Questions and Replies

Reply:

(a) What are the reasons that his department has not provided bus stations in townships to serve as shelters for commuters of the bus rapid transit Go George similar to those in suburban areas?

The GO GEORGE public transport service does not differentiate between suburban and township areas, but rather between urban, peri-urban and rural contexts. In terms of this context, all urban areas in the Municipal area are accommodated in the same manner, using a phased infrastructure approach in areas where the bus service is implemented. This phased infrastructure approach includes the provision of stops, followed by the addition of shelters and other infrastructure as the service settles and the chosen routing and user patterns stabilise adequately.

These shelters are provided based on a warrant system, which considers several aspects and provides a priority weighting of which stops require shelters as budget becomes available. This weighting includes elements such as the number of passengers using a specific stop, the number of intersecting bus routes at that stop, pedestrian safety and exposure to the elements. The warrant also provides an indication of the size of shelter required.

(b) Does his department have any plans to build such waiting shelters?

At this point in time, the service has not yet been implemented in Thembalethu (Township) but the routes covering Thembalethu are in the planning and design process. Bus stops are currently being planned along these routes and once the service is implemented, shelters will be placed at the stops in a phased manner, based on budget availability and the outcomes of the afore-mentioned warrant weighting system.

Reply:

Item
	(i)Minister	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
(a)Catering		R250 116.50	R2 268.23	R846 620.54
(b) Entertainment		R3 942.86	N/A	N/A
(c)Accommodation	Foreign	R467 832.40	N/A	R517 439.79
	Domestic	R939 288.34	R159 237.37	R462 351.84
	(ii)Deputy Minister
(a)Catering		R8 573.70	R30 000.00	N/A
(b) Entertainment		R1 651.60	N/A	N/A
(c)accommodation	Foreign	R237 932.03	N/A	N/A
	Domestic	R584 789.89	R989 829.05	R1 277 926.79
	(iii)Other Officials
(a)Catering		R20 704 303.00	R3 457 792.24	R4 494 936.00
(b)Entertainment		R140 303.40	R3 159.10	R47 610.26
(c)accommodation	Foreign	R3 910 625.20	R10 683.04	R1 532 877.43
	Domestic	R54 594 428.70	R17 723 630.00	R36 457 309.90

Reply:

The Department of Cooperative of Governance has identified, through the 2021 State of Local Government Report, 64 municipalities as dysfunctional and needing urgent support. These high-risk municipalities are characterised by, among other things, political infighting, poor and weak decision-making, poor governance and financial management, lack of consequence management, poor collection of revenue, and poor response to service delivery complaints.

As at 24 August 2021, out of the 64 dysfunctional Municipalities, the following 26 were placed under administration:

KZN PROVINCE	Abaqulusi
	Emadlangeni
	iNkosi Langalibalele
	Mpofana
	Msunduzi
	Mtubatuba
	Umkhanyakude
	Umzinyathi
	Nquthu
	Uthukela
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	Kannaland
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	Mogalakwena
FREE STATE PROVINCE	Mangaung
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE	Amathole
	Enoch Mgijima
	OR Tambo
NORTHEN CAPE PROVINCE	Phokwane
GAUTENG PROVINCE	Emfuleni
	West Rand
NORTH WEST PROVINCE	JB Marks
	Madibeng
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	Emalahleni
	Govan Mbeki
	Lekwa
	Msukaligwa
	Thaba Chweu

Both National and Provincial Teams have already engaged all 64 dysfunctional municipalities, including the 29 which were placed under administration, to develop Municipal Support and Intervention Plans. Upon engagements with all dysfunctional Municipalities, the following short and medium-term interventions were developed, and are currently being implemented:

Short-term interventions as adopted by Cabinet

• Fast-track repairs and maintenance of water infrastructure, sanitation, repair potholes, energise streetlights, attend to sewer spillages;
• All municipalities to upscale their efforts relating to community participation and citizen engagement;
• Fight vandalism and theft of public transport infrastructure in collaboration with sector departments;
• Fight gangsterism and criminal activities in collaboration with SAPS and other departments;
• Operationalisation of the Structures and Systems Acts which coincides with the commencement of the next term of local government;
• Conduct an in-depth assessment of municipalities that are already under section 139 of the Constitution, and deal with areas that need urgent attention by amongst others deploying technical support teams, District Development Model Political Champions to unblock persistent challenges etc.

Medium-term interventions:

• Support municipalities to develop Asset Management Plans using 5% of MIG;
• Restrict land invasion and facilitate housing development; 
• Seek land and housing development opportunities closer to work opportunities;
• Provide equitable, consistent and accessible transport for the low-income groups;
• Support municipalities to ensure that all Senior Managers meet the minimum competency requirements as provided for in the Regulations;
• Appoint and deploy the Rapid Response Team to prioritize the 64 municipalities with high-risk indicators;
• Provinces to intensify support on MPACs to municipalities;
• Facilitate settlement arrangements with ESKOM & Water Boards on debt owed;
• Support municipalities with the improvement of their customer data management, records management and Information and Communications;
• Reduce debt owed to municipalities through “Pay for Services Campaign”.

Reply:

The Department is expediting the finalisation of the public transport subsidy policy that proposes specific measures that will be implemented in the short, medium and long term. The policy document makes recommendations for the subsidisation of the taxi industry. The Department is preparing the policy draft for submission to Cabinet for approval to embark on stakeholder consultation.

 

Reply:

Government has established the Presidential Commission on Fourth Industrial Revolution which has produced a report with proposals on the development of the country's overarching strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and made recommendations regarding the institutional frameworks, and roles of various sectors of society within the broader plan.

Amongst other things, the implementation plan which is monitored by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is focusing on the following Cluster-Based Programmes:

Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment & Infrastructure Development (ESIEID)

• Government Infrastructure Investment Smart Tender System: Digitisation of the tender process and adopt smart contracts (blockchain) to ensure transparency and public-private partnership initiatives to improve validation and verification.

