Questions and Replies
02 June 2022 - NW1281
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, with reference to his reply to oral question 3 on 2 March 2022, any progress has been made in finalising the protocol and system in terms of which the National Prosecuting Authority will be enabled to make use of donor funding in order to deal with the prosecution of cases flowing from the reports of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State; if not, by what date is the protocol and system envisaged to be finalised and/or implemented; if so, what are the (a) details of the progress and (b) further relevant details?
Reply:
On 17 February 2022, the Director-General (DG) of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) approved the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s request to establish a multi-disciplinary Task Team to Develop / Review the Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Donor Review Committee prepared by the NPA.
The Task Team met on 8 March and 25 March 2022, and is currently in a process of compiling a detailed report to the National Director of Public Prosecutions and DG of the DoJ&CD in which certain recommendations will be made on its purpose as well as the rules and procedures that will govern its operations.
The target date for the implementation of the protocol is 30 June 2022.
01 June 2022 - NW1870
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts andCulture
(1). Whether universities and/or other institutions of learning, museums, and/or other institutions in the public and/or private sector are in possession of human remains; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what policy and processes are in place for the families of such human remains to achieve closure in a dignified manner; (2). whether his department has been advised of and/or is involved in the Stuurman family dispute in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape over human remains that are at the University of Cape Town, regarding where the final resting place of the remains should be; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the role of his department in assisting with resolving the dispute regarding the final resting place of the Stuurman remains and (b) are the details of his department’s (i) research findings and (ii) position in the determination of the origin of the Stuurman name?
Reply:
(1). A number of universities and museums in the public and private sectors are in possession of human remains. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has developed the National Policy on the Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects to deal with this issue. As part of the implementation of this Policy, the Department, together with the South African Heritage Resources Agency is establishing the Repatriation and Restitution Office (RRO), which will directly deal with the repatriation and restitution of human remains and heritage objects. Additionally, the Minister has appointed an Advisory Committee that will provide expert advice on this matter to the RRO and the Department.
2. The Ministry has been advised of the Stuurman family dispute and is being regularly updated on the developments. In December 2021, the Minister wrote to the University of Cape Town and asked the University to ensure that all the Stuurman family members be involved in the reburial of the Sutherland 9 human remains, and in particular, that the House of Klaas and Dawid Stuurman as represented by Mr. Edmund Stuurman is part of the decision making about where the remains are to be buried.
01 June 2022 - NW1837
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture(1)
(2).whether the suspensions are still applicable; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the progress and/or outcome of the disciplinary processes with regard to the CEO and CFO as recommended by the Forensic Report and (b) by what date will the disciplinary processes be finalized; (2). whether the suspensions are still applicable; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the progress and/or outcome of the disciplinary processes with regard to the CEO and CFO as recommended by the Forensic Report and (b) by what date will the disciplinary processes be finalized; (3). whether the specified officers were suspended with full pay and allowed to use the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) equipment such as laptops and cellphones; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the (a) relevant details and (b) legal costs incurred; (4). (a) who were the persons that were appointed as acting CEO and CFO and (b) what are the additional costs incurred by the NAC because of the suspensions? NW2170E
Reply:
1. The CEO was suspended on 27 February 2021.
2. The disciplinary hearings of Ms. Mangope commenced in December 2021. Prior to the conclusion of the hearings, Ms. Mangope and the NAC agreed to part ways amicably. The disciplinary hearing of the CFO is ongoing.
01 June 2022 - NW1883
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1) With reference to the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SA Football Association (Safa), Mr Gay Mokoena, (a) on what date (i) was he appointed as the CEO of Safa and (ii) were the interviews and (b) what (i) was the venue and time of the interviews, (ii) are the names and relevant details of the interview panel members and (iii) rules and/or statute did Safa rely on when they appointed him in the specified position; (2) whether the Members of the National Executive Council of Safa discussed the appointment of Mr Gay Mokoena as the CEO; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is still processing the response to the question, once done they will respond to us. |
01 June 2022 - NW1869
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts andCulture
(1).Whether his department has any records of Christian Albrecht Groepe who died on 7 August 1904 and was buried on Robben Island; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the reasons that the specified person was buried on Robben Island and (b) are the relevant details around his death; (2). whether any other relatives of the person are also buried on Robben Island; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1). Robben Island Museum (RIM) does not have any records of Christian Albrecht Groepe who is said to have died on 7 August 1904, (a) and (b) falls off as there are no records of the said person.
01 June 2022 - NW1836
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
With reference to his reply to question 862 on 31 March 2022, what is the breakdown of the total amounts in Rand that has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) him, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of his department since 29 May 2019 as was allocated in Programme One of his department?
Reply:
As indicated in our response to question 862, the status quo remains.
