Questions and Replies
29 June 2022 - NW334
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the detailed progress made to date with regards to the building of the Foot and Mouth Disease facility at the estimated costs of R500 million?
Reply:
The first allocation for the FMD vaccine factory was made in the 2007/2008 financial year. A figure of R214 million was allocated by the National Treasury over a four–year period. An additional figure of R400 million was allocated over the MTEF beginning in 2019-2022.
The process of establishing a GMP compliant facility started with the development of new production methods. This process is to ensure that there is capability for production of GMP compliant vaccines at scale once the new factory is completed. This involves processes such as optimisation of cell culture production, optimisation of antigen production, production of master seed stocks, validation of antigenicity, scaling production to pilot amounts, optimisation of downstream processing and optimisation of formulation. This process is ongoing and will continue during the establishment of the new factory.
In preparing for the GMP compliant facility, construction preparatory work was undertaken. This process involved the management of land rights including necessary zoning, environmental, infrastructural/ external services, legal requirements in relation to such land rights (obtaining the title deed, Surveyor-General diagram, municipal account, and approval).
Currently, the project plan for the GMP compliant facility is at the stage of appointment of service providers. This process is to ensure that the specifications for the appointment of service providers to design various aspects of the project (process engineers, architectural designer, mechanical engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, quantity surveyors, civil and structural engineers as well as other key appointments such as fire engineers, occupational health safety and environmental practitioners is concluded. Appointment of service providers for the built environment has been approved by Council and is underway subject to service level agreements. Service providers will commence work immediately upon conclusion of these contracts.
28 June 2022 - NW1727
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether, in light of the fact that cybercrime poses, among others, very real physical, political and digital risks his Office has put any plans in place to (a) update the Policy Framework and (b) keep it up to date, considering the fast-moving pace of digital innovations; if not, why not; if so, what are the full relevant details?
Reply:
(a) and (b) Yes. The Cybersecurity Response Committee (CRC) under the Chairpersonship of the State Security Agency (SSA) meets regularly to assess progress on the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework in order to ensure adequacy of measures for implementation of the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework, to identify gaps and ways to plug them including appropriate remedial steps with a view to keep-up-to-date the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework. The establishment of a 24/7 point of contact for all cybercrime reporting is an important measure in the fight against cybercrime.
The National Cybersecurity Policy Framework presents a coherent and integrated Cybersecurity approach to address cybersecurity threats and risks posed by cyberattacks and cybercrime. Most importantly, the NCPF makes provision for various government departments to develop relevant legislation, policies and strategies to adequately address existing and emerging cyberthreats and risks.
On 26 May 2021 the President signed the Cybercrimes Bill of 2020 into law. The President consequently proclaimed certain provisions of the Cybercrimes Act to commence on 1 December 2021. Plans are in place to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which commenced in July 2021 to bring South Africa on par with international standards in the fight against cybercrime.
Furthermore, South Africa has been participating actively in the process of developing an International Convention on Cybercrime under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) pursuant to the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution 74/247. This commitment to the UN process ensures that initiatives at national level are on par with international norms and standards.
The State Security Agency is developing the National Cybersecurity Strategy and National Cybersecurity Bill. Both the Strategy and the Bill are vital for the coordination of the promotion of Cybersecurity measures by all role players (the State, private sector, and civil society) against Cybersecurity threats.
28 June 2022 - NW2306
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the current position regarding the extradition of Rajesh and Atul Gupta after having been arrested in Dubai, subsequent to a Red Notice being issued; (2) Whether the extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates has been finalised; if not, why not; if so, on what basis will extradition be achieved bearing in mind that the agreement in all likelihood will not have retrospective application?
Reply:
1. On 6 June 2022, the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) informed me that the suspects have been arrested on the Red Notices issued. On 8 June 2022, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) forwarded a Request to the Department for the Provisional Arrest of the suspects in terms of Article 14(3) of the Extradition Treaty. The request containing the charge sheet and warrants of arrest for the suspects were forwarded under cover to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for onward transmission to the authorities in the UAE. On 10 June 2022, the Department was advised that the Investigating Directorate in the NPA is finalising the official extradition request, where-after same will be translated into Arabic, and thereafter forwarded to the Department for onward transmission to the authorities in the UAE via the diplomatic channel.
2. On 25 September 2018, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates concluded an Extradition Treaty. The Treaty came into force on 10 July 2021. The request for the extradition of Mr Atul Kumar Gupta and Mr Rajesh Kumar Gupta will be made to the UAE in terms of the Extradition Treaty.
28 June 2022 - NW2195
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, in respect of each engagement in the 2021-22 financial year between his department and the Unions, he will furnish Mr A C Roos with a list detailing the (a) dates of the meetings, (b) participating Unions and stakeholder organisations, (c) resolutions of each meeting, (d) outstanding issues, (e) next steps and (f) timeline for the resolution of the issues in order for the Home Affairs offices to reopen on Saturdays as it has been almost five years since his department and Unions engaged on the issue; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
There has been no engagement in the 2021-22 financial year.
The last engagement between the Department of Home Affairs and Organised Labour on this matter was on 3 November 2020, at the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council, GPSSBC.
The minutes of the said meeting noted a concern from Organised Labour and this resulted in Unions invoking Clause 17, thus declaring a dispute on the matter. An agreement was reached by both Labour and the Department that this matter should be facilitated by the GPSSBC. The Department has approached Organised Labour to reopen this matter for further engagement.
END
28 June 2022 - NW2301
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What number of whole-day downtime was experienced by offices of his department in Stellenbosch over the past two years; (2) what (a) was the total number of work hours lost in the past two years as a result of the downtime at the Stellenbosch office, (b) were the causes of most of the downtime at the office, (c) steps have been taken to reduce and/or eradicate downtime at the office and (d) is the total of the number of hours lost as a result of system downtime at the office in each month over the past two years?
Reply:
1. We consulted with SITA and requested the network outage statistics for the stated period, unfortunately their monitoring systems (eHealth & NMS) overrides data after12 months. According to the attached report from the e-Health system, the office experienced downtime for a whole day on the 29 Nov 2021over the 12-month period 01 June 2021 to 15 June 2022. We have also extracted information from the DHA network monitoring system (Manage Engine). The office experienced downtime on the following days 03/10/2022, 03/23/2022, 04/12/2022, 04/13/2022 and 06/10/2022, see the attached report for detailed downtime information.
The office downtimes would have been due to SITA Switching Centre network outage emanating from Cable Breaks, load shedding, and infrastructure theft in the Stellenbosch area.
2. The office is already running on a 2Mbps fibre optic line. The Department has made stabilisation a top priority. In addition, the department is working closely with SITA to carry out the various commitments made on this matter. A number of these measures were outlined during the recent budget vote speech by the Minister of Home Affairs. See attached summary slide.
END
28 June 2022 - NW2427
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What total number of refugees have been provided with assistance through the refugee assistance fund in the past five years?
Reply:
The Department of Home Affairs does not administer a refugee assistance fund.
END
28 June 2022 - NW2297
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) are the performance measures of the 200 border patrol staff being employed by the Border Management Authority and (b) is the difference between their responsibilities and the responsibilities of the SA National Defence Force border patrol staff?
Reply:
Performance Area 1: Conduct general border management activities and security services to ensure effective and efficient border management
(i) Attend the on and off duty parades and be stationed as per deployment schedule of border guards.
(ii) Process proactive and responsive complaint attendances.
(iii) Report on arrested illegal foreigners held in the temporary holding cells.
(iv) Safeguard and control exhibits / evidence found to be handed over to other Agencies.
(v) Conduct arrest of illegal foreigners/ detainees to be transferred to the nearest ports of entry or police station for further handling.
(vi) Gather information for compiled reports as required by higher authority.
Performance Area 2: Implement controls on the movement of goods and people in the identified ports and segments
(i) Search people, luggage and vehicles as per the relevant regulations on the planned roadblock / check point operations in the port of entry and the vulnerable areas in the borderline.
(ii) Perform borderline duties, traffic check point operations and other law enforcement duties at outer/inner perimeter areas.
(iii) Report on all illegal movement of people and goods.
(iv) Maintain surveillance from covert positions at or near the international borders.
Performance Area 3: Control the access/egress at the identified port of entry and in border law enforcement area
(i) Conduct vehicle/foot patrols around the inner perimeter.
(ii) Control and regulate illegal movement of people and goods.
(iii) Identify and report on international visitors, travellers and shoppers for monitoring purposes.
(iv) Respond to electronic sensor alarms in remote areas as a Mobile Response Team.
(b) As clearly captured in the South African Constitution and the Defence Act, the responsibility of members of the Defence Force is to protect and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity through the patrolling of the 4773 kilometres of the land border areas, including the maritime coastline. They have currently deployed 13 companies to fulfil this responsibility through the application of high mobility patrol mechanism from on point to the other.
