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14 April 2022 - NW1308

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment

1. What is meant by reactive short-to medium-term culling in the current Kruger National Park Elephant Management Plan; 2. Whether such culling and/or lethal management was implemented during the currency of the Ministerial Plan for Reactive Short-to Medium-term Culling; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will she furnish Mrs C Phillips with a copy of the specified Ministerial plan; 3. Whether culling and/or lethal management in terms of the Ministerial plan is planned for the future ;if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

14 April 2022 - NW1306

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment

What are the details of all research and/or management programmes related to the elephant that are conducted by the SA National Parks (a) currently in progress and (b) planned and/or proposed for (i) 2022, (ii) 2023 and (iii) 2024 in thee (aa) Kruger National Park and (bb) Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Conservation Area?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

14 April 2022 - NW1204

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment

With reference to the Millwood Mine Walk in the Garden Route, what (a) steps has her department taken to open the specified route to the public and (b) are the timelines, time frames and deadlines in this regard; What total amount has (a) her department budgeted for the process (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2021 and (b) been spent (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2021?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

14 April 2022 - NW1307

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment

1. Noting the estimated elephant population at the end of 2020 was 31 000 elephants, (a) what is the estimated elephant population at the end of 2021 and (b) how was this estimate arrived at; 2. Noting that the SA National Parks uses sample and/or block counting methods to estimate elephant population size, (a) on what date the last such count conducted to estimate the number of elephants in the Kruger National Park and (b) what are the details of the sample and/or block counting methods used; 3. Whether the sample and/or block counting methods are (a) in accordance with the methods used by neighbouring countries with large elephant populations such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe and (b) accepted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature African Elephant Specialist Group; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

13 April 2022 - NW53

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Brink, Mr C to ask the President of the Republic

In respect of the selection panel that made recommendations to the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, on the appointment of members of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) for the period 2019 to 2024 in terms of section 11(3) of the Commission on Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Communities Act, Act 19 of 2002, (the CRL Selection Panel), what were the particulars of the (a) members of the CRL Selection Panel and (b) persons recommended to the President by the CRL Selection Panel for appointment as members of the CRL Commission in terms of section 11(3)(d) of the specified Act?

Reply:

a) Particulars of the members of the CRL Selection Panel are as follows:

NAME

INTEREST GROUP

CAPACITY

Professor Sihawukele Ngubane

Academic (Language)

Chairperson

Hosi Nwamitwa II

Traditional Leadership Sector

Member

Dr Wally Mongane Serote

Culture and African Religion

Member

Mr Ashwin Trikamjee

Religious Communities (Hindu)

Member

Ms Marlene Bethlehem

Religious Communities (Jewish)

Member

Father Tseko Rakeketsi

Religious Communities (Christian)

Member

Ms Marah Louw*

Culture (Artistic Communities)

Member

B) In terms of section 9 of the CRL Rights Act, the President appoints the chairperson and no fewer than eleven (11) and not more than seventeen (17) persons as members. Persons recommended to the President by the CRL Selection Panel for appointment as members of the CRL Commission in terms of section 11(3)(d) are listed below:

NAME & SURNAME

CATEGORY

1. Prof. Luka David Mosoma

Religion

2. Ms Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva

Culture

3. Ms Sheila Khama

African Religion (Traditional healer)

4. Ms Tsholofelo Mosala

Youth/Culture

5. Mr Sicelo Emmanuel Dlamini

Language (Persons with disability)

6. Dr Oscarine Nokuzula Mdende

African Religion (Traditional Healer)

7. Prof. Pitika Ntuli

Religion (SACC)

8. Dr Sylvia Mmamohapi Pheto

Tradition

9. Dr John Mphaphuli

Religion

10. Rasta Sipho Mantula

Religion (Rastafarian)

11. Mr Mxolisi Eshwell Zwane

Language

12. Dr Muneer Abduroaf

Religion (Muslim)

13. Rev. Micah Mhlupheki Nthali

Religion

14. Mr Phumlani Victor Mzobe

Youth/Culture

15. Ms Nomalanga Tyamzashe

Culture

16. Ms Ramokone Tryphina Kgatla

Language

17. Adv Richard Botha

Culture

18. Dr Leshabela Herbert Maduane

Culture & Language (Academic)

19. Dr Johannes Gogome Tshifularo

Tradition

20. Mr Mandla Langa

Culture

21. Inkosi Sydney Xolile Ndevu

Tradition

22. Mr Renier Schoeman

Religion

* Ms Marah Louw did not participate in the process due to ill health.

13 April 2022 - NW3

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Meshoe, Rev KR to ask the President of the Republic

Whether, in view of transparent governance, a copy of the agreements signed between the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, can be made available to Members of Parliament and the public at large; if not, why not; if so, can Rev K R J Meshoe be furnished with a copy of the agreements?

Reply:

The President of the Republic has not entered into any agreements with any vaccine manufacturers. Such agreements are entered into by the relevant line department.

13 April 2022 - NW52

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Brink, Mr C to ask the President of the Republic

(1) Whether at any time during 2018 and/or 2019 the Deployment Committee of the African National Congress (ANC), and/or any member of the Deployment Committee and/or any employee of the ANC, furnished (a) him, as the President of the Republic, (b) the Deputy President of the Republic, (c) any Minister of his Cabinet and/or (d) any Deputy Minister of the Government with a list of names of persons to consider for appointment as members of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) and/or members of the selection panel established to make recommendations for the appointment of members of the CRL Commission in terms of section 11(3) of the Commission on Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Communities Act, Act 19 of 2002, (the CRL Selection Panel); if so, (2) (a) what were the particulars of the persons recommended for appointment as (i) CRL Commissioners and (ii) members of the CRL Selection Panel and (b)(i) on what date and (ii) to whom were each of the recommendations made?

