to start with the construction work. The construction of services required that High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) be installed as the area is dolomitic. The installation of these pipes takes time and require specialised skill to install because any future leak can create sinkholes. The Developer appointed to complete the project was given ample time to complete the project but due to unsatisfactory performance, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements decided not to extend the contract when it lapsed on the 31st March 2020. The process for the appointment of a replacement contractor is at a final stage. To date, R13 655 175.00 has been spent on the project.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has confirmed that the mentioned villages of Mpeko, Mgababa, Qeto and Ntloko in Ngqushwa Local Municipality have existing infrastructure, although it is compromised by illegal connections. The water supplied to the villages is being treated at Peddie Regional Scheme which is operated by the Amathole District Municipality.

Furthermore, Amathole District Municipality (ADM) is currently embarking on a number of initiatives to improve the reliability of water supply to the Ngqushwa area through the Infrastructure Services Grant (WISIG) funded by DWS. The initiatives include water conservation and demand management initiatives, Implementation of the Rural Yard Connection Policy (in order to control the illegal connections) and refurbishment of existing infrastructure. The Refurbishment Project includes the following:

Remedial Works to the Chalumna Bulk Gravity Main:

• Replacement of approximately 2400m of existing 250mm to 450mm diameter AC pipe with new mPVC pipe of equivalent or better class and size to that of the parent pipe
• Construction of 21 No air valve installations;
• Repair or replacement of 18 No. existing damaged air valve installations; Reconstruction of 3 No. existing scour valve installations;
• Construction of 1 No. new scour valve installation;
• Construction of 2 No. new in-line isolating valve installations; and
• Construction of 10 no. cross connection chambers.

Augmentation of the Wesley Bulk Main:

• Construction of approximately 6500m of new 160mm diameter pipe, in parallel to the existing 110/160 mm diameter Wesley Bulk Main; complete with associated fittings and structures.

Completion of the Glenmore Bulk Main:

• Construction of approximately 20m of new 200 mm diameter pipe, to join the existing Glenmore main to the Glenmore Rural Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) command reservoir; complete with associated fittings and structures.

New Connections to the Bulk Mains:

• Construction of 7 No. new connections to the existing bulk mains.
• Road Crossings:
• Directional drilling and installation of water pipes under the N2, R72 and R345 roads respectively.

Flow Control Valves:

• Installation of 10 No. flow control valves, varying in size from 50mm to 110 mm, at the entrances to existing reservoirs, complete with chambers; and
• Construction of new and/or repair of existing pipework and fittings, as well as chambers.

New Pipework and Connections:

• Install new pipework and complete with fittings, connections, cross-connections and the likes to unlock capacity bottlenecks at Peddie town and to various rural villages supplied from the Sandile RWSS.

Village Reticulation:

• Construction of some 2400m of new buried reticulation pipelines, varying in size from 50mm to 110mm in diameter, complete with the requisite fittings, chambers; and
• Construction of 20 No. new communal standpipes, complete with the requisite fittings and chambers.

While these interventions will bring some relief, it is has been determined that the water demand exceeds the water supply, and therefore a second phase of the project, which is still at a planning phase, has been initiated to further address water shortages. In the interim, Amathole District Municipality will continue to ration water in order to distribute the water equally to all villages. When necessary, ADM will cart water in trucks to any community where water is disrupted beyond the current operational plan.

Reply:

Honourable Member, I have been informed that the City of Matlosana will first undertake the capturing of the affected residents on the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR). This will be followed by a socio-economic study to determine their various levels of needs. Qualifying residents will be re-allocated housing opportunities under appropriate programmes of the Department of Human Settlements.

Further, I have been informed that Jacaranda Extension 11 has been included under the Special Presidential Infrastructure Programme (or Catalytic Human Settlements Project). The Municipality will conclude all the aforementioned processes of pre-qualification and allocation of stands by 16 April 2021.

 

I wish to state that queue-jumping by invading the land will not be permitted, and the Court Order will be executed. Residents are urged not to invade the land and to allow all construction activities to be completed so that units can be delivered for all qualifying beneficiaries.

Reply:

a) I have been informed that in the last 12 months the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Northern Operations has carried out repairs to the Nzhelele Mount Steward Syphon 2/3. In addition, maintenance activities of the irrigation system are scheduled as indicated below:

• Canal D (total length 7.10 km),
• Canal E (total length 2.7 km)
• Canal A (total length 2.74 km)
• Clearing of vegetation and cutting of branches overhanging above the canal
• Application of herbicide
• Removal of debris, algae and sediment from the canal
• Grading of the access roads
• Construction of gabions
• Repairing of damaged sluices
• Earthwork in dispersive soil at E Canal

b) The budget for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the canal is R 2.4 million.

c) The maintenance backlog will be addressed through ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance of the canal as indicated above.

d) The budget for these activities is R 2.4 million.

Reply:

(1) The details of the beneficiaries and allocations is attached as Annexure A

Further, the Honourable Member will be aware that the document titled “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly” prohibits Members of Parliament, including Members of the Executive, from providing names of people or companies. The document referred to states that:

“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”

(2) The status of the accounts is indicated in Annexure B

(3) The status of the accounts in arrears is indicated in Annexure C

(4) The replacement of concrete lining for the E canal (length 2.70 km) where the soil around the canal is very dispersive and often obstructs the canal when rainfall occurs with pipeline is being considered. The repair of flow measurement structures at water delivery points will be addressed through the ongoing rehabilitation of Nzhelele Water Canal.

ANNEXURE A

No.	Customer Type	WU Sector	Registered Volume	Volume MU	Interval Type
1	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	4,317,600.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
2	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	3,902,640.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
3	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
4	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	36,120.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
5	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	87,360.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
6	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
7	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	108,360.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
8	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	215,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
9	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	122,640.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
10	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	80,640.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
11	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	3,651.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
12	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	431,760.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
13	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	719,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
14	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	288,120.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
15	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	612,360.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
16	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	360,360.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
17	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	180,600.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
18	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	2,144,520.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
19	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	1,430,520.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
20	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
21	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	719,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
22	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	3,597,720.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
23	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	719,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
24	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	14,280.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
25	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	237,720.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
26	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	624,120.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
27	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	571,200.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
28	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	1,619,520.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
29	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	466,200.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
30	Company	Industry (Non-Urban)	182,500.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
31	Company	Industry (Non-Urban)	189,000.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
32	Company	Industry (Non-Urban)	3,650.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
33	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	201,600.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
34	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	57,960.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
35	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	86,520.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
36	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	648,480.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
37	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	580,440.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
38	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	719,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
39	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	71,400.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
40	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
41	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	66,360.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
42	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	504,000.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
43	Individual	Agriculture: Irrigation	461,160.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
44	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	1,186,920.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
45	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	1,070,160.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
46	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	176,400.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
47	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	180,600.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
48	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	215,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
49	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	336,000.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
50	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	504,000.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
51	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
52	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	1,187,760.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
53	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	72,240.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
54	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	50,400.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
55	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	57,960.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
56	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	126,000.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
57	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	431,760.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
58	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	153,400.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year
59	Company	Agriculture: Irrigation	215,880.00	Cubic Metres	Per Year