01 June 2022 - NW1884
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1) With reference to the arbitration case of a certain senior official of the SA Football Association (Safa) (name furnished), (a)(i) on what date was the arbitration and (ii) who paid for the arbitration, (b) what was the total cost of the arbitration process, (c)(i) who appointed a senior counsel to defend Safa and (ii) at what cost and (d) from which funds were the legal costs sourced; (2) whether he has found that the arbitration process was fair practice by Safa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has found that Safa violated some statutes, rules and/or regulations in the arbitration process; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is still processing the response to the question, once done they will respond to us. |
31 May 2022 - NW2003
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, following the arrest of the Pakistani national who was running a syndicate producing fake Identity Documents (ID) and passports, and in light of daily reports of persons who are in possession of fake South African documents, he will consider launching a review of the authenticity of all IDs, passports and residency permits on the database of his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
When fraudulent documents are detected the Branch Civic Services refers such cases to the Branch: Counter Corruption and Security Services if it involves the Departments officials and/or to Branch: Immigration Services (Inspectorate division) if it entails investigation of foreign nationals. Otherwise cases are referred to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies.
Upon conclusion of the investigations conducted by the above institutions, and when the outcome renders the enabling documents to be fraudulent, the Department follows a process to set markers to block, nullify and to cancel the fraudulently issued identity documents and passports on the National Population Register(NPR) as a means to maintain the credibility of the system in the Republic.
Furthermore, the Immigration Service Branch within the Department is also involved to flag such documents on the Movement Control System (MCS). As a result a note verbale is also published and circulated through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) as a means to communicate to foreign countries regarding fake or fraudulently issued passports and identity documents.
END
31 May 2022 - NW1984
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) is the name of each of the border posts that remain closed after they were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) are the reasons that each specified border post remains closed, (c) steps are being taken to reopen each border post and (d) is the estimated time frame for each border post to be reopened?
Reply:
a) Sendelingsdrift; Onseepkans; Rietfontein; Middelsputs; Mc Carthys Rest; Makopong; Bray; Makgobistad; Swartkopfontein; Derdepoort; Pilanesberg Int Airport; Stockpoort; Zanzibar; Platjan; Pondrift; Giriyondo; Josefsdal; Nerston; Emahlathini; Bothashoop; Nerston; Waverley; Onverwacht; Monontshapass; Pekabridge; Sephaposgate; Makhaleng; Boesmansnek; Ongelusknek; Ramatsidiso.
b) Enforcement of Health protocols remains a critical requirement and with the absence of that capability the border posts cannot be re-opened.
c) The reopening of each border post is dependent on the Department of Health.
d) This is dependent on the Department of Health.
END
30 May 2022 - NW1387
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Police
Whether the police officers involved in the investigation of the case of rape and abduction of Andy Kawa have been relieved of their duties after the victim, Andy Kawa, won the case at the Constitutional Court against the Minister of Police for negligence in her case of rape that occurred in 2010; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1511
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) total number of schools in each province did not receive their Learning and Teaching Support Material allocation for the 2020-21 financial year and (b) are the reasons for this in each case?
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.
30 May 2022 - NW1828
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police:
Following the appointment of the new National Commissioner of the SA Police Service, Lieutenant-General S F Masemola, on what date will the SA Police Service start with the restructuring process in order to (a) remove non-performers and (b) promote efficient of the police
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW922
Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) In terms of what statutory power(s) does she issue the Standard Operating Procedure for the Containment and Management of COVID-19 in Schools and School Communities (SOP); (2) what is the rationale for the SOP, given the context of the (a) low mortality rate caused by newer variants of the virus, such as Omicron, (b) high levels of immunity created by a combination of natural immunity and the national vaccination programme and (c) indication by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, that the Republic is to exit the national state of disaster very soon; (3) how does clause 12.3 of the SOP regarding the prohibition of religious services serve to achieve the stated purpose of minimising the contamination of school facilities and observing the social gathering restrictions, given that (a) up to 1 000 indoor and 2 000 outdoor spectators are allowed at schools for various activities and (b) religious services are allowed, subject to strict sanitisation and social distancing protocols as per the Regulations and ministerial directive; (4) (a) by what date is it envisaged that the SOPs will allow for religious services and (b) if no such point is anticipated, what is the reason for this?
Reply:
The question has been addressed by the Revised Directions published in the gazette on 4 April 2022.
30 May 2022 - NW2012
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is (a) the current total number of schools that are without proper sanitation services in the Republic, (b) the breakdown of that figure in terms of each province and (c) her department doing to ensure that no school is without sanitation infrastructure?
Reply:
1. (a) (b) (c). In 2011, the Department of Basic Education (in collaboration with the nine Provincial Departments of Education), determined the number of schools with no toilets. A total of 1 053 such schools were included in the scope of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI).
At present, 1 039 of these schools have received a full set of appropriate toilets in accordance with the minimum uniform norms and standards for public school infrastructure. The balance of 14 schools are scheduled for completion in 2022/23.
In 2018, the Department of Basic Education, again in collaboration with the nine Provincial Departments of Education, determined the number of schools that are dependent on basic pit toilets. A total of 3 482 such schools were included in the scope of the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE) programme.
At present, 1 962 of these schools have received a full set of appropriate toilets in accordance with the minimum uniform norms and standards for public school infrastructure. The balance of 1 520 schools are part of the DBE plans for this current financial year.