Therefore, as for the Border Guards, it should be noted that our sub-region has a number of inter-linked communities whereby the border fence had divided them into two halves. For instance, in the North-West Province, there are Batswana on the South African side and the Batswana on the Botswana side. In Mpumalanga, there are communities with Ba-Swati on the South African side and Ba-Swati on the eSwatini side. In the Free State, there are Basotho on the South African side and the Basotho on the Lesotho side. Therefore, this situation means that there is a lot of civilian activities taking place between South Africa and its immediate neighbours. These activities have been taking place in those areas for centuries. Therefore, at this point our concern is the fact that those areas have been hijacked by criminal elements who are then moving counterfeit goods through those.
communities for their own nefarious gains. It is for this reason that the BMA Border Guards would be statically deployed in those communities to monitor their activities with the intention to decisively deal with any criminal elements taking advantage of the situation. Further, the BMA would be registering those kind of areas and declaring them as Informal Community Crossing Points and statically deploy the Border Guards for monitoring those civilian activities.
In addition, there are certain areas outside the communities along the borderline which are being exploited by criminal elements for advancing their illegal activities. In this case, members of the SANDF and the Border Guards would collectively identify such areas (known as vulnerable segments of the border line) and get the latter to be statically deployed in those segments. This approach seeks to enable members of SANDF to freely apply their high mobility deployment mechanism while areas of concern are properly protected by the Border Guards. Further, since the Border Guards would have immigration, agricultural, and environmental legal empowerment amongst other prescript, the SANDF would be able to hand over intercepted civilians to the Border Guards for processing (e.g finger printing, declaring them undesirable and effecting deportations). Lastly, the BMA Act empowers the Border Guards to effectively protect the Port of Entry, including its 10 kilometres radius to detect any traveller who avoid using the port for whatever reasons. The deployment of the Border Guards to the borderline does not seek to compete with the deployed members of the SANDF, but
END
28 June 2022 - NW2369
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether he has been informed of the apparent ongoing victimisation of a member of the public at the Home Affairs Office in Somerset West who had to queue seven times for hours at a time to collect an identity document only to be barred by the security guard every time from entering the building and eventually gained access via another door in order to be assisted by the staff inside on 14 March 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, (2) Whether the alleged victimising staff member will be facing consequence management; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Department of Home Affairs does not condone such conduct by our outsourced security guards. It remains the responsibility of the Office Manager to communicate with clients and grant access. It should be noted that the Department has an immediate complaint resolution process which might be used by clients to escalate and report the conduct of employees to senior managers immediately. It is to this end that a photograph and contact details of the Office Manager, District Manager and the Provincial Manager are displayed in all our front offices. Contact details are also available from the DHA website. The Department has no record of any formal complaint lodged on or after 14 March 2022 related to the mentioned scenario. The matter was however raised with the Office Manager and the security guards. The Department will however be in a better position to launch a formal investigation once a complaint is lodged by the applicant or representative.
2. Once a formal complaint is received, the Department will then launch an investigation, and apply the necessary consequence management, should the perpetrator be found guilty of committing such an offence.
END
28 June 2022 - NW2005
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, with reference to the recent presentation by Legal Aid South Africa to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, wherein the Committee was informed of the dire situation faced by Legal Aid South Africa due to budgetary constraints, he will furnish Prof C T Msimang with a detailed breakdown of the total number of vacancies that currently exist at Legal Aid South Africa if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
a) As at 31 March 2022, Legal Aid SA had a total of 221 vacancies out of 2 689 budgeted positions. This translates to 91, 8% Staffing level vs an APP Target of 95% and 8.2% vacancy rate.
Table1: Vacancies as at 31 March 2022
Province |
Budgeted Posts |
Recruited Positions |
Vacant Positions |
Recruitment Percentage |
Gauteng |
493 |
464 |
29 |
94.1% |
Eastern Cape |
405 |
373 |
32 |
92.1% |
Free State |
194 |
184 |
10 |
94.8% |
North West |
145 |
143 |
2 |
98.6% |
KwaZulu-Natal |
419 |
365 |
54 |
87.1% |
Limpopo |
174 |
167 |
7 |
96.0% |
Mpumalanga |
171 |
150 |
21 |
87.7% |
Western Cape |
369 |
337 |
32 |
91.3% |
Northern Cape |
106 |
88 |
18 |
83.0% |
National Office |
213 |
197 |
16 |
92.5% |
Overall Nationally |
2 689 |
2 468 |
221 |
91.8% |
b) As at 20 May 2022, Legal Aid SA has a total of 176 vacancies out of 2699 budgeted positions. This translates to 93,5% Staffing level vs an APP Target of 95% and 6.5% vacancy rate.
Table 2: Vacancies as at 20 May 2022
Province |
Establishment |
Filled Positions |
Vacant positions |
Percentage filled |
Gauteng |
494 |
471 |
23 |
95.3% |
Eastern Cape |
406 |
380 |
26 |
93.6% |
Free State |
193 |
180 |
13 |
93.3% |
North West |
146 |
140 |
6 |
95.9% |
KwaZulu-Natal |
421 |
394 |
27 |
93.6% |
Limpopo |
175 |
169 |
6 |
96.6% |
Mpumalanga |
172 |
156 |
16 |
90.7% |
Western Cape |
369 |
345 |
24 |
93.5% |
Northern Cape |
109 |
94 |
15 |
86.2% |
National Office |
214 |
194 |
20 |
90.7% |
Overall nationally |
2 699 |
2 523 |
176 |
93.5% |
c) To cushion the 2021/2022 budget cut of R182,027,000 and the envisaged MTEF 2022/2024 baseline reduction of R352,623,000, Legal Aid SA reduced its establishment by 119 positions (91 legal practitioners and 28 support staff) in 2021/2022.
In addition, Legal Aid SA implemented various cost cutting measures to optimize available resources. This includes the reduction of Employee Benefits, operational and capital expenditure budget and minimal use of consultants. Table 3 below depicts abolished positions per province.
Table 3: Abolished positions in 2021/2022: Vacant Posts Abolished from the Establishment April 2021
No. |
Province |
Local Office |
Position |
Eastern Cape |
Butterworth |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
Butterworth |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
Butterworth |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Eastern Cape |
East London |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Eastern Cape |
Grahamstown |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Eastern Cape |
Grahamstown |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Eastern Cape |
King Williams Town |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
King Williams Town |
Administration Officer |
|
Eastern Cape |
Mthatha |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
Mthatha |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Administration Officer |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Legal Secretary |
|
Eastern Cape |
Uitenhage |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Eastern Cape |
Uitenhage |
Legal Secretary |
|
Total for Eastern Cape |
17 |
||
Free State and North West |
Bethlehem |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Bethlehem |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Legal Practitioner - HC |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Supervisory Legal Practitioner - Criminal |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 1 |
|
Free State and North West |
Bloemfontein |
Legal Secretary |
|
Free State and North West |
Botshabelo |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Free State and North West |
Botshabelo |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Free State and North West |
Mafikeng |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Free State and North West |
Mafikeng |
Administration Officer |
|
Free State and North West |
Mafikeng |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Phuthaditjhaba |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Welkom |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Welkom |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Potchefstroom |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Rustenburg |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State and North West |
Welkom |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Free State and North West |
Lichtenburg |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Total for Free State and North West |
22 |
||
Gauteng |
Benoni |
Supervisory Legal Practitioner - Criminal |
|
Gauteng |
Benoni |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Ga-Rankuwa |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Ga-Rankuwa |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Ga-Rankuwa |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Ga-Rankuwa |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Johannesburg |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Johannesburg |
Legal Practitioner - HC |
|
Gauteng |
Johannesburg |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Gauteng |
Pretoria |
Legal Secretary |
|
Gauteng |
Soshanguve |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Soweto |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Soweto |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Gauteng |
Tembisa |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Total for Gauteng |
14 |
||
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Durban |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Durban |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Durban |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Empangeni |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Empangeni |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Empangeni |
Administration Officer |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Newcastle |
Administration Officer |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pietermaritzburg |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pietermaritzburg |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pietermaritzburg |
Office Assistant |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pietermaritzburg |
Legal Practitioner-HC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Pinetown |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Port Shepstone |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Port Shepstone |
Administration Officer |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Umlazi |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Umlazi |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Verulam |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Verulam |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Verulam |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Vryheid |
Office Assistant |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal Total |
20 |
||
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Ermelo |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 1 |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Ermelo |
Administration Officer |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Middelburg |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit |
Administration Officer |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit |
Paralegal - HC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Polokwane |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Polokwane |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Polokwane |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Tzaneen |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Witbank |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Witbank |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 1 |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga Total |
12 |
||
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Athlone |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Athlone |
Administration Officer |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Athlone |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 1 |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Bellville |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Bellville |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Caledon |
Administration Officer |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Cape Town |
Receptionist/Typist |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Cape Town |
Legal Practitioner - HC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Cape Town |
Legal Practitioner - HC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Cape Town |
Legal Practitioner - HC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Cape Town |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 1 |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Colesberg |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
George |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Kimberley |
Paralegal |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Kimberley |
Legal Practitioner - DC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Stellenbosch |
Office Assistant |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Stellenbosch |
Administration Officer |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Upington |
Legal Practitioner - RC |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Upington |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Vredendal |
Legal Secretary |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Worcester |
Legal Secretary |
|
Western Cape and Northern Cape |
21 |
||
National Office |
Communications |
Intern |
|
National Office |
Communications |
Intern |
|
National Office |
Legal Development |
Admin Officer/Librarian |
|
National Office |
Legal Development |
Legal Practitioner - Civil Level 2 |
|
National Office |
National Ops |
Legal Support Practitioner |
|
National Office |
National Ops |
Legal Training Administrator / Coordinator |
|
National Office |
National Ops |
Administration Officer |
|
Total for National Office |
7 |
||
Overall Total Nationally |
113 |
Table 4: Abolished positions in 2021/2022: Vacant Posts Abolished from the Establishment in May 2021
No. |
Province |
Local Office |
Position |
Eastern Cape |
Mthatha |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Free State & North West |
Mafikeng |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Newcastle |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Polokwane |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
Witbank |
Candidate Attorney |
|
Total |
6 |
28 June 2022 - NW2197
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What is the current status of the drafting of the enabling regulations in respect of the (i) Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 13 of 2021, (ii) Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, Act 12 of 2021, and (iii) Domestic Violence Amendment Act, Act 14 of 2021, and (b) by what date will the enabling regulations be (i) published and (ii) enforced in each case?
Reply:
a) The draft Regulations in respect of (i) Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 13 of 2021, (ii) Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, Act 12 of 2021 have been prepared and consulted on, while the Regulations on the Domestic Violence Amendment Act, Act 14 of 2021 are still undergoing public consultation.
b) It is envisaged that the three (3) Acts and their related Regulations will be proclaimed and published for commencement as from 31 July 2022.
28 June 2022 - NW2143
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total number of tourism visa applications were rejected in each month, (b) what were the reasons for each rejection, (c) what is the total number of rejected applications from each country in each month, (d) from which countries does his department not accept tourism visa applications, (e) what are the reasons that they do not accept the applications and (f) what number of applications from the specified countries have been received in each month in the (i) past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2022 in each case?
Reply:
a) The total number of tourist visa applications that were rejected for the 2021/2022 financial year is reflected in Annexure “A” as reported per Mission. The operations in Missions and lockdowns as a result of the spread of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic impacted on the applications for visas globally.
b) The reasons for rejection would be related to the application which will require the Mission to provide the details of an individual to a third party. However, in general Missions reported the following general reasons for rejection:
• Falsified bank statement
• Falsified invitation letters
• Falsified hotel reservation
• Falsified employment letters
• Insufficient funds on submitted bank statements
• Presentation of false South African Visas
c) The total number of rejected applications per country as reported by the respective Missions is contained in Annexure A.
d) The Department accept applications for visas from all countries recognised by South Africa as autonomous States.
e) We accept applications from passport holders from recognized States only.ccepted.
f) The information is as reported in Parliamentary Question No. 2048.
END
27 June 2022 - NW1422
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)Whether her department has conducted a damage assessment on tourism in KwaZulu-Natal after the recent floods; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether her department has produced a sector specific plan on how to rebuild the pillars that drive tourism in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, why not; if so, what incentives does her department offer or intends to offer to the youth in particular to assist in rebuilding the pillars in the tourism sector of KwaZulu-Natal?
Reply:
The Minister has been briefed of the impact of the floods on tourism infrastructure. This was done during the recent site inspections by a team from the Department of Tourism; EDTEA; TKZN; Ezemvelo and the KZN Sharks Board: - (19 April 2022), to the following sites: -
- Two World Heritage Sites - iSimangaliso Wetland Park and uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park focusing on Didima Nature Reserve
- Big 5 Game Reserve - Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Coastal & Marine Tourism and Coastal Belt - Dakota Beach in Isipingo, Margate, Salt Rock Beach Front, Ballito, St. Lucia)
- Midlands Tourism Route – Mandela Capture Site, Howick Falls, Midmar Game Reserve, etc.
The intention was to undertake assessments of sites that have relatively high impact on the value-chain to drive local tourism development and recovery post the pandemic, thus having socio-economic bearing on affected neighboring communities.
Findings
The damage wreaked by the floods is in various categories, viz:-
- Damage at beaches include debris, damage to dunes as well as damage to safety nets etc;
- Infrastructure and services, including water and electricity, roads and bridges;
- Structural damage to buildings, including roofs and walls.
- While King Shaka International Airport experienced water damage in parts of the terminal, there was no disturbance to operations and flights are operating as scheduled (not part of the inspections by the team).
Based on the latest available information from these areas, the total estimated damage thus far is about, R131 445 000,00. KZN has indicated that cases for immediate attention amount to about R89 595 000, while the balance can be undertaken over the medium term.
Fortunately, the overall impact is that tourism will not face long term negative impact. Arrangements were made by the Province and local authorities to clean up the beaches by removing the debris and other objects that affect access thereto. Relevant Provincial and municipal Departments and entities have commenced work in restoring/repairing infrastructure and services crucial to communities and business, e.g. raids, bridges etc. In some of the areas e.g. Isipingo, local communities have been closely involved in the cleanup of the beaches and we are grateful to them for lending a hand. At the moment access to beaches in some areas is possible and normal beach activities can take place.
(2) The reconstruction of the infrastructure is being assessed by the relevant lead departments. Progress is being communicated to the public in the normal course. As a department, we will contribute to the extent required where possible once the Province has concluded associated processes regarding the nature of support. This is also to ensure that there is no duplication of resources.
As regards the specific tourism infrastructure, the owners have during engagement indicated that some have insurance to cover some of the damage and mainly want speedy reconstruction of the affected bulk infrastructure. The Department working with the Provincial Authorities will ascertain the extent to which tourism specific support may be required and if necessary look into reprioritisation of resources. Again, this is based on the understanding that there should not be a duplication of resources.
The overall assessment is that there has not been fundamental disruption of the province’s tourism offerings. Based on the assessment, the department has no separate initiatives for the floods but is working with the province to assist in recovery of the affected site.
27 June 2022 - NW1624
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)What measurable successes have arisen from the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (TSRP); (2) whether she has engaged with any other department(s) and/or Minister(s) with regard to assisting and/or collaborating in the recovery of the tourism sector; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she and/or her department engaged with any local government structures and entities and/or the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the role of community tourism organisations in the recovery of the tourism sector; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
10 The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (TSRP) has been under implementation since April 2021 and progress towards achieving the Plan’s seven Strategic Interventions has been achieved as follows:
a) Norms and Standards
- Norms and Standards in respect of COVID-19 were gazetted by the Department in December 2021, providing a uniform framework for safe tourism operations for the sector. Integration of the norms and standards into various training programmes, namely, Food Safety Quality Assurers; Chefs; Wine Service Training and Hospitality Youth Programmes is in progress.
b) Infrastructure Maintenance and Enhancement
- Infrastructure maintenance work continued in 19 National Parks and 800 participants were employed as at the end of quarter three;
- Five (5) Nature Reserves identified in Limpopo for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme aimed at enhancing and maintaining state-owned attractions;
- Five (5) community-owned tourism projects to enhance visitor experience supported in Limpopo; and
- Nine state as well as community owned projects supported by the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDTEA) to enhance their physical state and sustainability.
c) Other achievements
- Three sessions were held to encourage hosting of major events in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSDs).
- The implementation of the recovery efforts has also seen the return to full operation for food and beverage facilities.
- Improvements has also been noticed in the accommodation sector with regards to occupancies.
- Furthermore, the country has also witnessed the return of the various tourism trade shows such as Meetings Africa and Africa Travel Indaba in person and many other business meetings that the country is now hosting with more secured going forward.
d) Enablers
- The Global Advocacy Programme aimed at re-igniting the South African Brand was launched;
- The Tourism Monitors Programme was launched in collaboration with the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on 15 November 2021 at the OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports;
- Integration of Tourism Safety Tips into MYSAPS App was completed and the development of a coding system by the South African Police Services to help encode cases reported by tourists is underway;
- The Department of Home Affairs (DHA)’s e-visa application system is now open. Eligible countries include:
- Kenya and Cameroon;
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Philippines and Rwanda;
- Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt;
- India, Uganda and Mexico;
- Pakistan and Nigeria; and
- China and Saudi Arabia.
- The e-visa link https://ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit/home creates a four-step process where applicants can create their profile associated with passport details; submit online application form; upload documentation; and confirm secure payment;
- Biometric Movement Control System rolled-out at OR Tambo International Airport; and Immigration e-Gates implemented at three (3) major international airports.
- In respect of re-establishing South Africa’s airlift capacity, various airline operators resumed operations to and within South Africa.
- The challenge remains the vaccination uptake.
- Government consumption when it comes to utilization of commercial venues has also supported the recovery of the sector.
2. The Department engaged with the Departments of Home Affairs, Health, SAPS and Transport during the development of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan and they endorsed actions that are within their respective mandates. The plan was approved at Cabinet level and reporting against its implementation is part of the reporting against Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).
3. The Department coordinates the Local Government Peer Learning Sessions in conjunction with Provinces and Local Government to constantly address matters relating to tourism development and promotion including tourism recovery. Thus, the Department’s point of entry to community tourism organisations is through Provincial and Local government with due recognition of the concurrency of the tourism legislative mandate.
27 June 2022 - NW1882
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With regard to the SA Football Association case number 422/05/2020, opened at the Booysens Ormonde Police Station, (a) what are the reasons that (i) the prosecution process has taken so long and (ii) some of the charges were withdrawn without informing the complainants and (b) by what date is it envisaged that some of the charges will be heard in court; (2) Whether the Hawks have completed their investigation regarding the specified case; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the status of the investigation; if so, what was the outcome and/or action taken in this regard?
Reply:
1. (a) (i) The matter is still at an investigative stage.
(ii) No charges have been withdrawn.
(b) The decision whether to prosecute or not will be taken once the outstanding investigations have been completed.
2. (a) The Hawks have not completed their investigation.
(b) The investigation is at an advanced stage.
27 June 2022 - NW1973
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What plans are in place to protect the valuable and irreplaceable (a) documents and (b) books from possible fire and/or water damage as the library at the Supreme Court of Appeal houses some of the oldest and most valuable books and historic documents of a legal nature and yet it is neither water nor fire proof?
Reply:
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) is not responsible for the library material that is housed at the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) manages its library material and has deployed Librarians at its libraries – including at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The DoJ&CD merely provides the electronic material through the so-called “Virtual Library”, which is a service procured by the DoJ&CD to serve the library needs of DoJ&CD officials, Magistrates and officials of the Office of the Chief Justice.
END
27 June 2022 - NW2412
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of The Presidency of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
In light of the fact that in April 2020 the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, announced the establishment of the Gender-based Violence and Femicide Council, which Parliament approved and directed all departments to introduce gender-responsive budgeting, but did not require them to provide commensurate budgetary benchmarks and/or dedicated resources, what (a) total amount was allocated for gender responsive budget and (b) has it been spent on?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
24 June 2022 - NW2275
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether he used his official position as the President of the Republic to seek assistance from President H G Geingob of Namibia, with regard to the suspects who fled to Namibia following the break-in and theft at his Phala Phala farm; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the assistance he requested from President Geingob; (2) whether he requested Major-General W Rhoode, the Head of the SA Police Service’s Presidential Protection Unit, to conduct the investigations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) did Major-General Rhoode travel to Namibia, (b) under what authority did he act and (c) who travelled with him to Namibia; (3) whether the SA taxpayer footed any part of the bill for the remuneration, flights, accommodation and/or incidentals of the investigators’ travel to Namibia; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what were the costs associated with the trip; (4) whether the stolen money was brought back into the Republic from Namibia and returned to him; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (5) whether the repatriation and return of the money to him followed the exchange control and the SA Revenue Service regulations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I am ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter and will answer whatever questions the investigators ask of me. The law must be allowed to take its course and due process needs to be followed.
24 June 2022 - NW2127
Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether he has obtained a top secret security clearance yet; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date is it envisaged that he will obtain a top secret security clearance; if so, on what date was the top security clearance obtained?
Reply:
a) No. Chapter 5 of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS), specially section 1.5 stipulate that political appointees are not required to be vetted unless requested to do so by the President.
b) Falls away.
24 June 2022 - NW2274
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether, with regard to the allegations against him in the affidavit by the former Director-General of the State Security Agency who was also the former National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr AJP Fraser, surrounding the break-in and theft of around $4 million from his Phala Phala farm on or around 9 February 2020, he reported the theft to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks within the SA Police Services, as the law obliges him to do; if not, why not; if so, what is the case number; (2) whether he had been informed that during the course of Major-General Rhoode’s investigation, that the suspects were (a) caught, (b) kidnapped and/or (c) interrogated by the Presidential Protection Unit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he had been informed that the Presidential Protection Unit facilitated the alleged paying off of the suspects, including his domestic worker after the offenders had been traced and apprehended, in order not to reveal the incidents surrounding the break-in and theft of money to anyone; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I am ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter and will answer whatever questions the investigators ask of me. The law must be allowed to take its course and due process needs to be followed.
24 June 2022 - NW2417
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Noting that the National Health Insurance (NHI) does not have an arrangement that will focus on improving and/or developing infrastructure of health facilities in the Republic, (a) what plans and/or measures has he put in place to ensure that infrastructure of public facilities is improved and/or developed prior and/or during the NHI and (b) how will improving infrastructure of public facilities be planned, catered and paid for under the NHI?
Reply:
The NHI Bill (and the Fund that it seeks to establish) will not replace the National Health Act of 2003 although it will amend several sections as listed in the first Schedule. The reforms do not replace the budget process nor the public works and other infrastructure mandates.
Therefore, the NHI does not have any specific arrangement that will focus on improving and/or developing infrastructure since that is catered for in other laws.
a) Public health sector infrastructure is subject to the Government Immoveable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) and construction of infrastructure in public health facilities is managed in terms of Treasury and Public Works prescripts. The national and provincial health departments will remain responsible for infrastructure of public health facilities. In keeping with the purchaser/provider split the NHI Fund will not be a provider of health services and therefore will not maintain and build infrastructure. That is a provider function. The NHI Fund will purchase services of a quality that it determines and in so doing will ensure that infrastructure is improved and/or developed.
b) Improving infrastructure of public health facilities will be planned by the National Department of Health with provincial departments. Maintenance of infrastructure must be paid for and managed by the providers (including the provinces as the provider in the public sector). Under the reformed health system major refurbishment, extensions and new infrastructure will be paid for through infrastructure allocations, such as is done through the present conditional grants, preferably from a centralised national health infrastructure fund.
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2150
Dikgale, Ms MC to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What (a) steps does the State Security Agency (SSA) intend to take regarding the implementation of recommendations made in the Report of the High-Level Review Panel into the SSA, (b) What are the reasons that the implementation has taken so long and (c) What are the timelines for such implementation?
Reply:
(a) In order to expedite the implementation of the High Level Review Panel (HLRP) Report Recommendations, coordination of work on the implementation of the Recommendations has now been relocated to the Office of the Director-General in the State Security Agency (SSA).
(b) The reasons include required consultation process on General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB).
(c) Consultation on revised timeline by the State Security Agency is at an advance stages. The revised timeline will be communicated after approval by the Minister. The revised timeline prioritises passing of GILAB into law.
24 June 2022 - NW2249
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether he will take the public into his confidence by providing the evidence that the money that he stored at his farm was the proceeds of the game auction; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what was the currency in which the money was stored on his farm; (3) whether he ever received a huge monetary amount as a gift during his State and/or official visits as the (a) Deputy President and (b) President of the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (4) whether he ordinarily stores large amounts of money at his properties, other than his Phala Phala farm; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to (a) each specified property and (b) amount he keeps at each specified property?
Reply:
I am ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter and will answer whatever questions the investigators ask of me. The law must be allowed to take its course and due process needs to be followed. I have furthermore declared every gift provided me during the course of tenure as Deputy President and President as required by law.
24 June 2022 - NW2285
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With reference to the reply by the Minister of Social Development, Ms L D Zulu, to question 1454 on 16 May 2022 (details furnished), what are the (a) physical addresses of the four new sites, (b) names of the construction and/or building companies that were awarded the tenders, (c) details of the expenditure costs of the four projects and (d) timelines for completion of the four projects?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
As per the reply by Minister Lindiwe Zulu in question 1454, of the four lease bids advertised, only one in Khayelitsha was awarded; the rest was non-responsive. Therefore, the answers to the questions should be about only one bid that has been awarded.
a) The physical address for the one site is erf 809, Phakamani Road, Khayelitsha.
b) The bid for the Khayelitsha 1 was awarded to Kwa Ace Cc.
c) The building costs are to be borne by the bidder. Therefore, the Department is not involved in this regard and only awaits the delivery of the building.
d) The bid was awarded on 24 November 2021; the process is in the planning phase, drawing and submitting the plans to the Municipality for approval. After the approval of the plans, the timeline for the completion of actual construction is 12 months.
As for the other three sites that are to be advertised again, the Bid Specification Committee met on 23 June 2022 to develop the procurement strategy; the procurement strategy will be submitted to the Bid Adjudication Committee for consideration on 05 July 2022.
24 June 2022 - NW2289
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What (a) amount has been spent on the Hout Bay Harbour as part of the Small Harbours Unit initiative and (b) are the details of the expenditure; (2) whether there are any plans in place for the further development of the harbour; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans; (3) what (a) total number of tenants are currently occupying the premises and (b)(i) number of the tenants are on month-to-month leases and (ii) is the remaining term of each of the other leases?
Reply:
(1) (a) The total amount spent in Hout Bay as part of the Small Harbours Unit repair and maintenance initiative was R89.87 million.
(b) Details of the expenditure are as follows:
(i) The marine infrastructure upgrades included removal of sunken vessels, dredging of harbour basins, repairs to slipways, shore crane replacements and electrical kiosks to jetties and quays, equated to R57.88 million.
(ii) The land infrastructure upgrades included fencing of the harbour precinct, new harbour masters office, new compliance building, new ablution facilities, upgraded fish flecking area, new guard houses, entrance control and internal fencing, CCTV and security apparatus equated to R31.99 million
(2) Yes, plans are in place for the further development of Hout Bay Harbour in line with the Department’s Spatial & Socio-Economic Development Frameworks (SEDFs).
The SEDF allows for the phased development of Hout Bay Harbour with the works mentioned above completed under question 1 comprising of Phase 0 and a portion of Phase 1 of the SEDF. The outer phases, i.e. Phase 1-3, comprise of the further development of Hout Bay Harbour by developing economic-specific precincts in the harbour and include new multi-use buildings, marine support services, reconfiguring and adding of marine infrastructure, small-scale fishing facilities, harbour administration facilities and bulk infrastructure upgrades.
(3) (a) There are 34 tenants currently occupying premises within Hout Bay Harbour.
(b) (i) There are 30 tenants currently on month-to-month leases.
(ii) There are 4 leases with remaining terms as per the below table:
No. |
Property description |
Contract lease start date |
Contract Lease end date |
Lease period |
Remaining term |
1 |
Lot 82 |
1 November 2001 |
31 October 2026 |
25 years |
4 years and 4 months. |
2 |
Lot 30A |
1 July 1993 |
31 May 2030 |
26 years and 11 months. |
7 years and 11 months. |
3 |
Lot 13A |
1 July 2004 |
30 June 2024 |
20 years |
2 years. |
4 |
Lot 66A |
1 December 2021 |
30 November 2026 |
5 years |
4 years and 5 months |
24 June 2022 - NW2309
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
(1)Whether his department has a record of any cases of non-compliance with basic conditions of employment and other labour practices by bus operators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the total number of such cases and (b) are the circumstances surrounding each case; whether his department works closely with the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBC), the enforcement agency for non-compliance with labour laws in the bus sector; if not, why not; if so, what (a) cases have been addressed by the SARPBC in the past year and (b) resolutions were reached in each case?
Reply:
(1) The Department has no jurisdiction in the sector due to the fact that there is a Bargaining Council in place.
(2) The Department collaborates with Bargaining Councils on a needs basis. There has not been any meeting between the SARPBC.
24 June 2022 - NW2290
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What is the status of the parliamentary village board of (a) Acacia Park, (b) Laboria Park and (c) Pelican Park; (2) whether each of the boards comprises the requisite number of members; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the respective boards have met the threshold of (a) board meetings and (b) residents’ meetings in each year since 2019; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2707E
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. In terms of the Parliamentary Villages Management Board, there is only one board for the three Parliamentary Villages consisting of board members from the three villages.
The Parliamentary Villages Management Board was elected and appointed by the Minister on 26 November 2021.
a) The following members were appointed:
- Hon H April, MP
- Hon B Tshwete, MP
- Hon T Letsie, MP
- Mr G Koko, Sessional Official
b) The following members were appointed;
- Hon D Nkosi, MP
- Hon R Semenya, MP
- Hon N Gantsho, MP
- Mr M Ndara, Sessional Officials
c) The following members were appointed;
- Hon N Mvana. MP
- Hon P Mahlo, MP
- Hon N Lesoma, MP
2. The Acacia and Laboria Park Parliamentary Villages Residents Committees are fully constituted. However, the Pelican Park Parliamentary Village Residents Committee requires one sessional official to be added to their Residence committee.
3. The current board was appointed on the 26 November 2021, and the first board meeting was scheduled for the 29 April 2022 and was postponed
(b) Laboria Park Residents committee meeting was last held on 20 May 2022.
Residents Committee meetings for Acacia and Pelican Park were held in September 2021.
24 June 2022 - NW2355
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, given that consecutive infrastructure report cards by the SA Institute of Civil Engineering have repeatedly shown that the Republic’s key infrastructure – including transport, electricity, water supply, education and health is at risk of failing, her department has ever conducted a nationwide infrastructure audit to determine the full extent of infrastructure resilience in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
The first phase of the cabinet-approved National Infrastructure Plan 2050 refers to the state of infrastructure in the identified sectors without necessarily providing a blow-by-blow account of the condition assessment of specific components of infrastructure under examination. The NIP 2050 proposes, amongst others, the 3-year intervention and the more long-term interventions to remedy the deteriorating infrastructure; it proposes areas of intervention, including green design elements and financing.
In addition, ISA has entered into a collaboration agreement with the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) to support them with collating information on the condition assessment of infrastructure within the respective provinces. This will augment the accuracy of the SAICE Infrastructure Report Card.
ISA is currently embarking on a project entitled the Infrastructure Barometer of South Africa that not only focuses on the information contained in the Infrastructure Report Card but also considers other reference material such as the World Bank and infrastructure information from project sponsors. The Infrastructure Barometer of South Africa report will be published in March 2023. The broad aim of the Infrastructure Barometer is to:
- report on the condition assessment and subsequent trends of infrastructure asset condition in South Africa by sector;
- report on the level of access to infrastructure and subsequent services by sector;
- develop specific Infrastructure Indices; and
- identify critical infrastructure interventions required.
Infrastructure South Africa is conducting research on infrastructure scenarios for 2050. The scenario analysis aims to describe the implications of three different levels of acceptance of infrastructure governance and delivery of smart infrastructure by the year 2050. This report will be published by November 2022.
24 June 2022 - NW2314
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What immediate measures have been put in place to provide assistance to the Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital in Durban, which caught fire on 5 June 2022?
Reply:
The Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital is a private hospital in Durban. We are informed by the management of the Hospital that there were no patients transferred to any of our Public health facilities following the fire incident. Instead injured patients were transferred to other private facilities.
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2266
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1)Following the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries held on 19 April 2022, by what date is it envisaged that the amended wellbeing clause in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, Act 10 of 2004, will come into effect; (2) whether she will furnish Mr D W Bryant with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) referred to between her department and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what (a)(i) total number of meeting have been held with the DALRRD in terms of the MOU and (ii) were the dates of such meetings and (b) discussions have been held with the DALRRRD regarding (i) the role of the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and (ii) standard operating procedures?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
24 June 2022 - NW2056
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether her department has assessed the impact the destruction of road infrastructure that was caused by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape could have on tourism; if not, why not; if so, what will be the extent of the impact on tourism?
Reply:
The Department’s main purpose of visiting KwaZulu-Natal was to assess the impact of the floods on major tourism attractions and establishments that drive tourism demand in the province. While the assessment team focussed primarily on damage to the physical infrastructure of key establishments, as well as the roads inside these major attractions, the assessment of access municipal roads and the national or provincial roads leading to these major attractions fall within the mandate of the relevant departments and entities responsible for road infrastructure. The various efforts are integrated at the level of the Disaster Management Centers both provincially and nationally.
The Department of Tourism did not visit the Eastern Cape for an assessment. This was done by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) working with the Local Tourism Organisations (LTOs). Their reports indicate that the roads in the affected areas were not in a good condition due to past and recent heavy rains and/or floods. ECPTA indicated that this has disrupted operations in three major tourism attractions in the OR Tambo District Municipality, namely: Hluleka Nature Reserve, Mkhambathi Nature Reserve and Cremone Estate.
Tourism stakeholders have been requested to report any road infrastructure challenges they are facing due to the floods to the relevant provincial tourism departments.
24 June 2022 - NW2151
Dikgale, Ms MC to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What are the (a) reasons that the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill is taking so long to be tabled in Parliament and (b) projected timelines for its introduction?
Reply:
a) Required consultation processes in government regarding bills of this nature contributed to the delay on submission of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill for tabling in Parliament.
b) The consultation processes are at advanced stages of finalisation. It is anticipated that the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) will be submitted to Parliament in September 2022.
A roadmap outlining timelines on processes for introduction of GILAB to Parliament was presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) during its oversight visit to State Security Agency Head Quarters in April 2022.
24 June 2022 - NW2264
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Given that concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative impact of increased numbers of elephant on forested areas and indigenous raptors populations in Kruger National Park (KNP), what is the current estimated elephant population of the KNP; (2) Whether any scientific evidence has emerged from clearly identifiable negative impacts on forested areas and populations of high nesting bird species as a result of increased elephant populations in the KNP; if not, what is the population in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the KNP still considers carrying capacities for animal species; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what would the capacity be for elephant?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
24 June 2022 - NW2155
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) are the backlogs in terms of postmortems in each province, (b) are the causes of the specified backlogs and (c) steps have been taken to deal with the backlogs; (2) how long does it take to compile a report for a postmortem; (3) how long does it take to complete a general postmortem; (4) (a) what total number of reports are outstanding at the forensic chemistry laboratories in terms of postmortem requirements, (b) for how long have such reports been outstanding and (c) what is the cause of the delay?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is working with Provincial Departments of Health to finalise this information and the Minister will provide a full response as soon as the required information is received from the provinces.
