Questions and Replies
25 March 2022 - NW808
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) What is meant by the term reactive short to medium-term culling which if referred to in the current Kruger National Park elephant management plan (details furnished; (2) Whether such culling or lethal management was implemented during the specified plan; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether the culling or lethal management is planned for the future; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether she will provide Mrs. C Phillips with a copy of the Ministerial Plan for reactive short to medium-term culling; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
25 March 2022 - NW734
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities
With reference to the development of the Framework on Disability Rights Awareness Campaigns for Person with Disabilities, and the Framework on Self Representation for Person with Disabilities what (a) steps will her department take to ensure that the specified framework are implemented by other departments and (b) mechanisms will her department establish to measure the impact of the implementation of the frameworks?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
25 March 2022 - NW831
Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities
whether any employees in her office have been on suspension with full salary since 1 June 2019; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) number of employees and (b) is the total cost thereof?
Reply:
(a) One (1)
(b) R 702,937.00
25 March 2022 - NW806
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether she will provide Mrs. C Phillips with the details of (a) all SANParks elephant-related research and/or management programmes currently in progress in the Kruger national Park (KNP), (b) the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Conversation Area (GLTFCA) and/or (c) all SANParks elephant-related research and/or management programmes planned or proposed for (i) 2022, (ii) 2023 and (iii) 2024 in KNP and/or the GLTFCA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
25 March 2022 - NW722
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, in light of the recent spate of violence and killings seen in the taxi industry, his department has disbursed the COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund in a manner that was specifically engineered to prevent any issues of conflict, given the violent history of the taxi industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the full, relevant details?
Reply:
The transport sector, across the world, experienced massive ridership drop due to the pandemic brought about by the Coronavirus (Covid-19). This followed stringent measures imposed by many countries to mitigate and curb the spread of the virus. Some of these measures included restrictions in the movement of people through lockdowns as well as encouragement for people to work from home.
In South Africa, the taxi industry bore the brunt of these measures. Initially, taxis were permitted to carry only 50% of their licensed vehicle capacity and this was later increased to 70% when the lockdown restrictions were eased. The industry also had to contend with increased cost of procuring cleaning disinfectant materials for vehicles and sanitisers for passengers. The net effect of all these to the industry has been a declining revenue base and an increase in costs, which left many operators struggling to stay financially afloat.
In response, the Department secured once off ex gratia relief funds to the value of R1,135 billion to assist operators to mitigate the effect of Covid-19. The relief scheme is not intended to compensate for loss of income and was provided in terms of the Disaster Management Act.
The Taxi Relief Fund was approved as relief to operators from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
25 March 2022 - NW832
Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities
Whether her Office, in collaboration with the Minister of Police, is working on (a0 policy documents and/or strategic plans to address the issues of (i) domestic violence, (ii) gender-based violence, (iii) femicide and (iv) crimes against members off the National Intervention Strategy for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community, particularly women living in urban informal settlements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the specified policy documents and/or strategic plans?
Reply:
Attached find here: Reply
25 March 2022 - NW614
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Transport
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 and (b) does his department have any plans to build such waiting shelters?
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.
25 March 2022 - NW807
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
(1) (a) What was the estimated elephant population at the end of 2021 as the elephant population was estimated to be 31 000 elephants at the end of 2020 and (b) how was the estimate arrived at: (2) In light of the fact that SANParks uses sample block counting methods to estimate elephant population sizes, on what date was the last count conducted to estimate the number of elephants in the Kruger national Park; (3) whether she will furnish Mrs. C Phillips with the details of the sample/block counting methods used to count the elephant population; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the sample block counting methods are in accordance with the methods used by neighbouring countries with large elephant population such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether the sample block counting methods are in accordance with those accepted by the international Union for Conservation of Nature’s African Elephant Specialist Group; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
25 March 2022 - NW800
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether she will provide Ms A M M Weber with a copy of the National Register of animals hunted by (a) international clients and/or (b) the SA Professional Hunting Statistics that was collated by her department from the provincial registers based on information submitted to the province by professional hunting association in (i)2018 and (iii) 2020; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether she will furnish Ms A M M Weber with a list of species hunted by international clients in terms of the (a) number of each species hunted, (b) value of each species hunted and (c) number of international clients who hunted each species listed by (i) country and/or nationality and (ii) the number of each species by nationality of hunters?
