Questions and Replies
13 May 2022 - NW1468
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
On which dates during the past 24 months did the National Efficiency Enhancement Committees and each of the Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees meet?
Reply:
DRAFT REPLY
The National Efficiency Enhancement Committee (NEEC) and the Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees (PEEC) are judicial governance stakeholder forums which are chaired by the Chief Justice and the Judges President of the Divisions of the High Court respectively. The request for information as contained in the question by the Honourable member has been referred to the Chief Justice for consideration.
13 May 2022 - NW1457
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With reference to the South Rand Hospital in (a) each of the past three financial years and (b) the current financial year, what was the (i) allocated budget and expenditure, (ii) average expenditure in each month for water, electricity, security and security services, food and catering services, maintenance and upgrades, cleaning services, medication, consumables and disposables and (iii)(aa) maximum bed capacity and (bb) average bed occupancy in each month; (2) what is the (a) staff complement currently in each department of the hospital and (b) total number of posts that are unfilled currently in each department?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is consulting with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to source the relevant details in this regard. The Gauteng Provincial Department has been requested to provide the Ministry with the required information to enable the Minister to provide the response to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will be submitted as soon as information has been obtained from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.
END.
13 May 2022 - NW1469
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What total number of (a)(i) water engineers and (ii) structural engineers is provided for on the organogram of Bloem Water and (b) the specified positions for water and structural engineers were vacant on 28 February 2022?
Reply:
(a) (i) The organogram makes provision for 73 water engineers and (ii) 34 structural engineers.
(b) Vacancies as of 28 February 2022
- Process controllers: 13
- Electrical Artisan: 1
- Mechanical Artisan: 1
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13 May 2022 - NW1470
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a)(i) On what date was a full inspection in respect of the structural integrity of the bulk water supply pipeline between Welbedacht Dam and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality done and (ii) what were the findings and (b) what are the details of a proactive maintenance plan in respect of the pipeline in order to prevent and/or limit pipe bursts and emergency repairs?
Reply:
a) (i) The full Hydraulic assessment of the Pipeline from Welbedacht to Bloemfontein was conducted in February 2011 and a further assessment was conducted in October 2019 at one trajectory (Dehoek to Uitkyk) after a pipe failure occurred on that part of the pipeline.
(ii) The findings on the 2011 report indicated that:
- there were infrastructure components that required refurbishment,
- There were leaks on the pipeline which had to be addressed via the Bloem Water’s winter preventative maintenance shutdowns.
b) Since the inspections were conducted, Bloem Water has done the following as part of a proactive maintenance plan:
- Established a Pipeline Reaction Team in 2015
- Reworked its Preventative Maintenance Strategy
- Established its inhouse pipeline manufacturing workshop which assists with pipeline components and quick turnaround time of maintenance work on the main pipeline
These measures have assisted Bloem Water to reduce real water losses on its strategic infrastructure to less than 13% for the past 8 financial years. Furthermore, three years has passed since the last pipe burst on this 48-year-old pipeline.
In addition, Bloem Water is currently implementing the construction project of a mitigating parallel line which is 33.7km long as phase 1. This pipeline will be in operation by July 2022 and will further preserve the status of reliable uninterrupted bulk water supply to the Mangaung Metro Municipality. The new pipeline will replace the problematic portion of the mainline which frequently experience pipe bursts. Phase 2 of the remaining 72km is currently under planning. This pipeline will replace the old line from Welbedacht Dam to Bloemfontein, once completed.
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13 May 2022 - NW442
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What (a) total number of national and provincial government departments and/or entities did not pay their suppliers on time in the 2020-21 financial year and (b) steps has his Office taken to ensure that the specified government departments and/or entities adhere to their financial obligations?
Reply:
(a) According to the National Treasury 2020-21 annual report on non-compliance with payment of suppliers within 30 days, only eight national departments paid all their invoices within the stipulated 30-day period. During the 2020-21 financial year, out of 41 national departments, 33 national departments experienced challenges in paying all their valid invoices within 30 days.
The 2020-21 annual report in comparison to the 2019-20 annual report, highlights an improvement in the following departments, in terms of decreasing the number of invoices older than 30 days and not paid:
- Cooperative Government
- Home Affairs
- International Relations and Cooperation
- Public Works including PMTE
- Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
- Employment and Labour
- Justice and Constitutional Development
Although the department of Public Works and Infrastructure (including PMTE) reflected the highest improvement, it also reflected the highest number of invoices still at hand as at the end of 2020/2021 financial year.
In comparison to the 2019/2020 annual report, the following departments regressed in the number of invoices paid after 30 days
- Mineral Resource and Energy
- Police
- Water and Sanitation
The department of Water and Sanitation reflected the highest regression in the number of invoices older than 30 days not paid and also recorded the highest number of invoices at hand as at the end of 2020/2021 financial year.
As at the end of the 2020-21 financial year the following two departments contributed to 95% of invoices older than 30 days and not paid i.e. the Department of Water and Sanitation including trading account (56%) and the Department of Public Works including Property Management Trading Entity (39%).
From the provincial perspective, as at the end of 2020/2021 financial year, the Gauteng province recorded 20 911 invoices, which is 50% of the total number of invoices older than 30 days and not paid. This is followed by the Eastern Cape province with 12 651 invoices i.e 30% of outstanding invoices. Although the Gauteng province contributed the highest number of unpaid invoices, the Eastern Cape Province recorded the highest Rand Value in this regard. The other provinces that contributed to invoices older than 30 day and not paid are North West (9%), KwaZulu Natal (5%), Free State (3%) and Limpopo (2%).
Whilst the DPME has been monitoring the performance of government on payment of suppliers in line with the 2015 Cabinet mandate, it is the mandate of the National Treasury to ensure that the government departments and entities adhere to their financial obligations in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and regulations. Treasury Instruction Note Number 34 requires departments to implement manual or electronic systems and processes that will enable departments to track invoices from the time they are received at the relevant cost centres to the time that a payment is made.
The DPME continues to monitor and report on this issue through its established monitoring tools. To this end, it has been engaging with the worst performing departments to find sustainable solutions to their challenges. Efforts are currently underway to facilitate implementation of support measures in the department of Water and Sanitation, Public Works and Infrastructure, and the Eastern Cape Province.
Thank You.
13 May 2022 - NW1458
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(a) On what date was the tender for the beautification and maintenance of the gardens surrounding the Booysens Magistrates Court issued, (b) on what date did the tender close, (c) what total number of bidders responded to the tender, (d) which bidder won the tender, (e) what is the duration of the tender, (f) what is the value of the tender, (g) what are the payment conditions for the tender, (h) on what date did the successful bidder officially commence with work, (i) what are the terms, conditions and minimum standards for this tender and (j) how are the terms, conditions and minimum standards monitored for compliance?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
I have been informed by the Department that the tender in question was not processed by the DPWI and as such, the department is not in a position to respond to the specific questions asked. The tender was processed by the Department of Justice.
13 May 2022 - NW1537
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment:
What system is in place, by which reports of the SA Weather Service which monitors possible severe weather conditions, are relayed to her department and taken to Cabinet to inform it to be on high alrt and act accordingly?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
13 May 2022 - NW1516
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Given that post-use technology product are currently reported as being the fastest accumulation of waste products in the world, what are the full, relevant details of current intervention in place to recycle electronic waste, as well as interventions currently being discussed, to thereby also created a circular economy; (2) whether her department has collaborated with any other department to promote and/or facilitate e-waste recycling; if not, why not, if so what are the full, relevant details of her department’s collaboration with other department
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
13 May 2022 - NW894
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What (a) is the total number of incidents of (i) sexual harassment and (ii) sexual assault that were reported in his Office (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2021, (b) number of cases (i) were opened and concluded, (ii) were withdrawn and (iii) remain open or pending based on the incidents and (c) sanctions were meted out against each person who was found guilty?
Reply:
There were no incidents of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault cases reported in the past three financial years, and the status quo remains since 1 April 2021 to date in my office.
Thank You.
13 May 2022 - NW1349
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) is the full list of financial institutions that have issued (i) long-term loans, such as bonds and (ii) short-term loans, such as Treasury bills to the Government and (b) are the (i) names of (aa) the market participants and (bb) their clients, (ii) interest rates, (iii) term(s) of each loan and (iv) total amounts borrowed in each case?
Reply:
Treasury Bills (t-bills) are held by every commercial bank in the country that holds a banking license since they form part of the High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) which are required by the Prudential Authority. These assets allow banks to meet their short-term liquidity requirements and can be used as collateral for central bank operations, as well as benchmarking for pricing financial assets. The same banks may hold both t-bills and bonds on behalf of clients in their stockbroking or wealth management units in both discretionary, non-discretionary and segregated income portfolios. For the latter reason, it would be near impossible for the National Treasury (NT) to determine what rate investors bought the bonds at and who the clients are.
Long term loans are bought by the nine primary dealers in the primary market on behalf of insurers, asset managers and hedge funds on a weekly basis. Furthermore, these bonds are then traded in the secondary market where they are bought and sold by different entities. The nine primary dealers are:
- ABSA
- HSBC
- NEDBANK
- CITIBANK
- STANDARD BANK
- INVESTEC BANK
- DEUTSCHE BANK
- RMB
- JP MORGAN
To qualify as a primary dealer, applying banks are required to comply with capital adequacy requirements per the banks act as well as additional NT requirements. These banks would buy these bonds at different rates on a weekly basis and distribute these bonds for a turn in the secondary markets both on exchange and over the counter which also impacts the rates at which the bonds trade. The interest rates and amounts at which the bonds are auctioned in the primary market are available on the NT website on a weekly basis however, the amount that each bank buys in the auction is not public information since this information is sensitive for the ongoing auction process. There are no terms associated with each bond purchase except the obligation to pay the interest rate and principal when it is due on NT’s part.
The ultimate holders of the bonds can categorized as follows:
1. Monetary Institutions
(a) Banks
(b) SARB
2. Insurers
(a) Long Term Insurers
(b) Short Term Insurers
3. Pension Funds
(a) PIC
(b) Private self-administered pension funds
(c) Official Pension Funds
4. Other Financial Institutions
(a) Unit Trusts
(b) Participation Mortgage bond schemes
(c) Financial Public enterprises
The details of the ultimate holders are not recorded by the NT since the NT’s purview is the primary market. It is in the secondary market where these bonds bought and sold by various institutions. The JSE, Strate and the institutions themselves would be best placed to provide details in terms of the quantity of bonds they hold since they transact both on and off-exchange. Market data systems like Bloomberg, Reuters would also provide details for the reported market.
It is worth remembering is that these institutions would themselves be holding these bonds on behalf of individual investors or policy holders who cannot be legally disclosed as per FICA and POPIA act. The holdings change regularly owing to the needs of each category of holder. For example, insurers would buy long term debt to meet long term obligations however they may need to liquidate short- and medium-term bond holdings if claims rose suddenly. Pensions funds would rebalance their portfolios regularly based on the investment mandate of their portfolios and whether or not they are managing an external portfolio. For this reason and many others, it is impractical for NT to quantify how much each institutional holder owns at a point in time or what interest rate they are receiving since they would hold bonds along the yield curve.
Institutions also frequently engage in interest rate swaps to manage their risk which would transfer those rates to other entities. Retail bonds are held by individual investors whose names cannot be disclosed. Retail bond interest rates are available on the retail bonds website along with the terms and conditions of each retail bond.
The National Treasury publishes monthly detailed information on outstanding bonds, redemption dates, redemption amounts, and coupon rates can be found on the National Treasury's investor website. The same details can be found in the SARB’s quartely bulletin.
http://investor.treasury.gov.za/pages/default.aspx
Table 7.5 of the 2022 Budget Review reflects the international financing institution borrowings. The table provides information on the institution, disbursement date, interest rate, terms (years), grace period (years), and amount (billion). From the table, the borrowing has only been long-term in nature, with no short-term loans being entered into.
13 May 2022 - NW1471
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, in light of the Architectural Profession Act, Act 44 of 2000, which provides for the establishment of a juristic person to be known as the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), in terms of which the Council consists of members appointed by the Minister and taking into account the principles of transparency and accountability (details furnished), she will furnish Mrs M B Hicklin with the (a) list of the SACAP Board members as they currently stand and (b) breakdown in their capacities as detailed by the prescripts of the specified Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(a) and (b) I have been informed that the list and breakdown of the capacities of the Council members of the SACAP is as follows:
- Mr Charles Ntsindiso Nduku (Professional Architect): President of the Council, member of the Transformation Committee and Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.
- Ms Letsabisa Shongwe (Professional Architect): Vice President of the Council; Chairperson of the Professional Fees Committee; Chairperson of Stakeholder Relations Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Transformation Committee.
- Ms Mandisa Pepeta Daki (Professional Architectural Technologist): Council member, Chairperson of the Investigating Committee and Transformation Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Stakeholder Relations Committee and member of the Continuing Professional Development Committee.
- Mr Vusi Phailane (Professional Architect & State Representative): Council member, Chairperson of the Identification Committee and member of the Investigating Committee and Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.
- Mr Kevin Bingham (Professional Architect), Council member, Chairperson of the Education Committee and Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.