30 May 2022 - NW1726
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
(a) What are the full relevant details of the platforms, including social and traditional media, that are used to communicate the essential message to the public that there is no waiting period to report a missing person as there are misconceptions that there is an alleged 24-hour waiting period to do so (details furnished) and (b) how frequently is the message regarding a missing person relayed?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1753
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With the issue of abuse of the child support grant being prevalent throughout the provincial public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill, [B18-2020] and community members repeatedly indicating that the child support grant is often not used on the care of the child, but rather to purchase drugs and/or alcohol by the caregiver , but that this abuse is often not reported to the SA Police Service and the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) and therefore goes undetected by the relevant authorities, how does (a) her department and (b) SASSA plan to ensure that the child support grant is in fact used for the child’s basic needs considering conditions such as school attendance and clinic visits are not applicable, enforced and/or monitored by SASSA and other government officials?
Reply:
Anecdotal evidence often indicates that the Child Support Grant (CSG) may be abused by a few members within society, however research has shown, that in the vast majority caregivers generally prioritise the needs of their children. It is thus important for government not to over burden the poor, mainly women, who are doing an excellent task of taking care of their children with the very limited resources at their disposal.
Because CSG applies “follow the child” principle, the grant is allocated to the caregiver who is actually taking care of the child (which may not necessarily be the biological parent). This incentivises the actual caregiver of the child to apply for the grant, if the child is not being cared for by the biological parent. In such cases, SASSA will assess, often with the support of local social workers, who is responsible for the care of the child, and pay the grant accordingly.
Raising a child is a community effort, and neither DSD, SASSA nor government, on its own, can be responsible solely for a child’s wellbeing. The reporting of child neglect, and in particular, child abuse is mandatory for professionals (such as health practitioners, teachers, ministers, etc), and encouraged for other citizens and community members in terms of section 110 (1) and (2) of the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005). It is thus the duty of Members of Parliament to not only listen to community complaints about child neglect and abuse, but to actively record these and facilitate reporting to the relevant authorities.
30 May 2022 - NW1829
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether the senior police management have started reapplying for their positions with their qualifications as instructed by the former National Commissioner of the SA Police Service; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1602
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
What is the total number of (a) migrant, (b) refugee children and (c) undocumented orphans that has been helped with documentation through the R19 million programme called Children on the Move that she launched in December 2020 to assist undocumented minors in the Republic?
Reply:
a) The total number of 10 migrant children have been assisted with documentation.
b) The Department of Home Affairs is better positioned to respond this question.
c) 38 037 undocumented children have been referred to the Department of Home Affairs for documentation by the Implementing partners on the Children on the Move Project.
It should be noted that the R19 million programme called Children on the Move that was launched in December 2020 with UNICEF is aimed at providing capacity in the department to support implementation of the Children on the Move Programme.
Furthermore, the funds support the establishment and sustenance of the coordinating and collaborative mechanisms which amongst others include the functioning of national steering committee on Separated and Unaccompanied Children; and the development of the Standard Operating Procedures across relevant government departments.
It also funds initiatives to promote the Best Practices for Children on the move, which is a multiregional project and has been implemented in Central America (Mexico, El Salvador) and Eastern & Southern Africa (Zambia, South Africa).
The duration of the project is 30 months, starting December 2020. The funds are administered by UNICEF.
30 May 2022 - NW2067
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What steps have been taken by her department to deal with the challenge of substance abuse in schools?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education collaborates with the Central Drug Authority (CDA), a statutory body established in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008). The DBE supports the implementation of the CDA Drug Master Plan, as reflected in the annual report.
The DBE has developed the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools, accompanied by Drug Testing Guidelines, which are currently under review to ensure these remain abreast of evidence-based developments in the field.
In addition, the resource High-on-Life Toolkit, was co-developed with the African Youth Development Agency and is used to capacitate District Co-ordinators to prevent the abuse of substances in schools.
In the course of 2021 through 2022 financial years, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education are leading a multi-sectoral programme in all nine provinces towards the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Gender-based Violence, Discrimination and the Abuse of Alcohol and Substances in Schools.
30 May 2022 - NW1990
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) total number of ghost teachers have been on the systems of each provincial education department from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2022 and (b) is the (i) rate of educator absenteeism in each province and (ii) associated cost in Rand value of such absenteeism amongst educators in each province?
Reply:
(a), (b) (i)(ii). The National Department does not collect the requested information as part of its routine monitoring and support framework. The Department will, however, request each Provincial Education Department to provide the information as requested. The information will be provided to the Honorable Member of Parliament once it is obtained.
