Questions and Replies

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

(a) The provisioning of Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSMs) is a provincial responsibility. However, DBE guides provinces on the procurement processes which detail the activities and timeframes in line with the LTSMs sector plan.

Thereafter DBE monitors if provinces observe the timeframe set. According to the reports received from provinces, all schools received their LTSMs as per their orders for 2020/21 financial year. The Hounourable Member is requested to direct the question through the provincial legislatures, where there are province-specific questions or concerns.

(b) Provincial reports to DBE show that all schools received their ordered LTSMs. Provinces have assured the DBE that where there are shortages, the provinces are currently receiving requisitions from schools to address these shortages.

Reply:

The question  has been addressed by the Revised Directions published in the gazette on 4 April 2022.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

a) Although Social economic development is the constitutional mandate of the Local Government, mining companies have to also contribute to the socio-economic development of the area they are operating through Social and Labour Plans. Mining companies around those areas have committed to contribute to the socio-economic development of the area in line with the IDPs of the municipalities.

b) The Department has a responsibility to monitor compliance. If non-compliance is detected, the Department issues a directive to remedy the non-compliance. If the non-compliance is not addressed, it may lead to a right being suspended or cancelled.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The Department gazetted the Exploration Strategy recently and key areas of influence were identified. Government and social partners will address these to improve the country’s investment attractiveness within the next five years.

There are logistical (rail and freight), regulatory (water and environmental licensing) and security challenges which fall outside the mandate of the DMRE.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The tables below provide an overview of the number of new applications, where the applicant was a SASSA beneficiary in the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022, that were funded by NSFAS, per academic year and institution. Please note the 2022 funding cycle registration data exchange process between NSFAS and institutions is still ongoing and the 2022 information will be updated upon finalisation of this process.   The information has been provided per education sector (University or TVET College).

Universities:

TVET Colleges:

Reply:

(a)    There are five programmes being offered at the institution, which are continuations of legacy qualifications which were formally accredited as aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF). These are:

• Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing; 
• Advanced Diploma in Journalism; 
• BSc Honours in Zoology; 
• Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and
• Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Pathology. 

It should be noted that in 2013, a revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) was gazetted as policy, replacing the HEQF, and all higher education institutions had to align their legacy qualifications to the HEQSF. New student registrations could only be taken into the legacy qualifications until 31 December 2019, after which the programmes had to be taught out or a new programme put in place that enabled continued offering in the area. 

The five qualifications listed above fall within this category and should be in teach-out until new replacement programmes are accredited and registered. In the case of the Walter Sisulu University (WSU), there were new student registrations after 31 December 2019.

There is a sixth qualification, i.e. the Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Services, which also has legacy roots and has not been offered since 2019.

(b)    The Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) approved that the following processes should be undertaken:

• Appoint an evaluator to review the HEQSF alignment processes for the five programmes. Once the report of the evaluator has been compiled, the HEQC will consider the report and recommendations. This process is underway.
• A full audit of all the programmes WSU is offering will be undertaken to confirm that all programmes being offered meet the compliance requirements of the three regulatory bodies, i.e. Department, CHE and South African Qualifications Authority. This process has also already commenced.

(c)     There are no further cases that have come to the attention of the CHE or Department. A Data Validation Project is underway by the CHE which is intended to validate the HEQSF alignment data to ensure the accreditation record at the CHE is an accurate reflection of what the institutions can offer. If/when discrepancies are identified, the CHE will deal with them in a similar manner to the processes described above.

Reply:

1. The Presidential Red Tape Reduction Team, under the leadership of Mr Sipho Nkosi, is an important red tape reduction initiative and a centralised coordination office, whose task is to rally both the efforts and resources to deal with issues of red tape in government. It is by no means a vote of no confidence on the DSBD by the President and the SMMEs.

The DSBD views this development as a meaningful contribution particularly by the private sector in providing expertise to contribute to coordinating, aligning and unblocking channels to address long standing red tape and administrative challenges, that have plagued businesses and more especially small businesses and Co-operatives, but also large ones with start-ups, micro and informal sector even more vulnerable as participants in the economy.

The Department have engaged on numerous steps to ensuring a productive, goal orientated and positive working relationship with the Red Tape Office in the Presidency. The engagement with the Presidency through the Red Tape Office have decided to identify clear areas of collaboration. The details of all these proposals are being finalised and shall form part of the strategic engagement and focussed coordination channels between the DSBD and Mr Nkosi’s Office.

2. The Department understands that communication is a dynamic process of engagement on the needs of our SMMEs and through the Provincial Roadshows and Provincial Partnerships, the Department has proactively engaged SMMEs and Co-operatives in seven (8) provinces already. These engagements would often take place in rural and far-flung locations with the purpose of meeting, listening to and attending to SMMEs’ and Co-operatives’ needs. The range of inputs received from SMMEs have been constructive, which is evident that SMMEs still have the confidence in the DSBD to reduce red tape. There has been overwhelming attendance and participation in these roadshows.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

HIGHER HEALTH, with support from its Technical Scientific Team, the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), has developed a comprehensive and clear set of PSET guidelines and protocols on managing COVID-19 in the sector which were formally released by the Minister of Higher Education, Training, Science and Innovation since 30 April 2020.  One of these guidelines is the GUIDELINE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES ON COVID-19 VACCINE IN THE POST-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND TRAINING SECTOR that can be followed in producing institution-specific vaccine policies.  This guideline has been produced after extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, including Universities South Africa, the South African Public Colleges Organisation, Community Education and Training (CET) College management, student bodies and student leadership, labour unions, public health experts and the HIGHER HEALTH Scientific Technical Task Team.

The guideline has been presented to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.  The Minister referred the guideline to the COVID-19 Ministerial Task Team led by the Deputy Minister and comprise all stakeholders including unions and student formations.  The guideline is currently still under consultation with various stakeholders and has not been released in the PSET sector.  

At this stage the Department does not promote mandatory vaccine policies in institutions.

Reply:

Phase 1 on provision of immediate humanitarian relief focuses on addressing the immediate needs within affected communities. This includes search, rescue and recovery operations, burial assistance, death certificates, post-mortems, health services, psychosocial support, temporary shelter, food, personal essentials and emergency water supply.

Phase 2 on stabilisation and recovery interventions focuses on short term measures to repair and rebuild public infrastructure and facilities. This includes water, sanitation, stormwater and drainage infrastructure, electricity infrastructure, roads and bridges, rail networks, telecommunications infrastructure, health facilities, solid waste infrastructure, school infrastructure and human settlements. It also includes the provision of housing support and provision of social relief of distress grants.

For the details of the implementation plans, I refer the Honourable Member to the presentation by the Department of Cooperative Governance to the Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery on 23 May 2022.

The coordination of efforts by relevant stakeholders is the responsibility of the Minister of

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) as per the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). Each organ of state is responsible for interventions across the phases as per their respective mandates.

The Communication and Community Mobilisation Task Team led by the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) is responsible for communicating progress to the public. Updates are also being provided through existing platforms across the spheres of government.

Reply:

The prescripts and accompanying norms and standards issued by the MPSA remain the mechanisms established to ensure that recruitment and selection is fair, transparent and are in line with Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994 provides for the appointment of Head of Department which gives the President such power at National Government and the Premier such power within the relevant province.

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) issued the Executive Protocol: Principles and Procedures for the Employment of Heads of Department (HoDs) and Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) Nationally. This was to support the President and Ministers with regard to HoD posts (recruitment, selection, appointment and other career incidents) at National Government.

The Department of Public Service and Administration provides support to the MPSA regarding the processing of Cabinet Memoranda on appointments of Heads of Department to Cabinet. The process of quality checking aims to ensure that the relevant prescripts (Public Service Act, 1994, Public Service Regulations, 2016 and relevant Directives, Determinations, Guides as issued) were followed. In the event that prescripts were not followed, such Cabinet Memoranda are referred back to the relevant delegated Minister with regard to the filling of a Head of Department post and do not serve before Cabinet until issues of concern are resolved.

If the issue of noncompliance impacting the fairness and transparency of the process, are not addressed, the relevant Executive Authority would be advised to re-advise the post and ensure compliance with relevant prescripts and prescribed policies.

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration has also issued a capacitation guide to all Premiers regarding the recruitment of Heads of Department and the required processes to follow. The Premier of the relevant province is the relevant Executive Authority for purposes of such appointments.

End

Reply:

During the financial eligibility evaluation of the students the entity found that the father earned more than the R350 000 threshold as per the SARS 2021 Tax Assessment. The students were not funded for this reason.

Reply:

No motivation for a proclamation has been submitted to the Presidency by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The SIU has indicated that it has not received any allegations on this matter, and will follow-up with the Municipality for details and to assess if the allegations fall within its mandate.