• Advance public procurement model: In supporting 40% of all public procurement in South Africa being allocated to women-owned businesses, build an algorithm that will verify businesses and allocate government business accordingly.

Governance, State Capacity & Institutional Development (GSCID)

• Anti-fraud and corruption system: which will provide transparency in supply chain, and appointment of human resources. Develop and deploy mechanisms to be used to verify the processes; use blockchain to provide transparency and immutability.

• Public Sector Annual Performance Plan and Medium Term Strategic Framework system: Digitisation of the Annual Performance Plans for proper planning and ensure accountability on the MTSF. Develop a dashboard that will be used across the public administration to monitor performance and align the plans and projects to the NDP goals.

Social Protection, Community & Human Development (SPCHD)

• Advance the National Integrated Social Protection Information System (NISPIS): Integrate social development systems to ensure that the services are offered to the deserving beneficiaries, thorough verification, and validation is required. Align with the child protection act, where the sex offenders’ database is integrated with the NISPIS to ensure that children are not under the care of people in this database.
• Digital Identity: deploy the use of all features of the Smart ID, using convergent of technologies in institutions to safely and efficiently render services.

Justice, Crime Prevention & Security (JCPS)

• Use of vernacular languages in technologies: To promote and include the use of South African languages in economic activities. This will preserve local languages and allow vernacular communication with the global village.

• Establish a drone unit in the police force: For cost-effective surveillance, tracking and intelligence gathering. Drones are an alternative to using expensive helicopters.

• Digital court solutions: To improve the efficiency of court proceedings and secure data critical for prosecution.

International Cooperation, Trade & Security (ICTS)

• Digital visa integrated platforms to facilitate the movement of people in the continent.

• ACFTA integrated cross border systems for e-documents processing to facilitate the movement of goods, and to combat corruption in borders.

• Implement the application of satellite technology for remote sensing on ocean trade routes in combination with other platforms to ensure maritime safety and security, to fight piracy and improve harbours’ efficiency.

• END -

Reply:

(1)(a) The waiver was issued in 2016 long before I came to the Department and was never mentioned in any report. I was alerted to this waiver by the Director-General who himself was alerted by a phone interview on Thobela FM an SABC radio station, where a Zimbabwean citizen mentioned it.

(1)(b) In 2016 the Department only issued a waiver that allowed students who are studying towards a critical skill in terms of the old critical skills list of 2014, to be able to apply directly for permanent residence if they so opted. I am advised that this waiver was not in terms of the immigration laws and hence unlawful more so, it said the waiver is indefinite.

(2) Yes, the waiver has been withdrawn because we can’t perpetuate an illegality.

(3) No investigation has been conducted as graduates must ensure that they have the necessary valid visa if they stay in the RSA thereafter.

END

:

Reply:

One of the key interventions under the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is the Presidential Employment Stimulus, with over 850,000 opportunities created through job creation, job retention and livelihoods support programmes since October 2020. Eighty-five percent (85%) of jobs created by the Presidential Employment Stimulus have gone to youth. This includes over half a million young people placed as school assistants since the inception of the stimulus.

In addition, the National Youth Development Agency continues to focus on the development of startup and scale up youth micro enterprises. Over the last five years the National Youth Development Agency has supported more than 100 000 young people through non-financial interventions such as entrepreneurship training and business development services.

For example, over 7 000 young entrepreneurs have been supported with development finance support through grant funding. In the 2022 / 2023 financial year, the National Youth Development Agency will support 25 000 young people with non-financial interventions, and 3 000 youth entrepreneurs with financial interventions in their entrepreneurship initiatives.

The Department of Higher Education and Training is also working closely with different bodies within the private sector across key sectors of the economy to unlock skills support for young people. This work will look at accelerating the skills intervention component of respective sector Master Plans, and unlocking latent demand in key labour intensive growth sectors. In this regard, Government’s initial focus will be on digital and technology, agriculture, automotive, social and renewable sectors.

Government is working directly with the private sector through the Youth Employment Services, which is an initiative of the private sector to address the ever-increasing challenge of youth unemployment in South Africa. The outcome of this initiative is to place the graduates to the private sector for learnerships, and internship programmes.

-END-

Reply:

According to the National Treasury, amounts owed by Organs of State to municipalities have been quantified. The quantification is derived from the consolidated quarterly reports as provided for by section 71 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

According to the report for the second quarter ending December 2021, Municipalities are owed R19.5 billion by Organs of State. This is broken down into R8.2 billion owed by National Departments, R9.2 billion owed by Provincial Organs of State, and R2.1 billion owed in the category “Other” which consists of State Owned Institutions, Municipalities owing other municipalities, and in some cases Traditional Councils owing Municipalities. The following are the reasons for the continued escalation of inter-governmental debt:

• Provinces are struggling to keep up to date with increases imposed by Municipalities for services and property taxes;

• Allocations to Provincial Departments of Public Works and Infrastructure are not subjected to the same increases that Municipalities impose for services and property taxes. Municipal increases weigh much higher than the increases in the budget allocations to Departments;

• There are a large number of properties that still have the incorrect naming configuration. These properties are supposed to be in the name of Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, yet they still appear on the Deeds Registry as having names such as “RSA”, and other names from the old categorisation.  As a result of this challenge, Municipalities are not billing the correct custodian of the property, due to incorrect names in their municipal books.

• Another area of concern is that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure disputes many of the invoices issued by Municipalities, and questions the credibility thereof.

• The last area relates to properties that have no contractual arrangements in place. Most of these properties belong to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, yet there are other user Departments utilising the premises. In light of no contractual arrangements between the two parties, the bill remains unpaid to the Municipality, and accumulating arrears.

• END -

Reply:

(a)    R135 549 259.

(b)    EC: R13 893 274.12.

        FS: R11 970 558.79.