30 May 2022 - NW1713
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
What are the reasons that the Tactical Response Team was used to arrest Advocate Malesela Teffo in high court
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1724
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Whether air support was rendered by the SA Police Service during the floods in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, why not; if so, (a) what type of aircraft and/or helicopter was used, (b) on what date was each aircraft and/or helicopter used and (c) what was the nature of each specified application; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1659
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether the move to the government precinct is still going to take place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether monies for transactional advisors were paid back; if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
1. Yes, the department and its entities (SASSA and NDA) are planning to move to a new state-owned precinct, in Salvokop as part of the Tshwane Inner City Regeneration Programme. The plan is to permanently accommodate five state-owned government head offices as part of phase 1. These are Department of Higher Education and Training, Home Affairs, Correction Services, STASSA and the consolidated headquarters for DSD, SASSA and NDA.
The consolidated DSD/SASSA and NDA head office campus is anticipated to permanently accommodate DSD, SASSA and NDA within a state-of-the-art, custom-design, permanent facility enabling enhanced service delivery and efficient operations. This project is coordinated through a public-private partnership that is managed by National Treasury agency, the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC).
2. DSD transferred R10 million, which is a portion of the transaction advisory fees to GTAC. The rest of the outstanding fees (R10 million) will be transferred once the transaction advisors have finalised the feasibility study – which is due later in the 2022/23 financial year.
30 May 2022 - NW1558
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Social Development
What was the vision and/or plan of the Government when it funded the studies of social workers at universities as the majority of social workers who have completed their studies are idling at home unemployed?
Reply:
a) The Social Work Scholarship Programme was implemented to increase the human resource capacity of the social work profession employed to deliver developmental social welfare services.
b) The Scholarship Programme stipulated conditions for funding and employment of social work graduates where-
(i) Students were to serve the Department of Social Development, NGO or any department in any capacity for which the department concerned or NGO may consider suitable, for a continuous period of number of years sponsored plus one extra year.
(ii) The department did not guarantee employment of graduates upon completion of their studies.
(iii) Opportunities for employment within DSD were to be guided by availability of posts, funds and departmental recruitment processes for all employees.
c) In the event the Department failed to appoint students on its establishment within six (6) months after completion of their studies, students would be entitled to take any social work job offers available from sector employers.
30 May 2022 - NW1740
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether, since the population for the Chief Albert Luthuli informal settlement is 17 718, he would consider establishing a satellite police station at the Chief Albert Luthuli informal settlement since the police station is at least 5km away and there is a no direct public transport to the police station; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1610
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Police
Considering that the Crystal Park Police Station serves an extensive area of suburbs and sections (details furnished), what (a) is the (i) optimum number of policemen and police women that the Crystal Park Police Station should have and (ii) actual number of policemen and police women that the specified station currently has and (b) is the breakdown in terms of ranks?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1503
Jacobs, Mr F to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Given that Community Police Forum (CPF’s) in the Western Cape have recently lambasted the provincial government’s moves to delegitimise and render them ineffective in favour of neighbourhood watches (details furnished), and noting that CPF’s have also raised a grievance the provincial government has shown a bias towards neighbourhood watches by allocating a R 6 million budget towards these groups that would further intensify divisions between the two structures, what is the policy position of his department with regard to the coexistence of CPF’s and neighbourhood watches; (2) whether his department has been informed and/or is taking action to reduce the dispute between CPF’s and neighbourhood watches in the Western Cape; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details ?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW767
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What steps have been taken by her department to rebuild the defence and military veterans division, as there is currently no existing clear plan to bring in new recruits?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1756
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether, in view of the Auditor-General not enjoying unfettered access to the financial, procurement and performance activities of the State Security Agency (SSA), resulting in the Auditor-General being forced to automatically provide a qualified audit for the SSA each year, with the SSA now having been moved into the Office of the President, and given the recent allegations regarding the misuse of public funds and the alleged involvement of the SSA with party political funding irregularities, about which the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, denies any knowledge and that there are questions about the fact that the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa did not pick up on these irregularities, what does he intend to do about improving the access of the Auditor-General to the financial records of the SSA so as to ensure proper financial oversight?
Reply:
The current audit process is that the Office of the Auditor-General has access to Financial, Procurement and Performance matters. The only part of the financial information that the office of the Auditor-General does not have access to is source information that relates to the identity of sources and their specimen signatures. However, arrangements are in place to assure the office of the Auditor-General of controls in such cases in terms of the Audit Strategy. This implies Internal Audit will verify source-related financial and performance information. In the Audit Strategy for the financial year end 2021-2022, the following areas are included in the Internal Audit Plan that the Office of the Auditor General will rely on:-
- Operational expenditure and any other financial-statement line item that affects the covert expenditure e.g. Accounts Payable.
- Audit of performance information (Covert operations and others as agreed).
The automatic audit qualification relates to the high inherent risk due to the nature of the environment. This means that the level of assurance that can be given by the audit is lower than in the case of other audits due to the significant inherent risk relating to the sensitivity of the environment. The combined assurance between the Office of the Auditor-General and Internal Audit is aimed at improving the access of the Office of the Auditor-General to the financial records of the SSA so as to ensure proper financial oversight.