ANNEXURE B

	BP Type	30+ Days	60+ Days	90+ Days	120+ Days	150+ Days	180+ Days	Total
	Company	-	-	-	- 2,986.37	-	-	- 2,986.37
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	27.60	-	-	- 32,673.14	-	-	- 32,645.54
	Company	718.61	-	359.30	33,951.44	-	- 3,021.04	32,008.31
	Company	-	-	-	0.45	-	-	0.45
	Company	164.05	-	82.03	14,144.17	-	-	14,390.25
	Company	-	-	-	- 968.12	-	968.12	-
	Individual	2,504.05	-	1,252.02	38,406.81	-	219,123.06	261,285.94
	Individual	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Individual	12,997.23	-	6,498.60	205,154.72	-	1,201,862.90	1,426,513.45
	Company	16,823.39	-	8,560.52	324,481.32	-	1,343,869.73	1,693,734.96
	Company	6,147.03	-	3,127.59	115,679.11	-	495,568.80	620,522.53
	Company	8,432.73	-	4,290.87	162,451.34	-	673,679.88	848,854.82
	Company	1,628.63	-	827.47	33,401.07	-	127,006.20	162,863.37
	Company	50,118.15	-	25,176.02	693,156.36	-	3,826,074.30	4,594,524.83
	Company	81,048.01	-	41,266.44	1,626,484.69	-	6,354,486.23	8,103,285.37
	Company	20,379.57	-	10,343.64	334,519.49	-	1,638,799.85	2,004,042.55
	Company	4,610.61	-	2,305.32	102,541.76	-	329,411.81	438,869.50
	Company	19,824.05	-	9,912.02	280,137.91	-	1,874,860.81	2,184,734.79
	Company	44,646.13	-	22,323.07	729,356.92	-	3,124,191.93	3,920,518.05
	Company	101,379.04	32,488.69	28,349.17	51,585.90	8,664.64	463,720.23	686,187.67
	Company	741.39	-	370.70	30,025.38	-	- 91,791.17	- 60,653.70
	Individual	14,479.56	-	7,239.78	273,654.30	-	1,157,180.89	1,452,554.53
	Company	2,755.19	-	1,377.65	31,273.11	-	283,852.64	319,258.59
	Company	10,833.99	-	5,417.00	113,544.15	-	1,130,532.39	1,260,327.53
	Individual	3,470.47	-	1,735.21	44,216.71	-	438,707.39	488,129.78
	Individual	14,739.02	-	7,369.51	83,441.25	-	1,868,118.97	1,973,668.75
	Individual	1,035.81	-	517.90	27,860.29	-	66,319.89	95,733.89
	Individual	16,525.18	-	8,262.58	229,294.95	-	1,586,307.39	1,840,390.10
	Company	7,830.50	-	3,915.25	415,801.96	-	314,324.53	741,872.24
	Company	193.69	-	116.77	20,019.17	-	-	20,329.63
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	127.45	-	82.77	14,190.05	-	-	14,400.27
	Individual (I)	520.40	-	260.21	7,514.83	-	46,090.25	54,385.69
	Company	1,734,563.96	-	-	-	-	-	1,734,563.96
	Company	29,946.91	-	14,973.46	2,581,874.50	-	-	2,626,794.87
	Individual	36.91	-	18.44	691.82	-	3,026.83	3,774.00
	Company	1,972.15	-	986.09	33,365.49	-	163,750.62	200,074.35
	Company	25,247.35	-	12,623.70	521,175.36	-	1,944,691.78	2,503,738.19
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Company	12,127.11	-	6,063.54	209,014.96	-	992,889.57	1,220,095.18
	Company	4,801.79	-	2,400.92	95,994.37	-	363,046.40	466,243.48
	Company	3,393.55	-	1,696.75	68,241.16	-	256,096.63	329,428.09
	Individual	15,852.86	-	7,926.44	168,519.86	-	1,704,002.34	1,896,301.50
	Individual	35,585.32	-	17,792.63	405,605.78	-	3,841,617.95	4,300,601.68
Total Outstanding		2,308,229.44	32,488.69	265,821.38	10,084,145.28	8,664.64	37,739,368.10	50,438,717.53

 

ANNEXURE C

	30+ Days	60+ Days	90+ Days	120+ Days	150+ Days	180+ Days	Total
	-	-	-	2,986.37	-	-	2,986.37
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	27.60	-	-	32,673.14	-	-	32,645.54
	718.61	-	359.30	33,951.44	-	- 3,021.04	32,008.31
	-	-	-	0.45	-	-	0.45
	164.05	-	82.03	14,144.17	-	-	14,390.25
	-	-	-	968.12	-	968.12	-
	2,504.05	-	1,252.02	38,406.81	-	219,123.06	261,285.94
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	12,997.23	-	6,498.60	205,154.72	-	1,201,862.90	1,426,513.45
	16,823.39	-	8,560.52	324,481.32	-	1,343,869.73	1,693,734.96
	6,147.03	-	3,127.59	115,679.11	-	495,568.80	620,522.53
	8,432.73	-	4,290.87	162,451.34	-	673,679.88	848,854.82
	1,628.63	-	827.47	33,401.07	-	127,006.20	162,863.37
	50,118.15	-	25,176.02	693,156.36	-	3,826,074.30	4,594,524.83
	81,048.01	-	41,266.44	1,626,484.69	-	6,354,486.23	8,103,285.37
	20,379.57	-	10,343.64	334,519.49	-	1,638,799.85	2,004,042.55
	4,610.61	-	2,305.32	102,541.76	-	329,411.81	438,869.50
	19,824.05	-	9,912.02	280,137.91	-	1,874,860.81	2,184,734.79
	44,646.13	-	22,323.07	729,356.92	-	3,124,191.93	3,920,518.05
	101,379.04	32,488.69	28,349.17	51,585.90	8,664.64	463,720.23	686,187.67
	741.39	-	370.70	30,025.38	-	- 91,791.17	- 60,653.70
	14,479.56	-	7,239.78	273,654.30	-	1,157,180.89	1,452,554.53
	2,755.19	-	1,377.65	31,273.11	-	283,852.64	319,258.59
	10,833.99	-	5,417.00	113,544.15	-	1,130,532.39	1,260,327.53
	3,470.47	-	1,735.21	44,216.71	-	438,707.39	488,129.78
	14,739.02	-	7,369.51	83,441.25	-	1,868,118.97	1,973,668.75
	1,035.81	-	517.90	27,860.29	-	66,319.89	95,733.89
	16,525.18	-	8,262.58	229,294.95	-	1,586,307.39	1,840,390.10
	7,830.50	-	3,915.25	415,801.96	-	314,324.53	741,872.24
	193.69	-	116.77	20,019.17	-	-	20,329.63
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	127.45	-	82.77	14,190.05	-	-	14,400.27
	520.40	-	260.21	7,514.83	-	46,090.25	54,385.69
	1,734,563.96	-	-	-	-	-	1,734,563.96
	29,946.91	-	14,973.46	2,581,874.50	-	-	2,626,794.87
	36.91	-	18.44	691.82	-	3,026.83	3,774.00
	1,972.15	-	986.09	33,365.49	-	163,750.62	200,074.35
	25,247.35	-	12,623.70	521,175.36	-	1,944,691.78	2,503,738.19
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	12,127.11	-	6,063.54	209,014.96	-	992,889.57	1,220,095.18
	4,801.79	-	2,400.92	95,994.37	-	363,046.40	466,243.48
	3,393.55	-	1,696.75	68,241.16	-	256,096.63	329,428.09
	15,852.86	-	7,926.44	168,519.86	-	1,704,002.34	1,896,301.50
	35,585.32	-	17,792.63	405,605.78	-	3,841,617.95	4,300,601.68
Total Outstanding	2,308,229.44	32,488.69	265,821.38	10,084,145.28	8,664.64	37,739,368.10	50,438,717.53

