Questions and Replies

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:

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:

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:

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) 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:

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 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:

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:

(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:

(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 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)

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

As with all Advisory Councils, the members of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) only receive remuneration for the time spent for the preparation and attendance of the meetings and such other tasks as may be delegated by the NACAC.

Members of the NACAC shall be remunerated according to the remuneration category and scale recommended by the National Treasury’s Central Evaluation Committee. The Presidency has budgeted for operational costs that may arise.

The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council members have been drawn from civil society, academia, business and labour, based on a list of publicly nominated individuals.

Reply:

(a) The following Incubators are funded by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) through funding allocation from Department of Small Business Development (DSBD):

No.	Province	Number of Incubation Centres
1	Eastern Cape	17
2	Free State	6
3	Gauteng	36
4	Kwa Zulu Natal	19
5	Limpopo	7
6	Mpumalanga	10
7	Northern Cape	5
8	North West	8
9	Western Cape	14
122

(b) According to data collected during 2019/20 financial year, a total of 106 incubators in the private sector were recorded. See below breakdown:

Type	No
Accelerators	49
Incubators	57
Total	106

It is however difficult to get real time numbers since state funded and private sector incubators are not governed and or affiliated to a body. Seda is in a process of resuscitating the Southern African Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA) which will address the intention of assessing the overall number of incubators in the country.

(c) Seda does not have data on international players per province, however Seda is co-funding an incubator with the French Embassy called French South African Tech Labs in Cape Town.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) was established as part of the institutional arrangements contained in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which was developed through an extensive and inclusive participatory process.

The establishment of the council is a reflection of government’s commitment to work with all sections of society to fight corruption, promote integrity in the work of government and advancing Priority 1 of the Medium Term Strategic Framework – building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

The specific terms of reference for the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) are as follows:

• Advise on the effective implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) by government, civil society and the private sector.

• Advise key role-players on the overarching thrust and six pillars of the NACS.

• Advise on the strengthening of South Africa’s anti-corruption architecture.

• Host the National Anti-Corruption Summit(s), bringing together government, civil society, business and academia to set the country’s anti-corruption agenda and evaluate progress in the implementation of the NACS; and

• Advise on public awareness about corruption in all its facets.

The NACAC is an advisory council to the President. The Presidency has budgeted for operational costs that may arise.

Given its terms of reference, mandate and broad representivity, the NACAC has a valuable contribution to make to the consideration and implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.

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:

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 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:

Any abuse of inmates is against the departmental code of conduct.

a) Department of Correctional Services has the following reported incidents of abuse on inmates by the officials reported over a period of five (05) years:

Period	Type of complaint	Alleged number of officials
2017/18	None	None
2018/19	None	None
2019/20	None	None
2020/21	None	None
2021/22	02: sexual abuse	02
	01: psychological abuse

b) In line with the departmental code of conduct, disciplinary processes were undertaken with the following outcomes:

Period	Type of complaint	Outcome of disciplinary process
2017/18	None	None
2018/19	None	None
2019/20	None	None
2020/21	None	None
2021/22	02: sexual abuse	01 official was not found guilty. 01 official was dismissed.
	01: psychological abuse	02 officials were given written warnings

END

Reply:

A general approach adopted by the Department is to understand the quantum of financing and activity in specific value-chains within the sector. With this perspective, it was noted that renewable energy is clearly the most substantial sector currently, and opportunities were identified for specialised SMMEs who provide the technical services and products required at different stages of development and operation. Technologies such as solar water heating, bioenergy, smart grids and smart meters provide considerable opportunities across the board for SMMEs. Beyond the various product and service sectors and value chains, another key area of intervention is to support SMMEs to make them greener, more sustainable and thereby more competitive.

The Department has looked at mechanisms to support SMMEs within targeted sectors, using all instruments at their disposal. This includes:

1. Business Development Support, incubation.
2. Ensuring specialised technical and quality support for SMMEs.
3. Plans are afoot to look at preferential and specialised financial assistance and incentives.
4. Policies to set-aside or ringfence a percentage of the value of projects or products for SMMEs in defined value-chains, sub-sectors and state procurement.
5. Localisation and demand-side policies.
6. Export support.