Reply:

(a)-(c) Neither myself, nor the Directors-General, Drs Phil Mjwara or Nkosinathi Sishi were on an official trip to the United States of America on the said date.

Reply:

a) The R1 billion mentioned by the President refers to funds that are provided for in the 2022 Division of Revenue Bill (and are not new monies), namely disaster relief funds (for immediate response) through the Provincial Disaster Response Grant and the Municipal Disaster Response Grant. These grants are allocated R144 million and R371 million respectively in 2022/23. A further R501 million is available for this financial year in the form of provincial and municipal Emergency Housing Grants. These funds, amounting to just over R1 billion, are available shortly after Treasury receives an application from the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and / or the national Department of Human Settlements (DHS), which are responsible for administering these grants. NDMC and DHS submit their applications to National Treasury once they have verified the submissions received from the province(s) and municipality(ies) concerned. To date, National Treasury has not received any applications from the NDMC or DHS.

b) In addition to immediate relief grants, state organs can reprioritise their budgets and existing conditional grants for emergency relief, reconstruction and recovery. For example, the Human Settlements Development Grant to provinces already allows for the construction of houses. Additional resources are also available through the contingency reserve, which will become available after the Appropriations Bill is passed. Another option is to use the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) fund, which mainly consists of donor disbursements through various financing agreements, plus interest accrued on capital of related development projects. Therefore, since the full cost of emergency relief, reconstruction, and recovery is yet to be determined, it is difficult to determine whether the sources discussed above are adequate.

Reply:

The placement on parole of offender Morné Harmse’s was not approved by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services as the Minister is responsible for parole consideration of offenders that are sentenced to life imprisonment (lifers). Offenders serving determinate sentences are considered by the Case Management Committees and the Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards (CSPB) without the intervention of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.

Offender Morné Harmse was first considered on 16 November 2019, by the CSPB for possible placement on parole after completion of his minimum detention period on 09 June 2019, and was found not suitable for placement. Subsequently five (05) further profiles were approved by the CSPB and he was referred for further interventions.

Offender Morné Harmse was reconsidered by the CSPB on 24 February 2022, and this time parole placement was approved effective from 03 March 2022, subject to compliance with parole conditions. The decision to place offender Morné Harmse on parole was taken after considering multi-disciplinary reports including the Social Work report. Offender Harmse still continues with rehabilitation efforts under the system of Community Corrections. The offender is complying with his placement conditions since he was placed out.

END

Reply:

1. I have been informed by the Magistrates Commission that its Executive Committee (EXCO) resolved to appoint two (2) private practitioners to lead the evidence on behalf of the Commission. This resolution was taken with consideration of the duration of the hearing/inquiry, and the fact that if magistrates were to lead the evidence, those magistrates would have to be replaced in their courts. The two private practitioners were duly appointed as Persons to Lead the Evidence (PLEs) on 23 September 2021.

I have further been informed that dates have been proposed for early in the 2nd half of 2022 to commence with the Inquiry.

2. No. The Magistrates Commission is an independent statutory body and any requests for statements should be referred to the Chairperson of the Magistrates Commission.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

a) South Africa has a bilateral science and innovation partnership agreement with the Russian Federation in science and technology signed in October 2014. The partnership is of mutual benefit to both countries which advances internationalisation of science and innovation.

b) Regarding the question on commercial projects with the Russian Federation –the Department of Science and Innovation has no known commercial contracts with the Russian Federation and to the best of the Department’s knowledge, its entities also do not have commercial contracts with the Russian Federation.

(i) None.

(ii) None.

(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(cc) n/a

(dd) n/a

(ee) n/a

c) Should there be commercial contracts of mutual interest the general government procurement and contract management processes will be followed also informed by our national interest and foreign policy imperatives.

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Department of Higher Education and Training does not have any commercial contracts with the Government of the Russian Federation or any entity based in the Russian Federation. The Department mainly cooperates with the Russian Federation in human capital development in the form of scholarships. Tuition and accommodation is paid by the Government of the Russian Federation. The Department covers return flight tickets and top-up stipends provided by the Russian Federation. The monies are disbursed to students by the South African Embassy in Moscow.

A consolidated response for both the Department and the Public Entities accordingly reporting to it is also attached for convenience.