Reply:

(a) The Ndwedwe Local Municipality (LM) falls under iLembe District Municipality (DM) which is a water service authority within its area of jurisdiction. This entails that its mandate is to provide both water and sanitation services to all of its four local municipalities (Ndwedwe LM, Mandini LM, KwaDukuza LM and Maphumulo LM). The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will work together with the iLembe DM to conduct an investigation regarding the residents’ complaint of not having safe water sources for domestic use. This approach will allow a coordinated solution to resolving the alleged water insecurity within the Ndwedwe LM areas. Our regional office in Kwa-Zulu Natal will conduct an onsite inspection to verify the current status of water supply in the area.

(b) I am informed that Ndwedwe LM has nineteen (19) wards and the level of service in these wards ranges from rudimentary to more reliable bulk water supply systems. Wards 1 to 9, 16 and 17 are supplied through small localized water supply schemes or stand-alone water schemes. The iLembe DM is aware that some of the water sources have been vandalized in some of the infrastructure of these small schemes and that has led to some not being able to supply water sustainably. In cases where the normal supply is affected, water shedding is applied and water tankers are used to augment the supply. These are monitored by the ward committee members and councillors

(c) For wards 10 to 15, 18 and 19, these areas are supplied through the existing bulk water supply scheme. Communities under wards 13 and 14 are supplied from the Umgeni Water bulk water supply system. Currently, these areas are receiving water intermittently due to shortages from the Umgeni bulk supply. As a result, the municipality is receiving 9 ML instead of 12 ML, and the 9 ML is distributed to wards 10 to 15, 18 and 19. Umgeni Water has completed the upgrade of the pumping system from the Hazelmere Waterworks, and is awaiting an upgrade of the electrical transformer to supply pump station 1, which will be done by eThekwini Metro (anticipated to be completed during 2021). To ensure there is sufficient storage, the iLembe DM has completed reservoirs 3 and 4 so that, once the transformer to supply the pump station 1 is completed, the system will be back to its normal supply. In addition, areas affected by the current construction were informed by the iLembe DM, water tankers are made available to augment the supply and are monitored by the ward committee members and councillors.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation is unable to provide the total amount spent on water tankers in the KwaMashu area in eThekwini since 2010 as this responsibility falls within the mandate of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.                                      

The Honourable Member is therefore advised to address the question to my colleague, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as that Department is responsible for the oversight of municipalities.

Honourable Member, it is important to distinguish the functions of various government departments and the different spheres of government when it comes to access to water and sanitation services.

• The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water and in terms of the National Water Act is responsible for ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values.
• Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services to local government (municipalities).
• Section 154 of the Constitution places a responsibility on national and provincial government to support and regulate local government in carrying out this mandate.
• Section 3 of the Water Services Act outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.
• Section 4 of the Water Services Act sets conditions for the provision of water services.
• Section 9 of the Water Services Act prescribes that the Minister may from time to time develop compulsory national norms and standards for water services which outline the exact levels of services that municipalities must provide.
• Section 10 of the Water Services Act provides norms and standards for setting tariffs for the provision of water services.
• Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

• Section 84(1) d of the Municipal Structures Act mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water and domestic waste water disposal systems.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation is unable to provide the total amount spent on water tankers and bulk infrastructure in Umzinyathi in eThekwini since 2010 as this falls within the responsibility of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The Honourable Member is therefore advised to address the question to my colleague, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as that Department is responsible for the oversight of municipalities.    

Honourable Member, it is important to distinguish the functions of various government departments and the different spheres of government when it comes to access to water and sanitation services.

• The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water and in terms of the National Water Act is responsible for ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values.
• Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services to local government (municipalities).
• Section 154 of the Constitution places a responsibility on national and provincial government to support and regulate local government in carrying out this mandate.
• Section 3 of the Water Services Act outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.
• Section 4 of the Water Services Act sets conditions for the provision of water services.
• Section 9 of the Water Services Act prescribes that the Minister may from time to time develop compulsory national norms and standards for water services which outline the exact levels of services that municipalities must provide.
• Section 10 of the Water Services Act provides norms and standards for setting tariffs for the provision of water services.
• Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”
• Section 84(1) d of the Municipal Structures Act mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water and domestic waste water disposal systems.

Reply:

The matter raised by the Honourable Member falls within the ambit of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The Honourable Member is therefore advised to address the question to my colleague, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as that Department is responsible for oversight over municipalities.

Honourable Member, it is important to distinguish the functions of various government departments and the different spheres of government when it comes to access to water and sanitation services.

• The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water and in terms of the National Water Act is responsible for ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values.
• Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services to local government (municipalities).
• Section 154 of the Constitution places a responsibility on national and provincial government to support and regulate local government in carrying out this mandate.
• Section 3 of the Water Services Act outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.
• Section 4 of the Water Services Act sets conditions for the provision of water services.
• Section 9 of the Water Services Act prescribes that the Minister may from time to time develop compulsory national norms and standards for water services which outline the exact levels of services that municipalities must provide.
• Section 10 of the Water Services Act provides norms and standards for setting tariffs for the provision of water services.
• Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”
• Section 84(1) d of the Municipal Structures Act mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water and domestic waste water disposal systems.

Reply:

(1)(a)(b) According to the records of the Department of Human Settlements (DHS), there are three (3) officials who performed other remunerative work since 2014 to date, after their applications were duly approved by the Executive Authority.

