Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) The root cause is related to the following factors:

• Some of the delays were caused by the COVID-19 restrictions including the unavailability of material. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: Due date for completion has been extended until end of September 2022.
• There was a poor application of the design standard to be used for example: IUSS (Infrastructure Unit System Support) matters. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: Training has been arranged to unpack the IUSS requirements.
• There was a lack of bulk infrastructure on site. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: The National Department of Health has provided a team of technical engineers to the Mpumalanga Province to address the issues related to the lack of bulk infrastructure.
• Insufficient yearly budget allocation due to COVID-19 requirements and priorities.

b) Further remedial activities:

Department has allocated budget for 2022/23 financial to install the bulk infrastructure services (sewerage, bulk water supply, storm water drainage and access road) because municipality does not have the funds and these charges will be deducted from the municipality bill payment of the services.

END.

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:

The information requested by this question is not readily available at the National Department. The Department is working with all provincial departments of Health to source this information. As soon as the information is received, the Minister will furnish a full response in this regard.

END.

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:

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a project and a vision of the People’s Republic of China, initiated with the intention to re-connect Asian, European and African countries along the concept of the ancient Silk Route and new Maritime Silk Road to promote mutually beneficial international cooperation.

Realising the potential benefit of this initiative to the African Continent, the African Union (AU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in this regard on 27 January 2015. The MoU focused on plans to connect all 54 African countries through transportation networks and infra-structural projects, including modern highways, airports, and high-speed railways.

The BRI, in respect to Africa’s common developmental agenda, is seen as an important vehicle to realise some of the following Continental priorities:

• Industrialisation;
• Infrastructure development (which includes ICT);
• The development of Special Economic Zones and industrial parks;
• Development of the energy sector;
• Building the Oceans Economy;
• Securing development finance; and
• Human resource and skills development.

Furthermore, the BRI will assist the Continent in bringing the programmes for African development to fruition, as it is in sync with NEPAD’s developmental architecture, in which the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is also aimed at developing regional and continental infrastructure, policies and implementation strategies.

Most importantly, there is congruence between the spirit of the BRI and the seven aspirations of Agenda 2063, i.e. to bridge the divide between people through economic development and social cooperation. As Africa is at the centre of South Africa’s Foreign Policy, the BRI would serve to enhance continued cooperation and development on the Continent towards a better Africa - and world – which remain the key foreign policy focus of South Africa. Some examples of BRI projects in Africa include the Nairobi-Mombasa railway link; and Ethiopian infrastructural developments (through the utilization of industrial parks, investment and employment has grown considerably). The BRI provides further opportunity to support regional integration and the development of regional value chains.

 

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R15 million, through Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), for the Makolokwe Water Supply Project. This project is intended to connect to the water supply pipeline from Glencor Mines, which is still under negotiation.

The design of the pipeline and connection is completed, and tender document is ready for the construction. The anticipate commencement of construction is May 2022, the projected completion date is August 2022.

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Reply:

1. (a) Honourable King, there are fifty (50) public Technical Vocational and Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa with more than 264 campuses spread across the rural and urban areas of the country. To make it easy for the public, we have split them according to the Province each college is located. For example, Eastern Cape 8, Gauteng 8, Free State 4, KZN 9, Limpopo 7, Mpumalanga 3, North West 3, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 6.

(b) (i)(ii) Ordinarily the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) do not issue in-service certificates as their main function is to assist with funding. However, when a student completes his/her in-service training with the employer, a report is compiled and submitted to the college so that they can process the issuing of certificates with the department.

(iii) The department has put systems in place in line with policy prescripts for TVET students to apply for and be awarded with level certificates and the National N Diploma (National Nated Diploma – NND) after having met the programme requirements according to the policy. The students are to comply with the minimum requirements for the issuing of certificates on N4, N5 and N6 levels as contemplated in Report 190/191 in line with the National Education Policy, Norms and Standards for the Instructional programmes, Examination and Certification thereof in Technical College Education, Report 190(2000/03). Further, we issued a Memorandum 31 of 2013 to examination officers, examination centres, public and private colleges as well as Umalusi outlining the requirements for the issuing of National Nated Diploma (NND).

Accordingly, only students who meet the requirements will receive the National Nated Diploma for the period in question. Students who do not complete their work experience as indicated in the memorandum we issued, will not receive their diplomas until they complete and apply to the Department of Higher Education and Training to process the application and evaluate compliance with the requirements according to the minimum requirements for the issue of a NND.

