Questions and Replies

Reply:

I have been advised by the SAPO as follows:

1.

(a) The only local authority that SAPO owes is Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The amount outstanding is R 237,256.83 and will be settled in full on 15 April 2022.

(b) All other local authority accounts are up to date.

(2) SAPO is recovering all outstanding utilities amounts from Telkom

(3) No statement will be made on the matter.

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:

It should be noted that besides the above explanation regarding security services, the department also engaged the then contracted service provider to conduct assessment on the functionality of security systems of Mbombela High Court while the contract was still active. It was discovered that two Network Video Recorders were faulty and becomes dysfunctional. The two NVR system were found to be irreparable due to unavailability of spare parts in the local market. To mitigate the risk, the procurement process to replace the faulty NVR and monitors has since been finalized in March 2022, in that the security system functionality has now improved, however, there are some of the cameras that needs to be maintained and repaired which will be attended to as soon the new service provider is appointed.

END

Reply:

It is the mandate of the department to ensure security of energy supply. The Department delivers on this mandate through the development of policy and regulations, energy planning and the facilitation of investment into the sector.

In line with the government investment drive, the department intends to continue to attract private sector investment into the energy sector including renewable energy. It must be noted that there is no law prohibiting organs of state from investing in the energy sector and the department has through the IRP 2019 and Electricity Regulations on New Generation Capacity further clarified this.

Reply:

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Reply:

1. Number of patents registered over the past 2 decades in the field of (a) water technology and (b) process engineering:

The response from the CSIR is that it has registered 883 patents over the last two decades. However, the information was not disaggregated into water technology and process engineering.

2. Number of scientists working at the CSIR annually for the past 2 decades.

(a)

Financial year	No. of Scientists	Financial year	No. of Scientists
2002	No data	2012	1537
2003	No data	2013	1578
2004	No data	2014	1691
2005	No data	2015	1869
2006	No data	2016	1969
2007	1490	2017	1966
2008	1512	2018	1850
2009	1551	2019	1608
2010	1547	2020	1367
2011	1560	2021	1474

(b) Number of scientists specifically working on water related technology and/or solutions each of the periods

The CSIR doesn’t have data in this level of details.

3. What number of:

(a) Number of patents registered each year at the CSIR for the past two decades:

Financial year	No. of Patents	Financial year	No. of Patents
2002	25	2012	55
2003	39	2013	29
2004	30	2014	41
2005	24	2015	59
2006	37	2016	87
2007	30	2017	43
2008	50	2018	48
2009	51	2019	46
2010	30	2020	76
2011	58	2021	25
Total	374	Total	509

(b) Technologies successfully commercialised and implemented in (i) South Africa and (ii) outside South Africa in the past 4 decades.

Over the past four decades, the CSIR has entered into commercialisation agreements with over 100 entities. Depending on the technology and the commercial partner, these agreements have provided various exploitation rights such as domestic, foreign or worldwide commercialisation rights. Among the various technologies/products successfully commercialized include:

• Umbiflow
• Heavy vehicle simulator
• Qfrency
• Eucalyptus material
• High performance node
• In-shell pasteurization of eggs
• MEME
• Corocam
• BioFizz
• BioFloc
• BioActive
• Aloesin

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. I have been informed by the Department that the South lawn grounds are not part of the National Key point, only the Union Buildings Precinct has been declared a National Key point.

2. The Department deployed the Private Security Company, Shellman Security, in January 2022 to secure the area. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has also approached SAPS stationed at Union Buildings to assist the Private Security Company in monitoring the area.

3. The Department did not engage the specified group on the matter. The Presidency Office engaged the group. The DPWI is responsible for the eviction process of the group on site. The Sheriff is currently in the process of serving documents.

Reply:

a) The department adopted a strategy to address discipline management in departments, which in the short term focusses on strengthening basic discipline management processes/systems and addresses knowledge gaps; and in the long term addresses the decentralised nature of discipline management.

The short term interventions are the following:

i) Strengthening basic discipline management processes/systems:

• Assisting of departments with long overdue cases to update their records on discipline management, to interrogate the reasons for case backlogs and to provide monthly feedback to the Public Administration Ethics Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU) on progress made and steps taken. An electronic tool was developed to be used by those departments with long overdue backlogs. The PAIEDTAU monitors progress and plans technical assistance based on the submitted progress reports.
• Addressing the Personnel Salary System (PERSAL) inefficiencies through consolidating and reducing the number of categories for transgressions to improve the capturing of data, the standard of reporting, and to enable PAEIDTAU to download electronic reports that can identify trends. This project will make it easier for data capturers to capture relevant data in a sensible way.
• Addressing non-compliance – Non-compliance letters are addressed to those departments not providing reports to the DPSA and failing to keep within the specified timeframes. Feedback reports are monitored on a monthly basis. Non-compliance is furthermore highlighted in quarterly reports and submitted to the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD).

ii) Addressing knowledge gaps:

• Providing guidance to labour relations officials on discipline management, by:

Adopting a Guide on Discipline Management – A new Guide on managing discipline in the public service was adopted on 1 April 2021. This consolidated all relevant discipline management frameworks into one guide.

Adopting a Directive on Discipline Management – This is currently being finalised and will enforce the implementation of the Guide. This will direct the use of PERSAL in recording disciplinary cases, with a designated official(s) in departments to be made responsible for recording and to include this in the job descriptions.

• • Developing of a training course for discipline management (based on the Guide) – A pilot was conducted in December 2021 and the course will be rolled out in the 2022/2023 financial year.
  • Using of an online platform to provide labour relations officials with easy access to discipline management courses and material. The DPSA is in the process of procuring such a platform.
  • Maintaining a record of those employees who were trained on discipline management to be consulted when departments request assistance with initiators and chairpersons.
  • Providing continuous technical assistance to departments based on identified needs, as identified in quarterly reports.

The long term interventions are the following:

Reviewing of the disciplinary code Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council, Resolution 1 of 2003 to address identified shortcomings contributing to case backlogs, including tabling it for negotiations in the last quarter of the coming financial year (2022-2023).

Amendments to required legislation to centralise the function of discipline management under the DPSA, with sufficient capacity allocated to the PAEIDTAU to be able to manage this function.

b) The strategy will be rolled out as follows:

The PAEIDTAU will provide technical assistance to prioritised departments and provinces (those with the most case backlogs). Scheduled visits will be made to these departments and provinces, and interventions will be planned in collaboration with the Offices of the Premiers. Support will also be provided in terms of sourcing chairpersons and initiators to ensure cases are finalised. Training will be provided to Labour Relations officers, who will then be expected to conduct discipline management training in their respective departments (using the “Train-the-trainer” approach).

To capacitate Labour Relations Officials, the non-functioning National Labour Relations Forum will be activated to create a platform for sharing good practise and to create awareness on legislation, regulations and guides.

Reply:

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Reply:

Montessori schools are classified as private schools and do not form part of the public sector. The Minister of Basic Education can therefore not account for the school in question.

Reply:

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Reply:

Yes. The Department submits quarterly progress reports to the Land Claims Court, the District 6 Working Committee, and the District 6 Reference Group (which both represent that largest claimant groupings in District 6) amongst others.

The report covers all aspects of the redevelopment and is accessible to all claimants. This is over and above the engagements we have with claimants that walk into our offices, contact us via telephone/email, WhatsApp etc. and the engagements we have with their appointed representative groupings.

Last year, the Department with the District 6 Reference Group hosted a consultation process where each verified claimant was invited to our Mowbray Offices to be briefed on current progress and developments in District 6.

This process was done under strict Covid protocol and took place over a 4-week period to allow for claimants to attend in small groups, where they could ask questions and get responses. This process was undertaken for the specific need to updating claimants and addressing their concerns in person.

Further, we also address the members of the District Six Working Committee when invited.

END

Reply:

The Veterinary Services of the country is constitutionally decentralized, comprised of the national component and nine Provincial Veterinary Services.  The responsibility of policy formulation, legislation and international liaison rests with the national component, while the implementation and direct service to the clients is the responsibility of the provincial components.  The functions and services applied include the following:  

• Implementation and enforcement of the Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984, the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act no. 40 of 2000), Animal Welfare Act, Animal Identification Act 2002 (Act 6 of 2005);
• Develop and promulgate policy, norms, standards and legislation for the prevention and control of animal diseases and to promote animal health;
• Develop policy to reduce sanitary risks in the import and export of animals and animal products;
• Ensure compliance with international animal health obligations and responsibilities.
• Monitor, evaluate and modify, as required, all legislation pertaining to animal disease control (Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984 and accompanying Regulations);
• Contribute to an efficient and comprehensive risk analysis service with regard to animal diseases;
• Initiate, analyse and facilitate specific animal disease surveillance programmes;
• Monitor and audit areas under restriction for animal disease control;
• Facilitate and audit the maintenance of disease control fences, including liaison with neighbouring countries as required;
• Facilitate, monitor and audit the control of animal disease outbreaks;
• Provide National Animal Health contact point with regard to international liaison and reporting obligations;
• Manage and maintain a database of import and export approved facilities and quantities imported and exported;
• Audit the enforcement of policy for the establishment and management of import and export approved facilities;
• Issue veterinary import permits;
• Develop, analyse and audit policy for the surveillance of animal diseases and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans;
• Develop, analyse and audit policy on disease reporting;
• Manage controlled animal disease information;
• Manage animal disease early warning system;
• Audit the policy to ensure adequate laboratory services;
• Audit the enforcement of quality systems in diagnostic veterinary laboratories;
• Audit the enforcement of policy for reference laboratories;
• Facilitate the provision of preventative veterinary activities and regulate the production of safe animal products and by-products;
• Regulate the production of safe animal products and by-products;
• Facilitate and co-ordinate animal welfare matters as well as preventative veterinary activities;
• Develop policies, norms and standards that promotes the safety of food of animal origin;
• Manage risks associated with safety of food of animal origin;
• Audit veterinary food safety hygiene assessment systems;
• Audit the certification of the safety of food of animal origin;
• Develop a Basic Animal Health Care System;
• Coordinate the community veterinary services programme to communities, through the provinces; and
• Develop and organize awareness programmes on veterinary Hygiene.

Reply:

My Department is prepared to share the legal advice it has received on the matter regarding the status of Afrikaans and Khoi languages as indigenous languages of South Africa, as well as other documents consulted in developing the Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions (Policy Framework), published on 30 October 2020. This matter has been engaged extensively within the Department and proposed amendments by the legal opinion to the definition of indigenous languages contained in the Policy Framework are underway. The Legal Services section of my Department can compile and make available the required documents on request.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has held meetings with food processors, leaders in the fruit and grains industry, agricultural trading groups, and farmer associations to discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict and its potential implications of the sector. The sector engagement evaluated the availability of food supplies and farming input supplies for the coming months amidst the conflict.

As a result of recent good harvests on crops and some of the fruits, which have been coupled with acceptable levels of imports such as rice and wheat, there is no need to be concerned that the country could experience food shortages.

Further engagements that have occurred between government and industry players focused on:

• Ensuring increased frequency of reporting by wheat traders: The discussions encouraged wheat traders to declare their intentions to import wheat eight (8) weeks in advance to the South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS); and
• Increase the frequency of reporting on fertilizers prices: Fertilizer price changes are reported on a monthly basis to act as an early warning sign on price hikes. Furthermore, importers of fertilizer are encouraged to voluntarily declare their intentions to import fertilizers eight (8) weeks in advance to ensure that sufficient quantities of fertilizer are available in the country.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I have been informed by the Department that the monthly costs for the period in question are as follows:

Financial Year	Precinct	Acacia Park	Pelican Park	Laboria Park
2019/20	71 900 699,77	41 078 469,60	19 683 433,35	24 818 242,05
2020/21	45 303 375,98	25 550 801,65	11 995 117,64	15 139 303,41
2021/22	19 697 474,82	8 281 908, 44	1 978 276,89	2 097 824,56
Total	R136 901 550,57	R74 911 179,69	R33 656 827,88	R42 055 370,02

(2) The Facilities Management Company has not yet been appointed for the Parliament Precinct.

For all Official Residential Accommodation:

(a) Tefla Group (PTY) Ltd was appointed as the Facilities Management Company in March 2022,

(b) They are appointed for a period of 5years

(c) The monthly cost is approximately R8,5 million.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) made available (in the 2021/22 financial year) R1.5 billion through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and R597million through Ilima/Letsema conditional grants to ensure sustainable production and support to smallholder farmers. This support is in the form of on and off farm infrastructure, production inputs, mechanization, training and mentorship, South African Good Agricultural Practices (SA GAP) certification and livestock improvement through Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) scheme. Through CASP, 4 524 jobs are expected to be created from 437 projects targeted benefiting 7728 black farmers, of which 4 633 are smallholder, 2901 subsistence and 194 commercial farmers. Through Ilima/Letsema, 13 567 jobs are targeted from putting 90 998ha under production supporting 29 659 farmers of which 24 125 are subsistence, 5279 smallholder and 255 commercial farmers. These targeted supports are implemented through Provincial Departments of Agriculture and monitored and verified by the DALRRD.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

1. Yes
2. Yes

Reply:

(a)

Financial year	Amount: R’000	Financial year	Amount: R’000
2002	R269,883	2012	R556,837
2003	R295,429	2013	R594,478
2004	R321,996	2014	R618,849
2005	R356,992	2015	R675,340
2006	R391,007	2016	R680,485
2007	R428,055	2017	R714,105
2008	R429,013	2018	R722,373
2009	R480,320	2019	R752,149
2010	R509,122	2020	R731,202
2011	R535,357	2021	R657,846
Total	R4,044,244	Total	R6,703,664

 

(b) (iii) First decade (2002 – 2011) – R47,3 million.

(iv) Second decade (2012 – 2021) – R200 million.

Reply:

Funds for the school meals were disbursed to all schools participating in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) by the second week of the school term.  The Eastern Cape (ECDOE) implements the decentralised model where funds are transferred to the schools in 4 tranches, and the schools procure the food required for preparing meals for the learners.  54 district based officials monitor approximately 350 schools per week to ensure that nutritious meals are provided every day on time.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1) I have been informed by the Department that the professional councils are not listed public entities and therefore they fall outside of the scope of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999) (PFMA), as amended. They are statutory bodies that exist primarily to safeguard the interest of their members, but also serve the public interest purpose of ensuring public safety, by regulating the professions in such a way that registered persons who are practicing professionals and candidates are held accountable in line with the prescribed code of conduct established by the respective Councils. In that regard, many of the requirements on listed public entities, such as the submission of annual financial statements to the Auditor-General South Africa, do not apply to the professional councils. Therefore, there is no requirement that audited financial statements must be submitted to the Auditor General. Section 15 (7) (a) of the Act stipulates that the Council must annually prepare a statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet demonstrating its financial position as at the close of the financial year to which it relates. This is done without fail.

(a) Furthermore, section 15 (7) (b) enjoins the Council to have the statement and balance sheet audited by an auditor registered in terms of the Public Accountants’ and Auditors’ Act, 1991 (Act No. 80 of 1991). SACAP’s financial statements for the past three financial years have been audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. SACAP has now acquired the auditing services of Nexia SAB&T auditors registered with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors. There is no legal requirement that SACAP must submit financial statements to the Auditor General.

(2) There were no material findings on the SACAP financial statements. SACAP obtained an unqualified audit.

(3) The Council has filled all key positions including the position of Registrar and Senior Finance Manager. SACAP does not have a position of Chief Operating Officer on its operating model.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that it is in a process of appointing an Independent Service Provider to assist with reclaiming, identification an audit of state-owned properties that are either illegally disposed of, unlawfully occupied, encroached, unregistered, unsurveyed and incorrectly vested.

Corrective measures shall be undertaken to evict illegal occupants and where possible regularise lease contracts with individuals who are qualifying to use the subject properties. The project would also include the reversal of illegally transferred land back to the custodianship of the National Government of the Republic of South Africa.

In addition to the above, the Department will also embark on the letting out of unutilised state- owned immovable assets to interested investors and communities.

Continuous safe guarding of land and active engagements with Courts to obtain eviction orders is also another measure which the Department is using to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

 

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that Erfs 153 and 159 situated at 24 and 26 Webber Street respectively in Germiston are under the custodianship of Public Works and Infrastructure. These Erfs are recorded on the Immovable Asset Register.

Reply:

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Reply:

Over the past two decades, the CSIR has not partnered/collaborated with WRC in the development of novel technologies and processes developed by the organisation. However, the CSIR has over the decades competed for project funding following various WRC calls for funding and succeeded in securing some of the funding which were mainly for basic research without novel technologies outputs.

The Municipal Finance Management Act remains a challenge when fostering collaborations for technology development among the two organs of state due to the tendering system which does not effectively support easy contractual agreements between organ of states as more investment is required for successful novel technologies and processes for water.

Reply:

(c)(i) 300,000 TVET colleges students are targeted to receive bursary funding through the National Students Financial Aid Scheme during the 2022 academic year;

(ii) The processing of student applications for NSFAS is still underway and as such the number of unfunded students is not available at this juncture. However, on average 98% of first-time NSFAS applicants in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges qualify for bursaries and do not pay tuition fees. This means that about 2% of first-time NSFAS applicants and NSFAS returning students who do not qualify for bursary funding on the basis of academic performance are the ones who are not funded and as such they are required pay for their own fees.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. I have been informed by the Department that as at 31 January 2022, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure owed an amount of R157 765 088.14 for water and electricity, as per age analysis received from various municipalities. Upon receipt of the age analysis, DPWI further analysed it to confirm the amount outstanding and could then break down the outstanding amount as per the age analysis as follows:

Category of Debt	Sum of Outstanding amount: Electricity and Water
Arrears amount confirmed (payments in progress)	R 14 175 299.01
Claims/invoices not yet submitted by municipalities	R 15 165 658.35
Disputes over incorrect billing, interest charged, etc.	R 42 519 639.02
Payment rejected due change of municipal bank account	R 14 524 049.90
Payments not allocated by municipalities	R 52 482 538.23
Reconciliations in progress with municipalities	R 18 897 903.63
Grand Total	R 157 765 088.14

Based on the above review, DPWI can confirm based on the age analysis submitted by municipalities, an outstanding amount of R48 million as at 31 January 2022.

2. DPWI processes all valid invoices received within the stipulated timeframe indicated by municipalities since their invoices are due and payable within the regulated 30 days of receipt of invoice. Notwithstanding the above mentioned, DWPI has made payments across all 257 municipalities for water and electricity to the value of R2.4 million. This is a clear demonstration and continuous endeavours by DPWI to ensure that all valid invoices from municipalities are settled timeously.

Reply:

(a),(b) Yes. All nine provincial offices of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) confirmed that they paid their service providers in full (100%) for services rendered during the 2021/22 financial year.

The table below provides provincial payment analysis of the total R191 878 748.72 that was paid to service providers.

PROVINCE	PAYMENT TO SERVICE PROVIDERS
1. Eastern Cape	R30 476 475,63
2. Free State	R26 971 792,65
3. Gauteng	R28 125 511,16
4. KwaZulu Natal	R42 951 353,83
5. Limpopo	R23 015 577,27
6. Mpumalanga	R14 908 153,44
7. Northern Cape	R11 215 339,07
8. North West	R9 408 666,34
9. Western Cape	R4 805 879,33
TOTALS	R191 878 748,72

Reply:

1. (a) Yes. Please refer to Tables 1 and 2 below for medical and/or vaccine products currently available for sale but excluding the total number of doses available for immediate sale. OBP is unable to disclose the number of doses without compromising its competitive advantage and exposing its business to market competitors and giving them a potentially unfair advantage.

Table 1: PRODUCT AVAILABLE IN DISTRIBUTION AND READY FOR SALE		Table 2: PRODUCT AVAILABLE AND READY TO BE PACKED
PRODUCT NAME	AVAILABLE		PRODUCT NAME	AVAILABLE
ANTHRAX 100ml	Yes		RIFT VALLEY FEVER LIVE 100ml	Yes
BLACK QUARTER 100ml	Yes		HORSE SICKNESS 12 DOSE PACK	Yes
BLUE TONGUE 100ml	Yes		LUMPY SKIN DISEASE 50DOS	Yes
BOTULISM 100ml	Yes		WESSELSBRON DISEASE 1ml	Yes
BOTULISM 50ml	Yes		RIFT VALLEY FEVER LIVE 50ML	Yes
BRUCELLA CFT ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes		GASGANGRINE COMPLEX	Yes
BRUCELLA MRT ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes		BLUE TONGUE A-FinQC	Yes
BRUCELLA RB ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes		PASTEURELLA (CATTLE) 100ML	Yes
BRUCELLA REV 1 100ml 50D	Yes		BLUE TONGUE C-FinQC	Yes
BRUCELLA STD SERUM 1ml	Yes		BOTULISM/BLACK QUARTER	Yes
CALF PARATYPHOID INACT 12x10ml	Yes		BLACK QUARTER 100ml	Yes
ELEPHANT SKIN DISEASE 10ml	Yes		CALF PARATYPHOID INACT 10ml	Yes
GASGANGRINE COMPLEX 100 ML	Yes		BRUCELLA REV 1 100ml Dos 50	Yes
HORSE SICKNESS 12 DOSE PACK	Yes		BOTULISM 100ml	Yes
LEUKOPAST 3 (CATTLE) 100ml	Yes		GLYCERINE WATER	Yes
LUMPY SKIN DISEASE 100ML 50DOS	Yes		RIFT VALLEY FEVER INACT 100ml	Yes
LUMPY SKIN DISEASE 50ML 25DOS	Yes		BOTULISM 50ml	Yes
PASTEURELLA (CATTLE) 100ml50do	Yes		B-PHEMERAL VACCINE 10 DOSE	Yes
PASTEURELLA (SHEEP) 100ml	Yes		SWELLED HEAD 100ml	Yes
PULPY KIDNEY (ALUM) 100ml	Yes		LEUKOPAST 3 (CATTLE) 100ml	Yes
REDWATER AFRICA 5ml	Yes		BRUCELLA MRT ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes
REDWATER ASIATIC 5ml	Yes		BRUCELLA MRT ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes
RIFT VALLEY FEVER INACT 100ml	Yes		BRUCELLA REV 1 100ml Dos 50	Yes
RIFT VALLEY FEVER LIVE 100ml	Yes		BRUCELLA REV 1 100ml Dos 50	Yes
SWELLED HEAD 100ml	Yes		BRUCELLA MRT ANTIGEN 20ml	Yes
TETANUS (2x10ml Botls in 1 DC)	Yes

(b),(c)

(b) PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE	(c) EXPECTED DATE OF AVAILABILITY
HEARTWATER	End May 2022
ANAPLASMA	End May 2022
BRUCELLA S19	End May 2022

2.  Yes. OBP will make the report on the expenditure once available. Expenditure against the R492.5 million government support to OBP to improve its infrastructure to be compliant to the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) in 2014 is a matter of review and investigation by the current Board of OBP. A consulting firm was contracted to conduct this investigation in September 2021. The OBP was not satisfied with the report and is in the process of seeking a second opinion on the expenditure and value for money on what has been spent to-date.

3. No. OBP has a cGMP roadmap as per its Corporate Plan stating that 80% of the activities towards Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance should be achieved in the 2023/2024 Financial Year. The process of obtaining GMP Certification at OBP has been divided into two parts, namely:

• The building of a GMP facility, and
• Activities and Processes of the organization to comply with cGMP requirements. Progress with respect to GMP facility is a matter of dispute with contractors whilst activities related to complying to cGMP process requirements, gap analysis audit has been conducted and the areas of concern have been highlighted by the creation of a cGMP Roadmap, which is a working document. Training on the fundamentals of cGMP was conducted at various levels within the organization to create awareness within the organization.

4. Yes. OBP’s external auditors (the Auditor-General) issued a management report for Financial Year End March 2019 with findings on some awards specifically aligned to the GMP project.

(a) A forensic investigation was initiated because of the report of the Auditor-General.

(b) A forensic investigation was conducted, and a report was issued in March 2020 on various matters which included some awards related to GMP. The current Board had requested an initial review to be done by management and a second review has been prompted by further aspects that require a multi-disciplinary team.

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet

a) Pursuant to section 217(2) of the Constitution, the Transnet SOC Ltd (Transnet) Board of Directors has approved an addendum to the company’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) Policy – effective 25 March 2022 - to allow Transnet to include specific provisions for preferential procurement in its procurement processes.

The Board of Directors resolved to continue applying the 80/20 and 90/10 preference point system provided for in section 2(1) of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000 (PPPFA) – in order to promote preferential procurement in its processes, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to transformation and empowerment.

The Board has determined monetary thresholds for the application of the 80/20 and 90/10 preference point systems that will continue to provide certainty to bidders and Transnet’s procurement processes until new Preferential Procurement Regulations are promulgated or the Constitutional Court judgment is clarified.

This approach aligns with the Constitutional Court ruling that the policies of organs of state should take charge of driving transformation and preference in procurement to give effect to section 217(2) of the Constitution.

b) Transnet’s transformational objectives will be achieved. Transnet’s amended policies will ensure that the SOC continue to provide certainty to bidders and Transnet’s procurement processes until new Preferential Procurement Regulations are promulgated or the Constitutional Court judgment is clarified.

Reply:

(1) The Department does not condone any illegal activities. The activities of Operation Dudula of identifying and forcefully removing alleged illegal foreign nationals in identified communities is not a programme of the Department.

The Department of Home Affairs through its Inspectorate has the legal mandate to ensure that all persons in South Africa are lawfully permitted to be here. The inspectorate does regular inspections and conducts investigations to detect those who may be here unlawfully. Multi-disciplinary operations with the South African Police Services and Metropolitan Police, including inspections of businesses, is a key source of the detection of illegal foreign nationals, their arrest and deportation.

In carrying out its function the inspectorate will first look at information received from all members of the public and investigate the matter before appropriate action can be taken. The Department of Home Affairs will not act upon any unverified information in applying the Immigration Act.

When a foreign national is found to be in the country without status by the Inspectorate, the undocumented individual can either be deported, issued with an Order to Depart or a Notice to Report to an Immigration Officer at specified intervals (with particular reference to those who must depart the country with their families) while in the process of leaving the country.

In situations where criminal charges are preferred against suspects, the individuals who provided the information including those affiliated to Operation Dudula, can be summonsed to court to give evidence in the state’s case.

It must be noted that presently the world is facing an international global crisis with regards to migration. The RSA government does not have a precise number of undocumented immigrants in the Republic due to the clandestine nature of the act of being here illegally. A number of persons entered without being recorded on any system and live here as unrecorded. It is only when they are detected or their presence is noted that we are able to act. However, the Department is looking how to manage migration issues with a view to find sustainable solutions.

(2) The Inspectorate is a law enforcement unit whose mandate is to enforce immigration laws through the investigation of unlawfulness and ensure redress in accordance with set prescripts, together with other law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Services and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services. The Department can therefore, not be in support of any activities by anybody or any structure which are not informed by the above prescripts and the rule of law.

(3)(a) The conduct of multi-disciplinary operations with the South African Police Services and Metropolitan Police as well as inspections, including those of businesses, is a key source of the detection of illegal foreign nationals, their arrest and deportation. The strategy is captured in the DHA Annual Performance Plan (APP) 2022/23.

(3)(b) In its daily operations, the provincial Inspectorates record all the documents issued in terms of each arrested on the Case Management System (CMS), which must be verified and approved at different levels of management before approval for direct deportation to neighbouring or a transfer to the Lindela Holding Facility to conduct mass deportations. The proof of deportation in a case can be drawn from the CMS where required.

END

Reply:

On 17 February 2022, the Director-General (DG) of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) approved the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s request to establish a multi-disciplinary Task Team to Develop/Review the draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Donor Review Committee prepared by the NPA.

The Task Team met on 8 March and 25 March 2022. The Task Team is currently in the process of compiling a detailed report to the National Director of Public Prosecutions and the DG of DoJ&CD in which certain recommendations will be made on purpose, and the rules and procedures that will govern its operations.

The target date for implementation of the protocol is 30 June 2022.

Reply:

1. The Department of Employment and Labour, embarked on a number of programmes to assist youth that are facing unemployment. For the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, a total of 257 474 work seekers were provided with employment counselling services them to cope with unemployment and to find work and self-employment opportunities. Working with employers, a total of 124 101 job opportunities were registered on the Employment System South Africa (ESSA) database. This resulted in 58 626 permanent job placements. More than 900 000 work seekers were also registered on the ESSA database.

2. The Department also works closely with the Presidency in championing the Pathway Management Network process. The Presidential Stimulus funding created more than 840,000 job opportunities. This programme has facilitated entry into first time job opportunities, and is a stepping stone to the labour market.

3. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), concluded agreements on training projects aimed at creating jobs in the fibre optics, food handling and mixed farming sectors.

The UIF, through its Labour Activation Programmes (LAP), has set aside R551 million for the three projects to benefit 19 921 beneficiaries comprising 70% former UIF contributors who lost their jobs and 30% new labour market entrants to undergo training in the following skills disciplines:

14 771 Chief Food Handlers;

5000 Enterprise Development (mixed farming); and

150 Fibre Optic Technicians.

4. The Compensation fund

Through the Vocational Rehabilitation Programme, the Compensation Fund supports COID Persons with Disabilities (Injured workers who have acquired a permanent disablement) to be upskilled and reskilled.

Through this programme, a total of 41 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)were enrolled on various Vocational Training Institutions, and 32 PWDs were registered in the artisan and farming incubation programmes, respectively, during 2021/2022.

The support is further extended to the dependents of COID Persons with Disabilities, Dependents of Fatally injured workers and the General Youth pursuing undergraduate qualifications related to Health Professional and related clinical science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Engineering, Statistics & Data Science, Actuarial Science, Maths & Science Education, Accounting, Psychology, Economics, Geography, Quality Control and Environmental Health. In addition, continuing students registered for Advanced Diploma/ Honours in Accounting Science (Stream: Certificate in The Theory of Accounting (CTA)are also being supported.

For the financial year 2021/2022, the Compensation Fund funded 1177 students enrolled at Post School Education and Training Institutions.

Reply:

Artificial insemination in horses is a procedure that requires thorough knowledge of the structure and functions of all reproductive organs of a horse. Even thoroughly trained equine specialists need to exercise extreme care when undertaking this procedure with specialised instruments due to the fact that the tissues in and around the area operated on are susceptible to tearing. The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) is against training of farmers due to the concern that insufficiently trained person(s) may likely cause tearing of the rectal tissues causing unnecessary complications and suffering to the animals.

Reply:

a) The following are the key actions towards curbing the contraband into DCS facilities:

• DCS officials are sensitised to comply with Security policies and procedures by ensuring that proper and regular searches of inmates, officials, visitors and services providers are conducted at Access Control points. For any non-compliance, consequence management which includes disciplinary cases and opening criminal cases with SAPS is undertaken.
• Bag-less society is implemented in all Correctional Facilities and the relevance of this is discussed during morning parade and at security forum committee meetings.
• Frequent patrolling of outer perimeter fencing on a daily basis including foot patrols during the day and night.
• Officials are sensitised on a daily basis on the consequences of colluding in corrupt activity with offenders and inmates.
• Smuggling and corrupt activities by officials within the Correctional Facilities is a standing point of the agenda at morning parade and at security forum meetings
• Searching of official vehicles, service providers and visitors using metal detectors search mirrors, scanners and body scanners at entry points.
• The use of EST officials to conduct random surprise search operations at all access points of the Correctional Facility.
• The assistance of SAPS, Metro Police (sniffer dogs), South African Revenue Services inspection services (illegal imports) and Crime Intelligence Unit are requested at different intervals
• The use of DCS K9 Unit (sniffer dogs & corridor dogs) during surprise searching operations.
• The use of walkthrough, hand held metal detectors, scanners, of parcel scanners and the use of x/ray scanners which are installed at certain Correctional Facilities
• Incidents of smuggling by officials with offenders are investigated and disciplinary action taken against perpetrators.
• Use of internal information gathering on smuggling or corrupt activities.
• The Emergency Security Team (EST) at Management Areas is tasked to continually do search and clean-up operations.
• M&E including provision of support to custodial officials by management.
• The issue of integrated planning with stakeholders which features prominently as DCS works closely with other players in the security space, such as, SAPS, DOD, CSIR, etc. does yield good results.

(b)(i) Eighteen (18) officials have been dismissed for smuggling goods and contrabands.

(b)(ii) Seventy-four (74) officials were prosecuted in the past two years, 40 cases for 2019/2020 financial year and 34 cases for 2020/2021 financial year.

END.

Reply:

According to the information received from ESKOM:

1 Eskom does not have a contract with Global Consulting Direct International at Kusile and across Eskom.

2. Not applicable.

Reply:

1. Yes. A draft report has been received.

a) (i) 2 March 2022 and a discussion held on the 29th of April 2022.

(ii) The Report will be released after the Minister has completed her assessment.

2. No. Final report has not yet been tabled.

Reply:

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has no information on Planning and Monitoring Committees (PMCs) that are used to resolve instabilities in other African countries.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) facilitates skills transfer and capacity building on animal improvement through implementation of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998, (Act N0. 62 of 1998), by collaborating with tertiary institutions that offer agricultural science and State-Owned Entities such as the Agricultural Research Council Animal Production Institute to train students, farmers and farm workers to do artificial insemination.

Farmers may approach the Office of the Registrar for the Animal Improvement Act ie Mr Joel Mamabolo on 012 319 7597/7424; email [email protected]

Reply:

The bed space capacity of Rooigrond Medium A Correctional Centre is 645, the current inmate population is 895 which is 38.76% over populated. Based on the inmate population, the current approved posts establishment is not sufficient.

The centre has an approved post establishment of 196, with 183 filled (93.37%) and 13 posts vacant (6.63%). The Department has a new organisational structure approved by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services for consultation to address the challenges of staff shortage.

END.

Reply:

(1) Yes, plans are in place for the appointment of a permanent National Commissioner.

(2)(a) A four months recruitment plan is in place and it is envisaged that a permanent National Commissioner will be appointed no later than 31 July 2022.

(2)(b) The process has begun as the position was advertised on 07 March 2022 with a closing date of 28 March 2022. It is envisaged that shortlisting and interviews will be conducted during April 2022 and May 2022.

END

Reply:

According to the information received from ESKOM

Eskom does not have a contract with Global Consulting Direct International at Kusile and across Eskom.

 

Reply:

a) The negotiations to conclude the SEP process has reached an advanced stage. The agreement contains sensitive commercial information which if shared publicly may affect the conclusion of the deal. Furthermore, the Department of Public Enterprises has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Takatso to keep the details of the agreement confidential until such time that the process is concluded. We are therefore asking that the Department be given a chance to conclude this agreement. The information will be submitted at an appropriate time when the process has been concluded.

b) The National Treasury has not raised any concerns with the Department that have not been responded to satisfactorily. The department and National Treasury are constantly sharing information with regards to the SEP process.