2. (a) The Department uses the “Guide on Managing other Remunerative Work in The Public Service” which, amongst others prescribes a form to be used for applying to perform other remunerative work outside the Public Service. It further prescribes that no Public Servant will be allowed to perform business with the State and that approval to perform other remunerative work will be valid for one year.

b) The Minister, guided by the recommendations of the Ethics Officer, makes a decision on the applications.

c) None

d) Not applicable.

 

Reply:

(a) The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements has indicated that the Dodoma Avenue Housing Development forms part of a sub-phase of the broader Kennedy Road Housing Project. The project consist of 45 units. Currently, all 45 units are at roof level.

(b)(i) The unforeseen reasons for the delay of the construction programme by a further 12 months include the following:

• objections received from ratepayers in the surrounding area;
• disputes over labour rates resulting in work stoppages;
• social challenges from adjacent informal settlements;
• Covid-19 impact, and
• Geotechnical constraints.

(ii) to (v) I am constrained and prohibited by the document titled “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly” from providing the Honourable Member with the names of the primary contractor, the sub-contractors, site engineer, and the design architect as requested. The document referred to states that:

“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”

(vi) I am informed that the original budget for the implementation of the project was R 14 613 997, 57.

(vii) The cost incurred to date is R 10 440 174, 08 and the beneficiary handover will take place on a phased basis on completion of sections of the project, which will be completed by July 2021.

(viii) The additional cost of approximately R2 000 000 was incurred due to the following:

• • the need for stabilizing work, retaining structures as recommended by an independent assessment of soil conditions;
  • additional time related costs and remedial works due to stoppages and invasions of completed housing units, and
  • additional assessments due to claims of ancestral graves at the Dodoma Avenue site.

 

 

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has advised that it did not install a water tank inside a resident’s stand in Ward 24 in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.

The Honourable Member is therefore advised to address the question to my colleague, the Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as that Department is responsible for oversight over municipalities.

Honourable Member, it is important to distinguish the functions of various government departments and the different spheres of government when it comes to access to water and sanitation services.

• The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water and in terms of the National Water Act is responsible for ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values.
• Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services to local government (municipalities).
• Section 154 of the Constitution places a responsibility on national and provincial government to support and regulate local government in carrying out this mandate.
• Section 3 of the Water Services Act outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.
• Section 4 of the Water Services Act sets conditions for the provision of water services.
• Section 9 of the Water Services Act prescribes that the Minister may from time to time develop compulsory national norms and standards for water services which outline the exact levels of services that municipalities must provide.
• Section 10 of the Water Services Act provides norms and standards for setting tariffs for the provision of water services.
• Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”
• Section 84(1) d of the Municipal Structures Act mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water and domestic waste water disposal systems.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is aware of water shortages in the Umhlathuze Local Municipality. The Umhlathuze Local Municipality (LM) abstracts and treats water from Lake Cubhu at the Esikhaleni Water Treatment works for supply to the Esikhaleni area. However, the water demand in the area exceeds the available supply, necessitating the rotational supply of water to ensure all residents have access to some water.

The Mhlathuze Water Board is currently working with the Umhlathuze LM to install a 15 Ml/day package treatment plant to augment supplies to the area. The municipality has reported that this project is in the final design stage and construction should begin in May 2021. It is envisaged that the project will be completed within 12 months. In the longer term, a pipeline is planned to supply water from the Nsezi Water Treatment Works to the Forest Hill Reservoirs.

Honourable Member, it is important to distinguish the functions of various government departments and the different spheres of government when it comes to access to water and sanitation services.

• The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water and in terms of the National Water Act is responsible for ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values.
• Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services to local government (municipalities).
• Section 154 of the Constitution places a responsibility on national and provincial government to support and regulate local government in carrying out this mandate.
• Section 3 of the Water Services Act outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.
• Section 4 of the Water Services Act sets conditions for the provision of water services.
• Section 9 of the Water Services Act prescribes that the Minister may from time to time develop compulsory national norms and standards for water services which outline the exact levels of services that municipalities must provide.
• Section 10 of the Water Services Act provides norms and standards for setting tariffs for the provision of water services.
• Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”
• Section 84(1) d of the Municipal Structures Act mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water and domestic waste water disposal systems.

Reply:

Honourable Member, in Region A (Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the North Cape Provinces):

(a) All the TRUs under implementation do not exceed R70 000 per unit.

(b) The Mdantsane/Duncan Village project yield is 1174, of which 276 units have been completed. The TRUs do not comply with the National Norms and Standards (SANS 517) according to the assessment conducted by the NHBRC. A rational design was carried out by an independent Structural Engineer to ensure that the minimum norms and standards as outlined in the National Housing Code Volume 4 are met and exceeded in some circumstances.

In Region B (Gauteng, Limpopo and the North West Provinces):

(a) All the TRUS under implementation do not exceed R70 000 per unit.

(b) There are 40 units in Limpopo Province (Talana Project located in Tzaneen) which, according to the assessment done by the NHBRC do not comply with the national norms and standards e.g SANS 517.

However, having taken cognisance of the NHBRC report, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) has since appointed independent Engineers to oversee the corrective measures that are currently being implemented and in progress.

Reply:

(a)(i) Section 7 of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act no 107 of 1997), requires that every provincial government must, after consultation with provincial organisations representing municipalities, as contemplated in section 163(a) of the Constitution, do everything in its power to promote and facilitate the provision of adequate housing in its province within the framework of national housing policy.

Furthermore, in subsection 2 (d) provincial governments are required to co-ordinate housing development in the province; and (g) prepare and maintain a multi-year plan in respect of the execution in the province of every national housing programme and every provincial housing programme, which is consistent with national housing policy and in accordance with the guidelines that the Minister approves for the financing of such a plan.

(ii) Section 17 of the Division of Revenue Act, 2020 (Act no 4 of 2020) provides that:

(1) Despite any other legislation to the contrary, an allocation referred to in Schedules 4 to 7 may only be used for the purpose stipulated in the Schedule concerned and in accordance with the applicable framework.

(2) (a) A framework may provide for components within a conditional allocation that are subject to specific conditions.

(b) A transferring officer may shift funds from one component to another—

(i) after consulting the relevant receiving officer;

(ii) with the approval of the National Treasury; and

(iii) in accordance with the applicable appropriation legislation.

