Questions and Replies

Reply:

This is a matter that will henceforth receive attention. So far, the Department had been collaborating with the Department of Basic Education in the identification of National School Financial Aid Scheme-facilitated opportunities for child support grant beneficiaries who are in grade 12 and wishing to proceed to higher education and vocational training.

Reply:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

SOEs	(i) Flowers	(ii) Cards	(iii) Wreaths	(iv) Gifts
ICASA	R500.00	-	-	R8 250.00
Sentech	R63 905.00	R15 878.00	R4 322.00	R55 273.00
USAASA	-	-	-	-
FPB	-	-	-	-

• ICASA implemented the cost cutting measures as issued by National Treasury under Instruction Note 03 of 2017/18. The spending for flowers, cards, wreaths and gifts are classified under the staff welfare account. The above expenditure is as per ICASA’s employee value proposition and in terms of the then applicable HR Policies.
• Sentech has an employee benefits policy which regulates the buying of gifts and arrangement of long service and retirement functions. As part of their employee wellness and support initiatives the company normally hosts memorial services for deceased employees as well as buying flowers and wreaths for their employees who have passed away.
• USAASA and FPB indicated that no flowers, cards, wreaths and gifts were bought in the past eight (8) years.

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

PROVINCE	2017/18	2018/19	2019/ 20	2020/21	2021/ 22
EASTERN CAPE	NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
FREE STATE	0	0	0	0	0
GAUTENG	0	0	0	0	0
KWAZULU NATAL	0	0	0	0	0
LIMPOPO	0	0	0	0	0
MPUMALANGA	0	0	0	0	0
NORTH WEST	NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
NORTHERN CAPE	0	0	0	0	0
WESTERN CAPE	0	0	0	0	0

At the time of responding to this question, no response was received from Eastern Cape and North West provinces.

No NPOs were closed down in the past five financial years. The department does not subsidise salaries for Social Workers in NPOs but subsidises DSD programmes owned by NPOs that talk to the mandate of DSD.

 

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

(a) Farramere Post Office was temporarily closed due to non-payment of rent however the branch is now open and all services are rendered.

(b) The mail is being sorted at the Post Box lobby.

 

 

Authorised for submission by

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

I have been informed by SAPO as follows:

1. 

Liabilities in 'R million	Mar-18	Mar-19	Mar-20	Mar-21	Mar-22
Trade Creditors and accruals	577	669	692	1,088	1,422
Rental	190	124	89	243	364
Statutory	102	150	108	1,396	2,443
Salary Debt				150	150
Total	869	943	889	2,877	4,379

2. In the past five years (2018/2019 to 2021/2022) SAPO has been dealing with the following, ongoing, court actions:

MATTER	BRIEF DESCRIPTION	STATUS
Mrwetyana Family (Uyinene Mrwetyana)	The Mrwetyana family issued a summons in November 2020 against SAPO and Others following the murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana allegedly by an employee of SAPO at Clareinch Post Office, Cape Town. The claim is for delictual and consequential damages.	Matter is still in progress with settlement negotiations underway. The initial settlement offer was rejected.
Postnet (PN)	SAPO lodged a complaint with ICASA around 2019 to challenge unlawful competition contrary to the Postal Services Act for doing business in the reserved area of under 1kg. SAPO was successful and the ICASA tribunal (Complaints and Compliance Committee – “CCC”) recommended a ruling against PN, which ICASA endorsed for PN to stop its unlawful competition. But PN and their professional association, SAEPA, is challenging the ruling/order, by having it reviewed. They also lodged an High Court application to interdict SAPO from implementing the ruling/order, and not allowing PN to do business whilst the matter is continuing. There are currently interlocutory and counter-applications between ICASA, PN and SAEPA.	Matters are still in progress. The Interdict against SAPO is still in place.
VC IT Insight (VCII) (BMC Management Tools & CHM Vuwani)	VCII sued SAPO in 2017 for approximately R14.9 million, for purchasing BMC Management Tools. It was not indicated that the actual purchase was from VCII instead of CHM VUWANI, whom was a BMC Partner. SAPO applied to the High Court to have the “contract” set aside, declared invalid, reviewed and to reclaim R10.38m from VCII, which has been paid. SAPO did not pay the balance of R14.9 million pending the outcome of investigations and the Court’s decision as to the validity of the contract.	Matter still in progress. The judicial review application by SAPO will be heard in the High Court when a date has been set for trial.
Koninklijke JOH Enschede B.V	SAPO was issued with a summons in 2015 for non-payment in respect of Madiba Stamps and Folders under a verbal agreement. SAPO made some partial payment in this regard. There were staff members disciplined and dismissed for this. SAPO had issued a judicial review to review and set aside the “agreement”. SAPO filed its founding affidavit, the plaintiff filed its answering affidavit and SAPO thereafter filed its replying affidavit. A trial date will be applied for at the Registrar of High Court, South Gauteng. SAPO is also claiming back the partial payment which was made previously. Delays in concluding the legal matters were mainly caused by SAPO being unable to pay its Attorneys in due time.	Matters still in progress in the High Court.
Medipos	A Settlement Agreement involving post-retirement medical aid benefits was made an Order of Court by the Supreme Court of Appeal. On 25 August 2022 the Constitutional Court reaffirmed the decision and declined to grant SAPO leave to appeal the Supreme Court judgement. On 6 September 2022, Medipos brought an application in terms of Rule 8 seeking urgent relief to enforce the original Court judgement.	On 11 September 2022, the SAPO Board reached out to the Medipos Board of Trustees regarding the implementation of the Constitutional Court judgement. Engagements are still ongoing.
Redefine Properties Limited	A liquidation application was brought by Redefine Properties (Pty) Ltd which is SAPO’s landlord in some postal outlets.	The matter was settled between the parties.
Blue Turtle Technologies (Pty) Ltd	The IT software provider filed a liquidation application and a provisional liquidation order was granted on 6 June 2022, with a rule nisi. Final liquidation was scheduled for 24 August 2022.	The matter was settled between the parties.
Zaliwa (Pty) Ltd	SAPO received a Notice of Motion for liquidation on 22 August 2022. SAPO is currently dealing with the matter and a court date has not yet been allocated.	The matter is pending.

Authorised for submission by

 

MR TINYIKO NGOBENI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised by the USAASA as follows:

(a) The legal fees spent for the financial year 2021/22 amounted to R 2 535 000.00.

(b) The agency made a provision in its financial statements for the contingent liabilities in respect of the legal cases. Upon winding down of USAASA, the liabilities relating to legal cases will be dealt with in line with the National Treasury’s Guidelines for the Disestablishment of entities.

Authorised for submission by

 

MR T NGOBENI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

1. (a) The Department did not set aside budget for connectivity restoration on the affected network sites. In our engagements with the affected parties, which mostly consists of the Mobile Network Operators (MNO’s), they have indicated that they will work from their operational plans to restore connectivity on the affected sites.

(b) (i) The restorations and repair costs will be covered by the affected parties (ii) time frame has not been specified as the dependency is on restoration of power by Eskom and respective authorities on affected areas

2. Not applicable.

Authorised for submission by

 

MR T NGOBENI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) Home Affairs officials who were found to be working with the Pakistan Kingpin have been taken to DC and expelled from the Department. Others have been arrested for fraud and corruption and the cases are ongoing. The Hawks are still continuing the investigations and we expect more arrests.

(1)(b) The actions taken are divided into four (4) main categories. Viz:

• Consequence Management as dismissals, arrest and charges of fraud and corruption.

• The Department has just created and filled a new post of Chief Director Prevention and Analysis. This job is to analyse all our systems, pick up gaps and weaknesses and provide a way to close up such weaknesses in order to prevent fraud.

• Technology improved, e.g. moving away from our old biometric system which has only fingerprint and a photo to a new one which has a fingerprint, a photo, iris recognition, facial recognition and a palm print.

• Changing our standard operating procedures e.g. in the past third parties could go to any Home Affairs office to collect a passport and hand it over to the owner. Now after this event, a passport can only be collected from the office where it was applied for, and only the owner can collect it after activity if in the office with their own fingerprint.

2. Yes, we certainly are doing so, and not only for Pakistani Nationals, but for all people who fraudulently obtain our documents.

