Questions and Replies
08 March 2024 - NW242
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Republic against the State of Israel at the International Court of Justice; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total amount in Rand has her department contributed to the Republic’s litigation in the specified matter and (b) are the relevant details of the items covered by the specified total amount?
Reply:
It is not possible at this stage to provide conclusive details regarding the total Rand amount contributed by the Department in the litigation before the ICJ as it is an ongoing matter and all invoices have not yet been received. Notwithstanding, the Department has contributed to costs related to the following:
- Legal fees of Counsel;
- Transport (as per departmental policies);
- Accommodation (as per departmental policies);
- Foreign subsistence and travel allowances (as per departmental policies).
08 March 2024 - NW69
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) Whether he will furnish Mr M J Cuthbert with a full list of (a) completed and (b) outstanding applications for (i) mining rights, (ii) prospecting rights and (iii) mining permits that were received in each province in the 2023-24 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will provide reasons for the delay in each outstanding application; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a)(b) & (2) Please refer to the attached Annexure A and B.
08 March 2024 - NW334
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Finance
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) him, (ii) the National Treasury and (iii) officials of the National Treasury by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
(i) Minister of Finance |
(ii) National Treasury |
(iii) National Treasury Officials |
|
(a) Sponsorships |
None |
None |
None |
(b) Donations |
|||
(c) Financial transfers |
|||
(aa) Qatari |
None |
None |
None |
(bb) Iranian |
|||
(cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident |
08 March 2024 - NW287
Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With regard to the Community Works Programme, what is the total number of (a) cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence that have been reported and (b) the reported cases that have been successfully prosecuted and secured a conviction for the offending parties in each of the past 10 years in each case?
Reply:
Based on the information at our disposal and in consultation with CWP sites in all provinces:
a) There were no cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence reported.
b) Not applicable.
End.
08 March 2024 - NW236
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
What progress has been made by his department to facilitate the issuing of Smart Identity Documents to (a) South Africans born abroad and (b) naturalised citizens since the undertaking of the Director-General of his department during the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on 10 October 2023?
Reply:
a) Qualifying South Africans born abroad may apply for Smart IDs in the country, as there is no live capture solution at the embassies.
b) The Department commenced on 5 December 2023 with the pilot project of issuance of Smart ID Cards to naturalised citizens. This process involves the verification of the issued naturalisation certificates. Communication through email, WhatsApp, and letters have been sent to naturalised citizens to visit any DHA office.
END
08 March 2024 - NW82
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What (a) progress has been made by the Council for Scientific and Industry Research (CSIR) on the development of an IT system for his department in five designated offices to address network challenges and (b) are the (i) main deliverables and (ii) due dates for each deliverable; (2) whether there are any sub-contractors involved in the project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full details of (a) the sub-contractors and (b) their contract value; (3) what are the reasons that the project did not go out on open tender?
Reply:
(1)(a) The progress made in the five designated offices is contained in the table in (b)(ii) below.
(1)(b)(i) The main deliverable of the Proof of Concept (PoC) is an overlay of the selected sites onto an alternative network.
(1)(b)(ii) The following activities were planned to achieve this deliverable: -
Activity |
Responsible party |
Due date |
PoC site selection |
CSIR + DHA |
31 May 2023 (completed) |
Physical PoC site surveys |
CSIR |
30 June 2023 (completed) |
Procurement guidelines |
CSIR + DHA |
30 June 2023 (completed) |
PoC site connection |
DHA |
30 June 2024 (in progress) – connections taking place in parallel, last site planned to be connected on 30 June 2024 |
Reporting |
CSIR |
30 September 2024 (in progress) |
(2) CSIR did not appoint any sub-contractors; nor are there sub-contractors involved in the project. However, three service providers were appointed through an RFQ procurement process by the Department of Home Affairs in support of the CSIR project. Please refer to the contracted values below: -
Service Provider |
Scope of Work |
Contract value |
Dark Fiber |
Provide Fibre link with no services or data line (Dark fiber), as the standard to the following offices: Menlyn, Soshanguve, Umgeni, Wynberg and Potchefstroom; which terminate on an Optical Distribution Frame on either end of the link (ODF-to-ODF). |
R2,896,918.00 |
Service Provider |
Scope of Work |
Contract value |
Liquid Tech |
Provide Fibre link with no services or data line (Dark fiber), with fibre class G652D as the standard to King Shaka International Airport which terminate on an Optical Distribution Frame on either end of the link (ODF-to-ODF). |
R3,078,829.00 |
CBX Tech |
Provide and install Nokia SAS-M 24F switch, with dual power supply (1 year Next business day onsite warranty) for the six sites. |
R696,658.00 |
(3) The decision to deviate from the normal SCM processes and the SITA Act in the appointment of the CSIR was based on the fact the Department had requested SITA to appoint CSIR through a deviation process as the service is within the non-mandatory services to SITA, but SITA was advised by the National Treasury to let the Department transact directly with CSIR as the budget is from the Department. The Department then followed the deviation process due to the following:
• CSIR has an understanding and is familiar with the DHA IT environment;
• The project will assist with stabilising the IT environment and enable the Department to achieve its service delivery objectives; and
• The item is not a SITA mandatory service as it is intended to identify bottlenecks within the IT environment. Should the CSIR recommend new developments, SITA will be approached as the IT procurement agency of the State.
The Department operates in the security cluster and security considerations dictate the use of another Government entity / institution to conduct the systems downtime diagnostics rather than any bidder in the open market.
END
08 March 2024 - NW201
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Finance
What total number of (a) companies are currently registered for value-added tax (VAT), (b) the registered companies received their VAT refund and got any audit finalised within 21 days and (c)(i) companies did not get their cases resolved within 21 days and as a result did not get their refunds and (ii) what was the cause for that?
Reply:
a) The VAT register has 951 716 Active VAT Vendors as at 16 February 2024. VAT vendors include Companies, Individuals, Trusts and other entities such as welfare organisations, municipalities etc. The below information therefore pertains to all VAT vendors.
b) 448 117 VAT refunds have been paid between 1 April 2023 and 16 February 2024. Of the 448 117 VAT Refunds paid, 336 608 (75.71%) were paid within 21 days. 128 513 VAT Refunds were stopped for verification. Of the 128 513 VAT Refunds that were stopped for verification, 55 373 were resolved and paid out within 21 days.
c) (i) Of the 128 513 VAT Refunds that were stopped for verification, 73 140 VAT Refunds were paid in more than 21 days.
(ii) There are many reasons that cause the delay of refund payments. The delays emanate from SARS as well as taxpayers. On the SARS side, these include amongst others, increased instances of impermissible VAT refund claims that put additional strain on SARS’ already constrained capacity. National Treasury has made funding available to SARS to secure additional temporary resources with effect from December 2023. Improvements in the finalisation of verifications are therefore being realised.
On the side of taxpayers, qualifying VAT refunds are not processed due to amongst others invalid banking details provided by taxpayers and outstanding returns. In the latter instance, the relevant provisions contained in the Value-Added Tax Act (No. 89 of 1991) read together with the Tax Administration Act (No.28 of 2011) provide for the withholding of refunds until such time that the vendor has submitted all outstanding returns.
SARS continues to engage taxpayers in these instances to attend to these issues.
08 March 2024 - NW91
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) With reference to the Auditor-General’s Consolidated Generals Report on National and Provincial Audit Outcomes 2022-23, which indicates a material irregularity of a likely loss of R296 million in relation to fees for prospecting, licences, permits and rights that were not collected between April 2020 and March 2023, what total amount of the R296 million is owed to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in the North West, (2) what is the total amount owed in fees by companies who applied for (a) prospecting rights, (b) licences and (c) permits in the Bojanala area; (3) whether the licences and permits will be withdrawn as a result of the non payment of fees; if not, why not; if so, on what date will they be withdrawn; (4) whether the interested and/or affected parties will be notified that their licences and permits have been withdrawn; if not, why not; if so, (a) how and (b) on what date?
Reply:
1. Prospecting licences, permits and rights were awarded between April 2020 and March 2023. Prospecting Right holders are obliged to pay prospecting fees in terms of section 19(2)(f) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) (as amended) (hereinafter referred to as the MPRDA). According to section 76(2) of the MPRDA Regulations a holder of a Prospecting Right must pay prospecting fees annually in advance and not later than 30 days from the commencement date of such right and thereafter not later than 30 days following the anniversary of each respective year of the right for the duration thereof.
Prospecting right holders usually pay the initial fees when the right is issued, however they fail to pay annual fees in subsequent years due to a variety of reasons.
- Non commencement of prospecting activities and inactive prospecting rights
- Frivolous applications with a view to speculate with the right
- Less than promising results from initial prospecting rounds compared to prospecting costs incurred
- In some cases delinquency on the part of right holders.
- Right holders entered business rescue or the holder of the rights are liquidated
- Non traceable right holders
- Relinquishment of rights without notifying the regulator
2. The total amount of debt relating to Bojanala district right holders’ debt is approximately R510 079.62
3. Prospecting rights can be cancelled after all administrative process have been followed. The right holders are informed on their default in payment of prospecting fees. An order/instruction is then issued in terms of section 93 of the MPRDA non-complying right holders to demand payment. If the right holder fails to make payment, section 47 (intention to cancel the right) is issued. A specific date cannot be determined as this is an ongoing process.
4. The right holder is notified once the right has been cancelled. A specific date cannot be determined as this is an ongoing process.
08 March 2024 - NW335
De Villiers, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 March 2024 - NW286
Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the total (a) amount that has been spent on the Community Works Programme, (b) number of people who have benefited from the specified programme and (c) amount that has been paid to implementing partners for the programme in each of the past five financial years in each case?
Reply:
a) For the past five years, the CWP spent as follows:
Financial year |
Budget |
Expenditure |
% Spent |
2022/23 |
4,295,349,000 |
3,828,768,000 |
89% |
2021/22 |
4,205,153,000 |
3,525,647,000 |
84% |
2020/21 |
4,098,622,000 |
3,482,391,000 |
85% |
2019/20 |
3,834,288,000 |
3,832,114,000 |
100% |
2018/19 |
3,851,123,000 |
3,328,642,000 |
86% |
b) From the past five years, the following number participants benefited from the programme:
- 2023/24 - 255 000
- 2022/23 - 254 700
- 2021/22 - 252 018
- 2020/21 - 259 065
- 2019/20 - 250 011
c) The amount paid to Implementing Agents in the past five years is as follows:
2023/24 financial year - no advances paid as Implementing Agents (IAs) were not contracted in this financial year.
Contract period: 01 October 2021- 31 March 2023
IA |
Advances Paid to IAs |
Spent by IAs |
Balance |
South African Youth Movement |
R83,062,750.42 |
-R83,062,750.42 |
R0.00 |
Insika Foundation |
R54,164,282.00 |
-R53,037,310.64 |
R1,126,971.36 |
Thembalethu Development |
R35,280,520.85 |
-R35,212,305.99 |
R68,214.86 |
Green Development Foundation |
R41,396,955.81 |
-R41,092,516.53 |
R304,439.28 |
Seboka Training & Support Network |
R14,833,467.93 |
-R14,833,467.93 |
R0.00 |
National Youth Development Agency |
R59,313,545.94 |
-R59,313,545.94 |
R0.00 |
TOTAL |
R288,051,522.95 |
-R286,551,897.45 |
R1,499,625.50 |
Contract period: 01 April 2018- 30 September 2021
IA |
Advances Paid to IAs |
Spent by IAs |
Balance |
Thembalethu Development |
R473,211,793.24 |
-R474,067,031.15 |
-R855,237.91 |
Insika Foundation |
R531,665,053.09 |
-R534,935,980.71 |
-R3,270,927.62 |
Joubert Park Outreach Project |
R316,568,960.26 |
-R319,980,177.23 |
-R3,411,216.97 |
Seboka Training and Network |
R253,661,457.61 |
-R254,973,285.13 |
-R1,311,827.52 |
3L Development |
R158,656,284.02 |
-R156,384,027.27 |
R2,272,256.75 |
South African Youth Movement |
R336,658,079.31 |
-R333,723,145.64 |
R2,934,933.67 |
Beaulah Africa |
R164,197,948.80 |
-R161,169,692.62 |
R3,028,256.18 |
NPO Iketsetse |
R97,661,360.80 |
-R89,662,377.24 |
R7,998,983.56 |
AIDS Foundation |
R63,450,737.92 |
-R62,224,209.54 |
R1,226,528.38 |
Icembe Foundation |
R18,797,125.66 |
-R15,396,762.22 |
R3,400,363.44 |
Out the Box |
R9,867,722.77 |
-R8,545,572.57 |
R1,322,150.20 |
TOTAL |
R2,424,396,523.48 |
-R2,411,062,261.32 |
R13,334,262.16 |
Total Advances Paid to IAs Over the Past 5 Years |
Total Spent by IAs Over the Past 5 Years (Incl. Retention Fees Paid) |
R2,769,827,247.96 |
R2,754,993,360.30 |
End.
08 March 2024 - NW341
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) him, (ii) his department and (iii) officials of his department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in particular the Directorate Program and Project Management as well as the Office of the CFO possess no knowledge regarding any sponsorship, donation and financial transfer provided for lawfare.
08 March 2024 - NW294
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(a) What are the reasons that there has been a delay in tabling a resolution for the accession of the Republic to the Marrakesh VIP Treaty and (b) how does the delay align with the commitment to uphold the rights of the visually impaired?
Reply:
a) Because an international agreement will be binding on South Africa, the country must be able to maintain its international obligations in terms of the Treaty to which it has acceded. In order to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty, it is necessary therefore to finalise amendments to the Copyright Act, Act 98 of 1978. The Copyright Amendment Bill that addresses these matters was passed by the National Assembly recently, for referral to the President for assent.
b) The Constitutional Court found Section 13 of the Copyright Act to be unconstitutional. In its order, the court read into the Copyright Act, 1978 an exception that allows persons who are blind and visually impaired to convert published works into accessible formats without the consent of the copyright holder. The judgment thus offered the blind and visually impaired remedies with immediate effect. This exception is valid for a period of 2 years until 20 September 2024 pending the approval of the Copyright Amendment Bill, to ensure that the rights of the blind and visually impaired are not compromised. Clause 19D of the Copyright Amendment Bill extends to persons with disabilities such as learning disabilities, dyslexia etc and not only for the blind and visually impaired.
-END-
08 March 2024 - NW304
Halse, Ms T to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) What is the total number of municipalities that submit to National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for approval of the electricity tariffs adopted in Council within the required time frames for approval; (2) does NERSA compare the minutes of the Council meeting to check if the adopted electricity tariffs are the same as those transferred to the NERSA form for adoption; if not, why not, if so, what is the total number of discrepancies that have been identified?
Reply:
(1) NERSA has 176 licensed distributors, 12 of which are private distributors. The 164 municipal distributors submit tariff applications to NERSA annually, prior to the 1 July implementation date. Although some municipalities occasionally submit their applications late, NERSA always follows up with such municipalities in an effort to have the approvals finalised by 1 July.
(2) Subsequent to the tariff approvals, NERSA requests tariff schedules from municipalities and compares them with the approved tariffs to ensure that the correct tariffs are being charged to customers.
Further to this, NERSA conducts compliance audits on the licenced distributors annually. This is done to ensure compliance with NERSA’s licence conditions, which, among others, relates to verifying whether licenced distributors implement NERSA-approved tariffs.
It must be noted that NERSA does not analyse the minutes of the Council meeting to check whether the adopted electricity tariffs are the same as those that have been transferred to the NERSA form for tariff application, as NERSA believes that the submission for tariff applications is made and signed off by the highest officer of the municipality, which represents the decision of the Council.
NERSA, therefore, does not undertake to verify the decision made by the Council. This is also done to avoid the further lengthening of the tariff approval process.
08 March 2024 - NW249
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What interventions and/or steps are being taken by the Government through her department to engage the federal government of the United States (US) on the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, which was introduced on 6 February 2024 in the US House of Representatives seeking to review South Africa’s bilateral relations with the US, following the ruling of the International Court of Justice in the case Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v Israel)?
Reply:
There are continuous engagements, at various levels, between the South African Government and the United States Government, as well as with Congress and various other domestic stakeholders. On 26 January 2024, Minister Pandor had a telecon with Secretary of State, Mr Antony Blinken, to discuss South Africa-US bilateral relations, with a specific focus on the state of global affairs, including a reflection on the genocide case between South Africa and Israel that is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague.
On 21 February 2024, President Ramaphosa engaged a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional delegation in Cape Town on the status and future of the bilateral relationship, as well as geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and South Africa’s case at the ICJ involving Israel. The President used the opportunity to reinforce the importance of the bilateral relationship with the US, including in the areas of trade, investment, and health cooperation. The President further explained South Africa’s non-aligned position as a catalyst for peace and conflict-resolution and provided a briefing on the foundational values that inform South Africa’s foreign policy.
There are also ongoing engagements at the level of the South African Ambassador in Washington DC with the Administration, Congress, the private sector, and civil society organisations. In all the above engagements, both sides have emphasised the importance of refocussing attention on strengthening the bilateral relationship for mutual benefit and the need for respect and open dialogue on areas of divergence and common concern.
08 March 2024 - NW271
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Considering that a 2021 Statistics South African report revealed that approximately one million learners nationwide experienced violence, corporal punishment and/or verbal abuse at school and that, shockingly, 71% of the affected learners were between eight and 10 years old, what measures has her department implemented since then to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers in schools?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education have a number of ongoing strategies and programmes to curb violence in schools, including the following:
1. National School Safety Framework
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Provincial Education Departments continue to implement the National School Safety Framework (NSSF), which is a guiding framework in addressing all forms of violent incidences in schools including drug abuse. The NSSF empowers schools to identify and manage all safety threats in schools, establish school safety committees comprising of stakeholders such as teachers, police officers, school governing body members and learner representative council members. Furthermore, The NSSF also empowers schools to develop incident reporting mechanisms, establish collaborations with external stakeholders such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development and civil society organisations, develop school safety plans and policies to respond to safety challenges of violence in schools for both learners and educators. Through the implementation of the NSSF, access control measures in schools are strengthened and awareness programmes on social ills by partner departments and civil society organisations are implemented in schools.
By the end of December 2023, The following number of schools were physically trained on the NSSF: 1441 schools were trained in the North West, 3220 schools were trained in KZN, 229 schools were trained in Gauteng, 535 schools were trained in Northern Cape, 508 schools were trained in Mpumalanga, 1483 schools were trained in the Eastern Cape, 151 schools were trained in the Western Cape, 18 schools were trained in the Free State.
The DBE together with its partner the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute further developed an NSSF digital training course for school communities, to enable access to the training anywhere in the country. The course has been accredited by the South African Council of Educators. As a result, educators will receive 15 Professional Development Points (PDP) for successfully completing the course. The DBE released a circular in September 2022, compelling all school based personnel and school safety committees to complete the digital training by 31 March 2023. To date, over 130 000 people have completed the course.
2. Partnership Protocol between the Department of Basic Education and the South African Police Service
The Department also has an established Protocol with SAPS to address crime and violence in schools. The Protocol has enabled all schools to be linked to their local police stations, SAPS to conduct searches and seizures in schools and conduct crime awareness campaigns in schools. Regularly, schools work with SAPS and local community police forums and social workers to address violent incidents such as gangsterism, bullying, drug abuse and the carrying of dangerous weapons in schools. Searches and seizures of illegal drugs and dangerous weapons are also done in schools. However, these searches and seizures are only done if there is reasonable suspicion of violence in the school.
3. District Monitoring of School Safety Programmes
The Department further conducts annual monitoring of districts on the implementation of school safety programmes including the NSSF, the DBE and SAPS Protocol and the Prevention and Management of Bullying in Schools. In the monitoring sessions, the Department always encourages districts to conduct physical monitoring in schools, in order to determine if schools are implementing the above-mentioned school safety programmes and provide the necessary support. In the financial year of 2023-24: the Department has monitored 25 districts across nine provinces on all school safety programmes including bullying prevention in schools.
4. Protocol to deal with Incidents of Corporal Punishment
The Department developed and published a Protocol to Deal with Incidences of Corporal Punishment in schools to highlight the abolishment of corporal punishment in schools and to provide provinces, districts and schools with guidance on how to deal with issues of corporal punishment should such cases arise. The protocol foregrounds the following:
• The steps to be taken by provincial, district, circuit and school SMT in reporting the incidents of corporal punishment in schools.
• The complaints procedures are outlined and the measures to be taken at every level of the system are explicit and include the labour relations processes in response to perpetrators of corporal punishment as well as sexual abuse and harassment.
• In line with the NSSF, the Protocol further supports schools in ensuring safe and supportive learning environments that use protective behaviour, positive discipline, restorative justice and positive behaviour intervention support systems.
The Protocol has been printed and distributed to provinces, districts and schools across the country. In complementing the Protocol, some Provincial Educational Department have trained schools on Alternatives to Corporal Punishment in schools.
5. Inter-Departmental Campaign on the prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Gender-Based Violence, Learner Pregnancy, Drugs and Substance Abuse
The Department and its partner Departments: Social Development, Health, Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, the South African Police Service, Home Affairs, The Presidency and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies have also embarked on an Inter-Departmental Campaign on Violence Prevention. This Campaign raises awareness on issues such as the prevention of bullying, corporal punishment, gender-based violence, learner pregnancy and drugs and substance abuse in schools. The Campaign has been championed by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and is supported by other Deputy Ministers from the partner Departments. The Campaign has been targeting districts with high levels of crime and violence known as hot spots. The Campaign mobilizes school communities (educators, learners, School Governing Bodies, ward councillors, parents and civil society organisations) to fight crime and violence in schools, collectively. In addition, the Campaign further includes build up events that take groups of learners through priority content areas related to violence prevention; including prevention of bullying, corporal punishment, gender-based violence, drugs and substance abuse.
To date, the Campaign has been rolled out in six provinces: Gauteng (Gauteng West District), Limpopo (Sekhukhune East District), Mpumalanga (Nkangala District), North-West (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District), Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela) and Kwa Zulu-Natal (Pinetown District). The Department further plans to roll out the Campaign in other provinces in new financial year. The community activations include aawareness raising of the steps to take as illustrated in the Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools.
Moreover, provincial education departments in partnership with partner departments and various civil society organisations regularly conduct awareness campaigns on social ills negatively impacting schools through school assembly talks, dialogues and debates.
6. School Codes of Conducts
The Department requires all schools to develop learner codes of conduct in consultation with the school governing bodies and learner representative councils. The codes of conducts stipulate the rules of learner behaviour in schools and the disciplinary procedures to be undertaken after incidents of contravention are reported, and sanctions which will be undertaken against the perpetrators who are found guilty. This gives learners a sense of ownership over their school environment, and the safety of themselves and their fellow learners at school.
7. The National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools.
The DBE and Provincial Education Departments continue to implement the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools which aims to create an enabling environment for those learners who have become addicted to alcohol and drugs to access treatment, care and support services. Through the strategy, schools are empowered to conduct drug testing, and manage learners who have tested positive accordingly. By the end of 2023; the North-West has trained 1332 schools on drug testing, while the Western Cape trained 46 schools on drug testing. Creating drug-free school environments is a key component to providing learners with a safe learning environment free of violence.
8. The Prevention and Management of Bullying in schools
The Provincial Education Departments have continued to train schools on the Prevention and Management of Bullying in schools. The schools have been empowered to identify various forms of bullying, identify perpetrators and victims of bullying, develop reporting mechanisms of bullying in schools and develop anti-bullying policies which are aligned to code of conducts. By the end of 2023, at least 1441 schools were trained in the North-West.
9. Life Orientation Curriculum
The Department continues to implement the Life Skills and Life Orientation curriculum in classrooms, which is the main lever for preventing violence in schools amongst learners. The DBE implements this Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement annually and it covers the following violence related topics: bullying, drugs and substance abuse, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy prevention.
10. Online Safety and Cyberbullying Programme
The Department of Basic Education partnered with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DC&DT) and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and conducted awareness sessions on cyber-safety and cyberbullying in schools. The awareness sessions took place in Harry Gwala District on 23-24 November 2023 in the following schools:
a) Ebuta Junior Secondary School
b) Umzimkuku Junior Secondary School
c) DRC Junior Secondary School
d) Stranger’s Rest Junior Secondary School
A total of 132 learners were reached throughout the awareness sessions. The Department will continue to work with DC&DT and other partners including Google, Films and Publications Board, Media Monitoring Africa and Meta in implementing an effective programme on online safety and cyberbullying in schools across the country.
11. Protocol For the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in schools.
The Department developed a Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in schools which provides schools, districts and provinces with standard operating procedures/guidelines when addressing allegations of sexual abuse and harassment, and to specifically detail how schools must respond to reports of sexual abuse and harassment perpetrated against learners & school staff. It serves to ensure a safe, caring and enabling environment for learning and teaching, both inside and outside of the classroom.
This protocol sets out an approach that enables educators and employees of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to identify, intervene, report and provide support to all learners who are sexually abused or harassed in school, whilst providing an appropriate response to perpetrators of all forms of sexual abuse and harassment. It has been printed and distributed to provinces.
08 March 2024 - NW232
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) With reference to his undertaking in his 2023-24 Home Affairs Budget Vote that his department had ordered 100 new mobile trucks to augment the ailing fleet of unused mobile units, what is the latest status report on the delivery and deployment of the new mobile service trucks; (2) whether the 100 new mobile services trucks have been operational since 1 January 2024; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1&2)
All one hundred (100) mobile offices have been delivered and are undergoing live capture systems’ installations and configurations and the process will be finalised by 31 March 2024. The minister will announce details of the distribution.
END
08 March 2024 - NW303
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)With regard to the emergency generators received from China, (a) what is the breakdown of the total number of generators that were allocated to his department and (b) how were these generators allocated to various entities within his department; (2) (a) how were these generators transported to their final destinations and (b) what (i) are the full details of the service providers who transported the generators and (ii) is the total cost of transporting these generators; (3) whether his department is responsible for the provision and procurement of diesel for the generators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details, including the cost of the diesel used to date; (4) how many of the generators that reached their destination are (a) installed and functional and (b) yet to be installed?
Reply:
1. a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) was not allocated emergency generators received from China.
b) Not applicable.
2. a) Not applicable
b) i) Not applicable
ii) Not applicable
3. Not applicable.
4. a) Not applicable
b) Not applicable.
08 March 2024 - NW305
Halse, Ms T to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What is his department doing to ensure that municipal administrations stop inflating electricity tariffs through the gap between the approval of tariffs in Council and approval from National Energy Regulator of South Africa?
Reply:
- Subsequent to the tariff approvals, NERSA requests tariff schedules from municipalities and compares them with the approved tariffs to ensure that the correct tariffs are being charged to customers. Further to this, when municipal compliance audits are conducted, NERSA checks the approved tariffs against the implemented tariffs to ensure that there are no discrepancies. It must, however, be noted that municipalities charge surcharges in addition to the NERSA-approved tariffs. Such surcharges fall outside of NERSA’s regulatory mandate.
08 March 2024 - NW156
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to Eskom’s Tarriffs and Charges Booklet 2023-24 there is no Tariff 1 scale applicable to normal prepaid meters, (a) what are the reasons that the specified tariff scaleis not included in the above-mentioned booklet (b) where can consumers find the specified information readily available (c) who determines the scale and (d) what scale is applied to smart meters? (2) Whether smart meters use more electricity than ordinary prepaid meters; if so, what (a) are the reasons for the difference in electricity usage and (b) steps will be taken to mitigate such a difference?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)
Eskom does not have tariffs based on the metering type. Therefore, Eskom tariffs published in the Eskom tariff book are the same for both prepaid and billed supplies and there are no tariffs that are specifically specified as “prepaid”. For example, a customer could be on Homelight 60A and take supply through either a prepaid meter or a post-paid account. They will pay the same tariff as published. Some tariffs may only be available on prepaid metering, but only a tariff scale is published, as there are no tariffs based on the metering type, whether it is a conventional meter, a prepaid meter, or a smart meter.
The tariff structure used would take into account the capability of a meter for example, can the meter measure time of use or import an export energy.
(2)(a)(b)
Smart meters do not use more electricity than ordinary prepaid meters. All meters are subjected to the same accuracy and testing in accordance with SANS 62053-21 and calibrated in accordance with SANS 474.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved/Comments
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 March 2024 - NW340
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
(aa) QATAR
a) Sponsorships
No sponsorships were received by the Minister (i), her department (ii) and officials in her department.
b) Donations
- The Minister (i) did not receive any donation.
- The Department (ii) facilitated the following donations from the Embassy of the State of Qatar to South Africa:
1) On 29 May 2022 the Amir of Qatar donated blankets, pillows, travel beds, mosquito nets, respirators, generators, medical consumables, kids’ sportswear etc to the value of QR471,883 which is approximately R2,4 million for flood victims in Kwazulu-Natal;
2) Donation of seeds, food, blankets, water tanks, gardening equipment, deep freezer and two cows to the Mookgopong Centre;
3) Donation of blankets, and food to the elderly homes in Mamelodi together with the Moses Mabhida Foundation on 15 February 2023;
4) Donation of blankets and soccer balls to the youth at the Kayamandi project in Cape Town;
5) Donation of two vehicles, an ambulance vehicle, medical fridges, medical equipment, microwave ovens, washing machines and laptop computer together with Nelson Mandela Foundation in support of the Qunu Clinic in Eastern Cape Province;
6) Donation of 50 laptops to benefit schools in rural communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces;
7) Donation of laptops to the Zinikelene Secondary school in Carolina, in the Mpumalanga Province;
8) Assistance in arranging repatriation flights for South Africans abroad during the Covid -19 pandemic in collaboration with Qatar Airways. Passengers, however, paid for their own repatriation tickets.
- There were no donations to any official/s (iii) in the department.
c) Financial Transfers
- There were no financial transfers to the Minister (i), her department and (iii) officials of her department.
(bb) IRAN
a) Sponsorships
(1) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided sponsorship for two officials from DIRCO to represent South Africa at the “Iran – BRICS Conference: Prospects for Partnership and Cooperation” on 08 August 2023, in Tehran, Iran. The sponsorship consisted of accommodation for the two officials, as well as economy class air fare for one official.
(2) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran sponsored an official from DIRCO to participate in the 37th International Islamic Unity Conference, which was held in Tehran from 1-3 October 2023. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided a round-trip air ticket, as well as transport and accommodation for the duration of the conference.
b) Donations
- No donations were received by the Minister (i), her department (ii) or (iii) officials in her department.
c) Financial transfers
- No financial transfers were made to the Minister (i), her department (ii) and (iii) officials in her department.
(cc) RUSSIA
a) Sponsorships
- No sponsorship was received by the Minister (i), her department (ii) and (iii) officials in her department.
b) Donations
- No donation was received by the Minister (i), her department (ii), and (iii) officials in her department.
c) Financial transfers
- No financial transfers were received by the Minister (i), her department (ii) and (iii) officials in her department.
08 March 2024 - NW216
Loate, Mr T to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, in view of the fact that major importers of South African manufactured vehicles, such as the United Kingdom and Europe, will no longer allow the importation of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030, and that funders, including banks, are ready right now to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), and considering that Morocco is stepping into the EV arena with plans for an African-designed EV set to debut in 2026, the Government has been galvanised into action to get manufacturers to modify their manufacturing plants for hybrid and EV production as swiftly as possible; if not, why not; if so, what steps has the Government taken to remain ahead of the curve; 2. what steps has he taken to ensure that the Republic’s status as an exporter of motor vehicles remains secure, both in the interest of job preservation and economic growth; 3. whether he provided the motor vehicle manufacturing industry with a clear plan of action and a roadmap; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa currently exports around 63% of its vehicle production, making it imperative to consider global developments in the auto industry. Major export markets such as the EU and the UK have announced bans on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2035, accompanied by incentives for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. This global shift towards environmentally friendly transportation is expected to reduce demand for vehicles manufactured in South Africa.
Following extensive work undertaken both with industry and within government, a White Paper was finalised by Cabinet, setting out the policy framework for the technology, production, export and domestic market adoption of electric vehicles, as well as a detailed roadmap and plan of action. The White Paper was publicly released in December 2023.
Subsequently, the Minister of Finance released details of tax benefits that will be available to the industry to facilitate the transition. In addition, discussions have been held with auto-producers not yet in the SA market to encourage new investment in the sector.
While existing policies like the Automotive Production Development Programme and the Automotive Investment Scheme provide a good framework for developing EV productive capacity, including in assembly and component manufacture, additional action will be required. The White Paper thus identifies 10 policy goals with a set of 16 specific and distinct policy actions to be implemented over specified timelines between 2023 and 2035 with 10 actions in support of the development of cost-competitive EV productive capacity in South Africa; and 6 actions in support of the development of a cost-effective local market for EVs.
A copy of the White Paper may be accessed at http://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/EV-White-Paper.pdf
-END-
08 March 2024 - NW313
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Considering that part of the cost of every litre of diesel is a tax levy called the illuminating paraffin (IP) tracer dye levy whose purpose is to curtail the unlawful mixing of diesel and IP and following the recent scandal of 70 petrol stations across the Republic reported to have mixed their diesel with paraffin, how did the dye tracing mechanism borne out of the levy fail to detect the contaminated diesel before it got sold to consumers?
Reply:
Tracer dye is added to Illuminating Paraffin to enable its detection once it is mixed into diesel. The presence of the tracer dye can only be detected through laboratory testing or specialized mobile equipment. The Department collects fuel samples randomly at service stations to test for the presence of the tracer dye, amongst others.
It is precisely this random testing that led to the detection of adulteration when the presence of the tracer dye was detected at the laboratory.
08 March 2024 - NW263
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
(1) In terms of the investment in new generation capacity which came on the grid since 22 May 2019, how many megawatts of the capacity was installed annually since then by (a) private sector investment, (b) the State and/or (c) any state-owned companies; (2) for the same time frame, (a) what total amount in funding, loans and grants has been acquired from, (b) which other states and international organizations, stating in each case (i) the purpose and/or projects the funds were specified for, (ii) what total amount of the budget has been spent, (iii) on what it was spent and (iv) how far each project has progressed?
Reply:
The Ministry was established in March 2023, accordingly we advise that you refer the question to the Departmet of Public Enterprises as the legal manadte holder in this regard.
08 March 2024 - NW298
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether, with reference to National Treasury’s presentation to the Standing Committee on Appropriations on 14 February 2024, the R10,5 billion and R1,0 billion funds that were allocated to SA Airways (SAA) were used for purposes other than settling outstanding business rescue obligations; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether all government guarantees to SAA have been cancelled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether SAA has been submitting monthly updates to the National Treasury, including, inter alia, forecast cash flows, revenue generation, profit and loss statements, and statements of financial position; if not, why not; if so, will he furnish Mr R A Lees with all the records of such updates up to 31 January 2024?
Reply:
1. The funding allocated to SAA was utilised to settle the obligations that arose from the business rescue processes. The settlement of the business rescue obligations is expected to be settled over several years.
2. One of the conditions attached to the funding provided to SAA was that government guarantees available to the airline would be reduced by the equivalent quantum. At present SAA does not have available government guarantees against which they can raise debt or other obligations. However, there is still a government guarantee exposure amounting to R91.5 million related to Unflown Ticket Liabilities and Letters of Credit. The airline is currently engaged in negotiations with lenders to provide a cash deposit in lieu of the guarantee. Once negotiations with lenders have been completed, these guarantees will then be cancelled, and government will therefore no longer have contingent liability exposure related to SAA.
3. SAA has and continues to submit monthly updates to National Treasury (NT) and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). Moreover, a Guarantee Monitoring Task Team comprising officials from the NT, DPE as well as SAA management meets monthly to discuss amongst other issues financial performance and forecasts, financial position and other developments. DPE, as convenors and secretariat of the monthly monitoring meeting and shareholder will be best placed to provide the monthly records.
08 March 2024 - NW217
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1)Whether the Government had created or is in the process of creating a retrofitting ecosystem for transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) through the development of (a) a white paper and strategic frameworks, (b) tax breaks and (c) subsidies and/or grants for converting ICE vehicles to EVs, thereby (i) establishing safety standards for retrofitting processes, (ii) working closely with component manufacturers, (iii) encouraging partnerships to develop cost-effective retrofit kits, (iv) promoting retrofitting technologies and (v) collaborating with universities and research institutions; if not, why not; if so, what ecosystem is being created; (2) whether he has created an ecosystem to help young persons in large numbers to acquire the skills to help present owners of cars to retrofit them as EVs; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW228E
Reply:
(1) Retrofitting in the automotive industry refers to the practice of replacing internal combustion engines (ICE) in vehicles with an electric motor and large storage batteries, making them electric vehicles (EVs). This practice thus means that an old or used vehicle is fitted with modified or new equipment for alternative propulsion than initially designed for.
In the case of retrofitting, the manufacturer of the original vehicle provides no warranty or assurance of its integrity as the fitment of non-original parts generally compromises the vehicle as it deviates from the original specifications for safety and other parameters.
The government focuses on supporting the mass production of new vehicles that can be distributed globally and meet stringent homologation requirements. Vehicle assemblers provide warranties on their originally-built vehicles and components thus giving consumers relative comfort and confidence that such vehicles are of acceptable and good standard.
a) In light of the above, government has collaborated with key stakeholders including vehicle assembler OEMs, Component Manufacturers and other stakeholders such as Research institutions in developing an EV White Paper that was published in December 2023. This White Paper seeks to create an environment supportive to investment for and production of electric vehicles and components in response to the global transition from ICE to EVs.
b) The National Treasury has announced through the Budget Speech on the 22 February 2024, the introduction of a tax support mechanism for EV production with effect from April 2026. Details of this tax support will be published in due course following the adoption of implementation guidelines.
c) EV manufacturing will in addition to the tax support also benefit from the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). The APDP supports the manufacturing of vehicles on a completely knock-down basis and not retrofitting.
The objectives of the EV White Paper are to:
• Provide additional investment funding to attract investment in the local production of electric vehicles and components.
• Promote access for these locally produced vehicles to regional and global markets.
• Deepen the automotive value chain by promoting regional cooperation for the local beneficiation of critical minerals.
• Promote uptake of locally produced vehicles through fleets including government.
• Develop requisite skills to support the transition to electric vehicles through partnerships with industry and academic institutions.
(i) Ensuring safety standards is critical for the transition to EV production. Therefore, all EV vehicles will be homologated in line with applicable regulations of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
(ii) The vehicle component manufacturers represented by the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) are key stakeholders in the growth of the local automotive industry. Thus, they continued to be actively involved in the development of the framework for the transition to EVs. The component manufacturing industry accounts for the lion's share of jobs in the automotive industry, over 70% of the total employment in the automotive industry in 2022.
(iii) The success of the transition requires all stakeholders to continue to work collaboratively to navigate this challenging transition and transform it into an opportunity for growth, sustainability, and economic vitality. There is an established industry stakeholder engagement platform called the Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) to oversee the implementation of the SAAM 2035. Its mandate will be expanded to include overseeing the implementation of the EV White Paper. Therefore, there is a requirement for the active participation of additional stakeholders including those in Logistics (rail and electricity), technology developers (innovation, research, and technology commercialisation), EV support infrastructure (charging facilities providers, emergency services providers). It will also include those involved in marketing SA capabilities to position South Africa as a production and demand destination for EVs and related components.
(iv) Technology changes are at the core of this transition. This includes the introduction of new raw materials and components, while some ICE-specific components are expected to become obsolete over time. These changes in the supply chain are resulting in the re-organisation of the global value chain with the growing importance of locations that can supply EV-specific components.
(v) the dtic has collaborated with Research institutions and entities mainly as service providers during the development of the EV White paper which is the culmination of substantial research and engagement over the last number of years and follows the publication of a green paper in 2021, a process of receiving public comments, which have been integrated into the policy actions to be taken. This collaboration continues during the transition to EV production.
(2) The EV White Paper focusses on the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their components rather than on retrofitting used vehicles. This focus will mitigate potential job-losses due to the transition to e-mobility as EVs have fewer components and also ensure that South Africa remains a viable manufacturing location in the global setting.
The EV transition requires new certification programs and extensive reskilling to produce and use the associated new technologies. To this end, the industry has completed a Comprehensive Skills Gap Analysis that covers the Labour Market Analysis which gives the future occupations, and the Competency Analysis which gives the future competencies. To address the skills gaps, five roadmaps have been developed.
As part of the implementation of the roadmaps, MerSETA, the Department of Higher Education, and the automotive industry are developing the EV curriculum and certificate. The main beneficiaries will be young people with the automotive industry setting a target of 10 000 learnerships and apprenticeships by 2035.
-END-
08 March 2024 - NW158
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the Pension Redress Programme by Government Employees Pension Fund is still ongoing; if not, why not; if so, what is the total number of applications that (a) were received to date, (b) have been finalised and (c) remain to be finalised; (2) whether he will furnish Ms S J Graham with the latest update on the application of Ms Sheila Cathleen Lewis [details furnished]?
Reply:
The Pension Redress Programme was an initiative negotiated and agreed to by parties to the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) through Resolution 7 of 1998. The programme aimed to address discriminatory practices by recognising non-contributory service as pensionable service for employees affected by past discrimination. The programme's implementation period started on 29 November 2002 and concluded on 31 July 2012, following PSCBC Resolution 3 of 2012, which set the final application deadline as 31 March 2012. The resolution of the programme was further defined under PSCBC Resolution 2 of 2018, which detailed the compensation methodology and marked the formal conclusion of the redress process for qualifying applicants.
Applications for the redress programme were submitted via the PSCBC. The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) acted as the payment facilitator for the redress payouts but was not the initiating body of the programme. The decisions regarding the programme's commencement, operational framework, and conclusion were determined within the PSCBC framework, with the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) responsible for processing applications and implementing payments. As such, the GEPF would not be able to comment on the reasons for the programme's conclusion beyond the PSCBC resolutions.
a) Applications received to date
The PSCBC received a total of 150,444 applications of which 72 335 applications were identified as qualifying for the redress benefit. An independent audit was conducted to ensure the verification process was complete, fair, and accurate. This process involved a detailed review to distinguish between qualifying applicants, error cases, and those not meeting the eligibility criteria. Following the completion of the audit process, 53,717 records were identified as qualifying applicants and 18,618 error cases were noted.
As part of the implementation process, the GPAA undertook a meticulous re-verification of cases against the resolutions and pensionable periods recorded on the administration system. This was to ensure the utmost accuracy and fairness in the redress allocation. This re-verification process led to various outcomes, including:
- Error cases initially identified that later met the qualifications for approval;
- Approved/Error cases that, upon re-verification, did not qualify due to overlapping pensionable service;
As a result of this thorough process, the total number of approved cases was updated to 58,324, with the initial 17,045 error cases undergoing further review. Hence a total of 75 369 applications have been processed to date.
b) Applications that have been finalised
Of the initially approved cases, 58,123 applications have been finalised and processed for redress. Of the error cases revisited, 5,982 (35%) were reclassified from error to approved, 6,348 (37%) remained as error cases, and 4,715 (28%) were determined not to qualify (DNQ), hence a total of 68 820 have been finalised.
c) Remain to be finalised;
As we continue to work towards the finalisation of the Pension Redress Programme, a small fraction of cases remains outstanding. Specifically, of the approved cases, 201 remain unresolved. Additionally, 6,348 cases have not been resolved due to their initial classification as error cases. A targeted approach has been implemented to address these error cases, involving the redistribution of error letters by the GPAA to facilitate departmental engagements and case resolutions.
Moreover, there are a small number of members who, despite applying within the stipulated timeframe, were not included in the final costing of the Redress Programme. These cases, while few, are being carefully reviewed, and are addressed on a case-by-case basis.
The GEPF is committed to concluding these remaining cases with diligence and fairness, ensuring every eligible member receives due redress.
08 March 2024 - NW113
Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether any guests travelling aboard an aircraft returning to South Africa from any state visit to the State of Qatar in 2023 made any foreign currency declarations on their return from those meetings; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The provision of Section 15(1)(a) and (b) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, respectively provides that any person entering or leaving the Republic must declare all goods (including goods of another person) upon his person or in his possession on entering the Republic or before leaving the Republic. Goods according to Customs and Excise Act includes currency.
Noting the request from parliament, Section 4(3) Customs and Excise Act, 1964, prohibits the Commissioner and/or SARS officials from disclosing any information relating to any person, firm or business acquired in the performance of SARS duties. Accordingly, SARS is not able to disclose information requested to the Minister and Parliament.
08 March 2024 - NW331
Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
(aa) Qatar:
In May 2022, the state of Qatar donated food, equipment and other support for the victims of the April and May floods in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The donations were facilitated by the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Social Development. On Sunday 29 May 2022, the Province of KZN received the attached consignment as a donation from the State of Qatar. The equipment and goods were facilitated and distributed through designated provincial structures and mechanisms. Therefore, this donation was not presented to the (i) Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs, (ii) the department or (iii) officials of the Department.
(bb) Iran:
Neither the (i) Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs, (ii) the department nor (iii) officials of the Department received (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes.
(cc) Russian:
In September 2023, during the BRICS meeting of Ministers responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) from the Russian Federation, Mr Aleksandr Kurenkov, presented to the Minister of COGTA, a bouquet of flowers and a vase from ERMERCOM.
End.
08 March 2024 - NW306
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
What were the outcomes of the eight disciplinary referrals made by the Special Investigating Unit to the National Lottery Commission against their own employees? NW347E
Reply:
The National Lotteries Commission has furnished me with the attached response to the question.
-END-
08 March 2024 - NW90
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether, in light of the Auditor-General’s Consolidated Generals Report on National and Provincial Audit Outcomes 2022-23, which indicates a material irregularity of a likely loss of R296 million in relation to fees for prospecting licences, permits and rights that were not collected between April 2020 and March 2023, the licences, permits and rights were awarded without the relevant fees being paid; if not, what were the reasons that fees were not collected; if so, what are the reasons that this was allowed?
Reply:
Prospecting licences, permits and rights were awarded between April 2020 and March 2023. Prospecting Right holders are obliged to pay prospecting fees in terms of section 19(2)(f) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) (as amended) (hereinafter referred to as the MPRDA). According to section 76(2) of the MPRDA Regulations a holder of a Prospecting Right must pay prospecting fees annually in advance and not later than 30 days from the commencement date of such right and thereafter not later than 30 days following the anniversary of each respective year of the right for the duration thereof.
Prospecting right holders usually pay the initial fees when the right is issued, however they fail to pay annual fees in subsequent years due to a variety of reasons. These include less than promising results from initial prospecting rounds compared to expended financial resources and in some cases delinquency on the part of right holders.
Despite efforts from each of the Regions to collect outstanding fees, some right holders failed to respond. These were escalated to State Attorneys for collection and in some cases, there was a positive response. In others, the Department failed to get response. In some cases, holders were not traceable and there were no activities on the site. In other limited cases the Directors were deceased.
08 March 2024 - NW312
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Mr K J Mileham (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy: In light ofthe escalating tensions in the Middle East and the potential threat it poses to fuel supply lines, (a) how much strategic fuel stocks does the Republic have and (b) what contingency measures has the government put in place to ensure security of supply should the tensions in the Middle East persist?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 March 2024 - NW302
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With regard to the emergency generators received from China, what is the full breakdown of the total number of generators that were allocated to (a) his department as a whole and (b) the provincial departments; (2) (a) how were these generators transported to their final destinations and (b) what (i) are the full details of the service providers who transported the generators and (ii) is the total cost of transporting these generators; (3) whether his department is responsible for the provision and procurement of diesel for the generators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details, including the cost of the diesel used to date; (4) how many of the generators that reached their destination are (a) installed and functional and (b) yet to be installed?
Reply:
1. (a) The National Department of Health has received 306 generators.
(b) 34 generators per province. In order to meet the minimum demand for each clinic, it’s going to be two generators per clinic. 6KW x 2 = 12KW. Therefore, it’s going to be 19 clinics earmarked for the generators.
2. (a) The National Department of Health is currently finalising the procurement process. The procurement process covers both the collection and installation of the generators directly to the main electrical distribution board of the clinics.
(b) (i) The details of the Service Providers will be provided after the completion of the procurement process.
(ii) the total cost will also be provided after the completion of the procurement process.
3. The National Department of Health will ensure that there is enough budget allocation for the fuel consumption of generators across the country. Currently, there is no fuel expenditure on these new generators.
4. (a) None installed yet.
(b) 306 to be installed.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW414
Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What total number of students have to date been allocated money in accordance with his department’s missing-middle funding model?
Reply:
NSFAS is currently still processing applications based on financial eligibility of a combined family income in the range of R351 000 to R600 000. Academic institutions will assist in establishing academic eligibility (e.g. STEM vs Humanities programmes and the 70:30 split respectively).
Once both requirements of financial and academic eligibility are satisfied, NSFAS will share the loan agreement forms and associated documents for each eligible student with the students. Disbursement will follow thereafter.
07 March 2024 - NW397
Pietersen, Ms M L to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With regard to water-related grants such as the Regional Bulk Water Infrastructure Grant and Water Service Infrastructure Grant making a huge positive impact in society through the rolling out of water infrastructure projects, (a) how many projects are to be completed by the end of the current financial year and (b) what total number of households across the Republic would have access to water and sanitation upon completion of these projects?
Reply:
The table below summarises the number of projects planned to be completed in the current financial year 2024/25 and the households to benefit from these projects:
Grant Funding |
Number of projects to be completed (2024/25 FY) |
Number of households targeted to benefit from completed projects |
Water Services Infrastructure Grant |
103 |
309 000 |
Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant |
32 |
467 000 |
---00O00---
07 March 2024 - NW366
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the staff shortages in the healthcare facilities of the Republic, what specific measures has his department put in place to ensure that when other staff members are on leave there is adequate manpower on duty to ensure the smooth running of healthcare facilities?
Reply:
As a standard practice, staff submit their annual leave plans to their managers in the beginning of the year. Managers analyse the plans and allocate the leave days in such a way that there will be service coverage at all times. Managers discuss the allocations with the staff, reach agreements and finalise the unit or section leave plans. Any unavoidable deviation from the agreed upon plan is managed by seconding staff from other facilities so that service coverage is adhered to.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW377
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health
What measures has his department taken to ensure that healthcare facilities in areas such as Kimberley have reliable access to (a) water, (b) electricity and (c) sufficient staffing to provide adequate healthcare services?
Reply:
a) The National Department of Health requirements is that each facility should have clean water. New clinics that are constructed in the Northen Cape province, particularly around Kimberley since 2011/12 are provided with water supplied though municipality line and back up water system through boreholes. Facilities that were build prior 2011/12 that does not have back up water system are attended to through Borehole Water Programme.
A service provider has been appointed during 2003/24 financial year in Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) in Kimberley to build a 2 Mega Liters (2 million litters) water tanker as additional water capacity to the current 360,000 Liters.
b) All facilities around Kimberley have electricity and some also have back up generators. There is a program running to provide generators to facilities that don’t have any back up system. The province is also benefiting from People Republic of China donated generators. Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital is also equipped with GenSets in case of electricity went off during loadshedding.
c) Ideally the Department of Health wishes to fill all health care worker posts in order to improve the health outcomes of the population. Due to current financial constraints, annually, the Provinces appoint Employment Recruitment Teams led by Heads of Health Departments or delegated officials at senior level to develop recruitment plans, prioritising the filling of critical posts with required skills mix. However, they must guard against overspending on provided / available budgets.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW423
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he has found that the various water boards and entities that report directly to him have put adequate insurance plans in place to cover claims that might arise from damage to property and/or environmental damage caused by pipe breaks or other infrastructure failures; if not, what steps will he take to ensure that the water boards and entities put adequate insurance plans in place; if so, what (a) steps has his department taken to ensure that the water boards and entities meet their obligations when claims are lodged and (b) are the further details in this regard?
Reply:
All water boards have put in place adequate insurance to cover for claims that may arise due to loss or damage to infrastructure, namely Asset All Risk Policy. The policy covers all perils for material damages to the water boards assets inclusive of claims of pipe bursts that may occur; loss or damage to insured property as declared; material damage, property damage and business interruption; pipelines, plant and machinery.
a) In terms of (a) for claims lodged against the water board an insurance assessor is appointed to investigate the legitimacy of the claim including assessment of possible liability to the waterboard. The cover is subject to policy terms and conditions outlined in the policy of insurance of various water boards which are renewable annually.
b) Any losses or damage to insured property are attended to immediately to limit liability to 3rd parties.
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07 March 2024 - NW428
Moore, Mr S J to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)By what total amount has the cost of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project escalated since its inception; (2) whether the second phase of the specified project is on track to be completed by 2028; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Since the date of inception of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II the costs have escalated to the current estimated total project cost of R42.1billion. It is important to note that these are overall costs which incorporate costs that are not directly related to the LHWP infrastructure costs and are shared costs to be borne by South Africa and the Lesotho Government.
The cost escalations are owing to several challenges including:
a) Longer time to conclude negotiations with Lesotho and obtain governmental approvals for the Phase II Agreement, 3 years to Dec 2022.
b) Procurement related delays due to policy interventions, delayed decision making and in the conclusion of funding arrangements, 2 years to Dec 2024.
c) Project implementation related delays due to Covid which delayed the project by 2 years.
d) Slow issuance of various permits by Lesotho, contractor performance and one year shift in the impoundment date due to a lost rainy season, 4 years to Nov 2028.
All major contracts have now been awarded and construction of the dam and tunnel is in progress.
e) The time value of money (escalation) impact of the 9 years delay from 2019 to 2028 on the R42.1 billion is estimated at R16.64 Bn.
2. Water delivery is expected to start in November 2028.
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07 March 2024 - NW373
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With reference to his recent statement on reviewing the approach of employing medical doctors, what is the salary scale of the doctors who will be employed by his department; (2) whether the review also includes the employment of experienced doctors; if not, why not; if so, what categories are included?
Reply:
1. Based on the current Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) salary scales of 1 April 2023, the appointed medical officers will be remunerated as follows:
Category |
Salary Structure |
||
Basic Salary |
Commuted Overtime (8-12 hours weekly) |
Total Cost of Employment (per capita) |
|
Medical Officer Grade 1 |
R 906 540 |
R 253 135 |
R1 159 657 |
Note: Designated facilities may also offer Rural Allowance at R 148 740 |
2. The Department is not reviewing the approach of employing medical doctors. Instead, the review is on conditions of service and relatively all employment categories will be included in the process. The envisaged outcome of the review is to optimize the retention of health care workforce in the public health sector and for the department to remain the employer of choice.
END
07 March 2024 - NW413
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
On what grounds has he decided not to take a leave of absence while the investigation related to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other matters is conducted?
Reply:
The act of taking leave of absence in the face of malicious allegations is usually exercised as an ethical step to allow a formal disciplinary process to proceed without any prejudice or hindrance, by an implicated party. As it relates to NSFAS, I have never been subjected to any disciplinary process or investigation and as such, the requirement of leave of absence doesn’t arise.
07 March 2024 - NW362
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What are the reasons that the Lenasia South District Hospital, which services a great number of communities, remains under resourced and unable to admit patients overnight, (b) what plans have been put in place to increase the capacity for the hospital and (c) on what date(s) will the (i) plans be fulfilled and (ii) infrastructural decay be addressed?
Reply:
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has made plans to visit the Lenasia South District Hospital, with the MEC for Health, to assess the state of affairs at the Hospital. This visit will take place on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 and the Minister will then provide the Honourable Member with a full report on the state of health services in that Hospital.
END
07 March 2024 - NW376
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health
What are the full, relevant details of the plan that his department has put in place to address the compromised health services in Kimberley, Northern Cape, particularly the (a) reliance on domestic water storage tanks or JoJo tanks for water supply, (b) clinic closures and (c) increased cases of diarrhoea?
Reply:
a) The National Department of Health requirements is that each facility should have clean running water. All clinics that are constructed in the Northen Cape province, particularly around Kimberley are having water, and also provided with back up water system through boreholes. Most of the old facilities are getting water from municipalities and those that don’t have borehole are prioritised in 2024/25 to get back up water.
b) No clinics have been closed as a result of poor water supply or quality.
c) Provision of water is the competency of municipalities, the Department interacts with other departments like Water and Sanitation and municipalities to ensure that communities have access to safe clean water. The challenges of unsafe water negatively impact on the health of communities. Random samples are taken to check safety of water at laboratories if there is a sudden increase of diarrhoea cases at certain areas as a precautionary measure.
The tap water in Carnavon was tested and results were positive faecal organisms and therefore not fit for human consumption. Information from District Health Information System (DHIS) for Carnavon CHC and Carnavon clinic for the past six month showed only 1 new case of diarrhoea reported. The matter is dealt with Water and Sanitation Department and outbreak response team has been activated for health education in the community.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW415
Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What steps has his department taken to ensure that Coinvest and other service providers roll out National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds on time?
Reply:
The Department does not oversee the operations of service providers appointed by NSFAS, this is the role of senior management. NSFAS has advised that as per their agreements with service providers, they provide on boarding files to all partners in anticipation of the agreed upon monthly payment dates. A NSFAS payment file follows, after all partners have confirmed that students have been on boarded. Within 24 hours of NSFAS paying funds over to the partners, they release funds into students’ individual NSFAS bank accounts.
07 March 2024 - NW424
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With reference to the negative impact of the lack of adequate water supplies to healthcare facilities on the delivery of healthcare services across the Republic, especially in towns in the Northern Cape where a recent additional R200 million allocation to the provincial Department of Health did not improve service delivery, what are the relevant details of the measures his department has taken to mitigate the devastation wreaked on healthcare by the lack of water services caused by poor governance of the facilities in places such as Kimberley and elsewhere in the Republic?
Reply:
a) The Sol Plaatje LM developed an emergency intervention to alleviate the water crisis for hospitals in Kimberley, over and above water infrastructure projects that are being implemented with funding from the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) funding program. The project is intended to improve water production at Riverton Water Treatment Works. It will be implemented in terms of the "Six Week Project Plan" to immediately deal with "quick-wins" which can improve production and reduce operational losses.
It should be noted that the key contributing factor to the water challenges being experienced in the Kimberly area is the raw water quality of the Vaal River, due to algal bloom. This has had a direct negative impact on purified water production. The municipality is currently supplementing water supply to hospitals and malls through water tankers, which fill-up the on-site water tanks of health facilities.
The Sol Plaatje LM has been experiencing substantial water supply and quality challenges from the Riverton supply on the Vaal River to their Newton Storage facility located towards the South of Kimberley. The bulk water supply system not only has capacity constraints in meeting the increasing water demands, but Sol Plaatje is having to contend with frequent supply disruptions caused by continued leaks/breakages and poor water quality. The leaks are experienced on the main pipeline from Riverton to Kimberley.
To address this, the Sol Plaatje Municipality submitted an application to the National Treasury for Bulk Funding Infrastructure (BFI) in 2021, with the aim of implementing much-needed upgrades to its ageing water supply infrastructure (bulk and reticulation). The objective is to restore, monitor and control water quality, water supply and non-revenue water to Sol Plaatje Municipality.
The overall Water Supply Intervention Plan has been developed with three key phases:
INTERVENTIONS |
SCOPE |
Planning and Emergency/Short Term Interventions (Phase 1: 9 months duration) (Phase 2: 11 months duration) Planned to commence in Sept 2023 Planned for completion by Jun 2025 |
|
Medium Term Interventions (25 - month duration) Planned to commence in May 2024 Planned for completion by Jun 2026 |
|
Long Term Interventions (40 - month duration) Planned to commence in Nov 2024 Planned for completion by March 2028 |
|
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07 March 2024 - NW363
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
What are the relevant details of the steps of intervention his department has taken to ensure that the community of Mountain City in Orange Farm receives a healthcare facility that is able to cater for its health needs?
Reply:
A meeting was held on 9 November 2022 with Mountain City Community Leaders whereby the issue of the clinic was addressed at length. During the meeting, it was communicated to the Community Leaders that there are two clinics at close proximity to Mountain City, namely Thulamntwana clinic which is 2.8 km and Weilers Farm Clinic which is 3.4 km from Mountain City. The two facilities provide health services to the community of Mountain City, thus ensuring access to health services. Both health facilities are within the national norm of the 5km radius access to communities. The Department of Health will continue monitor the situation Mountain City area and respond appropriately.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW412
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)What total number of beds for student accommodation have been approved by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme accrediting agents to date for the 2024 academic year; (2) whether the specified accrediting agents have been paid in full yet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
(1) The total number of beds that have been accredited by NSFAS is 83 750.
(2) NSFAS has paid accreditation agents for whom invoices have been validated and approved. The total paid to date for 2023 accreditation amounts to R1, 575,740.
07 March 2024 - NW365
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What specific measurements has her department put in place to ensure that houses built by the Government for persons living with disabilities, particularly those who are wheelchair-bound, are indeed adapted to cater for their needs?
Reply:
The Department issued the National Norms and Standards for the Creation of Serviced Stands, the Construction of Stand Alone and Higher Density Semi-Detached and Three Storey Walk-up Residential Dwellings which are financed through National Housing Programmes. Part of the norms and standards cater for persons living with disabilities, including persons who use wheelchairs. As a minimum, the standards prescribe that a subsidised house for a person living with disabilities must be forty-five square meters (45m2) in gross floor area as size. Additionally, an increased space must be allocated for the bathroom to enable ease of mobility, while accommodating specialised items such as handrails. Other items that cater for persons living with disability include:
- Access to the house: 12 square metres (12m2)of paving and ramp at the doorway
- Grab rails and lever action taps in the bathroom (enlargement of the area can be done at the expense of the rest of the house)
- Visual doorbell indicators
The above-listed provisions serve to cater for people using walking aids, wheelchair-partial usage and persons who are partially or profoundly deaf.
It is important to note that the policy also permits that in instances wherein a member of a beneficiary's household is disabled, a variation to the subsidy amount is made available to cater for them.
Furthermore, the policy allows that if a person who has already owned a subsidised property becomes disabled, or if any of his or her dependents become disabled, the Provincial Department concerned may award the beneficiary an increase in the subsidy amount by a maximum amount in line with the classification/category of disability. This addition to the subsidy amount is determined taking into account the severity of a person’s disability and the cost of providing assistance measures to cater for the specific disability.
Similarly, the Department has introduced a Special Housing Needs Subsidy Programme to provide group housing to persons with special housing needs and for people suffering from various other disabilities who require assisted housing. This programme is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Social Development.
In 2023, the Department pronounced on the revision of the quantum which included the installation of burglar bars in their houses to ensure their security.
07 March 2024 - NW403
Shikwambana, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(a) On what date will the contracts of the four direct payment service providers for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) be terminated, as recommended by the Werkmans Attorneys in October 2023 and (b) what total amount in Rand of NSFAS funds are still held by the direct payment service providers?
Reply:
a) The NSFAS Board is currently undergoing legal processes related to the cancellation of these contracts. Contracts will be cancelled upon completion of this process.
b) In terms of the agreed upon process, the partners do not hold on to NSFAS funds in the partners bank accounts; funds are paid into students individual NSFAS bank accounts and these funds are immediately available to students upon them completing the know your client (KYC) bank processes.
07 March 2024 - NW364
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
What is the (a) total number of nurses that are currently unemployed in the Republic and (b) statistical breakdown of unemployed nurses in each province?
Reply:
The Department of Health does not keep a database of unemployed health professionals including the nurses. However, all health professionals, including nurses, whether employed or unemployed, are required to remain registered with their relevant statutory health councils, this being the South African Nursing Council in the case of nurses.
END.
07 March 2024 - NW345
Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes to (i) her, (ii) her department and (iii) officials of her department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
Reply:
The following details are available:
1. The (i) Minister, (ii) The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) (iii) and the officials of the department have not received any (a) sponsorships, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes from the following:
(aa) Qatari organ of state, organisation and/ resident since 1 January 2021 up to date.
(bb) Iranian organ of state, organisation and/ resident since 1 January 2021 up to date.
2. (cc) The DPSA has received (a) a sponsorship worth R86 thousand rands in June 2023 from (cc) Russia organ of state (Tag A), the full details are as follows:
In 2020, the Russian Federation identified anti-corruption education and training as a priority of its Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Presidency and decided to host an “anti-Corruption tailor-made training for ethics and integrity officers in public administration”, in collaboration with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA). As the sponsor of the training Russia insisted that the training be in-person. The training was held on the 19 to 23 June 2023 in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Russia sponsored the training through UNODC.
DPSA is the focal point for all activities of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and represents the countries in the Implementation Review Group (IRG) and the working Group on Prevention, four officials from each of the BRICS Countries were accommodated in the training. The Director General of DPSA nominated 2 officials to attend the training.
No (b) donations, (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and/or any other purposes were received by the (i) Minister, (ii) The DPSA and (iii) and the officials of the department from (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/ resident since 1 January 2021 up to date.
End