        GP: R47 000 000.00.

        KZN: R50 000 000.00.

        LP: The PED utilised the Norms and Standards funding for repairs.

        MP: R3 059 644.50.

        NC: R9 625 782.00.

        NW: The PED utilised School Norms and standards funding for repairs.

        WC: The PED utilised the Norms and Standards funding for repairs.

(c) All schools are fully operational.

(d) As per above.

(e) All schools were repaired or provided with mobile classrooms where required, and are fully operational.

Reply:

a) The Department of Transport developed the Green Transport Strategy (GTS), which was approved in 2018. The GTS establishes the national environmental policy directive for the transportation sector. It begins by identifying the transportation sector as the fastest-growing source of SA's GHG emissions, with road transport being the primary source, and emphasizes the importance of transitioning to an accessible, cost-reflective, and affordable low carbon transportation system. The Strategy considers a variety of policy interventions that could significantly reduce "GHG emissions and other environmental impacts from the transportation sector by 5% by 2050, thereby promoting economic growth and inclusive development."

The GTS also makes provision for discussing the outlook for green transport technologies in its implementation pillars. Implementation Theme no 8. specifies the following actions: i) Reduce the carbon footprint and over-reliance of petroleum-based fuels, by decarbonizing the transport sector, ii) Promote the use of alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) or biogas, and liquid biofuels, and iii) Promote and facilitate the uptake of electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell powered vehicles.

The policy statements from the GTS in its implementation themes as well as in its strategic pillars, have afforded the transport sector clear directives from the Department of Transport, as our predominant goal is to decarbonise the transport sector, and reduce the over-reliance on petroleum-based fuel in the sector, by promoting and encouraging the mass uptake of green transport technologies, including the mass uptake of electric vehicles.

Since the adoption of the GTS, and especially since the issue of electro-mobility is cross-cutting, the Department has been working in conjunction with other Departments such as DTIC (Department of Trade, Industry and Competition) on their work regarding automotive industry, specifically regarding new and efficient vehicle technologies.

Amongst the challenges identified were the, (i) range anxiety among consumers that became key in discussions around electric vehicles. Although this has dramatically been alleviated with the recent provisioning and upgrade of over two hundred charging stations throughout the country, it still remains a key challenge which we are constantly engaging among one another as government departments to resolve. (ii) The issue of the constrained power grid from ESKOM that also becomes a challenge for the overall uptake with a key issue of how these vehicles will be recharged should a major power outage should occur, or even during the regular load shedding intervals. There is also the issue of market stimulations of offering monetary incentives that other countries have incorporated into their ideals for the mass uptake of electric vehicles. The incentives can be offered to both the consumers and the manufacturers as was done in the areas around the EU such as Sweden, or Norway.

b) The Department is are also very cognisant however to the challenges that will occur for this shift in vehicle technology to occur, especially if it would be “mass uptake”.. The first challenge is that the tax regime (import duties) for electric vehicles in South Africa has created a situation of barrier to trade. Compared with the around 18% import duty currently added to the price of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine landing in South Africa, an all-electric vehicle is taxed by up to 25%, Thus pushing the electric vehicle out of the typical affordability market also puts the electric car into being classified as luxury, irrespective of the type, or model of the car. The import duties are currently being imposed by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition.

In the past rigorous, engagements between the two Departments, DOT and DTIC has occurred, on how to sufficiently manage the issues surrounding the import duties and how they are becoming a market barrier for the technological switch within the transport sector. To date the DTIC has developed a “Green Paper on New Energy Efficient Vehicles” which has the purpose of establishing a clear policy foundation that will enable the country to coordinate a long-term strategy that will position South Africa at the forefront of advanced vehicle manufacturing as well as advanced vehicle-component manufacturing. The strategy is complemented by a consumption leg, and a focus on increasing competitiveness in the global race to transition from the internal combustion engine era into electro-mobility solutions and technologies, and to help develop a roadmap to the local production of electric vehicles.

There are also efforts to build electric vehicles in SA, to keep our auto industry at the cutting edge of new market developments and to maintain our export capacity for key markets such as the EU and UK, whom have both set new targets and deadlines to reduce the number of fossil fuel reliant vehicles on their roads. We need charging infrastructure – and must expand beyond the existing two hundred charging points for electric vehicles in SA using the agreed SABS standards.

The ever-pressing issue of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives also becomes a challenge when dealing with making the electro-mobility market appealing to the consumer. The DTIC currently offers manufacturing incentives to OEMS’s in the country through their Automotive Incentive Scheme: the AIS provides for a non-taxable cash grant of 20% of the value of qualifying investment in productive assets for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and 25% of the value of qualifying investment in productive assets for component manufacturers and tooling companies, as approved by the DTIC: However, while these incentives are appreciated, they seem to be inadequate in ensuring that electric vehicles are competitively priced within the domestic market for both manufacturing of these vehicles and selling of the vehicles domestically.

The policy developments within each and between both the DOT and DTIC have created a shift as the country creates an enabling electro-mobility space. This new space within the vehicle industry will need intensive support from both the local OEM’s and government to ensure that there is seamless entry to the EV market throughout the whole value chain of electro-mobility. With the base of policy directive from the GTS and follow-up policy directive from the Auto Green Paper, there is a clear policy will form government regarding the uptake and implementation of EV’s within the South African car market.

Reply:

1. (a) The Department has not yet taken control of early childhood development centres; and therefore, would not be able to provide such information. the function shift will only take place in the 2022/3 financial year.

(b) and (c) The Department is not aware of any learner at primary or high school, who has been denied access to schooling due to lack of identity documents or birth certificate. Such documents have been outlawed as prerequisites for admissions by the Court of Law; and that the Department has issued Circulars and mediated the information to all provinces, Districts and schools.

 (2)   We are also not aware of learners who could not write  the National Senior Certificate examination in 2020, due to lack of identity documents.  A Circular to that effect by Umalusi, was distributed and mediated to all schools.    

                                                                                                             

Reply:

	Minister (i)	Deputy Minister (ii)	Department (iii)
Catering (a)	63,270	27,170	5,301,157
Entertainment (b)	56,535	20,292	350,045
Accommodation (c)	549,363	214,495	27,793,537

Reply:

The Human Resource Development Council established ten (10) Technical Task Teams based on the Five-Point Implementation Plan and focused on the following: Foundational Learning, TVET, Worker Education, Production of Academics and Stronger Partnerships between Industry and Higher Education and Training Institutions, Production of Professionals, Entrepreneurship and Education, Skills System Review, and Artisan Development as well as the Maritime Sector Skills. Broadly, the Technical Task Teams played a catalytic role towards the achievements of the Council.

Artisan Development

The Human Resource Development Council established a Technical Task Team on Artisan Development which assisted in ramping up the artisan development. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of competent artisans have steadily increased from 14 389 in 2014/15 to 24050 in 2019/20. Should this trajectory indeed be sustained, the country will be able to meet the National Development Plan target of producing 30 000 artisans per annum by 2030.

University Sector

The Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology has advised us that University enrolment at public institutions has increased from 495 356 in 1994 to 1 036 984 in 2017, indicating that the country is on course to reach the National Development Plan target of 1,6 million enrolments by 2030. The enrolments in Science, Engineering and Technology have increased with an average annual growth rate of 4,3% in 2017. The number of students graduating in technical fields in both Universities and Universities of Technology has also been increasing over the years.

 

TVET College Sector

Through the recommendations of the Human Resource Development Council, measures were put in place to reposition TVET as an important skills development sector to incrementally produce the required numbers of artisans. The TVET sector has expanded and enrolments amongst the youth. The TVET enrolment has increased from 358 393 in 2010 to 673 490 in 2019. This was made possible by mobilising government to make funding available to improve access, which has resulted in increased allocation for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

Maritime Skills

The Human Resource Development Council SA established the Maritime Sector Skills Technical Task Team in September 2013 to investigate blockages within the maritime skills development pipeline, and to propose measures that can be implemented to address those. The consequence of this intervention, amongst others, was the establishment of the South African International Maritime Institute which was funded by the National Skills Fund.

A considerable number of young people have benefited from the South African International Maritime Institute, as a result, some have been awarded bursaries, and scholarship to pursue maritime studies abroad.

 

In conclusion, the Human Resource Development Council has assumed the role of Human Resource Development pillar of the National Development Plan 2030 with an emphasis on “building the human resources required for an improved and competitive economy”. The location of Human Resource Development within the National Development Plan is intractably linked to achieving the broader socio-economic goals, including poverty alleviation, equity and social inclusion as central goals.

-END-

Reply:

The question has been referred to the North West Department of Education and a response will be provided as soon as it is received.

Reply:

(1)       (a) By what date will the systemic tests commence nationally and (b) what grades will the specified tests cover;

            The systemic tests commenced on 28 February 2022 and covers grades 3, 6 and 9.

(2)       whether all learners in those grades will be tested; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

           In line with international testing methods, an intact class is randomly selected in approximately 3000 sampled schools for participation. All learners in this class participate but the learners in the other classes do not. This methodology maintains that a random selection of learners is able to statistically represent the broader learner population. The selected class is not known to the school before the test administration and the test items are confidential. 

(3)       who has formulated the tests;

        The tests were developed by test development panels who have been appointed and specifically trained by the Department of Basic Education to set high quality test items using item response theory. 

(4)       whether the tests have been internationally benchmarked; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

            Yes, the tests and test items have been quality assured by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER)

(5)       whether the tests will be independently marked; if not, who will mark them; if so, what are the relevant details?    

            The tests have only multiple choice questions which are marked by a computer system. The marking is automated to reduce error and improve efficiency of resulting.                          

Reply:

(a) (i) The average national teacher-to-pupil ratio in 2021 was 1:31.4 (School Realities, published in January 2020). 

(ii) There is no regulated teacher-to-pupil ratio in South Africa. However, there is an established guideline that the average teacher-to pupil ratio at public ordinary schools should not be above 1:35 at primary and 1:40 at secondary schools. Although the afore-mentioned guideline which was established in terms of the Education Labour Relations Council's Resolution 4 of 1995 has since been replaced by the current post provisioning norms, it is being used as a point of reference.

(b) As indicated above, there is no regulated teacher-to pupil ratio in public education. 

Reply:

There has been no demand from the Department of Science and Innovation that South African scientists should not comment on the conflict in Ukraine. The Department has, however, advised the public entities reporting to the DSI, not to comment on the political aspects of the conflict, as these are matters of foreign policy, and it is the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which is the competent authority to comment on foreign policy for the South African Government.

Reply:

a) Sections 4(1)(b) and (c) of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act No. 62 of 1997) (“ESTA”) were applied to buy land for the Moyeni family. This section empowers the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to provide subsidies to facilitate the planning, acquisition and development of the land occupied or to be occupied by occupiers and former occupiers in terms of on or offsite developments. “Off site development” is defined in section (1) of ESTA as a development, which provides occupants with an independent tenure right on land owned by someone other than the owner of the land on which they resided immediately prior to such development. The Moyeni family therefore consented for the Department to purchase the farm described as Portion 2 of Longridge farm No 309, East London Registration Division as an offsite development. This has given them independent security of land tenure.

b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has recently transferred the property in full ownership to the family as the long-term occupiers who were about to be evicted; therefore, the Department will now apply section 4(1)(c) of ESTA which empowers the Minister to grant subsidies to the occupiers or their spouses or dependents of long-term occupiers to provide development support to the family. Any support that the family may require will be provided for in terms of this section.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

The Norms and Standards for safe operations of the tourism sector in the context of COVID-19 or any other pandemic were Gazetted under Section 7(1) of the Tourism Act no. 3, of 2014 on 3 December 2021, Notice no 696 of 2021. It is since then, effective and is implemented by the Tourism Sector.

Reply:

Honourable Member, this is a Labour matter between the employees and their employer. The Department of Tourism has no role in the matter.

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development was informed of shortages of some vaccines (including AHS) by the National Animal Health Forum on 29 November 2021.

(b) The Minister engaged both entities i.e. the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) as well as Industry, including the Animal Health Forum and instructed that measures be put in place to ensure continuity in vaccine production and availability. The Minister further advised that there should be closer collaboration between the Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research and OBP. The Minister also engaged with industry as recently as 21 January 2022 where the OBP provided updates on vaccine availability.

2. Yes, the OBP has taken steps to prioritise AHS vaccine production. Over and above considering the possibility of public private partnerships for the development of vaccines, the OBP has undertaken the following:

(a)(i) Revision of production schedule (December 2021) to address urgent vaccine shortages

(ii) Development and implementation of a short term maintenance plan to attend to critical equipment impacting negatively on vaccine production (December 2021)

(b) Below are the time lines provided by the OBP on availability of the AHS vaccine since urgent steps were taken to address shortages:

• December 2021 – AHS was available
• January 2022 – AHS was not available due to equipment failure
• February 2022 – AHS was available as of the 4th week of February

(3)(a),(b)(i),(ii) While consideration is being given to this, there have not been any active discussions on a public-private partnership arrangement with any company on the production and sale of AHS vaccine. However, related to further studies on the virus itself, there are existing arrangement with other State Owned Enterprises like the Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research on research to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine itself.

4. In exceptional circumstances, where there is no other product for the intended use, the Department may fast track the review of registration applications in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No 36 of 1947).  Where such products meet the requirement in terms of safety, efficacy and quality, registration may be granted within a short time frame. The details of speeding up the evaluations include the relevant industry making the request to speed up the evaluations, support of the need to make the vaccine available by the Director of Animal Health and consultations with potential manufactures of the that vaccine if available in the country and consideration by the Registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act 36 to urgently deal with the evaluation.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

1. The Onderstepoort Biological Products’ (OBP) last update of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine formulation was done in December 1994. There is no scientific evidence indicating that the AHS viruses in the field have mutated to the extent that it warrants a new formulation. Studies completed that looked at genetic variations of AHS field strains over a period of more than 40 years conclusively indicate that the level of genetic variation in AHS field strains do not warrant a review of the current AHS vaccine formulation.

2. (a)(i) OBP conducts vaccine safety, Innocuity, potency and sterility tests routinely as standard tests for the release of production batches with the option of immunological tests if warranted. The dates when the various batches were released in each of the past five financial years following potency and safety tests were in 02/2017, 06/2017, 08/2017, 10/2017, 12/2017, 02/2018, 04/2018, 07/2018, 09/2018, 10/2018, 12/2018, 03/2019, 05/2019, 06/2019, 07/2019, 10/2019, 02/2020, 05/2020, 06/2020, 08/2020, 09/2020, 02/2021/, 03/2021, 12/2021.

(a)(ii) Since April 2021 there was no production of AHS vaccines and therefore no tests were done between April 2021 and November 2021.

(b) The results obtained in these studies provided evidence that the OBP AHS vaccine generates protective immunity against field strains of AHS viruses and proved to be safe for use in horses.

3. Yes, there are certificates of analyses of all batches released in the past five years to date. Detailed study reports on AHS vaccine safety and efficacy as conducted by OBP are available in each project file for inspection within OBP premises. The OBP AHS vaccine has been evaluated by various authors as published in peer reviewed scientific articles, and the studies demonstrated safety and or efficacy of the OBP AHS vaccine. OBP is also ISO9001:2015 certified giving assurance that all batches passed meet specification for requirements.

4. Due to biosecurity concerns, approval of the applications in terms of section 20 of the Animal Diseases Act, Act 35 of 1984, for conducting efficacy and safety studies for experimental AHS vaccines is dependent on availability of a certified vector protected facility. The Minister has found out that the absence of these facilities is the main reason for the delays in the approval of the applications.

Reply:

1. Yes, the Department is able to monitor people serviced daily at its offices. The Department uses the Branch Queue Management System (BQMS) where tickets are issued to clients based on the type of services they seek from the Department. Thus, the Department is able to analyse the total number of clients serviced per day and for which services. Furthermore, the Department is piloting the Branch Appointment Booking System to live capture offices for Smart ID Card and Passports applications, as well as for the collections of both documents. This system will allow clients to make a booking (appointment) and visit the office on the day and time of the appointment without standing in queues. Currently ten (10) offices have been successfully rolled out with the Branch Appointment Booking System and the system is now available for clients to make use of it. The booking system has been piloted to 8 of the 24 offices identified for the financial year 2021/22. The remaining 16 sites will be piloted by 31 March 2022. With this system the Department will be able to monitor and evaluate services required and the number of people served daily at it offices.

(1)(a) N/A

(1)(b) Currently the office resource capacity is 1x Office Manager and 5x Front Office Clerks. Resource allocation is determined by the current fixed staff establishment.

The resources for the Department’s service points is based on the DHA Access Model and geographic access norms and standards. The department locates offices in line with the population concentration and the Access Model recommended a Small office in Stellenbosch based on the total population. The Department determines the resources of its service points based on the size of the office and the population threshold for that office. Thus, the adequate capacity (human resources and counters) for Stellenbosch office is determined at 41 officials and 17 counters that should serve clients efficiently. Furthermore the office size should be 1746, however, the existing office is approximately 406 in size which is less than the office norms required. The Department through the implementation of the DHA Access Model will be acquiring alternative accommodation for Stellenbosch office that aligns to the model office design. This will address the existing challenges pertaining to over-crowding, long queues inside and outside the office. Furthermore, the Department has developed a business case on funding compensation of employees (COEs) which will ensure that front offices are fully capacitated.

(2) On average approximately 222 clients queue in front of the Stellenbosch office on a daily basis. Queues are not cut off or limited to any specific number. According to the Access norms and standards, a Small office has a population threshold of 168 000 people per annum, translating to 811 clients per day. However, due to the office space constraints and internal capacity, the office can only accommodate client commensurate with the capacity, that is, 222 clients that queue in Stellenbosch daily.

(3)(a) No clients are admitted after 15h30. Operating office hours are from 07h30 to 15h30 daily from Monday to Fridays.

(3)(b) All clients in the office are served. However, clients waiting outside are informed by the office manager/ floor walker on a 2 hourly basis of the number of clients inside the office being processed and the systems functionality.

(4)(a&b) Yes, there are plans to strengthen capacity and recruiting additional front office staff ie. 1x Civic Services Supervisor and 3x Front Office Clerks, to increase the intake capacity of the office.

The Department has developed the norms in relation to internal capacity in line with DHA Access Model and facility standards. According to the facility standards, Stellenbosch office requires 41 officials and currently have only 6 officials. A recruitment process will be initiated by the Department in the month of March 2022.

The Department has also submitted the strategic accommodation requirements to DPWI to determine budgetary requirements for the department’s infrastructure in order to allow the Department to apply for capital budget from National Treasury. The capital budget will ensure that the Department constructs/ acquires fit-for-purpose infrastructure. The Department will capacitate offices as and when alternative accommodation is sought.

END

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a) The process of reviewing the Tourism Policy is in progress thus the Department cannot pre-empt or make pronouncements on the content.

b) MINMEC meetings are held quarterly depending on the availability of the MINMEC members.

c) (i) The Department of Tourism does not have policy and/or legislative responsibilities for Community Tourism Organisations (CTOs). The department acknowledges concurrent legislative competence and that local govenment is the sphere of government responsible for the development of local tourism including matters related to CTOs. The Department’s point of entry to community organisations is through Provincial and Local governments and the District Development Model.

(ii) The Department does not fund Community Tourism Organisations (CTOs). CTOs are independent associations based on voluntary participation by their membership. The organisations are responsible for their own operations including financial aspects thereof.

Hon Winkler, a key intervention of the Department in support for the protection of core tourism infrastructure and assets is the investment in the development of community owned tourism assets to support inclusive economic growth, product diversification and geographic spread.

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a) According to the Audit General of South Africa’s (AGSAs) report, a total of 869 tourist guides was reported to have had no identification numbers.

b) After conducting verifications, the Department found that all guides listed in this category had some form of identification captured against their names. This included passport/work visa numbers for non-South African citizens who, in terms of the Tourism Act, 2014 are also eligible to register as tourist guides. During the auditing process, the AGSA only verified South African identification numbers that were provided and not other forms of identification applicable to non-South African citizens. The Department has requested additional information from the respective Provincial Registrars regarding the type of identification number that was provided which will then be consolidated and sent to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for further authentication.

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	a) Make	b) Model	c) Year of manufacture	d) Price	e) Purchase date
(i) Minister: Two vehicles purchased; one based in Cape Town and the other in Pretoria. The details of the two vehicles are the same.	Volvo	XC60 D4 AWD G/T Inscription	2020	R700 000-00 per vehicle	20 March 2020
(ii) Deputy Minister: Two vehicles purchased; one based in Cape Town and the other in Pretoria. The details of the two vehicles are the same.	Volvo	XC40 D4-AWD G/T Momentum	2021	R700 000-00\ per vehicle	17 March 2021

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(a) and (b) The Honourable Member is referred to the following Annual Performance Reports for the details of irregular expenditure per financial year

Year
2017/18	Reported in 2018/19 financial year- Page 189, note 22 on irregular expenditure
2018/19	Page 189, note 22 on irregular expenditure
2019/20	Page 205, note 22 on irregular expenditure
2020/21	Page 153, note 22 on irregular expenditure
2021/22	To date- AR still to be issued

Year	Number of cases	Value
2017/18	6	R271 252-53
2018/19	22	R26 520 527-00
2019/20	9	R8 409 977-00
2020/21	7	R1 223 493-00
2021/22	2	R1 381 170-34

*Annual performance reports are available on the Department of Tourism’s website: https://www.tourism.gov.za/ResourceCentre/Pages/Reports.aspx

(c ) steps taken to make those responsible to account / consequence management.

The 9 irregular expenditure cases disclosed in 2020/21 and 2021/22 are under investigation. For the 2018/19 financial year 16 cases were attributable to implementing agents and 6 for the Department. For the 2019/20 financial year 8 cases were attributable to implementing agents and 1 case for the Department.

The 24 cases for implementing agents amount to R33 745 885-00 and make up the majority of the irregular expenditure cases both in number and value. These implementing agents did not apply procurement policies, which are aligned with the requirements as stipulated in the Department's SCM policy, when contracting with third parties but instead used their own policies. In these cases, together with the remaining 7 cases involving procurement by the Department, it was found that the Department had received value for money and no recoveries were applicable.

No officials could be held liable for this Irregular Expenditure and an educational approach was taken through engagements with Implementing agents to ensure that they use the procurement policies of the Department to prevent future cases of non-compliance. This has yielded results as is evidenced by the significant decline in irregular expenditure in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years to date.

Reply:

a) The online lecture for tourist guides was advertised through the website of the Department of Tourism and on social media platforms. Invitations were also sent to Provincial Registrars to disseminate to tourist guides on their respective registers.

b) About 300 tourist guides attended the live session held on 14 October 2021and about 250 tourist guides streamed the session via YouTube.

c) The Department spent R23 538.46 (excl. VAT) to purchase a webinar licence which was used for all webinars hosted by the Department during the financial year in question, including the webinar platform that was created to host the live lectures. All subject matter experts that delivered the lectures/presentations volunteered their services.

d) The only cost that was incurred for the lecture series was the licencing cost associated with the hosting of webinars.

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(a) The meeting with the CEO of Emirates, HH Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al, on 15 December 2021 focused on opportunities to be explored by both countries including investments, tourism and knowledge sharing around hosting of big events i.e. 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and World Expo Dubai 2020 as well as to intensify airlift collaborations. Emirates Airlines has a number of code-share agreements with South African airlines such as Airlink, Safair, etc., which cover the domestic as well as the regional (SADC) market. It was further proposed that Emirates Airlines should consider re-introducing Rooibos Tea on their airline, which is very popular in South Africa as an indigenous product of the country due to its health benefits.

(b) Both sides agreed that it is important to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Emirates Airlines and South African Tourism. Emirates indicated that with the MoU signed, they can drive demand to South Africa. The process to finalise the MoU is currently in progress and due to be signed soon.

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(1.) From the SANDF appreciation with specific reference to medical expertise and their ongoing assistance to the Department of Health, Cuba was the obvious choice to train and qualify medical specialists. Through Project Thusano, the Cubans also demonstrated their skills and knowledge in terms of the maintenance and repair of various technical capabilities. Cuba was the only country that has opened its training opportunities in bigger numbers to the SANDF and that could tailor make training programmes according to the SANDF's unique training requirements which is the most cost-effective way to train and qualify large numbers of military personnel.

(2) Based on the above motivation, the training provided to the SANDF by Cuba is currently the best possible training intervention available based on the unique SANDF training requirements.

 

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(1) (a) There are a hundred and five (105) SANDF members from all Services who departed to Cuba for the following training programmes at the end of August 2021:
(i) 30 x members for Senior Courses (SDSP & JSCSP).
(ii) 75 x members for various vocational/cadet training.
(b) From the SANDF appreciation with specific reference to medical expertise and their ongoing assistance to the Department of Health, Cuba was the obvious choice to train and qualify medical specialists. Through Project Thusano, Cuba also demonstrated their skills and knowledge in terms of the maintenance and repair of various technical capabilities. In addition, Cuba was the only country that has opened its training opportunities in bigger numbers to the SANDF and that could tailor make training programmes according to the SANDF's unique training requirements.

  (2) Only the extended courses i.e. medical and pilot courses are presented in Spanish which requires the one (1) year Spanish Language Training. All the other courses are presented in English.

(3) It is in the interest of the SANDF that members are conversant with other foreign languages including Spanish due to the multi-lateral military relationships of the SANDF with the international community.

(4) The SANDF only became aware of the allegations of ill-treatment of Cuba learners via the social media platform as no formal complaint has been received in this regard. The organisation has however directed the Defence Attaché in Cuba to look into these allegations.

(5) (a) As indicated in par 2 above, not all courses are presented in Spanish. The one year language intervention for extended courses is of such a nature that learners are able to grasp the learning material without any additional intervention. However, it must be noted that, where further language interventions are required, learners are provided with interpreters and or translators. (b) Even though the training is available in South Africa, the SANDF did a skills gap analysis and ascertained that there is a backlog which necessitated the current arrangement with the Cuban Government.

Reply:

a) Persons that arrive in the Republic of South Africa for tourism purposes can be visa required or visa exempt. Upon entry, such international tourists are normally provided with a period of stay between 30 to 90 days.

Information on Purpose of Visit is collected for foreign arrivals into South Africa with the inclusion of the following categories considered as arrival statistics for tourism purposes:

• Holiday/vacation
• Visiting Family and Friends
• Conferences
• Visits under three months’ days

(i) 2015: 14 314 029

(ii) 2016: 15 256 448

(iii) 2017: 15 083 469

(b)The total recorded movements for traveller departures are the following:

(i) 2015: 14 174 416

(ii) 2016: 14 988 924

(iii) 2017: 14 929 567

The difference between arrivals and departures could arise as a carryover of movements into the next year or extension of the period of stay.

END

 

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(i) (a) Audi; (b) S8; (c) 2019; (d) R 1 560 602.80 and (e) March 2019 and

(ii) (a) Audi; (b) S8; (c) 2019; (d) R 1 506 125.45 and (e) March 2019

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Reply 1
1.i. The relevance and importance to the SANDF: It provides Control and Administrative Node Western Cape for the Defence Signal Network for Chief Command Management Information Systems (C CMIS} server connectivity, with Pretoria network infrastructure and Administrator function.
1.ii. Security of the Republic. To Support the People of South Africa: Support to the people of South Africa means supporting of the population of South Africa by means of operations other than war, during periods when the responsible state departments do not have the capacity. The provision of hydrographic services for use by the SA Navy, South African and international mariners, and for other mariners in terms of regional and international treaties and agreements obligations. SA has an international obligation to issue promulgation of radio navigation warnings, notices for mariners, and tidal and related meteorological data for mariners in terms of international obligations. The communications center’s capability is key to fulfilling these strategic mandate and international obligations.

1.iii. Maritime.
i. The primary objective of this system (Communications Centre) is to provide the backbone for local, national, and global maritime communications in support of safety of life at sea, naval and maritime exercises and operations, both during force preparation and force employment activities, sufficient for peace, and expandable to war. 
ii. The collective being operationally available 24/7, provide for a number of communications means and methods, thereby ensuring reliability of service through area broadcasting and coverage.
iii. Radio Weather Facsimile Service to SA Navy vessels and Mariners commercial / recreational craft including yachts on behalf of the South African Weather Service.
iv. Serves as an alternate radio site to Telkom Cape Town Radio for Maritime Search and Rescue in co operation with MRCC Cape Town where the SANDF is tasked through J Ops.
v. The SAN provides the communications link when SAN vessels are tasked as Search and Rescue platform with SAR on Scene Commander and Coordinator staff of MRCC onboard.
vi. Naval and Maritime Air communications organisation is designed to provide communications between:
(1) Headquarters (HQ) including inter-service HQs;
(2) controlling HQs ashore, ships and authorities at sea;
(3) controlling HQs ashore and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA);
(4) widely separated units at sea;
(5) ships and naval authorities at sea with such Army and SAAF HQs, aircraft and troop formations as the strategically and tactical situations require; and

(6) Ships in company.
1.iv. Air traffic in and Around the Coast of the Republic. The Maritime Air Radio Organisation and Station within the Silvermine Bunker provides the primary communications capability for the SA Airforce (SAAF) amplified as follows:
i. The station's primary role in support of the SA Navy is to provide for co-ordination and safety of aircraft and helicopters flying over the sea.
These include routine coastal patrols and interactions with ships and submarines at sea. Vessel activity around the coast is reported directly to Silvermine for further action by Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
ii. The station is utilized by the SAAF for the co-ordination and safety of all military flights both nationally and within the Sub-Saharan African territory where the SAAF is required to operate, typically in peace keeping missions and disaster relief roles.
iii. The station provides co-ordination and safety of Presidential Flights on a global basis.
iv. Air Traffic in and around the coast of the Republic.
v. The station provides for Safety Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) as in-flight
information for military aircraft.
1.b. It is hereby stated that no part of the fence has been stolen. The fence is being replaced due to its condition and the contractor's material for the remainder of the fence is on site. The contractor responsible for the work was appointed by the Department Public Works and the indication from this department is that the work will be completed by Mar 2020. Correspondence was sent to the department to receive a new end date but no feedback has been received to date. Notwithstanding, all building infrastructure are in a sound condition and receives ongoing maintenance as and when required.
1.c. The cost of the contract for the fence is RM 13 paid to date is RM 10.5.

Reply 2
The vandalism and cable theft at Silvermine Antenna Farm transpired between 2015 and 2017 and was replaced at a cost of R 868 804.10, by Reutech Solutions. The antenna farm is currently being safeguarded by members of Maritime Reaction Squadron whilst waiting for completion of the perimeter fence (the antennas are currently enclosed, awaiting completion of approximately 4 meters of underdig and thereafter the handing and taking over).

Reply 3
The Naval Communications Centre (NCC) at Silvermine will not be decommissioned due to its strategic and operational role to South Africa and the SANDF. In addition the Hydrographic Act 35 of 2019, places an obligation on the SA Navy. In the event of total communications equipment failure at NCC, all communications services will be handled by the alternative secondary broadcast station which is located in Durban.

Reply:

(1.) The SANDF continues to expose its members to various Foreign Learning  Opportunities (FLOs) in many countries including in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe where various languages are spoken. The purpose of utilizing FLOs has primarily been to enable the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to adopt 'best practice' approaches to military doctrine based on exposure of other Defence forces' practices, with the premise that those members identified for such exposure are well versed in SANDF doctrine.
Yes, members of the SANDF did training in African countries such as Zambia, Uganda, the Americas and Asia, to mention a few. It must be noted that most nation states had restricted training opportunities during COVID-19 periods.

 (2.) Yes all the specified countries were considered to empower members of the SANDF through its bilateral-lateral military relationships with the international community. During 2019/2020FY we had senior officers in the specified countries.

(3.) The South African Air Force is facing shortages of reliable training aircraft and relies on FLOs to keep up with the demand to have trained and skilled workforce in the aviation sphere. The Cuban FLOs provide a value chain training in aviation such as pilots, aviation technicians, aviation engineers, Air traffic controllers and Aircraft Preservation, including simulator developer and software developer programmes that South Africa and the SANDF are highly in need of. The Cuban Pilot Training is using the L 39 Albatross Fighter Jet, which is used in several countries as a versatile Jet trainer for their fighter pilots.

(4.) As indicated above, the SANDF, within its means, continues to expose its members to various FLOs in many countries including Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. It is in the interest of the SANDF that its members are empowered in various militaries.

(5.) (a) The following is the total cost of the Cuban training in each year since it started:
(i) 2014 - R15 838 547, 00
(ii) 2015- R24 485 149, 62
(iii) 2016- R15 967 981, 88
(iv) 2017 - R83 477 610, 24
(v) 2018 - R73 625 956, 67
(vi) 2019 - R72 697 854, 04
(Vii) 2020 - Training was suspended due to Covid 19.
(viii) 2021- R73 074 191, 20

Reply:

1. Areas visited:

a) Yes, a Mobile Solution Truck did visit the areas of the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in 2021, as indicated, here-below:

i) Aberdeen- 28th March 2021

20th April 2021

21st June 2021

6th July 2021

8th November 2021, and

18th November 2021

ii) Steytlerville – 20th January 2021

21st September 2021

23rd September 2021

21st October 2021

(iii) Jansenville - 26th April 2021

18th May 2021

15th September 2021 and

18th November 2021

(iv) Klipplaat - 17th May 2021

19th September 2021

20th October 2021

v) Reitbrone - 26th May 2021

vi) Willowmore - 17th May 2021

9th September 2021

18th September 2021

21st September 2021

10th October 2021

(vii) Baviaanskloof - 20th March 2021

26th June 2021

29th September 2021

2. In the year 2022 the Mobile Solution Truck visited Aberdeen on 16th February 2022, Jansenville on 17th February 2022, Klipplaat on 17th February 2022. As scheduled, it is envisaged that it will visit Willowmore on the 8th March 2022, Klipplaat on the 15th March 2022 and Steytlerville on the 16th March 2022. Other areas will be visited in April 2022, dates not yet confirmed.

2a) The Local Municipal / Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum Executive disseminates the envisaged visits through the Municipal Mayor, the Municipal Speaker, the Community Development Workers (CDWs), Ward Committees, and Councillors.

b) Smart ID Cards /Green Barcoded ID Books, Births Registrations, Re-Issues of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Amendments, and Rectifications

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