Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has the responsibility to develop the National Catalogue which lists all Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) and from which Provinces have to procure for their  respective schools. Subsequently, the DBE develops a sector plan which is a guide for provinces to develop their aligned provincial management plans for procuring learning materials for the ensuing year. The Sector plan details the procurement activities and timeframes to be observed when procuring any learning material. The Sector plan is attached as reference, as to when provinces can start with the procurement processes.

(2) The procedure is that Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) receive their budget allocations from their respective Provincial Treasuries to carry out their activities, amongst which is the buying and distribution of textbooks relative to the number of enrolled learners per school (see attachment). The detailed information regarding receipt and amount of budgets / allocations received, can be requested from the Provincial  Education Departments. The Honourable Member is kindly advised to source the details from the Province(s) concerned.

Reply:

In contextualising the Energy Availability Factor (EAF), one needs to understand the following equation:

EAF=100% Generation Available Capacity-% Unplanned Capability Load Factor (UCLF)-% Planned Capability Load Factor (PCLF) -% Other Capability Load Factor (OCLF).This means that the EAF is dependent on three variables, namely, Planned maintenance, Unplanned Outages as well as other outages. When either of these variables changes, the EAF is impacted negatively or positively depending on whether the variables increase or decrease respectively.

The EAF shown below depicts our performance over the past eight (8) years and also reflects the improvement when comparing January 2023 and January 2024. From January 2023 to January 2024, the unplanned outages have been decreasing as depicted on the graph below. In January 2023, UCLF was at 34% but it was 30% in January 2024. Other outages also saw a declining trend.  These other outages are unpredictable and outside management's control.

On the other hand, planned maintenance increased from September 2023 to December 2023 and January 2024. These outages are within management control in terms of whether to implement them or not and are essential for safety, statutory and performance improvement reasons. It does, however, mean that as planned maintenance necessarily increases, then EAF decreases. For example, planned maintenance was at 17.6% in January 2024 vs 13.5% in January 2023

(b) (i) The Eskom Board has approved the Generation plant recovery programme which details actions per power station that are in alignment with the President’s statement made during SONA.

(ii) Government has implemented the Energy Action Plan which also looks at energy crisis or resolutions. This runs at a government level and involves private business.

 

Reply:

According to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS):

1. The NHLS is currently in the process of procuring additional analytical equipment and all vacant positions are being filled to ensure an effective staff complement.

a) Cape Town: the NHLS is in the process of procuring additional instruments to increase testing capacity;

​b) Johannesburg: a new building has been identified that will accommodate further expansion of the Johannesburg FCL and the procurement of new analytic instruments is underway for the Johannesburg FCL; and

c) Pretoria: new positions have been created in the new Pretoria laboratory, toxicology section, and the posts are currently being filled. All new toxicology samples will be referred to the new facility while the existing one focuses only on processing backlogged toxicology samples only.

2. (a) The NHLS is still in the process of identifying a suitable facility for the Durban Forensic Chemistry Laboratory that would accommodate a new toxicology section;

(b) the Durban FCL will start with toxicology testing as soon as the laboratory has relocated to a new suitable premise.

END.

Reply:

The details of the food contract is as follows:

Tender Number: HEDP021/19/20

Duration: 01/07/2023 to 31/04/2024

Contract description: Supply and delivery of perishable provisions at all hospitals in the Limpopo Department of Health for 36 month.

Items covered in the tender:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Bread
• Chicken Breast and Wings
• Fish
• Full Cream Milk/ Low-fat milk
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Yogurt plain low-fat
• Mageu

END.

Reply:

The Customer Relations Management (CRM) solution is not a claims processing solution, but a customer contact solution that provides communication platform with claimants and other stakeholders, where claimants can interact with the RAF to enquire and follow up all claims related matters. The CRM solution intends to centralise and optimize all queries handling and become a central point for all key communication information.

(a)(i) Since inception of, a total of 201,663 cases were recorded within the Contact Centre. Of these, 193,640 cases were successfully resolved, resulting an overall resolution rate of 96.02%.

(b) None, CRM has been in operation for the past seven months to record, monitor and resolve claim related queries and complaints.

 

Reply:

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) records, there is no water use authorisations that have been issued for water use activities associated with the chrome wash plants located on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ in Rustenburg Local Municipality, North West.

The DWS has taken steps to address the alleged unlawful development of a chrome wash plants on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ. The DWS in its regulatory role, has taken the following actions:

• Site investigation was conducted on 19 February 2024 on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ.
• The DWS is in the process of issuing a Notice of Intention to issue a Directive in terms of National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) to the companies and the property owners responsible for the unlawful water use through the development of chrome wash plants located on Portions 30, 31 and 32 of Farm Waterval 306 JQ.

Further administrative actions to be taken will be guided by the response to be received from the Chrome wash plant owners. Should the owners of these chrome wash plants fail to comply with the prescripts of the Notices issued, the DWS will proceed with further enforcement actions.

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Reply:

(1) No. It is not possible to determine the exact time frames due to the various processes that have to be undertaken prior to the introduction of a Bill to Parliament. As indicated in the reply to question 3435 on 22 November 2023, the first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including processing through the relevant Directors-General Cluster System; conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment; constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor and obtaining Cabinet’s approval to gazette for public comments. Once the comments have been addressed, Cabinet’s approval will be sought for tabling the Bill to Parliament.

(2) No. DALRRD will not proceed with tenders for the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill, the Bill is being drafted within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). The Department has previously responded that it added additional internal capacity in the form of three state veterinarians who are handling the animal welfare portfolio and therefore there is no need for the advertisement of a tender for the drafting of the Bill.

(3) No, because no Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the University of Pretoria for the drafting of the new Animal Welfare Bill.

(4)(a) No date has been confirmed for the Animal Welfare colloquium; this will form part of the consultation process as indicated in response to part (1) above.

(b) DALRRD.

(5) No.

Reply:

This is a represented claim and Road Accident Fund is not allowed to give details of the claim to Parliament as is deemed personal as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).

The Road Accident Fund will contact the claimant / attorney to address any queries relating to the claim.

Reply:

According to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS):

a) (i) Blood Alcohol tests are conducted at all four Forensic Chemistry Laboratories in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. These test requests comprise the bulk of services delivered by the FCLs (more than 80% of all test requests received). The blood alcohol tests are supposed to be tested within 90 days from the time the samples are registered in the testing laboratory. Any test that has not been completed and authorised within 90 days is classified as backlog. There are no backlogs recorded at the Durban FCL and backlogs that were previously reported at the Cape Town and Pretoria FCLs have been cleared. The remaining backlog in blood alcohol tests is recorded at the Johannesburg FCL and is currently at 35,176 cases.

(ii) The Measures taken to eradicate the backlog include the following:

• Additional space and analytic instruments have been acquired at the new Pretoria laboratory that accommodates the Pretoria Blood Alcohol section.
• New samples for blood alcohol testing are referred to the Pretoria laboratory to reduce the number of samples referred to the Johannesburg laboratory.
• Shift systems are in use for analysts at the Johannesburg FCL and a 30.5% reduction in the backlog has been achieved from 01 April 2023 to 31 January 2024.
• A new building has been identified that will accommodate further expansion of the Johannesburg FCL and the procurement of new analytic instruments is underway for the Johannesburg FCL.

(iii) Blood alcohol samples in the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories are processed in batches of 150 samples per week per analyst. Each test is processed on two separate instruments as required for quality purposes and additional fluoride analysis is performed to confirm the validity of the sample. On average, 4000 samples are completed per month.

 

b) The backlog is expected to be cleared by over 8 months from 01 March 2024, with the current staff and instrument capacity.

END.

Reply:

1. Production preparations for 2024 have commenced and 8 400 doses of African Horse Sickness vaccines have recently been released for the market.

2. No. However, most customers who confirmed their backorders have received what they ordered.

(a) The Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) system does not keep backorders. for more than 4 months, clients are expected to confirm or cancel. Some clients canceled, and some confirmed their orders.

(b) Delays are due to the breakdown of the freeze drier.

(c) OBP is servicing the current freeze drier.

(i) OBP will take delivery of a freeze drier in the second half of 2024 and is in the process of finalizing the procurement of another freeze drier. OBP is also inestigating contractual manufacturing opportunities.

(ii) OBP intends to make product available prior to the commencement of the vaccination season. All cooperatives and veterinarians will be kept informed about the status of vaccine availability monthly.

Reply:

Table one (1) and two (2) below provides criminal cases opened by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) during the 2022/23 financial year and from 1 April 2023 to date, respectively. The tables include the names of local and provincial governments charged for non-compliance with the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998 and the status of the criminal cases verdicts, pleas, and fines.

Table 1: Criminal cases opened from 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023

No	Assignment Level	Sector (a)(b)	DWS ECMS Case ID	SAPS CAS Number	Accused name(s) (Transgressor/Case Title)	(aa)(bb)(cc)
1	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	31011	207/02/2023	Discharge on substandard effluent into Huis River by Zoar WWTW, Kannaland Local Municipality, Zoar RE/78: Breede/Gouritz	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
2	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	30575	185/11/2022	Mogalakwena Wastewater Management Facilities, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Mokopane town and Mahwelereng location: Limpopo	The criminal investigation is underway. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
3	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	29187	327/04/2022	Steelpoort Wastewater Treatment Works, Greater Tubatse/Fetakgomo Local Municipality, Steelpoort: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation.
4	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	29179	CAS 333/10/2022	Pine Ridge pump station, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Unknown: Olifants	A criminal case was opened, and investigations were completed. The case docket was handed to DPP for decision. DPP currently working on finalising the charge sheet.
5	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	29178	CAS 72/08/2022	Sehlakwane Peatland, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Unknown: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation.
6	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24851	25/10/2022	Emakhazeni Local Municipality Belfast Pump Station, Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation.
7	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	24778	203/10/2022	Metz Dam, LP Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sekororo: Olifants	Investigation concluded and the case docket referred to NPA for decision.
8	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24702	CAS 24/10/2022 and CAS 665/08/2020	Emalahleni Local Municipality-Thubelihle Waste treatment Works, Emalahleni Local municipality: Olifants	A criminal case was opened, and investigations were completed. The case docket was handed to DPP for decision. DPP currently working on finalising the charge sheet. Furthermore, The Department has also initiated administrative enforcement action against the Municipality. The Department is also considering obtaining a court interdict against Emalahleni Local Municipality for non-compliances at Rietspruit WWTW, Riverview WWTW, Thubelihle WWTW Kriel WWTW. The Department has already consulted with a Counsel regarding the court interdict.
9	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	19178	123/02/2023	Khutsong, Kokosi, Wedela & Welverdiend Waste Water Treatment Works, Merafong Local Municipality: Vaal	No improvement at the works as spillages persist. Criminal case was opened in February 2023. Criminal investigations are underway. Environmental Management Inspector collected the Case Docket from SAPS on 09 May 2023 for further investigations
10	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	16662	344/10/2022	City of Tshwane Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works: Limpopo	The case is still under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
11	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	16489	264/10/2022	Dennilton WWTW - Collector System (Sewage overflow), Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Moutse Mall Uitspanning 38 JS: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.

Table 2: Criminal cases opened from 1 April 2023 to date.

No	Assignment Level	Sector (a)(b)	DWS ECMS Case ID	SAPS CAS Number	Accused name(s) (Transgressor/Case Title)	(aa)(bb)(cc)
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	31178	CAS 53/08/2023 & 54/08/2023	Sewage spillages in Matlakeng near Zastron, Mohokare Local Municipality, Township of Matlakeng near Zastron: Orange	The criminal investigation is underway.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	30558	CAS 139/11/2023	Sewage overflow at Cnr. Dirk Winterbach &, Marone Street, Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality, Burgersfort: Olifants	Previous case CAS 327/04/2022 Burgersfort was reinstated and is awaiting prosecutor decision. New matter will be investigated.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	30416	CAS 419/11/2023	Maluti-A-Phofung Loca Municipality-Phuthaditjhaba: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	29226	CAS 263/11/2023	Siyabuswa Wastewater Treatment Works, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, Siyabuswa Wastewater Treatment Works: Olifants	A criminal case was opened, and investigations were completed. The case docket has been handed to DPP for decision.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24974	388/11/2023	Tshiame WWTWs, Maluti-A-Phofong, Tshiame WWTWs: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24874	CAS 136/11/2023	Motetema WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Motetema WWTW: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24873	CAS 121/11/2023	Groblersdal WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Groblersdal WWTW: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24811	CAS 190/11/2023	Moganyaka Waste Water Treatment Works, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Moganyaka waste water treatment works: Olifants	The criminal investigation is underway. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24801	CAS 50/11/2023	Kestell WWTW under Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Kestell WWTW: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24738	CAS 389/11/2023	Harrismith Wastewater Treatment Works, Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, Unknown: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	24389		Cornelia Wastewater Treatment Works, Mafube Local Municipality, Cornelia Wastewater Treatment Works: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	22928	CAS 88/11/2023	Elliot collector system, Chris Hani District Municipality, Elliot: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma	Investigation underway. Administrative action has also been taken against the Municipality.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	21230	CAS 127/01/2024	Namahadi WWTW, Mafube Local Municipality, Namahadi WWTW: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	North-West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	21127	CAS 76/08/2023	Percy Steward WWTW, Krugersdorp Municipality (Mogale City), Portion 21 of the farm Sterkfontein 173 IQ: Limpopo	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	20336	CAS 59/05/2023	Rebone Ponds, Mogalakwena Municipality, Steiloop: Limpopo	The criminal investigation is underway. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	19447	CAS 151/11/2023	Ephraem Mogale LM Marble Hall WWTW: Olifants	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	19220	CAS 229/11/2023	Modimolle Mookgophong LM: Modimolle Town Sewage Overflow from Manholes, Modimolle Mookgophong Local Municipality, Unknown: Limpopo	The criminal investigation is underway. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	19052	CAS 12/12/2023	Alice Pump Stations, Amathole District Municipality, Raymond Mhlaba LM: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma	Investigation underway. Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	19031	CAS 127/09/2023	Johannesburg Water - Zandspruit Sewage Pumpstation, Mr N. Mukwevho: Limpopo	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	17630	CAS 93/01/2024	Villiers Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), Mafube Local Municipality: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	17213	CAS 404/10/2023	Malamulele Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe DM: Olifants	A criminal case was opened, and investigations were completed. The case docket has been handed to DPP for decision.
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	17107	TBC	Tweeling Waste Water Treatment Works: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	16801	CAS 100/11/2023	Bloemhof WWTW, Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, Bloemhof: Vaal	The case is still under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	16502	CAS 112/08/2023	Thabazimbi Waste Water Treatment Works, Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Portion 5 of the farm Donkerpoort 344 KQ: Limpopo	The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	14599	CAS 45/09/2023	Koffiefontein WWTW, Letsemeng LM, Koffiefontein: Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	14561	CAS 116/09/2023	Lindley WWTW, Nketoana Local Municipality, -: Orange	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 55/10/2023	Ekurhuleni Municipality: Olfiantsfontein WWTW Crocodile West/ Marico	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 139/11/2023	Sekhukhume District: Moganyaka Olifants	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 139/11/2023	Sekhukhume District Municipality: Burgersfort Olifants	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 108/08/2023	Hlelo Lunathi: Hendrina Olifants	Case reopened due to recommendation of Public Prosecutor
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 10/10/2023	Mopani District Municipality: Hoedspruit Network & WWTW Olifants	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP		CAS 404/10/2023	Mopani District Municipality: Giyani WWTW Levuvu/ Letaba	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 230/07/2023	Lephalale Local Municipality: Paarl WWTW	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		CAS 62/7/2023 423/7/2023	City of Johannesburg Metro: Bushkoppies and Goudkoppies WWTW Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The criminal case is under investigation. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]		TBC	Fezile Dabi DM / Ngwathe LM: Koppies WWTW Vaal	Criminal case was opened against the Municipality. The Department has also taken administrative enforcement action against the Municipality.

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Reply:

(1)(a) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) served the Mafube Coal Mine with section 17 notices under the Land Reform Labour Tenants Act, Act No 3 of 1996 (LTA). The landowners requested DALRRD to certify the relocation settlement. However, in terms of section 8 of LTA, only the Court can certify relocation of a labour tenant and determine if it is equitable redress. DALRRD working with the office of the Special Master of Labour Tenants (SMLT) is in the process of referring the labour tenancy claim to court.

(b) DALRRD has been presented with the relocation agreements signed by the Mabhena family and others by Mafube Coal Mine. The agreements were inconsistent with section 8 of LTA; hence the matter is being referred to court for a declaratory order if both parties agree.

2. The Mabhena family and others have signed the LA1 form to request legal representation from Legal Aid – South Africa (LASA). The application is being processed by the State Attorney and LASA.

3. Yes, DALRRD is in constant communication with the affected families and the latest meeting was in December 2023 including planned meetings to take place between the affected families, Department, SMLT and LASA in March 2024.

(4) None, since the matter of vandalized graves was never reported to DALRRD. However, DALRRD will investigate the allegations.

Reply:

Infrastructure and capacity to treat adults with cancer are variable throughout the country and thus Gauteng Province has the additional responsibility of rendering oncology services to its neighbouring Provinces. However, comprehensive oncology services in the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) are currently only rendered by Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH). This places a huge burden on service delivery for these two centres which according to the 2020 National Cancer Register (NCR) of South Africa are estimated to ensure that the 23 634 new people with cancer in the public health facilities in Gauteng Province are treated. With only two Central Hospitals rendering a comprehensive oncology service, long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment leads to disease progression and poorer cancer related outcomes. Lack of infrastructure and lack of human resources are also additional contributory factors to the extreme waiting times. The Department is thus outsourcing radiation oncology services to reduce the current radiotherapy waiting times at both CMAJH and SBAH.

END.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Water Services Act distinguishes between the Water Service Authority (WSA) and Water Service Provider (WSP) functions at municipal level. Only a municipality can be allocated the power and function for the WSA function in terms of the Municipal Structures Act. The WSA function is the primary Constitutional role of municipalities with regard to water and sanitation services.

The key role of the WSA is to ensure that the WSP provides services which meet minimum norms and standards, and to deliver on the legislative and executive functions such as promulgation of by-laws, approval of integrated plans and budgets and approval and regulation of service delivery mechanisms. Very few municipalities are implementing their WSA function as envisaged in the Act.

The Water Services Act, read together with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act provides that a WSA can approve any legal entity (municipality, municipal entity, another municipality, CBO, NGO, organ of state, private company, or water board) to function as a WSP in the municipality. However, almost all municipalities are currently both WSA and WSP (they have approved themselves as the sole WSP). The Water Services Act requires municipalities to manage and account for their WSA and WSP roles separately – but very few municipalities are doing this.

There is evidence that water services delivery performance shows an alarming declining trend, as illustrated by the Department’s Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop regulatory reports. Further, the recent cholera outbreak highlights the risks associated with allowing the trend to continue unabated. Many municipalities are in a vicious circle of decline with regard to their water and sanitation services. The main elements of this vicious circle are poor and declining services; reducing payment for services; poor governance, poor management and under- investment.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is actively intervening in poorly performing municipalities, and the Minister has been meeting with Mayors and agreeing on action plans to address issues. The DWS assists with its grants where possible and monitors and supports the municipalities with implementation of the action plans. Notwithstanding the above, municipal water and sanitation services continue to generally deteriorate. To break the vicious circle, it is necessary to ensure that water services are provided by professionally managed, capable, efficient and financially viable institutions.

On 18 and 19 January 2024, Minister Mchunu had a two-day Summit with all the water services authorities in the country, to discuss the results of the Drop reports. The drop reports found that, of the 144 water services authorities in the country, 67 had drinking water or wastewater systems in a critically bad state of performance. One of the resolutions of the Summit is that this group of water services authorities should initiate processes in terms of Section 78 of the Municipal Systems Act to review their Water Service Provider arrangements and to consider alternatives for more effective water service provision.

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Reply:

A well-functioning transport and logistics system is vital to unlock the opportunities presented by trade, to grow the SA economy and create jobs.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) supports efforts by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to address challenges at ports and find permanent and systemic solutions. A workstream has been put in place by DPE and the Presidency with the private sector, which enables skilled personnel to assist with improving the country’s logistics systems. the dtic attends the oversight meetings convened by the Presidency.

Companies from time to time approach the dtic with specific challenges relating to a shipment of cargo. the dtic engages Transnet on these in order to resolve them.

The DPE will be best placed to provide information on the measures taken to date to address the challenges and the progress made.

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Reply:

According to the Health Ombud:

a) Since the inception of the Office of the Health Ombud (OHO) in 2016, there have been inadequate investigative human resources to support optimal functionality. Commencing with two senior investigators in 2017, OHO had only five investigative staff between 2018 – and 2023 (Two senior investigators and three investigators). Due to the severe staff shortages, the two senior investigators were tasked with administrative, management, and operational responsibilities, in addition to their technical investigative responsibilities. Therefore, only three investigators were attending to the complaints lodged. During this period, the OHO received 307 high and extreme-risk complaints. Despite the enormous workload, 148 complaints were resolved during this period, and a total of 159 complaints remain unresolved.

b) The OHO budget constitutes an average of 13% of the OHSC overall budget from 2016/17 to 2022/23. The OHO's budget increased by an average of 7% per year. The provision of short-term relief in the form of surplus funding from 2018/19 to 2023/24 was made to remedy this predicament. This funding was used to enable the hiring of contract staff on 12-month contracts during the 2023/24 financial period. Although the ad hoc funding helped to reduce the number of backlog cases, there remains a large number of unresolved cases, in addition to new cases.

In 2024/25 the OHO will work towards converting the current contracted staff into permanent employment to boost the number of investigators from the additional R10 Million allocated over the MTEF. However, additional funding will still be required to appoint permanent staff to augment the capacity and ensure that the mandate of OHO is fulfilled.

c) In 2022 a Health Ombud Bill was developed to address the governance challenges experienced by the Ombud. The Bill sought to establish the Health Ombud Office as an autonomous entity.

The Ombud Bill served at the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster (SPCHD). The National Treasury raised concerns with the financial implications of creating a Schedule 3A Public entity considering the current economic and fiscal challenges.

The National Treasury recommended that the Department explore alternative options that would establish the independence of the Ombud – one such structure recommended was the Tax Ombud or a shared service option.

While the two options are being explored, the department has earmarked the budget of the OHO for the 2024/25 financial year. This approach would provide greater financial certainty to the Ombud so that the budget for human resources, equipment and other goods and services can be effected.

 

END.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in terms of its regulatory role, issues notices of Intention to issue a directive and directives for the contravention of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998. Tables 1(a) and 2(b) below provide a list of issued (i) Notices of Intention to issue a Directive and (ii) Directives (aa) in the 2022-23 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023.

Table: 1(a): Notices issued in 2022/2023 Financial Year (aa)

No	List of names on Notices issued
	Responsible Office (Water Management Area)	(a)&(b) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Remainder of ERF 1, Worcester, Breede Valley Municipality, Remainder of ERF 1, Worcester: Breede/Gouritz
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Clanwilliam wwtw, Cederberg Municipality, Clanwilliam wwtw: Berg/Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Vredesvallei Wastewater Treatment Works Kai! Garib Local Municipality, Riemvasmaak: Orange
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Malfunctioning Pump Station, George Municipality, Eden Pump Station: Breede/Gouritz
	North West Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Thaba Tshwane Voortrekkerhoogte,, Department of Defence Force , Pretoria town and townlands 351JR: Limpopo
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Kenton on Sea, Ndlambe Local Municipality, Keanton on Sea WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Glen Grey Hospital WWTW, Department of Health, Lady Frere: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, Ms MM Mathebela, Weltevreden Water Treatment Works: Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Noupoort WWTW, Umsobomvu Local Municipality, Unknown: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Loeriesfontein Wastewater Treatment Works, Hantam Local Municipality, Loeriesfontein Farm: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Calvinia Wastewater Treatment Works, Hantam Local Municipality, Calvinia Farm: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage overflow near Pine Ridge new RDP houses, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Leeuwpoort 283 JS: Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Victoria West Oxidation Ponds, Ubuntu Local Municipality, Ubuntu LM: Vaal
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Hertzogville Oxidation Ponds, Tokologo Local Municipality, Hertzogville Oxidation Ponds: Orange
	North-West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Zinniaville Estate (service delivery, water supply and sewage leak complaints), Rustenburg Local Municipality, Zinneaville Estate in Rustenburg: Limpopo
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Breede Valley Local Government, Wim Du Toit, Remaining Extent of Farm 381 Rawsonville, Wim Du Toit, Remaining Extent of Farm 381 Rawsonville: Breede/Gouritz
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Norvalspont Wastewater Treatment Plant., Umsobomvu Local Municipality, Dapperfontein, Farm number 79, Portion 53: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	De Aar Water Treatment Works, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Farm Paarde Valley: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emalahleni Local Municipality, The Municipal Manager: Mr H.S. Mayisela, Klarinet sewer pump station, Emalahleni Local Municipality: Olifants
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Willowvale Hospital WWTW, Dr. Wagner, Willowvale Hospital WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Carolusberg Wastewater Treatment Works, Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, Farm Carolusberg: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Springbok WWTW, Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, Farm Springbok: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Port Nolloth WWTW, Richtersveld Local Municipality, Farm Port Nolloth: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Concordia WWTW, Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, Farm Concordia: Orange
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses, Transnet, Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses, Transnet, Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Portion 17 of Farm Klip Heuwel 410, Mr. Thinus Kershoff, Amandel Plaas: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	De Doorns Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), Breede Valley Municipality, Erf Number: RE/799: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Villiersdorp Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), Theewaterskloof Municipality, Portion 7 of the farm Radyn No. 24: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Robertson Wastewater Treatment Works, Langeberg Municipality, ERF Number: RE/2: Breede/Gouritz
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Nmakgale 464 Shakes Street, Mopani District Municipality, Nmakgale 464 Shakes Street: Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Ga Segonyana LM - Kuruman sewage overflows, Ga Segonyana Local Municipality, Kuruman town: Vaal
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Afrimat - Demaneng (Pty) Ltd, Katarien Deysel (Ops Manager - Diro Mine), Rust en Vrede, Portion 1 of Farm Mashwening 557: Vaal
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Molengroff Pump Station, Mopani District Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Leeuwfontein Wastewater Treatment Works, Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Flag Boshielo WTW, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municip, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emalahleni local municipality, Mr Sizwe Mayisela, Emalahleni Local Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dullstroom WWTWS, Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Siyanqoba RDP Housing Settlement, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Leeuwpoort: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Siyabuswa Wastewater Treatment Works, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, Siyabuswa Wastewater Treatment Works: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Bronkhorspruit Sewer Pipeline next to Godrich Flour Mill, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Bronkhorspruit Pipeline Next to Godriich Four Mill: Olifants
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Oil Stench around Lindo Park, Kiner Park and Koedespoort, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Derdepoort 327 JR: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Blinkpan Sewer Pump Station, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Blinkpan Sewer Pump Station: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Kiewiet Street, Komati, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Komati: Olifants
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Laingvile WWTW (Sewage Overflow), Saldanha Bay LM, St Helena Bay: Berg/Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Pine Ridge pump station, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sehlakwane Peatland, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, : Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sol Plaatje LM Overflowing Manhole on 72 Study Street in Kimberley , Sol Plaatje Local Municipality , Fabricia: Vaal
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Carnarvon WWTW, Kareeberg Municipality, Carnarvon 353: Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Tsolo, Eskom CNS, Eskom, Tsolo, Eskom CNS: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	De Aar Water Treatment Works, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Farm Paarde Valley: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Williston WWTW, Karoo Hoogland LM, Williston Farm: Orange
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Disposing of raw sewerage into the stormwater drainage at Corner Hoop Street and Kort Stree, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, De Aar: Orange
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dipaleseng Local municipality, Nthorwane/Greylingstad WWTW, Dipaleseng Local Municipality, Dipaleseng Local Municipality Nthorwane/Greylingstad WWTW: Vaal
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Bergsig WWTW, Nama Khoi , Bergsig: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sekhukhune sewer network, Sekhukhune DM, Oosthuizen vervoer: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emakhazeni Local Municipality 34 Rotterdam Street, Municipal Manager, Unknown: Inkomati_Usuthu
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Addo WWTW and pump station, Sunday's River Local Municipality, Addo : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Metsimaholo Local Municipality (Oranjeville Manhole overflowing into Vaal Dam), Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Unknown: Vaal
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Victor kanye local municipality-Manhole next to willow brook shopping centre, Victor kanye local municipality, manhole overflow next to willow brook shopping centre: Olifants
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Hankey Waste Water Treatment Works, Kouga Local Municipality, Jeffery's Bay: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Perdekop Wastewater Treatment Works, Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality, Unknown: Vaal
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Kathu WWTW, Gamagara LM, John Taolo Gaetsewe DM: Vaal
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Ilinge Wastewater Treatment Works, Chris Hani District Municipality, : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Siloam Wastewater treatment works, , : Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Hlanganani Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) , Vhembe District Municipality TS Ndou, Nwaridi River: Limpopo
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Chris Hani DM - Tarkastad WWTW, , : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Makana LM - Rini WWTW, Makana Local Municipality, Portion 8 of Tempe: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Port Alfred WWTW, Ndlambe Local Municipality, Port Alfred WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma

 

Table: 1(b): Directives issued in 2022/2023 Financial Year (aa)

No	List of Names on Issued Directives
	Responsible Office (Water Management Area)	(a)&(b) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emalahleni Local Municipality_Siyabonga Sewer Pump Station, Mr Selate Matlejwana, Emalahleni Local Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emalahleni Local Municipality_Klarinet Pump Station, Mr Selate Matlejwana, Emalahleni Local Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Klipspruit WWTW, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Bulpan : Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mogalakwena Wastewater Management Facilities, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Mokopane town and Mahwelereng location: Limpopo
	KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mtunzini Waste Water Treatment Works, King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Umllazi River: Pongola/Mtamvuna
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Nompumelelo hospital WWTW, Department of Health, Nompumelelo Hospital WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Emalahleni Local Municipality, The Municipal Manager: Mr H.S. Mayisela, Klarinet sewer pump station, emalahleni Local Municipality: Olifants
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	KLIP RIVER POLLUTION, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Klip River: Vaal
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses, Transnet, Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses, Transnet, Leeu Gamka Transnet Houses: Breede/Gouritz
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sky City, Cosmpolitan, E RESIDENTIAL TOWNSHIP ON PORTION 2, 31, 32, 33, 56, 57 & 58 OF THE FARM RIETSPRUIT 152 I.R waterval: Vaal
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage flowing from 8 Spekboom Street in Lephalale, Lephalale Local Municipality, Onverwacht 503 LQ: Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Ledibeng Eco Estate Manhole, Ledibeng eco estate, Ledibeng Eco Estate: Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Campbell package plant, Vhembe district Municipality, Campbell Township: Limpopo
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Ga Segonyana LM - Kuruman sewage overflows, Ga Segonyana Local Municipality, Kuruman town: Vaal
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Goudkoppies WWTW, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan, Goudkoppies WWTW: Vaal
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Grootvlei WWTW, Dipaleseng Local Municipality, Dipaleseng Local Municipality Grootvlei WWTW: Vaal
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Pollution of Kliprivier at R59 bridge Eikenhof (White Foam), Unknown, Zwartkop JES 143 IR: Vaal
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thohoyandou WWTW, Vhembe District Municipality, All Pump Stations: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Pine Ridge pump station, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sehlakwane Peatland, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Unknown: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Cypress Sewer Pump Station (Sewage overflow), Emalahleni LM, Tambotie Street Kriel WWTW: Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Biaba ponds Nzhelele, Vhembe Municipality, Biaba ponds Nzhelele: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	MOTETEMA WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, MOTETEMA WWTW: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	GROBLERSDAL WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, GROBLERSDAL WWTW: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	MARBLEHALL WWTW, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, MARBLEHALL WWTW: Olifants
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Addo WWTW and pump station, Sunday's River Local Municipality, Addo : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Vilakazi Pump Station, Emalahleni LM, Emalahleni LM: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Kriel -Ganala Waste Water Treatment Works, Emalahleni Municipality, Ganala Kriel WWTW: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Clewer Sewage Spillages, Emalahleni LM, Brugspruit: Olifants
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mazista Package Plant, Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality - Mr RJ Mogale, Farm 86: Limpopo
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Davel Wastewater Treatment Works, Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Davel WWTW: Vaal
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Rebone Ponds, Mogalakwena Municipality, Steiloop: Limpopo
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Kai! Garib Municipality - Rooiberg Dam, Kai! Garib Municipality, : Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Middleburg WWTW, Chris Hani District Municipality: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Amersfoort Waste Water Treatment Works, Dr Pixley Isaka Seme Local Municipality: Vaal
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Ilinge Wastewater Treatment Works, Chris Hani District Municipality, : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Lady Frere Main Pump Station, Chris Hani District Municipality: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Tweeling waste water treament works : Vaal
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dennilton WWTW - Collector System (Sewage overflow), Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Moutse Mall Uitspanning 38 JS : Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Vleifontein Oxidation Ponds, Acting Technical Manager E.F Chauke, Vhembe District Municipality: Limpopo
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Wesselsbron and Monyakeng Sewage Spillage, Nala LM, Monyakeng: Vaal
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Koffiefontein WWTW, Letsemeng LM, Koffiefontein: Vaal
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Chris Hani DM - Tarkastad WWTW : Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Elliotdale Waste Water Treatment Works: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma

Table: 2(a): Notices issued in 2023/2024 Financial Year (bb)

No	List of names on Notices issued
	Responsible Office (Water Management Area)	(a)&(b) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage spillage at 11 Buitekant Street, Brandfort, Masilonyana Municipality, Brandfort, Buitekant: Vaal
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Nkomazi Local Municipality: Malelane Extension 8 Township, Mr. Xolani Timothy Mabila, Malelane Extension 8 Township: Inkomati_Usuthu
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Stellenbosch waste water treatment works, Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch wwtw: Berg/Olifants
	North West Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Construction of Mayibuye Primary School on a wetland, Gauteng Department of Education, Erf 2326 Commercia Extension 34 Township Tembisa: Limpopo
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Knysna Knysna Municipality Main Sewer Line, Knysna Local Municipality, Erf 3503 (Rem), Knysna: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Albertinia Watewater Treatment Works, Hessequa Local Municipality, Erf RE/2, Riversdale: Breede/Gouritz
	KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Henley Dam, Umgeni Water, Farm Zwaartkop Bantu Location 4669 Subdivision 12, Piietermaritzburg: Pongola/Mtamvuna
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sol Plaatjie Sewer Infrastructure on 28 Central Road, Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality, Beaconsfield: Vaal
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mopani District Municipality Raptors View Wildlife Estate Pump station, Mopani District Municipality, To be confirmed: Olifants
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage spillages in Matlakeng near Zastron (CAS 53/082023, Mohokare Local Municipality, Township of Matlakeng near Zastron: Orange
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Witsand Wastewater Treatment Works, Hessequa Local Municipality, Port Beaufort 484/65, Swellendam, Hessequa Local Municipality, Port Beaufort 484/65, Swellendam: Breede/Gouritz
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Jansenville Wastewater Treatment Works, Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, Jansenville: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Rietbron WWTW, Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, Rietbron: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Gauteng Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dam with a Safety Risk Willem Brummer Dam, Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Spitzkop 276 IS: Vaal
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mashaeng Wastewater Treatment Works, Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Remainder of Groenfontein 881: Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Cookhouse WWTW, Blue Crane Route Local Municipality, Great Fish River (Somerset East): Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Umgeni Water board, Umgeni Water Board, Pietermaritzburg: Pongola/Mtamvuna
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Venterstad Wastewater Treatment Works, Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Barkly East: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Govan Mbeki Local Municipality - Leslie, Leandra, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, TRichardt: Olifants
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Discharge on substandard effluent into Huis River by Zoar WWTW , Kannaland Local Municipality, Zoar RE/78: Breede/Gouritz
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Illegal dumping at near Theewaterskloof Dam causing pollution, Theewaterskloof, Theewaterskloof Municipality: Breede/Gouritz
	Free State Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Green Drop score less than 30% Caledonspoort WWTW, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Caledonspoort: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Green Drop score less than 30% Dordrecht WWTW, Chris Hani District Municipality, Dordrecht: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Koppies WWTW, Ngwathe Local Municipality, Koppies: Vaal
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Thabong WWTW, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Van Stadensrus WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Mangaung: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% BFN-Bloemdustria WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, BFN-Bloemdustria: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% BFN - Northern Works (WWTW), Mangaung Local Municipality, Mangaung : Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Oppermansgronde WWTW, Letsemeng Local Municipality, Green Drop score less than 30%: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Fauresmith WWTW, Kopanong Local Municipality, Fauresmith: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Lebowakgomo Wastewater Treatment Works, Capricorn District Municipality, Capricorn District Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Tecroveer (Pty) (Ltd), Tabile Mapekula, Klipspruit Wastewater treatment plant: Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thohoyandou P West manhole, Vhembe district Municipality, 665 Mphephu Drive: Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Witpoort Oxidation Ponds, Lephalale Local Municipality, Witpoort: Limpopo
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Swartdam Wastewater Treatment Works, Moretele Local Municipality, Farm Haakdoornfontein 55JR/3: Limpopo
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mothotlung Wastewater Treatment Works, Madibeng Local Municipality, Farm Hoeksfontein 247IQ/4: Limpopo
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Woodbridge island Koeberg pump station Milnerton, City of Cape town, Woodbridge Island Milbnerto Koeberg pump station: Berg/Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	MOTETEMA WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, MOTETEMA WWTW: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	GROBLERSDAL WWTW, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, GROBLERSDAL WWTW: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Moganyaka Waste Water Treatment Works, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Moganyaka waste water treatment works: Olifants
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Pniel & Wemmershoek WWTW, Stellenbosch Local Municipality, Dwarsriver : Berg/Olifants
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Winburg Wastewater Treatment Works: Vaal
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Zonderwater Correctional Services, Zonderwater Correctional Services: Olifants
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dr Beyers Naude LM - Steytlerville WWTW, Unknown, Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dr Beyers Naude LM - Willowmore WWTW, Dr Beyers Naude LM,: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Disposing of raw sewerage into the stormwater drainage at Corner Hoop Street and Kort Street, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, De Aar: Vaal
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Vuwani Wastewater Treatment Works: Limpopo
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Green Drop score less than 30% Hoopstad WWTW, Tswelopele Local Municipality, Tswelopele: Vaal
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Efata Special School WWTW, Dept of Education, Mthata: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma

Table: 2(b): Directives issued in 2023/2024 Financial Year (bb)

No	List of Names on Issued Directives
	Responsible Office (Water Management Area)	(a)&(b) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage spillage at 11 Buitekant Street, Brandfort, Masilonyana Municipality, Brandfort, Buitekant: Vaal
	Inkomati/Usuthu CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage overflow from a manhole opposite railway line bridge, Mkhondo Local Municipality, Ethandukukhanya, Piet Retief: Inkomati_Usuthu
	Inkomati/Usuthu CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage overflow at Phoswa Pump Station, Mkhondo Local Municipality, Ethandukukhanya, Piet Retief: Inkomati_Usuthu
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sol Plaatjie Sewer Infrastructure on 28 Central Road, Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality, Beaconsfield: Vaal
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Jansenville Wastewater Treatment Works, Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, Jansenville: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Fish Kill at Setumo Dam near Mahikeng , Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Molopo River: Vaal
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Discharge on substandard effluent into Huis River by Zoar WWTW, Kannaland Local Municipality, Zoar RE/78: Breede/Gouritz
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Witpoort Oxidation Ponds, Lephalale Local Municipality, Witpoort: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage overflow at Cnr. Dirk Winterbach &, Marone Street, Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality, Burgersfort: Olifants
	Northern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	De Aar Water Treatment Works, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Farm Paarde Valley: Orange
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment Works, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Portion 142 Zeekoegat 296 JR: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Giyani WWTW, Mopani District Municipality, Giyani: Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mokopane WWTW, Mogalakwena Municipality, Mokopane WWTW: Limpopo
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Drakenisg Military Base WWTW, Department of Public Works, Limpopo, Drakensig, Hoedspruit: Olifants
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Percy Steward WWTW, Krugersdorp Municipality (Mogale City), Portion 21 of the farm Sterkfontein 173 IQ: Limpopo
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Amathole District Municipality-Bedford WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Nthabiseng Wastewater Treatment Works: Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mankweng WWTW: Limpopo
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mhinga WWTW/ Oxidation ponds: Limpopo
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Setsoto Local Municipality, -, Clocolan WWTW: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thaba Nchu WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Moroka, Stationview, Bultfontein and Seroalo Pump Stations: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Oviston Wastewater Treatment Plant, Joe Gqabi Municipality, Barkly East: Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Amalinda Central WWTW, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Amalinda Central WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Efata Special School WWTW, Dept of Education, Mthata: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma

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Reply:

1. The Department already capitalizes on remote sensing capabilities offered by satellite technology, such as the Sentinel-Hub, to analyze agricultural lands. This technology provides insights into crop planting frequencies, moisture levels, and burn scars, employing various data standards including true colour composite, false colour composite, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), False Colour Urban composite, the Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Short-Wave Infrared composite (SWIR). These tools enable the monitoring of agricultural practices, vegetation health, and environmental changes, thereby supporting precision agriculture.

2. Through the strategic use of satellite and the deployment of drone technologies, the Department seeks to address current challenges and harness opportunities for growth and innovation within the sector. Recognizing the critical role of skilled personnel, the Department has a cadre of GISc professionals across all provinces, adept in leveraging remote sensing data for agricultural assessment and planning. To stay at the forefront of technological advancements, the Department has initiated a drone program aimed at augmenting satellite data with ultra-high-resolution imagery. This initiative includes training a new cohort of drone pilots, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and facilitating the integration of remote sensing products into actionable agricultural insights. Furthermore, the Department is committed to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the South African agricultural sector on the global stage. By harnessing satellite data and advancing high-resolution remote sensing technologies, the Department aims to empower emerging farmers with precision agriculture techniques. These efforts are geared towards optimizing resource use, improving yield, and reducing operational costs through targeted application of fertilizers and pesticides.

3. No.

Reply:

a) Response teams in all the affected areas were activated and investigations commenced immediately to try and establish the type of food consumed by the affected people.

• Specimens were collected and sent to National Health laboratories to detect and identify the chemicals/organisms in the samples.
• The Gauteng Provincial Public Health Directorate further established the Incident Management Team that meets twice a week to monitor the progress of the outbreak and the response by each thematic area such as Environmental Health, Communicable Disease Control, Surveillance Officers, South African Police Services and Consumer Services.

(b)-(c) Steps and initiatives:

• Routine inspections are being conducted at food premises.
• Routine food and water samples are being taken for microbiological and chemical analysis.
• Joint operations are conducted with the following stakeholders: local councillors, consumer protection, metro police, border management, home affairs, and SAPS.
• Health education and awareness are provided to all formal and informal food operators and surrounding community on food preparation, storage, and handling, including chemical poisoning handling. This intervention is especially focussed on food vendors close to schools.
• Prohibition notices and fines are issued to owners of non-compliant premises.
• All suspected food samples are taken to the laboratory for analysis.
• All non-compliant foodstuffs were and will continue to be seized and disposed.
• Radio health talks are done on different community radio stations to create awareness.
• Health education and awareness campaigns are ongoing on food safety. This is being done on multimedia platforms e.g. TV, radio stations, social media and newsletters.
• Draft SOPs have been developed with all relevant stakeholders on how to deal with foodborne illness.
• Support visits are done to Early Development Centres to raise awareness.
• Information sharing with relevant stakeholders is ongoing.

END.

Reply:

The IDC’s investment portfolio in terms of exposure, is currently at R98.9 billion, made up of R65.7 billion (66%) in Debt and R33.2 billion (34%) in Equity. Debt investments are those that are classified as Solely Payments of Principal and Interest (SPPI) and Equity investments are classified as Non-SPPI. The Mining Sector comprises the most significant exposure at 38%, followed by Chemicals (17%) and Energy (12%). Details are as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: IDC Portfolio Per Sector

 

Full list of companies under each of the investment sectors listed in Table 1

-END-

Reply:

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has no record of what could be deemed abandoned buildings in its property portfolio. Where properties are either unoccupied or not optimally utilised, there are various strategies being applied to either refurbish or prepare such properties for possible development proposals from the open market. This process is ongoing. In cases where properties are earmarked for development, PRASA signs development leases with 3rd party developers for redevelopment as part of the commercialisation strategy to address unoccupied properties.

Reply:

a) According to Gauteng Department of Health,

• South African Police Services (SAPS) has been alerted of the incident and the Department has also requested regular patrols along the hospital boundaries.
• Hospital security is also patrolling an additional 50 metre radius outside the hospital gates especially during shift changes.
• The local community policing forum has also been involved to assist with pro-active policing and community patrols in the hospital vicinity

b) The Local Community Policing Forum has been involved to assist with proactive policing and community patrols in the vicinity of the hospital.

c) The hospital management is investigating the costs of setting up a mobile police unit outside the main gate of the hospital. The hospital is also engaging companies on modern access and key control system. The hospital has CCTV cameras in strategic places inside and outside the hospital, to ensure that staff and patients’ privacy is not compromised.

 

END.

Reply:

The Endumeni Local Municipality, Ward 1 is made up of rural areas and a town called Wasbank. The town consists of a fully functional water supply and flush toilet systems inside the dwellings. The town does not have a conventional Wastewater Treatment Works but consists of conservancy tanks / septic tanks that are emptied by the municipality when full.

The uMzinyathi District Municipality is currently implementing the Endumeni Sanitation Project in the rural areas of Ibusi, Thelaphi, and Ruigterfontein. The project is intended to eradicate the sanitation backlogs in Endumeni Local Municipality Ward 1. The Endumeni Sanitation Project commenced on 08 March 2023 and is targeted for completion on 08 March 2024.

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Reply:

The shortfall referenced in the Drop Reports are shortages in technical skills at municipal level and it may be that the posts are filled but the staff involved are not appropriately qualified or registered. It is important to note that as much as half of the current shortage of process controllers could be addressed by training of existing staff to enable certification, rather than hiring new staff. The personnel issues are identified as one of the underlying main causes of poor performance in terms of the drop reports.

During the recent Summit held on 18 and 19 Jan 2024, this aspect was raised, and it was clear that there is a direct correlation between performance and availability of skills. The Summit was also attended by of the Energy & Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Water Service Institutions of South Africa and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) which all assist in the development of the necessary skills required in the Water Services Sector. These institutions all presented initiatives to assist municipalities to address some of the aspects around skills and capacity. The Department of Water Sanitation has also requested EWSETA to provide funding for training of process controllers (water and waste treatment works).

National government cannot legally hire staff or interns on behalf of municipalities. Therefore, the municipal leadership must prioritise the filling of positions with appropriately qualified staff and budget for this from revenue.

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Reply:

According to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS):

1. The NHLS is currently working and communicating with the Provincial Departments of Health to collect all outstanding funds owed to the NHLS. Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and Western Cape have cleared the debt owed for the previous financial years and are paying their current debt timeously. North-West has cleared most of its historic debt and is paying towards the current debt. Gauteng has settled most of its historic debt and they are paying for the current debt but not in full. KwaZulu-Natal is paying its current debt in full. The NHLS is working closely with KwaZulu-Natal to come up with a solution regarding the outstanding disputed amount for the debt prior to the 2016/17 financial year. Therefore, most of the provinces are paying for the services rendered by the NHLS.

The NHLS acknowledges that fiscal constraints will impact negatively on the financial status of the provinces and the NHLS. However, the NHLS has implemented tight financial controls to maintain its financial stability.

(2) The National Treasury does provide funding to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, National Institute of Occupational Health, Forensic Chemistry Laboratory Services (FCLS) and National Cancer Registry. However the funding is inadequate to meet the service demands so the NHLS has been cross-subsidizing the budgetary requirements for the Institutes and the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories to ensure an optimal staff complement and functional work environment to manage the current workload. The NHLS is not able to report on how challenges in service delivery experienced by the FCLs may have impacted the work of the SA Police Service.

END.

Reply:

According to information received from the Provincial Departments of Health, the responses are as follows:

EASTERN CAPE

a) One robbery and two-armed robberies.

b) (i) Empilweni TB Hospital, Helenvale and Zigidlo Clinic.

(ii) 1

(c) At Empilweni TB Hospital, the Security Company on-site decided to re-imburse its own personnel for the loss of their belongings (Security Officers). The criminal cases were opened at SAPS with CAS Number 11/09/2023 and 16/2/2024.

FREE STATE

a) The Department has not experienced any robberies in the past six months.

GAUTENG

a) Three robberies.

b) (i) Zola Clinic, Sebokeng Clinic and Rahima Moosa Hospital

(ii) 1

c) All robberies were reported to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

KWAZULU NATAL

a) One-armed robbery.

b) (i) Ndlangubo Clinic

(ii) 1

(c) SAPS was contacted and called to the crime scene and the criminal case was opened at SAPS with CAS Number 222/09/2023.

LIMPOPO

a) One-armed robbery.

b) (i) Zebediela Hospital.

(ii) 1

c) The criminal case was opened at SAPS with CAS Number 97/09/2023. Furthermore, the physical infrastructure of the guard house is being improved to include bullet proof and one way mirror from the inside only and the Hospital has been included in the SAPS patrol list.

MPUMALANGA

a) One-armed robbery.

b) (i) Nkangala District, Empumelelweni CHC

(ii) 1

(c) The criminal case was opened at SAPS with CAS Number 135/11/2023. Furthermore, the Infrastructure Unit fixed the palisade fence that was broken.

NORTH WEST

The Department has not experienced any robberies in the past six months.

NORTHERN CAPE

The Department has not experienced any robberies in the past six months.

 

WESTERN CAPE

a) One armed robbery. (b) (i) Khayelitsha CHC in Site B (ii) 1 (c) Immediately after the incident, the Department deployed the Provincial Security Team to safeguard the facility to provide additional support to the onsite security officers. Counselling Services and wellness debriefing were made available to staff based at the facility. The CCTV camera system at the facility is currently undergoing upgrade and maintenance to include remote monitoring capabilities. The Department is in the process of re-constructing the entrance into the facility. The new entrance will include a double gate vehicle lock system as well as turnstiles.

END.

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

The Blended Finance Scheme grant allocation is 100% aimed at supporting black producers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain of prioritised commodities. Poultry is one of the commodities prioritised in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and as such support to qualifying and bankable small and medium sized poultry producers will always receive priority. The grant allocation is not ring-fenced in percentage per commodity; the total allocation is intended to be used to support all prioritised commodities in the AAMP.

Reply:

a) The options are as follows:

1. Permanent method
2. Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives
3. Short term hormonal contraceptives
4. Barrier methods
5. Emergency contraceptives

b) Name and method:

1. Permanent method Sterilizations (Vasectomy and Tubaligations)
2. Hormonal (Oral Contraceptive (OC), Subdermal implants and Injectables)
3. Barrier (Intra uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and Condoms)
4. Emergency (Combined Oral Contraceptives and IUCD)

END.

Reply:

Currently, the State Security Agency (SSA) Budget is allocated according to the following Programmes:- 1) Administration, 2) Oversight and Control, 3) Domestic Intelligence, 4) Foreign Intelligence, 5) National Communication and 6) Intelligence Academy.

Therefore with few adjustments, it will be less complicated to draw up the budgets of the separated entities as soon as the Bill is promulgated into law. The National Treasury has been alerted to the possible separation of the entities and the need to make the relevant adjustment budgets.

REPLY COORDINATOR

Name :

Designation :

Contacts :

Recommended / Not recommended

___________________________

Ambassador Nozuko Bam

Acting Director-General: State Security Agency

Date:

Approved / Not Approved

________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni , MP,

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

Reply:

(a) what actions has he taken in the wake of the allegations,

On 10 January 2024 the NSFAS Board Chairperson, Mr Ernest Khosa informed the Board of his decision to take a leave of absence, and the Board, at the same meeting on 10 January 2024, decided to appoint an independent legal service provider to advise on the appropriate course of action. The firm Tshisevhe Gwina Ratshimbilani Inc. (TGR Attorneys) has been appointed and we now await their report.

(b) what are the precise allegations against the specified person,

The OUTA report contains recordings and transcripts of recordings of two meetings held allegedly between the Chairperson of the NSFAS Board, Mr Ernest Khosa and service providers to NSFAS. The report raised several allegations, including:

• The Chairperson privately met with service providers under investigation by the board for irregular appointments.
• The Chairperson allegedly received monetary benefits from service providers in exchange for facilitating appointments.
• The Chairperson purportedly made decisions with service providers that were contrary to the ongoing board investigation.

(c) how have the allegations affected the daily running of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS),

The leave of absence of the Chairperson has resulted in vacancies within both the Board itself and some of its sub-committees. Nevertheless, the Board has taken proactive measures to address this situation by reallocating existing members to fill these vacancies, thereby ensuring the continuity of leadership and preventing any void in governance.

(d) how does his department plan to solve the operational challenges and

The Department’s role is to exercise oversite. In the process of fulfilling this role it has approved funding for NSFAS’ ICT needs and capacity challenges. Whilst these are being addressed the Board has identified experts who will assist with implementing the turnaround strategy of the entity. Through reports the Department is monitoring the implementation of the audit plan and mitigation strategies it has advised NSFAS to implement. Further it engages with stakeholders, such as TVET Colleges and Universities, on whom NSFAS depends for timeous provision of accurate data to address bottlenecks. In addition, the Department will be instituting a board evaluation programme to assess the board’s performance against key KPI’s including amongst others institutional governance, policies to support critical standard operating procedures and performance management.

(e) who is the current acting chairperson of NSFAS?

The current Acting Chairperson is Prof Lourens van Staden.

Reply:

a) In terms of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act of 2007 (GIAMA), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is responsible for the sourcing of office accommodation on behalf of government departments. To that end the DPWI issued a bid for alternative accommodation in December 2018. Following the successful conclusion of the bid process, a contractor was appointed on 9 January 2020 to build a new office for the Department of Home Affairs.

b) In addition to the protracted procurement and contracting processes at DPW&I, it took time to obtain the necessary approvals for the building plans from the City of Cape Town. These challenges are now resolved and building works have commenced on site.

c) The new office will provide the community of Mitchells Plain with the full ambit of services available at any of the modernised Home Affairs offices. These include the issuance of Smart ID Cards, passports and the registration of births, marriages and deaths. In addition, the new office will address the health and safety issues raised in respect of the existing office infrastructure and will provide sufficient waiting area for clients as well as adequate working areas for the department’s officials.

END

Reply:

The Department is not in a position to share current (2024) enrolment data as the data has not been validated and audited at the university level. Ordinarily university audits are completed around July, Audited Disability enrolment stats have been disaggregated by race and gender in the table below. Unfortunately, DHET does not categorise student data in terms of the faculty they are located in.

Year	2022
Institution	Female	Female Total	Male	Male Total
	African	Coloured	Indian	No Info	White		African	Coloured	Indian	No Info	White
Cape Peninsula University of Technology	42	31	1	1	12	87	61	27	4	1	16	109
Central University of Technology	94	2			3	99	87	5			4	96
Durban University of Technology	207	5	10			222	167	2	10		2	181
Mangosuthu University of Technology	36					36	23					23
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University	195	29	3		36	263	168	25	4		36	233
North West University	337	9	9	1	196	552	197	8	4	1	141	351
Rhodes University	50	6	4		24	84	33	10	5		21	69
Sefako Makgatho University	8					8	17					17
Sol Plaatje University, Northern Cape	26	3			1	30	24	4	2		1	31
Tshwane University of Technology	88	1			3	92	107				5	112
University of  Fort Hare	4				1	5	6	1			2	9
University of Cape Town	80	49	18	106	100	353	104	31	18	99	71	323
University of Free State	124	8	1		51	184	114	7	2	1	41	165
University of Johannesburg	88	8	2	1	28	127	72	3	5		19	99
University of KwaZulu-Natal	271	5	43		12	331	195	7	23		3	228
University of Limpopo	107	1				108	84					84
University of Mpumalanga	1252	2	2		4	1260	798	3	2		2	805
University of Pretoria	115	16	22	1	140	294	114	7	23	1	156	301
University of South Africa	1201	133	115	34	361	1844	789	81	83	9	232	1194
University of Stellenbosch	54	52	14	9	191	320	31	39	11	14	160	255
University of Venda	28					28	41					41
University of Western Cape	150	112	8	2	17	289	104	87	8	2	13	214
University of Witwatersrand	379	52	91		188	710	299	23	72		141	535
University of Zululand	163					163	126	1		1		128
Vaal University of Technology	248					248	227	2			3	232
Walter Sisulu University	10					10	12					12

Reply:

(1)(i) Below is the total number of refugees (Section 24 holders) with a valid visa as at 1 January 2024:

Country	Total
Afghanistan	5
Algeria	3
Angola	21
Egypt	4
Burundi	2383
Benin	3
Bangladesh	169
Bahamas	1
Cambodia	1
Central African Republic	8
Chad	2
Cameroon	291
Congo	3739
DRC	19834
Comoros	1
Cuba	1
Eritrea	1317
Estonia	3
Ethiopia	13401
Palestine	30
Ghana	3
Guinea Bissau	10
Ivory Coast	17
India	2
Iran	1
Iraq	7
Jordan	3
Kenya	118
Liberia	45
Sri Lanka	9
Macau	2
Mali	3
Malawi	7
Morocco	1
Niger	3
Nigeria	7
Oman	1
Pakistan	5
Russia	9
Rwanda	918
Senegal	2
Sierra Leone	12
Solomon Islands	6
Somalia	20743
Saint Kitts and Nevis	1
Sudan	71
Swaziland	9
Sweden	1
Syria	39
Tanzania	25
East Timor	4
Togo	9
Türkiye	4
Uganda	407
Ukraine	2
Yemen	4
Zambia	51
Zimbabwe	3373
Total	67151

(1)(ii) Below is the total of Section 22 holders (Asylum seekers) with a valid visa as at 1 January 2024:

Country	Total
Afghanistan	10
Algeria	42
Angola	4
Egypt	88
Australia	1
Bahrain	2
Burundi	5228
Benin	10
Bangladesh	9239
Bahamas	5
Burkina Faso	11
Botswana	1
Bosnia	1
Central African Republic	2
Chad	1
China	13
Cameroon	735
Congo	3206
DRC	22298
Comoros	8
Colombia	1
Eritrea	823
Estonia	2
Ethiopia	25624
Gabon	7
Gambia	7
Palestine	3
Ghana	584
Guinea Bissau	4
Guinea	14
Croatia	1
Hungary	3
Ivory Coast	33
India	1846
Ireland	1
Iran	3
Iraq	1
Israel	3
Jamaica	2
Jordan	9
Kenya	396
Liberia	26
Libya	1
Lesotho	4
Sri Lanka	6
Mali	32
Malaysia	1
Malawi	627
Morocco	3
Mozambique	39
Mayotte	1
Nepal	76
Netherlands	1
Niger	153
Nigeria	1468
New Zealand	1
Pakistan	3249
Russia	1
Rwanda	807
Senegal	235
Sierra Leone	5
Somalia	4406
Saint Kitts and Nevis	1
Sudan	33
Suriname	1
Slovenia	1
Swaziland	2
Syria	13
Tanzania	226
Thailand	7
East Timor	2
Togo	5
Türkiye	7
Uganda	1785
Ukraine	2
Uruguay	1
Wallis and Futuna	1
Yemen	5
Zambia	100
Zimbabwe	3365
Total	86971

2. For the current financial year, the Department makes a first instance decision on average within 7 days with more than 90% of cases adjudicated within 30 days.

3. In terms of the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (SCRA) on average, it takes 180 days to review all matters submitted to SCRA. Currently due to high volumes of matters designated as manifestly unfounded, fraudulent and abusive, SCRA has less than 50 cases which have exceeded 180 days.

The Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA) is a tribunal and its adjudication and finalisation of appeal cases is a bit complex. Over the years, RAASA became inundated with appeals which escalated around the period 2008, leading to the current backlog.

Every appeal case with its complexities is adjudicated on its own merits and the time to finalise thereof differs from one case to the other. However, individual members of the RAASA conduct about 3-5 appeal hearings a day to eradicate the backlog and this is subject to the Asylum Seeker honouring the set down date.

END

Reply:

1. (a) 131 528 applications have been rejected for the 2024 academic year. Their status remains at rejected.

(b) The applications were rejected due to not meeting either the financial or academic eligibility criteria.

2. (a) NSFAS has received 1495 appeals to date.

(b) NSFAS has not started working on the appeals yet. NSFAS applications closed on 15 February 2024. The team has been working on expediting the processing of applications.

(c) No appeals have been resolved yet.

Reply:

Question 1 (a)

The department of COGTA has initiated fire services capacity assessments which is updated on annual basis with all the Provincial Disaster Management Centres across the Country. The current total number of fire rescue disaster personnel are as follows:

Provinces	Number of fire rescue members
Western Cape	1 452
Free State	481
Gauteng	3 538
Eastern Cape	938
KwaZulu-Natal	1 125
North West	650
Limpopo	482
Mpumalanga	478
Northern Cape	88

Question 1 (b) (i) and (ii)

Eastern Cape	10
Free State	27
North West	23
Gauteng	197
Western Cape	69
Limpopo	0
Mpumalanga	37
Northern Cape	0
KwaZulu-Natal	205

 

Question 2 (a) (b) (c) (d)

The Department performs annual Urban Search & Rescue capacity assessments within the Provinces as part of its efforts to ensure the establishment as well as development of a sustainable Urban Search & Rescue capacity within the country. 

The last capacity assessment in terms of (a) (b) (c) (d) was performed in the Mpumalanga Province on 25 October 2023. 

 Question 3

The Department has no active MOUs with NGOs/Non-profit organizations dealing with rescue disasters, as these are typically entered into on a Provincial and Municipal level with NGOs/NPOs at the initial face of operations. However, the Department is exploring the possibilities of such MOUs and have referred a recent request for partnership with an NGO through to the CoGTA Legal Services for a legal opinion. The Department is also in the process of having it's Urban Search & Rescue Governance Framework gazetted, which, in line with the Disaster Management Act (No 57 of 2002) calls for the active participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector, NGOs, technical experts, communities, traditional leaders and volunteers, in disaster risk and response planning and operations. 

End.

Reply:

In relation to the exact capacity available in each Province and what is required to react to national rescue disasters, the Department performs annual assessments of Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) capacity within Provinces, which includes provision of funding for training and development for purposes of establishing and maintaining sustainable USAR capacity within Provinces.

The NDMC will in the new financial year initiate a process for the development of National USAR standards for the South African USAR teams accreditation process. The standard will identify specific roles and responsibilities for each Urban Search and Rescue activity included in the operational plans of the various USAR teams participating in disaster response efforts. It will also provide mechanisms to determine the level of implementation of USAR activities according to the magnitude of the event or disaster and the capacity of the USAR team to deal with it. The standard will be introduced in all spheres of government, and it will also make provision for the development of USAR response systems for all government USAR teams involved in response, including the private sector, NGOs, and technical experts for the purpose of enhancing USAR capacity within the country.

The above initiatives will be aligned to the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), as South Africa is a signatory to the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150 on "Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International USAR Assistance" (2002) which underpins much of the actions taken by the Department in the areas of effective preparation, coordination and response to rescue related disasters.

I thank you.

Reply:

a) The Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 3 of 2021 introduced section 79A which now makes it mandatory for each municipality to establish Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC). One of the key responsibilities of MPAC, is to review comments made by management in the audit action plan to address issues raised by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA).

To support and strengthen the functioning of the MPACs, the Department established the MPAC and Council Committees Forum to support MPACs to perform their legislative responsibility. The discussion at the Forum is inclusive of matters relating to issues raised by the AGSA; investigation on Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful (UIF&W) expenditure in accordance with section 32 of the MFMA, read with s79A of the Municipal Structures Act. The Forum includes representatives from the National Treasury, SALGA, provincial departments responsible for local government, and the AGSA.

The implementation of the recommendations to address identified material irregularities are evaluated by the department as an integral part of assessing the adequacy of the audit action plans and progress on the implementation of the audit action plans. Engagements are also held with some of the MPAC provincial forums on their oversight role relating to issues raised by the AGSA.

Municipalities are required to refer identified material irregularities that are of a criminal nature to law enforcement agencies for further investigation. Progress in relation to investigations of the reported cases is provided by law enforcement agencies at the Local Government Anti-Corruption Forum (LGACF), which was launched by the Department as a coordination structure of anti-corruption efforts in the local government sphere. On an ad hoc basis, the AGSA is also invited to the LGACF to make presentations on material irregularities in local government and progress in relation to addressing the material irregularity findings.

b) The Department will collaborate with its key stakeholders, including the National Treasury, SALGA, provincial departments responsible for local government, and the AGSA, to identify municipalities with persistent non-compliance or lack of action for intervention, encourage MPACs to hold management accountable for poor performance and transgression.

End.

Reply:

(a) & (b). Only one Team was established and deployed in the Free State Province to assist in addressing the procurement challenges. The Team has made a remarkable positive impact in turning around the procurement challenges in the province, with an expenditure rate of above 70% that has been achieved as of February 2024.

The Department did not establish any other similar teams in other Provinces.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) The grass was damaged and not suitable for re use, because the vehicles drove and parked all over the grass area. It is therefore planned to provide a parking area for vehicles adjacent to the security entrance.

(b) The service provider is compensated monthly to address the horticulture for the entire park. Based on expenditure per m2 for horticulture, an amount of R 3 384.16 was spent on the grass in question since the commencement of the project.

Reply:

The National Department of Human Settlements has indeed taken proactive measures to address the challenges faced by the Free State Province, particularly regarding the delivery of housing units. The Department’s key interventions included:

• Firstly we seconded an experienced individual who has previously worked with the National Department, to capacitate the Provincial Department’s Supply Chain Management Unit. This individual's expertise and experience have significantly contributed to improving operational efficiency within the Department.
• Secondly, also seconding a Project Management Unit official to provide additional support and guidance to the Provincial Department. This collaborative approach has enabled the efficient coordination and execution of housing projects, thereby enhancing overall project delivery.
• In addition to these interventions, the province has also made significant investments in planning activities, laying the groundwork for future housing developments.

The interventions implemented thus far have yielded promising results and ongoing efforts will continue to drive progress and ensure the provision of adequate housing opportunities for residents of the province. National Department of Human Settlements remains committed to supporting the Free State Province in addressing its housing delivery challenges and improving its performance outcomes.

Reply:

a) The South African National Standards (SANS) 1936-1: Development of Dolomite Land, which was developed by South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) sets out requirements for the development of dolomitic land. The SANS 1936-1thus ensures that people live and work in an environment that is understood by society to be acceptably safe, where loss of assets is within tolerable limits, and where cost-effective and sustainable land usage is achieved. The said standards are applicable to all the three spheres of government to avoid hazards associated with dolomite, especially in areas where the building of residential properties should be prohibited to eliminate the loss of life. In areas where the building of residential units is permitted, mitigation measures are put in place in the form of land use permitted in the Municipal Zoning Scheme. With this consideration, the Department provides guidance through the National Housing Code of 2009, which is based on the classification identified in SANS 1936-1: Development of Dolomite Land. Additionally, site rehabilitation measures have been introduced to ensure that houses are built on stable ground and the appropriate foundation is put in place. Moreover, the National Housing Code of 2009 entails maps of various provinces which designate dolomitic areas, to ensure that careful consideration is given during development, and that appropriate studies are conducted before actual construction can occur, to ensure safe environments.

b) To ensure the safety and well-being of citizens located in the dolomitic areas, a stringent process is followed. Part of this process is that prior to any housing project development, a feasibility study has to be undertaken to ascertain that the land can be developed. Once the feasibility study has been undertaken, a Geotech study is conducted to gather the physical characteristics of the soil and rocks on a site to ensure that if dolomitic rock is found, the site is rehabilitated where necessary, and proper foundations are designed. For projects that are developed in the dolomitic areas, conventional foundations such as strip or spot footings are often used in the building of houses where the risk of sinkhole forming is found to be adequate. Moreover, compacted soil mattresses that serve as a flexible reinforcement are used to strengthen structures on areas underlain by dolomite. In areas where sinkhole formation poses an immediate danger to the inhabitants of houses, the relevant municipalities (in consultation with the provincial departments of human settlements and all relevant stakeholders) are to consider the upgrading of aging or affected infrastructure or the identification and preparation of well-located and suitable land for the resettlement of affected households. The National Department of Human Settlements monitors compliance with technical specifications through analysis of business plans of Provinces and Metros, wherein the geotechnical reports should form part of the supporting evidence prior to development in dolomitic areas.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)

(a) The work that was implemented was programmed as part of the work packages that was agreed prior to the holiday session, and suitable time to implement was during December 2023 when many people were on holiday. The horticulture services form part of the preventative maintenance scope. Key areas were identified that required attention. Therefore this was not a new project but the continuation of their current services.

(b) The work was undertaken by the contracted facilities management company and not an independent contractor.

(2)

(a) The preparation of the area and groundwork was paid from the scheduled items allowed for in the corrective maintenance bill of qualities. The cost for the preparation and groundwork amounts to R136 420.00. The new plants are part of the supplemental planting that falls under preventative maintenance scope of the works. No additional remuneration is required for this item.

(b) The total facilities management contract is provided for under programme 6 of PMTE.

(3) The facilities management contract is 5 year contract, so funds are used within that period, so this cannot be classified as fiscal dumping, because the 5 year period has not yet come to an end.

Reply:

1.  The average amount of water provided by uMngeni-uThukela Water to the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is summarised in the table below:

Month	Targeted Volume in kl/day	No. of days	Monthly Target in kl	Actual Supplied Volume in kl	Monthly Variance in kl
January	1 105 000	28	30,940,000	32,126,382	1,186,382
February	1 105 000	31	34,472,000	34,255,000	-217,000
March	1 105 000	28	31,136,000	32,126,382	990,382
April	1 105 000	31	34,472,000	34,255,000	-217,000
May	1 105 000	30	33,360,000	33,150,000	-210,000
June	1 105 000	36**	40,032,000	39,780,000	-252,000
July	1 011 000#	25	25,275,000	28,225,771	2, 950, 771
August	1 011 000#	31	31,341,000	34,769,031	3,428,031
September	1 011 000#	31	31,341,000	34, 971,532	3,630,532
October	1 011 000#	30	30,330,000	33,567,957	3,237,957
November	1 011 000#	31	31,341,000	34,799,924	3,458,924
December	1 011 000#	33*	33,363,000	38,019,751	4,656,751
TOTAL			387,403,000	410,046,730	22,643,730

*Mid-term: meter reading done at month end

**Financial Year End: meter reading done at month end

#Targeted volume for the 2023/2024 financial year reduced in order to ensure compliance with the raw water abstraction license.

2. uMngeni-uThukela Water has been able to provide eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality with the required volume of water as stipulated in the Bulk Supply Agreement. However, there were four months wherein the actual volumes supplied were slightly below the targeted volumes.

During the year 2023, uMngeni-uThukela Water supplied eThekwini Metro with 410, 046, 730 kl which was 22, 643, 730 kl above the targeted supply volumes.

During the course of 2023, uMngeni-uThukela Water carried out planned maintenance as detailed in the table in Annexure A below:

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ANNEXURE A

No	Details of Shutdown	Planned Date & Duration	Actual Completion Date
1.	Reservoir 3, Roof Rehabilitation. Floor & wall lining and installation	07 August 2019 (39 Months)	10 January 2023
2.	Maphephetheni Works & Inanda Dam Pumping Main 700mm dia. Butterfly Valve Installation	08 February 2023 (12 Hours)	08 February 2023
3.	Aqueduct 1 and 2 Rehabilitation following the April 2022 floods.	28 June 2022 (12 Months)	30 June 2023
4.	Avondale Pump Station Replacement of the Inlet Control Valve	03 March 2023 (8 Hours)	03 March 2023
5.	Hazelmere Works Installation of the Inlet Control Valve	31 March 2023 (24 Hours)	01 April 2023
6.	Verulam Pump Repairs	05 June 2023 (24 Hours)	05 June 2023
7.	Toti System Reservoir 1 Outlet valve replacement & PDT’s	24 May 2023 (12 Hours)	24 May 2023
8.	Northdene Pump Station: Installation of 700mm diameter steel	22 May 2023 (9 Hours)	22 May 2023
9.	Nagle Dam – New Intake Repairs	21 July 2023 (12 Hours)	21 July 2023
10.	Maphephetheni – Inlet Control Valve Repair	11 July 2023 (12 Hours)	11 July 2023
11.	Maphephetheni – Aqueduct 2 Isolation for penstock installation tunnel 6 - 7	11 July 2023 (12 Hours)	11 July 2023
12.	Maphephetheni – Aqueduct 2 Isolation for penstock installation tunnel 8	21 July 2023 (12 Hours)	21 July 2023
13.	La Mercy Pump Repairs	10 August 2023 (12 Hours)	10 August 2023
14.	357 Pipeline Relocation DN1400 tie-in	20 September 2023 (63 Hours)	23 September 2023
15.	257 Pipeline Relocation: DN 1000 tie-ins at Fairview Road	28 September 2023 (60 hours)	30 September 2023
16.	Northern Aqueduct – Replacement of Air Valves	22 September 2023 (9 hours)	22 September 2023
17.	Installation of the Isolation Plate on Aqueduct 2 at the Head of Works Durban Heights WW	04 October 2023 (24 Hours)	05 October 2023
18.	Removal of an Isolation Plate on Aqueduct 2 at the Head of Works Durban Heights WW.	21 November 2023 (18 Hours)	21 November 2023
19.	Wiggins HLPS Repair of the Cooling Water Pump System.	24 October 2023 (8 hours)	24 October 2023
20.	357 Pipeline Relocation DN1400 tie-in	18 October 2023 (60 hours)	18 October 2023
21.	257 Pipeline Relocation DN 1400 tie-in	25 October 2023 (60 hours)	27 October 2023
22.	Relocation of DN 700, 54 Pipeline and tie-in to the existing pipeline along the N3 Durban route at Ashburton Interchange for SANRAL to complete the Construction of N3 Road.	14 November 2023 (72 hours)	17 November 2023
23.	Northern Aqueduct – Replacement of Air Valves	05 October 2023 (9 hours)	05 October 2023

Reply:

The response provided by the Department regarding NA 3359 indicated that “From 1 April 2023 to date, the Department had issued 22 Notices of Intention to Issue a Directive and 5 Directives in response to identified contraventions related to the requirements stipulated under Section 19(3) and 22 of the National Water Act”.

The tables below provide details of 22 entities that have been issued Notices of Intention to Issue Directives, as well as 5 Directives issued to compel responsible entities to take remedial action aimed at ceasing, containing, and remedying the effects of pollution, among other objectives.

Table: 1

No	List of names on Notices issued
	Responsible Office	(a)(b)&(c) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Witsand Wastewater Treatment Works, Hessequa Local Municipality, Port Beaufort 484/65, Swellendam, Hessequa Local Municipality, Port Beaufort 484/65, Swellendam: Breede/Gouritz
	KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Umgeni Water board, Umgeni Water Board, Pietermaritzburg: Pongola/Mtamvuna
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Venterstad Wastewater Treatment Works, Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Barkly East: Orange
	Breede/Gouritz CMA	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Illegal dumping at near Theewaterskloof Dam causing pollution, Theewaterskloof, Theewaterskloof Municipality: Breede/Gouritz
	Free State Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Caledonspoort WWTW, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Caledonspoort: Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Dordrecht WWTW, Chris Hani District Municipality, Dordrecht: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Koppies WWTW, Ngwathe Local Municipality, Koppies: Vaal
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thabong WWTW, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Van Stadensrus WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Mangaung: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	BFN-Bloemdustria WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, BFN-Bloemdustria: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	BFN - Northern Works (WWTW), Mangaung Local Municipality, Mangaung: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Oppermansgronde WWTW, Letsemeng Local Municipality: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Fauresmith WWTW, Kopanong Local Municipality, Fauresmith: Orange
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Lebowakgomo Wastewater Treatment Works, Capricorn District Municipality, Capricorn District Municipality: Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Tabile Mapekula, Klipspruit Wastewater Treatment Works: Olifants
	Limpopo Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thohoyandou P West manhole, Vhembe district Municipality, 665 Mphephu Drive: Limpopo
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Swartdam Wastewater Treatment Works, Moretele Local Municipality, Farm Haakdoornfontein 55JR/3: Limpopo
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Mothotlung Wastewater Treatment Work, Madibeng Local Municipality, Farm Hoeksfontein 247IQ/4: Limpopo
	Western Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Pniel & Wemmershoek WWTW, Stellenbosch Local Municipality, Dwarsriver: Berg/Olifants
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Government [National/Prov]	Zonderwater Correctional Services, Zonderwater Correctional Services: Olifants
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Hoopstad WWTW, Tswelopele Local Municipality, Tswelopele: Vaal
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Steynsrus WWTW, Moqhaka Local Municipality, Steynsrus: Orange

 

Table: 2

No	List of names on Directives issued
	Responsible Office	(a)(b)&(c) Government Sphere	Facility Name
	Mpumalanga Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Sewage overflow at Cnr. Dirk Winterbach &, Marone Street, Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality, Burgersfort: Olifants
	North West Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Zeekoegat Wastewater Treatment Works, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Portion 142 Zeekoegat 296 JR: Limpopo
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Thaba Nchu WWTW, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Moroka, Stationview, Bultfontein and Seroalo Pump Stations: Orange
	Free State Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Oviston Wastewater Treatment Works, Joe Gqabi Municipality, Barkly East: Orange
	Eastern Cape Regional Office	Local Government [WSA/WSP]	Amalinda Central WWTW, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Amalinda Central WWTW: Mzimvubu/Tsitsikamma

---00O00---

Reply:

There was no state visit to the (a) Islamic Republic of Iran (i) in 2023 and (ii) from 1 January 2024 to date.

A state visit was undertaken to the State of Qatar from 14 to 15 November 2023. The South African Delegation (a) consisted of:

1. H.E. Mr MC Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa

2. Dr GNM Pandor: Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

3. Amb GH Asmal: South African Ambassador to the State of Qatar

4. Ms A Didiza: Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and

Rural Development

5. Ms MA Motshekga: Minister of Basic Education

6. Mr E Patel: Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

7. Ms K Ntshavheni: Minister in the Presidency – State Security

8. Ms T Modise: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

9. Ms P Baleni: Director-General and Secretary of Cabinet

10. Ms R Singh: Deputy-Director General (Chief of Staff in the Presidency)

11. Ms D Nicol: Special Advisor to the President

12. Mr N Sibiya: Special Advisor to the President

13. Mr V Magwenya: Spokesperson to the President

The schedule of meetings held in the State of Qatar (b)(i):

1. Official Talks between the RSA and Qatari delegations

2. Tête-á-tête between President Ramaphosa and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Amir of the Stet of Qatar

3. Signing Ceremony

4. Meeting with Members of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Business Association

5. Presidential Roundtable Discussion

6. Tree-planting ceremony and tour of the Qatari Pavilion at the Doha International Horticultural Expo 2023

7. Courtesy Call and Meeting between President Ramaphosa and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al Thani, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar

The meetings held in the State of Qatar were of a confidential nature and the minutes of the said meetings are classified (b)(ii).

Reply:

The Northern Cape Province approached the Development Bank of Southern Africa (the Lender) to finance the acceleration of the human settlement’s development programme. The borrowing is pursued in line with the provisions of section 3 (6) of the Borrowing Act and the current Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) through a pledge of the indicative Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) for the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2025 to 2027 as detailed below:

The R1 billion allocated to build approximately 4,000 houses across municipalities in the Northern Cape Province, as announced by the President will not impact the housing provisions in the rest of the Republic.

Reply:

Honourable Ceza, any contract of employment that exceeds three months, the law deems such an employee as permanent. All the rights and obligations other employees are entitled to, such an employee is also entitled to these rights and obligations. Should such an employee be dismissed for unjustifiable reasons or denied the same right that other permanent employees have, they have a recourse through the CCMA despite the nature of their contract.

The law is clear that there is no worker or employee in this country who must be paid below the national minimum wage despite the nature of their contract. The national minimum wage is the floor right that no employee or worker should be paid below it.

The law stipulates that bargaining councils cannot negotiate wages below what the national minimum wage prescribe. Their wage negotiations start from what the national minimum wage prescribes and can only be negotiated upwards and not downwards. It is important for the Honourable member to note that our collective bargaining system is based on improving the basic conditions of employment and the national minimum wage ups.

END

Reply:

Domestic Workers:

There are inspections that are carried out to test compliance with the National Minimum Wage. These inspections are mostly reactive. In instances where there is non-compliance, notices are issued out. The noncompliant employers are provided with 14 days to comply. If an employer does not comply within the set time frames, there is referral to the CCMA for prosecution. The issuance of notices and referral for prosecution result in recoveries of monies in the form of underpayments. These are then handed to the workers who had been underpayment.

Petrol attendants, Security Guards and Cleaners:

These belong to relevant Bargaining Councils (BC’s) that deal with all matters that are related to Employment Standards. The BC’s have their own Agencies that have similar powers to those of Labour inspectors. They would therefore enforce compliance within these sectors. This would include compliance with the National Minimum Wage.