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2276
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
(1) With reference to the affidavit of Mr AJP Fraser, which alleges serious criminal misconduct against him and casts a dark cloud over the Office of the Presidency, how does he reconcile these serious allegations with his sworn obligation to uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic; (2) what are the reasons that he has not yet taken the nation into his confidence and given clear answers to the many questions that have arisen from the matter; (3) whether he has found that his implication in the circumstances surrounding the break-in and theft of foreign currency from his farm, may amount to a violation of his oath of office; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I am and will remain committed to the fulfilment of my oath of office. I do not intend to address these matters in a piece-meal fashion and will ensure the investigations currently under way have my full cooperation. The law must be allowed to take its course and due process needs to be followed.
24 June 2022 - NW2252
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What total number of psychiatric (a) patients are currently in need of care and (b) beds are currently available in the (i) public and (ii) private sector; (2) what (a) total number of psychiatric specialists are in the public sector and (b) is the vacancy rate for such specialists; (3) what is the (a) total number of psychiatric specialists, (b) breakdown of the specified number of psychiatric specialists in each province, (c) vacancy rate in each province and (d) current ratio of psychiatric specialists to the population?
Reply:
According to the Provincial Departments of Health, the following details provide the responses to the above questions:
1. (a) Based on the prevalence of mental disorders in South Africa, it is estimated that 6 566 703 persons need care for common mental disorders and 1 292 991 of those aged 15 years and older need care for severe psychiatric conditions.
(b) (i) There are 14060 beds in the public sector and (ii) 5692 in the private sector.
(2)-(3) The table below indicate the breakdown of psychiatric specialist in each province (Public Sector) with the vacancy rate:
PSYCHOLOGIST PUBLIC SECTOR |
||||
Province |
Filled |
Vacant |
Total |
Vacancy Rate |
Eastern Cape |
2 |
10 |
12 |
83.33 |
Free State |
4 |
4 |
8 |
50.00 |
Kwazulu-Natal |
35 |
14 |
49 |
28.57 |
Limpopo |
6 |
29 |
35 |
82.86 |
Mpumalanga |
3 |
12 |
15 |
80.00 |
Northern Cape |
2 |
4 |
6 |
66.67 |
North-West |
41 |
6 |
47 |
12.77 |
Western cape |
99 |
1 |
100 |
1.00 |
Grand Total |
451 |
187 |
638 |
29.31 |
The current ration of psychiatric specialist to the population breakdown per provinces reflected below:
POPULATION PER PROVINCE (PUBLIC SECTOR RATIO) |
|||
Province |
Population |
Total Psychologists |
Ratio to population |
Eastern Cape |
6,676,590 |
2 |
1: 3338295 |
Free State |
2,932,441 |
4 |
1: 733110 |
Kwazulu-Natal |
11,513,575 |
35 |
1: 328959 |
Limpopo |
5,926,724 |
11 |
1: 538793 |
Mpumalanga |
4,743,584 |
3 |
1: 1581194 |
Northern Cape |
1,303,047 |
2 |
1: 651523 |
North-West |
4,122,854 |
41 |
1: 100557 |
Western cape |
7,113,776 |
99 |
1: 71856 |
Grand Total |
60,142,979 |
|
|
STATSSA: |
https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022021.pdf |
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2393
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)With reference to the fixed property situated on the banks of the Thukela River at Ezakeni in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal on which the UThukela District Municipality pump station and water purification works is located, what are the details of the (a) owners of the fixed property on which the pump station and water works are built, (b) legally enforceable contract for the use of the property by the UThukela District Municipality and (c) rentals payable to the owners of the property; (2) whether the pump station and water purification works are national key points; if not why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The reply below was provided by UThukela District Municipality:
1. The Ownership of Zakheni Water Treatment
(a) Ownership of specified property
The plant is owned and operated by uThukela District Municipality (WSA)
(b) Legal Contract for the use of the property
By virtue, the plant was transferred from Local Municipality to the (WSA) and therefore the property belong to the DIstrict hence this no no contract obligation.
(c) Rental Payable to the owner of the property
None - the District owns the Property.
(2) National Key Point Status
The Ezakheni plant supply only 9 wards out of 37 ward in Alfred Duma Local Municipality therefore it currently not a National key Point. The District will therefore need to be guided in terms of the National Key Point Act 102 of 1980 South African Government.
24 June 2022 - NW2332
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he will indicate (a) what the current status of availability is of (i) resources and (ii) the capacity to roll out the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) and (b) if state hospitals and clinics, with their current challenges of shortages of doctors, nurses, medicine, equipment and infrastructure challenges, can indeed be seen as a favourable environment for the implementation of the NHI; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
It is important to recognise that reforms of the magnitude anticipated in the NHI Bill need to be phased in over time. For that reason, the transitional arrangements in section 57 of the Bill state:
57(1) (b) National Health Insurance must be gradually phased in using a progressive and programmatic approach based on financial resource availability.
And subsection (2) elaborates that Phase 1 will:
- continue with the implementation of health system strengthening initiatives, including alignment of human resources with that which may be required by users of the Fund;
- include the development of National Health Insurance legislation and amendments to other legislation;
- include the undertaking of initiatives which are aimed at establishing institutions that must be the foundation for a fully functional Fund; and
- include the purchasing of personal health care services for vulnerable groups such as children, women, people with disabilities and the elderly;
The NHI Bill (and the Fund that it seeks to establish) will not replace the National Health Act of 2003 although it will amend several sections as listed in the first Schedule.
1. Bearing the context in mind it must be noted that the current status and availability of resources and capacity are only a starting point.
a) (i) The resources available for the establishment of the reformed health system where providers are paid by the Fund are the current resources of the entire public and private health sectors. This includes all health establishments, personnel and technologies currently in use.
(ii) The capacity to roll out the reforms described in the NHI Bill starts with the commitment and stewardship of Parliament to improving the health system for all. The leadership will be provided by the National Department of Health. To this end the Minister of Public Service and Administration has approved a special transitional NHI Branch in the NDOH to serve as the incubator for the Schedule 3A entity. The five clusters, and the nucleus of 44 new posts to be added to the existing 40 posts, are funded through earmarked funding from National Treasury. The reorganisation of the Branch and the preparations for the advertisement of the new posts have commenced.
The remaining Branches in the National Department of Health are all focussed on providing leadership and direction on the anticipated reforms.
In addition to this is provincial management lead by the nine provincial HoDs for Health plus renewed support from many donor partners.
There are many private sector providers that engage with the department and [provide support to various committees and structures involved in the reform.
b) The state of public hospitals and clinics varies widely from immaculate to extremely poor. The department maintains an infrastructure condition assessment and all provinces submit User Asset Management Plans (UAMPS) annually as required by the Government Immoveable Asset Management Act (GIAMA). There is a quality improvement programme in nineteen locations covering over 100 establishments as we have reported to the house in the recent past. Private establishments also vary in their condition.
The health system suffers from shortages of professional personnel in all categories as we have reported to this house. The biggest challenge is the inequitable distribution of personnel but there are nominal shortages. The public sector budgets allocated for Conditions of Employment are fully committed so there is extremely limited room for recruitment of additional personnel. It is for this reason that the NHI envisages a ‘universal’ system for everyone in the country where the NHI Fund purchases services from both public and private providers.
2. Yes, The Minister is prepared to make a statement.
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2265
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether, following the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment held on 19 April 2022, minimum norms and standards for welfare are only being developed for the five species in the report of the High-Level Panel that was appointed to review policies, regulatory measures, practices and policy positions that are related to hunting , trade, captive keeping, management and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rihinoceros; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what norms and standards will apply for other animals; (2) by what date is it envisaged the norms and standards will be published for public participation; (3) (a) by what date is it envisaged the establishment of the Welfare Forum will be completed and (b) what is the role of the Welfare Forum, given that it is separate from the Wildlife Forum?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
24 June 2022 - NW2271
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) amount has been paid by his department for the purchase of (i) office furniture, (ii) beds, (iii) medication, (iv) bed linen and blankets and (v) pillows and pillow cases in the (aa) past three financial years and (bb) since 1 January 2022 by the South Rand Hospital in Johannesburg, (b) is the value of each item in each financial year and (c) informs the decision to purchase the specified items in each financial year?
Reply:
According to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health, the following details provide the responses in this regard:
a)
South Rand Hospital |
(aa) |
(bb) |
||
|
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
Since 1 January 2022 |
Office furniture |
R233 565,00 |
R770 508,50 |
R424 499,50 |
R0.00 |
Beds |
R993 268,93 |
R2 764 455,72 |
R3 122 868,00 |
R0.00 |
Medication |
R10 164 376,93 |
R13 292 299,42 |
R12 498 823,64 |
R5 669 243,48 |
Bedlinen and blankets |
R221 425,00 |
R39 600,00 |
R0.00 |
R868 544 |
Pillow and pillow cases |
R85 300,00 |
R20 520,00 |
R0.00 |
R67 820 |
(b) Value of each item in each financial year
|
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
Office furniture |
R1 717,39 |
R965,55 |
R5 306,24 |
Beds |
R7 699,76 |
R13 290,65 |
R31 228,68 |
Medicatio |
An average value for medication will not yield an accurate figure due to the types of medication purchased, to maintain minimum medicines stock available |
||
Bedlinen and blankets |
R260,50 |
R330,00 |
None |
Pillow and pillow cases |
R289,15 |
R190,00 |
None |
(c) The decision to purchase is informed as follows:
|
2019/20 |
2022/21 |
2021/22 |
Office furniture |
Replacement after been worn out |
Replacement after been worn out |
Replacement after been worn out |
Beds |
Replacement of old un-adjustable high beds and broken beds with new high-low beds |
Replacement of old un-adjustable high beds and broken beds with new high-low beds |
Replacement of old un-adjustable high beds and broken beds with new high-low beds |
Medication |
To keep minimum stock available |
||
Bedlinen and blankets |
Replacement after been worn out |
Replacement after been worn out |
None purchased |
Pillow and pillow cases |
Replacement after been worn out |
Replacement after been worn out |
None purchased |
24 June 2022 - NW2288
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With reference to the Council for the Built Environment and its six built environment professional councils, what (a) was the total membership of each council in the past five years, (b) number of (i) voluntary associations are registered with each of the councils, (ii) parallel professional structures exist in competition to the various councils and (iii) voluntary associations are registered with the additional structures and (c) is the estimated membership of each structure?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
a) Table 1: Total membership of each council
Name of the Council |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Engineering Council of South Africa |
49334 |
57867 |
55730 |
61799 |
South African Council for the Architectural Profession |
9988 |
10982 |
11859 |
11790 |
South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession |
282 |
330 |
374 |
403 |
South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession |
4098 |
4422 |
4130 |
4454 |
SA Council for the Property Valuers Profession |
5122 |
2075 |
1886 |
1894 |
South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions |
3207 |
6843 |
7367 |
11422 |
Total |
72031 |
82519 |
81346 |
91762 |
(b) Voluntary Associations
In South Africa, a Voluntary Association (VA) is any association recognised by the Councils for the Built Environment Professions (CBEP). An association is broadly defined as an institute, institution, association, society or federation established by Built Environment practitioners to promote their collective professional and/or business interests. Their initial and continuing recognition is dependent on their adherence to the policy prescripts of the associated council for the profession on VAs as set out in the respective CBEP Act.
VAs are an important constituent of the Built Environment professional milieu as a repository of profession-specific technical knowledge. They are highly involved in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities and the development of qualifications. Their recognition is essential and should be encouraged since they play the following critical roles:
- Provide a pool of practitioners to serve on professional councils’ committees;
- Play the role of competency assessment (assessors) in the registration process;
- Provide a pool of mentors for candidates; and
- Serve as members of evaluation committees for programme accreditation at higher education institutions which offer Built Environment qualifications.
Table 2: Number of Voluntary Associations Recognised by the CBEP
CBEP |
Number of VAs Recognised |
Number of VAs Not Recognised |
SACAP |
13 |
0 |
SACLAP |
3 |
0 |
ECSA |
51 |
0 |
SACPVP |
3 |
0 |
SACPCMP |
13 |
3 |
SACQSP |
1 |
1 |
(Source: CBEP Fourth Quarter Report 2020/21)
Reasons for Non - Recognition of Voluntary Associations
- Do not meet the minimum requirements of the guidelines
- CBEP awaits full compliance with requirements for recognition
(ii) parallel professional structures exist in competition with the various councils
Reply:
There are no parallel professional structures in competition with the six Councils.
(iii) voluntary associations are registered with the additional structures, and (c) is the estimated membership of each structure?
Reply:
No. None are known of to DPWI. Therefore (c) falls away.
24 June 2022 - NW2144
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of incidents of (i) rape, (ii) sexual assault and (iii) physical assault have been reported by medical staff in (aa) private and (bb) public health facilities in the past three financial years, (b) is the breakdown of the incidents in each province, (c) is the total number of allegations that have resulted in (i) dismissal and/or (ii) non-dismissal in the specified period and (d) what were the outcomes of all investigations that were reported?
Reply:
In accordance with information received from Provincial Departments of Health (excluding Gauteng and Northern Cape), the table below outlines the number of cases reported in the Public Health Sector. Unfortunately, information as received from Provinces does not provide details of each case and progress made on investigations. Therefore, letters have since been written to Provincial Departments of Health to provide such information where possible, without jeopardising investigations and the individuals concerned:
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NATURE OF INCIDENT |
OUT COME |
||
EASTERN CAPE |
RAPE |
SEXUAL ASSAULT |
PHYSICAL ASSAULT |
DISMISSAL |
2019/20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2020/21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2021/22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NATURE OF INCIDENT |
OUT COME |
||
FREE STATE |
RAPE |
SEXUAL ASSAULT |
PHYSICAL ASSAULT |
DISMISSAL |
2019/20 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
N/A |
2020/21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2021/22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NATURE OF INCIDENT |
OUT COME |
||
MPUMALANGA |
RAPE |
SEXUAL ASSAULT |
PHYSICAL ASSAULT |
|
2019/20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
DISMISSAL |
2020/21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2021/22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NATURE OF INCIDENT |
OUT COME |
||
NORTH WEST |
RAPE |
SEXUAL ASSAULT |
PHYSICAL ASSAULT |
DISMISSAL |
2019/20 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
N/A |
2020/21 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
N/A |
2021/22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NATURE OF INCIDENT |
OUT COME |
||
WESTERN CAPE |
RAPE |
SEXUAL ASSAULT |
PHYSICAL ASSAULT |
DISMISSAL |
2019/20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2020/21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
2021/22 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2057
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism
What steps has her department taken to promote travel and tourism as a career in secondary schools in (a) townships and (b) villages?
Reply:
a) Townships and (b) villages
Advocacy and Awareness initiative is implemented through partnerships with the Provincial Departments of Tourism, the Provincial Tourism Agencies and SANParks to develop awareness platforms in order to empower youth, unemployed graduates, students and high school learners. The initiative further promotes the importance of travel and tourism by creating platforms for information sharing and career guidance workshops in order to encourage learners to take tourism as a subject at secondary school and to pursue a career within the sector. The advocacy and awareness initiative targets learners from secondary schools including those in townships and villages.
The initiative entails the following:-
The Walk and Learn on the Wild Side (WALOW) Awareness.The programme is hosted in SANParks (Kruger National Park) on annual basis, targeting grade 10 to 12 learners from previously disadvantaged schools.
National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE)
The Department hosts the annual National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE) with Industry Stakeholders that exhibit various career opportunities and share information. The NTCE primary target group are secondary school learners from both rural villages and townships. The NTCE exposes learners to careers in areas of hospitality, food and beverage and travel. Other multiple interactive side platforms are established at the NTCE that include the following:
- Chefs Corner which practically demonstrates to learners how exciting and interesting Chefing can be as a profession.
- Mixology Corner is a platform where Bar Tenders (Mixologists) demonstrate the art of mixing drinks into cocktails, be they alcoholic and or non-alcoholic.
- Hospitality Corner is where a hotel environment is displayed with front of house activities (Reception), back of house (Management, finance, accounts and maintenance), Room Services).
- Youth Business Zone is where young people especially those who are doing final year in their studies are invited to pitch new tourism business ideas that can be nurtured and fine-tuned with the help of professionals in government.
Other platforms include Debates and Schools Competition, Educators Seminars, Conservation Corner, Entrepreneur Corner, Aviation Corner and more.
24 June 2022 - NW2420
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she will issue a statement on the improvement of the (a) 89 unqualified municipal audits, (b) 66 qualified, (c) 6 adverse audits and (d) 12 disclaimers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Subsequent to the release of the 2020/21 Local Government Audit Outcomes by the Auditor General of South Africa, we issued a media release on 15 June 2022. We noted the improvements in the number of municipalities with unqualified audit outcomes. In addition we outlined the department’s position and interventions in place to assist under-performing municipalities.
The media release is attached herewith as annexure A.
24 June 2022 - NW2121
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)What (a) was the nature of her department’s intervention and response to the disaster in KwaZulu-Natal and (b) is the total number of individuals deployed to assist in the wake of the devastation; (2) whether any funds were dispersed; if not, why not; if so, to whom; (3) what (a) is the total number of grocery hampers dispersed, (b) are the contents and value of each hamper, (c) to whom and where were the hampers dispersed, (d) what was the criteria for the allocation of hampers and (e) how did the individuals apply for the hampers?
Reply:
1. (a) The focus of the Department’s intervention in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was to assess the damage to major tourism attractions i.e. attractions with relatively high impact on the value-chain to drive local tourism development and recovery, post the heavy rains and floods that hit the province in April 2022.
The Department, through its entity South African Tourism, also sought to ensure that the key events scheduled for the province such as the Africa’s Travel Indaba went ahead as planned. The South African Tourism together with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal engaged tirelessly with industry and other authorities in ensuring that the events went smoothly during the Africa Travel Indaba held from 2-5 May 2022 and on other events to be hosted in the province.
(b) The Department deployed nine (9) officials with the Director-General joining the efforts on the 19th and the 22nd of April 2022. There were also officials from South African Tourism focussing on the major events scheduled to be hosted in the province, starting with the Africa’s Travel Indaba in early May 2022. No officials from the Department are deployed on site full-time. However, there is a Flood Response Team within the Department that participates actively in the Economic Recovery Workstream of the Extended National Joint Flood Coordination Committee (NJFCC).
2. No funds have been disbursed at this point.
3. (a) Not applicable. The Department is not involved in the Humanitarian Assistance Workstream but the Economic Recovery Workstream.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
(e) Not applicable
24 June 2022 - NW2324
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of medico-legal cases were lodged against his department in the past two financial years and (b) is the total cost to his department for such cases?
Reply:
According to the Provincial Departments of Health, the following details provide responses to these questions:
(a)-(b) The following tables reflect the details in this regard
2020/21 FINANCIAL YEAR
NAME OF THE PROVINCE |
TOTAL NUMBER OF MEDICO-LEGAL CASES LODGED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT |
TOTAL COST TO THE DEPARTMENT, POTENTIALLY |
Eastern Cape |
361 Cases |
R4 095 828 952.00 |
Free State |
72 Cases |
R 744 220 990.29 |
Gauteng |
80 Cases |
R 958 735 433,55 |
Kwazulu- Natal |
256 Cases |
R2 652 163 923.10 |
Limpopo |
215 Cases |
R1 709 116 099.00 |
Mpumalanga |
117 Cases |
R1 117 605 000.00 |
Northern Cape |
15 Cases |
R 531 716 811.04 |
North West |
61 Cases |
R 325 119 700.00 |
Western Cape |
62 Cases |
R 527 000 000.00 |
TOTALS |
878 Cases |
R8,591,051,276.41 |
2021/22 FINANCIAL YEAR
NAME OF THE PROVINCE |
TOTAL NUMBER OF MEDICO-LEGAL CASES LODGED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT |
TOTAL COST TO THE DEPARTMENT, POTENTIALLY |
Eastern Cape |
379 cases |
R4 542 556.761.00 |
Free State |
52 cases |
R 446 981 920.00 |
Gauteng |
107 cases |
R 974 802 814.21 |
Kwazulu- Natal |
204 cases |
R1 885 019 875.00 |
Limpopo |
277 cases |
R2 452 118 059.00 |
Mpumalanga |
142 cases |
R 1 427 477 670.00 |
Northern Cape |
20 cases |
R 326 816 465.00 |
North West |
64 Cases |
R 379 378 957.00 |
Western Cape |
77 cases |
R 806 000 000.00 |
TOTALS |
866 Cases |
R13,241,152,521.21 |
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2248
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the President of the Republic
(1) With reference to the statement released on 2 June 2022, entitled Presidency responds to claims by Mr Arthur Fraser, what was the total amount that was stored on his farm; (2) whether the specified amount of $4 to $8 million equalled the entire proceeds from the sale of the game auction that was held on his farm; if so, (a) who bought the game at the auction on his farm and (b) on what date; if not, (3) whether there was additional money that was not from the proceeds of the sale of the game auction that came from elsewhere; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, where did the additional money, that was stored on his farm, come from; (4) whether he had (a) made any disclosure of the total amount of money stored on his farm in terms of the Executive Ethics Code and (b) alerted the SA Revenue Service of the specified amount; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant reasons in each case; (5) (a) what are the reasons that he did not report a case of theft on his farm at a police station, but instead reported the theft to the Head of the Presidential Protection Unit and (b) will he open a criminal case with the SA Police Service at a police station about the burglary and theft at his farm?
Reply:
I am ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter and will answer whatever questions the investigators ask of me. The law must be allowed to take its course and due process needs to be followed. I have made every declaration required of me since my first election to public office in 2014 and will continue to fulfil those obligations.
24 June 2022 - NW2241
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with reference to media reports that a former employee of the Eastern Cape Department of Health allegedly forged her matric certificate to secure a job as a senior data capturer and that the specified person is currently facing charges of fraud in the Mthatha Specialised Crimes Court, he will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with the details on the steps undertaken by his department, in collaboration with the provincial department of health, to confirm the authenticity of prospective employees’ qualifications; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The allegation of submission of fraudulent matric certificate by an employee at Cofimvaba Hospital in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health as investigated by the Fraud Management Unit is confirmed. However, the employee concerned has since resigned and the matter reported to South African Police Services (SAPS) for further handling.
The employee has since been arrested and the case has been reminded to the month of August 2022 in the Mthatha Specialized Crimes Court.
In order to avert such mishaps in the future, The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health has since issued a Departmental Operations Manual that emphasises that Managers must confirm the authenticity of prospective employees’ qualifications prior to their employment.
END.
24 June 2022 - NW2320
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether his department has undertaken a study to ascertain if there are still retailers who pay their workers less than R3 500 per month; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how widespread is the exploitative practice and (b) what are the names of the retailers?
Reply:
I think it’s important to explain firstly that the legislated national minimum wage (NMW) is not R3500 per month but R23.19 per hour payable for the numbers of ordinary hours worked.
The NMW Act requires the NMW Commission to review the NMW annually and to make recommendations to me on any adjustment of the NMW. In undertaking this function, the Commission is expected to annually undertake a research in order to gain insights on changes to working hours, employment, wages and non-compliance as a result of changes in the NMW.
The latest quantitative research shows that the average level of NMW non-compliance in 2020Q1, before the NMW was adjusted, was 35.8, meaning that approximately 36% of all workers were paid below the NMW. A year later, in 2021Q1, this number remained much the same, at 36.2. In 2020, the NMW was adjusted by 3.8%, and wages appeared to have risen by roughly this amount for those who remained employed in 2021Q1, meaning that the overall rate of non-compliance remained stable. However, the researchers found that the depth of violation did fall over the period, suggesting that for those workers earning below the NMW, wages increased in real terms, but not all the way up to the NMW.
The research report further shows that across industry categories there was a substantial variation in rates of NMW violation. Agriculture had the largest proportion of sub-NMW earners, and this appears to have increased over the period. Construction, Wholesale and Retail Trade, and Domestic Work, all had rates of violation close to 45%, and these remained relatively unchanged. Levels of violation appeared to have also risen in Finance, and Transport.
It is important to indicate however that the quantitative research looks at changes to working hours, employment, wages and non-compliance as a result of changes in the NMW across different sectors and not on individual companies.
END
24 June 2022 - NW2075
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether he has been informed that cybercrime has recently become increasingly popular in the Republic, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what preventative measures have been put in place by the State Security Agency to curb cybercrime?
Reply:
Yes. The threat landscape of cybercriume is evolving rapidly and is increasingly becoming a national security concern. Cyberthreats have grown at an alarming rate over the past two years. This is partly due to an increase in remote working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to ensure the protection of state information and improve the cybersecurity posture.
The State Security Agency (SSA) is therefore currently putting measures in place to enhance cybersecurity, whilst striving to ensure territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order. Furthermore, the SSA is strengthening the provisioning of ICT Security Solutions and Services capabilities to organs of state for protection and securing National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII) and related systems.
Implementation of the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF) strategic objectives is underway, which amongst others include the following:
- building capability and capacity to address cybercrime and to promote cybersecurity;
- building the integrated cyber capacity and capability;
- finalising the Cybersecurity Bill and draft regulations with relevant provisions on NCII;
- finalising the National Cybersecurity Strategy;
- developing and implementing cybersecurity awareness programmes; and
- collaborating and cooperating with regional and international strategic partners to respond to cybercrime and cybersecurity incidents.
24 June 2022 - NW2156
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What total (i) amount was spent on the Gauteng field intensive care hospitals and (ii) number of the specified hospitals were built and (b) at what cost was each hospital built; (2) what (a) total number of the hospitals were not completed, (b) are the reasons for their incompletion and (c) number of the specified hospitals are currently operational; (3) what are the names of the companies that submitted a tender for the building of each hospital; (4) (a) what consequence management has been implemented as a result of incomplete projects and (b) who has been fired and/or received disciplinary hearings as a result of unfinished hospitals?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is working with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to finalise this information and the Minister will provide a full response as soon as the required information is received from the Province.
END.