In terms of section 3(a) of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act, 1994 (Act 40 of 1994) the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) receives reports from the Auditor-General (AGSA) on the affairs of the State Security Agency and reports thereon to Parliament. After obtaining such report from the AGSA, the JSCI considers the financial statements of the State Security Agency, any audit reports issued on those statements and any reports issued by the AGSA on the affairs of the State Security Agency. In order to perform its functions, the JSCI may in accordance with sections 3(i) – (l) of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act, 1994 (Act 40 of 1994):
(i) request the AGSA to explain any aspect of a report;
(ii) deliberate upon, hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and make recommendations including on the administration and financial expenditure of the State Security Agency;
(iii) consult with the Minister regarding the performance of the functions of the JSCI in terms of the above mentioned Act; and
(iv) consider and report on the appropriation of revenue or moneys for the functions of the State Security Agency.
Accordingly, the ambit of the oversight of the AGSA over the State Security Agency, and whether this is sufficient, is the subject of discussion between the Minister and the JSCI.
Yours Sincerely,
__________________________
Mr Mondli Gungubele, MP,
Minister in The Presidency
Date:
30 May 2022 - NW1838
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether there are any gender-based violence and femicide shelters in the (a) Hantam Local Municipality and (b) Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality; if not, why not; if so, what are the (i) relevant details of the shelters and/or safe houses and (ii) services that are rendered?
Reply:
There are no shelters in the (a) Hantam Municipality nor in the (b) Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality; In partnership with Namakhoi Municipality. The Department delayed to establish a shelter in that district, due to the fact that there has not been statistics of women who need safe accommodation and sheltering services. Establishing a shelter with no baseline information (statistics) may lead to the centre being a white elephant. A shelter was established in Springbok and was managed by an NGO, but it became a white elephant until it was closed down due to the fact that there were no victims accessing the service. Currently the victims of GBV are provided with psycho-social support service even though the shelter non-existent.
The Department is however currently in a process of establishing a shelter in Springbok district.
30 May 2022 - NW777
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether with reference to the budget pressure on the SA National Defence Force and the immediate need to address the threat of implosion of the strategic prime mission equipment capabilities, what steps (a) has she and.-/or her department taken and (b) will be implemented immediately to drastically reduce the cost of employees as a percentage of the approved annual budget ? (2) Whether given that earlier this year the Secretary of Defence reported an expected Compensation of Employee (COE) overspending of around R3 billion for which no plans were in place to address the issue (details furnished), she has found it sufficient for the Republic to have only an air wing instead of an air force and water wing instead of a navy to protect the Republic, but overextended on COE; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, what are the relevant details.
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1739
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, with reference to the fact that the Northern Cape has only eight victim support shelters with a bed capacity of 20 to cater for victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in relation to the provincial number of reported GBV cases reported in the province, she has found that the bed capacity is sufficient to address this pandemic in the province; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether she has found that the specified province has enough social workers rendering psychosocial support services; if not, what steps are being taken to rectify the situation; if so, (a) in what areas in the Northern Cape is GBVF more prevalent and (b) what has she found to be the reasons that the specified areas are hotspots? NW2067E
Reply:
1. The Northern Cape Province has eight (8) Victim Support Centres, six (6) are operational and two are in a process of being finalized. The total bed capacity of the shelters is 40. The bed capacity is sufficient because the Province has never experienced a situation where there is no space to accommodate and provide services to victims in the shelters. Victims whose home environment is safe and conducive, are provided with services by Social Workers outside of the shelter, in their homes. Over and above the four districts in the Province has a Victim Support Centre while one district does not have a Centre, which is Namaqua District. In partnership with Namakhoi Municipality, the Department is in a process of establishing a centre in the outstanding district in the current financial year 2022/23.
2. The Province does have enough capacity to render psychosocial services and has appointed sixteen (16) GBV Social Workers who are responsible for GBV related cases only. There are two (2) Victim Empowerment Social Workers in Z.F. Mgcawu and Frances Baard District who are also responsible for GBV. In partnership with National Department, HWSETA, four (4) GBV Social Work Interns are appointed on contract to strengthen GBV services in the Province. Probation Officers are also responsible to provide GBV services.
a) According to SAPS Crime Stats 2021/22, Francis Baard District (Galeshewe, Roodepan, Pampierstad, Hartswater) are the Hotspots of GBV in the Province. Furthermore, the Departmental Social Work Performance Reports from the districts confirms the crime stats, Francis Baard has the most number of victims provided with psycho-social support services.
b) The areas are identified as hotspots due to the number of cases of GBV reported at SAPS ranging from rape, murder, assault etc.
30 May 2022 - NW1684
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) What (a) total number of (i) doctors, (ii) paramedics and (iii) nurses have been reported to the SA Police Service (SAPS) as victims of a violent and/or non-violent crime in the workplace and (b) is the breakdown of the total in each province; (2) what (a) plans have been put in place by the SAPS to improve the safety of medical staff on duty and (b) has he found to be the highest and lowest risk areas in the Republic in this regard?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1519
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
(1) In light of the If you See Something, Saying Something national campaign the SA Police Service is currently running via its social media channels; what are the relevant details of the planned duration of the specified campaign; (2) whether there has been an increase in the total number of crime reported since the campaign has started; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1737
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether children who are undocumented may not (a) attend school, (b) write matric exams and (c) get the SA Social Security Agency childcare grant in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what is the total number of (a) children who were (i) turned away from schools due to not having the required documentation and (ii) refused the Child Care Grant due to no birth certificates in 2021 and (b) undocumented learners who wrote their matric exams in 2021 in the Republic? NW2065E
Reply:
The matters related to data from the Department of Education need to be referred to the relevant department.