It is against this background that my department can only provide the number of students who qualified to be awarded the NND. It often takes time for students to get the relevant workplace placement and they can only submit their applications on completion thereof. The 18 and 24 months required for Business and Engineering Studies respectively, can be achieved over a long period in short stints of work experience given the difficulties of securing workplace experience for all qualifying students. As a result, Honourable King, I have instructed officials within my department as well as colleges to keep data of students who have completed their in-service training and who have qualified to be awarded certificates and diplomas. Currently my department is not in a position to respond adequately on the total number of students who have completed their in-service training and awaiting to be issued with certificates. Going forward, we will track the placement of TVET graduates as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his state of the nation address. As we all know the President has called on the private sector to support wherever possible to not demand experience as a hiring requirement but to give as many young people as possible their first job so they can learn whilst working.

(2) With respect to the availability of the standard form to be used for in-service training, colleges receive applications from students with relevant work experience to evaluate, moderate and issue certificates to those who comply. However, there is a standard log book students use when they are in-service training.

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

(a)(i) There were 1762 incidents recorded during the last two financial years in which SAPO paid Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants. Implementation was from May 2020. 1131 incidents of burglaries and 631 incidents of armed robberies were reported during the same period.

(a)(ii) 103 cases of vandalism or malicious damage to property were reported during the abovementioned period.

(b) Due to the sensitivity around SRD payments, SAPO is not in a position to provide a breakdown of the losses incurred. It can, however, confirm that beneficiaries did not incur any loss as supplementary cash orders were made available for swiftly making payments. In addition, SAPO is insured against losses incurred for, among other things, incidents of violent crime.

Authorised for submission by:

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

Reply:

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

DEPARTMENT:

(1)(a)(i) R329,384-00 was paid on settlements.

(1)(a)(ii) R2 024 276,50.

2. The response is provided in annexure A.

SOEs:

1. (b-f)

SOEs	(i)NSettlements	(ii) Salaries to suspended employees
SAPO	R23, 023,132. 69	R69, 631,178. 13
Nemisa	R 30 000.00	R653 332.77
SABC	R66 390 764.35	R26 787 242.38
SITA	R 9 438 136.08	R 46 882 565.68
BBI	R 1 971 372.00	R 2 083 164.00

2. The responses are provided in the annexures. Annexure B for SAPO and annexure C for the other entities in question.

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 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:

The National Department of Health engagements has been on the issues highlighted in the following Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) report.

1. Report on the consultative hearings on the status of shelters in South Africa 2020.

(a) (i) Total number of recommendations is six (6) and 1 of the recommendations has six (6) sub-recommendations.

(b) (i) Total number of recommendations not implemented is two (2).

Table below responds to details of the recommendations and indicate those implemented and not implemented

Table:

Recommendations	Implemented	Not implemented	Reason for not implementing
(a) The NDOH must develop norms and standards for the provision of services to domestic and GBV survivors, including: (i) The creation of an area-relevant shelter referral list (ii) The sensitive treatment of survivors of GBV. (iii) The required services for survivors and their children at shelters and duties of care.	List received from the Department of Social Department Front line workers are trained on treatment on sensitivity to survivorsrs and children implemented by all health facilities using the Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights policy and guidelines		Plotting of the shelter list to health facilities still needs to be concluded.
(iv) The prioritisation of survivors of GBV at clinics and hospitals. (v) Transport for survivors to health facilities and the provision of primary healthcare at shelters. (vi) Clear, sensitive norms for the provision of services to the LGBTIQA+ community and PWDs and other vulnerable survivors.	Ambulances are provided when needed. Front line workers are now trained for gender sensitisations in the Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights Module Adapted the The South African National LGBTI HIV Plan, 2017-2022 that define norms and package of care also to survivors.		After the process of plotting shelters, we will be able to know proximity of shelters to health facilities. Where there are no fixed structures, we will look at the option of mobile clinics.
a) The NDOH is to issue a circular by the end of December 2019 on the prioritisation of GBV survivors at health facilities at all levels. A copy of the circular is to be provided to the Commission.		Director General of Health to still approve Circular	Director General of Health to still approve Circular
b) The NDOH is to develop a programme on harmful social norms and myths that facilitate the spread of GBV, rather than to focus only on a legislative approach. The Commission welcomes engagements on this development		This Programme is a social phenomenon and Ndoh will not be able to prepare a Programme, however, will collaborate with other social stakeholders guided by the National Strategic Plan doe Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
c) The NDOH is to make mental health services as well as detoxification facilities more accessible to shelter residents. The NDOH must revert with the proposed roll-out plan.	Mental Health services are established in terms of the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020, which is being updated and founded on the provisions of the Mental Health care Act 2002 (Act No 17 of 2002). Access for all citizens including shelter residents is ensured, among others, through the following initiatives: Integration of mental health in the core package of district health services. Routine screening for mental illness and a stepped approach to management and referral for mental conditions from PHC. Establishment of district specialist mental health teams to plan and coordinate mental health services in districts. Strategic purchasing of services from health providers to render mental health services at Primary Health Care. These includes psychiatrists, Psychologists, Registered Counsellors, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists. Regarding Detoxification, Substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services are provided in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act, 2008, which is led by the Department of Social Development (DSD). Substance abuse rehabilitation centres are subsidized by DSD. The Department of Health screens for and manages substance abuse across all levels of the health system in line with the Adult Primary Care guidelines and the Essential Medicines List, Standard Treatment Guidelines. Detoxification is provided to all community members in general hospitals, when required.
(e) The NDOH must provide a report on the training that frontline staff, managers, and senior managers have received on GBV.	Report was provided for frontline staff provided in 2020.
(f) The NDOH has a duty to educate communities around issues of health and it must engage the community around the stigmas surrounding survivors, and where to seek help.	Community mobilization is done on this issue by the Department and partners such as Love Life and Soul City.

