Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet

a) The delay in the relocation of the fuel tank farm was due to the inability of an operator that was appointed in terms of Section 56 of the National Ports Act, to achieve a commercially viable business case for the proposed terminal, and thus a decision was taken to discontinue the project. Subsequently, Transnet supported the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) in developing the liquid bulk facilities in Zone 5 of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in view of the advanced progress the CDC had made with the development of their liquid bulk storage facility.

b) The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has given termination notice to Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd, Engen Petroleum Ltd, and Total Energies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Oil Majors) who operate the Liquid Bulk Terminal in the Port of Port Elizabeth, effective 30 April 2022. As a result of this termination notice, the Oil Majors have lodged an appeal to the Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA) contesting this termination.

A firm timeline for the relocation cannot be determined until such time that:

1. TNPA and Astron settling the PRSA matter; and

2. There is a firm commitment from the Oil Majors to commit to commercial offtakes with the CDC or a liquid bulk storage facility operator appointed by the implementing agent CDC.

c) In October 2020, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) issued a Remediation Order in terms of Part 8 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act of 2008. This Remediation Order will regulate how the Oil Majors will undertake the decommissioning and remediation of the Port of Port Elizabeth’s liquid bulk terminal. TNPA has initiated negotiations to conclude a Decommissioning and Remediation Exit Agreement.

The Oil Majors have cited that this Agreement cannot be finalised without the PRSA appeal being determined and for realistic timelines for the relocation to the Port of Ngqura/CDC SEZ being agreed to.

Reply:

Details of the supplier invoices that are unpaid for the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Entities are indicated in Annexure A.

DWS AND ENTITIES	INVOICES PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS	MORE THAN 30 DAYS (aa)	MORE THAN 60 DAYS (bb)	MORE THAN 90 DAYS (cc)	MORE THAN 120 DAYS (dd)	TOTAL	REASONS FOR NON-PAYMENT
DWS MAIN ACCOUNT AND WATER TRADING	0	0	0	0	29	29	The bulk of the unpaid invoices relate to unfunded interventions in previous financial years of operation and maintenance. The other invoices relate to War on Leaks projects which are still under dispute.
		0	0	0	29	R 159 257 504
AMATOLA WATER	62	32	24	24	330	472	It is envisaged that the payment for the outstanding supplier invoices will be made when funds are available and in line with contractual conditions of payment.
		R 23 776 089	R 13 390 551	R 20 230 151	R 208 490 605	R 280 953 237
BLOEM WATER	13	2	3	1	7	26	To be settled within 30 days
		R 3 002 7453.68	R 59 499.71	R 80 548.71	R 203 602.45	R 3 346 394.55
LEPELLE NORTHERN WATER	41	7	6	13	15	82	Projects implemented on behalf of DWS amounting to R8.9m are still in dispute and will be settled upon submission of requested information. It is envisaged that most of the outstanding invoices will be settled by end of March.
		R 18 092 000	R 13 643 000	R 21 845 000	R 348 509.00	R 402 090.00
MAGALIES WATER	52	0	0	0	24	76	There are 22 invoices relating to the Department of Water and Sanitation on raw water purchases, amounting to R73,6 million. There is a payment arrangement of R10 million payment every quarter. There is one invoice of R378 652,49 relating to capital works, which has a retention period provision. The invoice will be paid once the quality of work has been verified and there are no defects. This will be an indicator for the completion of the retention period.
		R0	R0	R0	R77 257 696,90	R103 027 850,91
MHLATHUZE WATER	124	8	1	1	11	145	All outstanding invoices have queries, they will be settled once all queries are addressed. It is envisaged that all outstanding invoices will be settled by end March 2022.
		R692 406	R14 561	R102 479	R27 529 271	R33 504 326
RAND WATER	168	35	10	3	12	228	All outstanding invoices due to unresolved queries (Incorrect invoices not matching the services that has been rendered and/or delivered. Supplier delays sending actual Tax invoices) will only be settled once the disputes are resolved.
		R18 846 242	R29 517 604	R4 614 058	R373 893 847	R 722 106 186
SEDIBENG WATER	28	88	30	23	126	295	Invoices to be cleared upon receipt of payments from customers. These invoices will be settled by end March 2022.
		R45,826,610	R79,503,312	R16,582,170	R4,911,924,689	R5,065,396,849
WRC	1	0	0	0	1	2	All outstanding invoices have queries, they will be settled once all queries are addressed. It is envisaged that all outstanding invoices will be settled by end March 2022.
		None	None	None	R135 500	R141 411

---00O00---

Reply:

The construction of toilet top structures in Kutlwanong, Kagisho and Phomolong within the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation and implemented by the Sol Plaatje Local municipality.