Reply:
Find reply here
24 March 2022 - NW437
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Deputy President
In light of his responsibility to assist the President in the implementation of rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots, what steps have been implemented to improve the municipalities that are currently under administration?
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”.
24 March 2022 - NW745
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
By what date will the construction of the primary school in Mamusa Ward 5 in the North West, which her department commenced with in 2015, be completed?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW287
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
Given that taxi operators were promised a taxi subsidy which would be implemented by April 2021 and yet almost a year later not a single taxi has received the specified subsidy, by what date will the taxi subsidy be implemented?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW915
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Deputy President
In light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the increase of automation and robotics, as the Chairperson of the Human Resources Development Council, what is the Government doing to ensure that the relevant departments align with the 4IR?
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 -
24 March 2022 - NW796
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) (a) By what date will the systemic tests commence nationally and (b) what grades will the specified tests cover; (2) whether all learners in those grades will be tested; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) who has formulated the tests; (4) whether the tests have been internationally benchmarked; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether the tests will be independently marked; if not, who will mark them; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW842
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What total amount in Rand has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) her, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of her department since 29 May 2019?
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 |
24 March 2022 - NW710
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
In light of the fact that globally the automotive future is looking increasingly electric due to growing regulatory moves, including forthcoming bans on sales of internal combustion engine vehicles and ongoing improvements in battery and charging technology (details furnished), (a) how will the trend toward electric mobility play out in the Republic’s transport industry and (b) what are the opportunities and challenges associated with the Republic’s electric transport future?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW440
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Deputy President
(1)Whether the Government has any programmes in place to address the high rate of unemployment and specifically youth unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether such programmes involve engagement with the private sector in order to ensure a targeted approach to the recruitment of young persons to entry-level jobs, as well as ensuring that there are other programmes to empower the youth with the necessary skill set required to be successful in the workplace; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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-
24 March 2022 - NW774
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What total number of learners are not in any (a) early childhood development centre, (b) primary school and/or (c) high school due to a lack of (i) identity documents and/or (ii) birth certificates; (2) what total number of matriculants could not write the National Senior Certificate examination in 2020 due to lack of identity documents?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW865
Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister of Transport
What total amount in Rand has been spent on (a) catering, (b) entertainment and (c) accommodation for (i) him, (ii) the Deputy Minister and (iii) officials of his department since 29 May 2019?
Reply:
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 |
24 March 2022 - NW436
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Deputy President
What measures have been initiated by the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa since its launch in 2010 to ensure bridging the gap between the (a) Republic’s economic needs and (b) programmes for the skilling of (i) relevant and/or (ii) adequate human resources in order to meet the objectives of vision 2030 regarding skills?
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-
24 March 2022 - NW760
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the (i) current average teachertopupil ratio in the Republic and (ii) recommended ratio and (b) steps are being taken by her department to ensure that the recommended ratio is applied across all schools?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW438
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Deputy President
Whether the Government has quantified the amounts that are owed as a result of the intergovernmental debt and/or amounts that are owed between (a) government departments, (b) entities and/or (c) institutions in the three spheres of government; if not, why not; if so, what are the (i) reasons for the failure in each case and (ii) full, relevant details in each case?
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 -
24 March 2022 - NW649
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the (a) current total cost of school vandalism that occurred in the 2020-21 financial year, (b) breakdown of the total cost in respect of each province, (c) total number of vandalised schools that are (i) not operational, (ii) semi-operational and (iii) fully operational, (d) breakdown of learner capacity of the schools that are not operational (i) in each province and (ii) nationally and (e) total number of vandalised schools that had plans underway to repair damages in the specified financial year?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW897
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)What (a) is the justification of his department’s demand that scientists should not comment on the war between Russia and Ukraine and (b) motivated the specified demand; (2) whether the demand is meant for specific institutions and/or is supposed to be binding on all research institutions within the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
24 March 2022 - NW208
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
1)In light of the recent media reports that his department has cancelled a waiver programme that allowed foreign national graduates who studied in South Africa to stay in the Republic without first securing a permanent job position and/or providing any evidence of work experience, what are the (a) reasons that he was not aware of the waiver programme and (b) specific details of the programme; (2) whether the waiver programme has been cancelled, as reported in the media; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, from what date will the cancellation be effective; (3) whether there has been any investigation conducted by his office into the total number of foreign graduates who are still in the Republic despite not having secured any permanent employment yet; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details?
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
:
23 March 2022 - NO217
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
Whether her department has taken steps to assist with regard to the management of the invasive plants that are invading the Roodeplaat Dam; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NO202
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
(1) What is the status of the eviction of the unlawful occupiers from Knoflokskraal in Grabouw; (2) By what date is it envisaged that the process of evicting the specified unlawful occupiers will be finalized?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NW51
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
What is the time frame for the roll-out of the Approved Norms and Standards for the Safe Operations of Tourism Sector in the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 and beyond?
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.
23 March 2022 - NW562
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Tourism
In light of the fact that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration found that Saldanha Bay Tourism Organisation employees were unfairly dismissed, but are yet to be reinstated and/or paid what is due to them, what measures does she intend to put in place to resolve the problem?
Reply:
Honourable Member, this is a Labour matter between the employees and their employer. The Department of Tourism has no role in the matter.
23 March 2022 - NW142
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with reference to the devastating effects that an outbreak of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) will have on the local industry, she has been informed of the shortage of supplies of the annual mandatory AHS vaccine in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was she informed of the shortage and (b) what measures has she taken in this regard; (2) whether Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) took any urgent steps in response to the shortage in supplies to ensure that it can supply effective, safe and sufficient doses of the AHS vaccine in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the (i) details of the urgent steps taken by the OBP and (ii) timelines in this regard and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the OBP will be in a position to supply effective, safe and sufficient doses of the AHS vaccine in the Republic; (3) whether her department intends to conclude a public-private partnership (PPP) in the (a) production and (b) sale of the AHS vaccine in order to ensure that there is no shortage in supplies of the AHS vaccine in the future; if not, why not; if so, what (i) control measures will be put in place to ensure that all AHS vaccines produced and sold through a PPP meet the required animal health standards and (ii) are the further details in this regard; (4) whether her department will implement a mechanism that would make it possible to drastically shorten the time frame required for newly developed and tested vaccines to be registered in emergency situations in order to allow for mass production and use in a short period of time; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
23 March 2022 - NO201
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
In light of the recommendations pertaining to the lion bone trade emanating from the High-Level Panel Report into the Management of Elephant, Leopard and Rhino, what are the details of the immediate steps that her department has taken to address the situation of lions that are still remaining in captivity on farms?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NW143
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
On what date did the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) last update the formulation of its African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine to ensure that its efficacy levels are maintained; (2) (a) on what dates did OBP conduct efficacy and safety studies on its AHS vaccine (i) in each of the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2021 and (b) what are the details of the outcomes of each efficacy and safety study in each case; (3) whether she will furnish Mr J Engelbrecht with copies of the specified efficacy and safety studies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what has she found to be the reasons for the delay in the 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 already developed by other laboratories in the Republic?
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.
23 March 2022 - NW512
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether his department is able to centrally monitor the number of people serviced daily at its offices; if not, (a) why not and (b) how is the allocation of resources to offices determined; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) On average, what number of members of the public are allowed in the queue waiting outside the Stellenbosch office of his department before the daily cut-off that determines the last person who will be assisted each day; (3) In general, (a) at what time of the day and (b) how are clients informed that persons who arrive after the last person identified for admission at the Stellenbosch office will not be assisted on the particular day; (4) Whether there are any plans to increase the capacity of the Stellenbosch office in order to serve more people daily; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) on what date is it anticipated that such measures will be implemented?
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
23 March 2022 - NO190
Modise, Mr PMP to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
Mr. P M P Modise (ANC) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (a) what were some of the major challenges that her department hat to deal with in the adjudication of the FRAP 2021-22 and (b) How does her department intend to ensure that there is greater participation in the sector by small-scale fisheries?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NO229
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) With reference to her reply to question 302 on 4 March 2022 regarding the NS Qingdao that was authorized by her department and/or the SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to dump its reactive cargo between Durban and St Helena Bay, 259 km offshore, what have been the findings of SAMSA’s investigation in the circumstances that led to the cargo being unstable onboard and subsequently a maritime emergency; (2) Whether her department has been monitoring the impact of the toxic cargo on marine life since the dumping; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the impact?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NO218
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
What steps will her department take (a) to ensure that the unrehabilitated Kromdraai Gold Mine in eMalahleni stops to violate environmental regulations by realising effluent acid water into the Wilge River and klein Olifants River and (b) against any person found to have been responsible for the release of effluent acid water into the specified rivers on or around 22 February 2022?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NO228
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
In view of the evidence that shows that the extreme weather conditions are becoming more prominent due to climate change and are affecting the overall status and wellbeing of the Republic’s resources, what mitigation strategies, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, has she put in place to mitigate the impact of climate change on the Republic’s resources?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NW469
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With regard to the tourism policy review process, (a) what is the progress of her department on legislating funding to community tourism organisations (CTOs) at a municipal level, (b) how regular are MinMec meetings between her and Members of the Executive Council held and (c) what current policy provisions speak to the (i) support and (ii) financing of CTOs?