The Department is also looking at supporting SMMEs to become more sustainable and to adopt green practices through partnership with the Department of Fisheries Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) looking at the following specific measures:

1. To publicise, support and facilitate access by SMMEs to the full range of energy and resource- saving services.

2. Encourage and incentivise SMMEs to install embedded power generation technologies as it becomes economically feasible.

3. Promote the concept of circularity and the efficient manufacture and sustainable use of materials and resources.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

There are several reasons for the severe economic challenges our country is experiencing today. The accumulated legacy of colonialism and apartheid has been compounded by the effects of state capture and corruption, by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, by an energy crisis that has lasted for more than a decade, and now by global instability.

The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), crafted in partnership with social partners at NEDLAC, is government’s response to these economic challenges. Since it was launched in October 2020, this plan has helped to restore some of the jobs that were lost, support vulnerable households and firms, and place the economy on a path to growth.

The plan includes the following key areas of intervention:

• A massive rollout of infrastructure, which will be achieved by unlocking new public and private infrastructure investment through building capability in Infrastructure SA and the Infrastructure Fund, reviewing procurement frameworks, and providing catalytic funding through blended finance instruments.

To date, 34 out of 50 strategic infrastructure projects are in implementation stages, accounting for R281 billion out of a total budget of R340 billion.

• Achieving energy security, by improving Eskom’s performance and rapidly expanding generation capacity through a diverse energy mix.

In addition to the measures in the ERRP, in July 2022, I announced further measures to ensure Eskom achieves an acceptable energy availability factor, to accelerate the procurement of new capacity from renewables, gas and battery storage, facilitate greater private investment in generation capacity and transform the electricity sector.

While government is accelerating and expanding its power procurement programme, there are currently over 80 private generation projects, with around 6,000 MW of capacity, at various stages of development.

• An employment stimulus to create jobs and support livelihoods through public and social employment.

Since its inception in October 2022, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created over a million work and livelihood opportunities for unemployed South Africans. Of the participants, over 80% are youth and over 62% are women.

• Renewed support to grow South African businesses, by pursuing new areas of growth through industrialisation, localisation and export promotion, helping SA businesses to thrive and expand.

As part of this work, master plans have been finalised in eight industries – clothing, textiles, footwear and leather, poultry, sugar, automotive, furniture, steel, tourism and forestry – resulting in total investment commitments of R82.5 billion and the creation of 6,500 jobs.

The 4th South Africa Investment Conference in March 2022 raised investment pledges to the value of R332 billion. This brings the total value of investment commitments since 2018 to over R1.1 trillion.

• Implementing economic reform measures to reduce the cost of doing business, lower barriers to entry and create a more competitive and inclusive economy.

Some of the progress to date includes the auction of high-demand broadband spectrum, the identification of possible private sector partners for container terminals at the Durban and Ngqura ports, enabling third-party access to the freight rail network, clearing the water use licence backlog and significantly improving turnaround times, publishing a revised Critical Skills List and completing a comprehensive review of the work visa system.

Given the severe economic and social challenges our country is facing, government has been working with social partners towards consensus on the key tasks that we need to undertake together to address these challenges.

Underpinned by the ERRP, negotiations are underway through NEDLAC to finalise a ‘Framework for a Social Compact in South Africa’. This will form the basis for a broader engagement with all stakeholders and all South Africans on decisive actions to address unemployment, poverty and inequality.

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 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:

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) coordinates several international scholarships that are offered by international partners, while others are managed by other international, national and provincial departments or government agencies or private entities. The project initiation, administration, budgeting and funding of scholarship programmes are the responsibility of each provincial or national department that embarks on and implements these programmes as per the provincial or national department objectives.

All funding resources for any project including international scholarships have to be secured by the responsible sponsoring department before students are recruited and sent abroad. However, despite this clear separation of financial responsibilities of project implementation and funding between provincial and national department, DHET has put in several structures to promote and strengthen good practice, coordination and management of international scholarships.

The DHET established the International Scholarships Intergovernmental Forum, which it chairs and serves as secretariat. The DHET plays a national oversight and advisory role on international scholarship programmes in which different government departments at both national and provincial levels are involved. The Forum includes all government departments that administer international scholarships and meets biannually.