3. A team that was led by former Director-General in the Presidency, Dr Cassius Lubisi was commissioned to review all visas and permits that was issued by the Department to all foreign nationals (Not only Pakistani nationals) since 2004 to the end of 2021. Some of their findings have already been handed over to the hawks. The team also recommended that we appoint a multidisciplinary team consisting of investigators, data analysis, forensic experts, senior councils and IT experts. This team will be given the reports and do a deep-drive investigations into them so that they may prepare dockets, put up team to trace and deport and retrieve our documents. We are in the process of acquiring such a team through our procurement processes.

4. We follow legal procedures to retrieve our documents. Having done so, the person will be illegal and liable for deportation.

END

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

The programme of removing underutilised red letter deposit boxes is underway. The box at 57 Main Street is scheduled for removal in October 2022.

 

Authorised for submission by

 

MR TINYIKO NGOBENI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

1. Yes, the Lease agreement is herewith attached.

2. a) Cost of temporary accommodation (Hiring of hall from City of Cape Town) amounted to R 17 696 per month and a total amount of R 53 090.42 for the three month period).

b) Total inclusive relocation cost amounted to R 54 000.

c) Cost for labourers is included in the amount in R54 000 reflected in (b) above. No additional labour was hired.

d) Assets are stored at the current office site in Khayelitsha and the SASSA storage at Bonnytuin in Wynberg, Cape Town. There are no additional storage costs.

e) Cost for the lease of the SASSA office in Khayelitsha is R 43 067.50 per month. The total cost of the lease, from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2024 is R1 552 796.64.

f) Cost of rental furniture and equipment to be used at alternative sites:

(i) Hiring of heaters and carpets R28 940, 55 per month

ii) Mobile toilet R 9 002, 58 per month

In addition to the rental costs above, folding tables and leads were procured outright to the amount of R 19 837.50

g) There were no additional hire costs for cleaning and security services as contracts are in place for the rendering of these services. Cleaning services are rendered as per the current contract at R 27 750.16. The current security requirements in Khayelitsha were reduced during the renovation period. The monthly amount has accordingly been reduced from R106 913.64 to R 58 901.08.

 

Reply:

This is a matter that will henceforth receive the Department’s attention. So far, the Department has been collaborating with the Department of Basic Education to enable the child support grant beneficiaries who are in grade 12 to access the support that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme avails. The Department is also developing a policy on linking recipients of child grants to other government services and, once completed, this will create the momentum for such information to be collected and reported.

Reply:

The Department has advised me as follows:

(1)(a)(i) Three (3)

(ii) Nil (0)

(iii) N/A. Employees were instructed to report to office post the lifting of the Covid-19 regulations.

(b) The employees were expected to return to office. Disciplinary action is being taken against those who continue working remotely.

(2) No.

 

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

1 (a) Teenage pregnancy and childbearing is a serious problem and concern throughout the country. Research has shown that teenage pregnancy increases the vulnerability of young women and has negative health consequences. These vulnerabilities include economic exclusion and inter-generational poverty owing to disruption of education and social stigma. Teenage parenting disrupts family functioning as teenagers may not be ready and equipped to assume parenting responsibilities which, consequently, are transferred to the older members of the family.

(b) In supporting teenage mothers, the Department of Social Development developed and implements teenage parents programme. This programme is aimed at assisting teenage parents to rebuild their lives and live their dreams. The programme addresses various topics that focus on strengthening parental skills, developing character, coaching teenage parents on decision-making processes, enabling them to make the right choices.

The teenage parenting programme is provided in a group setting under the guidance of trained Social Service Professionals. Thorough assessment of the group is done to determine the members’ respective challenges and expectations to ensure that topics that the group discusses are responsive to their lived realities.

Social Service Practitioners in all the provinces have been capacitated on the teenage parenting programme. Notwithstanding, there is still a need to capacitate more Social Service Professionals to ensure that they rollout the programme to more beneficiaries. To this end, the Department will continue to provide this training to additional Social Service Professionals during 2022/23 financial year.

In addressing teenage pregnancy the Department prioritised its interventions in provinces with high teenage pregnancy rate, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. The Department adopted an integrated multi-sectoral approach, working with the Departments of Basic Education and Health.

One of the critical issues that is being given attention are the modalities of reporting cases of youth and child pregnancies by all the stakeholders. Most importantly is the coordination of efforts in addressing teenage and youth pregnancy. The following interventions have been implemented:

1. Dialogues were collaboratively conducted by DSD, DoH and DBE in EC, KZN, LP and GP to enable teenagers and stakeholders to engage on issues that affect them and make recommendations for the development of the action plan to address the matter.
2. In addition, and in partnership with Provincial DSD and stakeholders, the Department facilitated roundtable discussions and dialogues to assess gaps in service provision and deliberate on interventions that are required to address teenage pregnancy. These were held on 24 March 2022 in EC, OR Tambo District, Ngquza Hill Local Municipality Lusikisiki, and 16-17 March 2022 in Zululand District, Ulundi and King Cetswayo District Municipality. Key stakeholders in these dialogues were children, parents, community members Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Services, Non-Profit Organisations, Traditional Leaders and Religious Leaders.
3. Ezabasha dialogues strengthening Integrated School Health Programme were also held in Vhembe District.
4. Both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Social Development engaged children who fell pregnant. These engagements were designed to communicate messages of encouragement to the young people, and were focussed on urging them to build a better life through education. These took place during the commemoration of the 2022 Child Protection Month and Child Protection Week in Lusikisiki and uMfolozi Local Municipality.
5. Department of Health committed to bring to school mobile clinics to ensure access to reproductive health and contraceptives to school.
6. These dialogues culminated in the development of an Integrated Community Based Intervention Plan that addresses the issues that emanated from the dialogues. A monitoring plan is attached to the plan.
7. The department continues with massive media campaign through television, national and community radio stations to educate communities about teenage pregnancy, contributory factors and measures to take when children are exploited and sexually abused.
8. Profiling and assessment of children who fell pregnant was done with psychosocial support services provided, linking pregnant teenagers and their families with available resources within their respective communities.
9. The Department continues to implement prevention and early intervention programmes and plans to upscale the provision of social behavioural change programmes. These programmes include:

• 1. Ezabasha Reproductive Health dialogues and programme;
  2. RISIHA- Community Based Prevention and Early programmes; and
  3. ChommY and You only live once (Yolo) for children between the ages of 10-14 and 15-24 respectively.

      10. Intergenerational dialogues on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as training on Intergenerational Communication on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Training is also conducted on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for out of school youth; and

        11. Advocating on the replication of Nzululwazi Model to promote sexual and reproductive health in schools identified by Basic Education schools that has higher learner pregnancy.

(2) The Department acknowledges that NGOs are a critical partner in the delivery of social development services. The Department strives to work harmoniously with the NGO sector as they have a common goal of improving the lives of the South Africans. It is against this backdrop that the Department strives to have a healthy relationship with NGOs and provide the requisite support to enable them to render prevention and early intervention services.

Reply:

1. No, participation in the learner transport programme is not a precondition for participating in the NSNP. 

2. No policy confers powers to the school governing body to determine whether learners benefit from the Programme.  Participation in the NSNP is determined by the Department of Basic Education in collaboration with the Provincial Education Departments and the National Treasury.

Reply:

I have been advised by SABC as follows:

a) The Section 189 process was led internally by SABC Executives, i.e. the Chief Operating Officer and Group Executive: Human Resources. The process was facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). No legal costs were incurred during this period. However, as is common knowledge, Organised Labour (BEMAWU) took the SABC to court during the tail-end of this process. The court ruled in favour of the SABC after which BEMAWU appealed. The court also ruled against the union upon appeal. Several individuals also took their cases to the CCMA and Labour Court respectively. The Labour Court upheld its earlier decision and ruled in favour of the SABC in all these cases. The rulings confirmed that the SABC executive followed all elements of procedural and substantive fairness. These matters are now considered closed. In total R 2 133 016.61 was spent on legal fees in the cases related to the S189 process.

b) The reorganisation of the SABC and the reduction in the employee compensation costs were vital elements in efforts to stabilise the finances of the Corporation as it embarked on a cost-cutting exercise. The SABC would have, in all likelihood, been left in a worse financial position were the status quo to have remained.