Reply:

The appointment of members of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) is regulated in terms of the Commission on Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Communities Act, Act 19 of 2002 (“the Act”).

As required by section 11(4) of the Act, the members of the Commission that I appointed on 7 June 2019 were from the names submitted to me by the Selection Panel.

The following persons were appointed by the Minister of Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) as members of the Selection Panel in terms of Section 11(1)(d) of the Act:

  1. Professor Sihawukele Ngubane (Chairperson)
  2. Hosi Nwamitwa II
  3. Dr Wally Mongane Serote
  4. Mr Ashwin Trikamjee
  5. Mr Marlene Bethlehem
  6. Father Tseko Rakeketsi
  7. Ms Marah Louw (Did not participate in the process due to ill health)

The Selection Panel, after concluding the interviews, submitted a list of 22 persons. According to Section 9(1) of the Act, the Commission consists of a Chairperson appointed by the President and no fewer than 11 and no more than 17 other members appointed by the President. After consideration of the list of the names provided by the Selection Panel, I appointed the current 13 members of the CRL Commission:

  1. Prof Luka David Mosoma
  2. Ms Sheila Khama
  3. Ms Tsholofelo Mosala
  4. Mr Sicelo Emmanuel Dlamini
  5. Dr Oscarine Nokuzula Mdende
  6. Prof Pitika Ntuli
  7. Dr Sylvia Mmamohapi Pheto
  8. Dr Muneer Abduroaf
  9. Ms Nomalanga Tyamzashe
  10. Ms Ramokone Tryphina Kgatla
  11. Adv Richard Botha
  12. Mr Mandla Langa
  13. Mr Renier Schoeman

13 April 2022 - NW478

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Gondwe, Dr M to ask the President of the Republic

Whether he has commissioned the development and/or operationalisation of a grievance mechanism aimed at addressing the grievances of Directors-General; if not, by what date will such a mechanism be developed and operationalised; if so, in terms of which policy directive was the mechanism developed?

Reply:

Mechanisms are in place that address the grievances of Directors-General.

Section 35 of the Public Service Act, 1994, as amended, provides for procedures in respect of grievances of employees in the Public Service, including Heads of Department.

Subject to the above, grievances of Heads of Department are handled in terms of Chapter 10 of the Senior Management Services (SMS) Handbook. This specifies the procedural stages to address the grievance of a head of department either to the relevant executive authoirty or the Public Service Commission directly.

13 April 2022 - NW702

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Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic

With reference to his undertaking in his reply to the debate on the State of the Nation Address on 20 February 2018 to conduct lifestyle audits on the members of his Cabinet, which has been repeated on various occasions thereafter, (a) what are the reasons he has failed to date to conduct the lifestyle audits, (b) by what date is it envisaged that the lifestyle audits will (i) commence and (ii) be completed and (c) what are the details of the (i) method and (ii) contents of the lifestyle audits?

Reply:

The introduction of lifestyle audits for Members of the Executive has taken far longer than originally anticipated. While we have begun with lifestyle audits for senior public servants, it is important that we extend this practice to Members of the Executive.

Much work has been done on the approach and methodology to lifestyle audits of Members of the Executive. However, the finalisation of this work is being held in abeyance pending the submission of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. This is so that any additional measures required to strengthen Executive accountability and conduct can be considered holistically.

13 April 2022 - NW146

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the President of the Republic

Whether, with reference to the process regarding the appointment of the next Chief Justice of the Republic, he received any correspondence and/or input, in any format whatsoever, from the deployment committee of any interested party regarding the specified deployment committee or interested party’s preferred candidate(s) for appointment to the specified position; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

No. I have received correspondence from the leaders of political parties represented in Parliament and the Judicial Service Commission, as required by the Constitution.

Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, requires the President as the head of the national executive, after consulting leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly and the Judicial Service Commission, to appoint the Chief Justice.

For the purpose of promoting transparency and encouraging public participation, I invited the public to nominate suitable persons to be considered for the appointment as Chief Justice. I appointed a Panel of eminent persons with relevant experience to shortlist candidates from the list of nominees.

As required by the provisions of the Constitution, I have consulted the leaders of the political parties represented in the National Assembly and the Judicial Service Commission on the candidates I identified from the shortlist for the appointment of the Chief Justice. This process has been concluded as I have received the responses from the political parties’ leaders and the Judicial Service Commission.

13 April 2022 - NW1011

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Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic

Whether he approved the request of the Minister of Transport, Mr F A Mbalula, to travel to Ukraine around 5 March 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date did he (i) receive and (ii) approve the request and (b) what was the purpose of the official visit?

Reply:

No request was received from Minister Mbalula for permission to travel to Ukraine.

 

13 April 2022 - NW701

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Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic

(1)What are the reasons for his reported dismay with the call by Minister Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine; (2) whether the Government’s withdrawal of its initial strong statement, calling on Russia to withdraw, signals its unwillingness to publicly condemn the trampling of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the democratic Ukraine by the Russian Federation’s illegal invasion; if not, on what date is it envisaged that his Government will publicly and unequivocally condemn the Russian Federation’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; (3) whether he was informed that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms T R Modise, and the Chief of the SA National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, attended a cocktail function hosted by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic on 24 February 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was he informed that the specified persons attended the cocktail while the Russian Federation was busy invading Ukraine, (b) what disciplinary action does he intend to take in this regard and (c) does it represent the Government’s position on the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine?