To further strengthen the Implementation of International Scholarships by the different government entities, the Minister of Higher Education and Training developed a strategy to strengthen the coordination, management and implementation of international scholarships. These Guidelines are geared towards facilitating the effective coordination and to address a range of persisting issues and challenges that have emerged in the implementation of international scholarships by South African Government entities. Furthermore, in order to strengthen the application of International Scholarships Guidelines, the guidelines are currently being processed into a National Policy to strengthen scholarship coordination, implementation and good practice.

Reply:

Since the Minister took office (August 2021) no study has been conducted on SMMEs that have registered as formal businesses. The only study which was conducted was in partnership with Fin scope South Africa during 2021/22 financial year which has estimated the total number of SMMEs that have registered as formal businesses at 2 615 715. The study segmented micro enterprises at 2 219 026, small enterprises at 375 809 and medium-sized enterprises at 20 916, full details of each category are outlined below.

Table 1: Small Enterprises by category and number of employees

Additionally, small enterprises operate mainly within the services and trade industries whilst medium-sized enterprises are predominantly within the industrial sector. In terms of the study the industries/sectors of operation are as follows: majority of micro and small enterprises operate within the services sector/industry as well as trade, whilst medium enterprises are within the industrial sector.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) spent a total of R4 512 571.93 on consultants from 1 May 2019 to 31 May 2022, as tabulated below:

DSBD Consultants services - 1 May 2019 to 31 May 2022
Item	Purpose	Amount in Rands
Audit committee	Audit related functions	773 254,15
HRM services	Employee, Health and Wellness related matters	307 570,81
Occupational health	Training	7 900,00
Organisational structure	BBBEE Verification	54 625,00
Qualification verification	Payment for candidate verification	146 980,38
Research and advisory	Appointment of a service provider to provide an overview of the economic challenges experienced by SMME's cooperatives in South Africa and a comparative analysis of policy responses of at least three (3) countries at a similar stage of development and propose suitable policy responses to DSBD for a period of six (6) months. Appointment of a service provider to undertake a study on an analysis and assessment of barriers to entry for small, macro and medium enterprise and cooperatives to economic opportunities and to draft a policy framework. Update the IDBS Policy and Package for Gazzette. Appointment of a service provider to assist the Department with the strengthening of the Red Tape Reduction strategy. SMME Annual Review. Financial Literature and Context Review. Provision of human resources within the Office of the Director-General to render Secretariat functions for a period of 12 months.	3 118 601,60
Translate and transcription	Interpretation and sign language services	103 639,99
TOTAL		4 512 571,93

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOMENT

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.

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:

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)(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:

The written reply is indicated below:

a) The purpose of the Systemic Evaluation (SE)

The purpose of the SE is to monitor learner performance trends across years, which will be based on a curriculum test in Mathematics and Languages in Grades 3, 6 and 9. The assessment of learner performance will be evaluated in the context of in-school (school) and out-of-school (district) factors that influence learner performance. 

b) The number of fieldworkers

The requirement for the appointment of fieldworkers was a teacher qualification and teaching experience. Fieldworkers were appointed by the appointed service provider. Learners write the assessments on their own but are monitored closely by the fieldworker. In their recruitment, the company did not distinguish between primary and secondary teachers. A total of 710 fieldworkers were recruited.

c) How field workers are compensated for their work

The rates of payment were as follows:

• • Administration of assessment: R500.00 for every day worked (including attending training sessions),
  • Own car usage: mileage reimbursement is  R3.82 per kilometre.
  • Public transport Allowance: R150.00 per day worked
  • Data and airtime allowance: R200.00 once off

d) The number of sampled schools

Schools were randomly sampled per province before the administration of the study. A provincial breakdown of the sampled schools selected for the study is indicated in table below. The sampling has been completed and the data collection has been completed and there is no further sampling required.

