Questions and Replies

Reply:

In the 2020/21 financial year, the sector employed 1 037 social work graduates. An additional 3 473 were employed in the same financial year which contributed significantly to the reduction of the number of unemployed social work graduates using the database of 9 000 unemployed social workers and social auxiliary workers that the Department developed in 2019.

In 2020/21-2021/2022 the department employed 3 388 unemployed social work graduates through the COVID-19 pandemic Presidential Stimulus Package.

As part of the long-term solution to address this issue, the Department has developed a draft sector strategy for the employment of social service professionals. The strategy addresses employment of social service professionals not only in the sector, but also in other departments/agencies, including at local government and the private sector where their professional services are required. This is an ongoing initiative within the context of the Inter-Departmental Forum. The forum resolved that all affected departments should submit a joint Funding Bid to the National Treasury in the current financial year for the permanent employment of social service professionals.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a and b) I’ve been informed that the Department has already released eleven (11) buildings for use by victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Those properties are listed below as follows:

Table A

No.	PROVINCE	PROPERTY AREA
1.	Western Cape	Albertina
2.	Western Cape	Laingsburg
3.	Western Cape	Aurora
4.	Western Cape	Aurora
5.	Western Cape	Mooreesburg
6.	Western Cape	Heidelberg
7.	Gauteng	Salvokop, Pretoria
8.	Gauteng	Pretoria
9.	Gauteng	Pretoria
10	Gauteng	Pretoria
11.	Gauteng	Johannesburg

In addition to the above, the Department has identified more properties and jointly conducted site inspections with the Department of Social Development in various provinces. The Department is awaiting confirmation from the Department of Social Development on properties which must be released for use by victims of Gender based Violence. As a result the Department is unable to confirm the date on which the properties would be released.

I have requested a meeting with the Minister of Social Development, to expedite the handover.

The total number of 39 such buildings in each (i) province, (ii) region and (iii) municipality are listed on Annexure A.

Reply:

1(a) Annexure A reflects the list of the towns in Northern Cape which do not have SASSA local offices or services points

2. The only provinces which have a SASSA presence in all towns are Eastern Cape and Gauteng. For Eastern Cape, the towns of Bedford, Dimbaza, Adelaid and Sterkstroom had local offices, but these have been converted to periodic mobile services due to very low intake which did not warrant the continuation of the full time services.

For all other provinces, the attached annexures indicate the towns which do not have a fixed presence, with an indication of how those citizens are able to access SASSA services.

Reply:

a) The issuance of the operating license function does not rest with the Minister of Transport. It is a function that falls within the competencies of the Provincial Regulatory Entities (PREs) and Planning Authorities, that is municipalities. Section 36(1) of the National Land Transport Act No. 5 of 2009 (the Act) requires all municipalities to prepare Integrated Transport Plans (ITP). Furthermore, the Act requires all applications for operating licences to be referred to municipalities for their comments and inputs as planning authorities. Municipalities must indicate whether there is a need for service on the route or routes or in the area or areas in terms of its integrated transport plans. If there is a need for such a service, the municipality can direct a PRE to proceed with granting an operating licence.

If a PRE based on the response from the planning authority does not support the issuance of an operating license, in most instances, it is as a result of oversaturation in a route, as determined through the ITP.

b) As indicated above, all applications for operating licences must be based on an ITP developed by a planning authorities. Integrated Transport Plans are data driven and evidence based and hence critical in informing the supply and demand model. An operator who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the application process for an operating license, they can appeal the decision of the PRE with the Transport Appeals Tribunal.

Reply:

The question is more relevant to the provincial administration since it is the responsibility of the employer, who in terms of section 3(1)(b) of the Employment of Educators Act is the Head of the Provincial Education Department (PED) to implement policies with regards to the Code of Conduct and safety measures at schools, as well to enforce disciplinary code and procedures against all employees employed at the provincial level.

The question should therefore be forwarded to the relevant employer (PED) for a response.

Reply:

1. A Rapid Response Team has been established under the leadership of the Director-General of Department of Transport. The team includes representatives from SANRAL, PRASA, KwaZulu-Natal province and various affected local authorities.

2. The focus of emergency response is to re-establish operations along all affected transportation networks (road and rail) within shortest timeframe. Where the above re-establishment of operations requires improvements to enhance road safety and security and increase network capacity, these will be implemented within available budgets. At this stage cleaning up operations to open affected road networks and damage assessments are still in progress. Detailed plans for each affected locality to be developed based on nature and extent of damage.