1 (c) Regulation 11(1) of the Social Assistance Regulations, allows for a caregiver to apply for a social grant without identity documents; therefore an undocumented child can apply and receive a Child Support Grant, or any other grant they may qualify for.
2 (a)(ii) SASSA does not turn anyone away if they do not have identity documents. At present SASSA has provided grants to just over 35 thousand children without identity documents. In the odd occurrence that this does occur, it should be reported to the office manager of the relevant local office where the incident occurred.
30 May 2022 - NW1706
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) total number of public participation inputs was received by her department on amendments to the Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004, regarding the Social Relief of Distress Grant and (b) was the time frame provided by her department for the specified inputs on changes in legislation?
Reply:
In total (11) inputs were received from various organisations and individuals which included the following: South African Institute for Race Relations, BlackSash, Institute for Economic Justice, Children’s Institute, Stellenbosch University, Banking Association of South Africa, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Department of Social Development Western Cape, Centre for Applied Legal Studies (WITS), Mr. T Brink and Mr. T Maphabela.
(b) The regulations were published on 22 February 2022 with a closing date of 13 March 2022.
30 May 2022 - NW2018
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Noting the long distance which learners have to travel daily from their villages to get to school, what are the reasons that payment intended for scholar transport for learners from Moubana, Manamela and Rakoko high schools in Moses Kotane, North West, was stopped?
Reply:
Information received from the North West Provincial Department of Transport and Roads (NWDoTR) through the North West Department of Education (NWDoE), indicates that the province experienced the budget depletion for the financial year 2021/2022 during the said period of interrupted service. Therefore, the NWDoTR was unable to pay learner transport operators for the months of January, February and March 2022.
When the budget for the new financial year 2022/2023 was loaded, all outstanding payments were processed. Therefore, at this moment there is no stopped or intention to stop payment intended for learners of Rakoko High School.
30 May 2022 - NW1827
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What are the further developments in the case of the police officer who applied for a promotion to the rank of lieutenant-general un the technology management services division, who later disappeared with the state vehicle, office keys and phone when asked to present he qualification (2) whether there have been any arrests regarding the specified matter; if not, why not; if so, (a) who is the member and (b) what are the consequences of her actions to the SA Police Service ?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1563
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
What (a) number of police officers who are in senior management positions do not have the necessary qualifications to hold the position to which they have been appointed and (a) steps have been taken to rectify the situation?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1769
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) total number of children were reported as abandoned in (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020 and (iv) 2021, (b) programmes have been put in place to address abandoned children, (c) are the main reasons for child abandonment in the Republic and (d) total amount of the budget is allocated to addressing child abandonment?
Reply:
(a) Total number of children reported as abandoned in (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020 and (iv) 2021
PERIOD |
NUMBER OF CHILDREN REPORTED AS ABONDONED |
|
(i) 2018 |
April 2017 – March 2018 |
144 |
(ii) 2019 |
April 2018 – March 2019 |
229 |
(iii) 2020 |
April 2019 – March 2020 |
589 |
(iv) 2021 |
April 2020 – March 2021 |
435 |
(b) The following programmes / interventions are put in place and provided in cases of abandoned children:
- In the case of an abandoned child, the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 stipulates that a social worker must gather all necessary information and affidavit/s from person/s who found or reported the child as abandoned and to report the case to police for investigation.
- The Department works with the South African Police Service (SAPS), to try and trace families of abandoned children.
- The Act makes provision for abandoned children in terms of section 150 and these children are identified as children in need of care and protection. These children can be placed in appropriate alternative care, meaning temporary safe care whilst awaiting finalisation of court proceedings on the decision for placement in foster care or child and youth care centre. Another child protection measure is adoption of such children. Section 157(3) of the Act provides that a very young child who has been abandoned must be made available for adoption in terms of Regulation 56 of the Children’s Act. Adoption as a permanent placement option gives a child the chance of growing up in a permanent family.
- Adoption services are promoted to address and sensitize communities on the dangers of child abandonment and made them aware of the available services such as counselling and support to biological parents with unwanted pregnancies and those who cannot care for their children. The service is also promoted to encourage communities to adopt children who are available for adoption and inform them of the benefits of adoption to the children and families.
- In addition to the above, the Department also provides, a programme called Risiha, which is a Community-Based intervention programme that renders core package of services within communities.
- Resiha programme is a prevention and an early intervention programmes that support families, parents and caregivers in distress, identifying risk factors that would put children’s lives in danger and further preventing vulnerabilities of children.