Reply:

I have not expressed dismay at anything the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has done in fulfilment of her mandate.

2. South Africa’s position on the conflict in Ukraine has been articulated on several occasions, most recently in my response to Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly on 17 March 2022, where I stated the following:

“The international community needs to work together to achieve a cessation of hostilities and to prevent further loss of life and displacement of civilians in Ukraine. It needs to support meaningful dialogue towards a lasting and meaningful peace, which ensures the security and stability of all nations.

“As a country, we are committed to the articles of the United Nations Charter, including the principle that all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means. We support the principle that members should refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other states.

"That is why, at the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session, South Africa strongly urged all sides to uphold international law, including humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty as well.

While there are people within our country and elsewhere that want South Africa to adopt a more adversarial position, our position seeks to contribute to the creation of conditions that make the achievement of a durable resolution of the conflict possible.

Our approach is informed by an analysis of the causes of this conflict. This includes a view shared by many leading scholars, politicians and other people, that the war could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings from among its own leaders and officials over the years that its eastward expansion would lead to greater, not less, instability in the region.

While it is important to understand and articulate the causes of the conflict, and advocate for peace building measures, we cannot condone the use of force or violation of international law.

We also need to recognise that coercive measures, such as sanctions outside of the legal prescripts of the United Nations, may serve to prolong and intensify the conflict.

3. Many countries have diplomatic representation in South Africa. It is the practice of our government that when a diplomatic mission is hosting a key event, a Minister is assigned to represent our government.

This applies to all countries represented in South Africa. South Africa will continue with this diplomatic practice, which all diplomatic missions expect. The assignment of Ministers to these events is coordinated by State Protocol. This practice is also extended in all our diplomatic missions abroad when they are hosting such events.

13 April 2022 - NW148

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the President of the Republic

Whether he, in his capacity as President of the Republic, ever received correspondence from a certain political organisation (attached details furnished), via email, WhatsApp, hardcopy and/or in any other format of which the original file is dated June 2020; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was the specified correspondence received, (b) who was the sender of the correspondence and (c) what steps were taken by his Office in this regard

Reply:

No such correspondence was received.

13 April 2022 - NW280

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the President of the Republic

By what date will a reshuffling of the leaders and management of the SA Police Service and other security cluster departments take place, following his statements of their incompetence during the State of the Nation Address on 10 February 2022?

Reply:

In the wake of the July 2021 civil unrest, I appointed an Expert Panel to critically review the security services’ handling of those events. Among other things, the panel recommended the appointment of suitable persons into the leadership of the security services.

On 25 February 2022, I announced the termination, by mututal agreement, of the contract of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole with effect from 31 March 2022.

On 28 February 2022, I announced the appointment of Ambassador Thembisile Majola as the Director-General of the State Security Agency with effect from 1 March 2022.

On 31 March 2022, I announced the appointment of General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola as the new National Commissioner of the South African Police Service.

13 April 2022 - NW930

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

What number of the total number of cases that were reported in each stock theft unit in each province (a) in the (i) 2017-18, (ii) 2018-19, (iii) 2019-20 and (iv) 2020-21 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2021, were resolved; Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

13 April 2022 - NW826

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the President of the Republic

What will be the (a) terms of reference and (b) mandate of the newly established red-tape reduction team led by Mr Sipho Nkosi?

Reply:

The Red Tape Reduction Team (RTRT) has a mandate to identify priority reforms and work with other departments and agencies to simplify regulatory processes and unblock specific obstacles to investment and business growth. This is aligned to government’s commitment in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to “reduc[e] the cost of doing business…[through] regulatory changes that seek to optimise the regulatory environment”.

This includes what is often referred to as “cutting red tape”, namely the removal of unnecessary or excessively complicated regulations and inefficient administrative processes which not only create frustration but increase compliance costs, especially for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.

The RTRT will work with and build on existing programmes to improve the business environment, in particular those run by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.

Being based in the Presidency, the RTRT will take a whole-of-government approach to addressing some of the challenges faced, including working with sub-national spheres of government. The RTRT will accordingly play a supporting and coordinating role within government.

The terms of reference are being finalised, and will reflect the mandate described above.

12 April 2022 - NW930

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

1. What number of the total number cases that were reported in eaxh stock theft unit in each province (a) in the (i) 2017-18, (ii) 2018-19, (iii) 2019-20 and (iv) 2020-21 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2021, were resolved; 2. Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW959

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Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the relevant details of the (a) current and (b) outstanding investigation in the National Youth Development Agency?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW588

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Jacobs, Mr F to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

(1)Given that small-, medium- and micro enterprises (SMMEs) based in Cape Town under a certain intermediary (name furnished) did not provide employment contracts and/or accurate financial supporting documents deviating from Small Enterprise Finance Agency processes, who will hold management accountable for proper facilitation of jobs obtained through SMMEs employment contracts in the Western Cape; (2) whether she has found that the Department of Labour can intervene in the specified case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW656E

Reply:

1. Reporting of jobs created and maintained by a respective financial Intermediary is furnished by the Financial Intermediary through capturing such information on the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) Intermediary portal. The legal agreement between the sefa and the financial Intermediaries requires the financial Intermediaries to have supporting documents to support their developmental information (such as, application forms, FICA documents and signed contractual agreement between SMME and the Financial Intermediary) for verification by sefa and its external auditors.

The information is captured, verified and approved by the respective financial Intermediary before sefa authorises it on the system. It is therefore the Intermediary’s responsibility to ensure that correct and reliable information is shared with sefa

2. sefa has not picked up any inaccurate financial reports nor a claim or complaint of such that could have required intervention. sefa hereby confirms that the said financial Intermediary has repaid the facility in full, both Capital and Interest advanced under the agreement. The last payment received was on 12 October 2020. The relationship between sefa and the financial Intermediary ended when the loan was fully amortised.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

12 April 2022 - NW1062

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) is the current state of the backlogs at the SA Police Service Forensic Science Laboratory and (b) intervention has he made to ensure a fast turnaround time at the laboratory ?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

 

12 April 2022 - NW1121

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Police

What number of (a) criminal complaints were laid at the Koster Police Station in the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, (b) arrests were made, (c) those arrests resulted in conviction, (d) cases were withdrawn due to lack of (i) evidence, (ii) police not appearing in court, (iii) the docket being lost and (iv) the accused skipping bail and (e) court cases are still ongoing?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW224

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

In light of the fact that the 2019 Report of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture found that land redistribution was hamstrung, partly because beneficiary selection has not been transparent and there is evidence of so-called 'elite capture' as business persons and/or those with personal and/or political connections acquire land ahead of farmers from communal areas and/or farm dwellers who have experience, what measures has she put in place to address the challenge and/or to ensure that the system is free from political and administrative abuse, corruption, elite capture and that deserving and rightful beneficiaries of land reform are the ones who benefit?

Reply:

In responding to the Report of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development developed the National Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy (Annexure A) which was subsequently approved by Cabinet.

The Policy aims, amongst other things, to achieve the following:

  • Provide a uniform, fair, credible and transparent process and criteria for the selection of beneficiaries for land allocation or leasing of state properties by:
  • Establishing independent Beneficiary Selection Land Allocation panels to preside over the selection of suitable candidates for land allocation;
  • Implementing a standardised national on-line land application system to ensure a fair and transparent process of beneficiary selection and the rationing of resources; and
  • Creating a land application register for potential beneficiaries of land allocation.
  • Ensure qualified, suitable and deserving candidates gain access to land on an equitable basis and that the selected beneficiaries have the appropriate skills and capacity to optimally utilise state properties.
  • Ensure that special target groups of land reform beneficiaries (as outlined in the Policy) have access to land for purposes of agricultural production.
  • To give effect to these controls, an on-line land allocation system has been developed. The system has a clearly define automated qualifying criteria through which the beneficiary selection must pass.

12 April 2022 - NW857

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Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

What total amount in Rand has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) him, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of his department since 29 May 2019?

Reply:

(i) Ministry

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

a) Catering

0.00

0.00

0.00

b) Accommodation

332,786.78

0.00

0.00

c) Entertainment

0.00

0.00

0.00

(ii) Deputy Minister

 

 

 

  a. Catering

0.00

0.00

0.00

b. Accommodation

514,163.56

40,843.43

179,559.59

c. Entertainment

0.00

0.00

0.00

(iii) Official of his department

 

 

 

a. Catering

140,637.33

60,205.34

37,312.53

b. Accommodation

2,877,798.90

349,562.74

600,764.83

 c. Entertainment

0.00

0.00

949.00

12 April 2022 - NW929

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

(1) whether, following the oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Police to the Norwood Police Station on 4 March 2022, and noting in its presentation the reference to the many audit investigations that were undertaken of the SAPD13-stores were evidence is stored, he found that, except for firearms that were stolen and/or lost, audits were indeed undertaken of all the items that were supposed to be in thr specified store; if not, why not; if so, what (a) other items were identified as lost and/or stolen and (b) is the number of such items; (2) whether any cash was stolen and/or lost; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any court cases have been impacted by items of evidence that were stolen and/or lost; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the CAS number of such cases; (4) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW851

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Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What total amount in Rand has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) him, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of his department since 29 May 2019?

Reply:

The expenditure on catering and entertainment relates to amounts incurred on refreshments for Departmental conferences, workshops, indabas, courses, forums, recruitment interviews, training sessions, hearings and management meetings. The amounts for catering in 2019/20 financial year was for external stakeholder meetings during the pre-Covid19 period.

The entertainment expenditure is for luncheon meetings held with colleagues, foreign delegations and/or other individuals from within or outside the public sector including dinner for meetings that go into late afternoon and evening.

The accommodation expenditure is for official trips, namely, domestic and international. These trips are to attend conferences, parliament briefings, bilateral meetings, visits to offices and for border deployment of officials to borderlines during festive/ Easter periods

The total amounts, in Rands, that have been spent on the following items since 01 April 2019 to 18 March 2022 are;

a)

CATERING

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

(i) Minister

R5 000

R0

R0

(ii) Deputy Minister

R0

R0

R0

(iii) Departmental

R1 904 427

R653 146

R569 386

b)

     

ENTERTAINMENT

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

(i) Minister

R30 565

R36 182

R15 342

(ii) Deputy Minister

R7 831

R3 927

R0

(iii) Department

R137 483

R48 046

R56 513

       

c)

     

ACCOMMODATION

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

(i) Minister

R987 411

R43 526

R200 525

(ii) Deputy Minister

R1 016 343

R582 630

R873 683

(ii) Department

R68 125 806

R28 414 197

R45 386 791

END

12 April 2022 - NW960

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Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Police

Whether the SA Police Service (SAPS) has a programme in place to recruit former experienced SAPS members to assist with (a) specialised units and (b) training and development; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW1104

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Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Police

what are the (a) requirements for promotion to each rank within the SA Police Service, (b) reason for promotion of all (i) General and (ii) Brigadiers, (c) qualifications of all (i) Generals and Brigadiers and (d) years of service of all (i) Generals and (ii) Brigadiers?

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW570

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she has found that the failure to assist farmers with post-settlement support, now known as Land Development Support, contributed to non-payment of leases by farmers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, the non-payment of leases by farmers due to lack of post settlement support is partially correct. However, there are other reasons listed below, which the Department is trying to address:

  • non-availability of lease agreements has resulted to some extent, in farmers not paying rentals;
  • there has been a culture of non-payment from some of the farmers, despite having received post settlement support;
  • farmers were incorrectly categorised as 1 and 2 instead of Category 3; according to the State Land Lease and Disposal Policy (SLLDP), Categories 1 and 2 are not required to pay rental, only Category 3;

In order to correct, this situation the Department has embarked on the following actions:

  • when the land development support implementation manual was revised, a condition to force farmers to have valid signed lease agreements was included to ensure that there is a legal contract in place to deal with non-paying farmers;
  • the process of making sure that all farmers have valid signed lease agreements is underway;
  • when farmers are provided with land development support, their categorisation is confirmed and if it is not category 3, the process to correct this is undertaken;
  • review and alignment of the SLLDP with other Departmental policies is also paramount in dealing with this matter and other issues, and is expected to commence in the 2022/23 financial year; and
  • as the officials conduct site visits to farmers who have received land development support, the latter are encouraged to pay their rental, since this money will assist in expanding the support to other farmers who are still awaiting development support.

12 April 2022 - NW791

Profile picture: Whitfield, Mr AG

Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Police

(1) what is the current total number of (a) ring-fenced entries and (b) entries of (i) registered national reference index cases and (ii) registered national biology cases in the (aa0 National Forensic Science Laboratories and (bb) private laboratories; (2) what is the total number of (a) unregistered national reference index cases and (b) unregistered national biology cases in the (i) National Forensic Science Laboratories and (ii) private laboratories?

Reply:

ttached find here: Reply

12 April 2022 - NW735

Profile picture: Ngcobo, Mr S

Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

with reference to the development of a research paper on the proposed Disability Rights Bill by the SA Law Reforms Commission in December 2020, what are the details of a the (a) consultation that took place on the findings of the research paper with the Presidential Work Group on Disability and (b) outcomes of the specified discussion?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1190

Profile picture: Shembeni, Mr HA

Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

In light of the fact that police officers have not received salary increase for a number of years, what has he found to be the impact of the lack of salary increases on the performance of their duties?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1120

Profile picture: Phillips, Ms C

Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Police

With reference to his reply to question 532 on 24 June 2020 that the construction of a satellite police station would be prioritized for the Derby and/or Reagile area in Kgetlengrivier in the North West, (a) by what date will the specified satellite police station be constructed as there is no sign of building the prioritized satellite police station and (b) what steps is his department taking to address the high crime rate in the specified area which has increased more than fourfold?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW14

Profile picture: Majozi, Ms Z

Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police

(1) Given that the SA Police Service has adopted community policing as an approach to reduce crime levels and restore community confidence as mandated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1994, and the South African Police Service Act, Act 68 of 1995, what has he found was the success rate of Community Police Forum that were set up by his department, particularly in ensuring that communities are actively involved in community safety and policing; (2) whether there have been improvements, specifically in the rural areas, in (a) service delivery, (b) addressing rural needs and, especially, (c) enhancing community involvement; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case ?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW957

Profile picture: Mphithi, Mr L

Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether her Office, in line with its responsibility to monitor issues affecting women, complied any statistics of incidents of human trafficking involving women across the border; if notm why not, if so, what are the relevant details; Whether her Office has provided any form of assistance in the fight against huma trafficking; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in terms of the assistance provided to the SA Police Service?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1244

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What (a) are the reasons that the positions of the Presidents of Councils are vacant at the Council for the Built Environment and (b) steps have been taken against officials who are implicated in the ongoing vacancies?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a) I’ve been informed by the Department that out of the six Councils for the built environment professions, only two of them have the positions of President of Council being vacant. That is the Engineering Council of South Africa (ESCA) and the South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (SACLAP).

The SACLAP Council has just been appointed and will have its first meeting during the month of April 2022. The Council members will then be able to elect the President and Vice-President of the Council.

ECSA is yet to decide on who will be elected as President, to replace the late Mr Lebea.

All the Acts of Parliament establishing the six Councils provide for the election of the Presidents by the Council members themselves.

b) As indicated above no officials are implicated as the filling of the positions of the President of a Council is the domain of the Councils themselves.

12 April 2022 - NW571

Profile picture: Montwedi, Mr Mk

Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

With regard to an audit finding made by the Auditor-General against Agricultural Land Holding Account for the 2019-20 financial year, which indicated that a previous owner has been using the farm after acquisition by the entity since 2013, how does her department intend to assist black farmers who continue to be exploited by white capitalist farmers, including all those farmers that have not yet been identified?

Reply:

Yes, Mr. Classen was indeed in the farm on the joint venture arrangement known to the Department. Recently the relationship between the two parties has deteriorated and to that extent the department served Mr Classen with the eviction letter signed on the 1st of February 2022 whilst on the other hand the lessee has taken this matter to court.

In order to assist black farmers, the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development is using the policy and the condition stipulated in the lease agreement to ensure that farmers do not enter into any partnership without the consent of the Department. This is to ensure that any relationship that will be establish with anyone is fair and non-exploitive.

Paragraph 5.7 of the State Land Lease and Disposal Policy makes provision that “The Lessee shall utilise the Farm in line with standard farming practices and may not deviate there from substantially without the prior written consent of the Lessor, who shall exercise this discretion taking into account prevailing agricultural and business conditions”.

12 April 2022 - NW1132

Profile picture: Mabika, Mr M

Mabika, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police

Whether (a) he and (b) his department have all the resources it takes to combat the car theft crime in Umkhanyakude District Municipality with special reference to Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality where bakkie owners towards the Mozambican and the Republic’s border with Mozambique live in fear as their cars are stolen from their homes, owners and their family members are kidnapped and thrown out of the vehicles after their phones are taken; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details as this type of crime has been going on since 27 April 1994 without any reduction of these crime?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1165

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Police

Whether hi department intends to allocate extra resources to the SA Police Service Cybercrime Unit in the current financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW728

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

(1) what process must be followed to verify fingerprints during the application for firearm licences and/or competency certificates; (2) (a) what total number of applications that needed to be verified have been submitted to the Criminal Record Centre in each province (i) in the (aa) 2017-18, (bb) 2018-19, (cc) 2019-20 and (dd0 2020-21 financial year and (ii) since 1 January 2022 and (b) of what total number of such applications thst have been submitted in the specified financial years and period, has the Criminal Record Centre provided feedback on: (3) what is the reason that the profiling system is not used?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1054

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) criteria does the SA Police Service use to appoint police recruits and (b) are the specified details of the criteria that have continually resulted in the rejection of the application of certain person (names and details furnished), who has been applying to be a police trainee since 2018?

Reply:

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12 April 2022 - NW1141

Profile picture: Winkler, Ms HS

Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Police

With reference to his reply to question 468 on 14 March 2022, what is the period for which the 16 SA Police Service vehicles have been non-operational; What number of (a) residents does the Plessislaer Police Station in iMbali Msunduzi, service, (b) vehicles and (c) police officers are meant to be allocated to the Plessislaer Police Station given the number of residents services; Whether he will furnish Ms H S Winkler with the crime statistic of the Plessislaer Police Station for each month in (a) 2020 and (b) 2021; if not, why not; if so, on what date

Reply:

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11 April 2022 - NW1161

Profile picture: Brink, Mr C

Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether the National Treasury currently supports metropolitan municipalities to access project-based loan financing to replenish existing service infrastructure, especially the metropolitan municipalities that lack the creditworthiness to raise long-term financing on the bond market; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) support and (b) examples of where it has been utilised effectively?

Reply:

In terms of section 160(d) of the Constitution, it is the mandate of the municipal council whether or not to approve borrowing. The National Treasury’s responsibility when a municipality decides to incur borrowing is set out in Section 46 of the Municipal Finance Management Act. In terms of that section, the National Treasury must submit written comments or representations in respect of the proposed borrowing. The National Treasury looks at a number of issues, including affordability, when providing written comments to municipalities. The National Treasury does not support instances where the borrowing is unaffordable for the municipality. Therefore, the municipality must have financial stability, and the planned borrowing must have been budgeted for before considering any borrowing.

Also, as emphasised in the Original Borrowing Policy framework passed by Cabinet in 2000, financiers/lenders are encouraged to perform their own due diligence assessments to ascertain a municipality’s creditworthiness. Financiers/lenders whose capital is at risk have both the incentive and the means to limit or deny credit if they doubt the sustainability of a proposed borrowing.

a) Project finance is part of the many funding mechanisms that have been identified in the 2017 Updated Policy Framework for Municipal Borrowing as mechanisms that are permissible within our current legislative framework. Municipalities can utilise project-based financing to fast-track infrastructure development; however, such a financing choice should be solely based on the strength of the municipality’s finances or the credibility of the assumptions and arrangements that inform the project package. Besides borrowing, municipalities may consider other funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships to enable them to finance projects. In these types of transactions, the private party assumes the financial responsibility, amongst others, for the implementation of projects.

It is important to note that the updated policy emphasises that only creditworthy municipalities should borrow based on the strength of their balance sheets whilst encouraging responsible borrowing and lending. Therefore, municipalities deemed non-creditworthy (lack fiscal discipline and sustainable financial management; have no resources or capacity to repay the debt) should not borrow. This is further cemented by the principle of non-guarantee of municipal debt by neither provincial nor national government, as reflected in the updated policy and in section 51 of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA). Incurring a loan when a municipality is not in the financial position to repay the loan will add to a municipality’s financial problems.

Municipalities have not pursued project loan financing but rather use general loans to finance various projects. This is mainly due to the capability of these municipalities in preparing bankable projects that would attract financing and the financial support required for project preparation activities. To assist metropolitan municipalities with funding for project preparation, the Programme and Project Preparation Support Grant was established in 2021 to institutionalise an effective and efficient system of developing a pipeline of investment projects that would be financed by an array of financing instruments, including project-based loans. To this end, National Treasury will allocate R1.1 billion to metropolitan municipalities over the 2022 MTEF to support project preparation.

b) In addition, to assist some of the municipalities facing financial difficulties, National Treasury has institutionalised the Municipal Financial Recovery Services with the core objective of identifying and resolving financial challenges, with the City of Tshwane and Mangaung being part of the programme. Through the success of the Municipal Financial Recovery Service and other initiatives around revenue management, National Treasury hopes to achieve strengthened operating performance for some metropolitan municipalities, thus allowing them to access the market and pursue mechanisms such as project-based loan financing.

11 April 2022 - NW988

Profile picture: Schreiber, Dr LA

Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Finance

What are the details of the (a) purpose, (b) date received and (c) repayment terms of each (i) loan, (ii) grant, (iii) donation and/or (iv) any other support received from the Russian Federation since 1 January 2009?

Reply:

The Republic of South Africa has no exposure to the Russian Federation in respect of a loans, grants, donations and other forms of support.

11 April 2022 - NW1118

Profile picture: Joseph, Mr D

Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)With reference to the view of a certain person (name and details furnished) that the Republic shows signs of a failing state, what (a) indicators are used by Government to measure the Republic’s environment against signs of a failed state and (b) are the details of the reform agenda for (i) senior public servants and (ii) politicians that the specified person referred to; (2) whether Government will adjust its projected economic growth percentage for the 2022-23 financial year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1(a) Mr. Mogajane, speaking at a post-Budget event said the following:

We have to remind our leaders – and I’m speaking as a South African – who are in government, in public service and politicians to get off your high horse and do what we have to do to ensure we create access and a conducive environment for people’s lives to change.

If that’s not going to be a motivating factor, we can start calling SA a failing state because the things that define a failing state are beginning to show, where we don’t care about the poor and improving their lives.”

Mr. Mogajane was expressing his personal view on the corrosive impact that corruption has had on the state’s capacity to deliver basic services and warning of the consequences if our leaders fail to take action.

A failed state is a widely understood to be one that has disintegrated to a point where a sovereign government no longer functions properly and therefore cannot execute its basic responsibilities and deliver a minimum standard of living.

Whilst there is no formal framework that the government uses to test whether it is a failing state or not, the state’s ability to perform its basic functions and deliver the requisite level of services to its citizens is monitored, evaluated and regularly commented on, as is the case in many democracies. Examples include the Auditor-General’s annual reports as well as the recent reports from the Zondo Commission.

(b) Unfortunately, no details of this were attached to the submission. Could the Honourable member please resubmit the question with the relevant information to enable us to respond.

2 The National Treasury reviews the economy's outlook and associated risks as quarterly GDP statistics are made available by the relevant authorities. The economic outlook is made publicly available twice a year in the Budget Review and MTBPS. Risks to the outlook are closely monitored and subsequent developments considered in future economic outlook updates. As noted in Chapter 2 of the 2022 Budget Review, emerging geopolitical risks contribute to elevated uncertainty over the medium term.

With respect to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the potential adverse effects to the South African real economy are likely to be fairly contained and mostly indirect if the conflict is not protracted. Historically, South Africa has recorded positive real GDP growth during periods when both Russia and Ukraine faced economic recessions, with the exception of global recession periods.[1] This suggests that the correlation between South Africa’s growth and Russia’s and Ukraine’s is not as strong, particularly during periods where economic movements are dominated by country-specific factors.

With the situation still developing and so much uncertainty, it is relatively difficult at this stage to quantify the potential impact with precision and confidence. However, South Africa’s trade statistics point to a very weak trade intensity between South Africa and Russia and Ukraine on aggregate. Less than 1 per cent of South Africa’s exported goods are destined for Russia and Ukraine combined. A similar number is reflected on inbound goods that are from both these countries. However, within certain industries, the trade exposure is more significant – such as exports of citrus, apples and pears products – where Russia is an important destination market.[2]

Despite relatively limited direct trade exposure to Russia and Ukraine, risks to the real economy could manifest through the import and export price channels given the importance of both countries in key energy and agricultural commodity markets. The persistent higher levels in these prices as suggested by the futures contracts[3] introduces renewed upside risks to the global and domestic inflation and interest rate outlook.

There are risks to the current assessment regarding the impact the conflict may have on South Africa. The risks largely depend on how long the conflict persists for.

  1. For example, during the post-soviet market periods from 1994 to 1999 and during the Russia’s invasion of Crimea period, from 2014 to 2015.

  2. The diversion of volumes to other export markets or the domestic market could place downward pressure on prices and export earnings from the agriculture sector in 2022 following solid growth in the past two years. See: https://www.agbiz.co.za/content/open/14-march-2022-agri-market-viewpoint

  3. A futures contract is a standardised legal agreement to buy or sell something at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future.

11 April 2022 - NW989

Profile picture: Schreiber, Dr LA

Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Finance

What are the relevant details of all commercial contracts that are currently in force between the Republic and the Russian Federation?

Reply:

The National Treasury are not custodians of the commercial contracts between South Africa and other countries. If and should there be any goods and services contracts entered by the SA government it will be with suppliers in Russia, and that level of detail is not available in National Treasury but in the departments doing business with such suppliers in Russia.

11 April 2022 - NW1081

Profile picture: Marawu, Ms TL

Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether she will account on the activities that her Office embarked on in2021, which were aimed at assisting women empowerment projects in rural areas; in if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; What total number of beneficiaries have benefited from her Office’s women empowerment initiatives for the fourth quarter of 2021; What plans does her Office have in aiding women-run businesses affected by the lockdown for 2022?

Reply:

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11 April 2022 - NW1124

Profile picture: Mphithi, Mr L

Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

what (a) total number of funding was disbursed by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and (b) number of small and medium enterprises (SME’s) (i) were funded by the NYDA. (ii) jobs were created by the specified SME’s and (iii) the specified SME’s still exist and are still trading in each of the past four financial years in each case ?

Reply:

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11 April 2022 - NW1282

Profile picture: Mphithi, Mr L

Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What amount was spent on advertising by (a) her Office and (b) state-owned entities reporting to her in the 2020-21 financial year? NW1541E

Reply:


(a) The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities spent R 994 955.80 on advertising for the 2020-21 financial year;

(b) The National Youth Development Agency spent R 1 891 696 on advertising for the 2020-21 financial year.

11 April 2022 - NW1172

Profile picture: Shivambu, Mr F

Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance

What (a) total amount has the Government borrowed from (i) domestic and (ii) international financial institutions in the past five financial years and (b) are the details of (i) each loan amount and (ii) the terms of each specified loan?

Reply:

(a), Government’s gross borrowing requirement is financed through the issuance of domestic short and long-term loans, foreign currency long-term loans and the use of cash balances. Domestic short (Treasury bills) and long-term loans (bonds) are issued to market participants in the primary market (primary dealers and other financial institutions) through weekly auctions. The market participants buy these bonds on behalf of their clients which include pension funds, foreign investors, insurers, monetary institutions, other financial institutions, and individuals to name a few.

Gross loan debt has increased from R2.5 trillion in 2017/18 to R4.3 trillion in 2021/22. Government has therefore borrowed an additional R1.8 trillion from both domestic and international investors.

Table 1. Domestic and foreign loans for the period 2017/18 – 2021/22

Figure 1 shows the ownership distribution of domestic long-term loans. The share of domestic bonds held by foreign investors declined to a 10-year low of 28.2 per cent by December 2021. Although these investors remain the largest category of domestic bondholders, risk aversion is rising due to global and domestic events. Other financial institutions and pension funds increased their holdings from 17.6 per cent and 22.4 per cent in 2020 to 20.1 per cent and 23.5 per cent in 2021 respectively. South African banks have been holding significantly more government debt because of weak demand for private credit and relatively high interest rates on government debt.

Figure 1. Ownership distribution of domestic long-term loans

Foreign currency long-term loans are raised through the combination of marketable loans - raised in the international capital markets - these foreign bonds are mostly bought by foreign institutions and are traded on the secondary market on the Luxembourg exchange. Non-marketable loans - concessional financing - includes borrowing from multilateral development banks (MDBs) and International Financing Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank, new development bank, African development bank and the International Monetary fund

Some of the loans from multilateral development banks includes but not limited to the following, which can be found in Table 7.5 of the Budget Review 2022.

Table

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(b), Detailed information about outstanding bonds, redemption dates, redemption amounts, and coupon rates can be found on the National Treasury's investor website.

Retail investors who purchase directly from the National Treasury take up the remainder of the loans. They consist of both individuals and co-operatives registered with the Co-operatives Banks Development Agency (CBDA). The terms and conditions of retail bonds are available on the retail bonds website https://secure.rsaretailbonds.gov.za/Home.aspx. Additional information about issued loans can be found in the annual debt management report on http://investor.treasury.gov.za/Publications/Forms/AllItems.aspx.

11 April 2022 - NW1162

Profile picture: Brink, Mr C

Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether a financial recovery plan is currently in place in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how long has it been in place; (2) whether he has found that any progress has been achieved with the implementation of the plan in terms of the municipality’s revenue collection, expenditure management and reduction of liabilities; if not, what steps does he intend to take to prevent the municipality’s financial distress from worsening; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. A Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) is currently in place at Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The municipality adopted a voluntary FRP in July 2018 but unfortunately there was no evidence that the implementation of the FRP translated into any meaningful improvements on any of the key focus areas. Subsequently, a new FRP was developed following the Section 139(5)(a) and (c) mandatory intervention invoked in December 2019 by the Free State Provincial Government. The mandatory FRP was implemented in 2020.

2. The municipality’s collection rate remained below the treasury norm of 95 per cent throughout the period of FRP implementation with an average of 86 per cent achieved for the 2020/21 audited financial year. Whilst the collection rate is still below the norm there has been a slight improvement from the 60-70 per cent collection rate reported previously. This indicates that the targets on the FRP to improve the collection rate is not fully yielding the desired results.

In the main, overtime expenditure is a challenge as the municipality is failing to properly plan, manage and control overtime payments and therefore the municipality is continuously overspending on this item. The municipality still has arrear debt with BloemWater amounting to R747 million and there is a revised settlement agreement in place that the municipality needs to align with the FRP targets. In addition, the provincial government owes the Municipality an amount of R1.9 billion for rates and taxes.

The Mangaung Metro is one of 43 municipalities in the country that have been identified to be in financial and service delivery crisis necessitating a mandatory intervention. Since the Mangaung Metro is already subject to a mandatory S139(5) intervention by the Province, measures are being considered to escalate the intervention into a National S139(7) intervention. Preparations are already underway to commence with a Ministerial visit to the municipality in the 1st week of April 2022. This will also be followed with a special induction session for the municipal council in early April 2022.