Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. The process of establishing the two new higher education institutions commenced in April 2021 with the appointment of a Project Steering Committee constituted by stakeholder representatives from various organisations and sectors.

The two feasibility studies are expected to be completed and submitted to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation by 31 October 2022.

2. The classification of these two new higher education institutions as university colleges or universities will only be known once the feasibility studies have been completed.

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

FIND HERE: REPLY:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has informed me that it conducts an annual occupancy audit of the Parliamentary Villages, usually after all Client Departments have confirmed their Sessional Officials for the Parliamentary year.

(2) Sessional Officials are designated as Sessional for one Parliamentary year at a time.

(3) No, the Department informed me that it is not aware of such allegations, as no specific allegations have been brought to the Department’s attention. However, details of such allegations would be appreciated to ensure that they are investigated accordingly.

(4) The Department commenced the annual occupancy audit in mid-August 2022, and the process is expected to take three (3) months to complete. The biggest challenge experienced thus far is that tenants are not always in Cape Town all the time and that the exercise is completed primarily after hours as the primary tenant needs to confirm the occupant declared. There is the Parliamentary Programme, which also determines the Members’ availability at the residence.

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) The Independent Development Trust (IDT) informed me that its Internal Audit did an audit on the Supply Chain Management process regarding this appointment; however, it was not substantive. There was no one found responsible. The report identified general weaknesses in the Supply Chain Management Processes.

(2) No consequences management was recommended, as no one was held liable. The report was inconclusive, and the Board at the time only noted the report and did not recommend any further action.

(3) The IDT advertised another tender, but it was withdrawn because the reconfiguration process needed to be approved first by Cabinet.

b) The reconfiguration process will result in a different organisational redesign, which will be dealt with once Cabinet approves.

c) 50 Officials were retrenched as an outcome of the then OD process.

(4)

a) All employees who participated in the Voluntary Severance Process were retrenched.

b) There is no discernible impact on the officials who left.

5. Yes, there is one case at Labour Court. IDT defended the matter and is awaiting court judgement.

Reply:

The matter is not within the mandate of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as it is an operational matter which should be responded to by the Department of Public Enterprises.

Reply:

The table below provides a breakdown of enrolments based on the audit data received from public universities for the 2018 to 2020 academic years. The Department is currently verifying the audited 2021 enrolment data and this information will be available in October 2022. Similarly, information on the 2022 academic year will be available in October 2023.

Reply:

The process to establish Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College is outlined on Chapter 2 of the Continuing Education and Training Act, Act 16 of 2006 which says the Minister, after consultation with the institution, may, by notice in the Gazette and from money appropriated for this purpose, establish a public-

(a) Technical and Vocational Education and Training College; or

(b) Community Education and Training College.

The notice in the Gazette must set out -

(a) The date of the establishment of the College:

(b) Whether the college is a technical and vocational education and training college or the college is a community education and training college;

(c) The name of the College; and 

(d) The physical location and address of the college.

The University is established in terms of Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 which says on chapter 3 the Minister may after consulting Council on Higher Education, by notice in the Gazette and from money appropriated for this purpose by Parliament, establish a university. 

b) new colleges or college campuses the same as the process to establish universities?

The process of establishing a new university is the responsibility of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.  It should be noted that the cost of developing a new university is very high and will require Cabinet approval and the appropriation of funds through the National Treasury process. At this time in South Africa’s development trajectory, there are many competing needs and given the current fiscal constraints, funding for new universities is limited and will require more feasibility studies to ascertain the probabilities of establishing new institutions in the future, more so in remote areas to limit the influx and movement of students into cities. 

Cabinet has approved the establishment of new universities in Ekurhuleni and Hammanskraal. A feasibility study is underway in this regard, and this will advise on the size and shape of these two institutions.

In respect to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, the process of establishing new colleges or college campuses is exactly the same as that set out for Universities.