Reply:
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.
23 March 2022 - NO191
Mchunu, Ms S to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
Ms T V B Mchunu (ANC) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: Given that many South Africans are unemployed and daily facing poverty which needs to be reduced, and noting that the Republic’s oceans economy provides us with immense economic opportunities as section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for the sustainable use of the republic’s natural resources and that oil and gas exploration is one of the pillars of our oceans economy, how does her department intend to ensure that (a) the exploration of the Republic’s resources occurs in strict compliance and (b) there is greater exercise of due diligence and care in dealing with risk and necessary rehabilitation in the aftermath of the process to the environment?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NW210
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism
In light of the fact that the Auditor-General has made findings that persons without identity documents were paid by the Tourism Relief Fund, what (a) is the total number of such beneficiaries and (b) action has been taken by her department in this regard?
Reply:
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.
23 March 2022 - NW537
Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Tourism
What is the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) price and (e) purchase date of each vehicle purchased for use by (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Minister since 29 May 2019?
Reply:
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 |
23 March 2022 - NO195
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
(1) Taking into account the position of the Republic regarding the eradication of plastic pollution (details furnished), what specific needs will the agreement and the Republic specifically cater for and address. (2) Whether she will set up any task team and/or panel of experts to represent the view of the Republic on the development of such an agreement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
23 March 2022 - NW923
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to the eviction of a certain family (details furnished) by a certain person (name and details furnished), (a) under which Act and/or legislative provisions was the specified family finally relocated to an alternative farm and (b) what support did her department provide to the specified family to ensure its sustainable agricultural livelihood on the alternative farm?
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.
23 March 2022 - NW212
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) total number of tenders were awarded irregularly by her department in the past five financial years, (b) was the monetary value of each tender and (c) steps has she taken to make those responsible account for this phenomenon?
Reply:
(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.
23 March 2022 - NW316
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
a) How are online lectures for tour guides advertised, (b) what was the uptake from 1 January 2022, (c) what are the costs of the online series of lectures in the 2020-21 financial year and (d) what is the budget for the entire lecture series?
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.
23 March 2022 - NO196
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
In light of the fact that Eskom is by far the largest emitter of the pollutants sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the Republic due to its reliance on coal including the predicted increase in the supply and usage of coal until 2030, and the recent statement by the minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr S G Mantashe, at the Coal Colloquium on Tuesday, 1 March 2022, what are the full relevant details of how the two diametrically opposed energy-supply solutions are reconciled as the one is climate friendly and the other contributes to global climate change?
Reply:
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23 March 2022 - NW314
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
What are the details of the (a) outcomes of her meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Airlines and (b) collaboration opportunities that were discussed?
Reply:
(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.
22 March 2022 - NW717
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) (What total number of (a) persons entered the Republic on a tourist visa in the years (i) 2015, (ii) 2016 and (iii) 2017 and (b) the specified persons exited the Republic the same year they entered?
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
22 March 2022 - NW712
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
(1) In light of the fact that, on 25 February 2022, The Presidency announced that the President,MR m c Ramaphosa, has by mutual agreement terminated the employment contract of the National Police Commissioner (NPC), General Khehla Sitole with effect from 31 March 2022, what are the (a) reasons the employment was terminated without the NPC having provided reasons why he should not face inquiry into his fitness to hold the office and (b) details of the mutual agreement between the NPC and The Presidency; (2) whether the NPC was offered a financial incentive; if not,what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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22 March 2022 - NW910
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
Whether, with regard to the Report of the Expert Panel on the July 2021 Civil Unrest which made a number of recommendations to the effect that the appointment procedure of the National Police Commissioner as set out in the Constitution may need to be changed (details furnished), he intends to lobby the Cabinet for a review of the appointment process of the National Commissioner; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the (a0 details of an alternative process that he intends to table before the Cabinet and (b) further, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
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