(b) Section 10 (1) (a) of the Division of Revenue Act, 2020 (Act no 4 of 2020) provides that the transferring officer of a Schedule 5 or 6 allocation must—

(a) not later than 14 days after this Act takes effect, certify to the National Treasury that—

(i) any monitoring or system that is used, is compatible and integrated with and does not duplicate other relevant national, provincial and local systems; and

(ii) any plans required in terms of the framework of a Schedule 5 allocation regarding the use of the allocation by— (aa) a province, have been approved before the start of the financial year

 

The Act further provides in Section 10 (1) (b) of the Division of Revenue Act, 2020 (Act no 4 of 2020), that the transferring officer of a Schedule 5 or 6 allocation must (b) in respect of Schedule 5 allocations—

(i) transfer funds only after receipt of all information required to be submitted by the receiving officer in terms of this Act and after submission of all relevant information to the National Treasury;

(ii) transfer funds in accordance with the payment schedule determined in terms of section 23, unless allocations are withheld or stopped in terms of section 18 or 19; and

(iii) deposit funds only into the primary bank account of the relevant province or municipality; and

(c) comply with the applicable framework.

Reply:

(a) State-owned land in the extent of 14 018 hectares held nationally by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has been identified and approved by Cabinet for release in order to advance the development of human settlements.

(b) The identified land parcels will be released by way of Power of Attorney in favour of the Housing Development Agency (HDA) to enable immediate joint development planning in conjunction with the various Provincial Human Settlements Departments and the respective municipalities. The identified land also addresses urban land reform through human settlements development.

Reply:

Honourable Member, please note that the National Department of Human Settlements does not contract developers. The appointment of contractors are done by provinces, municipalities and entities reporting to the Department. The National Department of Human Settlements is in the process of collating this data and it will be verified before publication.

The Honourable Member will be well aware that as part of transforming the construction sector, the Department of human Settlements through the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) and Urban Settlement Development Grants (USDG) has set aside 30% of the projects to be allocated to women-owned business entities and 10% to youth-owned businesses, which is being implemented by all Provinces and Metros.

We are proud to mention that the Limpopo Province and Ekurhuleni Municipality have already achieved their 30% target in this financial year. This means that they are likely to achieve the Presidential directive of 40% this year. 

I have requested my Department to work with Treasury on ring-fencing these targets to allow us to monitor our performance better.  Our entities have also aligned their procurement targets with sector charters. These targets are reflected in the annual plans and annual reports of the entities. 

Reply:

Honourable Member, the President of the Republic promised the residents of Alexandra proper and decent houses. My department, together with the Housing Development Agency are working with the Department of Human Settlements in Gauteng to realise this within available resources. More than 594 hectares of land has been identified and assembled for human settlements development within the Greater Alexandra Priority Human Settlements Housing Development Area. A preliminary allocation of R56 000 000 has been made for the planning process and the first units.

Reply:

1. The Department acknowledges that studies reveal that there are health effects of asbestos which are directly related to the condition of the asbestos-containing material. These studies further highlight that asbestos is dangerous when the material is broken thus increasing the amount of fibres that can be emitted from asbestos products. Whilst the need to inform the affected households exist, Section 3 of the Housing Act of 1997 differentiates the responsibility of the national and provincial government in respect of housing development. Therefore, the responsibility of developing houses and its related beneficiary administration processes rests with the provincial government.

Notwithstanding the above, I will ensure that the relevant MECs table reports on this matter at our MINMEC meetings where issues of concurrent functions are discussed. Further, it should be noted that the use of asbestos is against the norms and standards of the Department and it is also a violation of the existing government regulations, the regulation on the Prohibition of the Use, Manufacturing, Import and Export of Asbestos and Asbestos Containing Materials forms part of the Environment Conservation Act of 1989).

2. The department does not have the latest statistical data on the total number of households and residents that are experiencing health complications from long-term asbestos exposure. However, what the Honourable Member is raising is part of the joint work we are doing with the Departments of Environmental Affairs (the convenor) and Public Works and Infrastructure.

Reply:

(a) Honourable Member, three (3) Water Boards were dissolved during the current financial year and these are: Sedibeng Water, Amatola Water and Umgeni Water.

(b) The process of appointing the Boards for these water entities is currently underway.

(c) I am not aware of any instability in the water boards.

Reply:

No, there is no duplication. The Terms of Reference for the person referred to by the Honourable Member are specific and indicate that those cases investigated by the SIU will not be included in his scope of work.

A joint media statement was issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on 26 November 2020. It highlighted all the work that the Department and the SIU are doing related to the fight against fraud and corruption as well as the outcomes of some of the investigations.

The joint statement referred to above is attached for the Honourable Member’s ease of reference.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is referred to the reply I provided to her question, number 657. Further, there are no bonuses payable to the members of the Advisory Panel in the Department of Human Settlements and the Advisory Committees in the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R53 million to the Sekhukhune District Municipality for the 2020/21 financial year through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for the implementation of the following projects to ensure access to clean water in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality:

• Mogoroane Water Supply Project
• Uitspanning Water Supply Intervention
• Tukakgomo Water Supply Intervention Phase 3
• Mapodile Water Conservation and demand Management
• Rutseng Water Intervention Phase 2
• Construction of VIDP Toilets in Legolaneng
• Brooklyn (Phokwane) Water Intervention
• Maebe (Mohlaletsi) Water Supply Phase 3
• Nkosini Water Supply & Package Plant
• Laersdrift Water Supply
• Mashamthane Water Intervention

It should be noted that legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

Reply:

(a) Honourable Member, the Department of Water and Sanitation allocated R88 million through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant WSIG), to the Rustenburg Local Municipality as the Water Services Authority to implement water infrastructure projects within the jurisdiction of the municipality. The R88 million was not only allocated for the Marikana Project. Of the total allocation of R88 million, the Marikana Project was allocated R12 513 355.

(b) The Marikana Project is being implemented by the Rustenburg Local Municipality and is currently at 90 % completion. The Department of Water and Sanitation is monitoring the project through site visits and receives progress reports for its provincial office on a monthly basis. The projected completion date provided is March 2021.

Reply:

(a) According to information received from the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements, there are six (6) Housing Projects outstanding since 2016.

Data on the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) captured by the Eastern Cape Province indicates that there are 72 projects within the Buffalo City Municipality, with 27 457 beneficiaries registered on them. Of these 72 projects, 27 projects have already been completed since April 2016.

A total of 45 projects have a “running” status which implies that some expenditure has been incurred. These are at various stages of progress but are yet to be completed.

A total of 17 895 housing units have been delivered in terms of the completed and partially completed (running) projects, as at 30 September 2020. This implies that 9 562 units are in projects that are to be completed in the coming years from the 45 (running) projects.

(b) The reasons for the delays in the housing projects are:

• Lack of integrated planning between the Province and Metropolitan Municipality for the provision and linking of bulk infrastructure and the top structure development;
• Delays in electricity connection leading to deferrals in occupation and sometimes illegal invasion;
• Delays in beneficiary verification in cases where the applicant is deceased and heirloom is not confirmed;
• Untraceable beneficiaries as well as illegal occupation of the completed units, especially those that are 95% completed, awaiting final inspections and electricity connection;
• Poor performance of contractors

c) The Eastern Cape Provincial Business Plan (as revised) has indicated that 1 253 houses are planned to be delivered in Buffalo City Municipality during the current (2020/21) financial year. In the financial year 2021/22, 1 377 units are planned to be built by the Buffalo City Municipality, and in the 2022/23 financial year 1 380 units are planned to be constructed.

Reply:

(1) The South African Government remains committed to providing support to the persons and households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and has introduced a number of measures including the declaration of a state of disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2002, to support households affected by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with specific reference to persons and/or households renting accommodation. The intent of the Residential Rent Relief Scheme (RRS) is to provide temporary financial relief for residential low-income tenants and landlords in circumstances where tenants have been unable and are unable to meet their rental obligations as a consequence of financial distress associated with the COVID-19 lockdown. While the assistance is targeted to the tenant, a landlord will receive a secondary benefit in the form of security of income.

(2)(a) Funds should benefit all the tenants occupying affordable rental housing whether in the unsubsidized and state subsidized rental sectors.

(b) No funds have been used to date.

(c) No allocations have been made to date. A detailed policy framework for the Residential Rent Relief Scheme Programme is currently being developed by the National Department of Human which will provide guidelines.

Reply:

(1)(a) The average percentage water loss per annum in terms of the allocation to the Great Fish River Water Users Association in terms of the allocation is as follows:

Annual allocation (Mm3 )	Average annual water loss (Mm3)	Percentage (%) water losses
426	106.5	25%

(b) The average percentage water loss per annum in terms of the allocation to the Lower Sundays River Water Users Association in terms of the allocation is as follows:

Annual allocation (Mm3 )	Average water loss (Mm3)	Percentage (%) Water Losses
170	19	11.3%

(c) The average percentage water loss per annum in terms of the allocation to the Glen Melville Dam in terms of the allocation is as follows:

Annual allocation (Mm3 )	Average annual water loss (Mm3)	Percentage (%) Water Losses
110	16.5	15%

(d) The average percentage water loss per annum in terms of the allocation to the Lower Fish Permit Area forms part of Greater Fish River Water User Association (GFRWUA), therefore GFRWUA’s water loss also incorporates the Lower Fish Permit Area.

(2)(a)&(b) The short-listed Water Use Efficiency (WUE) interventions which were identified and screened as part of Water Reconciliation Strategy for the Algoa Water Supply System - Orange River Project/Nooitgedacht Low-Level Scheme are as follows:

(b)(i) The lining of the 500 km earth canals in the GFRWUA (Intervention 1) is not recommended to be considered further for the purposes of this study, as the relative cost of water saved of this intervention is far too high. The lining of prioritised “hot spot” canal sections (about 10% of the total 500 km earth canals) is likely a more feasible option as this will potentially lead to substantial volumes of water saved at a relative lower cost. The compulsory removal of overgrown riparian vegetation in and along the GFRWUA earth canals and ongoing maintenance is recommended.

(ii) Improved measuring and monitoring in the GFRWUA and Lower Sundays River Water User Association (LSRWUA) areas of jurisdiction. Although the potential water saved as a result of the implementation of this intervention was not quantified as part of this study, this intervention will lead to improved management and operation of the system and improved compliance to water allocations and water requests made, and will potentially reduce losses in the process.

(iii) Glen Melville Dam obtains its water from the Orange Fish River Scheme. It is an off-channel storage dam. Water is diverted via the Hermanuskraal Weir via the Ecca Tunnel. When Glen Melville Dam is at 50% of Full Supply Capacity (FSC), water is released from Elandsdrift Weir on the OFS into the Great Fish River to fill Glen Melville Dam to 100% of FSC. This operational procedure occurs 2 or 3 times per annum, depending on the water usage. The GFRWUA and the LSRWUA has no inputs to the operations and maintenance of the Lower Fish Permit Area and fall directly under DWS.

(iv) The Lower Fish Permit Area forms part of Greater Fish River Water User Association (GFRWUA) and Lower Sundays River Water User Association (LSRWUA), and therefore the interventions in GRWUA and LSRWUA are applicable in Lower Fish Permit Area.

(3) The Department of Water and Sanitation, through its National Water Resources Infrastructure (NWRI) branch conducts the Water Resources upgrades in respect of infrastructure related to the Great Fish River Water Users Association, Lower Sundays River Water Users Association, Glen Melville Dam and Lower Fish Permit Area. Currently, the rehabilitation of Darlington Dam is the major project that is being planned.

Reply:

(1)(a) The maximum capacity of the Teebus Tunnel is 40 m3/s.

(b) The volumes being diverted vary per operational year. The table below indicates the volumes (million m3/annum) diverted over the past six years:

Year	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020
Volume Million m3/a	757	779	756	727	774	801

(2) The maximum transfer capacity through the tunnel is only implemented when both Gariep and Van Der Kloof dams are spilling in order to maximise the use of water resources and improve the water quality. The monthly transfers are based on the water requests from the Great Fish Water Users Association (GFWUA), Lower Sundays River Water Users Association (LSRWUA) coupled with domestic water use and calculated dilution requirements to maintain the acceptable water quality provided to the LSRWUA.

(3)(a) The total volume of water from the scheme that has been allocated per annum is as follows:

• Great Fish River Water Users Association: The farms in the northern part of the valley between Teebus and Elandsdrift have an allocation of 13 500 m3/ha/a, while those between Elandsdrift and Middleton receive 12 500 m3/ha/a, with a total water allocation of 426 million m3/a for the scheduled area of 32 565 ha. The allocations apply at “farm gate”. An additional provision of 25% (106 million m3/a) has been allocated for canal distribution losses.

(b) For the Lower Sundays River Water Users Association, the current scheduled area for the LSRWUA is 18 845 ha at 9 000 m3/ha/a (170 million m3/a).

(c) For the Glen Melville Dam 1.1 million m3/a is allocated to supply Grahamstown.

(d) The Lower Fish Permit Area is part of the Great Fish River Water Users Association with the scheduled area of 32 565 ha, amounting to an allocation of 426 million m3/a.

Reply:

(1) Yes.

(2) Below is the table outlining the number of social housing units in each province and municipality since the inception of the social housing programme.

Province and District Municipality	No. of Projects Awarded	Prior to 2014*	2014/15	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21
GP	30	607	423	1423	698	2198	1575	2140	278
City of Johannesburg	14	586	341	1423	267	475	981	258
City of Tshwane	8	21	82		281	853	288	822
Ekurhuleni	5				150	100	246	592
Mogale City	1					770	60	300
Merafong	2							168	278
KZN	7		520	623	888	551
Amajuba	1			253	550	149
eThekwini	6		520	370	338	402
EC	8	531	368	150	250	72	522	452
Buffalo City	2	184					102
Nelson Mandela Bay	6	347	368	150	250	72	420	452
WC	6	370	128	672	329			304
City of Cape Town	6	370	128	672	329			304
FS	4		614	82	173	250	187
Mangaung	4		614	82	173	250	187
MP	2			104				114
Nkangala	2			104				114
NW	1				720	448
Matlosana	1				720	448
Total	58	1508	2053	3054	3058	3519	2284	3010	278
Cumulative Number		1508	3561	6615	9673	13192	15476	18486	18764

Reply:

(a) The Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality relies on raw water supply from the Mkhombo Dam which is located North West of Siyabuswa. The dam level has drastically declined to approximately 2% due to severe drought being experienced in the Eland River Catchment Area. In order to assist in addressing the drought at the municipality, the following measures have been put in place and/or are proposed:

(i) As a short term relief measure, the Department has allocated 64 water storage tanks for the Dr JS Moroka Municipality. The interventions included the supply, delivery and installation of the water storage tanks in areas identified by the Municipality. However, due to inadequate sources of bulk water supply as a result of the ongoing scourge of drought in the Western Highveld, the municipality is unable to fill up the installed water storage tanks regularly.

(ii) In the medium term, there is a joint partnership intervention with the Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Nkangala District Municipality to support the Dr JS Local Municipality with the drilling of 19 boreholes through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant at an estimated cost of R12,2 million. The boreholes are expected to be completed within the 2020/21 municipal financial year.

Furthermore, there are approved interventions in place that are currently being undertaken and implemented as a matter of urgency to address the current water supply shortages in the Dr JS Moroka local municipality due to the prevailing drought that include:

• Refurbishment of the bulk pipelines from Mthombo Balancing Dam to the Weltevreden Water Treatment Plant raw water abstraction works;
• Refurbishment of the Mthombo Weireir.

These interventions will provide 6 mega litres of water per day on completion. The cost of the interventions were assessed and quantified to be R40.5 million, and were recommended by the Department of Water and Sanitation for implementation under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant. The expected completion date for these interventions is 30 September 2021.

(iii) In the long term, the bulk water requirements for the Mathanjana Cluster in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality shall be addressed through the Rust de Winter Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The proposed bulk water scheme project is at the Implementation Readiness Study and will be completed within the current financial year. The project implementation is expected to start in 2021/22 national financial year. The scheme is intended to serve the western part of the municipality, targeting a population of 88 000, projected over a 20-year horizon.

Reply:

Honourable Member, the provision of water to communities is the responsibility of Water Services Authorities (municipalities). The electrification of the boreholes in Redirele Village, including the maintenance of boreholes is the responsibility of Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality (KRLM).

I wish to point out that the legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled sustainably for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

Reply:

The Department of Human Settlements has not been made aware or received reports of “underhanded practices” referred to in the question.

I would be grateful if the Honourable Member could provide me with more information on this matter for my department to investigate it further alternatively, the Honourable Member is urged to report such incidences to the law enforcement agencies.

Reply:

Honourable Member, the District Development Model (DDM) will go a long way in ensuring an operational model for improved cooperative governance that promotes the need to shift to a joint development planning approach

The model was launched last year and as we were piloting it in a number of districts, the COVID-19 pandemic befell us and altered some of our plans.

The Departments of Water and Sanitation intends to take advantage of the model and work closely with COGTA to ensure its successful implementation. It intends to employ the following strategies:

• the Department of Water and Sanitation working with COGTA, through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), will establish a Project Management Unit at a Provincial level that shall support all District Municipalities to roll out the Model.
• DWS intends to work with District Municipalities in the planning and implementation of Infrastructure Projects, with MISA assisting in a support role for Monitoring and Evaluation of the DDM.
• It will utilise integrated planning to address challenges of misalignment of plans of all Sector Plans, to enable all spheres to focus on One Plan at District Levels, financial resources appropriated correctly for each financial year outputs is crucial.
• Identification of priorities over five-year term period, and development of integrated plans.
• Long term (10 years) implementation plans that are aligned to the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan should also be developed
• A Human Resource Plan to be developed for each District Municipality and Water Services Authorities in relation to critical skills including technical, financial and project management
• Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) must be encouraged for possible funding of the catalytic infrastructure projects.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation had initially planned to establish nineteen (19) Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) but this number was later rationalised to nine (9) in March 2012.

In line with the 2013 Presidential Review Committee on State-owned Entities, the DWS has continued to review institutional arrangements for water sector entities, taking into account a number of principles in analysing the options to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs through consolidation and rationalisation of CMAs.

I have therefore recently approved a reconfiguration and establishment of six (6) CMAs as follows:

• Inkomati-Pongola.
• Breede-Gouritz-Olifants.
• Limpopo-Olifants.
• Mhlatuze-Umzimkhulu.
• Vaal-Orange.
• Mzimvubu-Tsitsikama.

Further, I have appointed Advisory Committees for the Breede-Gouritz-Olifants, Limpopo-Olifants, Mhlatuze-Umzimkhulu and Vaal-Orange CMAs in terms of section 81(3) of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). The responsibility of the Advisory Committees is to recommend a list of organs of state and bodies representing different sectors within the Water Management Areas of the CMAs which should be represented on the Governing Boards of the proposed CMAs.

Reply:

(1) The status of the National Norms and Standards for Domestic Water and Sanitation Services: Version 3 published in Gazette Notice 982 in the Government Gazette 41100 of 8 September 2017 for public comments has not been finalized and therefore it is not legal as yet. There were numerous concerns raised by stakeholders and such concerns were found to be material through a legal opinion that was sought by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) after the consultation process was finalized.

While the DWS is reviewing the National Norms and Standards for Domestic Water and Sanitation Services, the regulations relating to compulsory National Standards for Water and Sanitation Supply GNR.509 of 08 June 2001, issued in terms of the Water Services Act, Act 108 of 1997 remain legally applicable. Therefore, there is no lacuna in law.

(2) A roadmap and timelines on the date of the public participation process will be furnished to the Honourable Member once the norms and standard have been finalised.

(3) It is envisaged that the review or amendment of the norms and standards will be finalized and approved in the next financial year (2021/22).

Reply:

(a) The rapid land release programme has commenced through the reprioritisation of the budget allocation for the 2020/21 Human Settlements Development Grant and the Urban Settlements Development Grant.

(b) The land that is released to beneficiaries to build houses for themselves is primarily identified within the declared priority development areas.

The priority development areas are intended to advance Human Settlements Spatial Transformation and Consolidation by ensuring that the delivery of housing is used to foster new integrated, functional and inclusive urban forms that can overcome apartheid spatial patterns.

Typically, these land parcels are well located areas that provide convenient access to social amenities such as schools, health facilities and job opportunities. For example, Elijah Barayi, Westonaria Borwa and Montrose Mega projects located within the Gauteng West Rand have serviced sites earmarked for Rapid Land Release as part of Mega human settlements development and make provision for the required socio-economic amenities.

Therefore, the Rapid Land Release Plan will not compromise the spatial transformation agenda.

Reply:

Honourable Member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

The Department Human Settlements in Limpopo has advised that the name of the village referred to in the question is Ga-Rantho, but it is commonly referred to as Magolaneng. The Magolaneng village is located in the area of jurisdiction of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality in Ward 20. During 2017/18 a contractor was appointed to construct 230 houses of which 5 houses were to be constructed in Magolaneng village.

The contractor’s contract was terminated due to poor workmanship after 176 housing units were completed. Subsequently, two contractors were appointed in March 2020 to complete the units, however, due to the national lockdown work only commenced in August 2020.

The new contractors have started with construction in the nearby village of Mahlolwaneng and it is expected that they will then move to Ga-Rantho (Magolaneng) to finish the incomplete 5 houses.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.

Reply:

Honourable Member, the legislative mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation is to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, managed, used, developed, conserved and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all people and the environment.

The Water Services Act, 1997 refers to municipalities as Water Service Authorities (WSAs) responsible for distribution (reticulation) of water and to supply sanitation services. The Water Services Act in section 3 outlines the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” and places the responsibility on Water Services Authorities to ensure that they develop a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to ensure the realisation of this right.

Section 11 of the Water Services Act, 1997 mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District (DM) is a Water Service Authority (WSA) with a mandate for the provision of water and sanitation services within its jurisdiction in the North West Province. The Municipality is responsible for ensuring good quality of potable water in the area. The Honourable Member is therefore referred to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for the outcome of any tests carried out by the municipality.

Reply:

(a) I have been informed that a request for quotations was placed on the following panels: The Housing Development Agency’s panel of contractors, database for innovative technologies from the National Home Builders Registration Council, the database of Temporary Residential Accommodations (TRA’s) from the National Department of Human Settlements and databases of various Provincial Departments of Human Settlements. The request for proposals is attached as Annexure A.

(b) Not applicable.

(c)&(d) A total of 32 requests for quotations were received from prospective service providers. Further details of the quotations received are available for viewing at the premises of the HDA Head Office: Block A, 6-10 Riviera Road Office Park, Killarney. The records include personal information. This is in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013).

Further, I am constrained and prohibited by the document titled “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly” from providing the Honourable Member with the names of the companies. The document referred to states that:

“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”

 

Reply:

The North West Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs has indicated that the village is known as Ramokokastad which is located in Ward 12 in the area of jurisdiction of the Moses Kotane Local Municipality. Initially, the Peoples Housing Programme project consisted of 200 housing units of which 145 houses were constructed during 2004. In 2005, the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) required all home builders to enrol building projects and therefore the project was stopped to enable the developers to meet the requirements. However, the developers failed to register as required by the NHBRC and the project was thus not completed.

In June 2019, the Provincial Department appointed a developer to unblock the project and to construct the remaining 55 houses. To date, 52 houses have been completed and the remaining 3 houses are at completion stage of which the installation of ceilings, painting and the clearing of rubble are in progress.

Reply:

Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

(a) The National Department of Human Settlements has developed and instituted systems and measures to verify all subsidised housing subsidy applications against subsidy scheme qualification criteria, which ensures that a successful housing subsidy applicant is not approved to receive more than one subsidised housing opportunity.

The measures and systems in place referred to above include the Housing Subsidy System, which verifies all subsidised housing subsidy applications against a range of data sets, and the National Housing Subsidy Data Base (NHSDB), on which all successful housing subsidy applications are recorded. It is therefore not possible to obtain more than one subsidised housing subsidy opportunity. All subsidised housing applications are verified against the National Population Register, The Deeds Offices’ Title Deeds Register, the Government Unemployment Register, Government Employee Pension Fund, the Public Service PERSAL System and the NHSDB.

(b) Based on the abovementioned measures, there are no measures required.

Reply:

(a) The social housing rental projects and/or schemes that have been constructed in municipalities in Gauteng are indicated below:

• City of Tshwane – Three (3) namely Akasia, Little Manhattan and Castle Crest.
• City of Ekhurhuleni – Two (2) namely Delville and Germiston Fire Station, Kempton Village, Carnival Gardens and Sondela
• City Of Johannesburg – Six (6) namely Dobsonville, Plein Street, Turffontein, Devland Extension Two and City Deep,

(i) A total of 14 959 units were completed in twenty (20) projects across the country for the period April 2015 to March 2020.

(ii) Since 1 April 2020, no units were delivered, based on the delays which occurred as a result of the declaration of the National State of Disaster and various associated lockdowns. Further, the period for a development to complete all planning and funding approvals is approximately eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months. Post this period a project is implemented, and actual delivery and handover of a unit to a beneficiary takes approximately another twelve (12) months.

(b)(i) The number of the Social Rental Housing projects that were;

(aa) Completed is none as a result of the impact of the declaration of the National State of Disaster.

(bb) Since 01st April 2020 no occupation of units were possible due to the impact of the National State of Disaster. Post the declaration of alert level one, project implementation will continue and once units are completed, they will be tenanted.

(ii) The Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) have been requested to collate all the information required, and it will be sent to the Honourable Member, as soon as it is received

(c) The current policy requires that 30% of units in a project is allocated to primary beneficiaries which are households with an income of below R5 500. The Social Housing Institution (SHI) is required in terms of the Consolidate Capital Grant to submit tenant audits to the SHRA for verification, which is to ensure that occupation or tenanting of units complies with policy. A SHI is required to advertise the availability of accommodation using various media and communication platforms to allow for qualifying tenants and/or households, to then make application to be provided with an opportunity to rent. All applications are vetted according to the social housing qualification criteria in line with the Social Housing Act and the terms and conditions of the grant award contract.

(d) The unit size allocation versus the household income always creates challenges. The tenants would sign a lease agreement clearly stipulating that the social housing programme is for rental in perpetuity. However, the tenants would demand ownership which is not in keeping the social housing programme.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) provides financial support to the Ugu District Municipality in the form of the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to deal with its water supply challenges. Since the inception of the WSIG in the 2015/16 financial year up to the 2020/21 financial year, the DWS has allocated R378.68 million to the municipality.

An allocation of R50 million was provided to the municipality in the current financial year to implement the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Project aimed at reducing water losses. It is envisaged that the project will be completed by June 2021.

In addition the DWS is working with the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Umgeni Water to support the Ugu DM in conducting an assessment of the most suitable water services provision arrangements in the area.

(2) The provincial CoGTA department is conducting an assessment of water services infrastructure to determine the refurbishment requirements and is in the process of developing a Provincial Water Master plan. These interventions will assist in aligning and prioritizing grant funding to effectively address the challenges being experienced. In order to address the significant challenges facing water services in the Ugu DM area, a task team has also recently been established.