Province	Grade 3, 6 and 9 sampled schools
Eastern Cape	434
Free State	351
Gauteng	405
KwaZulu-Natal	450
Limpopo	418
Mpumalanga	373
Northern Cape	323
North West	387
Western Cape	398
Total	3 539

 

Reply:

1). The allocations of Human Settlements Grants in the KwaZulu-Natal Province:

(i) 2021/22 Financial Year

Provincial Allocations- KwaZulu-Natal Province

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)
Human Settlements Development Grant	2 455 021
Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme Grant	714 375
Provincial Emergency Housing Grant	-

Municipal Allocations-eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)
Urban Settlements Development Grant	1 288 158
Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme Grant	686 369

(ii) 2022/23 Financial Year

Provincial Allocations- KwaZulu-Natal Province

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)
Human Settlements Development Grant	2 935 224
Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme Grant in KwaZulu-Natal	756 868
Provincial Emergency Housing Grant	-

Municipal Allocations- eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)
Urban Settlements Development Grant	1 279 036
Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant	727 265

2). Transferred Amounts

(i) 2021/22 Financial Year

Provincial Grant Transfers

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)	Transferred (R’000)
Human Settlements Development Grant	2 455 021	2 455 021
Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant	714 375	714 375
Provincial Emergency Housing Grant	-	-

Municipal Grant Transfers- eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)	Transferred Funds (R’000)
Urban Settlements Development Grant	1 288 158	1 288 158
Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant	686 369	686 369
Municipal Emergency Housing Grant	-	-

(ii) 2022/23 Financial Year

Provincial Grant Transfers as at 31 August 2022

Name of Grant	Allocations R’000)	Transferred Funds (R’000)
Human Settlements Development Grant	2 935 224	1 472 072
Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant	756 868	415 937
Provincial Emergency Housing Grant	325 764	140 003

Municipal Grant Transfers as at 31 August 2022

Name of Grant	Allocations (R’000)	Transferred (R’000)
Urban Settlements Development Grant	1 279 036	447 663
Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant	727 269	363 633
Municipal Emergency Housing Grant	-	-

3). Relevant details of all approved reprioritization from existing and future budget allocations from the grants for the specific purposes of flood relief in KwaZulu-Natal:

(i) KwaZulu-Natal Province

a) Human Settlements Development Grant

The natural disasters that occurred recently implied that the National Department had to approve the entire annual allocation of Provincial Emergency Housing Grant (PEHG) amounting to R326 million to assist the reported disaster of KwaZulu-Natal Province and therefore had no funds afterwards to assist any other Province with similar funding needs.

In the case of KwaZulu-Natal Province, an amount of R515 million (HSDG-R326 million and ISUPG – R189 million) was reprioritised by the Province to address the disaster and after the PEHG was approved, the Province decided to utilise the R326 million from PEHG and reverse the same amount which was reprioritised to address the disaster back to the HSDG.This implied that the Province still has the full annual allocation of HSDG of R2.9 billion to address human settlements needs for the 2022/23 financial year.

b) Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant

The Province had reprioritised R189 million from ISUPG and that amount remains to cater for the widely reported and declared disaster. The annual allocation of the grant amounts to R727 million for this current financial year.

(ii) eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

Municipal Reprioritised Funds from the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) and Informal Settlements Development Grant (ISUPG) for Municipalities are for the 2022/23 financial year as detailed below:

a) Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG)-R340.3 million

1. Sundry replacements (Blocksum) and replacement of network to ensure security of supply to existing customers - R14.4 million;
2. Repair of damaged road surface, sidewalks, manhole, storm recovery, bridges, catch pit, embankments Damaged gabion, road reinstatement and storm water repairs in various areas – R218.4 million;
3. Marrianhill Storm Water Protection and Environments Protection, replacement of Leachate Treatment Plants, Sundry Replacements (Blocksum) Lovu Landfill cell PH and Infrastructure, Bisassar Road Landfill – R72.3 million; and
4. Tongaat Water Treatment Works Remedial to storm damage – R35.2 million.

b) Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant – R124.4 million

1. Purchase of land in Quarry Road West and Ezingwenyeni Informal Settlements – R8 million; and
2. Three projects for refurbishment or rehabilitate the infrastructure damaged by storm in various informal settlements namely, Dassenhook Informal Settlement, Salvia Place Informal Settlement, Quarry Road Informal Settlement, Umlazi Z and Q Informal Settlement and Mayville Informal Settlement – R116.4 million.