 

Reply:

A. NUMBER OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS PER PROVINCE

 

PROVINCE	NO. OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
EASTERN CAPE (EC)	69
FREE STATE (FS)	30
GAUTENG (GP)	82
KWAZULU NATAL (KZN)	73
LIMPOPO (LP)	43
MPUMALANGA (MP)	40
NORTHEN CAPE (NC)	11
NORTH WEST (NW)	31
WESTERN CAPE (WC)	24
NATIONAL	403

 

B. FUNDING OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

• All Technical Schools are funded by provinces from the allocated provincial budgets.
• Some Technical Schools are supported by Departmental Partners like Sasol Foundation
• Selected Technical Schools are chosen to be MST Grant Schools and they are supported in different ways including resourcing.
• Every three years, new schools are included by provinces in the list of MST Grant Schools.

Reply:

1. (a) Prior to processing the applications for payment, the Department conducted a due diligence process, which include verification of name, surname, and identity number against existing national database such as the Department of Home Affairs’ National Population Register and the DPSA’s Personal and Salary System (PERSAL). It is during this verification process that the department identified that some of the ECD staff were on PERSAL.

(b) Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty-Nine (3 729)

(c) PERSAL does not reflect the departments within which these staff are employed. The data has been sent to DPSA, which is the custodian of the public service payroll to identify in which departments/entities they are currently employed.

2. No, public servants who were found on PERSAL were disqualified and no payments were made and therefore is no need for any disciplinary action. The Department will further engage the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and the DPSA in this regard.

Reply:

1. The Minister does not have the power to hold principals of underperforming schools accountable, but Heads of Department (HODs) do. This is guided by section 58B of the South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) as amended.  According to subsection 1-5 of the SASA, the HoD takes the necessary steps to assist the school.  However, Members of the Executive Council (MECs) report to the Minister on the identification, management and support of underperforming schools by 31 March of each calendar year.  In the reports, the MECs indicate the challenges that led to underperformance, and the support programmes that will be implemented to deal with underperformance.

2. At the end of each financial year Provincial Education Departments report to the Minister the progress that has been made in supporting schools that have been identified as underperforming.

3 A table showing the number of underperforming schools per province is attached.

Reply:

In setting out to answer the posed questions, it is important to explain some principles as they guide how SARS approach their work with regards to collection of tax revenues that are due.

Firstly, SARS collects all revenue that is due to the fiscus without fear or favour. SARS does so regardless of the taxpayer profile due to the fact that its debt collection processes are indifferent to the taxpayer since they are primarily informed by the law. This neutral approach is crucial for the integrity of the tax system. SARS therefore cannot compromise this principle of apply the law without fear or favour under any circumstance. All forms of outstanding taxes constitute non-compliance, taxpayers are provided instruments in law to remedy their non-compliance. The approach of treating a taxpayer’s non-compliance irrespective of who the taxpayer is, applies regardless of the amounts involved.

SARS manages the collection of all outstanding revenues in line with the provisions of the tax administration laws. Firstly, SARS will seek to collect all revenues that are due by engaging the defaulting taxpayers, these taxpayers may approach SARS to enter into a deferred payment arrangement where the full debt cannot be settled at once. The deferral of payment (i.e. instalment payments) arrangements are in line with Section 167 and 168 of the TAA, this is a governed process where a governance structure makes such decisions pursuant to considering a number of taxpayer factors. Secondly, taxpayers may approach SARS to request for the compromise on the portion of the tax revenues that are due in line with the provisions of Section 200 of the TAA, once again this is a governed decision by a duly appointed structure. Thirdly, taxpayers may approach SARS to request for the suspension of the payment of tax revenues that are due but disputed, in line with Section 164 of the TAA. Fourthly, in circumstances where the tax debt remain outstanding after engagement efforts, SARS may appoint other parties (involuntary third party appointments – TPAs) in line with Section 179 of the tax administration act (TAA) to collect such outstanding revenues, these include employers, banks, other entities that hold monies that are due to the owing taxpayer. This process is clearly articulated in law in terms of steps that SARS must follow before triggering this instrument.

In instances where debt collection methods as per the above fail, SARS may, where economical feasible and justified, attach assets of taxpayers in an effort to collect revenues from the sale of such assets through securing a civil judgement (section 172 of the TAA) and writ of execution.

SARS will use a combination of the above instruments and others to ensure that due tax revenues are collected, against the above backdrop I then turn to provide the specific responses to the questions posed:

(1)(a)(aa)(aaa) Entities and Individuals that owe SARS in the range of R10 million and R20 million are:

1. 1,234 entities with a total amount in outstanding debt of R17,041,074,608.00 and
2. 242 individuals with a total amount in outstanding debt of R3,417,727,564.00. (The reported amounts include the capital debt, interest, penalties and additional tax)

(bbb) Entities and Individuals that owe SARS in the range of R20 million and R50 million are:

1. 784 entities with a total amount in outstanding debt of R24,257,828,448.00 and
2. 126 individuals with a total amount in outstanding debt of R3,693,222,592.00. (The reported amounts include the capital debt, interest, penalties and additional tax)

(bb) Entities and Individuals that owe SARS outstanding debt above R50 million are:

1. 498 entities with a total amount in outstanding debt of R129,059,637,995.00 and
2. 72 individuals with a total amount in outstanding debt of R14,828,653,526.00. (The reported amounts include the capital debt, interest, penalties and additional tax)

(b) The ageing of the amounts owed (by individuals as well as entities/companies in line with the above ranges in as per the below table, segregated in time intervals of three months.