Reply:

A feasibility study completed by Phumelela Local Municipality in Mavageng informal settlement in Vrede indicated that the area is prone to a hundred year flood-line and therefore inhabitable. The municipality advised the residents of Mavageng informal settlement that they would be relocated to Thembalihle Ext 14. There was resistance from the residents and therefore could not be relocated. Thembalihle Ext 14 has since been fully allocated to other beneficiaries.

The municipality has since resolved to make provision for these residents to be allocated sites in an approved township named Thembalihle Ext 8 which consists of 1400 erven allocated as follows:

Zoning	Number of Erven
Residential	1310
Business	5
Church	7
Light Industrial	14
Crèche	5
School	3
Public Open Space	18
Street	13
Total	1400

The municipality is yet to consult the occupants with this alternative relocation site. It is important to also note that the alternative Ext. 8 currently does not have municipal engineering services however, in this financial year (i.e., 2022/23) the Free State Department of Human Settlements has been made provision for the reticulation of this area. A project has been registered in this regard with the registration number F21080058/1 and is included in the 2022/23 FS Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant’s Business Plan.

Reply:

(a) Government has no legal authority/jurisdiction over privately owned hostels and as such information/statistics required is not held by any sphere of government, instead, the government’s authority is limited only in respect of public hostels which are owned by provincial human settlements departments or municipalities.

(b) The Department is currently consulting stakeholders to solicit inputs for the regulations that must inform norms and standards that will apply to privately and publicly-owned rental accommodation.

Reply:

(a&b) According to the SITA e-Health report the network reachability and availability was 100% for this office. See the attached bandwidth utilisation report. All the functional workstations within the Somerset West Office are equipped with computers with the required software to run the Modernisation system. This office is part of dataline upgrades for the Live Capture project for 2022/23 which is already in process with SITA SCM.

END

Reply:

The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) was established as a committee of Cabinet by the Cabinet in its meeting of 15 March 2020 to coordinate government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The NCCC makes recommendations to Cabinet on measures necessary to manage the pandemic.

The NCCC continues to perform this function since, although the national state of disaster has been lifted, the COVID-19 pandemic is unfortunately not yet over.

As a Cabinet committee – which, like all other Cabinet Committees, was established to support the work of Cabinet in whichever form the Executive deems most practical or useful – the existence of the NCCC is not dependent on a national state of disaster being in operation.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

1. The total number of Informal Settlements:

TYPES - AREAS OF INFORMALITY	SETTLEMENTS	STRUCTURES
Backyarder Settlement	31	1 419
Informal Settlement	497	201 151
IDA/TRA/ Re-blocked	33	12 361
Rental Stock Settlements	71	9 478
Small Farmers/ Rural Settlement	17	2 863
New settlements (i.e. Land invasions March 2020 to October 2021)	186	59 192
TOTAL	835	286 464

The data is collected form aerial photography or drone footage with individual structure counts, physical surveys in some instances and solid waste door to door survey information. Data is updated on an annual basis.

2. The analysis of each settlement resulted in the most likely development pathway for that specific settlement. The steps taken can be one of the following options:

Basic Access Improvement: Rolling out of basic access frameworks (i.e. improved roads & pedestrian movement) as part of the basic service package to informal settlements.

De-densification: Settlements which will be required to be de-densified prior to any in-situ (UISP or Superblock) development can be implemented. Basic services provided in interim.

Superblock: Provide formal access roads with formal services infrastructure but no individual serviced sites and only shared services – no or minimal relocation initially required. Settlement is suitable for a superblock approach which can comprise of residential blocks of approximately 90m x 30m with the provision of shared water (1:25 ratio) and sanitation (1:5 ratio), door-to-door waste collection and individual electrification. All roads, storm water and pedestrian access ways to be developed to an “A-Grade” standard.

UISP: Provide every household in informal settlement with own individual serviced site when upgrading to formality – no top structures provided and no or limited relocation required. Settlements which will be developed as a UISP type of project with individual erven with each erf having its own water and sanitation points (1:1 ratio), waste collection, formal roads, storm water management and electrification.

Re-blocked & Enhanced Re-blocking: Settlements which can potentially be Re-blocked where it meets the density and settlement size criteria. Those settlements where the city has established and confirmed the interest and willingness from the community to participate and support a re-blocking type of project.

Managed Settlement Programme: Greenfield site prepared for rapid occupation with shared services initially but with potential to upgrade to individual serviced sites over time & owner construction of top structure.

Total Relocation: Certain settlements will be required to be relocated in totality due to various factors such as location in areas prone to flooding, under power lines in road reserves and located on landfill sites. The locational risk factors of the settlement require relocation to a safer environment. Basic services is provided in interim.