Reply:

1. The Department is engaging with the Department of Labour and Employment on the issue of Domestic Workers. In August 2022, the DWYPD participated in a dialogue session organized by the Department of Labour and Employment, where its main purpose was to bring together policymakers and partners to build and/or strengthen strategic partnerships that will collaboratively work towards improving access to the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Compensation Fund and other benefits for Domestic Workers in South Africa.

The main challenge the Domestic Sector is experiencing is that majority of domestic workers are not registered, which makes it very difficult for the department of Labour to monitor in terms of the implementation of the labour law.

In this dialogue process, the DWYPD engaged with different National Departments such as the Departments of Social Development; Employment and Labour, as well as with Representatives from the Joint SDG Fund in South Africa: viz. ILO, UNICEF, UN WOMEN; Representatives from civil society, private sector; and Domestic Workers representatives.

This work is ongoing.

2. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities made a recommendation that the that Department of Labour working with DWYPD deploys inspectors to the households to check if they are registered and check compliance in terms of the minimum wage agreement, maternity benefits, medical benefits and other related issues. The DWYPD will continue engaging the Department of Labour and Employment in this regard.

_________________________

Approved by Minister

Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP

Date:

Reply:

According to the information received from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Social Development, there is no information on the officials in question in their employment records. In the absence of such information, I am not able to provide any further details on the matter.

Reply:

1. I have not attend any meeting of that nature.

2. None

Reply:

(a) (b) The department funds programmes in NPOs which is inclusive of operational costs to fill posts. The department does not fund individual posts in an NPO.

There are 7 102 social workers employed by the NPO Sector across the country.

The table below reflects the number of Social Workers employed by NPOs in the nine provincial departments based on the programme funding received from the Department.

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED IN NPOs
Eastern Cape	1 638
Free State	409
Gauteng	2 311
KwaZulu Natal	1 111
Limpopo	136
Mpumalanga	328
Northern Cape	69
North West	No response
Western Cape	1 100
Total	102

 

2. The salaries of Social Workers and Supervisors/managers employed in the public service range from grades 1 to 4 and 1 to 2 respectively as prescribed by the Occupational Specific Dispersion (OSD) for Social Service Professionals (SSPs). In every Province these would range within these scales.

The table below reflects the categories of Social Workers and their respective salaries within the Public Service.

OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY	SALARY NOTCH
Social work	Grade 1	R261, 456 – R303, 093
	Grade 2	R321, 546 – R369, 258
	Grade 3	R389, 991 – R452, 106
	Grade 4	R 479, 640 – R 589, 896
Social Work Supervisor	Grade 1	R 389, 991 – R 452, 106
	Grade 2	R 479, 640 – R 725, 517
Social Work Manager	Grade 1	R 806, 811 – R 908, 085
	Grade 2	R 806, 811 – R 1 116, 931
Social Work policy Developer	Grade 1	R 369, 268 – R 413, 739
	Grade 2	R 439, 945 – R 589, 896
Social Work Policy Manager	Grade 1	R 806, 811 – R 908, 085
	Grade 2	R 963, 387 – R 1 116, 831

3. Salaries of social Workers vary from NPO to NPO and Province to Province depending on the funds, sponsors and donations they receive.

Below are the examples of salaries paid to Social Workers in Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape based of DSD Programme funding.

Province	Professional Posts	Annual Allocation
Gauteng	Assistant Director	R 285, 084
	Chief Social Work	R 233, 784
	Social Work	R 174, 456
	Social Auxiliary Work	R 141, 168
Western Cape	Social Work Manager	R 547, 884
	Social Work Supervisor	R 299, 688
	Social Work	R 198, 132
Eastern Cape	Social Work	R 135, 187
	Principal Social Work	R 203, 553

4. Salaries in the Public Service are determined centrally by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Social Workers in the Public Service fall within the Occupation-Specific Dispensation (OSD) for Social Services Professionals (SSPs), which are tailor-made to ensure staff retention. `

The appointment of Social Workers in the NPO sector is guided by the employment policies of the various organisations and their respective management boards. The salaries of social workers are dependent on the subsidy that the department gives to the NPO, which is informed by the allocations it receives from National Treasury. It is also based on the ability of the NPO’s to source funding from other sources outside of government.

Reply:

The DWYPD assesses the draft APPs of departments to ensure that the plans are responsive to the priorities of WYPD and annually monitors the government progress towards the economic empowerment and promotion of the rights of WYPD. The 2019-2022 report has the following findings among others:

• Women in Energy (WiE) Programme was developed to promote access to information and support women to participate in through workshops and business summit for Women Owned Entrepreneurs. The workshop was held with over 1000 women entrepreneurs from all nine provinces, as well as Women in Energy (WiE) Business Summit attended by over 2000 women.

• 1 497 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were approved for funding under the SMME Debt Relief Fund, of these, 33% are women-owned and 21% owned by young people;
• The DSI reported that 110 innovator youth business start-ups were supported as part of the Grassroots Innovation Programme. Thirteen (13) businesses for youths have been established. About thirty-one (31) of the 110 (29%) are women innovators who have been supported through the programme.

• The Department of Tourism is implementing a three-year pilot project on Women in Tourism (WiT) in Limpopo Province. The Project is based in the following municipalities: Musina, Thulamela, Greater Giyani, Hoedspruit and Molemole;

• Furthermore, the Department of Tourism supported the Green Tourism Incentive Programme with a total of 45 grants and 25 awarded to women-owned businesses. Tourism Transformation Fund grants were approved for 17 businesses, of which 8 are women-owned. Of these, 5 are 100% women-owned, 1 is 70% women-owned, 1 is 60% women-owned and 1 is 50% women-owned.

_________________________

Approved by Minister

Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP

Date:

Reply:

a). Additional Funding

There is no additional funding for either the Province or the Metro of Human settlements grants provided in the current financial year.

b). Reprioritization

An amount of R340.3 million was reprioritised under Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG) and R124.4 million under Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG). These reprioritised funds, as part of the 2022/23 annual allocations, have already been transferred to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality for the reprioritization for the flooding disaster relief purposes. It should be noted that the above-stated funds are not additional funds but are part of the allocated 2022/23 financial year.

(2) What are the details of the impact of the above-mentioned local, provincial or national reprioritisation of any Human Settlements grants on the provision of housing and basic services in the (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 financial years? NW3097E

a) 2021-22 financial year

There were no declared disasters that necessitated the reprioritisation measure during the 2021/22 financial year. The Provinces and Metropolitan Municipalities were able to continue with the normal operational tasks as expected of them without any impact on the annual budgets allocated to the Province.

b) 2022-23 financial year

(i) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements

The natural disasters that occurred recently implied that the National Department had to approve the entire annual allocation of Provincial Emergency Housing Grant (PEHG) amounting to R326 million to assist the reported disaster of KwaZulu-Natal Province and therefore had no funds afterwards to assist any other Province with similar funding needs.

In the case of KwaZulu-Natal Province, an amount of R515 million (HSDG-R326 million and ISUPG – R189 million) was reprioritised by the Province to address the disaster and after the PEHG was approved, the Province decided to utilise the R326 million from PEHG and reverse the same amount which was reprioritised to address the disaster back to the HSDG. This implied that the Province still has the full annual allocation of HSDG of R2.9 billion to address human settlements needs for the 2022/23 financial year

(ii) eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

The Metro reprioritised funds allocated under Urban Settlements Development Grant amounting to R340.3 million to cater for the following projects:

• Sundry replacements (Blocksum) and replacement of network to ensure security of supply to existing customers - R14.4 million;
• Repair of damaged road surface, sidewalks, manhole, storm recovery, bridges, catch pit, embankments Damaged gabion, road reinstatement and stormwater repairs in various areas – R218.4 million;
• Marrianhill stormwater Protection and Environments Protection, replacement of Leachate Treatment Plants, Sundry Replacements (Blocksum) Lovu Landfill cell PH and Infrastructure, Bisassar Road Landfill – R72.3 million; and
• Tongaat Water Treatment Works Remedial to storm damage – R35.2 million

Under the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant, the Metro reprioritised an amount of R124.4 million to cater for:

• Purchase of land in Quarry Road West and Ezingwenyeni Informal Settlements – R8 million; and
• Three projects for refurbishment or rehabilitation of the infrastructure damaged by the storm in various informal settlements namely, Dassenhook Informal Settlement, Salvia Place Informal Settlement, Quarry Road Informal Settlement, Umlazi Z and Q Informal Settlement and Mayville Informal Settlement – R116.4 million.

Reply:

Limpopo does not have homeless shelters. The shelters that were indicated in question 282 of 2021 are for Gender Based Violence, i.e. Khuseleka in Polokwane Welfare Complex and Huis Maroela in Phalaborwa.

Reply:

Yes, the road cited by the Honourable Ms B Mathulelwa was referred to the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Transport, who advised that

• the company, Klus Civils, was appointed for the reseal of Provincial Road DR08012;
• the contract was terminated due to non-performance on 20 July 2022. The Department followed all processes as applicable in General conditions of contract for construction works 2015 (GCC 2015);
• Klus Civils was only paid for actual work done in terms of their contractual agreement; and
• the process is underway of sourcing a replacement contractor

Reply:

a) DSD partially funds NPOs for programmes which includes operations and staffing in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) provisions governing transfer funding. The Department’s transfer funding budgets have been reduced along with all other budget items due to the current economic situation in the country, which has curtailed the prospects of funding increases to NPOs in the medium term.

b) Refer to (a) above

2. The funding of social worker programmes in the NPO sector is reviewed annually by the department at the provincial level in an effort to maximize the allocation within the department’s budget constraints. Benchmarking of social worker posts within the public sector is done nationally in terms of the relevant Occupational Specific Dispensation.

Salaries in the Public Service are reviewed centrally. In this regard, the Director-General issued DPSA Circular 21 of 2021, dated 04 November 2021. All salaries were adjusted by 1, 5% across all levels.

3. See response to question 2.

Reply:

1. The department does not fund individual posts in any NPO. The department funds programmes in NPOs which is inclusive of operational costs to fill posts.

The table below reflects the number of Social Workers employed by NPOs in the nine provincial departments.

Table 1: Number of Social Workers employed in NPOs

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED AND FUNDED IN NPOs
Eastern Cape	0
Free State	0
Gauteng	2 311
KwaZulu Natal	1 111
Limpopo	136
Mpumalanga	328
Northern Cape	69
North West	-
Western Cape	1 100
Total	5 055

2. The number of Social Workers employed in provincial DSD are as follows:

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED
Eastern Cape	1 655
Free State	501
Gauteng	1 606
KwaZulu Natal	1 951
Limpopo	1 474
Mpumalanga	496
Northern Cape	231
North West	-
Western Cape	766
Total	8 680

3. The NPOs play a supporting role to the department in rendering social services to the most vulnerable citizens of this country. Since they operate within communities, they have direct access to the beneficiaries and are able to customize service provision according to specific target groups as per their founding constitutions, as well as localise according to the provincial/district/community needs. Their efforts contribute to the socio-economic development of the country in addressing the human development needs of society through their ability to provide developmental social services. The NPO-rendered services/programmes and interventions contribute towards improving the lives of the poor and most vulnerable. Below are some of the services and programmes rendered by NPOs:

• Social Welfare Services (care and protection of persons with disabilities, older persons including residential care facilities, programmes for Orphans and Vulnerable Children etc.);

• Children and Families Services (care and protection of children, community-based care services for children, support services to families, family preservation services, parenting programmes, adoption and foster care services etc.);

• Restorative Services (crime prevention and support, victim empowerment and substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services); and

• Development and Research (community mobilisation programmes, institutional capacity building and support for NPOs, poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods, youth & women development (including food security, skills development, linking welfare beneficiaries to economic opportunities) and community-based research and planning.

Reply:

1. All the 38 039 children were assisted with online applications by the Implementing Partners of the Children in the Move Project contracted by UNICEF in supporting the Department, for documents and through referral to the Department of Home Affairs.

The process of assisting children on the move is briefly outlined here and is more on care and protection of these children as per the provisions of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005:

The children are admitted in Child and Youth Care Centre through the Children’s Court Order as per the provisions of Section 151 and 152 of the Children’s Act. During the admission children usually undergo a panel review process to ensure a joint decision in the best interest of the child.

While in the Child and Youth Care Centres children are cared for by providing them with basic services to meet their immediate needs.

Services that are also provided relates to health education for improving hygiene and nutrition. Children are also provided with professional counselling and emotional support. Therapeutic services are also provided to them.

The following is the core component when assisting children on the move namely:

• Identification

Identification of children on the move is part of the intervention by Social Service Professionals (SSPs). Outreach work is done by Outreach Workers who are mainly Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs). Children are identified through the Outreach Programme which is a programme that reaches out to children to empower them to express their rights and needs and to link them with the necessary resources when required. Some of the resources are: their families; Drop-in-Centres and Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs). Social Service interventions are used to engage with the children and explore the reasons that led them to be on the move.

The identification of children on the move is two-fold:

• Focus on those children who can be re-unified with their families; and

• Those who cannot be reunified and would therefore have to be admitted in a Child and Youth Care Centre for further interventions.

Information on the home circumstances of the child emerge as the Social Workers engages the child. Through the engagement the Social workers are able to obtain the details of the family which he/she uses to contact them. In this regard, the contact becomes extended to family to establish the home conditions and reasons for the child to end up on the move. At this point, the family also becomes the focus of intervention until the child is fully re-unified with them. When the child is re-unified, there are other services which are recommended for the well-being and psycho-social support of the child.

A decision about a child who cannot be re-unified with the family is based on the outcomes of the investigations done into the home circumstances. The impending danger that is posed by the child being on the move is also a reason for immediate removal of the child from the situation.

Social workers further facilitate the provision of documentation by linking them with the Department of Home Affairs.

2. The breakdown of the types of documentation provided for each child is not available as the Implementing Partners do not receive feedback from the Department of Home Affairs about the document applications that are completed.

3. The number of the referred children who received each of the specified documents can be confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs as this falls within their mandate.

4. The number of the referred children that have been documented so far and have been declared citizens of the Republic and those that are still non-citizens can be confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Reply:

(a) In terms of item 7 of the Notice on upper limits of salaries, allowances and benefits in respect of different members of municipal councils, a councillor designated by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to serve in its governance structures is entitled to an allowance not exceeding R1103.23 per day, irrespective of the number of meetings attended by such councillor on a specific day.

(b) (i)   According to information obtained from SALGA, fifteen (15) activities and thirty-four (34) meetings were held during the 2019/ 20 financial year, as follows:

 

No.	(b)(ii)  Types of Activities/ Meetings	(b)(iii)  Number of councillors attended each activity
1	PEC Meetings	59
2.	Municipal Finance and Fiscal Policy Working Group	41
3	Human Settlements and Municipal Planning Working Group	40
4.	Community Development and Social Cohesion Working Group	41
5.	Economic Empowerment and Public Employment Working Group	35
6.	Environment Planning and Climate Resilience Working Group	38
7.	Capacity Building and Institutional Resilience Working Group	43
8.	Water, Sanitation and Waste Management Working Group	43
9.	Public Transport and Road Working Group	38
10.	Governance and Inter-Governmental Relations Working Group	42
11.	Municipal Innovations and Information Technology Working Group	40
12.	SALGA Women’s Commission Meetings	81
13.	SALGA Women’s Commission Provincial Lekgotla	23
14.	Speakers Forum	56
15.	Provincial Members Assembly	39

 

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

 

a) There is a Performance Agreement in place with the Boards of all Agencies, including South African Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) wherein there is need to have a Routine Maintenance programme in place for 100% of the network and the following are the Technical Performance Targets for the road maintenance

• • • • 95% for Smooth Travel Exposure (STE);
      • 95% for Low Rut Exposure (LRE);
      • 95% for High Texture Exposure (HTE);
      • 90% for Bridge Condition Exposure (BCE);

SANRAL is performing according to these targets and had challenges, with regards, conclusion of awarding projects mainly funded from their Capex Budget. I have engaged with their Board to ensure they put in measures to address this backlog.

Besides challenges SANRAL has particularly with regards to GFIP, it is a well ran entity and has also proven beyond doubt in assisting Provinces during floods. Provinces are also relying on SANRAL for road rehabilitation, hence handing over their strategic roads to SANRAL.

b) There are no plans to privatise SANRAL, who are already operating based on commercial business principles, in the sense they can raise funds through tolling and from external sources and also enter into concession agreements with the provide sector