2) SARS is pursuing strategies to ensure that taxpayers are clear and certain about their obligations, additionally, SARS is working to ensure that it is simple and easy for taxpayers to meet tax obligations. Where taxpayers still fail to meet their obligations SARS will always seek to ensure that it enforces its laws responsibly without fear or favour as mentioned earlier.

The above said, in the course of tax administration, tax debt arises from a number of different scenarios which includes the submission of returns without payment, audit assessments, etc. Depending on the origination of the debt, such debt can accumulate due to interest, penalties and additional taxes. Furthermore, debt could be as a result of a single assessment resulting in large amounts of debt being added into the debt book. SARS follows a prescribed debt collection process on all taxes overdue. However not all instances of enforcement (e.g. deferral of payment arrangements, third party appointments, etc.) readily lead to all debt being collected timeously, such that some debt remains in the books whilst collection steps are ongoing. SARS legal collection steps will include issuing a final demand and appointment of third parties, civil judgments, personal liability, writ of execution, etc. which may give way to the attachment of assets as explained earlier. SARS also considers criminal proceedings against taxpayers on the basis of the tax debt owed. Each debt case would however be treated on its own merits however SARS always seek to ensure that all due debt is collected on-time as far as practically possible and that the enforcement actions are applied consistently, taking into account the facts of each case.

It is important to note that SARS has initiated an overall review of the current end-to-end debt management process with the first phase to be completed in April 2022. The improvements in terms of how SARS account for and manages the collection of debt will be progressive over the next 12 to 24 months in line with SARS’ strategic plan commitments.

Reply:

The Department of Social Development in the Northern Cape funded all NPO’s approved for funding during the 2020-21 financial year. NPO’s are required to demonstrate that they can implement effective, efficient and transparent financial management and internal control systems as required by section 38 (1) (j) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA Act No. 1 of 1999). Approval for funding is subject to compliance with the above provision of the PFMA. The Department conducts quarterly monitoring at all funded NPO’s to ensure compliance with the Service Level Agreements (SLA) and provide the necessary support.

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a) I am informed that during the 2021/22 financial year SACAP undertook 60 digital Public Awareness campaigns educating the public about using registered professionals to design and build their homes, explaining what each category of a registered professional is competent and qualified to do in terms of the Identification of Work regulation, publishing the names of unregistered person to discourage members of the public from using them. SACAP reported all persons who falsely used the title of registered professional to the South African Police Services for investigation and prosecution.

b) The SACAP transformation and gender-empowerment programmes include Recognition of Prior Learning, architectural bursaries and the proposed Built Environment Code of Good Practice.

The procurement practices by clients in built environment have been identified as a hindrances to transformation by the built environment professions. Anti-transformative procurement policies are the reasons why built environment professions require an enforceable code of good practice. An effective and transparent mechanism is necessary to procure built environment services from previously disadvantaged built environment professionals in line with the provision of section 217 (2) of the Constitution.

More work is being done to push for transformation and gender-empowerment programmes.

• During the 2021/22 financial year 58 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessments were undertaken.
• 10 students were offered bursaries to study architecture at accredited architectural learning sites.

• SACAP held a Women’s Day Webinar on 06 August 2021 to have meaningful conversations about the role and challenges women face in the architectural profession.

• SACAP held a Transformation webinar on 26 November 2021 to have a meaningful discussion about transformation and how SACAP can contribute to transformation of the architectural profession. The webinar resolved to push for a Code of Good Practice for the built environment. The Transformation Webinar was a huge success with over 556 architectural professionals in attendance.
• Black architectural practices, particularly women architectural practice continue to struggle to find work from the public sector to sustain their businesses. SACAP notes with concern that public sector clients are failing to heed the call of the President of the Republic to set aside 40% of all procurement spend for women-owned businesses.

c) 

• The Transformation webinar was held on 26 November 2021, on a virtual platform
• The Women’s Day Webinar on 06 August 2021, also on a virtual platform
• In the first quarter of 2021/22, SACAP issued 15 awareness posters for CPD campaigns and 16 other social media updates were undertaken across all SACAP online media platforms. In addition, 2 x public awareness and Expo conducted at Soweto and Eldorado Park.
• In the second quarter 15 awareness posters were updated on social media platforms.
• In the third quarter 15 awareness campaigns posters were updated on social media platforms.
• In the fourth quarter 15 awareness campaigns posters were updated on social media platforms.
• 1 Voluntary Association Forum was held on 25 March 2022, on a virtual platform

d) In terms of the measurement of the success of the programmes, The SACAP has largely recorded a huge success, as there is a noticeable appreciation from members of the public of the different categories of registration and their competencies. Members of the public are now more alert, because when some persons pretend to be registered architectural professionals, these are immediately reported to SACAP. As such, 47 cases against unregistered persons were referred to the South African Police Services (SAPS) for investigation. However, the SACAP has not seen a positive reaction from law enforcement agencies with regard to prosecution of the reported individuals.