(c) The main reasons for child abandonment in the Republic are physio economic challenges, family breakdown and lack of family support.
(d) A total amount of R50 331 000.00 is allocated to the National Department’s Unit dealing with Children Services inclusive of child abandonment for this financial year 2022/2023.
30 May 2022 - NW1863
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to the development of a new queue management system that her department announced during the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 20 April 2022 to address the ongoing crisis of vulnerable beneficiaries of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) sleeping outside SASSA offices throughout the Republic, (a) how will the new SASSA queue management system function, (b) on what date is it envisaged to be operationalised and implemented, (c) what is the cost involved in setting up the new queue management system, (d) how is the system expected to solve the ongoing queue crisis and prevent beneficiaries from sleeping over outside at SASSA offices and (e) how is the system expected to assist SASSA beneficiaries who do not have financial resources to travel back and forth to SASSA offices?
Reply:
a) The queue management system is a ticketing system, which identifies the services that an applicant would like to access and then issues a corresponding ticket to the applicant. The person is then able to sit anywhere in the office and wait for his/her ticket number to be called. This will do away with the current process where queues are managed through shifting positions on chairs, resulting in people being too scared to leave their chair they are sitting on, in fear of losing their place in the queue. It will also prevent those who take advantage of people queuing, by selling them priority places in the queue.
By using this system, the local offices will accurately be able to confirm the numbers of people served in any one day, the actual services they provided and also empower the local office manager to intervene when there are blockages by assigning staff to where the most pressure is.
b) As per our Annual Performance Plan for 2022/23, the queue management system will be piloted in 2 local offices in each of the 9 regions (provinces) – 18 offices in total; after which it will be progressively rolled out to all local offices, in accordance with available resources. Implementation depends on the procurement of hardware such as computers, monitors, tablets, ticket printers and a loudspeaker system.
c) The cost is estimated to be between R170 000 to R200 000 per site for rolling out the required infrastructure. This will vary depending on the size and layout of the application sites.
d) and (e) The queue management system is not directly intended to address the overcrowding of offices and the need to access the queues early. SASSA is currently also considering and piloting various online systems, which will reduce demand for accessing the physical premises and to allocate timeslots / bookings to applicants.
30 May 2022 - NW1887
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether he has found that his department will be able to meet the targets of the National Development Plan 2030; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Yes, the Department is on track to achieve some of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 targets. It should be noted that the achievement of the 2030 targets is directly linked to the availability of funding from the fiscus. Whilst positive progress has been made despite funding challenges, the Post-School Education and Training service delivery environment has recently been impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 global health pandemic. The table below provides progress status on the NDP targets.
NDP 2030 target |
Current performance (2021/22) |
1. University student enrolments-1.62 million |
1 094 808 |
2. Improve academics’ qualifications: (75% of academics with PhDs) |
49.3% |
3. Number of masters graduates (all masters degrees annually) |
12 922 |
4. Produce 100 PhDs per million per annum i.e. 5 000 per annum |
3 552 |
5. Full funding for all NSFAS qualifiers (poor) and loans (state surety) for others |
504 336 (universities) |
261 404 (TVET colleges) |
|
6. Increase enrolments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges to 1.25 million |
452 277 |
7. Increase enrolments in Community Education and Training colleges to 1 million |
142 538 |
8. 30 000 artisans produced per annum |
15 107 |
University sector
Access to universities has grown substantially over the past 10 years, indicating that the country is on track to reach the NDP target of 1.6 million enrolments by 2030. Many more students enrolled in universities during the 2020 academic year. Over 1.3 million students enrolled at public and private universities. Public universities were able to enrol 1 094 808 students, reflecting an increase of 4 808 (44%) from the set target of 1 090 000. In the same period, 504 336 qualifying students in universities received National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding for tuition fees and allowances.
Graduation rates at public universities grew significantly, indicating that the country is on track to reach NDP targets by 2030. Student completions show that 237 882 (107%) students completed a university qualification. Doctoral graduates constitute 3 552 (107%), 12 652 (86%) engineering graduates, 9 642 (91%) life and physical sciences graduates, 9 646 (88%) human health sciences graduates, 12 922 (92%) masters graduates (all masters graduates), 1 075 animal and veterinary sciences graduates, and 30 809 (108%) initial teacher education.
Progress made on the quality of teaching provided at universities demonstrates that the country is on track to meet the 75% NDP target by 2030. To date, 49.3% of university academic staff hold PhD degrees.
TVET college sector
Admittedly, enrolments in the TVET college sector has not been at envisaged levels. The final 2022 consolidated funding grid indicates that of the planned headcount enrolment into ministerial approved programmes, 508,445, is comprised of 503, 221 headcount enrolments funded by State and 5,224 students are to be funded by TVET Colleges from student fees. This planned enrolment respectively represents a 100% contribution to the target of 503,221 headcount enrolments funded by the state and only 6.02% contribution to the target of 86,779 headcount enrolments funded by TVET Colleges from student fees. This contributes to a combined achievement of 86.18% of the total 2022/23 target set of 590,000 for ministerial approved programmes. The total required budget for this enrolment plan amounts to R14.550 billion of which R14.385 billion is funding by the State with a correlating budget deficit of (R165 million or 1.15% funding deficit) that must be absorbed by TVET Colleges through the recovery of student fees. The NDP target of 2,5 million enrolments in TVET colleges is not likely to be met. Similarly, the target of more students to be enrolled in TVET colleges compared to universities will not be met.
CET college sector
Enrolments in CET colleges are also not growing at the envisaged levels. Enrolment stood at 142 538, showing an underachievement of 78 011 (35%) against the set target of 220 549 in 2020.
Artisan development
The skills development system targets have significantly slowed down when measured against the projected artisan registration and completion. However, since the relaxation of COVID-19 regulations, there were continuous engagements with SETAs to speed up enrolments in meeting the NDP target of producing 30 000 artisans per annum by 2030.
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
Please refer to the source document attached Tag A.
30 May 2022 - NW1628
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
In view of the Social Assistance Act, Act 13 of 2004, making provision for a SA Social Security Agency caregiver, such as a parent, grandparent or any other adult person, to receive a Child Support Grant (CSG) for up to six children, what (a) support does her department provide to caregivers who have more than six children in their care who qualify for the CSG and (b) number of caregivers in each province have reached the threshold of six children receiving a CSG?
Reply:
(a) The following are the programmes in place that the Department provides to caregivers of CSG beneficiaries with more than six children:
- Participation and inclusion in Expanded Public Works Programme, poverty Alleviation Programme and Food Security.
- Parenting programmes to empower caregivers on parenting skills.
(b) The number of care givers who have 6 children in their care, for whom they receive the Child Support Grant are indicated below:
Caregivers with 6 children by Province (Not biological parents) |
||
Region |
No of care givers |
Grand Total |
Eastern Cape |
336 |
336 |
Free State |
62 |
62 |
Gauteng |
92 |
92 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
431 |
431 |
Limpopo |
137 |
137 |
Mpumalanga |
92 |
92 |
Northern Cape |
64 |
64 |
North West |
110 |
110 |
Western Cape |
49 |
49 |
Grand Total |
1 373 |
1 373 |
30 May 2022 - NW1540
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Police
What are the relevant details of the investigation report received from the SA Police Service (SAPS) in Kimberley pertaining to the suicide of an in-patient (name and details furnished) at the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital, after the SAPS initiated an inquest when the body of the specified person was discovered hanging in the shower rooms?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
30 May 2022 - NW1773
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Police:
What is the status of criminal case number 772/8/2019 opened at Midrand Police Station (details furnished)?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
27 May 2022 - NW1894
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
Whether, in light of the fact that during November 2020, a survey was conducted by Lizette Moolman of SA National Parks to understand stakeholder expectations for a persistent elephant population in the Knysna forest and to collaboratively determined the desired management approach, (a) the results of the survey have been analysed and (b) a conclusion has been reached; if not, by what date is it envisaged that the analysis will be completed; if so, what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
27 May 2022 - NW1867
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
With reference to section 2(b) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Act 10 of 2004, that one of the objectives of NEMBA is to give effect to ratified international agreements relating to biodiversity which are binding on the Republic, and noting that it is the responsibility of her department to ensure compliance with NEMBA, with specific reference to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna Resolution 12.1 (details furnished) that required the registration of all commercial breeding facilities for Appendix 1 species, what number of (a) tiger-breeding facilities (i) has her department been informed of and (ii) is registered with her department and (b) tiger are held at each facility that is (i) registered and (ii) mot registered with her department
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
27 May 2022 - NW1868
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
With reference to the requirement to register breeding facilities, and noting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna Resolution 12.5 (details furnished) that urge parties to ensure adequate management practices and controls to ensure tiger parts and derivatives do not enter the illegal trade, what (a) specified controls has her department implemented to ensure compliance with the resolution, (b) number of facilities have been audited in terms of the control and (c) were the results thereof?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
27 May 2022 - NW1893
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether all animal-related research and/or management projects within SA National Parks are subject to a review by an animal ethics review committee and/or any relevant committee; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the composition of the committee in terms of (i) size, (ii) member affiliations and (iii) qualifications and (b) how often do the meetings of the specified committee take place; (2) what are the details of all animal-related research and/or animal management related projects approved in (a) 2017, (b) 2018, (c) 2019, (d) 2020 and (e) 2021?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
27 May 2022 - NW1895
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether, in light of the fact that resources gradients through the closure of certain waterholes form an integral component of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) management plan to protect and preserve biodiversity, and considering that the KNP shares open borders with the Associated Private Nature Reserves to create the Greater KNP, the management of resources gradients is included in any contractual agreement between the KNP and the neighbouring private reserves; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether there is a committee and/or any structure composed of the SA National Parks and its neighbouring protected areas within the Greater KNP where the management of resource gradients through the closure of waterholes are discussed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further, relevant details
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply