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14 June 2022 - NW1957

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)What were the monthly costs for the facilities management for Ministerial residences in (a) Pretoria and (b) Cape Town in the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years; (2) whether facilities management companies have been appointed for the specified sites; if not, what are the projected dates for finalisation of the appointments; if so, what (a) are the names of the approved facilities management companies, (b) is the duration of each contract and (c) is the envisaged monthly cost for each contract?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1)(a) I have been informed by the Department that there were no facilities management contracts in Pretoria for the specified periods. There are 67 Ministerial residences that the Department is maintaining through day-to-day maintenance. The scope of maintenance includes: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, civil and building works. Attached as annexure A are monthly maintenance costs for the specified periods.

(b) There was a facilities management contract in place in Cape Town for the period of 2019 until November 2020. There was no facilities management contract from December 2020. Maintenance was done through day-to-day reactive maintenance until March 2022 when a new Facilities Management contractor was appointed. The cost for day to day reactive maintenance went down from December 2020 because there was not preventative and proactive maintenance that was done. There are 63 ministerial residences and the scope of maintenance includes: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, civil and building works. Attached as Annexure B are monthly maintenance costs for the specified periods.

(2) There is no facilities management company that has been appointed for Ministerial residences in Pretoria. The envisaged date for finalisation of the appointment is November 2022. There is a facilities management company that has been appointed for Cape Town Ministerial residences as at March 2022.

(a) Tefla Group (Pty) LTD

(b) 5 years

(c) The envisaged cost for the maintenance of Ministerial residences will be R78 829 for corrective maintenance and R83 454 for preventative maintenance.

(3) I have requested the acting Director-General to do an assessment of the past three financial years to establish whether the Department received value for money.

14 June 2022 - NW2152

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Dikgale, Ms MC to ask the Minister in the Presidency

With regard to the alleged corruption in the State Security Agency, what (a) has the forensic investigation unearthed and (b) measures have been put in place to deal with the specified findings?

Reply:

a) Ligwa Advisory Services was contracted on 1 November 2021 to conduct forensic investigations into the SSA. The forensic investigators utilised the period between November 2021 and February 2022 to undergo induction, and to set up infrastructure required to commence investigations and to collect information. The forensic investigation officially commenced in March 2022, with 26 cases currently being examined. The first reports are expected in mid-June 2022.

b) The SSA directorate responsible for the enforcement of discipline is ready to conduct disciplinary hearings against any member implicated by the forensic investigations. The SSA is closely working with the Investigating Directorate (ID), National Prosecuting Authority, and other law enforcement agencies and on receipt of the forensic reports, will immediately refer all illegal activities uncovered to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

14 June 2022 - NW1440

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION

(1) With reference to her reply to oral question 164 on 22 March 2022, what number of (a) national departments and (b) provincial departments have not (i) started to conduct lifestyle audits and (ii) conducted lifestyle audits; (2) out of the six provinces that either indicated that they had completed lifestyle audits or that they were in the process of conducting lifestyle audits, what number of the provinces (a) have actually completed the lifestyle audits and (b) are still in the process of conducting the lifestyle audits; (3) by what date is it envisaged that all national and provincial departments will complete conducting the lifestyle audits?

Reply:

BACKGROUND

With the adoption of the Guide on implementing lifestyle audits in the Public Service, lifestyle audits for the Public Service became compulsory from 1 April 2021. When implementing the Guide, national and provincial departments follow a three step approach, starting with lifestyle reviews. When red flags (unexplained wealth, conflicts of interest, etc) are identified during this step, the department will move to the next step, which is lifestyle investigations. This step may lead to disciplinary action if an irregularity or wrong-doing was detected (and if action is required in terms of law and prescripts). When an investigation prove to be challenging, a department will move to the last step, namely a lifestyle audit. This step involves the utilisation of specialist auditors that will employ specialist tools to trace unexplained wealth (for example). Given the three step approach, the lifestyle audit process can end with a lifestyle review (when no red flags are identified). If investigations are conducted, the timeframe for completion will depend on the complexity of the case. There is therefore no due date for completion of lifestyle audits. However, lifestyle reviews are to be completed at the end of each financial year for SMS members, and every second year for other categories.

RESPONSE

(1) (a) The national departments and provincial departments that have not started to conduct lifestyle audits:

(i) Not started to conduct lifestyle audits:

National departments:

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Correctional Services, Employment and Labour, Government Communication and Information Systems, Higher Education and Training, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Justice and Constitutional Development, Military Veterans, The Presidency, Rural Development and Land Reform, Science and Innovation, Sport, Arts and Culture, Statistics South Africa, Tourism, Traditional Affairs, Transport, Water and Sanitation, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

 

Provincial departments:

Eastern Cape: Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Education, Health, Human Settlement, Provincial Treasury, Roads and Public Works, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Safety and Liaison, Social Development, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Transport.

Free State: Agriculture, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Education, Health, Human Settlements, Office of the Premier, Police, Roads and Transport, Provincial Treasury, Public Works and Infrastructure, Social Development, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

Gauteng: Agriculture and Rural Development, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Community Safety, Economic Development, Education, E-Government, Health, Infrastructure Development, Office of the Premier, Provincial Treasury, Roads and Transport, Social Development.

Limpopo: Agriculture and Rural Development, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Education, Health, Office of the Premier, Provincial Treasury, Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Social Development, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Transport and Community Safety.

Mpumalanga: Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Economic Development and Tourism, Education, Human Settlement, Provincial Treasury, Public Works, Roads and Transport, Social Development.

North West: Community Safety and Transport Management, Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, Education and Sports Development, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development, Local Government and Human Settlements, Office of the Premier, Public Works and Roads, Rural, Environment and Agriculture Development, Social Development, Tourism.

Northern Cape: Education, Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation, Economic Development and Tourism, Health, Office of the Premier, Provincial Treasury, Roads and Public Works, Social Development, Sport, Arts and Culture, Transport, Safety and Liaison.

Western Cape: Agriculture, Community Safety, Education, Human Settlements, Local Government, Social Development, Transport and Public Works.

(ii) Conducted lifestyle audits:

National departments:

Basic Education, Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, Communications and Digital Technologies, Cooperative Governance, Health, Government Technical Advisory Centre, Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries, Human Settlements, Home Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, National Prosecuting Authority, National Treasury, National School of Government, Office of the Chief Justice, Office of the Public Service Commission, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, Small Business Development, Social Development, South African Police Service, Trade, Industry and Competition.

Provincial departments:

Eastern Cape: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Office of the Premier.

Gauteng: Human Settlements, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Mpumalanga: Office of the Premier

North West: Health

Northern Cape: Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (SMS completed, rest in progress), Cooperative Governance (in progress), Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.

Western Cape: Cultural Affairs and Sport, Economic Development and Tourism, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Health, Provincial Treasury.

(2) Of the six provinces (above) that completed lifestyle audits or indicated that they were in the process of conducting lifestyle audits:

(a) Provinces that completed lifestyle audits:

Eastern Cape: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Office of the Premier.

Gauteng: Human Settlements, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Mpumalanga: Office of the Premier

North West: Health

Northern Cape: Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.

Western Cape: Cultural Affairs and Sport, Economic Development and Tourism, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Health and Provincial Treasury. The Western Cape Province indicated that they have proceeded to lifestyle investigations to address identified conflicts of interest.

(b) Provinces that are still in the process of conducting lifestyle audits:

Northern Cape: Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (SMS completed, rest in progress) and Cooperative Governance (in progress).

(3) Departments who detected no red flags during the lifestyle review process is regarded to have finalised their lifestyle audit process. All departments are expected to complete lifestyle reviews for SMS members at the end of each financial year, and that for the other categories at the end of the second year cycle when they are performing lifestyle audits on those employees. When investigations and audits are taking place (thus, lifestyle investigations and lifestyle audits), no time frame was set, as the process will be guided by the complexity of the case. However, the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit will monitor completion of investigations and audits.

End

14 June 2022 - NW1841

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What measures has his department put in place in order to strengthen meritocracy in the Public Service?

Reply:

The Public Service Act, 1994 and Public Service Regulations, 2016 requires that persons who are appointed in the Public Service must be fit and proper and further indicates that any person who is appointed must meet the inherent requirement of the job. Section 11 of the Public Service Act, 1994, states that in the public service- “(a) all persons who applied and qualify for the appointment concerned shall be considered; and (b) the evaluation of persons shall be based on training, skills, competence, knowledge and the need to redress, in accordance with the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998), the imbalances of the past to achieve a public service broadly representative of the South African people, including representation according to race, gender and disability.”

Legislation applies to all appointments in the Public Service which must be open, transparent and fair to all of those who apply. The intention is to seek the best person based on the requirements of the post and within the parameters of the regulatory framework.

End

14 June 2022 - NW1606

Profile picture: Weber, Ms AMM

Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Whether there is a national information system in each province for all water use licenses (WULs) for mines, industries and farming; if not, why not; if so, (a) how can the general public access the information, as it is public information and (b) will he furnish Ms A M M Weber with the link to the information system; (2) whether, in view of the fact that every water use license holder must submit an externally audited report of compliance every year, he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the audited reports for water use licenses issued in the past three years; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (3) on what date will he furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) water use licence and (b) audit report for Kromdraai Mine in Mpumalanga?

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Department uses the Water Authorisation Registration Management System (WARMS) wherein all authorised water uses including water use licenses are captured. In addition, there is a data base that comprise all copies of authorisations. Both data bases are internal to the Department.

(1)(a) The water use licences are accessible by request to the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Mr. Mpho Ratshisusu, Chief Director Legal Offices at the e-mail address [email protected], Private Bag X 313 Pretoria 0001. Tel: 012 336 7705.

(1)(b) A link to access all licences by members of public is yet to be created due to security issues associated with licensing. However, the Department can avail all licences that are requested through the office of the Deputy Chief Information Officer (contact details above) within a reasonable time.

(2) The view that all water users issued with water use licences must submit an externally audited report of compliance every year is not necessarily correct, there are licences issued where this condition may not be imposed due to minimal risks associated with the water use activities. The department can provide the Honourable Member with external audit reports where such have been received by the department from water users in question. These reports are often submitted to the Department in hardcopy. The department can provide a list of the Audited reports to the Honourable Member so that the specific reports required can be identified. This list will be provided by 31 May 2022.

(3)(a) The department needs so be furnished with property details of the water use licence required and the correct name of the Licensee (company name) to be able to provide the accurate information to the Member.

(3)(b) The response in point 3 (a) applies to this question.

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14 June 2022 - NW1772

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 683 on 19 March 2021, wherein she detailed a list of private security costs for each property of her department, which included a number of vacant properties, she will provide Ms S J Graham with a list of the total number of (a) all the current vacant properties owned by her department, (b) length of time that each property has been vacant, (c) purpose of each vacant property, (d) the date when each vacant property would be used and (e) total costs incurred, including security of each vacant property for the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the further, relevant details in each case?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

a) There is a total of 3742 vacant properties owned by the Department;

b) The properties have been vacant for between two and 10 years;

c) The properties are unutilised;

d) The Department is currently conducting feasibility studies to determine the highest and best use of each property. It should be noted that some of the properties shall be made available to the market for letting-out, to create jobs and generate revenue for the state.

e) The total costs incurred for security is R15 266 382, 16.

14 June 2022 - NW1842

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(1)Whether his department intends to require that public servants spend a minimum number of years in a position before they can be considered for and/or qualify for a promotion (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What number of (a) directors-general and (b) heads of departments are currently acting without having the requisite experience of over six years in a senior management position within the Public Service?

Reply:

(1) Recruitment and Selection in the Public Service under the Public Service Act, 1994, is based on an open employment system where persons apply and compete for positions. Persons already employed in the Public Service need to also apply for higher posts in the event that they wish to progress in the service and compete for such posts, promotion is not automatic. When a post is created it is subjected to a job evaluation process where the inherent requirements of the job is determiner, this includes educations qualifications, technical experience and managerial/supervisory experience (where such is required) and any other requirement which could be professional registration etc. The Job evaluation determines the salary grading for a post.

(2) Section 32(2) of the Public Service Act, 1994 makes provision for an appointment to act which is the prerogative of the relevant Executive Authority. Regulation 63(2) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 states that, an employee directed to act in another post in terms of section 32(2) should have the necessary competency for the post to which he or she is appointed to act. Competency means the combination of knowledge, skills, behaviour and aptitude that a person can apply in the work environment, which indicates a person’s ability to meet the requirements of a specific post. Therefore the requirement to act is based on the competency of a person appointed not whether she or he meets the inherent requirements in terms of years of experience. An acting person is not the incumbent of the post, she or he is appointed in the short term for purposes of business continuity for that work environment. For that reason there is no monitoring for purposes of acting and meeting experience requirements and it is not a prescriptive requirement to meet the inherent requirements of the job as determined through the job evaluation process.

End

14 June 2022 - NW1548

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

By what date will water be provided for the community of Phokwane in Pampierstad, that has been without water for weeks?

Reply:

The water challenges in Phokwane still persist but the municipality is working on a long-term plan address the matter. The Pampierstad bulk water supply system consists of seven reservoirs. One of these and two pumping stations are currently under construction. Raw water is obtained from the Vaalharts irrigation canal and stored in a 24Ml concreted lined dam, from which it is pumped to two concrete lined dams of 25 Ml at the water treatment works. The capacity of the treatment works is 9.6 Ml/day. Treated water is pumped via two asbestos cement rising mains to the main reservoir. The Phokwane Local municipality is planning to install a 315mm uPVC pipeline to augment the water supply from the treatment works.

The main reservoir site consists of one ground level reservoir of 6.5Ml and a 700-kl concrete tower reservoir. The tower reservoir is not operational as the electrical works required by the pumping station are not in place. Water currently gravitates from the ground level reservoir to the distribution networks of the town and suburbs.

A 400mm diameter uPVC pipeline was recently constructed to supply water from the main reservoir site to a new 10Ml storage reservoir on the hill near the village of Upper Majaekgoro. The reservoir was constructed as part of a bulk water supply upgrade project initiated in 2017/18 with the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to the value of R31 433 484.

To address the aforementioned shortcomings, a feasibility study to assess the efficiency and reticulation systems of Pampierstad and surrounding villages in providing its water supply areas with water of acceptable quality and quantity in a sustainable manner, was completed in February 2022 by the Phokwane Local Municipality. An estimated R70 905 356 is required to complete the Pampierstad Bulk Water Supply and is to be allocated via MIG.

It is therefore critical that the tower reservoir of 700kl be re-commissioned. This is necessary to solve the low-pressure problems, as currently experienced in a large area in Pampierstad. It is also required to commission the new 10ML reservoir to meet the water demands.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has invested over R72 million to replace asbestos cement (AC) pipes. The Phokwane local municipality is currently busy with Phase 5 of the project which is funded through MIG.

As an interim measure, the municipality uses the tankering system to fill water tanks that are placed at strategic areas where water provision remains a challenge.

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14 June 2022 - NW1653

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Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

(1) With reference to the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) Act, Act 9 of 2011, (a) on what date was the Advisory Council of the CSOS established, (b) what (i) are the names of the members, (ii) are the dates of service and (iii) is the total remuneration amount of each member and (c) where are the minutes of deliberations from establishment to date; (2) Whether an Advisory Council has been established; if not, what are the reasons that it has not been established; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) & (2) The appointment of the CSOS Board was prioritised to ensure organisational stability and strategic focus and alignment to the priorities of government.

The appointment of the Sectional Title Schemes Management Advisory Council is in progress and should be finalised by 15 July 2022.

13 June 2022 - NW1158

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Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       What (a) is the number of teachers in her department who are able to teach in isiXhosa mother-tongue language and (b) is her department’s plan to develop isiXhosa as a medium of instruction; (2) what steps is her department taking to develop languages other than English or Afrikaans so that they can adequately be implemented as a medium of instruction in schools; (3) whether her department has any plans to work with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation to open teacher training colleges and produce teachers who are qualified to teach in mother-tongue languages; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether her department conducted any research on the impact of teaching and learning in mother-tongue languages for reading and writing for meaning; if not; why not; if so, what were the outcomes of such a study?

Reply:

1(a) The Eastern Cape Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education initiative has 2 295 teachers who are able to teach through the medium of IsiXhosa and Sesotho.  

1(b) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is in the process of putting a plan in place to promote all the nine previously marginalised official African languages as languages of learning and teaching beyond Grade 3. 

2. The DBE is collaborating with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) to put a plan in place to promote the nine previously marginalised official African languages (IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Siswati, Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi, Tshivenda and Xitsonga) as languages of learning and teaching post Foundation Phase. The DBE is establishing a task team comprising different stakeholders. The Old Mutual is part of the Task Team. So is the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. We are still in the very initial stage of the plan and trying to identify and bring in all the relevant stakeholders. 

The DBE, through the Eastern Cape Education's own initiative, piloted the Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education wherein IsiXhosa and Sesotho were utilised as languages of learning and teaching for Mathematics and Science and Technology beyond Grade 3. The learnings from the Eastern Cape Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education pilot taught us to be very prudent on dealing with a programme of this nature.

3. The DBE has a working relationship with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (DHESI) on teacher production. The DHESI will be part of the African Languages Mother Tongue Education Task Team. The different options of accelerating teacher training in Mother-Tongue Based instruction will be explored by the Task Team and use of Teacher Training Colleges, could be one of the options. However, Teacher Training Colleges do not fall under the jurisdiction of the DBE.    

4. Research worldwide shows that learners learn best through their home languages. The DBE has continuously been conducting research on the impact of learning in one's home language. The Early Grade Reading Studies (EGRS) were designed as nested Randomised Control Trials led by the DBE in collaboration with other academics. The EGRS studies focus on the Foundation Phase, evaluating different interventions for supporting the teaching of reading. The studies aim to build evidence about what works to improve the learning and teaching of early grade reading in South African schools.

EGRS was a comparison of the cost-effectiveness of three promising intervention models to improve reading outcomes in Setswana as a Home Language. The interventions were (i) a structured learning programme with lesson plans and integrated materials as well as centralised training, (ii) the same structured programme with lesson plan integrated materials but with on-site coaching, and (iii) a parent involvement intervention.

Of the three interventions the coaching showed a substantial positive impact after two years of intervention. Learners who received two years of this coaching intervention were approximately 40% of a year of learning ahead of the students in the schools that received no intervention. The gains were sustained when the same learners were measured in Grade 4, one year after the intervention they were still about 40% of a year of learning ahead. A further follow-up on these learners was conducted in 2021 to measure long-term gains and the data thereof is currently being analysed. 

An improvement plan was developed based on the recommendations. This was adopted by Cabinet and the implementation of the improvement plan has been ongoing. Documents relating to EGRS are attached.

13 June 2022 - NW2243

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Considering where we are currently globally and nationally with the COVID-19 pandemic, what (a) has her department recorded as the amount of school time that has been missed as a direct and/or indirect result of the pandemic as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b)(i) measures have thus far been put in place to make up for lost time and (ii) are the details regarding the effectiveness of such measures?

Reply:

a) School closures and lost contact time

After schools closed on the 18th of March in 2020, in response to the initial spread of COVID-19 in South Africa, a phased approach to reopening schools was adopted by the government. This meant that the amount of time that schools were closed varied across grades. Moreover, once schools were reopened they had to adhere to social distancing rules, which had the inevitable effect that most schools adopted some form of rotational timetabling. The overall effect of school closures and rotational timetabling meant that in some grades up to 60% of the 2020 school year was lost, as the figure below shows.

 

Figure 1: School days in 2020 by grade

 

After schools were reopened, contact teaching time was still compromised throughout 2020 and 2021 due to rotational timetabling systems. A large survey of no-fee primary school schools in the North West Province in term 3 of 2021 revealed that in 60% of the 190 schools visited, the school was on a rotational schedule. These findings are roughly in line with patterns observed in no-fee schools in Limpopo Province (Ardington & Henry, Funda Wande Limpopo Evaluation, 2021). A Department of Basic Education analysis of 2021 Term 3 administrative data on attendance suggested that approximately 22% of contact time in Term 3 of 2021 was lost nationally, but that in schools where rotational timetabling was still being implemented the amount of lost contact time was as much as 50%.

 

 

Figure 2: School attendance in 2021 in the North West Province

(b) (i) Measures in place to make up for lost time: The Three year Recovery Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs), which is a trimmed curriculum, provides guidance on core content, concepts and skills per subject and grade that teachers should prioritise. Mediation sessions have been conducted by PEDs on the implementation of the Recovery Annual Teaching Plans. A directive has been issued to schools to focus on formative assessment to ensure that more time is allocated to teaching. The Assessment for Learning (AfL) approach has been promoted at all levels in the system. Mid-year examinations were replaced by controlled tests. The weightings of school based assessment versus examinations has been reviewed so that a greater weighting is allocated to school based assessment conducted by the teacher in the classroom. Remote and Digital Learning programmes such as Radio and television lessons are broadcast for catch-up. The Education Assistants and Reading Champions were employed and placed in schools to alleviate some of the teachers’ administrative responsibilities, to ensure that teachers focus on the teaching and learning. The DBE has officially declared that 2022 to 2024 will be focussing on learning recovery, based on the Recovery ATP (trimmed ATP), even though normal schooling has resumed across all schools. This will allow schools more time to recover the learning losses. Teachers have been advised to first assess the learning deficits, for each of the sections of the work to be taught, so that learners can be taken from where they are, to where they need to get to.   

(ii) Provinces do report on the implementation of measures put in place to counter-act learning losses and the DBE monitors the implementation of these measures on an ongoing basis. However, given the extent of the learning losses, it may be pre-mature to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning recovery at this early stage. Evaluation studies in this regard are part of the DBE plan and will be implemented in 2023 and 2024.  

For other details on how much contact time was list, please see attachment.

13 June 2022 - NW2196

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether, for each law-enforcement operation and/or inspection conducted by immigration services to secure compliance with immigration legislation that took place within the boundaries of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in the 2021-22 financial year, he will furnish Mr A C Roos with a list detailing the (a) dates, (b) location, (c) intervention and (d) outcomes of the operation and/or inspection?

Reply:

Date

Location

Suspects verified

Impact (Arrests)

 

Date

Location

Suspects verified

Impact (Arrests)

10-Apr-21

Hammanskraal

3

3

 

21-Sep-21

Waterkloof

3

1

17-Apr-21

Sunnyside

6

6

 

23-Sep-21

Villieria

9

9

19-Apr-21

Boekenhoutkloof

13

12

 

24-Sep-21

Hartebeespoort

3

3

23-Apr-21

Sunnyside

12

12

 

24-Sep-21

Rankuwa

50

0

25-Apr-21

Olivenhoutbotch

17

17

 

24-Sep-21

Pretoria

2

1

30-Apr-21

Mamelodi East

8

8

 

25-Sep-21

Sunnyside

42

19

30-Apr-21

Akasia

29

29

 

25-Sep-21

Pretoria

22

22

01-May-21

Sunnyside

13

6

 

25-Sep-21

Sunnyside

18

18

01-May-21

Olivenhoutbotch

9

9

 

25-Sep-21

Pretoria North

3

0

02-May-21

Mamelodi East

8

8

 

29-Sep-21

Hatfield

40

0

06-May-21

Sunnyside

4

0

 

29-Sep-21

Mabopane

4

4

06-May-21

Hammanskraal

47

0

 

30-Sep-21

Sunnyside

1

0

07-May-21

East Lyn

58

1

 

2-Oct-21

Akasia

4

4

07-May-21

Villieria

5

5

 

2-Oct-21

Hammanskraal

20

20

08-May-21

Sunnyside

15

11

 

03-Oct-21

Waverley

1

0

08-May-21

Olivenhoutbotch

81

81

 

03-Oct-21

East Lynne

5

3

15-May-21

Villieria

31

20

 

3-Oct-21

Villieria

3

3

20-May-21

Sinoville

7

7

 

08-Oct-21

Soshanguve

9

0

21-May-21

Soshanguve

10

10

 

8-Oct-21

Olivenhoutbotch

4

4

21-May-21

Hammanskraal

1

1

 

8-Oct-21

Bronkonspruit

4

4

21-May-21

Olivenhoutbotch

11

8

 

8-Oct-21

Soshanguve

3

3

22-May-21

Soshanguve

10

10

 

09-Oct-21

Soshanguve

6

0

22-May-21

Attridgeville

24

24

 

09-Oct-21

Mamelodi East

24

22

23-May-21

Mamelodi East

7

7

 

10-Oct-21

Villieria

8

8

28-May-21

Villieria

6

6

 

14-Oct-21

PTA West & Hercules

46

46

28-May-21

Hatfield

9

9

 

15-Oct-21

Brooklyn

3

3

29-May-21

Olivenhoutbotch

50

24

 

16-Oct-21

Olivenhoutbotch

79

79

29-May-21

Mamelodi East

11

11

 

16-Oct-21

Brooklyn

6

6

04-Jun-21

Pretoria West

17

17

 

19-Oct-21

Moreleta Park-

8

8

05-Jun-21

Hammanskraal

6

6

 

22-Oct-21

Hercules

2

2

10-Jun-21

Rankuwa

95

14

 

23-Oct-21

East Lynn

9

0

12-Jun-21

Bronkhorspruit

8

8

 

23-Oct-21

Bavianspoort

2

0

15-Jun-21

PTA West

27

27

 

23-Oct-21

Brooklyn

15

15

18-Jun-21

Erasmia

1

0

 

23-Oct-21

Boschkop

25

25

26-Jun-21

Moot

11

11

 

23-Oct-21

Loate-Mabopane

7

7

26-Jun-21

PTA West

3

3

 

23-Oct-21

Rankuwa

18

18

27-Jun-21

PTA West

3

3

 

23-Oct-21

Mamelodi

9

9

2-Jul-21

Laudium

15

15

 

24-Oct-21

Pretoria East

7

7

3-Jul-21

Silverton/ East Lynn

90

7

 

29-Oct-21

Temba, Hammanskraal

21

21

3-Jul-21

Loate-Mabopane

7

7

 

5-Nov-21

Olivenhoutbotch

42

42

4-Jul-21

Sinoville

25

25

 

20-Nov-21

Pretoria

15

15

8-Jul-21

N4 West Orchards

21

0

 

25-Nov-21

Bronkorhorspruit

24

0

17-Jul-21

N4 East Bronkhospruit

15

15

 

26-Nov-21

Attridgeville

5

5

18-Jul-21

Rankuwa

6

6

 

6-Dec-21

Pretoria

1

0

22-Jul-21

N4 West, Orchards

4

4

 

08-Dec-21

Erasmia

3

3

24-Jul-21

North Corridor, Mabopane

7

7

 

22-Jan-22

Sunnyside

15

14

25-Jul-21

PTA West

6

6

 

29-Jan-22

Brooklyn

2

2

4-Aug-21

NC- Rietgat & Soshanguve

9

9

 

05-Feb-21

Mamelodi East

25

25

7-Aug-21

Attridgeville

9

9

 

18-Feb-22

Strydfontein

1

1

08-Aug-21

Soshanguve/ Orchards

36

25

 

26-Feb-22

Brooklyn / Moot

25

25

15-Aug-21

Temba

14

14

 

07-Mar-22

Marabastad

23

15

20-Aug-21

Olivenhoutbotch

158

158

 

19-Mar-22

Menlyn

2

0

28-Aug-21

Soshanguve/ Mabopane

3

3

 

20-Mar-22

Soshanguve

38

0

29-Aug-21

Soshanguve/ Mabopane

6

3

 

20-Mar-22

Sunnyside

7

0

4-Sep-21

Akasia

46

46

 

22-Mar-22

Pretoria

8

0

16-Sep-21

Pretoria West

8

8

 

25-Mar-22

Olivenhoutbotch

37

35

17-Sep-21

Rankuwa

11

11

 

 

 TOTAL

1172

812

END

13 June 2022 - NW2142

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Given that the current educator to student ratio in the Republic has been officially benchmarked at 33.5 in primary schools and 32.2 in secondary schools, although in reality classes on average carry between 40 and 50 learners in each class, (a) what are the reasons that her department allows the situation to spiral out of control and (b) by what date does she envisage the situation will be remedied to comply with the standards of the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996?

Reply:

(a) There are currently no legislated norms and standards for learner to educator ratio in public schools. The post provisioning norms apply what is referred to "ideal maximum class size" for each subject which ranges from six (6) learners per class in the case of Music, to 37 for subjects that accommodate large class sizes. As referred, these are ideal measures that the sector strives to achieve through continuous improvement in providing resources. It must also be noted that actual class sizes experienced by learners at schools are an outcome of various factors in the provisioning of educators. These include, among other factors, availability of classroom space; distribution of learners within and across grades; an increase of learners in certain geographic areas; time-tabling; and school size.

(b) Improving the class size towards a subject-specific ideal class size is an ongoing process.

13 June 2022 - NW2084

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What number of tourism visa applications were (i) received and (ii) issued in each month, (b) from which countries were applications made in each case, (c) what number of applications were received from each country in each month, (d) what number of applications were received from missions abroad, (e) what is the average turnaround time from receipt of application, (f) what processes, procedures and mechanisms have been put in place to improve turnaround times and (g) how are the specified mechanisms measured in the (aa) past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2022 in each case?

Reply:

(a) (b) & (c) Please see the attached statistics for the different geographical regions as submitted by the Diplomatic Missions as follows:

  • Annexure “A” for the European Geographical Region
  • Annexure “B” for the Australasia and Oceania Geographical Region
  • Annexure “C” for the Africa West and Central Geographical Region
  • Annexure “D” for the Africa East and North Geographical Region
  • Annexure “E” for the Africa SADC Geographical Region
  • Annexure “F” for the Americas Geographical Region
  • Annexure “G” for the Middle East Geographical Region

d) The Statistics received from the Missions were consolidated and reflects in Annexure H.

(e) The maximum processing timeframe for the issuance of visas is 10 working days.

(f) With the advent of the Corona virus-19 there has been a steep decline in international travel which also impacted on the volumes of Visa applications that went hand in hand with a curb in Government spending and an economic decline. There was therefore no specific focus in addressing the turnaround times for visa processing periods.

(g) The continued prevalence of the Coronavirus globally and the response thereto by the individual countries hinders the effective response mechanisms.

(aa)-(bb) The continued prevalence of the Coronavirus globally and the response thereto by the individual countries hinders the effective response mechanisms.

END

10 June 2022 - NW1913

Profile picture: Herron, Mr BN

Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to his reply to question 1212 on 6 May 2022, pertaining to ghost workers at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), what is the total amount in remuneration paid to the 3 000 ghost workers from 1 December 2021 to date; (2) what is the total amount in remuneration paid to the 3 000 ghost workers over the total period they have been on Prasa’s payroll?

Reply:

1. Prasa has concluded the first phase of project Ziveze verification where employees were asked to present themselves in person and submit qualifications and ID copies for verification and vetting.

The process is now on the second phase where salaries of all employees who failed to present themselves were locked at the April 2022 pay day. Subsequent to the locking of salaries some employees presented themselves with the necessary information for verification.

Part of this phase is that Internal Audit is auditing the project processes until July 2022. In addition PRASA has commenced with a forensic investigation.

The detailed reports with financial impact will be submitted on conclusion of the forensic audit.

2. A report detailing the final numbers of unverified employees; the salaries paid from inception to April 2022; the loss suffered by the organisation shall be made available on conclusion of the forensic audit. It must be noted that employees have been coming in for verification after salaries were locked on 27 April 2022.

10 June 2022 - NW1910

Profile picture: Singh, Mr N

Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether his department has conducted any assessments of the floods damage and work needed to restore and improve the road infrastructure along the N2 South Coast between Stanger and Scottburgh; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how have the assessments been done, (b) what (i) remedial action is being considered and/or implemented and (ii) are the time frames and (c) what tenders have been called for the repair of the specified section of the road?

Reply:

a) The assessments have been undertaken by teams of engineering specialists and project managers within SANRAL, complemented by specialist consulting engineering firms.

b) (i) and (ii) as per table below:

c) Procurement documents are in the process of being finalised where applicable for the sites indicated above. In the interim, holding actions are being undertaken by routine road maintenance contractors.

10 June 2022 - NW1721

Profile picture: Montwedi, Mr Mk

Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the reasons that his department abandoned Project PWR239/14 to upgrade the road from Molelema to Matsheng, Phase 1 in the North-West?

Reply:

The Department awarded a tender for the amount of R65,018M to Botong/Nkolele JV for the

upgrading from gravel to surface, a 10km road D206 from Molelema to Matsheng in the greater Taung Local Municipality. Prior to the awarding of the tender, the Contractor confirmed in writing that it will be able to complete the work within the tendered scope, price and timeframe.

Immediately after commencement of the project, the contractor demanded an additional amount of R 49M, citing that, with the costed amount, only 7km of road will be completed as supposed to the contracted 10km. This would have increased the project value from R 65,018M to R114M with a variance of R 49 M which constitute an increment of 77%. Acceptance of this deviation could be classified as an irregular expenditure. To this end, the department could not agree to the deviation hence the contract was terminated as per the provision of the contract. The Contractor took the department to Adjudication process wherein the outcome came out in their favour. The department is not in agreement with the outcome of the Adjudication Board after one the board members resigned sighting procedural matters. The department has now filed papers in court opposing the outcome of the Adjudication Board. For that reason, the project cannot proceed pending the outcome of the court process.

10 June 2022 - NW1712

Profile picture: Mokgotho, Ms SM

Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the details of the plans that his department has put in place to repair the main and provincial road in Mogwase in North West?

Reply:

The road P53/1 from road R510 (Rustenburg – Northam road) to Mogwase is in the plan of the North West Department of Public Works and Roads for rehabilitation of the entire section during the 2022/23 financial year.

10 June 2022 - NW1594

Profile picture: Faber, Mr WF

Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister in the Presidency

Whether (a) his Office and/or (b) entities reporting to him concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons why these goods could not be contracted in the Republic?

Reply:

Given the information at my disposal my Office, Media Development and Diversity Agency and Brand South Africa does not have any commercial contracts with the Government of the Russian Federation and/or any other Entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

Thank you.

10 June 2022 - NW1699

Profile picture: Nolutshungu, Ms N

Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, given that roadshows and a Taxi Indaba was held where the formalisation of the taxi industry was discussed and that various proposals came to the fore that would ensure that economic benefits reach all operators in the industry, he will furnish Mrs N J Nolutshungu with a detailed progress report on (a) what has been done so far and (b) the envisaged implementation date of the taxi subsidy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a) What has been done so far?

Following the National Taxi Lekgotla held in October 2020, the Department established a Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to oversee the implementation of Lekgotla resolutions. The JTTT is comprised of government and the taxi industry. An Implementation Plan has been developed to guide the process and serve as a monitoring tool in as far as progress is concerned in terms of short, medium and long term activities. The implementation of short-term activities has commenced.

b) the envisaged implementation date of the taxi subsidy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The Department is developing a Public Transport Subsidy Policy that will guide the distribution of subsidies in line with demand without focusing on modes of transport. This implies, amongst others, that the policy is advocating for the inclusion of other role players such as the minibus taxi operators in the public transport subsidy. The policy is currently being consulted with stakeholders and will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and only then will it be implemented.

10 June 2022 - NW1849

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

What is the total amount determined by the Road Traffic Management Corporation for vehicle registration transaction fees, as part of the payable licence fees, which applied in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022?

Reply:

Since the RTMC is on the accrual basis, the below table outlines the opening balance for the respective periods, transaction fees billed to the provinces as well as the actual transaction fees paid over by the respective provinces to the RTMC.

It is important to note that transaction fees due to the RTMC is exclusively applicable to vehicle licence disc renewals. On a continuous basis, the RTMC shows an under collection on transaction fees. Provinces have indicated that this is due to municipalities not paying over all the funds to them and in turn the province not paying the full amount to the Corporation. Even though the recovery rate of the transaction fees have improved, there are still provinces that maintains a unremitting growth in the amount owed to the Corporation.

10 June 2022 - NW2071

Profile picture: Mokgotho, Ms SM

Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Transport

By what date does he envisage his department will conduct repairs to the R566 near the off-ramp from Pretoria to Sun City, so as to avoid numerous accidents which occur there as a result of potholes?

Reply:

The Department finalised the process for the procurement of a contractor to commence with the repairs on road R566 near the Pretoria off-ramp delayed by the court matters relating to 2017 Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act. Now that this matter has been clarified, the procurement processes will commence as soon as possible and a Suitable Contractor will be appointed. Therefore the date to start with repairs will be determined by the finalisation of the tendering process.

10 June 2022 - NW1597

Profile picture: Kopane, Ms SP

Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether (a) his department and/or (b) entities reporting to him concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons why these goods could not be contracted in the Republic?

Reply:

Department

The Department of has not concluded any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

Therefore (aa) (bb) (cc) (dd) (ee) Not applicable

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)

ACSA has not concluded commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS)

There are no registered contracts between ATNS and the Russian Federation. 

Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA

  1. (i) and (ii) The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) did not conclude any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.
  2. (bb) (cc) (dd) and (ee) Not applicable as the C-BRTA is contracting goods within the Republic and has not had a need to procure goods from the Russian Federation or any other entity in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

(b) (i) The Road Traffic Infringement Agency entity did not conclude any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation and/or

(b) (ii) The public entity did not conclude any commercial contracts with any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

(aa) Not applicable,

(bb) Not applicable,

(cc) Not applicable,

(dd) Not applicable, and

(ee) Not applicable

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

(b) (i) and (ii) SANRAL has not concluded any commercial contracts with the Russian Federation, or any entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017 or before that date. As a state-owned company SANRAL takes guidance on international relations from the Minister in his capacity as the shareholder representative of Government with regard to executive authority over SANRAL.

(aa) Not applicable,

(bb) Not applicable,

(cc) Not applicable,

(dd) Not applicable, and

(ee) Not applicable

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

(b) (i) and (ii) The Road Traffic Management Corporation has never concluded any commercial contracts with the Russian Federation.

(aa) Not applicable,

(bb) Not applicable,

(cc) Not applicable,

(dd) Not applicable, and

(ee) Not applicable

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

(b) Road Accident Fund has not concluded any commercial contracts with

(i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or

(ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; as there was no necessity to conclude a commercial contract with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation.

(aa) Not applicable,

(bb) Not applicable,

(cc) Not applicable,

(dd) Not applicable, and

(ee) Not applicable

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has not concluded any commercial contract with any Russian entity or the government of Russia since 1 April 2017 to date.

Ports Regulator of South Africa(PRSA)

(a) N/A

(b) The Ports Regulator did not conclude any commercial contracts with the (i) government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 01 April 2017.

(aa) N/A

(bb) N/A

(cc) N/A

(dd) N/A

(ee) N/A

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(b) The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has not concluded any commercial contract with any Russian entity or the government of Russia since 1 April 2017 to date

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

(b) N/A (b) the South African Civil Aviation Authority HAS NOT concluded any commercial contract with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017 (aa) N/A (bb) N/A (cc) N/A (dd) N/A (ee) N/A.

South Africa Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

(b) Yes, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

(i)No

(ii)Russian Maritime Register of Shipping

(aa)A Recognition Organisation (RO) Agreement was signed on the 6th of August 2019 between Russian Maritime of Shipping and SAMSA in compliance with Section 18 “Delegation of Authority” of the IMO Instruments implementation (III) Code for any South African ship, allowing a South African ship-owner or manager to use the Russian Register of Shipping as a ship’s classification society in order to conduct statutory surveys on behalf of SAMSA.

(bb)There is no financial burden on the South African Government associated with this contract. The classification society acts on behalf of the ship-owner and all costs related to their services are for the ship- owner’s account.

(cc)This RO Agreement expires on 5 August 2024 (5 years from date of signing).

(dd)The contract is a general agreement as signed with all other recognised classification societies globally by South Africa.

(ee)There are currently no South African ships using the Russian Register of Shipping as their classification society.

10 June 2022 - NW1101

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency

Whether he has found that there is any linkage between the performance of heads of department and the relevant departments that they are responsible for; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Guidelines for the Heads of Department (HoDs) Performance Management and Development System (PMDS), were developed by the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) and were linked to the HoD PMDS Directive which was developed by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The Directive requires all Directors-General (DGs) in national departments and HoDs in provincial departments to enter into Performance Agreements with their Executive Authorities. The HoD PMDS processes align individual performance (40%) with organisational performance (40%) which are Annual Performance Plans, Auditor-General findings, and Key Government Focus Areas (KGFAs). The KGFAs address areas of Supply Chain, Diversity and Transformation, Integrated Governance, Regional and International Integration as well as Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS). Furthermore, a department's performance accounts for 60% of the assessments of the accounting officers, with the objective of ensuring alignment between individual performance and that of a department.

The DPME has completed the assessment of departments through various reports such as the Biannual Reports, but has not yet conducted an exercise to establish a direct link between the performance of DGs to that of departments. The department has identified the need to review the current HoD PMDS, to amongst others, ensure alignment between the PDMS of Ministers and that of DGs. The review will also need to focus on a significant shift towards outcomes based approach to planning, monitoting and evaluation. It is once we have aligned the approach to Annual Persformance Plans (APPs) and PMDS to enable an all round outcomes based performance that we will also evaluate the relationship and interplay between the performance of heads of department and the relevant departments.

Thank You.

10 June 2022 - NW358

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency

(1)       What (a) number of heads of department (HODs) are currently on suspension with full pay in each provincial department and (b) are the reasons for suspension in each case; (2) (a) for how long has each HOD been on suspension with full pay and (b) at what cost to the tax payer of the Republic?

Reply:

The Office of the Premier: Northern Cape

1. (a) Mr. R Palm, the HoD of Northern Cape Sports, Arts and Culture is suspended.

(b) Mr. Palm is facing charges relating to fraud.

2. (a) Mr. R. Palm has been on suspension since September 2020.

(b) An amount of R R2 014 340.00 has been paid to Mr. Palm since his suspension.

The Office of the Premier: KwaZulu Natal

1. (a) Dr GG Sharpley, the HoD of KwaZulu-Natal Public Works is on precautionary suspension.

(b) Dr GG Sharpley is facing charges relating to allegation of misconduct regarding the appointment of the consultant compliance officer. His continuous precautionary suspension is due to the fact that during the recent proceedings the Presiding Officer made a ruling in favour the Employer following the point in limine his legal representative had raised.

 

2. (a) Dr GG Sharpley, has been on suspension since November 2020.

(b) An amount of R2, 346,238.00 has been paid to Dr GG Sharpley since his suspension.

The Office of the Premier: Free State

1. (a) Mr N Mokhesi, the HoD of Free State Human Settlements is on precautionary suspension.

(b) Mr N Mokhesi is facing charges relating to misconduct – tender irregularities

2. (a) Mr N Mokhesi, has been on suspension since June 2020.

(b) An amount of R3 412,484,00 has been paid to Mr N Mokhesi since his suspension.

 

The Office of the Premier: Free State

1. (a) Mr SS Mtakati, the HoD of Free State Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation is on precautionary suspension.

(b) Mr SS Mtakati is facing charges relating to misconduct – tender irregularities

2. (a) Mr SS Mtakati, has been on suspension since May 2021.

(b) An amount of R1 978 533, 00 has been paid to Mr SS Mtakati since his suspension

The Office of the Premier: Mpumalanga

1. (a) Mr K Masange, the HoD of Mpumalanga Human Settlements is on suspension.

(b) Mr K Masange is facing charges relating to gross negligence

2. (a) Mr K Masange, has been on suspension since April 2021.

(b) An amount of RR1 308 568,15 has been paid to Mr K Masange since his suspension.

The Office of the Premier: Mpumalanga

1. (a) Ms BS Nkuna, the HoD of Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison is on suspension.

(b) Ms BS Nkuna is facing charges relating to serious offence

2. (a) Ms BS Nkuna, has been on suspension since June 2021.

(b) An amount of R1 196 064, 31 has been paid to Ms BS Nkuna since her suspension.

The DPME received the following responses from provincial Offices of the Premiers with regards the DGs and or HoDs on suspension.

a) Limpopo, Western Cape and Gauteng indicated that there are no DG’s nor HoD’s on suspension, as a result the provinces submit a nil report to the afore-mentioned question as raised by the National Assembly.

b) Eastern Cape and North West – None

Thank You.

10 June 2022 - NW1694

Profile picture: Langa, Mr TM

Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) By what date does he envisage his department will repair the R74 road which runs from the N3 to Winterton to Bergville and (b) what are the time frames set aside by his department in this regard?

Reply:

The Department of Transport in consultation with Free State and Kwa Zulu Natal Governments between which this road R74 traverses, the teams had already done the technical assessment to ascertain the treatment the road will need. It is however worth mentioning that R74 has two sections in it and these are P11 and P340.

a) The majority of this road needs heavy rehabilitation where first 30kms of P11 is planned for the current financial year (2022/23) and this repair work is estimated to take 30 months.

The remainder of the section of this road P340 is planned for the subsequent financial year (2023/24) and this estimated to a period of 20 months.

The holding measure that includes fixing potholes, stormwater repairs and drainage maintenance are already underway.

b) This Part of the Question has been responded to in (a) above.

10 June 2022 - NW1759

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1) Whether, with reference to the reply to question 898 on 20 April 2018, and subsequent question 687 reference number NW810E, he will furnish Mr C H H Hunsinger with a copy of the detailed statement of Income and Expenditure of all monies received and disbursed by the City of (CoE), for the special purpose vehicles for Katlehong, Tembisa, Vosloorus and Reiger Park (the KTVR) and the Ekurhuleni Taxi Industry Trust on the Bus Rapid Transport Project; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (2) (a) what were the responses by the CoE on the various issues raised by his office and (b) how were his concerns conveyed to the CoE; (3) whether he will furnish Mr C H H Hunsinger with copies of the correspondence; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Reply:

1. Honourable Hunsinger is welcome to meet directly with the City of Ekurhuleni as well as the KTVR operator to perform a detailed analysis of KTVR’s financial statements. KTVR’s operations cost numbers are highlighted below.

Line Items

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

Operations Cost

R119,2m

R126,7m

R168,4m

R232,2m

2. (a)(b) The City of Ekurhuleni has acknowledged the criticism from NDoT (especially from 2019) in bilateral meetings held regularly 2 to 3 times a year. On the 05 March 2019, the Deputy Director General: Public Transport called all the cities to a meeting to direct them on the revised focus of the PTNG for 2019/20 on wards which is to fastrack operations while scaling back on infrastructure plans and spending and put them on notice to launch.

The City team is trying their best to finalise long outstanding matters like concluding minibus operator negotiations, scaling up to 80 buses and 20 000 passenger trips per weekday etc. Currently the city has deployed 40 buses, is procuring 15 more and plans to conclude negotiations by February 2023.

3. The majority of feedback has occurred in regular bilateral discussions. Please contact the Public Transport Branch at the NDoT for further information if required.

10 June 2022 - NW1909

Profile picture: Singh, Mr N

Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What are the details of the progress with regard to the temporary repairs on the Umgababa stretch of the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal; (2) whether the repairs have met the agreed-upon time frames as per the tender agreement; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether there have been any unforeseen delays to the repair of the specified road; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what (a) are the details, including the names, of persons and/or companies that have been awarded the tender to conduct the repairs to the specified road network, (b) is the total projected cost and (c) are the set time frames for the conclusion of the repairs; (5) whether the budget has been adhered to; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Between uMgababa and uMkhomazi there are two major embankment failures, one on the Northbound carriageway at N2 Section 24 km 2.0 to 2.6 and the other on the Southbound carriageway at N2 Section 23 km 49.8. Due to the nature of the failures they require extensive geotechnical investigations, hence geotechnical contractors have been deployed to undertake investigative drilling.

In terms of the northbound failure (uMgababa), the construction of a bypass lane in the median is being undertaken through the routine road maintenance (RRM) contract. Further, the appointed consultant team is finalising its design and procurement documents for the contractor who will implement the repairs.

In terms of the southbound failure (uMkhomazi), traffic accommodation measures have been implemented through the routine road maintenance contract, whilst the preparation of procurement documents for the design consultants are being finalised.

2. The procurement for the service providers to undertake repairs is in the preparation phase therefore there is no tender yet that has been let for the repairs. The only works currently underway is the construction of the median bypass lane in order to restore traffic movements in the northbound direction through the routine road maintenance contract. Availability of rock material from quarries did affect progress on the bypass lane, requiring this material to be sourced from further locations (further than 100km).

3. As noted above, material availability has affected the construction of the bypass lane in the median.

4. (a) No tender has been advertised for this repair as the procurement process is in the preparation phase. The temporary solution is being undertaken through the existing routine road maintenance contract which was awarded to Razzmatazz (Pty) Ltd in October 2021.It is noted that the RRM Contractor is also utilising a local subcontractor and local labour.

(b) It is estimated that the repairs will cost approximately R240 million at each of the locations i.e. northbound and southbound respectively.

(c) The estimated duration is 8 months for northbound failure and 10 months for southbound failure.

5. All holding actions have been undertaken within the budget of the routine road maintenance contractor. A budget has been allocated for the repairs for which tenders will be advertised.

10 June 2022 - NW1717

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Transport

What (a) is the extent of potholes in Bloemfontein recorded by his department and (b) total amount would it cost his department to have all the potholes in the specified city fixed?

Reply:

(a) The question makes reference to the potholes in Bloemfontein. It is therefore important that roads in an around Bloemfontein are being maintained by The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) as well as the Department of Police, Roads and Transport (DPRT). MMM would therefore be responsible for all urban roads, while DPRT predominantly have custodianship of peri-urban and rural roads. This reply is therefore in relation to the broader Mangaung Metropolitan Area.

It is also important to consider that the MMM relies on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to perform their maintenance, while DPRT relies heavily on the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant (PRMG) in terms of its maintenance strategies. The PRMG has strict conditions that allows for 25% of the grant to be used for upgrades and the remaining 75% for maintenance activities. This is in contrast with the prevailing road conditions which warrant and require upgrade-related activities, as opposed to the maintenance activities that the grant makes provision for. For this purpose, intense engagement is required from Provincial Treasury to ensure that funding is availed through the Infrastructure Enhancement Allocation for the necessary upgrades. Alternatively, the strict PRMG conditions require relaxation in order for the country at large to be able to mitigate the current backlog in road maintenance. If this is not achieved, Provinces will continuously be challenged with the situation whereby maintenance is performed in line with grant conditions, while the actual need on the ground is much more intense and borders on upgrade activities.

A recent presentation by NDOT suggests that the South African road network was not planned for the current traffic volumes. A large volume of traffic have migrated from rail to road and households currently procure several vehicles as opposed to one vehicle per family as anticipated when the broader road network was planned.

This, as well as the delay of timely routine maintenance activities, contribute to the state in which road are.

The delay in maintenance, results in exponential repair cost if left unattended.

Information obtained from MMM suggests that their road network within Bloemfontein is as follows:

  • Mangaung Metro contains a total of 3800km of road network entailing 2200km of unsealed and 1600km of sealed roads.
  • Conditions are generally poor across most of the areas with about 90% of the bituminous road seal needing urgent attention to prevent moisture ingress and extend the life of the underlying pavement layers.
  • Rehabilitation backlogs is also substantial with 35% of the pavement layers being in a very poor condition.
  • Thus, Mangaung Metro Municipality should undertake a project of road network resealing and rehabilitation.

(b) The current conditions requires a total amount of R981 054 417 that will be distributed as follows due to capacity and available budget for the following activities:

    • Rehabilitation of 106km of sealed network
    • Treatment of 335km of sealed network with Micro Paving of 15 mm thick.
    • Replacement of 230km access streets with paving blocks. To avoid high maintenance costs on access roads of functional class 5.
    • Treatment of 30km of sealed network with Asphalt overlay.
    • Application of slurry seals preceded by application of Diluted Emulsion, crack sealing and patching for 149km

The anticipated catch-up period is as follows:

July 2022 to June 2023 R 339 112 210

July 2023 to June 2024 R 272 047 480

July 2024 to June 2025 R 369 894 727

TOTAL R 981 054 417

Similarly, the Department of Police, Roads and Transport have developed a maintenance strategy on its own network consisting of 220km that is being prioritized.

  • The estimates are based on current market rates and the available internal maintenance capacity
  • Where a service provider is appointed, the cost may differ due to other Logistical and General contractual obligations
  • The underlying road pavements of most sections need to be rehabilitated thoroughly to prevent further defects and deterioration.
  • The annual Routine Road maintenance must be considered, and have an annual budget allocation to attend ongoing road deterioration. Due to current procurement status of the said Maintenance strategy, costing was done with the aim of addressing it in one financial year as follows:

Description

Amount (R )

Material

R21 331 416,96

Material Transport (10%)

R 2 133 141,69

Labour

R7 250 040,00

Plant & Equipment

R6 849 888,00

Sub Total

R 37 564 486,65

VAT 15%

R5 634 673,00

TOTAL

R43 199 159,65

09 June 2022 - NW2060

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he will sign the World Health Organisation International Pandemic Treaty; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

It is premature to decide on whether the Minister of Health will sign or not sign the proposed convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response until a draft working document thereof is presented to Member States. The decision will therefore be informed by the scope of this Agreement in compliance with the prescripts in Section 231 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2002

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Health

What is the total number of (a) births of babies born to illegal and/or undocumented migrants at public health facilities in each province in the past three years and (b) illegal and/or undocumented immigrants who are making use of health facilities for other medical services other than giving birth in each province as at the latest specified date for which information is available?

Reply:

(a) Legislative Mandate: The Department of Health strives to take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realisation of the right to have access to health care services including reproductive health care in terms of its Constitutional obligations. Section 27 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care. Section 27 (3) further states that no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.

The statistics on the total number of babies who were born to illegal and/or undocumented migrants at public health facilities in each province in the past three years is not available as our health facilities do not keep statistics on foreign nationals.

(b) With regards to the number of illegal and/or undocumented immigrants who are making use of health facilities for other medical services other than giving birth in each province; due to community integration of migrants, the Department of Health is not able to determine the number of undocumented immigrants as this is not a policy requirement.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2088

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether public health practitioners are insured against medico-legal claims; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the insurer; (2) whether there is a regulated framework in terms of the extent of the legal costs that can be charged; if not, why not; if so, will he furnish Mrs M O Clarke with a copy of the framework?

Reply:

(1) Public health practitioners are not insured against medico-legal claims. Section 76 (1) (h) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) (“PFMA”) read with Treasury Regulation 12.2 provides for the claims against the State through acts or omissions of officials and how they must be dealt with.

Treasury Regulation 12.2 provides that an institution must accept liability for any loss or damage suffered by another person, as for a claim against the state, which arose from an act or omission of an official, provided the official acted in the course of his or her employment and was not reckless, wilful or malicious.

In terms of Treasury Regulation 12.2.3 provides that an amount paid by the institution for losses, damages or claims arising from an act or omission of an official must be recovered from the official concerned if the official is liable in law to compensate the institution unless the institution has accepted liability in terms of paragraph 12.2.1.

(2) The regulated framework with regard to the legal costs and in particular the extent of the legal costs that can be charged by legal practitioners is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and not the Department of Health.

Section 35 (4) of the Legal Practice Act, 2014 (Act No.28 of 2014) (LPA) mandates the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) to investigate and report back to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development with recommendations on issues of fees and tariffs payable to legal practitioners.

In light of this, the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) was requested to conduct an investigation into legal fees. In light of the above the SALRC started with their Project 142. On 10 September 2020, the SALRC issued a Discussion Paper 150 with recommendations. Below are some of the recommendations from the SALRC relating to legal fees.

Recommendation 7.1 of the Discussion Paper: The imposition of a universal and compulsory tariff is undesirable not only for the legal profession, but for the economy of South Africa too.

Recommendation 7.2 of the Discussion Paper: The LPC (Legal Practitioners Council), as the regulatory body for the legal profession in the Republic, is the appropriate body to develop service-based attorney and client Fee Guidelines for determining legal fees in respect of all branches of the law.

N.B. More information can be obtained from the Department of Justice.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2181

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)Whether a decision has been taken to sell the building which houses the offices of the Independent Development Trust National Head Office and Gauteng branch in Tshwane; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for what reason has the decision been taken; (2) whether a tender for the sale of the building has been advertised; if not, why not; if so, has the tender been adjudicated on and (b) what are the details (i) of the sale and/or purchase price and (ii) reflecting the stage at which the process is; (3) whether a new building has been identified to house the staff from the National Head Office and the Gauteng office; if not, what progress has been made in this regard; if so, what is the (a) monthly rental, (b) cost per square metre and (c) date of relocation?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I have been informed by the Department that the Board of Trustees of the IDT resolved to sell the National Head Office building in the Board of Trustees meeting held on 23 February 2022.

  • The Board resolved to sell the building as there are latent structural defects and electrical issues with the building that will be costly to fix.
  • There are visible cracks at the entrance of the building and the basement also tends be flooded when it rains leading to the columns supporting the building to move.
  • The building is therefore not safe to be occupied by employees, and it does not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • The building also has high maintenance costs. A cost benefit analysis has been done and the conclusion is that the cost to maintain and refurbish the building outweighs the one of seeking for new leased office accommodation.

2. The sale of the building has not been advertised. This will be determined by the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance.

(b), (i) and (ii) Fall away.

(3) The advertisement for the lease of the new building was issued and the procurement process is in progress.

(a), (b) and (c)

The IDT does not therefore have monthly costs at this stage. The cost per square metre as well as the date for relocation to the new building will be determined once the procurement process is finalised. The cost per square metre should be within the Rode Independent guidelines.

09 June 2022 - NW2026

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health

What total number of health workers have been (a) injured and (b) murdered at health facilities in each province in the past two years?

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH), it is in health facilities which fall under the administration of provinces. Accordingly the NDOH is consulting with the provincial departments of Health to source this information. The Minister will provide a full response to the Question as soon as the information has been received from provinces.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2095

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Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Whether, with respect to the hunting offtakes in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) in the 2021-22 financial year and acknowledging that the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism are responsible for the approvals, she will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) details of the offtakes recommended, commented on an/or supported by SA National Parks (SANParks) and /or Kruger National Park (KNP) within the APNR reserves of Timbavati, Klaserie, Umbabat and Balule in terms of annexure B of the Great Limpopo Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) and the Great Kruger Hunting Protocol for the 2021 and 2022 hunting seasons or calendar years, (b) details of all SANParks/KNP’s oversight and evaluation criteria and resultant comments made in recommending, supporting and/or commenting on the offtakes, (c) Post Offtakes report for the specified years’ hunting seasons or calendar years, which are required in terms of The Great Kruger Hunting Protocol for Reserves where hunting takes place and the effective date on which this was implemented; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what dates?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

09 June 2022 - NW2096

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Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) Whether, with regard to the pollution of disposable diapers in the rivers of the Republic, nappies are classified as (a) hazardours waste or (b) general waste; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What (a) happened to the EDANA Stewardship Programme for Absorbent Hygiene Product,(b) are the reasons absorbent hygienic product are considered non-hazardous and (c) happened to the incinerators at(i) schools and (ii) public facilities; (3) Given that disposable nappies are dangerous to the environment as they cannot dispose by themselves, what (a) plans has her department put in place to address the fact that rivers in the Republic have become the waste sight for disposable nappies and (b) processes does her department have in place to ensure diseases do not increase through the pollution of the waste in the rivers of the Republic?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

09 June 2022 - NW2052

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Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the update on the request that racism, misogyny and sexism be investigated at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, following the incident where Ms Mpho Seleka, a former employee of the National Health Laboratory Services, who after reporting abuse to the committee member, was shortlisted for an interview which was revoked two nights before; (2) what are the facts surrounding the specified person’s case; (3) why was the person (a) shortlisted and/or (b) released from doing the interview; (4) who are the persons who took these decisions?

Reply:

1. This question was raised at the Portfolio Committee held on the 19 April 2022. The NHLS CEO investigated these matters and responded to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee in the letter dated 17 May 2022 (see attached letter).

Ms Seleka was a senior scientist at NICD and was charged with misconduct. She was subsequently dismissed, and the matter was later concluded at the CCMA as a result of a settlement agreement reached by both parties.

2. A report detailing a sequence of events surrounding the specified person’s case are found in the attached report.

3. Ms Mpho Seleka has never applied to the NHLS nor NICD after her services were terminated.

4. The NHLS confirms that Ms Mpho Seleka has never applied to the NHLS nor NICD after her services were terminated. There is, therefore, no record of her being invited to the interview and later released.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2053

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Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) total number of COVID-19 related (i) products, (ii) tests, (iii) personal protective equipment, (iv) treatment and/or (v) vaccines has the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority processed, (b) number of the processed items were (i) approved and/or (ii) rejected and (c) are the reasons for each decision made in each case?

Reply:

a) The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has processed –

  1. 37 products,
  2. 389 tests,
  3. 198 personal protective equipment,
  4. 0 treatment (7 currently in process) and/or
  5. 12 vaccines related to COVID – 19;

b) (i) 494 processed items were approved and

(ii) 275 were rejected; and

(c) the reasons for decision made in each case are as follows:

  • Incomplete documents submitted,
  • Test kits not meeting performance requirements, and
  • No originating approval from one of the 6 recognized jurisdictions.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2147

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)With reference to the reply of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture to question 299 on 19 March 2021, which indicates that she has been appointed as the custodian of the immovable assets which vested within the national sphere of government and is thus the caretaker of the state-owned building Iziko Old Townhouse (IOTH) in terms of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, Act 19 of 2007 (details furnished), (a) on what date will the (i) electrical and other problems of the Old Town House be fixed and (ii) building be reopened to the public, (b) who is the person responsible for maintenance of the specified house and (c) what has she found to be the reasons that the maintenance of the IOTH has not been done; (2) whether there is a timeline for the completion of the upgrading; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1) a)

(i) I have been informed by the Department that the following repairs are funded by the Department of Sport Arts and Culture:

Phase 1: Repair and maintenance was completed by 30 March 2022 and this was the external painting of the entire building & boundary wall including repairs of the ceiling that collapsed, bird proofing, replacement of broken windows and window frames, sanding and varnishing of doors.

Phase 2: Further repairs and maintenance are in progress. The contractor is on site undertaking the work, including the electrical upgrade. The estimated completion for all the infrastructural work is end of November 2022.

(ii) The estimated completion for all the infrastructural work is end November 2022. Thereafter the artworks, other collections and new installations will be reinstalled by the Curatorial Team. The aim is to reopen the IOTH to the public during Heritage Week 2023.

b) The client is responsible for maintenance work up to R1 million.

c) As indicated above repairs and maintenance are in progress, the contractor is on site undertaking the work.

(2) The estimated completion for all the infrastructural work is end November 2022

09 June 2022 - NW1997

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       Whether, with reference to the Annual Performance Plan 2022/23 of her department that was released recently, which states that the full-scale implementation of the subjects of robotics and coding for Grade R to Grade 3, and Grade 7 is planned for the academic year 2023, and the pilot is planned from 2022 to 2023 for grades 4 to 9 which will be followed by full-scale implementation in the grades between 2024 and 2025, her department has started to capacitate educators and upskilling them to teach the new subjects; if not, why not; if so, what are the full relevant details; (2) whether educators in townships and rural areas will be prioritised as they will have a much tougher time given the limitation in resources; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the plan in this regard and (b) are the further relevant details?

Reply:

1) Over 10 000 teachers have been provided training across all provinces. The DBE has also, through a partnership with UNISA, provided training on coding and robotic to 986 Foundation Phase teachers, subject advisors and provincial coordinators to date. 

2) The selection of schools for the pilot included schools in townships, rural areas as well as those providing multi-grade teaching including school for learners with special education needs. 

09 June 2022 - NW2025

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Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

On what date is it envisaged that land will be made available to the taxi industry to build taxi ranks, particularly for the (a) Uncedo Service Taxi Association and (b) Border Alliance Taxi Association in (i) Matatiele, (ii) Mount Fletcher, (iii) Maclear and (iv) Umtata?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) I’ve been informed by the Department that DPWI does not have any state property that could be made available to the taxi industry in:

  1. Matatiele;
  2. Mount Fletcher;
  3. Maclear; and
  4. Mthata

As a result, the Department rents from private landlords for our clients.