At present the Department is implementing new infrastructure for TVET Colleges as follows:

Msinga Campus   of UMgungundlovu TVET College at Cwaka 

Greytown Campus of Umgungundlovu TVET College at Greytown

Umzimkhulu Campus of Esayidi TVET College at Umzimkhulu 

Bhambanana Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Bhambanana

Nkandla A Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Nkandla Town

Nkandla B Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Nkumgamathe

Vryheid Engineering Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Vryheid

Nongoma Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Nongoma

Kwagqikasi Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Nongoma

Giyani Campus of Letaba TVET College at Giyani

Balfour Campus of Gert Sibande TVET College at Balfour

Aliwal North Campus of Ikhala TVET College at Aliwal North

Sterkspruit Campus TVET College of Ikhala at Sterkspruit

Ngqungqushe Campus of Ingwe TVET College at Lusikisiki

Graaff Reneitt Campus of East Cape Midlands at Graaff Reneitt

Thabazimbi Campus of Waterberg TVET College at Thabazimbi.

At present there are no further funds to construct new campuses or colleges.

Reply:

The 80 projects being referred to are developed by private parties and the DMRE has no visibility on the progress. Since the lifting of the licensing threshold, many people seem to be developing energy projects and have no obligation to apprise the department. NERSA has registered projects totalling 688 MW to date.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I was informed that the Board of Trustees of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) resolved to sell the National Head Office building during a meeting that was held on 23 February 2022. The Board resolved to sell the building as there are office space challenges, plus structural and electrical issues affecting the building. The building is unsafe to be occupied by employees as it does not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The building also has high maintenance costs.

2. The sale of the building has not been advertised as yet. To do that, the IDT still needs to secure a Certificate of Compliance.

3. As stated in (2) above, the tender has not been advertised and has not been adjudicated. As such, (3), (a) (i) and (ii), and (b) fall away.

4. No, a new building has not been identified to house the staff from the Head Office and the Gauteng office; the advertisement for the lease of a new building was issued on 12 August 2022, and the procurement process is in progress.

(a) IDT does not have monthly leasing costs at this stage.

(b) As the procurement process is still underway, there is no cost attached to square metres at this stage.

(c) The date for relocation to the new building will be determined once the procurement process is finalised.

Reply:

1. (a) (i) A total of (7) employees in DMRE are currently working from home;

(ii) These 7 employees have special permission to work from home; and

(iii) One employee has an injury, while two were pregnant ladies with a comorbidity who are currently on maternity leave and other four officials are sick: and

(b) The injured employee is expected to return to the office on 19 September 2022 while the ladies who are on maternity leave will come back respectively on 29 November 2022 and 02 January 2023.

(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter? Not necessary as such statistics are always available as and when required/requested.

Reply:

The matter is not within the mandate of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as it is an operational matter which should be responded to by the Department of Public Enterprises.

Reply:

In 2011, the Minister of Health appointed a Ministerial Task Team on Nursing Education and Training following the National Nursing Summit of April 2011. The Ministerial Task Team report, which was finalised in August 2012, made several recommendations, including that nursing colleges be declared as higher education institutions in compliance with the Constitution and provisions of the Higher Education Act (101 of 1997, as amended). The Ministerial Task Team also recommended that while nursing education and training should be regarded as a national competence, it should account to the Director-General of Health, rather than Higher Education and Training.

The priority at the time was to align the nursing qualifications to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has designated that the 10 public Nursing Colleges and 9 public Emergency Medical Services Colleges can offer qualifications on the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework leading to Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor’s degrees until such time as they are declared an institutional type contemplated in the Higher Education Act. These qualifications must be accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority on the National Qualifications Framework.

Reply:

The matter is not within the mandate of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as it is an operational matter which should be responded to by the Department of Public Enterprises.

Reply:

(a) According to the National Treasury’s Annual Report on Non-compliance with Payments of Suppliers Invoices Within 30 Days – FY2021/22, the most common reasons that are cited by departments for late or non-payment of suppliers include the following:

• Misfiled, misplaced or unrecorded invoices
• Inadequate budget and/or cash flow management problems
• Inadequate internal capacity
• IT Systems
• Standard Chart of Accounts (SCoA) related system problems
• Unresolved invoice discrapancies
• Incomplete supporting documents

(b) The National Treasury has established a central email address to resolve queries from suppliers. This involves following up with transgressing departments to ensure speedy resolution of queries. The DPME has prioritised Payment of Suppliers as one of the areas that is being monitored through its monitoring frameworks. In addition, the department continues to escalate queries of non-payment that are being logged through the Presidential Hotline.

The department has also initiated a project to engage the health sector, which is responsible for over 60% of the unpaid invoices, to address the challenges of non-payment. This initiative will involve the creation of a platform to facilitate the sharing of best practice, replication of measures that have been successful in other departments and to minimize the impact of medico-legal claims on non-payment of invoices.

Thank You.

Reply:

1. (a)(b) A Private Members Bill was introduced by the African National Congress on 16 August 2017 during the Fifth Parliament and lapsed when Parliament rose at the end of their term. The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (the Commission) is currently dealing with old order claims lodged before 31 December 1998 and is not in a position to process new claims as there is no legislation nor budget allocated to do so. The Commission reports to the Land Claims Court every six months on progress of outstanding Old order claims in line with LAMOSA 2 order, the last report was submitted on 30 June 2022.

2. (a) 163 383 new order claims

(b) When Parliament enacts new legislation to allow the processing of these New Order claims or the Commission settles all the outstanding old order claims lodged by 1998 as ordered by the LAMOSA Constitution Court judgment in 2018.

END

Reply:

1. Yes, the Department received reports from the industry and official media releases that Botswana and Namibia are imposing import restrictions (border closures) as an instrument to protect domestic producers from import competition. These border closures impact largely on the vegetable products exported by South Africa to these countries. The Department is working with the industry and the Departments of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) (lead department) and International Relations & Cooperation to address this challenge.

(2) Yes, border closures are being imposed as a unilateral act. Botswana and Namibia claim the measure is provided for in the South African Cultural Union (SACU) Agreement.

(3) Yes, The Minister received a submission from the industry regarding the challenges of persistent border closures in Botswana and Namibia. She will be engaging with the industry on the matter before addressing it with her counterparts in the two countries. Furthermore, the Department is working with the DTIC, National Treasury, South African Revenue Service (SARS) and International Administration Commission (ITAC) to investigate a permanent long-term solution to all trade challenges in the SACU. The Agricultural Trade Industry is regularly consulted and engaged through the Agricultural Trade Forum (ATF).

Reply:

1. The boundaries of all Disease Management Areas (DMAs) for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) were determined using a risk-based approach taking into account evidence of recent spread, in an effort to limit the negative effects of the disease as much as possible.

(2)(a) Cattle were mostly affected in the recent outbreaks and the movement of live cattle clearly poses the highest risk. The initial movement ban was thus limited to cattle in order to limit the negative effects on other sectors of the livestock industry. Since sheep were involved in some recent outbreaks, sheep and goats have now been included in the Gazette Notice of 8 September 2022.

(b) Pigs continue to be excluded in order to limit the economic impact on an industry that so far has not been affected by the outbreaks.

(3) No. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will continue to update everyone if there is new information.

Reply:

1. (a)(i) None. On the announcement by the Minister in the Presidency on 23 June 2022 the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) issued a Departmental Circular reiterating the aspect of 100% return to work was announced. All personnel inclusive of personnel with comorbidities had to return to work with a 100% of the workforce back at their workstations. As of 23 June 2022, all comorbidities related to Covid-19 were/will be managed in accordance with the “Determination and directive on leave of absence in the public service”: issued in August 2021.

(ii) Falls away.

(iii) Falls away.

(b) Falls away.

(2) No.

Reply:

Yes. DALRRD has approved subsidies of R58,588 million in the financial year 2021/2022 in terms of section 4 of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 2018 (Act No. 2 of 2018) ESTA and sections 26 and 27 of the Labour Tenants Act, 1996 (Act No.3 of 1996) for installation of electricity as well as installation of solar panels. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is also providing mediation services and Legal Aid South Africa provides legal representation under the Land Rights Management Facility to farm dwellers in circumstances where landowners are refusing to consent to the Municipality and or Eskom to provide electricity.

Furthermore, the courts have ordered that it is the responsibility of Local Government through municipalities to provide all basic services to the people living, staying and working on the farms.

Reply:

a) Verification for Lower Ngqumeya and Lower Zingcuka has been finalized. The Claimant Committee is to adopt final verification lists by 30 September 2022

b) Phase 1 of claim consisting of Lower Ngqumeya and Lower Zingcuka is projected to be settled in Quarter 3 of 2022/23 Financial Year, on condition that the Commission receives full co-operation from the community.

Reply:

The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights does not have a record of a land claim lodged by Hoxani Traditional Council nor a record of claim with reference number KRP 912.

Reply:

An adverse event (not effect) following immunisation (AEFI) is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunisation and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. The adverse event may be any unfavourable or unintended physical sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease.

i) From 17 May 2021 to the 8 August 2022 a total number of 6561 AEFIs (total minor and severe) following the use of either the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or J&J (COVID-19 vaccine Janssen) were reported to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

ii) Only severe and serious AEFIs are investigated. A total of 2771 clinical investigations are either concluded or under way.

iii) Following investigation, the case files are sent to the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (NISEC) for assessment.  For assessments completed up to the 2 September 2022:

• 81 AEFIs have been linked to the use of a COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer 52 and J&J 29)
• these events include immunisation stress related reactions (fear of vaccination) and vaccine product related reaction or were related to the immunisation programme

The causality assessment outcomes are shared with the provincial health departments to provide feedback to the vaccine injured parties, regardless of the outcome.

The purpose of causality assessment is to ensure that high levels of vaccine confidence are maintained in the immunisation programme, and it is therefore essential to identify if an AEFI was causally linked to the use of the vaccine or whether the AEFI was coincidental to vaccination.

Accurate communication about AEFI is essential to prevent misinformation circulating in the community.

END.

Reply:

The management of Durban Beaches is the responsibility of the eThekwini Municipality as the relevant Local Authority. In the event that the Honourable member wishes to obtain information on such matters, it would only be prudent for the member to directly engage with the relevant Local Authority.

 

Reply:

(1) (a) There is significant progress being made regarding the preparations. The following is progress on key delivery areas.

1. The venue and seating layout plans have been finalized.
2. Training venues have been identified
3. Accommodation plans for teams have been finalized
4. Accreditation and security plans are progressing well with the assistance of State Security Agency and SAPS.
5. The Travel agency has been appointed.
6. Transport plans for teams will be finalized once the announcement has been made of qualified teams that will participate in the Netball World Cup 2023.
7. A Marketing agency has been appointed and is finalizing the following plans:
   1. A. International
   2. B. Domestic and
   3. C. Public Relations plans
8. The official ball has been revealed and named (Kganya).
9. Official Mascot (Letsatsi) was launched at the Africa Regional Qualifiers in Pretoria.
10. The Timing, Scoring and Result system has been procured and evaluated including the umpire alert system.
11. The title and first tier sponsors have been secured.
12. First phase of ticket sales will go on sale at the end of October 2022 which will be the hospitality and tour packages.
13. The draw will take place in November 2022 after the conclusion of Regional Qualifiers.
14. On the 25 May 2023 we will receive the Trophy in KZN and begin the trophy tour in all Provinces.

(1) (b) The following are the financial implications of plans and preparations

Projected income:

1. R196,673,798 which is made up of Public Funding, Sponsorship, Ticketing, Broadcast, Merchandising, Accommodation and Other Income.
2. Projected Expenditure:
3. R189,867,110 which is made up of Business Operations, Tournament Operations, Workforce costs, Legacy costs and Hosting Fees to World Netball.

Profit / Deficit:

(i) Currently NWC23 projects a profit of R7,414,017 against an original deficit budget of (R30,245,756)

2)(a) Yes, the Department is offering financial assistance to Netball South Africa. As part of the annual grant Netball Ball identifies areas that require support. (b) As part of growing netball and making the national team competitive the Department is implementing the legacy programme. Key element of the legacy programme is the roll-out of the netball courts in schools.

(3) Various netball specific and sport specific events are being used to promote the 2023 Netball World Cup. These include but are not limited to the Quad series which involves Australia, England, and New Zealand to encourage sports tourism which will be held in Cape Town. The Spar Diamond challenge which will be held in Durban involving Scotland and Zimbabwe will also be used to promote Sport Tourism.

The Trophy tour will take place in all provinces therefore generating domestic interest and domestic tourism. The broadcasting plan involves a thirty second tourism video, which will be played at the beginning of each live broadcast at various build up competitions. There is strong collaboration with Tourism South Africa to effectively encourage sports tourism.

The broadcast partners have committed to give the Host City / Country a sixty second video at the start of each match during the World Cup2023 which will be broadcasted to the global audience to promote tourism to the country beyond the World Cup.

(4). A sustainability village will be set up by South African Tourism at the venue which will promote local crafters. Cultural performances will be included throughout the event commencing with the showcasing of South African Arts Culture during the Opening and the Closing ceremonies. The Western Cape Province has also translated the Netball Rule book to IsiXhosa. This contributes to social inclusion, promotes indigenous language and access to the sport in the first language.

(5) The Department of Tourism is one of the Departments that are part of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on NWC2023 as approved by Cabinet. The Department of Tourism through Tourism SA are key in amplifying and promoting the World Cup in all missions abroad. South African Tourism will assist the appointed ticketing agency with the promotion and marketing of travel packages for the NWC 2023 and quality assure the packages for teams and visitors.

Reply:

Find here: Reply
 

Reply:

Find here: Reply
 

Reply:

Find here: Reply
 

Reply:

The provision and maintenance of Sport and recreation facilities is the constitutional responsibility of Local Government through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Metropolitan Municipalities through the Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG).

My department is in contact with the Provincial Department and the City of Cape Town to get more details in terms of the project.

Reply:

Yes. The Minister of Finance is responsible for administering the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) in all the 257 municipalities in the country. The National Treasury in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury continue to perform the monitoring and oversight role to Makana Local Municipality in terms of the MFMA.

In addition, the municipality is currently placed under intervention in terms of Section 139 (1) and (5) of the Constitution because of a crisis in its financial and service delivery affairs. This is a mandatory intervention by the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive; however, the Municipal Finance Recovery Services unit in the National Treasury has drafted the Financial Recovery Plan for this intervention as is required in all mandatory interventions.

The financial recovery plan was prepared in July 2021 and handed to the municipality for implementation. The recovery plan is monitored by the National Treasury and the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury.

Reply:

No, there were no loan requests made or granted at the recent International Monetary Fund / World Bank Spring Meetings held in Washington DC. Loan requests are typically not discussed at the Spring Meetings.

Reply:

1. The Minister received a briefing from the MEC of Health in Gauteng on issue pertaining Babita Deokoran, Thembisa Hospital and precautionary suspension of two senior officials related to the matter.

2. The Minister will await the outcome of the disciplinary process from the Provincial department

END.

Reply:

a) (i) No doses that were stored at the vaccine distributors have expired.

(ii) There have been three shelf-life extensions of the Pfizer Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. The shelf-life extensions were effective on the following dates, and the stock on hand at the vaccine distributors at the time of the extension is reflected below:

• 1 October 2021 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 9,145,590 doses.
• 14 December 2021 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 9,209,880 doses.
• 12 May 2022 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 10,449,150 doses.

(b) The Republic is not in the process of purchasing more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

END.

Reply:

1. Payment was made to 24 Community Health Workers in Mariti (16) and Madras (8).

2. In terms of the information received from Mpumalanga Department of Health, all Community Health Workers had received their stipend by the end of August 2022.

END.

Reply:

a) The Department does not maintain migration data disaggregated by nationality on other types of visa except in respect of critical skills, business and general work visa.

b) There are currently 26 European nationals with active section 24 permits (Refugee Status).

c) The total number of Europeans in the Republic with work visas is 2 770 with effect from 04 January 2016 (this is from the period when the Department introduced an Online Visa Adjudication System).

END

Reply:

(a). 27 written submissions were received by the Department.

(b). Various submissions were received, some were just acknowledging and appreciating the invitation to be part of the policy development process. Whilst others were talking directly to policy focus areas such as education and training, research and information, 4th Industrial Revolution in Arts, funding, artists’ rights, social benefits, bursaries, networking, companies and career paths, awards, and recognition. These submissions are being consolidated into policy documents for ease reference.

(c). Submissions are currently being analysed, aligned, and consolidated into the final draft policy.

(d). Invitations were done through the Provincial Task Team members representing the sector. In addition, independent practitioners and institutions were invited from within different theatre and dance structures, including State theatre, Playhouse, Market theatre, PACOFS, Arts Cape, the Nelson Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, ASSITEJ, TADA, SAID, SADAF, SACCYF, CCIFSA

Over and above the specified structures, invitations were also issued to various role players across the value chain of the theatre and dance sector. A virtual link was also shared for a wider reach to ensure that all those who wish to participate, can. We are not aware of anyone, or any structures being deliberately excluded from the Policy Conference

(e). We are not aware of the invitation that was sent out to Mr TW Mhlongo at 19h21.

(f). A service provider was appointed to project manage the policy development process inclusive of the policy conference on behalf of the Department.

Reply:

(1) (a), (b) and (c)

While provision of sport and recreation facilities are, in terms of Schedule 5B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, a mandate of local government/ municipalities, the department has been able to ensure that such mandate is fulfilled through ring-fencing and allocation of a portion of 5% earmarked for sport facilities in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant. Through this ring-fenced Grant, department has among others allocated the following facilities that caters for karate, judo, and boxing:

Reply:

According to the information received from the Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health-

a) There has been no further allocation towards compensation of employees (COE) for us to address actual vacancies of nurses in the Province, However, to ensure that there are minimal disruption of services, the Provincial Department has introduced several interventions to address the shortage of health workers in health facilities and this amongst others includes –

• Increased hours of work for health workers those that are working part-time to full time and approved overtime for permanent serving staff,
• Continues to engage with the Provincial Treasury for approval to fill posts in the current financial year
• Appointed 671 community service professional nurses to underserved and rural areas
• Redistribution of personnel to areas where the vacancy rate is higher to balance the equation, .

(b) (i) There were no budget adjustment instead the Department is experiencing further budget cuts.

(ii) As mentioned above on b(i), no budget adjustments were made.

(c) (i) The total number of nurses vacancies in KwaZulu-Natal is currently 6 435 details as per the table below:

SPECIFIED RANKS	TOTAL
Nursing Assistants	1011
Professional Nurses	3086
Staff Nurses	2338
Grand Total	6435

(ii) Measures put in place by the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health .

END.

Reply:

The recruitment policy or appointment of Mr Tembe by the orchestras is an internal matter of the boards of those orchestras.

These orchestras are not entities of the Department, so they do not report to us. The Honourable Member can contact the orchestras themselves for clarity on the matter.

Reply:

1. The table indicates total number of deaths by Province 

Province	(a)((i) 2018/19	(a)((ii) 2019/20	(a)((iii) 2021/22	(a)((iv) 2022/23	(a)01 April 2023 to date
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	17940	18324	16243	20221	9392
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	4658	5008	4406	5416	2439
Mpumalanga	4892	4949	4994	5098	2246
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	1256	1225	1194	1423 to date
Western Cape	5666	5824	5362	5965	2416

 

Province	(aa) Motor vehicle	(bb) drownings
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	602	102
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	701	45
Mpumalanga	10108	1201
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	2045	318
Western Cape	917

2. No.

END.

Reply:

The Provincial Departments of Health have provided the following information regarding the payment status of South African Citizen students who pursuing medical studies in Russia:

Name Provinces	Student sent to Russia Yes/No	Stipends being paid Yes/No	When will the crisis be solved	Who has been held accountable
Eastern Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Free State	Yes	All active students in Russia are receiving stipends as authorization was given for the whole financial year 2022/23.	No crisis.	Not applicable
Gauteng	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
KwaZulu-Natal	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Limpopo	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Mpumalanga	Yes 229	32 of the 229 students not paid. Reason for delayed payments is due to the fact that these students have technical glitches with their banking details and they are already in Russia and the Province is exploring ways to process payments	Students were advised to open Digital banking accounts through e.g. Tymes bank in order to be able to send the bank confirmation letter for payment through BAS(Basic Accounting System). Once bank confirmations are received, the stipends will be paid accordingly for the 32 students.	No one as the challenge was not caused by employees.
Northern Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
North West	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Western Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable

END.

Reply:

1. Yes, the board instructed the Medical Advisory Committee of Boxing South Africa (MABBSA) to conduct the full investigation in this matter. The investigation is led by Dr Selepe who is the Chairperson of Boxing South Africa Medical Advisory Committee.

The committee has released a draft report which is yet to be discussed with the family and then be shared with oversight committees. There is a current police inquest being led by the Greyville Police Station and that process is currently ongoing.