3. Yes, the following budget allocations were received for the upgrading of informal settlements:

FINANCIAL YEAR	BUDGET
2021/22	R316 521 045
2020/21	R242 535 817
2019/20	R204 423 506
2018/19	R159 409 166
2017/18	R194 899 707
2016/17	R117 546 392
2015/16	R58 600 165
2014/15	R85 917 567
2013/14	R97 658 338
2012/13	R27 654 000

a) The funding received for the upgrading of informal settlements were utilised for settlements where planning approvals were obtained, de-densification could be achieved for in-situ upgrading as per the UISP approach. Not all settlements are suitable for upgrading and a vast number is inappropriately located e.g. in rail reserve, over bulk infrastructure line, under ESKOM power lines or in flood prone locations. These types of settlements will need to be relocated in totality. The other factor is to find well located land suitable for residential development which is not necessarily located on the outskirts of the city far away from any job opportunity of social facility.

b) The growth in informality is part of the urbanisation process taking place across all urban centres in the country. The growth in the demand for housing in the City of Cape Town outstrip the production of housing opportunities by the city, province and the private sector. Lastly the negative economic conditions, such as the increase in job losses under Covid 19 the country has been experiencing has led to more people not being in a position to pay rent for formal or informal locations and thus resulting in growth of informal settlements.

Reply:

The question asked by the Honourable Member falls within the purview of the Member of Executive Council (MEC) of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), not the Minister of Basic Education. Attached please see response from KZN. 

Reply:

(a) 351

(b)(i) 295

(b)(ii) Most of the claims that remain within this municipality have disputes that are referred to court for adjudication; the finalization dates are therefore dependent on conclusion of court processes.

END

 

Reply:

There are no commercial contracts entered into by my Department or any of the Entities reporting to me with the govenment of the Russian Federation.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) revived the Green Drop programme in the 2021/2022 financial year. The Green Drop regulation programme sought to identify and develop the core competencies that, if strengthened, would gradually and sustainably improve the standard of wastewater management in South Africa. The Green Drop programme seeks to induce changes in behaviour of individuals and institutions to facilitate continuous improvement and adoption of best practice management of wastewater networks and treatment systems. The programme evaluates the entire wastewater management services over a one-year audit period. The Green Drop report was released on 1 April 2022, and it can be accessed on the departmental website www.dws.gov.za.

In the Green Drop report, it has been indicated that 64 (FS) and 33 (NW) Wastewater Treatment Systems have been identified to be at critical state in the Free State and Northwest Provinces respectively. The table below provides details systems at critical state in the two provinces. Letters of non-compliance in terms of green drop report audit findings have been sent to respective water services authorities responsible for the systems at critical state, requiring them to submit a detailed corrective action plan to the DWS.

Table of Systems at critical state in Free State and Northwest provinces

FREE STATE PROVINCE	64
Kopanong LM	4
	Fauresmith
	Gariep Dam
	Jagersfontein
	Reddersburg
Letsemeng LM	2
	Koffiefontein
	Oppermansgronde
Mafube LM	5
	Namahadi
	Villiers/Qalabotjha
	Frankfort
	Tweeling
	Cornelia
Maluti-a-Phofung LM	7
	Elandsriver
	Kestell
	Makwane/Matsegeng
	Moeding
	Phuthaditjhaba
	Tshiame
	Wilge/Harrismith
Mangaung LM	6
	BFN - Northern Works
	BFN-Bloemdustria
	Soutpan
	Dewetsdorp
	Van Stadensrus
	Wepener
Mantsopa LM	3
	Excelsior
	Ladybrand
	Tweespruit
Masilonyana LM	3
	Brandfort
	Theunissen-Masilo
	Winburg
Matjhabeng LM	10
	Allanridge
	Hennenman
	Mmamahabane
	Odendaalsrus
	Phomolong
	Thabong
	Theronia
	Ventersburg
	Virginia
	Witpan
Mohokare LM	3
	Rouxville
	Smithfield
	Zastron
Nala LM	3
	Bothaville
	Wesselsbron
	Monyakeng
Ngwathe LM	5
	Parys
	Vredefort
	Koppies
	Heilbron
	Edenville
Nketoana LM	1
	Lindley/Ntha
Phumulela LM	3
	Vrede
	Warden
	Memel
Setsoto LM	3
	Ficksburg
	Clocolan
	Marquard New
Tswelopele LM	1
	Hoopstad
Moqhaka LM	3
	Kroonstad
	Steynsrus
	Viljoenskroon
Metsimaholo LM	2
	Deneysville-Refengkgotso
	Oranjeville

NORTHWEST PROVINCE	33
Dr Ruth Mompati DM	8
Naledi LM	Vryburg
Mamusa LM	Schweizer Reneke
Naledi LM	Stella
Greater Taung LM	Taung Hospital
	Taung Station
	Diplankeni/Mogogong
	Maganeng/Pudimoe
	Reivilo
Kgetleng River LM	4
	Koster AS
	Swartruggens
	Koster Ponds
	Mazista
Madibeng LM	3
	Mothotlung
	Eagles Landing
	Sunway
Maquassi Hills LM	2
	Leeudoringstad
	Wolmaranstad
Moretele LM	1
	Swartdam
Moses Kotane LM	2
	Mogwase
	Madikwe
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM	13
Ditsobotla LM	Coligny
	Lichtenburg
	Itsoseng
Mafikeng LM	Mahikeng
	Mmabatho
Ramoshere Moilwa LM	Lehurutshe-Welbedacht
	Zeerust
Tswaing LM	Delareyville
	Sannieshof
	Ottosdal
	Atamelang
	Groot Marico
	Itekeng Ponds

a) The department will from the financial year 2022/2023 onwards, through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) prioritise the approval of business plans from municipalities designed to refurbish and upgrade the diminishing wastewater treatment works. It should be noted that the department provides funding to municipalities for upgrading and refurbishing wastewater treatment works through the Water Service Infrastructure Grant and Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) on an ongoing basis. The department will continue supporting municipalities in collaboration with CoGTA, to ensure that the wastewater treatment works are complaint with the required standard in line with the green drop requirements.

b) The department allocates grants in line with the approved business plans of WSAs. The business plans are followed by supporting documentations such as cashflows and project plans documents. The department further allocates funds in terms of direct transfers and indirect transfers to municipalities. The department will monitor the expenditure of the grants to ensure that funds are not misappropriated. The department will further enforce Division of Revenue Act to ensure that the grant funding is spent in line with the requirements of the Act. Where there is misappropriation, required actions will be taken in line with the Act itself.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education partnered with the Department of Social Development (DSD) as efforts to ensure the provision of psychosocial support to learners and educators with the intention of building resilience, minimizing mental health problems and ensuring continuity of teaching and learning in schools. All Provincial Departments of Education refer learners to DSD, particularly for statutory services in relation to child abuse cases.

Working with the Gauteng Department of Education, the DSD has employed one hundred and thirteen (113) social workers, eighteen (18) Social Work Supervisors and ten (10) Social Auxilliary Workers, and attached them to the Education Districts. The contact details for the DSD supervisors have been provided to schools and School Based Support Team members should they need to escalate cases.

To strengthen psychosocial support during COVID-19, the Free State Department of Education partnered with the Department of Social Development (DSD) around placement of Social Work Interns at District level. Fifty four (54) social work interns were placed in the respective Districts and hotspot areas within circuits. Orientation of these Social workers on the psychosocial needs in the context of COVID-19 was conducted by the DBE and the Province. The placement has since been terminated.

The North West Department of Education has partnered with the DSD by referring learners with psychosocial support needs to social workers within the DSD and networking with DSD to provide trauma debriefing and counselling of learners. They have established an Inter sectoral collaboration with Health and DSD in terms of identification and support of learners.

In KwaZulu-Natal Education Department, each school in the Province has been linked to the Health facilities and DSD service office for the provision of health and psychosocial support services respectively.

Mpumalanga Department of Education has been in discussion with DSD on how they can assist with the Social Workers employed by DSD. Currently, they have a working partnership where districts have contact details of DSD district coordinators, for case referral purposes.

The Northern Cape Department of Education refer cases that need further support to Provincial and District Structures of the DSD and Health. The Province conducts monthly meetings with DoH and DSD.

Reply:

The North West Provincial Department of Human Settlements technical team has completed the quantification of all the houses so that it can extend the scope of the developer to complete all the incomplete houses before the end of of the current financial year.

Reply:

The closing of a school is a provincial matter and should be referred to the Member of the Executive Council of the relevant province.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education does not have any commercial contracts with the Russian Federation.

Reply:

1.  The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Mhlathuze Water were put on precautionary suspension on 8 December 2021 following whistle-blower allegations. If proven, these allegations would require the Board to institute a detailed investigation.

2. In January 2022, based on the outcome of the preliminary investigation, the Board deemed it appropriate to extend the period of the precautionary suspension for three months with an option of extension for a period not exceeding six months in line with entity’s policy. The two remain on precautionary suspension until the investigation is concluded.

NW2003E

 

---00O00---

Reply:

No. The programmes offered by the 11 Colleges of Agriculture are divided into two sub - programmes, namely Higher Education (HET) providing agricultural training from NQF level 5 to 7, and formal and non-formal training on NQF level 1 to 4 (except for Taung College of Agriculture and Potchefstroom College of Agriculture where farmer training is done at Kgora Training Centre). The NQF Level 1 to 4 programmes have emphasis on farmer training i.e. smallholder, subsistence and commercial farmers, and in most cases, they collaborate with Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

The Colleges of Agriculture (CoAs) through the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) have existing working relationship with the ARC, mostly though signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and some of the Colleges also host the ARC within their premises. The relationship allows the two parties to collaborate in offering short courses either through sharing of premises or expertise. Farmers only travel to ARC premises in instances where a specific or specialised infrastructure is needed for practical training.

Reply:

The question has been referred to the Mpumalanga Department of Education and a response will be provided as soon as it is received.

Reply:

a)  Invader species in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act No 43 of 1983 (CARA), refers to both indigenous and alien invader species which have beneficial properties that warrant continued presence under certain circumstances. The objective of the Act with respect to invaders species that may lead to bush encroachment (indigenous species) on grazing areas, is not always aimed at eradication but the focus is on thinning and reducing them to normal and acceptable levels. Invader species that occur outside the demarcated areas are however eradicated to minimise undesirable species which may degrade the veld. The type of problematic invader plants that are found across the country covers the whole spectrum of declared species in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 43 of 1983). The occurrence of these species varies from province to province due to various factors including climatic conditions.

The invader species identified as dominant include the following:

Table 1: List of invader species per province:

PROVINCE	DOMINANT INVADER SPECIES
EASTERN CAPE	Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush-indigenous), Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle), Lantana camara (Lantana), and Opuntia species (prickle pear) and blue bush (recently identified and more work is being done to acquire information on this plant)
KWAZULU-NATAL	Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush-indigenous), Lantana Camara (Lantana), Silver dealbata (Silver wattle) and Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
MPUMALANGA	Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush - indigenous), Lantana Camara (Lantana), Silver dealbata (Silver wattle) and Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle) and Dichrostachys cineria (Sickle bush-Indigenous).
GAUTENG	Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush-indigenous), Dichrostachys cineria (Sickle bush-Indigenous), Silver dealbata (Silver wattle) and Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle) and Cereus Jamacaru (Queen of the night)–Bio control agent has been released on it and it is found to be under control.
LIMPOPO	Dichrostachys cineria (Sickle bush-Indigenous), Prosopis spp. (Mesquite) in communal grazing areas and Lopholaena coriifolia (small-leaved fluff-bush).
NORTH WEST	Seriphium plumosum-Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush - indigenous), Acacia Mellifera (Swarthaak) indigenous and Prosopis spp. (Mesquite).
FREE STATE	Seriphium plumosum - Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt bush), Cestrum laevigatum (Inkberry), Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle) and Opuntia species (Prickle pears)
NORTHERN CAPE	Acacia Mellifera (Swarthaak) and Prosopis spp. (Mesquite), Rhigozum trichotomum (Driedoring)
WESTERN CAPE	Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle), Acacia saligna (Port Jackson), Eucalyptus spp (Blue gum) Hakea spp and Pinus spp

b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has put in place the following measures to manage and control invader species and/or trees in all Provinces:

• A dedicated resource monitoring unit that audits veld infested by invader species in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 43 of 1983), CARA is in place. The mandate of the team is to assess the status of veld in collaboration with provinces to identify invader species that threaten the productivity of grazing areas. The team also provides advice on control measures to land users. Directives are only served to land users as a last resort to facilitate compliance with CARA legislation;
• Through its Landcare programme, the Department collaborates with relevant research institutions to support control of invader species across the country. Provincial Departments of Agriculture are also involved. Collaboration includes provision of technical and governance advice in areas affecting veld management for improved grazing and livestock production;
• Where applicable, partnership with relevant stakeholders are put in place to facilitate the control of Bankrupt Bush and Prosopis in various communities through the Landcare programme;
• Awareness campaigns have been conducted and DALRRD has coordinated the development of a database to record bush encroacher species in the veld. To date, surveys have been conducted where bankrupt bush encroachment was dominant in grazing areas. The strategy on management of invader indigenous species is currently being developed; and
• DALRRD will continue conducting capacity building sessions for land users and farmers on management of invader species per biome during the 2022/23 financial year. Guidelines on possible management of invader species and veld improvement will be developed and shared with relevant stakeholders.

Reply:

a) Zero. 

b) The National School Nutrition Programme's mandate is to provide school meals to Q1-3 primary and secondary schools, and identified special schools. The Department has no knowledge of any schools falling into these categories that are not included in the programme.

Reply:

1. (a)&(b) KTVR is the operating company owned and managed by affected minibus owners in the Phase 1 area in Ekurhuleni. The National Department of Transport transfers funds to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality under the Division of Revenue Act authorising conditional grants. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality procures services utilising its own supply chain policies under the relevant legislation. One of these services is operating the interim Harambee Phase 1 contract which is performed by KTVR.

The operating contract related transfers to KTVR from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality for the relevant years are as follows:

Financial Years	Total Spend
April 2021 to March 2022	R174 276 431,22
April 2022 to date	0
Total Spend	R174 276 431,22

2. Yes, Audited Financial Statements have been received from KTVR. The latest audited

Financial Statement on file with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is for the year ending June 2021.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) established that the specified property at the Knoflokskraal site does not fall under its custodianship but is under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). DALRRD therefore, has not launched any investigation on this property.

(2)(a),(b) Falls away.

Reply:

(1) The Ugu District Muniicpality is the Water Services Authority (WSA) for the aforementioned areas. All the water supply systems listed above have experienced water supply interruptions due to:

• Water demands exceeding the available supply. The schemes need to be upgraded to meet the growing demands.
• The aging pipe infrustructure, and mechincal and electrical componets of water treatment works and pumpstations. The corrective measures include the implementaion of a pipeline replacement programme under the Municipal Infrustructure Grant (MIG) and allocation of up to 10% of the MIG funding towards operations and maintainance.

The recent floods have severely impacted on water and sanitation services in the Ugu DM area and teams are currently assessing the damage to the infrustructure and working hard to restore water supply and recover the systems.

Prior to the floods, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) had been assisting with the water services challenges that are being experienced in the Ugu DM. The DWS is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team that has been established by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal to determine the root causes of water supply interruptions in the various supply systems, develop implementable interventions, and monitor the progress made with implementation of the interventions.

The DWS is also a member of the Technical Task Team and the Water Supply Challenges WAR Room that is assisting the Ugu DM to implement immediate interventions to stabilise the supply systems and develop a turnaround strategy.

However, since the floods, support efforts have focused on restoring water and sanitation services to flood damaged areas and assessing the cost to restore the infrastructure. The DWS has also assisted the Ugu DM and the Provincial Disaster Mangement Centre with disaster relief funding applications.

(2) As part of the flood relief interventions, the DWS has also hired 20 additional water tankers to assist the Ugu DM to provide emergency relief across the District for 90 days. This will allow repairs to damaged infrastruture to be effected and the systems to be restored.

(3) As mentioned in 1 above, the DWS is part of the technical task team established by the Premier. This team is overseeing the interventions along with the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and engineers from the Municipal Inftustructure Supprt Agency.

The DWS has also deployed a team of multidisciplinary engineers and technical experts to quantify and cost the flood damages.

---00O00---

Reply:

No. Farmers are encouraged to practice best farming practices and avoid farming in high risk areas such as along the rivers, to prevent and mitigate impacts of disaster risks such as floods.

The dams are monitored by the Department of Water and Sanitation and in cases where they must be opened a communication is made to the communities located downstream. The farming communities are advised to remove the equipment used to collect water when opening of dams is anticipated to avoid losses.

 

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development addresses disasters in line with the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) and the National Disaster Management Framework of 2005 as amended. Farmers who are affected by the impacts of disasters are considered in line with the Disaster Management Act, 2022 (Act No. 57 of 2002) following the assessment of damages, which unfortunately makes no provision for compensation of losses. Additionally, in encouraging good farming practices, farming along the riverbanks is a risk on its own and cannot be supported through disaster relief assistance as it is against the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 43 of 1983). The Farmers are always encouraged to implement risk reduction measures as communicated through monthly advisories.