However, in Mthata, the Department has the following state properties that are to be developed for our clients to decrease our lease portfolio:

  • Erf 920: the Old Enkululenkweni Ministerial Complex along R61, it is illegally occupied and was identified to be a government precinct; and
  • Erf 265: at No. 33 Sprigg Street, it is a vandalised and dilapidated house where SAPS, Home Affairs and Environmental Affairs showed interest but never availed funds for refurbishment.

09 June 2022 - NW2013

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

What preparations and/or measures have been put in place recently to get hospitals ready for the rising number of COVID-19 cases?

Reply:

The department has planned adequately for the 5th wave, in the same manner that it did with the previous waves. Immediately after the end of the 4th wave, the Incident Management Team (IMT) conducted the Intra – Action Reviews with the provinces, drawing the lessons from the past experiences but particularly from the 4th wave.

The outcomes of the intra Action Reviews indicated that the department must retain all key interventions such as hospital oxygen management capabilities, number of beds set aside for admission, availability of the respiratory support of devices, which have really made sure that the hospitals succeeded in the management. Human Resources were deployed in line with the community service programme and were made be on standby in the event of the increase in hospital admissions.

Over and above the Intra Action Review, the department also developed the following documents, working with the provinces, through the provincial leads who are members of the IMT.

  • The 5th wave resurgence plans
  • The reset and recovery plans for the health system
  • The plans for the continuity of essential health services.

This was in preparations for the rise in the number of cases, during the 5th wave.

These documents were developed with the support of the World Health Organization and other partners as living documents that get revised every time there is an increase or in preparation for the increase in the number of cases.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW1944

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What are the names of the service providers that are used by his department to remove medical waste at hospitals in each province; (2) (a) which hospitals were affected due to the nonpayment of service providers and (b) what are the reasons that the service providers were not paid on time; (3) what are the full, relevant details of vetted suppliers in his department on the Request For Quote system in each province?

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH), it is in health facilities which fall under the administration of provinces. Accordingly the NDOH is consulting with the provincial departments of Health to source this information. The Minister will provide a full response to the Question as soon as the information has been received from provinces.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2054

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Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he has been informed of the development of an anti-COVID-19 prevention pill; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details on the (a) benefits of the product and (b) current status on its use, approval and accessibility?

Reply:

It is unclear what is meant by the term “anti-COVID-19 prevention pill”. Currently, the antiviral medicines available in oral dosage forms (“pills”) are intended to be used for the treatment of COVID-19, not for prevention.

The National Essential Medicines List (NEML) Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on COVID-19 Therapeutics has reviewed the available evidence for two oral antiviral products, molnupiravir and ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir. All rapid reviews are accessible from the National Department of Health website and are routinely updated when new evidence becomes available. Currently, the NEML MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics does not recommend the use of either molnupiravir or ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir in the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Both of these medicines need to be used within five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. They may also not be used during pregnancy, so women of childbearing potential would need access to effective contraception. Neither of these medicines has yet been registered in South Africa, by either the innovator manufacturers or generic producers. The NEML MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics will continue to monitor the situation in terms of availability and pricing, as well as emerging evidence, and will update the reviews as necessary.

Apart from public health and social measures (such as mask-wearing), the primary means for the prevention of COVID-19 remains vaccination. Approved COVID-19 vaccines are available for all persons aged 12 years and older, and the evidence for their use in younger children is currently being reviewed.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2048

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether any correspondence has taken place between his department and The Presidency regarding the drafting and signing of a World Health Organisation International Pandemic Treaty; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that he has not brought the specified treaty, and issues related to it, to the Portfolio Committee on Health for discussion?

Reply:

A pandemic treaty is not imminent. Although Member States of the World Health Organization agreed in December 2021 that a new World Health Organisation (WHO) convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response is needed, it will take years of negotiations to reach a final draft. 2024 is the target. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) leading this process will meet before the end of 2022 to discuss and consider a working draft treaty. The outcome of this meeting will determine whether there is a draft document that can be shared.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW1974

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1159 on 4 May 2022, he will furnish Dr L A Schreiber with copies of any and all legal advice his department has received on the matter regarding the status of (a) Afrikaans and (b) Khoi languages as indigenous languages of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Reply:

My Department has sought and received only one legal advice on the matter regarding the status of Afrikaans and Khoi languages as indigenous languages of South Africa. The Legal Opinion is herewith attached.

09 June 2022 - NW2007

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, with reference to his speech delivered on 10 May 2022 during his department’s Budget Vote for the 2022-23 financial year, wherein he stated that his department aims to reduce the liability of medico-legal claims by 80% by 2024 and that some firms have been referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), he will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with a (a) list of the firms referred to the SIU and (b) detailed update on the status of the investigation against the specified legal firms by the SIU; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

(a) The Service Provider named Integrated Forensic Accounting Services (“IFAS”) has been assigned the investigation of the top law firms that are litigating against the State (for the respective Provinces) on medico-legal matters. The specific Law Firms are Wim Krynauw Attorneys, Joe Hubbart Attorneys and Van Zyl Johnson Inc.

Additional two (2) Law Firms, i.e. Dudula Inc, and Elliot Maris Wilmans & Hay were allocated at the request of the Northern Cape Province bringing the total number of law firms investigated to five (5).

The specified law firms have not yet been referred to the SIU.

(b) The investigation against the specified legal firms by the SIU has not yet started as the reports by the Service Provider on such law firms have not yet been referred to the SIU. The reason is that the Department is still awaiting the National Proclamation to be signed by the President of the Republic. As soon as the National Proclamation is signed by the President, the Forensic Reports from the Service Provider will be provided to the SIU to form the basis of their (SIU) investigations.

END.

09 June 2022 - NW2113

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)As the Commissioning Principal of the Binder Dijker Otte audit investigation on the Review of Parliament Prestige Construction Projects Performance, what is her official position or stance with regard to the terms of reference of the investigation; (2) whether she had been advised of the timelines of the agreement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, does she and/or her department agree with the timelines of the agreement; (3) whether the specified company was able to meet the agreed timelines and deliver on the agreed deliverables timeously; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1) I commissioned the report after a meeting with the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on 07 October 2019. This followed a complaint by the Presiding Officers about the time, quality and budget overrun of the Prestige projects in Parliament. The terms of reference were developed between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and Parliament which covered the areas of concern raised by the Presiding Officers.

(2) The timelines provided to Binder Dijker Otte to deliver the report was 6 months due to the number of projects to be audited.

(3) Binder Dijker Otte delivered the report to the Department by 20 November 2020, within three months of their appointment. However, the report was only given to me almost a year later on 17 September 2021. The report was subsequently handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly on 18 September 2022 for processing.

09 June 2022 - NW2180

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)With reference to the recent advertisement for a Chief Executive Officer for the Construction Industry Development Board, what are the reasons that the (a) grading for the position is now reflected as E-Upper, and not E5 as the 2017 advertisement for the same position and (b) educational requirements are now only a relevant degree at National Qualifications Framework 8 which is equivalent to an honours degree, with a Master’s degree an advantage, when the earlier requirements were for a postgraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration or Master of Business Leadership qualification as a prerequisite; (2) what is the motivation for reducing the work experience requirement from 15 years to 10 years; (3) what are the reasons that the requirement for experience at Executive or Senior level has been reduced in its entirety to five years, where at least 10 years at Senior level, with five years at Executive level, was a prior requirement; (4) whether any of the applicants have met the higher level of requirements; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, were any of the applicants (a) shortlisted and (b) interviewed; (5) whether the appointed individual met only the lower requirements or exceeded them; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) as follows:

(1)

(a) In 2020, CIDB went through an Organisational Design (OD) led by an independent service provider. The OD looked at restructuring the organogram, salary structure, and job grades. As a result, the job grades were reduced from 24 to 16 levels. This resulted in collapsing E4 and E5 to E Upper. The CIDB grades as follows: three lower subgrades, i.e. E 1-3, and one sub grade in the upper bands, e.g. E4 and E5 = E upper.

(b) To align more with CIDB current strategy, the Board prioritised expertise and qualifications in the built environment as a construction regulator. A Master's degree was added as an advantage to include those with experience and relevant qualifications.

(2) To expand the talent pool and include more people with disability, women, and youth, the Board opted to set the requirement in the advert in the manner that it was advertised.

(3) Same as above, in an effort to expand the talent pool to include more people with disability, women, and youth, the Board opted to set the requirement in the advert

(4) Six candidates met all the requirements including the added advantage: Master’s degree and

(a) were shortlisted accordingly.

(b) five candidates were interviewed as one candidate formally withdrew their candidature.

(5) The appointed individual exceeded the minimum requirements by having a Master's degree from the University of Cambridge.

09 June 2022 - NW2114

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) Whether she has been informed that in spite of a certain company (name furnished) being issued with a directive from her department to desist from building cofferdams without a dumping permit in terms off the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, Act 24 of 2008, the specified company continues to do so in spite of the terms and/or provisions of section 79(1)(d) of the specified Act that a person is guilty of a category one offence if that person dumps any waste at sea without a dumping permit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what steps does her department intend take against the specified company that has been guilty of the specified offence continually since 2014,but now continues to commit the offence even after being issued with an official environmental directive from her department in order to stop the illegal activity?

Reply:

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