The municipality appointed Makone Consulting Engineers as the consulting engineers and Renaissance Skills Centre as the contractor for the construction of 320 toilet top structures. Construction commenced on 24 March 2021 and was anticipated to be completed by 22 November 2021. However, delays were encountered due to non-payment of labourers by the contractors which resulted in labour unrest and works stoppages.

The contractor submitted a request for extension of time, which was not approved by the Municipality. The Municipality has committed to completing the remaining works utilising internal resources. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by end June 2022.

---00O00---

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Reply:

Answering these questions would require extensive research, as they relate to a period spanning four decades. This is compounded by the unreliability of some of the information, which relates to activities undertaken during the apartheid era. For example, some of the projects that were undertaken during the apartheid era were secret projects that were not properly or fully recorded. Therefore, the information required to answer the questions is not available.

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Reply:

1. Yes, intergovernmental assessment to determine the ability and/or preparedness of municipalities to implement the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, Act 46 of 1998 (AARTO) has been conducted from 2015/16 Financial Year with the most recent readiness assessment completed in the current financial year 2021/22.

The readiness assessments were conducted in all 9 (nine) provinces and covered 213 Metro/Municipal jurisdictions. The readiness assessment scope sought to establish the following:

1.1 Whether an issuing authority has an issuing authority code and user group office code as per NaTIS system;

1.2 Whether all key actors have been trained i.e. law enforcement, data capturers and cashiers;

1.3 Whether the requisite IT equipment has been installed;

1.4 Whether all the SLAs between IAs and SAPO, GPW & RTIA are in place(this relates to printing and posting as well as the availability of stationery);

1.5 Whether all actors are registered on the system;

1.6 Whether Back Office and Camera enforcement system is managed by the IA or an external service provider; and

1.7 Whether the service provider is linked to National Contraventions Register (to establish whether the service provider is AARTO ready).

2. My Department in the process of rolling out AARTO engaged with the MEC’s for Transport and Community Safety and Minister of Justice & Correctional Services requesting their concurrence in the promulgation of the AARTO regulations. All MEC’s within the Road Transport Management portfolio with the exception of Western Cape provided their concurrence to the Department to proceed with the envisaged National AARTO rollout.

Furthermore, there is already a National AARTO National Steering Committee comprising of the Provinces and Municipalities tasked with monitoring the readiness to implement AARTO, I will look at that report and should the need arise to engage the MEC’s on the provincial readiness before the final implementation.

Reply:

1. The Department of Human Settlements has:

(a) An expenditure on catering of R 47 306 107.81 for the period stipulated

(b) An expenditure on entertainment of R 166 708.04 for the period stipulated

(c) An expenditure on accommodation for:

(i) Minister R 1 171 035.97; and including her staff R 5 278 335.85

(ii) Deputy Minister R 849 375.85; and including her staff R 3 182 717.12

(iii) The Department R 23 449 728.33

Reply:

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Reply:

Answering these questions would require extensive research, as they relate to a period spanning four decades. This is compounded by the unreliability of some of the information, which relates to activities undertaken during the apartheid era. For example, some of the projects that were undertaken during the apartheid era were secret projects that were not properly or fully recorded. Therefore, the information required to answer the questions is not available.

Reply:

Answering these questions would require extensive research, as they relate to a period spanning four decades. This is compounded by the unreliability of some of the information, which relates to activities undertaken during the apartheid era. For example, some of the projects that were undertaken during the apartheid era were secret projects that were not properly or fully recorded. Therefore, the information required to answer the questions is not available.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

1. Background

The National Development Agency (NDA) was appointed by the Department of Social Development (DoSD) in December 2019 to coordinate and implement, on behalf of the Department, the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA): Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) through appointment of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who will provide direct and indirect support to victims of gender-based violence and femicide.

The total amount for the Programme transferred to the NDA in 2020 was R95 million. R90 million was allocated for CSOs funding while R5 million was allocated for a mentorship programme for emerging CSOs. The NDA Board approved 312 CSOs to receive the funding to the amount of R85 700 000.00 to implement GBVF programmes in communities across all nine Provinces. The balance of R4 300 000.00 from the R90 000 000.00 was not committed in the first call for proposals. Moreover, there was a R3 400 000.00 saving made from the initial approved list. The total funds available for the second call for proposals is R7 700 000.00 based on the balance from the first call for proposals and the savings cited above.

2. Response to Questions

(a)(i) The total number of proposals received as a response to the NDA CARA second call for proposals was 313. However, only 186 complied to the closing time for the call for proposals which was 21 October 2021, 12:00 noon and therefore were assessed for possible funding.

(a) (ii) The names of applicants received in each Province for the CARA funds second call for proposals, with information on district, physical address, contact details is attached as Register 1.

(b) The document with the 186 assessed proposals (names of the organisations) and Provinces for the second call for proposals is attached as Register 1 whilst Register 3 indicates the 41 shortlisted proposals for verification.

(c) Each CSOs is allocated an amount of R200 000.00 per and would paid in two tranches after it was approved by the NDA Board, the second tranche is paid after the CSOs has submitted a reports stipulated in the contract between the CSO and the NDA.

(d) (i) To date the NDA has made payment of R40 350 000.00 to 296 Civil Society Organisations for first tranches.

(d) (ii) R26 450 000.00 has been paid to 189 Organisations for second tranche payments. Second tranche payments are made once the CSOs have met the conditions stated in the signed SLA for second tranche payment.

(e) The successful Organisations were identified through evaluation criteria set by the Project Steering Committee responsible for assessment of all proposals submitted for funding of CSOs for the implementation of the CARA programme. The criteria were part of the Terms of Reference included in the second call for proposals to ensure that CSOs were aware of it at the time of preparation and submission of the proposals. The ToRs and criteria are attached as Annexure A.

Reply:

The Department, as well as SASSA considers it as a top priority to ensure that every client is attended to with dignity at all times when visiting our offices or interacting with all SASSA staff. With regard to the Walvis Bay office, a senior delegation recently visited Walvis Bay. The purpose of the visit was to prepare the environment for the review project which is currently underway, but also to engage stakeholders in Walvis Bay and the SASSA staff member to address the complaints which had been received.

The local office in Walvis Bay has not been adequately resourced, which has given rise to frustrations from both the staff member and the members of the community. This is being addressed to ensure that the environment is conducive to the service provided.

One of the targets set in the operational plan for 2022/23 is to conduct a satisfaction survey to obtain feedback from service users which will be used to inform a service delivery improvement plan. In addition, training for staff on customer care matters as well as legislative requirements is planned for the new financial year.

The other target which has been set for SASSA is to develop and implement a comprehensive customer services strategy, which will enable SASSA to measure and report on aspects directly related to the clients we serve and ensure the upholding of the Batho Pele principles.

The Department believes that the above interventions will go a long way towards ensuring that SASSA provides a customer centric service at all times.

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Reply:

(1)

The ECD Stimulus allocation was allocated to the National Department of Social Development on condition that it will become part of the 2020 ECD Conditional Grant and therefore implementation by the provincial Departments of Social Development. These conditions were set by the National Treasury and approved within the “Division of Revenue Act.

The National Department of Social Development has since the inception of this project, centralised the application process since no systems were in place for the implementation of this project, given the informal nature of the ECD sector.

However, the Department developed a policy that guided the implementation of this project. The policy clearly indicated the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders including the provincial Departments of Social Development.

The Department also further received technical support from DG Murray Trust (DGMT), who assisted in management of the implementation of the project and attended to communication matters that related to this project. DGMT appointed the service provider in this regard.

DGMT advised that they are financially constrained and cannot continue financially supporting the project.

It is against this background that national Department of Social Development decentralised some of the activities that include staff and site verifications. Site verification was already done by provinces. The National Department remained with the technical part of the project which is batch generation.

(2)

This shift has no impact in the payment of ECD programmes as some of the provinces were already verifying the ECD programmes to confirm that they are paying the right ECD programmes. During sessions held with provinces led by HODs, provinces showed willingness and commitment to consolidate the project by paying those ECD programmes that qualify to be paid.

(3)

The National Department engaged the provincial Department teams led by HODs about the shift in responsibilities and decentralisation. The only issue raised during these engagements was training of officials to carry out the responsibilities which was done by both the service provider and the national departmental officials. The provinces committed to projectized the project. Provinces developed project plans and submitted to National, which are continuously monitored through different departmental structures.

(4) (a)

It should be noted that training was provided to provinces to prepare them for the execution of their new roles. Continuous support is provided to those provinces that need support. This include the functioning of help desks where officials at national level are deployed to assist in managing and resolving issues when necessary. Continuous monitoring of the implementation of this project is also done through meetings nationally and with individual provinces.

(b)

It is the intention of the department to finalise payment by the end of March 2022. It should be noted that the majority of the ECD programmes have been requested to correct their information, with only few responding to the call. Some staff members of the ECD programmes have on a repeated basis failed verification despite correction of information, same with bank verification. This could imply that these applicants and staff are non-existent and therefore should this pattern continue the department will be left with no option but to pay those who qualify and close the project.

Reply:

In August 2010, Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs partnered with the Housing Development Agency (HDA) to, assist the Department with among other things, to ensure accelerated delivery of Sustainable Human Settlements in the Province.

In May/ June 2021, the Limpopo Department of Human Settlements appointed Housing Development Agency (HDA) as the implementing agent for the the construction of Transitional Residential Units (TRUs) following an assessment of the residential situation at Talana Hostel, Tzaneen, where it was evident that the settlement was highly congested and posed a risk of spreading the cvid-19 virus.

The Agency, in turn, appointed the contractor, Aventino Group CC through its procurement processes to carry out the actual work of construction of Transitional Residential Units (TRUs) at a total cost of R15 750 000 for supply and installation of basic engineering services for 142 Transitional Residential Units (TRUs). To date the Agency paid a total amount of R2 577 640 00 after the completion of forty (40) out of 142 TRUs. The money was paid in two (2) tranches) of R1 095 497 on 22 July and R1 482 143 on 24 July as reflected in the bank records of Aventino. The cost per unit, according to the appointment letter, amounted to R64 441 00. Specification for the construction of the TRUs were set out in the scope of work (Terms of Reference). A written contract was entered into between the Housing Development Agency and Aventino.

After the media uproar and public outcry following the official handover of the Transitional Residential Units (TRUs) by the Premier, the Department of Human Settlements requested the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to conduct an investigation into the TRUs. The findings of the investigation revealed the following,

1. The defects found in the TRUs are major structural and non-structural defects
2. The TRUs are not safe and pose a public health and safety hazard to inhabitants and other persons in their vicinity, and
3. The workmanship is generally poor and doesn’t meet the level of accuracy required in building construction.

Based on the findings of NHBRC investigation, the Housing Development Agency appointed a law firm (ENS) to assist with the internal investigations into allegations against its employees. Subsequently, three (3) officials were placed on precautionary leave and subject to disciplinary process. One of the officials has since resigned from the organization and the other two were issued with final written warnings as part of consequence management.

Furthermore the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) conducted an investigation with regard to this contract/ tender. To date, the Director of Aventino as well as the Housing Development Agency (HDA) Manager who was involved in the awarding of tender were arrested.

Based on the investigation conducted by the hawks and the public protector office, it is confirmed that there were no officials from the Department who were involved in the awarding of tender for 142 temporary Transitional Residential Units (TRUs). The contractor was appointed and paid by the Housing Development Agency. It must be noted that, the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs had not transferred any funds to Agency for this contract.

Reply:

This CARA fundeding prioritised funding of CSOs in under resourced areas including township and rural areas. More victims of Gender Based Violence in these under resources areas are able to access services from these CARA funded CSOs. This CARA funded project has overall contributed towards increased accessibility of victim empowerment services to victims of gender based violence.

77 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) funded through this fund are classified as emerging due to inadequate project management, governance and financial management capacity within these CSOs. The process of implementing the mentoring and coaching programme is underway. R5 million of CARA funding was budgeted for implementation of mentoring and coaching for emerging CSOs. This mentoring and Coaching is underway.

It should however be noted that the process of conducting evaluation study on the CARA funded projects has been initiated and the final evaluation report will provide more reliable findings regarding the impact of this CARA funded project.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The Member is informed that question 1902 on 22 October 2021 was asked to and responded by the Minister of Finance and not the Minister of Social Development. However, the response follows.

1. The allocation of the R496 million, when announced and allocated as part of the 2020 Conditional Grants, was based on the “Equitable share formula” to the provincial Departments of Social Development and not based on the applications of ECD staff.

As a result, six (6) of the nine (9) provincial Departments of Social Development received more funding that was required in terms of the number of ECD staff applied. The remaining three (3) provinces had a shortfall based on the number of applications received.

This has resulted that the six (6) provincial Departments of Social Development could only request roll over funds that was committed in terms of ECD staff at financial year-end and three (3) provinces could only commit what was allocated. As a result of this, the R41 million difference was lost and was returned back to National Treasury.

Therefore, the National Treasury only approved the requests by provincial Departments of Social Development for “Roll over funds” to the 2021/22 financial year based on the actual commitments registered for outstanding ECD Staff that was eligible for payment and thus approved that R351 million be rolled over to the 2021/22 financial year to the provincial Departments of Social Development.

2. In terms of the guidelines of the National Treasury for the “Roll over of Funds”, it is not permitted to apply for rollovers twice for the same purpose. However, given the nature of the ECD stimulus, the Department intends to engage the National Treasury to request for a roll over to finalise the payment of the ECD Stimulus Package in the 2022/23 financial year.

The Department of Social Development and Basic Education will engage the National Treasury on how best this project can be concluded in the 2022/23 financial year.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Fund requests for and collects all outstanding information. The outstanding information will either relate to medical information from medical service providers or information from the employer, member or beneficiary to support the claim further.

Requests are sent, together with periodic follow up reminders, to the employer for the outstanding information. All parties, however, are responsible to ensure that the Fund receives any requested information.

Reply:

a) (i) (aa) 1

(ii) 0

b) (i) 1

(ii) 0

(c) The accused was due for retirement when the case was finalised at the CCMA which was in favour of the employee, therefore the disciplinary hearing did not happen as he was already out of the system. The department paid the compensation to the employee to the value R160 118.88 as result of the arbitration outcome.

END.

Reply:

Vaccines are intended to prevent infection or reduce the severity of infection when it occurs. Most vaccines used in the prevention of illnesses are injectable.

In contrast, oral antiviral therapies are generally indicated for the treatment of infections when they occur. Therefore, the purpose of the vaccine compared to oral antiviral therapies are different, and they should not be considered as alternatives.

The role of the National Department of Health is to identify medicines which are safe, effective, cost-effective and affordable for inclusion in the Essential Medicines List. Medicines on the list are then procured for use in the public sector. To date, no antivirals against Covid-19 have met the criteria to be included on the Essential Medicines List.

Manufacturers are responsible for decisions regarding where medicines are manufactured. One of the key considerations that will inform the viability of local manufacturing is the volumes that may be intended for use that will produce the economies of scale leading to affordable prices. The required volume is informed by the size of the population that will benefit from a particular therapy.

END.

Reply:

a) The total number of inspectors posts is = 1 951

• The total number of filled inspectors’ posts as at on the 30th of March 2022 is = 1 785
• The total number of inspectors vacant posts is = 166.
• A vacancy rate of 8.50%
• The rate of filled posts is at 91.50%

b) The standard set is that 100% of all vacancies are expected to be filled within 4 months of being vacant.

The following table depicts the status quo with regards to progress on the filling of vacancies per province:

	EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MP	NC	NW	WC	TOTAL
Total vacancies	10	11	72	16	13	8	9	9	18	166
Number of vacancies advertised	2	1	33	7	3	4	2	2	6	60
Number of vacancies at shortlisting stage	4	2	11	0	0	3	3	6	4	33
Number of interviews conducted	2	4	14	2	0	0	2	0	1	25
Number in the process of being filled/issued with letters	2	4	14	7	10	1	2	1	7	48

Reply:

(a) The figures of cases which are being prepared for deportation are 323.

(b) Illegal foreign nationals who are detected as illegal in the country, but found to have children or family units are issued with Orders to Depart and not deported, in order to allow them time to make their own arrangements to leave the country.

(i) Children born in the Republic

In cases where parents do not have legal status, they are issued with Orders to Depart from the country with the minor child, as they are attended to in the spirit of family unit principle.

(ii) Children attending schools in the Republic

All learners in schools (South African or foreign national) are managed primarily by the Department of Basic Education, whose policy allows for provisional registration over a 90-day period. At the end thereof, a study visa or proof of application at the Visa Facilitation Services must be submitted.

In cases where minors are unaccompanied, the Department of Social Development (DSD) becomes involved when requested to perform a background verification of the child, and this would be done with the Social Development and, International Red Cross where, necessary in the country of origin.

After tracing the child’s family, the family’s immigration status in the country is also verified. The DSD prepares report and can apply through the Children’s Court for a court order to place the child or relocate them to their country of origin.

END

Reply:

The National Department of Health is still sourcing this information from the provinces. As soon as this information has been collated, it will be furnished to the Honourable member and Parliament.

END.

Reply:

The 1 303 609 claims that were migrated from the old systems included claims that were finalised and those that were still current at the time of migration. These claims have been finalised and the Fund is presently dealing with current claims.

Reply:

The Department of Corporative Governance (DCOG) together with MISA, all provincial departments responsible for local government and provincial treasury departments, under the leadership of the Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), prepared the State of Local Government report 2021.

The reasons for the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) was found to be dysfunctional with challenges in all pillars namely political, governance, administrative, financial & service delivery. All these challenges contribute to the MMM not able to sufficiently deliver basic services such as waste removal and fixing of leaking sewerage pipes.

It is for that reason that Mangaung Metro has since been placed under section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa; read together with Section 150 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (MFMA) to deal with challenges identified above.

 

 

Reply:

a) (i) Nil

(ii) Nil

(aa) Nil

(bb) Nil

b) (i) Nil

(ii) Nil

(iii) Nil

c) Nil

 

 

N LETSHOLONYANE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CORPORATE SERVICES

DATE:

QUESTION FOR WITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: PQ 880 [NW1061E]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 MARCH 2022

Recommended/not recommended

M TSHANGANA

DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

__________________________________________________________________________

Approved/Not approved

MS M T KUBAY, MP

MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) I have been informed by the Department that:

(a) There are two pumps at the ESSEX pump station.

(b) Only one pump is operational.

(2)

(a) They are serviced monthly by DPWI Workshops personal.

(b) They were last serviced on 17th March 2022.

(3) The pumps were installed in 2019. One pump is in a good working condition and the other one is overheating due to ceased bearings and it is undergoing repairs.

(4) The faulty pump was discovered during the monthly servicing which took place on the 17th March 2022. The Facilities Management unit is in the process of requesting a quotation from the service provider who services the pump in order to determine whether the replacement cost can be accommodated under day to day servicing or if the replacement will need to be registered under planned projects.

Reply:

The Compensation Fund Board has been established in terms of section 12 of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act as an Advisory Board to advise the minister on policy matters.

It is not an Accounting Authority of the Fund and as such not involved in the day to today operations of the Compensation Fund.

Reply:

The oral antivirals, Molnupiravir and Paxlovid® (ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir), are indicated for use in the treatment of COVID-19 infections. These antivirals are indicated for use in ambulant patients and not in patients with more severe disease. Therefore the benefit of these agents for widespread use requires careful consideration as not all patients would be eligible to receive these traetmnets. Furthermore, the clinical trials for both agents were conducted in the unvaccinated population.

Additionally, Paxlovid is associated with significant drug-drug interactions with many commonly used agents in the management of comorbidities such as diabetes, epilepsy and HIV, i.e. high risk populations for COVID-19 infections. Significant training will be required to ensure its safe use in the target populations.

The aim of vaccination is to prevent morbidity and mortality. Vaccination has been proven to be a key intervention to prevent infections, or the severity of infections, in order to reduce the loss of life and to mitigate the public health and economic impact of the pandemic and end the acute phase of the global pandemic.

END.

Reply:

We are still verifying information; we will revert to you as soon as it has been finalised.

Reply:

The Department is aware of the tension between workers from Zimbabwe and Lesotho in the Robertson area that is approximately 40 kilometres outside the town of Worcester. In the Departments’ engagement with the Municipality and Law Enforcement, we were informed that employers are using unregistered Labour Brokers to recruit workers from Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

The DEL met some of the employers through the assistance of the Municipality and informed them that from the week of 11 April to 14 April we will be inspecting, through a blitz inspection programme, approximately 200 farms in the area to determine compliance with labour laws, including the registration of Labour Brokers as Temporary Employer Services. This will be done in collaboration with the Dept. of Home Affairs and the South African Police to ensure the smooth progress of the event. Any non-compliance found will be dealt with in terms of the prescripts of the law.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

a) and (c) Yes, consequence management has been initiated against the officials who are alleged to have had a hand in irregular appointments at a national and regional offices of the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. The disciplinary hearings are chaired by independent chairpersons who are practicing advocates. One hearing was completed in 2020 with not guilty findings. A second hearing is nearing conclusion, but has been postponed to 20-22 April 2022. A third hearing took take place on the 30 March 2022. Furthermore, the Department has, in May 2019, lodged a court application to review and set aside the irregular appointments at the Labour Court. The date of this hearing is in May 2022.

Response with respect to North West Provincial office:

b) Yes, there is consequent management that is being applied against the officials who have been found to have had a hand in irregular appointments at Provincial Department of Public Works and Roads.

• There are three (3) cases which are currently in the process of consequence management with two (2) of the contracts being further investigated by forensic auditors

• Furthermore, there are seventeen (17) contracts currently in the process of forensic investigation with one of the terms of reference being to identify responsible official(s).

Upon completion, consequence management will be implemented as per recommendations.

NB: Kindly note that with respect to other Provincial Public Works and Roads offices, the question should be directed to their responsible MECs.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) (i) Two

(ii) Two

b) The Board of the IDT is appointed for a period of four years with effect from the date when the Trustees received their letter of authority, dated 05 July 2021.

c) The Accounting Authority is the Board of Trustees. The following are the names of the Board members:

1. Ms Tebogo Malaka: Chairperson, but currently acting as the CEO.
2. Ms Zimbini Hill: Interim Chairperson
3. Mr Timothy Sukazi
4. Dr Michael Sutcliffe
5. Mr Krishen Sukdev
6. Ms Lerato Kumalo
7. Ms Karabo Joyce Siyila
8. Ms Nthabiseng Mkhwanazi
9. Prof Raymond Nkado
10. Mr Mpilo Mbambisa
11. Mr Lufuno Nevondwe
12. Ms Rehana Parker

d) i) The details of posts with officials in an acting capacity are as follows:

• Regional General Manager: North West Office

• General Manager: Portfolio Management Services

• Executive Head: Corporate Services Unit

• Regional General Manager: Limpopo Office

• Regional General Manager: Mpumalanga Office

• Senior Manager: Legal Services

• General Manager: Financial Management

• Project Accountant – National Office

• Senior Business Analyst

• Human Resource Development Manager

• Personal Assistant to the CEO

• Programme Manager: Northern Cape

• Committee Officer

• Manager: Employee Relations

ii) These posts have not been permanently filled is due the history of the IDT, whereby the entity has been confronted with a going concern for the last 10 years. The IDT has gone through several phases of turnaround, of which the strategy of 2017 identified the most desirable organisational structure that reduced the staff complement to 310. However, there was a skewed balance between project management and admin staff. The latter formed the majority. There was a process of right-sizing the organisation that was required to be undertaken. The financial challenges and the uncertainty of the future of the IDT led to some of staff leaving. Since 2020, some of the vacant posts could not be filled because the IDT was not generating adequate funding to cover the employee costs.

iii) To date, the progress on filling vacancies is as follows:

• New appointments - the positions below were filled:
• Chief Financial Officer.
• Chief Audit Executive.
• Company Secretary.
• General Manager: Corporate Services Unit.
• Senior Manager: Risk and Compliance.
• 2 Internal Auditors.
• General Manager: Portfolio Management Services – To be advertised on 3 April 2022
• Executive Head: Project Management Services Unit (PMSU) – Position on advert stage.
• Senior Manager: Legal Services – Position advertised.
• General Manager: Financial Management – Negotiations and offer stage.
• Project Accountant – Priority list for advert.
• Manager: Employee Relations - Position advertised.
• Chief Information Officer - Position advertised.
• General Manager: Supply Chain - The position was re-advertised on 13 February 2022.
• Executive Manager: Corporate Services Unit - Position to be re-advertised.
• Supply Chain Practitioners – at shortlisting stage.

Reply:

864. (a) (b) (c) (i) (ii)(iii)

All expenditures in relation to catering, entertainment and travel and subsistence including accommodation are disclosed in the audited Annual Financial Statements. The expenditure for the 2019/20 financial year was disclosed in the audited Annual Financial Statements of the former departments of Trade and Industry and Economic Development Department and the expenditure for the 2020/21 financial year was disclosed in the audited Annual Financial Statements Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The current financial year’s audited Annual Financial Statements will be available in September 2022.

Catering:

The accounting records reflects expenditure on a cost centre level and according to the departmental records, the following amounts were spent for Ministry on catering which covers catering for meetings convened by Minister, Deputy Ministers and/ or the staff of Ministry. Catering covers refreshments, light meals or snacks.

Cost centre	2019/20	2020/21	Total
Ministry	R53 870	R22 292	R76 162

Entertainment:

The departments have spent the following amounts on entertainment for Ministry which largely cover expenditure for dinner meetings on international trips with international counterparts.

Cost centre	2019/20	2020/21	Total
Ministry	R10 556	R0	R10 556

Accommodation:

The departments have spent the following amounts on accommodation for Ministry which covers local and international accommodation booked for Minister, Deputy Ministers and/ or the staff of Ministry.

Cost centre	2019/20	2020/21	Total
Ministry

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Reply:

Molnupiravir and Paxlovid® (ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir) are oral antiviral agents that have been reviewed by the National Essential Medicines List (NEML) Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on COVID-19 Therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 in ambulant patients.

The current rapid reviews or advisories, based on available published evidence at the time are accessible from the National Department of Health website. As evidence on COVID-19 therapeutics is emerging rapidly, the MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics reviews are routinely updated when new evidence becomes available. The MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics considers a range of factors apart from efficacy and safety when making recommendations.

The rapid review of molnupiravir, issued on 20 December 2021, was based on the available published evidence at the time which was a single randomised controlled trial by Bernal et al. (2021). Based on this data, a conditional recommendation was proposed by the MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics that molnupiravir not be used for the management of COVID-19 in ambulant unvaccinated patients.

However, in March 2022, more information has been released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the form of a supplement to the published WHO living guidelines: Safety and efficacy of molnupiravir compared to standard care/placebo. The NEML MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics will thus be reviewing this additional evidence to update the rapid review. Based on this new data, the recommendation may or may not be revised.

Similarly, for ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), a conditional recommendation was proposed against it’s use for the treatment of COVID-19. The evidence base for the rapid review report dated the 14 March 2022, was a single randomised controlled trial of ambulatory unvaccinated adult patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were at high-risk for progression to severe COVID-19. This antiviral has the potential for many drug-drug interactions (including anti-epileptic and anti-diabetic medicines, protease inhibitors amongst others) and therefore given the potential safety risks associated with its use patient and healthcare worker- education would be required.

Products have yet to be registered in South Africa, and the NEML MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics will be updating the review, when there is more information on the availability and pricing of generic products.

Both antivirals requires rapid access to definitive diagnosis and initiation within five days of the onset of symptoms and is contra-indicated in pregnancy, requiring women of childbearing potential to take effective contraception.

However, it is important to note that these oral antiviral formulations do not replace vaccination for prevention of COVID-19, but as treatment, once infection occurs.

END.

Reply:

The National Minimum Wage is enforced through the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Act 7 of 2018: s65 to s75.

All the employers that transgressed the NMWA were brought to book.

As at the end of quarter 3 in the current financial year; the following was the outcome in this regard:

Number of BCEA and NMWA inspections conducted	126 261
Number found to be non-compliant	6 060
Number of notices issued	6 060
Amount of money recovered due to underpayment of the NMW	R19 684 305.00
Number referred for prosecution due to failure to comply with expired notices	809

:

Reply:

a) There were no incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault reported during the past three (3) financial years and since 1 April 2021.

b) and (c) There were no cases of sexual harassment opened/withdrawn and thus no sanctions had to be issued.

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