 

2. Report into the investigation on the forced sterilization of women living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa 2020.

(a) (i) Total number of recommendations is nine (9) only 5 applicable to the Department of Health

(b) (i) Total number of recommendations not implemented is one (1) and in process.

Table below responds to details of the recommendations and indicate those implemented and

not implemented

Table:

Recommendations	Implemented	Not implemented	Reason for not implementing
1.The Commission will refer this report and its findings to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (Health Professions Council of South Africa) and the complaints contained herein. The HPCSA guides and regulates health professions on all aspects pertaining to professional conduct and ethical behavior. Thus, they ought to engage with this report on this matter as they have the necessary capacity to investigate the professional conduct and behavior of the implicated health care practitioners.		Responsibility of CGE
2. The Commission will refer this report and its findings to the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and the complaints contained herein. The SANC guides and regulates nurses on all aspects pertaining to professional conduct and ethical behavior. Thus, they ought to engage with this report on this matter as they have the necessary capacity to investigate the professional conduct and behavior of the implicated health care practitioners;		Responsibility of CGE
3.The NDOH, upon receipt of this report must interrogate and scrutinise the provisions of the Sterilisation Act and interrogate consent forms for sterilisations to ascertain whether the provisions contained therein provide for and protect the principle of informed consent in all respects. The NDOH must report to the CGE within 3 (Three months) of receipt of this report as to what concrete steps the Department will take to ensure that the eradication of the harmful practice of forced sterilization.	Implemented, and there was no need to change the Act however, clarification on Sterilization Act was provided in the National Contraceptive guideline updated in 2019
4. The NDOH, upon receipt of this report must facilitate dialogue between themselves and the complainants to for them to find ways of providing redress to the Complainants.	Done on the 3rd and 4th June 2021 in Durban.
5. The Commission will present this report as part of its petition to the SALRC for amendments to legislation that ensure consent is properly obtained such as counselling prior to consent, the timing of obtaining consent and compulsory information that must be provide.		Responsibility of CGE
6. The NDOH must revise consent forms to bring them into conformity with the guidelines provided by International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and standardised for all sterilization procedures. The NDOH should also print consent forms in all official languages, and the explanation around the procedure,particularly its irreversible nature should be given in the patient’s language of choice. This must be executed and attested to;	Implemented. Translation to 10 other languages completed and the process is in the process of acquiring tender to print the revised consent forms.
7. The NDOH must make it an operational policy requirement that where a patient agrees to sterilisation, they must be given a “Cooling off” period to fully appreciate the risks and consequences of their sterilisation procedure.	Implemented as documented on the revised Maternity case record
8. Standard timeframes should be put in place in relation to when the discussion around sterilisation should take place. Patients cannot be informed about this process minutes before going to theatre. Patients must also be informed that they are at liberty to change their minds at any time before the procedure takes place;	Implemented as documented on the revised Maternity case record
9. The DOH must ensure that their filing systems, both manual and electronic are standardised for ease of coordination. Feedback to the latter must be provided within 3 months from date of this report.		Not implemented however the process of filing systems are being addressed through the NHI configuration systems.

3. Report on the Government's Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, Review of implementation 2020.

No recommendations in the report specific to the Department of Health.

4. Report on the gender transformation on procurement 2018/19

No recommendations in the report.

5. Report on the Victims Charter: Assessing the Effectiveness of Implementation by Departments of Health and Correctional Services 2012.

No recommendations in the report.

 

END.

Reply:

1(a) The current progress on the upgrade of the Madibeng Water Treatment Works is at 73% towards completion.

b (i) The project cost for the project is R750 million.

(ii) The allocated cost for the financial year 2022/23, is R103 million.

2 (a) The project is being implemented in a phased approach. It is anticipated that phase 2 of the upgrade of the Water treatment Plant will be completed by April 2023.

(b) The current phase of the project is still under construction and is anticipated to be completed by April 2023. The next phase of the project is under planning and will be implemented in partnership with the Sibanye Stillwater Mine. It is anticipated that phase 3 of the project commence in May 2023 and be completed by May 2024.

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Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

(a) None.

(b – f) Not Applicable.

 

Authorised for submission by:

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

 

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

Reply:

(a)(i) Number of mining right holders that are complying is 48

(ii) Number of mining right holders that are not in compliance is 51

(b) Directives and orders in terms of section 29 and 93 of MPRDA were issued to those mining right holders who does not comply

(c) The publishing of SLP is not only limited to website, but some companies also publish in their website while most Mines are publishing in Tribal Authority, Local Municipalities and Libraries for easy access to community they are operating around.

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

(a) Since 1 January 2018 a total of 248 branches were closed, for various reasons.

(b) Please see attached spread sheet

(c) Please see attached spread sheet

Authorised for submission by:

 

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

 

Recommended/not recommended

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

Reply:

The information requested by this question is not readily available at the National Department. The Department is working with all provincial departments of Health to source this information. As soon as the information is received, the Minister will furnish a full response in this regard.

END.

Reply:

a) The following progress has been made:

PROGRESS FOR THE EMERGENCY UNIT

The technical work for the Emergency Unit is 99% complete. The Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the City of Johannesburg. The clinical operations will be executed in phases starting from the 6th May 2022.

PROGRESS FOR THE REMEDIAL WORK FOR ALL THE BLOCKS

The remedial work covers the following milestones:

(i) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW STORES FACILITY

• Construction works will start on the 25 May 2022
• Practical handover of the News Stores Facility is scheduled for the 10 November 2022.

(ii) CONDUCTING OF A DETAILED ASSESSMENT

Construction works will start on the 4 April 2022 until 13 June 2022

(iii) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TEMPORARY ACCESS TO PARKING

• Construction works will start on the 13 April 2022

• Practical handover of the News Stores Facility is scheduled for the 15 May 2022.

(iv) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAIN WORK FOR BLOCK 4 AND 5 REMEDIAL WORKS

b) Practical handover and completion is December 2023

END.

Reply:

Bloem Water was the first water board to implement the 96KW Conduit Hydro Power in the country on 31 March 2015. The new technology (Hydro Power) is still operational and in use.

(a) (i) The total cost for the project was R 3.5 million.

(ii) (aa) The average electricity savings a month are estimated at R30 000.00. The savings vary due to the seasonal demand for electricity

(bb) An estimated R2.5 million has been saved in the last seven years of running the generator. The only time the Bloem Water had to replace the generator on the turbine was in 2017 at a cost of R20 000. Other than that, the yearly budget for operation and maintenance of the generator is R40 000.

(iii) Bloem Water budgets R40 000 annually for both electrical and mechanical maintenance. Other than that, there are no other costs as the generator depends on the potable water supplied by the Bloem Water’s Welbedacht Water Treatment Works to its main Brandkop reservoir.

(b) This water passes through the turbine via a re-routed pipeline to generate electricity before it goes

back into the main reservoir. The project was initiated by Bloem Water and completed in conjunction with key stakeholders, including the Water Research Commission (WRC)and the University of Pretoria (UP). The second phase of this project is currently ongoing which will see the extension of the project to the Bloem Water’s Uikyk Reservoir. This site has a potential of an energy output of 300KW.

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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:

Attached find here: Reply

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:

Attached find here: Reply

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:

Attached find here: Reply

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:

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:

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:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

1. Yes
2. Yes

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:

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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:

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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:

(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:

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.

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