 

Authorised for submission by

 

MR TINYIKO NGOBENI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

Plans are afoot to relocate and combine the mailboxes with the Wierda Park Box Lobby.

 

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

1. First case is case number: 39031/16 – Service Provider failed to comply with procurement prescripts and as such the Department could not proceed with the Service Level Agreement

a) The nature of the litigation:

1.1  This is a claim for contractual damages amounting to R41 040.00, following conclusion of a Service Level Agreement by the Department and the Service Provider (Plaintiff) on 21 August 2015, for procurement of goods and services.

1.2 The Plaintiff did not comply with pertinent procurement prescripts including Supply Chain Management Policy, Supply Chain Management Guide for Accounting Officers/Authorities, Public Finance Management Act, 1999 and Treasury Regulations, which provide for, amongst others, the registration of suppliers on the Central Supplier Database system. Thus, the Department could not proceed with an agreement which contradicted applicable procurement prescripts, hence this lawsuit, which the Department is defending.

(b) Commencement date: Legal action commenced on 17 October 2016.

(c) Outcome: Litigation is proceeding.

2. Second case is case number: 15206/21 – Service Provider claims 10% retention fee and administration costs whereas retention fee and administration costs are covered under management fee in the signed Service Level Agreement

a) The nature of the litigation:

2.1 This case emanated from a Service Level Agreement concluded between the Department and the Service Provider (Plaintiff) on 4 June 2018, for training of unemployed youth on National Certificate in Fast Food Services (NQF level 3) and placement of the training graduates in various hospitality establishments in Limpopo province, for experiential learning, for the duration of the project. The Department would in return pay, amongst others, management fee.

2.2 The Plaintiff is claiming payment of R246 675.00 which is 10% retention fee and R825 700.00 for administration of stipends, quarterly attendance registers and annual financial statement. The Department is defending this action on the basis that the management fee agreed to by the Department and the Plaintiff in the signed Service Level Agreement, covers retention fee and administration costs.

(b) Commencement date: Legal action commenced on 15 April 2021.

(c) Outcome: Litigation is proceeding.

Reply:

(aa) Vilakazi Street in Soweto

(a) (i) Assisting and (ii) involved

• Supported the process to refine the City of Johannesburg’s Vilakazi Street Precinct Plan since 2017.
• Developed architectural designs for one (1) prioritised element on the Vilakazi Street precinct plan, but for ease-of-use in various precincts across the country.
• The scope of the project entailed the development of three (3) sets of architectural solutions for the Canopy/Structure/Shelter for informal traders, public/street market square/space, including restaurant in 2021/2022.
• Initiated implementation of Phase 3a of the Tourism Precinct Methodology for township tourism precincts at Vilakazi Street Precinct in 2022/2023. This project pertains to working with the established Stakeholder Forum to confirm prioritised elements, finalise costing on these elements, confirm the development lead, as well as facilitate budget mobilisation processes and statutory planning processes to implement the project.

(b) Total Amount Budgeted for Vilakazi Street: R442 925.00

(c) (i) Vilakazi Street spend in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 January 2022

(i) 2019-2020	(i) 2020-2021	(i) 2021-2022	(ii) since 1 January 2022
Non-financial support	Non-financial support	R442 925.00	R243 608.75

(d) How was the money spent?

The scope of the project entailed the development of three (3) sets of architectural solutions for the Canopy/Structure/Shelter for informal traders, public/street market square/space, including restaurant in 2021/2022.

(bb) Lilies Leaf Farm

(a) i) and (ii) The Department of Tourism is not involved.

(b) No budget has been allocated to Liliesleaf.

(c) (i) and (ii) Not applicable

(d) Not Applicable

Reply:

a) The Department, worked with KwaZulu-Natal to undertake preliminary assessment of the damages to tourism facilities. In this regard, the Eastern Cape had indicated that it had the requisite capacity to undertake such assessments through the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Board. The North West Province indicated that neither public nor private tourism facilities were affected. Upon conclusion of the preliminary assessments, the Department has provided support for technical professional assessments of the required technical work and associated costs that will inform the actual interventions and responsibilities between the parties.

b) From engagements with stakeholders, it was determined that there has not been a fundamental disruption of private sector tourism facilities in both Provinces. Affected businesses have indicated that they are covered by insurance, and in the main want the speedy restoration of affected bulk infrastructure. In light of this, no separate interventions were required from the Department.

Reply:

There are several programmes through which the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) monitors adverse water quality impact on the country’s water resources such as the:

• National Chemical Monitoring Programme (NCMP)
• National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme (NEMP)
• National Microbial Monitoring Programme (NMMP)
• River Eco-status Monitoring Programme (REMP)
• National Estuaries Monitoring Programme (NEsMP)

Sludge monitoring is also essential as poor sludge handling is the root cause of many Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) failing to meet final effluent standards. The results indicate that the municipalities on average are not achieving regulatory norms and standards. The data from the Green Drop Report indicated that 64% of all Water Services Authorities (WSAs) have access to credible laboratories for compliance and operational analysis. These in-house or contracted laboratories have been accredited and have Proficiency Testing Schemes with suitable analytical methods and quality assurance. The remaining 46% of WSAs are not meeting the regulatory norms and standards in terms of which they should have access to analytical services for compliance, operational and sludge monitoring.

To improve this situation, the department has developed the Water Services Improvement Programme and is progressively implementing programmes to support municipalities together with the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) and South Africa Local Government Association (SALGA).

---00O00---

Reply:

The department’s policies are guided by the African National Congress’ (ANC) policy resolutions, being the majority party in Parliament, having consulted broadly with all critical stakeholders.

The National Small Enterprise Act, 1996 (No. 102 of 1996) as amended defines the National Small Business Support Strategy (NSBSS) as the national policy in respect of small enterprise support and includes the policy as stated in the White Paper on National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Small Business in South Africa.

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) was guided by the Integrated Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises (ISPESE) from 2005 – 2014 as an iteration of the NSBSS. Currently the DSBD is in the process of developing the National Integrated Small Enterprise Development (NISED) Masterplan, which will be the third iteration of the NSBSS. The draft NISED Masterplan as a national strategy on small enterprise development gives provision for further policy levers, such as, the Localization Policy Framework, Incubation and Business Development Services Policy, SMME and Co-operatives Funding Policy and the Red Tape Reduction. These policy levers have further been and continue to be consulted and engaged on in different public forums.

The NISED Masterplan was consulted and engaged on in public forums in the 2020/2021 financial year, the Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment, and Infrastructure Development (ESIEID) Cluster and Cabinet Committee in the 2021/2022 financial year.

The Department led a Stakeholder consultation session – Small Enterprise and Cooperatives Policy Dialogue on 4-5 August as means of sharing and consolidating inputs to the NISED Masterplan and being a launchpad to the planned Annual National Small Enterprise and Cooperatives Summit during the entrepreneurship month in November.

In addition, the NISED Masterplan was published in the Gazette for public comment for a 30-day period from 10 May 2022. Furthermore, the NISED Masterplan was submitted and presented to the Trade and Industry Chamber of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), as part of engaging Social Partners (Labour, Business, Government and Community) on the 25 August 2022. The NISED Masterplan will further be presented to the SMME Workstream at NEDLAC.

Consultation is a key part of any policy development process and all DSBD policy development processes have been observed under public consultation, engagement, and negotiation, particularly with key role players such as small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as co-operatives and with private sector representatives.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

1.  The department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is aware of water from the mine void in the Eastern Basin entering an opencast pit. It should be noted that mining operations are responsible for dewatering their own operations, not the DWS. This responsibility has been recognised by Gold One who are procuring pumps to assist in the pumping and treatment of acid mine drainage in the Eastern Basin.

The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) is the implementing agent for DWS on this project. The pumps were procured from Andritz in Germany. Andritz had a proven track record in the supply of these submersible pumps worldwide and the first 2 pumps were donated by Central Rand Gold, who at that stage wished to mine to a depth of 450 m in the Central Basin. Additional pumps were sourced from the same supplier to ensure compatibility and to allow the pumps to be moved between the basins as required.

(a) Due to Covid-19 and the related global supply chain challenges, TCTA was not able to secure all the spares from Andritz in time to enable the continued pumping at the Eastern Basin AMD Plant. A decision was made to concentrate pumping and treatment in the Western and Central Basins as once the Eastern Basin becomes operational again it has the capacity to recover.

(b) (i)Nafasi Water Technologies (Pty) Ltd was appointed by the TCTA through a competitive process, on a 5-year contract to operate and maintain the AMD Plants for the Central and Eastern Basins including the AMD pumps.

(ii) The spares for the first motor were received in June 2022 (planned for December 2021) and the refurbishment of the first motor commenced in July 2022 by Marthinus and Coutts and was completed mid-August 2022 as planned. The motor was installed and commissioned by Carl Harm in August 2022 but was only in operation for 1 week before it started stalling and this necessitated the motor to be taken back to the workshop for a detailed inspection.   

(iii) The cost of operations and maintenance in the Eastern Basin for the financial year 2021-2022 was R72 million

2. The TCTA is responsible for the sourcing of critical spares from the original equipment suppliers in order to maintain the warranties for the various installed equipment.  

((i)In addition, the refurbishment of the motors and pumps is being done locally through the following service providers:

• Marthinus & Coutts based in Cleverland, Johannesburg.
• Sulzer - Local Branch
• Carl Harm (Andritz local installer)

(ii-iii) The TCTA in partnership with Gold-One has procured 3 new motors in July 2022 and the factory acceptance tests for the new motors were conducted successfully on 29 September 2022 in China and the motors will be shipped to RSA on 7 October 2022. TCTA is evaluating the option to airfreight one of these motors so that it can be delivered to site within 10 days. Parallel to this process, Sulzer is busy reassembling the pump to be compatible with the new motor from China. If successful, these plans will enable the TCTA to commission one pump by the end of October 2022 and the other two pumps will be commissioned early December 2022.  

3. TCTA has not released any non-treated acid mine water to the Blesbokspruit since the commencement of operations.

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Reply:

a) Deputy Director-General: Corporate Management,

b) Precautionary,

c) (i) The investigator was appointed and commenced with the investigation, and

(ii) The matter is a priority, however investigation conclusion is not within the control of the department but dependent on the process, the investigator and the affected parties.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) recently published the 2022 Green Drop Report which gives a detailed overview of the state of Wastewater Management in the country. The report presents an extremely concerning situation across the country, and that wastewater management has deteriorated notably since 2014.

a) The Department of Water and Sanitation has taken steps to capacitate Water Service Authorities in collaboration with the South Africa Local Government Association (SALGA) through:

• Capacitating the Water and Sanitation Portfolio based Councillors throughout their term.
• Ensuring adequate wastewater operations and maintenance capacity through the training of Process Controllers. The department will, in collaboration with the Energy and Water Sector Training Authority (EWSETA) facilitate training of Process Controllers in order to comply with the required Wastewater Quality Management regulations.
• Ensuring that all wastewater management environmental hazards are mapped and mitigated

Furthermore, the department together with SALGA embarked on the Water and Sanitation Councillor Induction from May to August 2022 across the country. Wastewater Quality Management and Drinking Water Management themes were part of the inductions.

b) (i) Key focus areas identified in the report include the following:

• Technical competence
• Treatment capacity
• Wastewater monitoring and compliance
• Operation, Maintenance and Refurbishment of Assets

(ii) Key areas of concern identified during the Green Drop Assessments will be addressed in the following ways:

• The DWS is in the process of finalising the amendments to regulations relating to compulsory national standards for process controllers and water services works. The regulations seek to ensure that the water services works are classified according to their technology type to determine the level of skill required for operations by process controllers.
• Process controllers who are skilled in both qualifications and years of experience must be registered to operate a relevant water service works based on their class of certificate.
• The DWS is putting in place a Water Services Improvement Programme (WSIP) to strengthen its support and intervention at municipal level based on actual data or most available data. The aim of the programme is to ensure that support and intervention at municipal level is proactive, consistent, and systematic.
• Maintenance and refurbishment of Wastewater Treatment Works is the primary responsibility of the responsible Water Service Authorities (WSAs). However, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) works together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to ensure that municipalities receive the necessary support and grant funding to refurbish and maintain their assets.
• The DWS also funds certain refurbishment and upgrading projects that meet the criteria of the different funding programs such as Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Some of the specified WWTW have been gradually included in these programs depending on availability of funds availed to the Regions.
• COGTA also supports WSAs through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) for water and sanitation services, amongst other. Some of the funding has been allocated for the refurbishment of some of WWTW.

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Reply:

a)  Twenty-one (21) licences are allocated to mining plants in the Northern Cape for iron ore (9), manganese (10) as well as manganese and iron ore (2) as indicated in the table below:

No	Name	Property	Activity	Date of issuance
1	West coast resource (Pty) Ltd: Namaqualand Mine	Land Parcel Lang Klip 689	iron ore	2017-06-23
2	Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd: Sishen Mine Operation HEF Plant	Lylyveld 545; Sekgamane 461; Woon 469; Sacha 468; Sims462	iron ore	2016-03-17
3	Kudumane Manganese Resources (Pty) Ltd	Ptn 2 and 11 of Farm York A279	manganese	2016-05-29
4	Hautian SA Mining and Investments (Pty) Ltd	Ptn 1 of Lemoteng 669	manganese ore and iron ore	2016-03-17
5	Con-Ellen Pty Ltd	Land Parcel Kanguru 115	iron ore	2017-09-20
6	Hondeklip Bay Mine (Pty) Ltd	Remainder of the Farm Richtersveld no. 11 portion 0	manganese	2018-01-16
7	Sishen Ore Company (Pty) Ltd: Heuninigkranz & Langverwacht	Land Parcel Heuningkranz 364	iron ore	2018-05-17
8	Kudumane Manganese Resources (Pty) Ltd	Portion 2 of farm York A279	manganese	2018-07-23
9	Assmang (PTY) Ltd: Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine	Portion 4 of the Farm Olynfontein 475	iron ore	2018-08-21
10	Kadgame Mining (Pty) Ltd	Portion 2 of the farm Kadgame 558	manganese	2018-11-19
11	Northern Cape Mining Pty Ltd	Remaining extent of Lohatlha 673	manganese	2019-02-22
12	Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd: Kolomela mine	Leeuwfontein 448, portion 0 (RE), Hay RD	iron ore	2019-03-20
13	Assmang Chrome: Black Rock Mine Operations	Portion 0 of the farm Belgravia 264	manganese	2019-04-10
14	Sedex Desalination (Pty) Ltd	Land Parcel Strandfontein 559	Iron ore	2019-07-31
15	Sebilo Resources (Pty) Ltd: Perth Manganese Mine	Remaining extent of portion 0 of the farm Perth 276	iron ore	2019-11-19
16	Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty) Ltd: Sishen Mine Operation	Sekgame 461 Remaining extent	iron ore	2019-12-18
17	Mokala Manganese (Pty) Ltd	Land Parcel Gloria 266 of the Major Region KURUMAN	manganese	2020-08-14
18	Tshipi e Ntle Manganese Mining (Pty) Ltd: Tshipi Borwa Mine	Portion 8 of the farm Mamatwana 331	manganese	2020-11-05
19	Sitatunga East Manganese (Pty)Ltd	Remaining Extent of Farm East no.270, Kuruman	manganese	2022-03-11
20	Aquila Steel (S Africa) Pty Ltd	Farm Gravenhage 703, Portion114	manganese	2022-06-30
21	Black Mountain	Portion 1 Sand Kolkjes No.194	prospecting diamonds, manganese, iron, nickel	2022-06-30

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Reply:

Upon conclusion of the forensic investigation, the Board identified individuals implicated in the report and investigation. In line with the organisations’ internal processes as well as Disciplinary Code and Procedure, the Board and respective line managers wrote to the implicated parties who then had to submit representations in response to the allegations levelled against them as per the forensic investigation report.

Allegations against all implicated parties were done on a case-by-case basis where each individual had to submit their representations on their part in the matter. Representations were considered on an individual basis based on the severity of the allegations and level of involvement in the matter.

Once representations were received, consequence management action was effected on some officials and continuing with respect to others.

Reply:

(a) The Zimbabwe Exemption Permits are for Zimbabwean nationals to work in South Africa. Thus, permit holders are not tourists and decisions related to such permits should not have a direct bearing on tourism, if anything, as those who would still want to come to South Africa for shopping in particular post the validity period of their permits would add to tourist numbers as they would not be coming for work but as tourists.

(b) The biggest source of arrivals for South Africa In the 2020/21 financial year was the Africa region with 2,3 million arrivals. South African Tourism, which is an entity of the Department, continues to drive its marketing efforts in the Africa Land markets to:

• Encourage repeat travelers to visit more frequently by providing relevant value for money deals and discounts that show new, fun and varied experience.
• Activate deal driven campaigns through social media, digital advertising and radio platforms.
• Reprioritise the distribution channels to build their knowledge and familiarity of South Africa’s leisure and business event experiences through reinvented tools and platforms that are in line with the evolution of the consumer.

Reply:

As indicated in the response to question 2568 of 2021 this project is led at a provincial level working with local government. The Department of Tourism is not familiar with the stated estimation of R109 million for the restoration of the site. It is suggested that the Honourable Member addresses the inquiry about the R109 million to the responsible local authority.

Reply:

The National Prosecuting Authority is not conducting criminal investigations on the allegations of theft of an estimated $4 million at the Phala Phala game farm. Such investigations are conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI).

The Office of the relevant Director of Public Prosecutions will commence assessing the evidence once the case docket is formally handed over by the DPCI.

Reply:

The Department de-coupled the Business Recovery Process from the requirement for a business license or Permit. Our pronouncement on this is contained in the Business Recovery Programme. Our relief assistance focused on ensuring that SMMEs both formal and informal accessed the funds speedily, but that non-financial support was available including assistance with all compliance requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has engaged the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to assist with supporting municipalities to streamline the process of issuing permits to street vendors. This process is currently ongoing. The DSBD is also reviewing the Businesses Act no.71 of 1991 with the intention of amending the legislation to provide for norms and standards, a common business licensing framework and better protection for informal traders. The proposed amendments would also include proposed provisions for the Minister to issue regulations and directives necessary for the effective implementation of the Act. The process by SALGA is expected to be initiated and implemented during the current financial year.

The processes outlined above are ongoing as of end-September 2022. DSBD and SALGA are continuing to align all processes that will lead to a streamlined implementation process. Further updates will be availed once consultation processes involving Informal Trader organisations, SALGA, municipalities and other relevant roleplayers has been concluded. Related processes such as the reviewing of Municipal Red Tape and improving the ease of doing business are proceeding in parallel and in anticipated outcome of the afore-mentioned initiatives.

The Informal Traders Support Program provided 4 844 informal traders with grants of R3 500. There are currently a further 7 000 clients in the pipeline and it is anticipated that these traders would be funded by the end of the year. Working through Seda and supported by Informal Trader’s Association and Local Municipalities, the DSBD is able to channel those that have been assisted towards additional support of a non-financial nature such registration of the business licensing and acquisition of trading permits. There is ongoing refinement of these support measures as our support programmes are constantly monitored and evaluated internally.

In order to develop a more sustainable approach to funding informal traders, sefa is in the process of supporting the growth and development of micro finance institutions to provide long term institutional access to financial and non-financial support as described above, specifically by sector-based Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Currently we are assisting the establishment of an MFI for fruit and vegetable hawkers, this is starting out as a pilot in the Buffalo City municipality.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

a) There are specific prescribed procedures for the development on any policy review - but all entail consultation with structures/private entities/stakeholders outside of Government, including civil society. Such consultations and advocacy programmes contribute to shaping government policies and strategies. The inputs received by the Department, following wide consultations, were used to develop a draft review document which will be released for broader consultation in due course.

b) Not applicable

 

Reply:

(1)

No.	Project Name	Project Progress
1	LP Matsila Lodge	These projects are currently at the tender evaluation stage for the appointment of contractors.
2	LP Phiphidi Waterfall
3	LP The Oaks Lodge
4	LP Ngove
5	LP Tisane
6	FS Vredefort Dome
7	KZN Muzi Pan
8	EC Mthonsi Lodge
9	EC Qatywa Lodge
10	LP Nandoni Dam
11	FS QwaQwa Guest House	These project sites have been handed over to contractors who are busy with site establishment and compliance with Legal, Health & Safety and Regulatory requirements.
12	FS Monontsha
13	NW Manyane Lodge	For all these projects, tender documents are currently being finalised for the procurement of contractors.
14	NW Lotlamoreng Dam
15	MP Numbi Gate (Two separate pojects i.e. Numbi Nkambeni and Numbi Mdluli)
16	LP VhaTsonga
17	NC Platfontein Lodge	Concept reports are being finalized by the Professional Service Providers for these projects.
18	NC Kamiesberg
19	KZN Anton Lembede Museum eThekwini Municipality	Design Development is currently being finalized for these projects.
20	NC McGregor Museum
21	KZN AmaHlubi Cultural Heritage
22	NW Sol Plaatjie Exhibition at Mafikeng Museum
23	NW Lehurutshe Liberation Heritage Museum
24	EC Maluti Hiking Trail	Construction works have commenced on site for these projects
25	EC Nyandeni Chalets
26	EC Western Tembuland
27	LP Tshathogwe Game Farm
28	LP Mtititi Game Farm
29	LP Mapate Recreational Social Tourism Facility
30	MP Mnisi Resort	The community had secured separate funding and commenced construction on this project. The project was therefore handed over to the Community and removed from the list of projects to be implemented by the Department.

(2) (a) The projects were selected based on their alignment to the department’s strategic objectives of inclusive tourism growth, focus on rural tourism and the diversification of tourism offerings.

(b) The benefiting owning entities, Provincial and Local Government of those projects were consulted on these projects. No local community organisations were engaged.

Reply:

Sources of water supply to Makhado in Louis Trichardt are the Albasini Water Treatment Works (WTW) and fourteen (14) supplementary boreholes. Of the fourteen (14) boreholes, only four (4) are currently operational asthe remaining ten (10) are non-functional as they have been vandalized. The design capacity of the WTW plant is 10ML/ day and is currently producing 7ML/day.

The Albasini Water Treatment Works was forced to shut down on 02 October 2022 due to failure of booster pump station number 3 and leaking of a galvanised pipe at the plant. This resulted in a shortage of water supply to Makhado. However, the repairs have been effected and the WTW has been functioning from 05 October 2022.

The DWS and the Vhembe District Municipality are currently constructing a bulk pipeline from Nandoni via Vuwani and Valdezia to Makhado to supply water to Makhado Area. The project scope includes the construction of a 88Km bulk pipeline, five reservoirs and three pumpstations.

Progress on the project is currently at 90% and completion is planned by March 2023. This project will also incorporate the Albasini water supply system, and replacement of the aged pipeline that is contributing to high water losses.

The department has initiated planning for the upgrade of Nandoni Water Treatment Works from 60Ml/d to 120ML/d to augment water supply as part of a long-term solution for water supply to the Makhado Area.

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Reply:

(1-2) The Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (LM) has advised the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) that there are villages that do not have reliable access to water due to leakages caused by illegal connections, which results in the the supply system not being able to cater for all villages. The municipality has implemented a rationing programme to ensure that all residents have access to water. The Bushbuckridge Local Municipality is implementing a project to replace the asbestos pipeline which is due for completion during the 2024/25 financial year.

(3)(a) It is anticipated that the project to replace the asbestos pipeline will be completed during the 2024/25 financial year. The municipality is currently implementing a project to install an additional clear water pump at the Hoxane WTW which will increase the volumes pumped by the plant from 22 Ml/day to 31 Ml/day to the Ndonga reservoir that supplies all the villages being enquired about.

(b) The municipality has a duty to ensure that the farmers and residents are connected legally and to take legal actions against individuals that are vandalising infrastructure.

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Reply:

The lead department for the South African Pavilion at the Dubai Expo was the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), as explained by the Acting CEO of SA Tourism during the Question and Answer session of the meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Tourism on 6 September 2022.

It was also indicated that DTIC are the lead Department in the reply to Question no 2340, tabled on 6 July 2022, and the reply to Question 2442 of Hon. MSF De Freitas asked on 26 August 2022. It is therefore suggested that the Honourable member redirect her question to the relevant Minister.

(1) and (2) Not applicable

 

Reply:

1. The Minister of Water and Sanitation is aware of the water supply shortages of water supply within the Polokwane Local Municipality particularly within the Polokwane City, the surrounding suburbs and Seshego township.

Polokwane LM receives daily water supply from three major sources comprising of the Ebenezer Water Treatment Works (WTW), Olifantspoort WTW and Dalmada WTW. The Ebenezer and Olifasproot plants are operated by the Lepelle Northern Water Board (LNWB) while Dalmada WTW is operated by Polokwane LM.

Polokwane City and Seshego has a total demand of 96.5 Ml/d and all possible sources can only supply the city with 88.4Ml/d and currently there is a deficit of 8.1 Ml/d. The city is authorized to abstract and or to treat 29.4 Ml/d while LNWB supplies 27 Ml/d from Olifastsproot WTW and 32 Ml/d from Ebenezer WTW.

Water supply to the Polokwane LM is also augmented through boreholes, some of which are non-operation and require repairs as indicated below:

• Sand River North: all fifteen (15) Boreholes are operational. Polokwane LM is pumping the boreholes in alternative to allow some of the boreholes to recharge and the total yield of the boreholes is 4.8 Ml/d
• Seshego Boreholes (Direct to Reticulation): out of six (6) boreholes, two (2) are not operational due to vandalism and the municipality is currently repairing the borehole.
• Marshall Boreholes: all five (5) boreholes are operational and currently producing 3.8 Ml/d

The WTWs supplying Polokwane are faced with challenges that impact on the ability of the municipality to supply water consistently to all residents as follows:

• The Ebenezer WTW
  • The plant is operated by LNWB and is highly affected by general interruption of electricity, currently affecting optimal water supply countrywide, which is supplied by the Greater Tzaneen LM
  • Greater Tzaneen LM is currently upgrading electricity infrastructure which supplies the Ebenezer WTW and discussions to explore whether Greater Tzaneen LM can isolate Ebenezer WTW from load shedding are underway
• Olifanspoort WTW
  • The plant is operated by LNWB is impacted negatively by the Olifantspoort ageing bulk water supply network contributes significantly to the interruption of water supply in the City of Polokwane.
  • The main cause of the water supply challenges in Polokwane City was due to deficiencies of the pumping systems of the Olifantspoort scheme. There were mechanical breakdowns within Pump Station No 2 and Pump Station No 3 which have since been repaired.
    • The LNWB has already commissioned Phase 1 for the upgrade and refurbishment of this bulk pipeline, a cost of R 32 million. Phase 2 which has been allocated R 38 and is meant to refurbish aging infrastructure will be completed by the end of October 2022
• The Dalmada WTW
  • This plant, which is operated by the City of Polokwane, has a pipeline that conveys raw water from Dap Naude sections of which is critically dilapidated.
  • A study that was done in 2019 has confirmed a need for refurbishment and upgrade of the pipeline to enable Polokwane LM to safely abstract of 14Ml/d from the dam, which would add 4.1Ml to the supply
  • The Implementation Readiness Studies for the refurbishment and upgrades is under consideration by the department.

• Seshego WTW

• • There is a 1.8 Ml/d deficiency in the system due to the new Seshego WTW Plant currently being non-operational while under construction.

To ensure proper resolution of the water supply plaguing the Polokwane LM, a task team led by both Deputy Ministers, the Executive Major of Polokwane and Chairperson of the Board of LNWB has been set up to resolve water supply challenges in the Polokwane LM. A technical task team led by the Municipal Manager of Polokwane LM, the Chief Executive Officer of LNWB and DWS officials has also been established. The task team will meet weekly to track progress on the restoration of water supply to Polokwane City including the Seshego township. The implementation of the action plan is at 85% and all major challenges are being resolved.

2. A joint media briefing was held by both Polokwane LM, LNWB and the department on 5 September 2022. Furthermore, the Polokwane LM continues to update residents of Polokwane City including Seshego township on any development regarding the state of water supply.

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Reply:

The Honourable member is kindly referred to the response to his previous similar Question no 2683 dated 26 Augustus 2022 (Internal Question Paper no 27).

Appointment and recruitment of officials in Government Departments and Entities is done in accordance to the provision of the Public Service Act and Regulations as well as applicable Policies for entities.

Reply:

1. The Department has a budget for training.

a) The following topics are covered on the beginners course for Maintenance Investigators and Officers:

1. Maintenance Act No. 99 of 1998;
2. Maintenance Regulations;
3. Prescribed Forms;
4. Discussion of other applicable legislation and case law;
5. Formal and informal enquiries Conflict; and
6. Listening and Communication Skills.

The following topics are covered on the advanced course for Maintenance Investigators and Officers:

1. Maintenance Act No. 99 of 1998;
2. Social Context;
3. Investigation of Maintenance Complaints;
4. Receiving and Evaluating Evidence;
5. Jurisdiction;
6. Regulations and Forms;
7. Mediation; and
8. Listening and Communication Skills.

b) The training interventions are conducted on a quarterly basis.

2. (i) The budget is influence by the Training Need Analysis’ input from the Workplace

Skills Plan (WSP) from Human Resource Development (HRD).

(ii) The base-line budget allocation to Justice College for training on all the courses offered by the Justice College. The College distributes the budget allocated per Directorate based on the WSP/Training Need Analysis from HRD. Regional/Provincial Offices indicate their training needs on a particular course, after the publication of the prospectus, on the courses offered in that particular financial year. Regional/Provincial Offices also indicate additional training needs during the year especially with newly appointed officials that need training interventions post the completion of the WSP by HRD.

(iii) Data collection is through an Attendance Register, and the Annual Training Report by HRD that indicates how many delegates were trained per training intervention.

Reply:

1. The only courts that have jurisdiction to hear rape cases are the Regional and High courts. The following number of verdict cases related to rape were heard in the Regional courts, and were extracted from the Electronic Case Management System in the Lower courts:

YEAR	VERDICTS
2018/19	4 215
2019/20	3 984
2020/21	617
2021/22	2 789

2. The following table reflects the number of cases finalised in the past five (5) years, both with convictions as well as acquittals in the Regional courts:

YEAR	CONVICTIONS	ACQUITTALS	CONVICTION RATE
2018/19	2 820	1 395	67%
2019/20	2 684	1 300	67%
2020/21	435	182	71%
2021/22	1 821	968	65%

Although no electronic system for the recording of court cases have been introduced for the High courts, the general conviction rates of the High courts, which include the charges of rape, is reflected in the table below:

YEAR	CONVICTIONS	ACQUITTALS	CONVICTION RATE
2018/19	868	97	90%
2019/20	782	78	91%
2020/21	542	36	94%
2021/22	647	65	91%

3. (a) The reasons for acquittals are not recorded in each case. The prosecution will

present its case and lead evidence regarding the charges as contained in the police docket. The evidence of witnesses will then be tested during cross-examination in court by the defence. The presiding officer, after also hearing the evidence by the accused and/or defence when they have witnesses, will then make a judgement in the case. The burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases. It is important to note in this regard that the judgement of the court is based on all the evidence in court, considering as well circumstantial evidence, evidentiary rules and reliability of the evidence. There is seldom only one reason for either any acquittal or conviction as the court needs to weigh all the evidence before a conclusion may be reached. Some of the more common reasons that are included where convictions are not achieved include:

1. Consent – it is often difficult to disprove consent where the rape has not resulted in any injuries or where circumstances may not support an inference to be drawn from the facts of the case;
2. Identity – where the accused was not previously known to the victim, the identity may often be difficult to prove, especially in the absence of DNA or other evidence to support the identification of the accused. Unlike theft where articles may be found in possession of an accused to link them to an offence, there is seldom physical evidence to link the accused and the court has to e satisfied that the way identification took place, the method and circumstances in which the identification was made and reasons for identification are reliable and is trustworthy.
3. Witness(es) in some cases either detract from their statements, deviate from consultation, or make concessions during cross-examination.
4. Credibility findings are very important as in most instances with rape charges, the victim is the only witness that can testify on behalf of the State regarding the elements of the crime to be proved which include the identity, absence of consent, the place, and circumstances in which the crime was performed and the first reporting of the incident.
5. Less common reasons include key witnesses not being available for testimony, contradictions in evidence by State witnesses and alibi evidence of accused that cannot be disproved.
6. The complainant changes his or her version exonerating the accused.
7. Forensic evidence exonerates the accused.
8. Other evidence exonerates the accused.
9. Complainant not in a fit mental state due to the trauma she/he endured.

b) The numbers of acquittals have been reflected above. However, as indicated in paragraph 3 (a) above, it is not possible to record each reason in isolation, it is important to note that even where the court may not be satisfied that the evidence is insufficient to prove the commission of an offence of rape, the court may still convict and often does, convict the accused on a competent verdict such as indecent assault, assault to do grievous bodily harm or assault common.

4. The State is aware of the difficulties in proving cases of rape, as well as similar sexual offence charges, including general Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) related offences. The National Prosecuting Authority as well as the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, in cooperation with other Government departments are doing a lot of work in this regard. One of the most important initiatives in this regard is the establishment of the various Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) in the country where victims are being assisted, evidential support is provided including counselling for victims and matters can be reported. The prosecution is also assisting victims at court by means of Court Preparation Officers to prepare witnesses for court and facilitate victim impact statements in sexual offences matters.

It is also important to note that rape is one of the most difficult offences to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the crime has been committed by the specific accused. The conviction rate in general sexual offences, all crimes in terms of the Sexual Offences Act, Act No. 32 of 2007, is remarkably higher as indicated in the table below:

YEAR	CONVICTIONS	CONVICTION RATE
2018/19	4 724	74.4%
2019/20	4 098	75.2%
2020/21	2 539	75.8%
2021/22	3 402	74.2%

Reply:

The tables below provide details of number of buildings housing the Magistrates Courts, High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court that have internet, air-conditioning and access for disabled persons, and that are functional.

		Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts		460	456	455	434	433	398	394
High Courts		14	14	14	14	13	14	14
Supreme Court of Appeal		1	1	1	1	0	1	1
Constitutional Court		1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Province: Eastern Cape

	Number of buildings	Internet (Number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection)	Air conditioning (Number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (Number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (Number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate Courts	90	90	90	68	68	76	76
High Courts	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Free State

Districts	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate Courts	67	67	67	67	67	67	67
High Courts	1	1	1	1	0	1	1
Supreme Court of Appeal	1	1	1	1	0	1	1
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Gauteng

	Number of Buildings	Internet (Number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional internet (Number of buildings with functional internet connection)	Air-Conditioning (Number of court buildings with HVAC system)	Air-Conditioning (Number of court buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (Number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (Number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate Courts	55	55	55	55	55	55	55
High Courts	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Supreme Courts of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Courts	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Province: Kwa-Zulu Natal

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air-conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	76	76	76	76	76	39	39
High Courts	02	02	02	02	02	02	02
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Limpopo

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	54	50	49	50	50	51	47
High Courts	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Mpumalanga

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	46	46	46	46	46	46	46
High Courts	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: North West

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	34	34	34	34	34	26	26
High Courts	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Northern Cape

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	38	38	38	38	37	38 .	38
High Courts	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Province: Western Cape

	Number of buildings	Internet (number of buildings with internet connection)	Functional Internet (number of buildings with functional internet connection	Air conditioning (number of buildings with HVAC system)	Functional HVAC (number of buildings with functional HVAC system)	Access for disabled people (number of buildings with access for the disabled)	Functional disabled facilities (number of buildings with functional facilities for the disabled)
Magistrate courts	72	72	72	72	72	62	62
High Courts	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Supreme Court of Appeal	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constitutional Court	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

END

Reply:

During the recent strike action, 2,186 Eskom employees were reported to have participated in the unprotected strike action. Eskom has served all identified employees with a notification to institute disciplinary action, and the cases are at different stages of the disciplinary process.

The System Operator determines the stage of load shedding required at any particular point in time in consultation with Generation. Stage 6 has been the highest level of load shedding to date and load shedding equates to approximately 5% of the load in a particular area per stage. The industry document that guides how load shedding is carried out is the NRS048 standard and it currently goes up to Stage 8 load shedding. Load shedding is executed in a controlled manner to ensure system stability across the country.

Since the announcement on 25 July 2022 of additional measures to tackle load shedding, the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) has been established to oversee measures to improve the performance of Eskom’s existing fleet of power stations; accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity; increase private investment in electricity generation; enable businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar; and fundamentally transform the electricity sector to position it for future sustainability. Significant progress has been made in several key areas, including the following:

• The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has published an amendment to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act for public comment in line with the announcement made by the President to remove the licencing threshold for embedded generation projects. The schedule was previously amended to raise the licensing threshold to 100 MW, a reform which has already unlocked significant private investment.

The new amendment will remove the licensing requirement for generation projects of any size and allow investment in larger, utility-scale projects to rapidly add new generation capacity to the grid.

• Various actions have been implemented to streamline regulatory processes for energy projects with more activities under review. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has waived the need to obtain an environmental authorisation for transmission infrastructure in areas of low and medium environmental sensitivity and in strategic transmission corridors. Average timeframes have been reduced for various regulatory processes, including grid connection, NERSA registration, water use licensing, environmental impact assessment and land use authorisation.

• Eskom is taking steps to address challenges at power station level, including by deploying former power station managers and skilled experts to improve operational performance and reduce partial load losses.

• A new Ministerial determination has been sent to NERSA for concurrence for over 18,000 MW of new generation capacity from wind, solar and battery storage.

• A revised RFP has been published for Bid Window 6 to increase the amount of generation capacity procured from 2,600 MW to 5,200 MW.

• An additional 200 MW has been procured through the Southern African Power Pool as of September 2022, with work underway to increase imports from the region.

• A standard offer approach has been developed for Eskom to procure up to 1,000 MW of additional capacity from existing generators, contingent on market response.

• Work is underway within Eskom to develop a mechanism to procure surplus energy from customers to increase uptake of rooftop solar installations.

• The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, which provides for the establishment of an independent transmission company and the emergence of a competitive electricity market, is being finalised for tabling in Parliament.

• The Integrated Resource Plan 2019 is being reviewed, with a completion target of March 2023, to update assumptions regarding energy availability and technological changes.

These and other measures currently underway will make a significant difference in reducing the risk of load shedding and achieving long-term energy security.

Reply:

The department is currently implementing the Strategic Framework on Self-sufficiency and sustainability (launched 01 April 2021), with the aim to increase the generation of food and other products. This is derived from the Correctional Services Act Section 3(2)(b) of the Correctional Services Act, Act No. 111 of 1998 as amended: “the department must as far as practicable be self-sufficient and operate according to business principles”.

DCS embarked on a process to incrementally increase self-produce food stuff and provide furniture and other products for own use and as ordered by other government departments. However, we have not been able to provide 100% in all of the needs of the inmates. The following progress has been recorded since the launch of the Strategic Framework on Self-sufficiency and sustainability:

• Vegetables from DCS farms, we recorded an 89% self-sufficiency;
• Fruit 78;
• Red meat and pork in access of 90%; &
• 100% self-sufficient in provisioning of eggs for inmate meals (ration)

This is an ongoing process of DCS investing in machinery and equipment in order to increase the level of sufficiency with the aim to eventually provide for the majority of food and other products to be used and or consumed by inmates.

Research is being conducted regarding the possibility and capacity to in source completely, which will then guide the possibility to provide outside of DCS.

END

Reply:

1. The only meeting discussing appointments within the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) that I attended within my role as Executive Authority of the DSBD was with the departmental officials duly appointed and authorised to engage on the appointment of personnel within the DSBD.
2. All appointments within the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) are in line with the relevant Public Service Regulations as published by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Appointments within the DSBD follows the processes and guidelines contained within the regulations. As such these appointments do not get discussed at forums or external structures that are not regulated by the Public Service Regulations.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

The Honourable Member is requested to note that the Department does not have at its disposal the information he is requesting. However, he will be furnished with the information as soon as it is received from the Province as matters relating to chieftaincies (senior traditional leadership) are the competence of provincial government.

Reply:

Government will continue, within a constrained fiscal environment, to support measures to intensify the fight against corruption and ensure that there is sufficient capacity for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases emanating from the State Capture Commission. Recommendations from the State Capture Commission that require additional financial resources are being considered by the National Treasury as part of the budget process.

Reply:

a) The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) through its entity, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) provides business development support to SMMEs and Co-operatives with Information & Business Advice, Business Plans, Mentoring and Training etc.

b) With limited resources, Seda has over the past five financial years provided the following skills development programmes for SMMEs and Co-operatives as per table below:

TRAININGS	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19	2017/18	Total
Start Up 1	R1,014,111	R438,178	R566,617	R903,389	R774,003	R3,696,298
Small business Start Up	R150,844	R157,365	R409,954	R440,347	R497,540	R1,656,050
Basic Business Skills	R2,363,054	R2,610,713	R1,216,157	R1,224,240	R1,070,592	R8,484,756
Other Training	R20,011,593	R7,270,968	R1,435,190	R1,879,117	R2,631,256	R33,228,124
Co-Op Training	R203,920	R269,310	R384,764	R130,220	R380,542	R1,368,756
Total	R23,743,522	R10,746,534	R4,012,682	R4,577,313	R5,353,933	R48,433,984

“Other training” in table above includes amongst others: Productivity improvement, Capacity Building training, Customer Service training, Labour Employer training, financial wellness and sector specific training which was introduced in 2021/22 FY.

Seda through its Learning Academy has developed different training programmes. These programmes are credit bearing and accredited by the Services Seta. Quality training aims to assist organisations of all types to implement and operate the Quality Management System (QMS) to increase effectiveness, consistency and customer satisfaction, explain the benefits of implementing QMS and understand the quality, management principles. Whilst food safety introduces Food Safety, Understand Pre-Requisite programme, Hazard Analysis, Critical, Control, Point system (HACCP) and HACCP principles and Implementing a Food Safety Management System (SANS 22000:2019.).

The table below provides Seda’s spent for the past five financial years:

Quality Training and Food Safety	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19	2017/18	Total
	R10,140,769	R7,107,300	R5,337,100	R4,706,400	R5,660,400	R38,612,369

Seda also has an Export Orientation Course (EOC) which focuses on Export Development. These courses focus on the business with the aim of helping the business assess its export readiness. The trainings target SMMEs that have the intention and the potential to enter the export business or those already involved in exports but wanted to strengthen their knowledge in this field of business. Seda has over the past five financial years provided Export Orientation courses for SMMEs and Co-operatives as per table below:

Export Development - Export Orientation courses	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19	2017/18	Total
	R730,000	R291,845	R150,000	R380,000	R220,000	R1,771,845

Furthermore, Seda has an Entrepreneurship in Schools Programme that encourages learners to consider entrepreneurship as an alternative career to employment. The main objective of the programme is:

1. To influence the mind set of learners by encouraging them to become job creators instead of job seekers once they leave the schooling system.
2. To equip learners with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed to start and manage their businesses; and
3. To improve entrepreneurial activity amongst the learners and educators.

The table below provides Seda’s spent for the past five financial years:

Entrepreneurship in schools	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19	2017/18	Total
	R3,260,000	R1,893,242	R2,072,671	R2,060,364	R2,103,817	R11,390,093

Seda is also in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development’s (UNCTAD) Division of Investment and Enterprise United Nation’s Empretec training Programme. The following are details about the programme:

1. Empretec is a 6 Day programme aimed based on a unique Harvard University methodology focusing on behavioural approach to entrepreneurship.
2. The programme is interactive, experience and self-assessment based and takes 25-30 participants per workshop. Participants learn by doing.
3. Participants on this programme receive an UNCTAD endorsed certificate.
4. Programme develops Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs) such as Opportunity Seeking, Persistence, Goal setting, risk taking, fulfilling commitments, planning etc. for participants.

The table below provides Seda’s spent for the past five financial years:

Empretec	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19	2017/18	Total
	R1,050,000.00	R1,155,000.00	R1080000	R1710000	R810000	R5,805,000.00

Seda also has a dedicated programme, The Basic Entrepreneurship Skills Development (BESD) which was jointly developed by Seda and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development via Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) since 2012. GIZ left the programme in December 2016. The programme is funded by the National Skills Fund for an amount of R84 million. The BESD approach utilises coaching as an innovative methodology to facilitate and reinforce learning and development support to emerging entrepreneurs. A total of 260 undergraduates and 1998 Emerging Entrepreneurs successfully completed the training initiative.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

The allocated budget of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority on skills development for small and medium businesses for each of the past financial years is as follows:

Financial year	Number of SMEs Supported	Budget Allocated
2018/19	910	R16 380 000.00
2019/20	3 608	R64 944 000.00
2020/21	2 446	R44 028 000.00
2021/22	2 508	R23 826 000.00
2022/23	2 700 (in progress)	R25 650 000.00

 

Reply:

The modelling conducted by the Ministerial Task Team was used to assist the Department, NSFAS and National Treasury as part of the medium-term budget discussions in preparation for the 2022/23 MTEF process. The model used the inflation estimates outlined in the 2022/23 MTEF Guidelines sent out by the National Treasury. This resulted in the shortfall for 2022/23 being addressed in the 2022/23 budget vote, with reprioritisation from across government, as well as an additional amount required from the Department’s budget. However, the discussion on whether allowances can be changed is dependent on funding available and anticipated costs for 2023. 

The MTEF allocations to NSFAS for university students are as follows:

MTEF - Allocation	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
University allocation: Baseline	37 151 442	40 711 784	44 399 325
Reprioritisation-Universities	1 207 665
Sub-total: Universities	38 359 107	40 711 784	44 399 325

Reply:

(1)(a) In terms of section 6(1) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, 2003, as amended, the B-BBEE Advisory Council consists of members of the Executive and individuals appointed by the President, drawn from a wide range of persons with experience and expertise relevant to the work of the Council.

The members of the Council are:

• President, who is the Chairperson,
• Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, who is the Deputy Chairperson,
• Minister of Employment and Labour,
• Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development,
• Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies,
• Ms Gloria Serobe,
• Mr Kganki Matabane,
• Dr Nthabiseng Moleko,
• Ms Sibongile Sambo,
• Mr Sibusiso Maphatiane,
• Mr Ajay Lalu,
• Ms Louise Thipe,
• Ms Makale Ngwenya,
• Mr Kashief Wicomb,
• Mr Thulani Tshefuta,
• Mr James Hodge,
• Ms Khathu Lambani Makwela,
• Ms Irene Dimakatso Morati,
• Dr Lulu Gwagwa.

(1)(b) The terms of reference of the Council are set out in Section 5 of the Act:

• advise government on black economic empowerment;
• review progress in achieving black economic empowerment;
• advise on draft codes of good practice which the Minister intends publishing for comment;
• advise on the development, amendment or replacement of the strategy referred to in section 11 of the B-BBEE Act;
• if requested to do so, advise on draft transformation charters; and
• facilitate partnerships between organs of state and the private sector that will advance the objectives of this Act.

(2) The Advisory Council is a statutory body and one of its functions is to review progress on B-BBEE implementation. Advances made in implementing this constitutional imperative include the increasing number of success stories of black entrepreneurs and industrialists who are adding to South Africa’s GDP and to job creation. As a consequence of governments’ empowerment programmes, more than 400,000 workers are now shareholders in their companies or are covered by agreements committing to introducing share ownership. An increasing number of black South Africans are occupying key management positions or serve as board members of leading South African companies and thousands of workers have benefited from skills development.

(3) The Council provides advice that can assist the work of government departments and entities and it does not therefore duplicate the work of any department, as it is not an executing structure. It does however provide Government with the independent perspectives of experts and persons with insights from different constituencies. The annual budget of the Advisory Council for the execution of its mandate and the legislated functions mentioned above is R734,000.

Reply:

It is not correct to say that I have established 25 task teams since becoming President of the Republic on 15 February 2018.

However, a number of advisory councils, commissions, panels and working groups have been established since 2018. Some of these continue to function as per their stated terms of reference, while others were established for a specific purpose and were therefore terminated upon completion of their work and submission of their reports.

The relevant information on these bodies is contained in the reply to NA Question 2292 submitted by Ms S Gwarube (DA) on 10 June 2022.

Cabinet Committees, including Inter-Ministerial Committees, have also been established and there are no costs attendant on these structures. The minutes of Cabinet Committees and Inter-Ministerial Committees are classified.

Where task teams are established, they are generally for a specific time-limited purpose, consist mostly of government officials and do not require additional costs.

Where applicable, the records of the relevant bodies may be obtained from the relevant secretariat departments.