- Mr Mohammed Allie Mohidien (Professional Architectural Draughtperson), Council member, Chairperson of Registration Committee and member of the Identification of Work Committee and Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.
- Mr Lufuno Motsherane (Public representative), Council member, Chairperson of the REMCO, member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Investigating Committee.
- Dr Sitsabo Dlamini (Professional Senior Architectural Technologist): Council member and Chairperson of the Continuing Professional Development Committee and member of the Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.
- Mr Nick Nichols (Public Representative): Council member, member of the REMCO and Audit & Risk Committee.
13 May 2022 - NW741
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)Noting the extension given to Statistics South Africa for the completion of Census 2022, what are the implications of the funding that was set aside for the exercise; (2) whether there has been an increase of the budget; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, with what amount has the budget increased? NW916E
Reply:
(1) Noting the extension given to Statistics South Africa for the completion of Census 2022, what are the implications of the funding that was set aside for the exercise;
At this stage Stats SA still envisages to be within the budgeted funds for the Census Programme. The major costs that will be incurred as a result of the extension are vehicle hire, salaries for field staff and IT related costs. Due to the challenges experienced with data collection systems and recruitment, data collection did not commence as planned and was implemented in a staggered manner. As a result, expenditure for the previously mentioned items have been below what was budgeted. Accordingly reduced expenditure is expected for 21/22 and higher expenditure is expected for 22/23. As the bulk of these activities will be straddling the end of the financial year there could be a possibility that allocated funding would need to be rolled over. Engagements with National Treasury have begun in this regard.
2
(2) whether there has been an increase of the budget; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, with what amount has the budget increased?
No increase has been tabled for the Census budget. Close monitoring is in place and a reassessment will be done as Stats SA gets close to completing the census data collection to assess if any additional resources are required to deal with the tail end in this regard.
Thank You.
13 May 2022 - NW1538
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment:
Which programmes have been put in place by her department to ensure that the general public moves away from single-use plastic?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
13 May 2022 - NW1407
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
How will the wastewater challenge be funded which, according to the 2022 Green Drop Report, requires an amount of R8 billion in order to clean up the stinking sewage and wastewater crisis in the Republic?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation uses the Green Drop Report as a performance baseline for the municipal wastewater fraternity to inform appropriate regulatory intervention with the objective to facilitate improvement. This is included in the Department’s Water Services Improvement Programme which includes sustainable intervention with the objective of ensuring a turnaround in the perfromance of the Municipal Water Services Sector.
The Green Drop Performance trends will be used to determine repetitive poor performance, to inform a more drastic approach to ensure a turn-around. This could include facilitating long-term intervention by either a capacitated water board or any other suitable mode of sanitation services support.
The results of the Green Drop Report dictates that wastewater services be a primary focus area of the government in targetted areas. Therefore, national government will ensure that grant funding allocated to the water sector is allocated with the objective of restoring the functionality of exisiting wastewater infrastructure according to the findings of this report.
The determination of the “Very Rough Order of Estimates” (VROOM), which informed the amount referenced in your question, was done to give an estimation of the capital requirement for the functionality restoration drive. This will be effected with the support of National Treasury.
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13 May 2022 - NW866
Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister in The Presidency
What total amount in Rand has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) her, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of her Office since 29 May 2019?
Reply:
Description |
Deputy Minister |
Office of the Deputy Minister |
Total |
a. Catering |
0 |
58,292.60 |
58,292.60 |
b. Entertainment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
c. Accomodation |
250, 570.48 |
1,078,702.87 |
1,329,273.35 |
TOTAL |
250,570.48 |
1,136,995.47 |
1,387,565.95 |
Thank You.
13 May 2022 - NW16
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)What total number of complaints have been received through the Presidential Hotline that are related to (a) service delivery, (b) governance and (c) corruption by government officials; (2) (a) what process is being followed to ensure that the line departments resolve the complaints received via the hotline and (b) how does a complainant obtain feedback?
Reply:
In the financial year 2020/2021, the Presidential Hotline (PH) received a total number of 9305 cases. In 2021/2022, up to the end of the 3rd Quarter, the PH received a total of 4693 cases.
Since its inception in 2009, the Presidential Hotline has always solely dealt with service delivery matters. Service delivery issues are often intertwined with governance issues and therefore not disaggregated when accounting or reporting on cases received. In relation to corruption cases, these are referred to the Office of the Public Service Commission as the DPME does not have the investigative capacity.
REPLY: Question 2
a) Once a complaint has been assigned to a department, it is expected that it must be resolved within the 25 working days as prescribed by the DPSA. Each stakeholder manager within DPME (Presidential Hotline) tracks and monitors cases assigned to departments using the Reporting platform portal to see if the number of open cases is reduced. Stakeholder managers also use spreadsheets to track performance as well as to inform departments on any outstanding complaints. Monthly feedback reports are shared with departments in order to provide a snapshot of how they are performing (resolving complaints) as well as any outstanding matters for investigation.
(b) They obtain feedback via telephone or email.
Phone: If the complainant is requesting for information on government services, such information is provided immediately at the point of contact (by the call centre agent).
Email: Once a complex case has been completed by the investigating Department, feedback is provided to the complainant via email.
NB: The method of feedback is dependent on the choice made by the complainant on how they would prefer to be contacted.
Mostly, feedback is provided telephonically. However, the DPME is able to monitor whether feedback was indeed provided to the complainant and this is done through the Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
Thank You.
13 May 2022 - NW1556
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What are the reasons that the much talked about academic hospital has not yet been built in Limpopo despite many promises in the past two years that construction would have started by this time?
Reply:
The size and complexity of a project like Limpopo Central Hospital (LCH) requires a consolidated and concerted effort between various role players to eliminate risk and to keep the project on track, so that it can ultimately benefit the community and students it serves. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the envisaged consultative processes for the LCH could not be undertaken between the relevant stakeholders due to the lockdown, lack of access to engagements with design consultants and the various Departmental Stakeholders. The consultative processes were thus delayed in finalising Stage Gate 3.
The project is however, currently in Stage 4: Design Documentation. The National Department of Health (NDoH) requested a Gateway Review process in line with the Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIDPM) in December 2021 for this stage gate deliverables. The reviewal of Stage 4.1 was not a mandatory process but done to reduce the risk associated with the project during construction and eliminate any unforeseen costs. The objective of the review process was to ensure that the project delivers value for money, that any design related issues are appropriately addressed and that the overall project structure and governance is sound to take the project through construction. The Gateway review process have been concluded and the project is expected to go out on tender on approval of the Stage Gate 4 deliverables. The construction process is set to start in Q3 of this financial year.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1479
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, with regard to the use of the Ladysmith Airport in KwaZulu-Natal for drag racing from 17 March 2022 to 20 March 2022, the SA Civil Aviation Authority conducted any inspections of the (a) airport runway and (b) taxi routes since the use of the airport for drag racing; if not, why not; if so, what (i) damage was identified during such inspection and (ii) remedial action was and/or is required to ensure the airport meets all required standards?
Reply:
South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
(a) (b) The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has a scheduled annual inspection for Ladysmith during the 3rd week of September 2022. (i) (ii) The SACAA does not inspect this type of aerodrome after such an event due to the following reasons:
1. Approval is granted for such events to be hosted on the airport premises and runway on condition that the aerodrome is closed for air traffic through publication and that the airport management ensures that the surface and shoulders of the runway are inspected, and any damage is repaired, before the aerodrome is opened for normal use.
2. The general duties of the Aerodrome Licence Holder, according to CAR 2011, Part 139.02.23, provides for the responsibility for aerodrome safety and security to be assumed by the License holder at all times as per international best practice.
3. There is no history of permanent damage, caused by such events, and it has been the SACAA’s experience that license holders adhere to safety requirements and ensure that the aerodrome is clean before re-opening it for air traffic.
4. The SACAA focusses its oversight on commercial and scheduled aerodromes, as guided by its risk assessments, and it would be costly to allocate resources to small non-commercial aerodromes in the absence of material risk.
Non-aviation events, such as drag racing, are hosted by the owners of small aerodromes, with no scheduled air traffic, in order to supplement their income to run the aerodromes.
12 May 2022 - NW1568
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the reasons that birth certificates are not issued at birth at the (a) Bethal and (b) Evander Hospitals in Mpumalanga?
Reply:
(a)&(b) Due to capacity constraints the Department was not able to have an official stationed at the hospitals to register births of newborns. Issuance of birth certificates are rendered at the Bethal and Standerton offices. The Department is currently filling critical vacant posts with funds granted by National Treasury. These critical positions that have been identified will be filled in this financial year.
END
12 May 2022 - NW1584
Hinana, Mr N to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether (a) her department and /or (b) entities reporting to her concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard ; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons that the goods could not be contracted in the Republic?
Reply:
a) (i) & (ii) No
b) (i) (ii) No
(aa)None/ not applicable
(bb) Not applicable
(cc) Not applicable
(dd) Not applicable
(ee) Not applicable
12 May 2022 - NW1651
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) are the details of the status of payments to suppliers within his department, (b) total number of suppliers have not been paid within the prescribed 30 days’ period and (c) are the total outstanding amounts that have not been paid?
Reply:
a) 80.7% of supplier invoices are paid within 30 days from receipt of an invoice.
b) A total of 44 suppliers have not yet been paid within the 30 days’ period.
c) The total amount not yet paid within the prescribed 30 days is R73,793,809.86.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1590
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether (a) her department and/or (b) entities reporting to her concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons that the goods could not be contracted in the Republic?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(a), (b),(i), (ii) I have been informed by the Department that neither the Department nor its Entities concluded any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation and/or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.
(aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), and (ee) Not applicable.
12 May 2022 - NW1581
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the requirements for late registration of abandoned and/or orphaned children living with a relative and the submission of the Deputy Director-General of Civic Service of his department, who reported to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 2 March 2022 that relatives can register orphaned and/or abandoned children if they provide a report by a social worker, however, at a local service delivery level, it appears as if a Children’s Court Order is required in most cases, (a) what section of the Act and Regulations regulate applications for late registration of births of orphaned and/or abandoned children, when such registrations must be made in the name of a social worker and/or when they are made in the name of the relative caring for the child, (b) which types of relatives qualify to make such applications and (c) which supporting documents are needed by a social worker and/or relative to provide to her department for a successful application?
Reply:
a) There is no regulation for Late Registration of birth for abandoned and/or orphaned children. However, abandoned and/or orphaned children are registered in terms of Section 12 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act (Act 51 of 1992), Regulation 9 of the regulation on Registration of Births and Deaths (2014) as well as Sections 46 and 156 of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005.
b) Neither the Births and Deaths Registration Act nor the regulation on registration of births and deaths specify which types relatives may register an orphaned or abandoned child. However, the Births and Deaths Registration Act as amended (Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Act, Act No 18 of 2010) points out that any person other than the parents of such child who registers a child must be prescribed. Section 46 and 156 of the Children’s Act. Act 38 of 2005 deals with the designation of a person as a care giver of a child.
c) 9(1) A notice of birth of abandoned or orphaned child in terms of section 12 of the Act must be given on Form DHA-24 illustrated in Annexure 1A by a social worker within 60 days of obtaining a court order in terms of section 156 of the Children’s Act, and must be accompanied by-
a) a court order issued by the children’s court;
b) a certified copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permit of the social worker:
c) where available a certified copy of the identity document or passport and visa or permit of the parents of a child
d) where available, a copy of the death certificate of the parents of a child; and
e) a social workers’ report that was presented to the children’s court
END
12 May 2022 - NW1489
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1) what total number of (a) vehicles have been allocated to each respective stock theft unit in each province at present, (b) the specified total number of vehicles are (i) functional and/or (ii) in for repairs and (c) the vehicles that are in for repairs, have been out of service for two months or more; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
12 May 2022 - NW1762
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether certain Erfs (details furnished), located between Oldham Road and Bedford Street, Glenlily, Parow West, Cape Town which was the old Hernus Kriel School Tennis Courts and Sports Ground, fall under the jurisdiction of her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what was the initial purpose of the building and site, (b) for what duration has the building/site been vacant and (c) what are her department’s short-, medium- and long-term plan for the erf; (2) whether she and/or her department has been advised of criminal activity taking place on the erf; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps did her department take in this regard; (3) whether she has received any public and/or private requests to utilise the specified property; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she will consider transferring the building and erf to the relevant provincial department and/or municipality in order for it to be repurposed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I have been informed by the Department that the old Tennis Courts located on erven 6361, 6362, 6348-Re and Erf 6350-Re do not fall under the jurisdiction of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure but that of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape.
2. The National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is not aware of any criminal activity on this site as the site does not fall under the jurisdiction of this Department.
3. Any enquiries received by the Department should accordingly referred to the Provincial Government for further attention.
4. The Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works will be in the best position to respond to this question as the property is under its jurisdiction.
12 May 2022 - NW1650
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) are the details of the outstanding utility bills of his department and (b) is the breakdown of the total amount according to each province?
Reply:
(a) All invoices for utility bills have been processed and paid, except for one invoice currently under dispute for Civitas building to the amount of R3,2 million for the period 01 October 2021 to 02 November 2021. The National Department of Health did not occupy the building during this period.
(b) We still await information from the provinces. This information will be submitted to Parliament as soon as it is received.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1641
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, with regard to the presentation made by his department and the State Information Technology Agency to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on 31 August 2021 on plans to be implemented to resolve downtimes, the upgrades have been done; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) was the cause of the recent system downtime in the majority of the Home Affairs offices and (b) plans are in place to address the system downtime; (2) Whether he will furnish Ms T A Khanyile with a list of branches that have been upgraded since 31 August 2021; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Various upgrades have been done at Front Offices, Bank Branches, Ports of Entry (Land, Airports, and Harbours), and Refugee Reception Centres.
a) On a late evening of Thursday, 31 March 2022, Live Capture access to the National Population Registration was severed due to a damaged network cable that connected the DHA Network to the SITA hosted Mainframe Systems, with the National Population Register being one of these systems. The fault was only picked up the following morning of Friday, 1 April 2022, by SITA engineers. The exact location of the cable damage was found after a lengthy cable tracing process, and the cable repair process was completed by SITA engineers at 13:40.
SITA was supposed to have picked the drop in connectivity the very evening of Thursday, 31 March 2022 as SITA operates a 24x7x365 Network Operations Centre.
b) SITA has committed to the following interventions to prevent reoccurrence of this incident:
(i) SITA technical teams is investigating the possibility of installing a redundant cable that will need to be routed via a different path in the data centre in order to provide higher availability.
(ii) SITA is reviewing the alerting, monitoring processes and procedures in order to ensure there is additional monitoring in place in the hosting and network environment which will trigger events to log incidents directly on the call logging system. SITA has also proposed end to end monitoring to DHA that will assist to proactively pick up potential risk areas, or specific failure locality impacting service delivery for quicker resolution, across the value chain.
A list of all upgrades done for the period in question (1 September 2021 to 25 April 2022) is available. The list is broken down by Office Name, Upgrade done, and Upgrade date.
END
12 May 2022 - NW1693
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Health
In view of lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, what (a) areas has his department identified as needing urgent intervention to improve the quality of public health in the Republic and (b) steps has he taken in order to implement the identified improvements?
Reply:
The department has identified the following as areas needing urgent intervention to improve the quality of public health in the Republic, which is as a result of the lessons learned from Covid-19. All key pillars which were captured in the first surge and subsequent resurgence plans, have been identified as in need of attention and they are:
a) Key are of lessons |
b) Steps taken to implement the identified improvements |
Leadership and governance |
The provinces are working on various interventions such as the process of conducting mortality audits across the country. This will assist us to know what were the underlying causes of high rate of deaths of many people during Covid-19 The department is also working on the improvement in the management of PHC services, through various interventions which will include the collaboration with school of government and other training institutions. The department is working with the provinces to integrate the Covid-19 management into the health systems management. |
Infrastructure |
The department is working on the capacity building programme for human resource capacity in the district hospitals where there is an infrastructure that was improved to cater for Covid-19 patients. The department has worked on the repurposing of the infrastructure to support the delivery of services. |
Human Resources |
The department is working on the process to increase number of nurses in the specialist areas to build on the capacity that was made available during Covid-19 |
Health Technology |
The equipment that was procured for Covid-19 response will be made available for use in the hospitals. This is part of the Covid-19 legacy projects. |
Diseases surveillance |
The department has published the regulations that are preparing the health system to improve the surveillance and response to the notifiable medical conditions. The department has extended the closing date for the submission of comments by a further three months, meaning that the department is prepared to listen to as many voices and views as possible. |
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1565
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What package of health interventions has he put in place to deal with the crisis caused by floods in KwaZulu-Natal?
Reply:
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health treated 529 patients at our health facilities for flood-related incidents with 17 deaths reported during the acute phase of the flood disaster. There were no major disruptions to rendering of health care services in the affected health districts.
An additional 7 sessional pathologists were brought in to expedite the postmortems. A total of 429 post mortems were conducted, of which, 399 bodies have been identified by families.
Health care services continue to be rendered to 1 749 clients from displaced communities that are currently sheltered in community halls. This also includes ensuring dispensing of chronic medication.
Environment Health is monitoring water quality in eThekwini Municipality and Ugu District Municipality. Where water quality issues have been picked up in tanked water and Jojo tanks, these have been escalated to the relevant authorities. Health and hygiene education on small-scale water purification methods i.e., use of Jik and chlorine sachets by households is ongoing. Health awareness on Waterborne illnesses, Waste Management & COVID 19 Protocols is ongoing. Awareness on foodborne illnesses on soup kitchens and distribution centres has also been raised. Communicable Disease Control monitoring for water borne diseases is ongoing.
Water tankers were used and still continue to be used supply water to hospitals and clinics without piped water.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has identified at least 87 projects at health facilities related to the flood damages at an estimated cost of R258 million and is currently addressing these together with the Department of Public Works.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, together with the National Department of Health, continue to monitor the situation and are addressing the challenges accordingly.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1663
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With regard to the National Education Excellence Awards ceremony held on 7 April 2022, what are the (a) criteria for each category of the awards, (b) reasons that her department has chosen to highlight the specific criteria and (c) reasons that the awards were not awarded during the National Senior Certificate examinations results announcement?
Reply:
a)
2022 National Education Excellence Awards Categories and Criteria |
|
Category |
Criteria |
1. Special Recognition Awards |
|
2. Top Performing District: 2021 NSC Highest Percentage Pass |
|
3. Top Performing District: selected Quality Indicators – 2021 NSC Highest score: Overall Passes; Bachelors; Mathematics; and Physical Science |
|
4. Most Improved District 2020- 2021 NSC |
Highest percentage improvement |
5. Top Performing District: NSC Bachelor Passes |
Highest Percentage NSC Bachelor passes: 2019- 2021 |
6. Top Performing District: NSC Mathematics and Physical Science Passes |
Highest Number of NSC Mathematics and Physical Science passes: 2019 – 2021 |
7. Excellence in District Leadership and Management
|
District with excellence in:
|
8. Excellence in Primary Schools Learning Outcomes Support
|
District with excellence in:
|
9. Top Performing Public Schools: 2021 NSC Highest percentage pass |
|
10. Best Full Service School 2021
|
Full Service School that has shown the most commitment to inclusion including: School policy on inclusion; Increased and successful accommodation of learners with diverse needs and learners with physical disabilities/ impairments; Functional School Based Support Team; and Evidence of steps taken to ensure physical access for all learners, including transport |
11. Special Ministerial Award |
Districts with the highest annual average percentage improvement between 2018 and 2021 in the number of Black African and Coloured candidates achieving 60% or more in Mathematics and Physical Science |
b)
Reasons per Category Criteria |
|
Criteria category |
Reasons |
1 |
To acknowledge and recognise districts for consistent NSC performance of above 85% over the last three years; and Club 100 Quintile 1 - 3 schools for consistent NSC performance at 100% over the last five years. |
2 |
To reward small and large districts (separately by size comparison) that obtained the highest overall percentage passes. |
3 |
To reward small and large districts (separately by size comparison) that obtained the highest sum score of selected quality indicators viz. Overall passes; Bachelors; Mathematics; and Physical Science. |
4 |
To reward districts that obtained the highest percentage improvement in the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic |
5 |
To reward districts that produced the highest percentage Bachelor passes over the last three years. |
6 |
To reward districts that produced the highest number of learners that pass NSC Mathematics and Physical Science over the last three years |
7 |
To reward districts that exhibited excellent leadership and management practices in 2021. |
8 |
To reward districts that showed excellent approaches and implemented best strategies towards improving the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy. |
9 |
To reward public ordinary schools by quintile for excellent performance in the 2021 NSC taking into account their context including the socio-economic factors. |
10 |
To reward Full Service schools that implemented excellent practices towards the achievement of imperatives on the policy on inclusion. |
11 |
To to reward districts for improvement in their achievement levels especially among black learners in the gateway subjects of Mathematics and Physical Science in the NSC pre- and during- the Covid-19 pandemic. |
c) The National Education Excellence Awards focus on rewarding excellence in performance, management and leadership, policy implementation, improvement strategies and innovation across the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET) bands, thus going beyond the scope of the NSC results.
12 May 2022 - NW1488
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What specialist units, expects for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, are functional and operation within the SA Police Service at present; (2) whether he intends to establish more specialist units; if not, why not; if so, in what fields of specialist; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
12 May 2022 - NW1579
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Health
Whether (a) his department and/or (b) entities reporting to him concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons that the goods could not be contracted in the Republic?
Reply:
a) The National Department of Health did not conclude any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.
b) None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health concluded any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1567
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What number of posts are vacant at the Home Affairs offices in (i) Bethal and (ii) Secunda in Mpumalanga and (b) by what date will the specified posts be filled?
Reply:
(a)(i) Bethal:
- Post establishment according to structure
NUMBER OF POSTS |
POST |
LEVEL |
FILLED |
VACANT |
POSTS TO BE FILLED |
1 |
Cleaner |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
Front Office Clerk |
6 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Cashier |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
Immigration Officer |
6 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
Admin Officer |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
Chief Admin Clerk |
7 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
Client Service Officers |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Civic Services Supervisor |
8 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Chief Immigration Officer |
8 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Office Manager |
10 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
7 |
19 |
8 |
(b)(i) The Office Manager post was advertised during April 2022. The remaining posts will be advertised as per the HR project plan for implementation before 31st May 2022. The remaining vacant posts are unfunded.
(a)(ii) Secunda
- Post establishment according to structure
NUMBER OF POSTS |
POST |
LEVEL |
FILLED |
VACANT |
POSTS TO BE FILLED |
1 |
Cleaner |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
Front Office Clerk |
6 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Cashier |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
Immigration Officer |
6 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
Admin Officer |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
Chief Admin Clerk |
7 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
Client Service Officers |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Cashier Supervisor |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Civic Services Supervisor |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Chief Immigration Officer |
8 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Senior Admin Officer |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Office Manager |
10 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
31 |
10 |
21 |
2 |
(b)(ii) The 2 Immigration Officer posts will be advertised and filled by June 2022. The remaining vacant posts are unfunded.
END
12 May 2022 - NW1521
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether any (a) hospitals and/or (b) clinics throughout the Republic have been (i) temporarily and/or (ii) permanently shut down and/or (iii) non-operational; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, (aa) what are the reasons for this and (bb) have there been any claims that the shutdowns are due to supernatural activity experienced?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is working with all the Provinces to collate this information and will provide the response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all provinces, in due course.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1492
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
What is the reason that his department has published new regulations under the National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003, which will effectively be a long-term replacement of the Republic’s state of disaster COVID-19 regulations?
Reply:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple adverse social and economic impacts on our people. The pandemic has created important lessons that should inform our policy actions and decision making going forward. The dissolution of the National State of Disaster by the President on 5th April 2022 necessitates that government retains the necessary mechanisms and levers that can be proactively utilised in the management of future COVID-19 and other types of similar future pandemics and notifiable medical conditions.
In this respect, and to ensure there are enough legislative and regulatory measures to manage the current and future outbreaks, the National Department of Health published the draft regulations under the National Health Act (61 of 2003) and International Health Regulations Act (28 of 1974). The objective of these draft regulations is to create transparent and structured measures which include the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions; public health measures in points of entry; management of human remains; and regulations relating to environmental health. These draft regulations are not in any way intended to allow for the long-term replacement of the dissolved State of Disaster regulations as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1525
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Given that it was reported to the Portfolio Committee on Health that the National Health Laboratory Service has finally insourced the security guards and cleaners, (a) on what date did the insourcing happen, (b) what total number of workers (i) were insourced and (ii) are still to be insourced and (c) what is their current (i) remuneration and (ii) worker benefits?
Reply:
a) The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) insourced cleaners, gardeners and security officers starting from October 2017 and completed the process in April 2018.
b) The total number of workers insourced is (i) 430 however, (ii) the current total of insourced employees is 570 as the NHLS continued to recruit employees in the mentioned categories.
c) (i) Current remuneration: The cleaners and gardeners are graded at grade A on Paterson grading system. The salaries range from R96 051 per annum to R130 673 per annum. The security officers are graded at A3 on the Paterson grading system which ranges from R133 412 per annum to R179 198 per annum.
(ii) Worker Benefits: This cohort is part of the bargaining forum for employees within the NHLS. Their benefits include medical aid subsidy of 75%; 13th cheque which they receive in December each year, a living allowance of approximately R22 000 per annum and the pension fund. In addition, the NHLS implements a performance management and development policy which provides for annual performance assessment and criteria to qualify for performance awards or incentives in the form of pay progression and performance bonus. There are also bursary programs, and all employees complete a workplace skills plan for further skills development.
The NHLS also subscribes to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act No. 75 of 1997, which regulate hours of work and leave. Other benefits include an employee assistance program, where if an employee experiences personal challenges of any nature, they can call the NHLS’s 24 hours hotline and speak to a professional for assistance.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1493
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Noting the exorbitant prices of baby formula and the lack of provision thereof in hospitals, what steps will he and/or his department take to ensure (a) affordable pricing of baby formula in the hospitals and (b) that hospitals and/or clinics do not run out of baby formula?
Reply:
(a) The Department of Health actively promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding as a public health intervention to optimise child survival. This includes exclusive breastfeeding for a child’s first six month of life, followed by ongoing breastfeeding until at least two years of age together with introduction of good quality complementary household foods. The commitment is in line with the Tshwane Declaration which was adopted at the National Breastfeeding Consultative Meeting in August 2011.
In the years leading up to the Tshwane Declaration, the Department of Health provided free infant formula feed to infants whose mothers were HIV-infected. This policy and practice caused much confusion in communities and contributed to low exclusive breastfeeding rates in South Africa, which in turn contributed to high child mortality rates. One of the key Tshwane Declaration commitments was to stop providing free infant formula at public health facilities with limited exceptions for cases where breastfeeding is contraindicated.
(b) The Department has an RT-9 transversal contract in place which is managed by National Treasury. This contract includes all the necessary products or supplements that are currently required for use in people requiring specialised nutrition due to their disease conditions, and includes infant formula products. The products need to comply with the labelling, ingredient and other requirements as stipulated in the relevant regulations published in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetic and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972). Hospitals and clinics purchase the infant formula using the RT-9 transversal contract in accordance with their requirements. Where there are legitimate medical conditions as diagnosed by the medical practitioner, or when a mother is incapable for caring for her infant or young child, infant formula is provided for free by the hospital or clinic for up to 12 months.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1629
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department keeps a record of clinic and hospital visits of children who receive a Child Support Grant from the SA Social Security Agency; if not, why not; if so, what number of children who receive the grant in each (a) province and (b) metropolitan municipality are currently being treated for malnutrition?
Reply:
No, the Department of Health does not keep a record of clinic and hospital visits of children who receive a Child Support Grant from the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA). The Department renders health services according to the needs of all clients, regardless of their social standing.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1770
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of children have died nationally in public hospitals as a result of malnutrition and/or starvation and (b) is the total breakdown in each province?
Reply:
As part of the Integrated Management of childhood disease services, two Data Elements are monitored for malnutrition deaths. These Data Elements are:
- Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years
- Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years
a) The total number of children who have died nationally in public hospitals as a result of malnutrition in the past three years is as follows:
Data Element |
FY 2019/20 |
FY 2020/21 |
FY 2021/22 |
Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years |
166 |
207 |
238 |
Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years |
868 |
568 |
771 |
Total (National) |
1034 |
775 |
1009 |
The above table shows a drop in malnutrition deaths in 2020/21, however, the 2021/22 deaths are similar to the pre-COVD-19 deaths of 2019/20.
b) The Total breakdown in each province is as follows:
Data Element |
Province |
FY 2019/20 |
FY 2020/21 |
FY 2021/22 |
Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years |
Eastern Cape Province |
24 |
20 |
20 |
|
Free State Province |
21 |
7 |
8 |
|
Gauteng Province |
34 |
45 |
45 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal Province |
33 |
83 |
81 |
|
Limpopo Province |
27 |
13 |
21 |
|
Mpumalanga Province |
11 |
24 |
29 |
|
Northern Cape Province |
0 |
8 |
11 |
|
North West Province |
14 |
6 |
19 |
|
Western Cape Province |
2 |
1 |
4 |
Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years |
Eastern Cape Province |
149 |
72 |
127 |
|
Free State Province |
65 |
50 |
86 |
|
Gauteng Province |
94 |
75 |
120 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal Province |
176 |
164 |
187 |
|
Limpopo Province |
124 |
70 |
82 |
|
Mpumalanga Province |
60 |
52 |
59 |
|
Northern Cape Province |
38 |
21 |
33 |
|
North West Province |
154 |
56 |
62 |
|
Western Cape Province |
8 |
8 |
15 |
|
Total (National) |
1034 |
775 |
1009 |
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1660
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the current learner to teacher ratio (a) nationally and (b) in each province?
Reply:
The official learner to educator ratio is as follows:
Province |
Learner Educator Ratio considering both State-paid and |
Learner Educator Ratio State-Paid |
Eastern Cape |
30.1 |
34.7 |
Free State |
31.1 |
33.9 |
Gauteng |
30.9 |
33.6 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
30.7 |
31.9 |
Limpopo |
34.5 |
35.5 |
Mpumalanga |
31.6 |
33.9 |
Northern Cape |
29.9 |
33.3 |
North West |
31.6 |
33.5 |
Western Cape |
31.9 |
39.8 |
South Africa |
31.4 |
34.1 |
Source: 2021 School Realities Publication, EMIS |
12 May 2022 - NW1642
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, in light of the fact that in August 2021 his department announced that they will introduce the Branch Appointment Booking System that was to be piloted in five high volume offices from November 2021 to March 2022, the system has yielded any desirable results to fight long queues; if not, what is the immediate plan in place to fight long queues; if so, on what date is it envisaged that the system will be rolled out to other Home Affairs branches?
Reply:
The Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) has yielded positive results as the clients are serviced within the timeslot booked and confirmed, and the offices are able to plan for those who have booked the day prior to the scheduled appointments.
END
12 May 2022 - NW1520
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department keeps a record of (a) hospitals and/or (b) clinics throughout the Republic that have been ravaged by (i) fire, (ii) theft and/or (iii) vandalism; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (aa) name of each hospital and/or clinic and (bb) extent of the damages in each specified case; (2) whether his department intends to repair such damages; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard; (3) what impact has he found has damaged clinics and hospitals had on healthcare service delivery in their respective areas?
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.
12 May 2022 - NW1677
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, with regard to the Naki 2018 judgment and the 2021 Constitutional Court judgment on the rights of unmarried fathers to register the births of their children in the absence of the mother, and noting that the Deputy Director-General (DDG) of Civic Service reported to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 2 March 2022 that his department had sent communication to local offices informing them of the Naki 2018 and Constitutional Court 2021 judgments, he will furnish Ms L L van der Merwe with a copy of the letter sent to local offices, in which his department communicated the judgments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, with reference to the report by the DDG of Civic Service in his department to the Portfolio on Social Development on 2 March 2022, that his department had revised their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in line with the Naki 2018 and Constitutional Court 2021 court judgments, and that his department had already begun training officials in KwaZulu-Natal using the revised SOP, he will furnish Ms L L van der Merwe with a copy of the revised SOP; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether, with regard to the report of the DDG of Civic Service who reported to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 2 March 2022, that the directive explaining the above judgments for officials was not yet finalised but would be soon, it has since been finalised; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date will it be (i) finalised and (ii) sent to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and all local offices; if so, will he furnish Ms L L van der Merwe with a copy of the final directive?
Reply:
1. The Naki 2018 and Constitutional Court 2021 judgment was brought to the attention of all Provincial Managers for further communicating to local offices via WhatsApp on 23 September 2021. Print out of the WhatsApp communication is hereto attached. WhatsApp is one of the various communication channels the Civic Services Branch has established to deal with urgent matters that affect daily operations.
2. The revised Birth Registration Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) is hereto attached. Training on the new SOP took place between 17 January 2022 to 4 April 2022.
3. As indicated in response 1 above, the Home Affairs front offices have been informed as per the attached WhatsApp message and the court order is being implemented by offices as alluded to in slide 9 of the presentation made to the Portfolio Committee on 2 March 2022. Further to this, the department is in the process of drafting regulations on the registration of births and deaths with the view to align it to the court order.
END
12 May 2022 - NW1708
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health
Considering the fact that there is fear that the fifth wave of the coronavirus is going to hit the Republic soon, what steps are being taken by his department to ensure that the impact of the specified wave is not as severe as previous waves?
Reply:
The department has worked with the provinces to do the following in order to ensure that the impact of Covid-19 is not as severe as the past four waves:
- Conducting the Intra-Action Review to identify the lessons learned from the previous waves and to develop plans to identified close the gaps, while also enhancing those areas that the department did well.
- The development of the resurgence plans which is based on the lessons learned from the four waves.
- The plan is working on the Integration of Covid-19 into the health system, so that it must be managed as part of the mainstream.
- The department is encouraging the South African Public to get vaccinated, as the best barrier to slowing down the impact of the pandemic while also minimising the severity in the event of infections.
- Integrating the vaccine into the PHC services, to avoid creating silos and vertical programmes.
- The plan is also to develop the Recovery and Rebuilding of the health systems for resilience.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1557
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What has he found to be the reasons that (a) more than 42 000 suppliers of the Gauteng Department of Health are owed R3,1 billion and (b) the situation was allowed to get to this point; (2) whether all the suppliers have been paid monies owed to them; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is consulting with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to source the relevant details in this regard. The Gauteng Provincial Department has been requested to provide the Ministry with the required information to enable the Minister to provide the response to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will be submitted as soon as information has been obtained from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1678
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the requirements for late registration of abandoned and/or orphaned children living with a relative and the submission of the Deputy Director-General of Civic Service of his department, who reported to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on 2 March 2022 that relatives can register orphaned and/or abandoned children if they provide a report by a social worker, however, at a local service delivery level, it appears as if a Children’s Court Order is required in most cases, (a) what section of the Act and Regulations regulate applications for late registration of births of orphaned and/or abandoned children, when such registrations must be made in the name of a social worker and/or when they are made in the name of the relative caring for the child, (b) which types of relatives qualify to make such applications and (c) which supporting documents are needed by a social worker and/or relative to provide to her department for a successful application?
Reply:
a) There is no regulation for Late Registration of birth for abandoned and/or orphaned children. However, abandoned and/or orphaned children are registered in terms of Section 12 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act (Act 51 of 1992), Regulation 9 of the regulation on Registration of Births and Deaths (2014) as well as Sections 46 and 156 of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005.
b) Neither the Births and Deaths Registration Act nor the regulation on Registration of Births and Deaths specify which types of relatives may register an orphaned or abandoned child. However, the Births and Deaths Registration Act as amended (Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Act, Act No 18 of 2010) points out that any person other than the parents of such child who registers a child must be prescribed. Section 46 and 156 of the Children’s Act. Act 38 of 2005 deals with the designation of a person as a care giver of a child.
c) According to Section 9(1) of the Births and Deaths Registrations Act, 1992 a notice of birth of abandoned or orphaned child in terms of section 12 of the Act must be given on Form DHA-24 illustrated in Annexure 1A by a social worker within 60 days of obtaining a court order in terms of section 156 of the Children’s Act, and must be accompanied by-
- A court order issued by the children’s court;
- A certified copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permit of the social worker:
- Where available a certified copy of the identity document or passport and visa or permit of the parents of a child
- Where available, a copy of the death certificate of the parents of a child; and
- A social workers’ report that was presented to the children’s court
END
12 May 2022 - NW1681
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Following the public call for submissions to be made regarding the draft regulations relating to the surveillance and control of notifiable medical conditions, what (a) has been the general contribution of society and (b) is the total number of the specified submissions (i) opposing and/or (ii) endorsing the adoption of the specified draft regulations?
Reply:
a) The Department has received numerous responses from society to the published regulations.
b) The closing period for the submission of public comments has been extended by a further three months ending 5th August 2022. Consequently, the Department is not in position to furnish the numbers that are opposing or endorsing the adoption of the specified draft regulations.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1613
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Considering the exorbitant amount owed by the State for medico-legal claims, how does his department plan to pay all the outstanding medical claims against them; (2) will payment of the claims come from the national health budget; if not, where will the payment come from; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
As the National Department of Health, we are consulting with the provincial Departments of Health to collate the responses from those provincial Departments of Health to enable the Minister to respond to this question. The Minister will submit the response to the question as soon as the relevant information is received from the provinces.
END.
12 May 2022 - NW1478
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)With regard to the aircraft carrying 12 passengers that was unable to land on arrival at the Ladysmith Airport on 19 March 2022, what are the details of (a) the reasons that the aircraft was unable to land at the airport, (b) the action that has been taken against any SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) officials for failure to send out the requisite notices and (c) the compensation paid and/or payable to the owners and/or users of the aircraft for being unable to land at the airport and being forced to divert to a distant airport; (2) whether this incident was reported to the SACAA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA))
1. (a) the aircraft carrying 12 passengers was unable to land on arrival at the Ladysmith Airport on 19 March 2022 because the airport was closed as per the NOTAM which stated that the airport will be closed for the period 19/03/2022 @ 06:00 till 20/03/2022 @ 23: 59 (b) No action has been taken against any SACAA official because the NOTAM was published and the following is the history of the NOTAM: The initial 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. (c) no compensation is due to the owners and/or users of the aircraft for being unable to land at the airport.
2. The incident was not reported to the SACAA.
12 May 2022 - NW1679
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether, in light of the fact that over the past year there have been reports linking a senior official of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) (name and details furnished) to fraudulent contracts worth R45,5 million, and considering that the 2021-22 Annual Report of her department points to the fact that her department has not done enough in playing its oversight role over SASSA, she has launched any investigations into the claims against the senior official; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I wish to advise the Honourable Member that the only SIU report that I am aware of, is the one that implicates the current SASSA CEO of alleged involvement in corrupt activities. Upon receipt of the final report, I made it available to the implicated official, the SASSA CEO to allow her an opportunity to state their cases in response to the SIU investigation and findings, as per the provision of our laws.
In addition, the Department is currently in legal consultation with the SIU and its investigators who have offered their assistance as we initiate the disciplinary process with the view to engage and implement the next steps.