Boxing South Africa is the regulator of safety standards in boxing. As the Minister, I will await the current investigation and recommendations thereof. Thereafter, I will in consultation with BSA determine if there is a need to update the existing safety protocols. While the death of an athlete may suggest that there is such a need, the technicalities of the required changes will be advanced by Boxing South Africa.

Reply:

1. My department and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) have long committed that as a norm medallist at major multi-coded international events shall be awarded and given prize money as incentives. The date for ceremony to present the Awards and Prize money to Commonwealth Games Medallists is yet to be determined.

We trying to finalise a common date that will suite everyone involved to award the Commonwealth Games Medallists their dues.

Reply:

a) The mandate of the Department of Home Affairs is to manage international migration. In discharging its mandate, the Department of Home Affairs ensures compliance with South Africa’s international obligations as they relate to migrants and their rights. This includes the United Nations 1951 Convention and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention of 1969. In addition, South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children; and the relevant Convention on International Civil Aviation regulating international travel.

Furthermore, the Global Compact for Migration requires that international migration should be safe, orderly and regular. Therefore, South Africa is duty bound to address irregular migration, as the Immigration Act already provides legal pathways through a number of Visas which migrants can apply for, enter and reside in South Africa. Enforcement against irregular migration is therefore not unique to South Africa, but an international practice of sovereign States.

In providing for the regulation of admission of foreigners to and their residence in the Republic of South Africa, the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002), inter alia, aims to promote economic growth through the employment of needed foreign labour which does not adversely impact on existing labour standards, rights and expectations of South African workers.

b) Adherence to the legislative prescripts ensures orderly migration and national security. It is critical that the DHA deals with illegal migration which is a criminal offence in terms of the Immigration Act. Any violation of laws undermines national security, territorial integrity and social cohesion.

END

Reply:

1(a)(b)(i). The document with the names and locations of softball clubs is attached.

(ii). The following are the four softball diamonds in (aa) Cape Town region and (bb) Western Cape Districts:

Softball Diamond	Capacity
Turf Hall Stadium Athlone	3500
Lavender Hill	500
Beaufort West	500
Malmesbury	1500

(2)(a). The total building cost of the 3 500 –seater softball stadium in Polokwane is R90,960,827.34.

(b). The projected time frame for the completion of the project is 28 February 2023.

Reply:

a) The Department of Home Affairs has in the past five years developed five policy papers, namely:

• The 2017 White Paper on International Migration,
• The White Paper on Repositioning DHA,
• The Official Identity Management Policy,
• The One-Stop Border Post Policy as well as the
• White Paper on Marriages in South Africa.

These policies are available on the departmental website – www.dha.gov.za

b) The South African Constitution makes it pertinent that in any form of decision-making, public participation must be conducted in order for such decision or policy to pass the test of legality and rationality.

The Constitution makes provision for public involvement in law-making, oversight and other processes of Parliament. South Africa’s democratic system not only provides for citizens to elect their representatives, but also allows citizens to have a say in matters that affect them.

The Department has held consultations with different structures outside government. In this regard, the department held consultations with various stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, academics, private sector, religious groupings, traditional leaders and members of the public. Further, the National Economic Development and labour Council (NEDLAC) was engaged on policies that have an impact on the economy such as the One-Stop Border Post Policy.

 

END

Reply:

1. The relationship with the specified person is that of a service provider who has been appointed to project manage the process of the development of the Theatre & Dance Policy. The DSAC cannot comment further on why he may or may not have lied as posed in your question.

Reply:

No, there is no dedicated resources allocated to Whistle-blowers protection programme in the Department of Health.

Nevertheless, the Department rely on the measures that are in place for the protection of whistle blowers in government at large, the first being based on the existing measures dependent on the Department’s relationship with the South African Police Services (SAPS).

Secondly, the department in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has approved concept by UNODC to develop and establish a whistle blowing protection and risk assessment and mitigation in the procurement system within the health sector which is due to be launched soon, details will be provided upon finalisation of the concepts by the department of Health.

END.

Reply:

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has in their response indicated that they are unable to respond to this question as they state it may result in third party interference which they indicate is forbidden by FIFA and has dire consequences to the National Federation. See attached letter received from SAFA in this regard.

Reply:

There was no other role played by Market Theatre Foundation other than providing a venue for the said policy conference.