During the 2021/22 financial year 58 RPL assessments were undertaken. This number is indicative that the SACAP RPL outreach programmes are success and year-on-year we a noticing an increase in those registering for RPL.

Every year within the first quarter of the financial year, SACAP offers 10 architectural students bursaries towards their tuition fees. The assessment of the bursary programme shows a huge success. Out of 10 bursaries offered, 9 were given to black female architectural students. All students who received bursaries from SACAP have progressed to the next year of study. This development is very encouraging given the need to address the demographic imbalance of the professions, especially in terms of the representation of women.

Reply:

The grant allocation transferred to SANRAL from the National Budget is for the declared national road network throughout South Africa, and not per province. This grant covers both capital and operational (maintenance) expenditure. The grant is then assigned to priorities as determined through the SANRAL Asset Management System based on 30-year life cycle modelling of expected future road performance that takes into consideration condition, traffic and climatic trends on each section of the network.

The total grant, capital and maintenance, transferred to SANRAL is summarised in the table below:

 

Financial Year	Amount (R’000)
2012/13	9 728 055
2013/14	10 497 184
2014/15	11 916 947
2015/16	12 542 488
2016/17	13 915 586
2017/18	15 944 823
2018/19	18 624 158
2019/20	21 177 224
2020/21	20 400 264
2021/22	21 621 212

Reply:

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has put together a Health Turn-Around Plan consisting of six pillars to address the administrative challenges of the EC DOH. The strategies outlined in the plan envisage collaboration with and seeking assistance from other government departments and the Office of the Premier as well as external stakeholders including private sector, communities and academic institutions. The plan gives a detailed outline of the strategies and the support required from each of these stakeholders. The pillars of the plan are summarised below.

PILLARS OF THE EC HEALTH TURNAROUND PLAN AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT

1. Financial sustainability initiative: This pillar addresses the EC DOH financial discipline and wellness; looking at strategies to take department beyond compliance and towards social entrepreneurship. Strategies to address this pillar include a) revenue generation, b) introducing efficiencies, c) management of cost-drivers and d) management of debt and unauthorised expenditure.

2. Medico-legal intervention: addresses the following strategic objectives i.e

a) Stopping haemorrhage of funds

b) Strengthening case management

c) Developing Medico-Legal litigation expertise

d) Manage unauthorised expenditure associated Medico-Legal (ML) settlements

3. Service delivery optimisation pillar focuses on:

a) Service Optomisation Implementation Planning

b) HR Intervention to promote SDO

c) Securing buy-in from key stakeholders

4. Digitalisation and eHealth: This pillar addresses issues of inadequate capacity to track all debts against the department, insufficient staff and budget to electronically capture and store of maternity medical records on HMS2 module. Support services are manual therefore labour-intensive, cumbersome and prone to human error and broadband to critical sites slow. Alternative solutions are required in the interim to gain last mile connectivity.

5. Clinical - Healthy Communities Initiatives: has four strategic objectives which are:

a) National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation through ward-based community outreach teams

b) Primary Health Care (PHC) Approach of inter-sectoral collaboration

c) Addressing Burden of Disease

d) Integrated Development Planning6. 

6. The Foundation Pillar purports to strengthen Leadership and Management Capability and improves stakeholder trust and confidence in the EC healthcare system. The key focus areas are valued employees, capable teams, effective leadership and communication & change management.

END.

Reply:

(a) An investigation was conducted by iLembe District and a report will made available to the Department of Basic Education by the KZN provincial education department. 

(b) The school has been issued with the Guidelines for Tuckshop Operators. 

Reply:

Posts whether teaching or otherwise on the establishment of the Provincial Department of Education in Limpopo are the responsibility of the Head Of the Department of Education in Limpopo to fill since he/she is the employer and not the Department of Basic Education.

For this reason, the honourable Ms Tafeni is requested to direct this question to the MEC or Head of Department of the Limpopo Provincial Department of Education for a response.

Reply:

The National Department of Health is still consulting with the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health on this matter, to enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the province.

END.

Reply:

No, this road does not fall under the mandate of SANRAL.

The Provincial KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has confirmed this is part of their road network and its named P2-2. The Province is aware of the sink hole that needs to be addressed as part of the exercise to repair the roads damaged from the recent floods that occurred in April 2022 and is in the process of the appointment of service providers to do remedial works for the various road infrastructure projects, including the above work.

Reply:

INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORKS PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK GRANT TRANSFERS: 2017/18 -2021/22 (R’ Million)
Municipality	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	Totals
Buffalo City	56	95	234	-	-	385
Cape Town	999	1 046	1 311	1 069	949	5 374
Joburg	918	1 066	1 188	965	895	5 033
Tshwane	900	808	732	632	675	3 747
George	210	168	163	177	210	928
eThekwini	917	825	841	623	773	3 979
Mangaung	232	235	230	280	224	1 201
Rustenburg	314	396	219	164	214	1 307
Ekurhuleni	701	604	679	569	629	3 182
Mbombela	212	203	199	20	198	832
Polokwane	217	330	179	216	179	1 121
Nelson Mandela Bay	273	275	298	349	218	1 413
Msunduzi	210	199	195	134	12	750
Totals	6 159	6 250	6 468	5 198	5 176	29 252

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is in the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore still consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to provide these details, and this will enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is in the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore still consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to provide these details, and this will enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

International migration in South Africa is regulated in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 9Act No 13 of 2002) (the “Act”), read together with the Immigration Regulations, 2014. The long title of the Act specifically indicates that the Act has been enacted to regulate admission of persons to, their residence in, and their departure from the Republic. It follows, therefore, that all migrants, African or otherwise, who wishes to enter, and reside in, the Republic must apply for, and meet the requirements of, entry and residence as prescribed. In this regard, all migrants are welcomed into South Africa regardless of their nationality.

END

Reply:

(a&b) The arrest of members of the syndicate in Krugersdorp is indicative the net is closing in on all the corrupt Home Affairs officials and their associates be they South African or foreign nationals who are undermining the country’s laws. A multi-disciplinary law enforcement team is keeping a beady eye on a number of corrupt Home Affairs officials and syndicates and more arrests are imminent.

(a)(i) Furthermore, it is impractical to ascertain the number fraudulent documents in the hands of criminals and of those being produced through illegal means.

(b(i)-(iiI) There is currently an investigation taking place with regards to the matter.

However, the Branch Counter Corruption and Security Services, through investigations undertaken, intercepted the suspected fake passports issued through the process of photo swap. During the investigations on passport photo swaps, it was found that SA citizens who participated in the scam, are still in possession of their Identity Documents. It was only their passports that were required by foreign nationals. The suspected fake passports are from the following offices:

Home Affairs Office	Number of passports issued to foreign nationals
Benoni	101
White River	30
Burgersfort	45
Maponya Mall	20
Germiston	25
Prospecton	30
Ndwendwe	40
Tongaat	15
Umgungundlovu	18
Commercial Road	10

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.

(c) From 2013 to date, 396 officials have been investigated for selling South African documents.

END

 

 

 

Reply:

The unspent budget that the Honourable Member is referring to is part of the 2021/22 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) roll Over allocation totalling R134 million in the Eastern Cape which was approved and confirmed by the National Treasury on 15 November 2021. The tender was only advertised on 10 December 2021 and the closing date for the adverts was scheduled for 21 January 2022 as a result of Provincial Treasury directives for Tenders not to close in the month of December but be extended to January 2022.

After the finalisation of tender processes, the actual distribution of food parcels to the intended beneficiaries only commenced on 2 March 2022. By 28 March 2022, only 22 787 beneficiaries were able to receive food parcels constituting 26% of the total target of 85 741 beneficiary households. This is attributed to other various factors in addition to the stringent time frames that are related to Service Provider challenges with capacity to deliver as expected including unnecessary demands made by local truck drivers in the various local municipalities.

The Department through the Internal Audit Unit is currently exploring appropriate internal control systems and Risks involved in considering the operationalisation of the SRD Programme as transfers in future utilising a Zero Monthly Fee Digital Account as a Bank Card System possibly with no Bank Charges.

The Department remains convinced that exploring the utilisation of an Easy Zero Bank Card system is the most efficient and cost-effective mechanism to enable SRD beneficiary family households' easy access to food.

This system and/or mechanism remains the best option for the operationalisation of the SRD Programme in the Eastern Cape, given its largely rural terrain and thus difficult to access particularly during rainy days.

The Department has further initiated a process of preparing a submission in the form of a motivation to Provincial Treasury for the approval of additional allocation of funding to the Social relief of Distress Programme as a specialist and most urgent intervention to enable the 62 954 beneficiary family households to have access to food as well as to address immediate needs of hunger, child poverty and malnutrition amongst the Eastern Cape poor and vulnerable groups of family households who are mostly falling under the category of No Income Households.

Reply:

a) Disciplinary action is instituted against officials who are found to be involved in the illegal issuing of passports in accordance with the Disciplinary Code and Procedure for the Public Service (PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2003);

b) Passport processes are evaluated regularly to identify possible vulnerabilities to fraud, corruption and security breaches, and recommendations are made to affected business units for implementation. Passports that are found to be issued illegally are referred for cancellation.

END

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

a) The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) granted permission to the operator to conduct non-aviation operations in line with an application submitted to the SACAA as per the applicable regulations. (b) The approval granted was effective from 06h00 on 19 March to 00h00 on 21 March 2022. The operator was required to comply with a set of requirements before the approval was granted. The Operator was expected to comply with crowd control, communication, general safety and specific arrangements regarding the event (c) (i) (ii) (iii) The initial Notice to Airman (NOTAM) C0769/22 was issued on 15 March 2022 at 10h08 Local time for the 20th of March 2022 to close the Aerodrome from 06h00 to 18h00 Local time. The NOTAM was then cancelled and replaced with NOTAM C0801/22 which was issued on 18 March 2022 at 15h09 Local time for the period 19 March from 06h00 until 20 March 2022 at midnight as per the Promulgation of NOTAM request form CA 175-03 and Indemnity letter. Aerodrome closed for the period 19/03/2022 @ 06:00 till 20/03/2022 @ 23: 59.

Reply:

1. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) received a 0% increase for the 2022-2023 financial year. All fees for Skipper Licences still the same as the 2021-2022 financial year and should assist fisher in the current economic climate. The 0% increase applies to all the services that the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA) provide and include the cost of safety surveys for fishing vessels. Should an increase be approved, due consideration will be given to the impact that any increase may have on fishers.

2. The challenge with lowering the current safety standards will lead to unseaworthy ships going to sea, which will not only endanger fishers but also other users of the sea. Reducing the safety standards will lead to unnecessary deaths amongst fishers and in turn impact on the fishing communities when a bread winner is lost. It must be noted that unseaworthy vessels lead to expensive Search and Rescue operations due to the number and type of sea and air assets that need to be mobilised to rescue a casualty at sea. Lowering Safety Standards which is meant to save both people and property at sea, or prevent pollution of the marine environment is not the solution.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The Department has investigated the matter with the Operational Manager of Stanford Terrace clinic and one of the reasons for the patient queuing outside the gate was due to inadequate space in the waiting area of the clinic as the clinic was implementing disaster management strategies and observing social distancing. The spacing of patients in mitigating the spread of COVID 19, resulted in queues that were outside the gate also because of large patient numbers.

Whilst the EC DOH acknowledges the basic conditions of employment of employees and nurses in particular, the locking of the gate with nurses enjoying lunch is regrettable, and investigations by labour relations office in this regard is underway. Should the findings of our investigation be found to be inconsistent with the EC DOH policies, consequence management will be instituted to those employees who failed to exercise the Batho Pele Principles whilst on duty.

PLANNED INTERVENTIONS

• Training of Stanford Terrace Nurses on Batho Pele Principles and;

• Procurement of a tent as a temporal measure for patients waiting to be served

As the National Department of Health, we will follow this matter closely to see to its conclusion.

END.

Reply:

a) (i) and (ii); (aa); (bb); (b)(i) and (ii) Sexual misconduct cases are reported to the employer. Therefore, the question is more relevant to the provincial administration since it is the responsibility of the employer, who in terms of section 3(1)(b) of the Employment of Educators Act, 76 of 1998, is the Head of the Provincial Education Department, to enforce disciplinary code and procedures against all educators employed at the provincial level.

The question should therefore be forwarded to the relevant employer for details and response.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

1. Subsidised public transport services are currently provided on a contract basis where government contracts with operators to provide scheduled services in a particular route in terms of the relevant integrated transport plan and in alignment with applicable legislation. These contracts are designed in terms of demand to enable effective utilisation of funds. As a result, the Department is not subsiding the taxi industry due to their operating model. The Department is developing a Public Transport Subsidy Policy that will guide the distribution of subsidies in line with demand, where the right mode would be utilised for the right volumes.

2. There are no monthly adjustments done as there is no subsidy provided for the taxi industry as indicated in 1 above.

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

(a) The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) processes an average of 168 licences per day and approximately 3500 aeroplane and helicopter licenses per month. (b) For the month of April 2022 alone, a total of 97 licenses have been issued of which for (i) renewals only seventy (70) are for aeroplanes and three (3) are for helicopters (ii) whilst for first issue applications twenty-three (23) were for aeroplanes and one (1) is for helicopters.

(c) During Covid-19, all license applications are received electronically and the average duration and/or turnaround time from receiving applications to issuing them is 7-10 working days provided that all regulatory requirements are met. These times will be revised to 5-7 working days as things return to normal.

RECOMMENDATION

1. It is recommended that the EA approves the reply, should he concur with its content.

MR ZAKHELE THWALA

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CIVIL AVIATION

DATE:

MR MTHUNZI MADIYA

ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

DECISION

Reply approved/amended.

MINISTER F.A. MBALULA, MP

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

DATE:

Date: 15/02/2018

Private Bag X 193, 159 Cnr. Struben and Bosman, Forum building, Pretoria, 0001, Tel; 012 309 3172, Fax: 012 328 5926

QUESTION 1463 (QUESTION PAPER NO 14, 22 APRIL 2022) FOR WRITTEN REPLY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Mr C H H Hunsinger (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:

What (a) total number of licences are currently being processed by the SA Civil Aviation Authority, (b) total number of licence applications are for (i) renewal and (ii) new licences in respect of each different category of licences and (c) is the average duration and/or turnaround time from receiving applications to issuing them? NW1781E

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) processes an average of 168 licences per day and approximately 3500 aeroplane and helicopter licenses per month. (b) For the month of April 2022 alone, a total of 97 licenses have been issued of which for (i) renewals only seventy (70) are for aeroplanes and three (3) are for helicopters (ii) whilst for first issue applications twenty-three (23) were for aeroplanes and one (1) is for helicopters. (c) During Covid-19, all license applications are received electronically and the average duration and/or turnaround time from receiving applications to issuing them is 7-10 working days provided that all regulatory requirements are met. These times will be revised to 5-7 working days as things return to normal.

MINISTER F.A. MBALULA, MP

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that, currently, the Department does not have charges specific to cannabis. However, the Department gathers information in relation to four (4) charges relating to cannabis which was previously referred to as “dagga”. This is included under the umbrella of “other narcotics”, and the Department cannot drill down to charges relating to cannabis or dagga.

The current charge description is as follows: “Unlawfully receiving any document, intoxicating liquor, dagga, drug, opiate, money or any other article whilst in custody; unlawful supplying, conveying, hiding or placing for an offender’s use any document, intoxicating liquor, dagga, drug or opiate; bringing or introducing into a correctional centre or place of custody any document/ intoxicating liquor/ dagga/ drug/ opiate; Inmate – Arranging with a correctional/ custody official/ another person for a document/ liquor/ dagga/ drug/ opiate/ money/ article.”

It should also be noted that the National Director of Public Prosecutions indicated that the National Prosecuting Authority does not record the above requested information manually, and the electronic case management system allows for reporting on both possession of drugs as dealing in drugs which could be extracted in accordance with the relevant sections of the Act. However, information specific to ‘cannabis’ is not available.

END

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) A loan was made available to Cuba under an Economic Assistance Agreement for agricultural development projects as well as reconstruction of infrastructure.

The loan was divided into two tranches. The first tranche of R63 million was made available in 2018. The Cuban government has fully repaid the loan.

The second tranche of R84 631 000 million was made available in 2021. The Cuban government has been repaying the loan since December 2021.

The total loan to Cuba since 2018 is R147 631 000.

b) The relationship between South Africa and Cuba dates back well before the 1994 democratic elections, and the friendship and solidarity with Cuba should be viewed within the context of the significant contribution that Cuba made to the liberation of South Africa. The South African Government signed an Agreement on Economic Assistance with the Government of the Republic of Cuba on 3 February 2012, entering into force on 21 November 2012. The 2012 Agreement was one of the outcomes of the 2010 State Visit to Cuba by the then South African President. The latter announced that South Africa would offer Cuba an Economic Assistance Package to assist with agricultural development projects as well as reconstruction of infrastructure, following the damage caused by devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean in 2008.

The Economic Assistance Package enhanced economic collaboration with Cuba especially through improved bilateral trade and increased goodwill from the people of Cuba. Through the package exports of South African agricultural products, plastic resins, dump trucks and tires were increased, jobs were created and retained, there was business reinvestment, consumer support to the RSA manufacturing sector, and channels for payment from Cuba were established

 

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and SOEs as follows:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

a) Department:

i) Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality:

(aa) Water R0.00

(bb) Rates R0.00

(cc) Electricity R0.00

ii) Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality:

(aa) Water R0.00

(bb) Rates R0.00

(cc) Electricity R0.00

iii) Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality:

(aa) Water R0.00

(bb) Rates R0.00

(cc) Electricity R0.00

(b-d) SOEs:

• SAPO has indicated that no amount is owed to any of the mentioned municipalities as at 07 March 2022. All utilities, rates and taxes accounts are paid in full.
• Nemisa indicated that municipal rates and taxes accounts are up to date
• SABC responded that the accounts at the municipalities mentioned were up to date as at 07 March 2022.

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised as follows:

The Department is guided by the Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF EMF) guidelines of March 2020 developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which provide the necessary and sufficient levels of protection from adverse effects relating to exposure to RF EMF when networks including 5G are deployed or operated.

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

a) Total number of remand detainees who have who have been in detention for more than two years as at 31st March 2022 was 3 698.

Regional breakdown is as follows:-

Region	Grand Total
Gauteng	1718
Western Cape	708
Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North-West	390
Kwa-Zulu Natal	387
Eastern Cape	291
Free State & Northern Cape	204
Grand Total	3698
Source: GITO

b) The reasons for the prolonged period of detention is the delayed response from the courts on the outcome of the applications of Section 49 G or a continue with detention response is received, however DCS does continue to make use of the provision of Section 49G of the Correctional Services Act by referring Remand Detainees (RDs) to court before completing a period of two years for consideration of their detention and thereafter annually if the RD remains in detention after the initial referral. The courts are required to consider applications from DCS where possible outcomes are as follows:-

1. Release of the RD
2. Release and placement on warning,
3. Placement under s62(f): Supervision by a correctional official
4. Reduction of the amount of bail
5. Placement in a secure care facilities
6. Decline to review bail (Unsuccessful application)

The department intends to intensify relationships with the Justice Cluster by participating in the National Efficiency Enhancement Committee (NEEC), Judicial Case Flow structures and the courts to address this challenge.

c) The strategies developed during the two consultative sessions held in November 2021 for all six regions relates to measures to reduce overcrowding. Heads of Centres were encouraged to establish and maintain stakeholder relations by attending District Efficiency Enhancement Committee (DEEC) meetings where issues relating to Case flows are addressed.

END

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:

a) The total amount spent on catering for the period in question was R738 982.91,

(i) Minister: R157 644.86

(ii) Deputy Minister: R 90 665.20

(iii) Officials in the Department: R490 672.85

b) The total amount spent on entertainment for the period in question was R0.00,

(i) Minister: R0.00

(ii) Deputy Minister: R0.00

(iii) Officials in the Department: R0.00

c) The total amount spent on accommodation for the period in question was R15 345 562.86

(i) Minister: R 3 615 001.95

(ii) Deputy Minister: R 1 021 003.90

(iii) Officials in the Department: R10 709 557.01

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

Reply:

The South African government supports the African Union (AU) Humanitarian Policy Framework which articulates the AU’s stance on humanitarian issues.

The AU adopted the AU Humanitarian Assistance Policy in 2015. It outlines a broad framework and the Continental body’s intent in dealing with humanitarian issues.

The Policy Framework establishes a strategic approach and guidelines in support of the core aims of humanitarian action: to preserve, protect and save lives, alleviate suffering and enhance physical security and human dignity of those in dire need. It also “complements and supports the policies of AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the international community, United Nations (UN) agencies, International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO), the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, national and international NGOs and other humanitarian actors and stakeholders”.

.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:

No incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault were reported in the Department in the past three years and since 1 April 2021.

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and SOEs as follows:

a) Department

Department	i) Flowers	(ii) Cards	(iii) Wreaths	(iv) Gifts
	R47 363, 00	0	Included (i) due to BAS SCOA classification	R691, 00

(b-f)

SOEs	(i) Flowers	(ii) Cards	(iii) Wreaths	(iv) Gifts
SAPO	-	-	-	-
NEMISA	R3 549.90	-	-	-
SABC	R96 329.00	-	R4 463.00	R 116 181.00
SITA	R21 463.00	-	-	-
BBI	R69 156.00	-	-	R24 075.00

SAPO indicated that no money was spend for flowers, cards, wreaths and gifts in the last eight (8) years.

Authorised for submission by

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

1. (a) (i) (ii) (iii) The hostel environment together with the nomadic nature of occupants have proven to be a difficult task for municipalities as managing agents to keep track of the number of persons occupying units. Illegal invasions together with sub-letting has exacerbated this problem to such an extent that most legal lease holders cannot be found. Provincial departments together with their respective municipalities are only responsible for government-owned rental accommodation and as such are not responsible for private rental accommodation or grey hostels (which include a component of private ownership).

(b)(i) (ii) The following table illustrates the hostels that have been transformed into family units as well as those which have not been refurbished in each metropolitan area:

Province	Metropolitan Area	Number of hostels not refurbished	Number of hostels transformed into family units
Gauteng	Ekurhuleni Metro	20	1
	Johannesburg Metro	14	8
	Tshwane Metro	3	2
Western Cape	City of Cape Town	5	1
KZN	eThekwini Metro	11	9
Free State	Mangaung Metro	No public hostels
Eastern Cape	Buffalo City Metro	No public hostels
	Nelson Mandela Bay Metro	No public hostels

2. Hostels are grouped into three categories only, that is: public, private and grey hostels.

(a) The Department is only responsible for public sector hostels and is currently transforming hostels into family units using the Community Residential Units (CRU) programme. The programme provides grant funding to provinces and municipalities for the upgrading, conversion, or complete redevelopment of existing government owned rental stock, including hostels.

(b) Due to the vast size of hostels and limited budget, all hostel projects are undertaken in phases and planned over a span of 10 to 30 years, therefore it is very difficult to put the exact date for the completion of the transformation of the hostels into family units.

Reply:

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is not aware of any benefits that have accrued to the governing party or to any political organisation as the Department does not have any interface with the governing party or political organisations on these matters.

 

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME: MR BJ ERASMUS

CONTACT: 012 351 8637

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Minister signs Parliamentary Reply 1666.

 

MR Z DANGOR

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 1666 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR GNM PANDOR, MP

MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE: