Questions and Replies

Reply:

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Reply:

I have instructed officials in my department to start with the verification process to ascertain the correct amounts. I wants exact breakdown of the expenditure.

Reply:

1.(a).The former Chairperson of the Board was never paid as the Chairperson of the Board since he became Chief Executive Officer from 15 October 2019 to 31 March 2020.

He was never paid as Chairperson of the Board at the time he was the Acting Chief Executive Officer as he stepped down as a board member.

2.(a). The former Chairperson was not appointed by the Minister to act as Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB. This appointment was made by the Board.

(c). The post of CEO was advertised in October 2019 and was filled on 01 April 2020.

I instructed the officials in my department to do a verification process to ascertain the correct amounts.

Reply:

The sector has taken different approaches to the vaccination issue, with some public universities opting for mandatory vaccination policies for accessing campus, and others still consulting and taking a more cautious approach. Universities and TVET colleges decisions on policies are guided by the Council of each institution. I have not yet issued any directive to any institution of higher learning in relation to mandatory vaccination.

My Department is in the process of consulting via Natjoints, which is the advisory forum of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) with a view to advise me and I will seek the support of the NCCC in whatever advice I receive.

Currently, HIGHER HEALTH, our implementing agency, that is guiding institutions on the management of the pandemic, has finalised the guidelines that institutions will follow in determining various matters around vaccination. I am currently studying the guidelines before I can release them for implementation by all our institutions. Whilst this process is underway I have urged all our institutions to ensure that the policies and procedures they put in place have been widely consulted on campus. Whilst this matter has not been finalised at government level I have urged institutions to encourage everyone in our higher education and training community to get vaccinated.

Scientific advice provided with the support of Higher Health and led to the basic education sector opening up in full was also provided for the post-school education and training sector. It is only when a large number of staff and students is vaccinated that a return to full time face to face teaching, without space restrictions is implemented. This assumes that all other safety protocols such as masking, hand-washing/sanitising will continue. We are prioritizing this work as it has to be concluded as a matter of urgency, so that the sector is able to operate effectively for the 2022 academic year. I have briefly discussed this matter in my press briefing on 1 February 2022. Again, once all this work is finalized I will release a statement.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), is mandated to implement the Counterfeit Goods Act, No. 37 of 1997, which provides enforcement remedies to intellectual property rights holders. The CIPC Commissioner Advocate Rory Voller has advised as follows:

Effective protection of copyright and trademarks are supported through coordinated physical enforcement actions. These seizure operations are spearheaded by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, commonly known as the HAWKS.

Most products are counterfeited, from toys to motor spare parts. Social Media Driven Awareness Campaigns on Respect for Intellectual Property (IP) are continuously conducted by the CIPC. In addition, the Agency collaborates with industry to ensure that public demand for fake goods decreases, with emphasis on engagements with students and SMMEs.

The CIPC conducts training and capacity building events to designated SAPS, and SARS officials and follows a holistic approach that includes private sector stakeholders and the judiciary. Training workshops on Investigating and Prosecuting IP Crime for Senior Law Enforcement officials are conducted. The International Police Agency (Interpol) attended the most recent workshop, emphasising the need to combat this practice across borders and online. CIPC recently hosted a hybrid Conference in Cape Town on Anti-Counterfeiting (22-24 February 2022), which focussed on IP rights and responsibilities. In attendance were African countries, brand protection managers and self-regulatory bodies representing the industries that suffer the most from counterfeiting.

CIPC has just launched a cell phone application to enhance accurate statistical reporting, which law enforcement officials will use to gather accurate statistics to support effective enforcement.

-END-

Reply:

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Reply:

According to information obtained from the Provincial Departments of Health, the following Table reflects the details in this regard.

Province	All Surgical Operations
Free State	1718
Kwa-Zulu Natal	15395
Limpopo	5312
Mpumalanga	2687
Northern Cape	3830
North West	4871

We still await information from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Western Cape Provinces. This will be furnished to Parliament as soon as it is received.

END.

Reply:

On 07 February 2022, Foskor received a complaint from the uMhlathuze Local Municipality regarding a possible gas leak from its Acid Plant at a localised area of Richards Bay High School. A detailed investigation was immediately conducted by Foskor’s environmental and emergency management. I am advised of the following results:

a) The investigation revealed that there was no gas leak at Foskor facilities.

b) The cause of the incident is still being determined.

Foskor committed to work with the relevant institutions to assist in determining the cause of the incident.

 

-END-

Reply:

The reply furnished to me by the Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), Ms Thabang Mampane has not replied fully to (a) other than to state that it is the “Internal Audit Specialist” and I will be requesting further information. In respect of (b), the reply received states that an amount of R64 256 has been paid as the acting allowance from July 2021 to February 2022.

-END-

Reply:

The outcomes of the Minister’s working visit included the following:

(i) Discussions took place with diplomats of countries that had put South Africa on a ‘red list’ and these engagements contributed to the lifting of the travel restrictions by a number of countries.

(ii) Following engagements with South Africa’s diplomatic community in North Africa and the Middle East to ensure consistency of messaging in this emerging tourism market, the diplomats committed to communicating the message that South Africa is ready to receive tourists.

(iii) Engagements took place with the Middle East investment community on their appetite and readiness to restart investment activities in South Africa’s tourism sector in light of COVID19. Minister will continue engaging those investors who have shown interest in investing in tourism-mega projects in South Africa during the next financial year.

(iv) Engagements were held with the Middle East carriers on both the need to apply a science-based approach to operational decision making in relation to the COVID19 pandemic as well as the need to explore mutually beneficial collaboration. Following these engagements a Memorandum of Understanding between South African Tourism and Emirates Airlines is in process of being finalised.

Reply:

Interactions with the Ministry of Police takes place through the normal government channels. The decision on which measures to implement on scrap metals is still under consideration. Once a final decision has been taken, details will be made available.

-END-

Reply:

The Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), Ms Thabang Mampane has furnished me with the following response to the question:

“(a) and (b) The named person is a duly appointed staff member of the NLC who has been on medical leave in line with NLC approved policies and employment laws since end of May 2021.

(c) From May 2021 to date, the employee has earned a salary of R1 472 564.”

-END-

Reply:

Addressing the occurrence of GBV forms part of integrated Gender Equality functions, under the umbrella of Social Inclusion across the Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department/DHET) (in all branches).  Every branch has unique responsibilities, including:

• Implementation Branches (University Education (UE, TVET, CET and Skills):
  • Create the enabling environment, coordinate, support institutions in the implementation of social inclusion in the PSET system;
  • Manage the institutional policy environment;
  • Manage and support implementation programmes within institutions; and
  • Monitor the implementation of Social Inclusion in institutions.
• Corporate Services Branch:
  • Create the enabling environment, coordinate, and support the DHET in the implementation of social inclusion;
  • Manage the DHET policy environment;
  • Manage and support implementation programmes within the DHET;
  • Monitor the implementation of Social Inclusion in the DHET;
  • Manage all Human Resource related issues within the DHET, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges; and
  • Report to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on implementation and Government employees.
• Branch: Planning, Policy and Strategy (through the Directorate: Social Inclusion and Equity):
  • Develop and manage the enabling policy environment (including sector policies, guidelines, standards, protocols and tools) for social inclusion in the PSET system;
  • Support (where needed) implementation branches in the implementation of Social Inclusion and Equity;
  • Collate information from Branches and monitor the implementation of social inclusion policies and programmes in the PSET system;
  • Report on the implementation of social inclusion in the PSET system;
  • Liaise with Chapter 9 institutions, other Departments; and
  • Report on national and international obligations.

The Department has taken the following further steps to assist Post-School Education and Training (PSET) institutions to implement measures to address the occurrence of Gender-based Violence (GBV):

1. Policy Framework to address Gender-based Violence in the Post-School Education and Training System

The Department published the Policy Framework to Address Gender-Based Violence in the Post-School Education and Training System on 17 July 2020 (Government Notice 410 of 2020). The strategic objectives of the Policy Framework are:

• Strategic Objective 1: Enabling Environment

Create an enabling environment in the Department and Post-School Education and Training (PSET) institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the Policy Framework, actions and programmes. These include: regulations, norms, standards, guidelines and standardised procedures; structured engagements with other Government departments, agencies, entities and non-governmental organisations; institutional policies are implemented; as well as accountability, monitoring and evaluation. The Policy Framework not only allows for the participation in and the establishment of national structures and mechanisms intended to enable implementation of PSET institutions’ policies, but also gives a monitoring mechanism to collect and report on relevant and strategic data and information.

• Strategic Objective 2: Prevention and Awareness

Promote the safety of all students and staff by putting in place comprehensive prevention and awareness programmes intended to raise the importance of policies and services addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as other measures aimed at preventing incidents of GBV in PSET institutions. PSET institutions are also required to exercise sufficient degrees of control over third parties such as visitors to the university or college, as well as employees of companies contracted to provide some form of service to the institution. The Policy Framework also protects staff and students that are placed in workplaces to complete practical training.

• Strategic Objective 3: Support and Assistance

PSET institutions must provide for comprehensive support and assistance and refer the survivors of GBV appropriately to specialised support and assistance. The support must be in line with the National Instructions, National Directives, List of Designated Health Establishments and Additional Services directives under the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act (SORMA) (Act 32 of 2007). PSET institutions must therefore ensure that affected parties receive multi-disciplinary support including, where appropriate, support from HIGHER HEALTH, Thuthuzela Care Centres and local health facilities. The Department, HIGHER HEALTH and PSET institutions must provide guidance around the structures, mechanisms and processes that are in place to address GBV in line with national regulatory framework and international obligations. PSET institutions should develop and review internal anti-GBV policies in line with the Policy Framework (July 2020).

It is the responsibility of PSET institutions to implement the Policy Framework at institutional level with the support of the Department and HIGHER HEALTH. The Department supports institutions in implementation, monitors the implementation of the Policy Framework and is finalising the Social inclusion Review and Implementation Model (SI-RIM) that is a mechanism to provide information for reporting purposes.

2. Collaboration with HIGHER HEALTH

HIGHER HEALTH is the implementation arm of the Department to implement a comprehensive and integrated programme promoting health and wellbeing of students across South Africa’s public universities and TVET colleges and provide on-campus support to PSET institutions in 7 priority areas:

 HIGHER HEALTH provides psycho-social support services through two main modalities: (1) through the HIGHER HEALTH toll-free helpline, and (2) through interventions provided by counselling and clinical psychologists. HIGHER HEALTH is also running a comprehensive awareness programme through several focussed campus activities, campus radio programmes and peer support mechanisms.

Between January and October 2021, over 12 000 students accessed the various HIGHER HEALTH models of psychosocial support. Academic stress and anxiety (30%), general stress and substance abuse (22%) depression and suicide (18%) and sexual, physical and emotional abuse (19%) present the main reasons for accessing support care.

HIGHER HEALTH, in collaboration with several Departments (including the Department of Higher Education and Training), experts and institutions developed Institutional Implementation Guidelines and supporting protocols and standards for Institutions to address GBV. HIGHER HEALTH, through the Department has furthermore released a set of instruments that will strengthen the realisation of the Policy Framework. These instruments are directives to all institutions and Management to put the necessary infrastructure towards a comprehensive response on cases of sexual and gender misconduct, rape, sexual assaults across all our campuses. The procedural guidelines and protocols on rape, code of ethics ensure that reporting of cases, disciplinary systems, safeguarding evidence, provision of rape kits, psychosocial support services and survivor friendly infrastructure is developed across campuses.

3. Institutional Programmes

The Department is supporting institutions to develop and implement policies and protocols on GBV.  All universities and TVET Colleges have measures in place to raise awareness, and offer guidance and advice on GBV related matters. These include, but are not limited to:  workshops or presentations during orientation weeks and during various parts of the year for students; roadshows; training; production and dissemination of brochures and other literature for the university community; and information on institutional websites. In addition to these initiatives, a large number of students have completed a curriculum on GBV prevention and mitigation via Higher Health, empowering them with knowledge and understanding of GBV and related matters. Higher Health is the Department’s implementing agency for student health, wellness and development in the post-school sector.

There is a need for a more comprehensive training embedded in institutional policies. The Ministerial Task Team established to advise the Minister and the Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) on Gender Based Violence and related matters, is exploring the possibility of national standards and principles about what should be included as a minimum in training sessions.

HIGHER HEALTH has set up campus and community radio stations to engage young students routinely on matters related to Sexual and Gender Based Violence and mental health as a matter of priority. There is also HIGHER HEALTH's 24-hour toll-free helpline available in all 11 official languages.  The line offers health, wellness and psychosocial risk assessment toolkits for early screening, empowerment and referral related to gender-based violence, mental health, HIV, TB and other matters.

4. Ministerial Task Team on GBV

Following the release of the Policy Framework and as part of its work, the Ministerial Task Team held a series of engagements with university communities across various institutions.  Amongst others the aim was to establish how universities respond to sexual harassment and gender-based violence and harm, and what support is needed from the Department to enable effective implementation of the Policy Framework.

It has been established that not all universities have sufficient means to deal with GBV, and the Department and HIGHER HEALTH aim to support campuses in addressing the problem. The Ministerial Task Team will advise on areas requiring improvement in institutional responses to gender-based violence and sexual harassment and appropriate levels of support needed for the implementation of the National Policy Framework to address gender-based violence by universities.

The Department plays an oversight role, monitoring institutions to ensure that they take full responsibility for addressing GBV on their campuses.

Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for successful prosecution. Fifty-one centres have been established since 2006. It is led by the NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA), in partnership with various departments and donors as a response to the urgent need for an integrated strategy for prevention, response and support for rape victims.

HIGHER HEALTH is funded by the Department to the tune of R20 million per year.

Including responsibility and compliance, behaviour constituting GBV, investigation and disciplinary process, consequences etc.

Implementing Protocols on Rape and Sexual Assault and Code of Ethics indicating PSET Institution’s commitment to eradicating GBV and Minimum Standards Protocols that support the guidelines. These deals, with campus safety, protection on outreach/field visits, whistleblowing, staff student relationships, alcohol etc.

Minimum standards checklist/s on GBVF that consider different institutional configurations are to be prepared.

Reply:

a) The Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) reported that 17 deceased tourist guides were paid. After verification was conducted, the Department found that payments were made for a total of seven (7) deceased guides.

b) The total amount that was paid out for these cases was R16 500.

c) Case have been opened with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for further investigations.

Reply:

The department informs me that the grant approval for the movie Peru and Bala was cancelled due to the applicant’s failure apparently to comply with the Film and Television incentive guideline requirements and with the conditions set out on the approval letter. I will be reviewing the file and will thereafter provide the member with a further update.

-END-

Reply:

(1). SASCOC in their response indicated that they held the following meetings in 2022:

• 22 January 2022 – an online meeting held with all National Federations
• 03 February 2022 – The Working Group held its first meeting and part of this meeting was developing the 2022 plans.

SASCOC further indicated that meetings are held on a quarterly basis and the dates have not yet been finalised for the other quarters.

SASCOC has also advised that in 2022, the focus will be the final review of the Safeguarding Policy, which will strengthen the processes and procedures in dealing with cases lodged.

2). SASCOC has provided minutes for the meetings held on:

a) 03 August 2021 (attached)

b) 09 December 2021 (attached)

In terms of the meetings held on the following dates, SASCOC has indicated that they are not in the position to share the minutes:

• c) 31 March 2021: Inaugural meeting – minutes available but not attached.( see narrative below)
• d) 27 July 2021: meeting did not quorate, no resolutions were taken
• e) 27 October 2021: The meeting was to discuss the behaviour of group members and the implications thereof. The meeting was in committee and therefore, the minutes are not attached. The SASCOC Board is dealing with this matter.

SASCOC further indicated that safeguarding matters have become a key priority for the Confederation. As the organisation has a duty to care for all participants, within the sport movement. Equally so, they have a responsibility to protect all individuals involved in lodged cases as guided by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) that regulates how they handle personal information as they address safeguarding cases.

Some cases discussed during these meetings are still being investigated and sharing this information might jeopardize the process and it is in their interest that the justice process be allowed to take its cause.

In conclusion, SASCOC indicated that they could categorically confirm that four meetings were held in 2021 and these minutes are well recorded, and several other safeguarding engagements were held as dates above.

I have also written to SASCOC leadership urging them to finalise the process because if the matter is not finalised it will impact on funding from the government.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

The Minister inherited this car from the former Department of Sport and Recreation.

Vehicle	Minister
a) Make	Audi
(b) Model	Q7
(c ) Year	2017
(d ) Price	N/a
(e ) Purchase date	N/a

For the Deputy Minister

Vehicle		Deputy Minister
(a) Make		BMW
(b) Model		520
(c ) Year		2020
(d ) Price		R649 000.00
(e ) Purchase date		15 January 2020

Reply:

((a). The establishment of Club and Rural Sport Development within communities and traditional councils was to ensure that access is created within communities in remote areas. The clubs and traditional council’s teams play in a league system whose main aim is to-

• • Revive the interest of sport within communities, increased participation and identify talented athletes.
  • Enhance the level of performance of talented athletes and coaches and increase the rate of sports development.
  • National federations enhance the education of individuals and groups by means of training opportunities to coaches, administrators, and technical officials.

(b) Government established a Build for Sport and Recreation Programme (BSRP) as a funding model for delivery of sport facilities through the former Department of Sport and Recreation. In 2004/5 BSRP was integrated in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which by design municipalities are Implementing Agents (IA). This decision was informed by the need to integrate certain infrastructure investments targeting Municipalities to ensure coherent and coordinated infrastructure development in Municipalities.

In 2016/17, the Department managed to convince both Parliament, National Treasury (NT) and Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to ring-fence portion of 5% of sport infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant. The MIG focuses on basic needs and prioritizes the previously disadvantaged areas.

Reply:

a) The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority standard operating procedures and/or measures in place to strengthen controls relating to the preparation and review of financial and performance reports are as follows:

• Finance reporting standard operating procedure has been developed and implemented with standard excel templates to facilitate ease of capture and recording of information
• Business units are required to report on financial and performance management information on a monthly basis by the 7th of each month including upload of supporting evidence
• Supporting evidence is uploaded on an online share drive to prevent loss of information
• Consequence management has been implemented against officials not submitting within specified timeframes
• Internal audit performs quarterly audits on performance information for accuracy and completeness
• A project has been initiated to develop supporting records for audit purpose relating to unavailability of historical records. Listings are created from the bank statements for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years to support the financial statement figures previously reported on. Application numbers are to be listed against the listings derived from the bank statement which will be linked to supporting evidence. The project is planned for completion before submission of the financial statements for audit purposes. Internal audit has been tasked to track progress made against the clearing of the remaining qualification.

b) Internal controls in place to review and/or monitor compliance with legislation relating to:

(i) Supply Chain Management (SCM) include the following:

• Review of SCM policies and alignment to applicable legislation
• Review of the delegation of authority specifically relating to procurement thresholds
• Development of a SCM standard operating procedure detailing step by step actions that must be performed during the procurement process accompanied by various standardized evaluation and compliance templates
• Development of an irregular, fruitless and wasteful operating procedure detailing step by step actions that must be performed to detect, report and corrective actions to be taken
• Filling of SCM vacancies
• Establishment of a panel of experts
• Internal workshopping of SCM process and SCM training provided to key role players
• Establishment of a loss control function and implementation of consequence management

(ii) Regulations regarding contract management include the following:

• Development of a contract management standard operating procedure detailing step by step actions that must be performed during the procurement process accompanied by various standardized evaluation and compliance templates
• Implementation of a contract register and checklist
• Review of the delegation of authority specifically relating to contract approvals and variations
• Weekly contract expenditure management implemented to update contract managers in advance of total spent
• Establishment of a panel of experts

END.

Reply:

It is now an established norm that the department and its partners, that is the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee, and the National Lotteries Board provide incentives for the athletes who bring back medals from major international multi-coded events such as the Olympics and Paralympics where resources allow. Working with SASCOC the department will ensure that there is a clear policy or guidelines on the incentives programme. This will have to be announced in advance in order to ensure that the athletes are truly incentivized. In addition to incentives SASCOC will revive and expand the OPEX programme in order to ensure that potential medallists are provided with holistic support, e.g. scientific, nutritional, etc.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard, as received from the Limpopo Department of Health

NAME OF THE PROVINCE Limpopo	total cost of medico-legal claims Question 475 (1) (a)
2018/19 FINANCIAL YEAR
Limpopo	253 Cases R2 329 565 300.00
2019/20 FINANCIAL YEAR

Limpopo

249 Cases R2 537 110 500.00

2018/19 FINANCIAL YEAR
Limpopo	157 Cases R1 155 510 500.00

(2) Number of payments made for the period 2016 to 2021 is (a) 67, amounting to (b) R249,388,504.

END.

Reply:

(1) Urgent measures

a) Despite the known challenges of a strained fiscus associated with austerity measures in place to curb public spending; the Limpopo Department of Health has continued to prioritize appointment of,

(i)  Nurses especially midwives in high-risk areas such as maternity wards.

(ii) The Department has further attracted and appointed various Medical Specialists including paediatricians and paediatric surgeons to the Tertiary Hospital Complex.

b) Each facility in the province has adequate Oxygen supply which is routinely monitored and refilled. There were some Oxygen challenges during the peak of COVID-19 second wave however same was swiftly attended to and resolved.

c) The number of theatres currently available throughout the province remains a challenge and measures have been put in place to increase capacity which include a new Central Hospital which is in the pipeline.

d) The delivery rooms require appropriately trained staff to operate optimally. The Department is addressing this by prioritizing appointment of Midwives and appropriately qualified professional nurses in various institutions across the Province.

(e)-(f) Every child in the Province has a right to access to health care, the province however prioritizes all disabled children whether as a result of fault on the part of the Department of not. Furthermore, cases of proven malpractice by the Department results in such children receiving compensation to assist such children with further care including modification of family housing to accommodate a child with a disability.

(2) Intervention

Medical Malpractice claims have become a National crisis. A multipronged approach is required to adequately deal with this problem. It necessarily involves improving the quality of care throughout the country by having proper healthcare infrastructure supported by adequately trained healthcare professionals and a functional healthcare system. Limpopo Department of Health envisage the NHI to be a step in the right direction to address some of these challenges.

The Department has also called for an investigation into the rise of medical negligence cases through the South African Law Reform Commission with a view to introduce legislation that will prevent the collapse of the Health Care System because of uncontrollable litigations against the state.

 

The recently established intergovernmental national litigation forum is also envisaged to assist the Department in dealing with these cases appropriately.

END.

Reply:

a) For the said period the Government Printing Works website was never offline.

b) The Government Printing Works website was only offline from 31st January 2022 and restored on 13 February 2022. However, it subsequently went down again from 15 February 2022 to 21 February 2022 due to technical challenges experienced when the physical server on the DMZ which manages the website services crashed. During this period the publishing of the gazettes still continued and gazettes were made available to the public through the following channels:

• Contact Centre accessible through telephone (012) 748 6200 or email: [email protected]
• GPW Bookshop, both hard and soft copies with soft copies requested through [email protected]

The website came back online on the 22nd February 2022 and gazettes are being uploaded

c) During the time when the website was down, GPW ensured that all requested e-Gazettes were sent through to customers per email to avoid service interruptions and ensure business continuity. The channels mentioned in (b) above were used to keep customers updated.

GPW has developed a Business Technology Strategy and Plan that serves to migrate the ICT environment from the old to the new web service infrastructure to avoid a recurrence of the system crashes.

END3

Reply:

1. (a) No, none of the support staff of former Minister Kubayi were retained.

(b) All members of the support staff for former Minister Kubayi are no longer in the employ of the Ministry of Tourism.

2. (a) + (b) The following employees constitute the staff compliment of Ministry:

Surname & Initials	Designation
Mr B Ntshona	Chief of Staff
Ms N Mgqabi	Private & Appointment Secretary
Mr S Motale	Media Liaison
Ms Z Adams	Parliamentary Officer
Ms TJ Selamolela	Admin Support & Coordination
Ms S Sihlwayi	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support
Mr M Zuzile	Community Outreach Officer
Mr W Langeveld	Assistant Appointment and Administration Secretary
Ms VG Mbete	Receptionist
Ms T Mbune	Household Aide
Ms L Mokola	Household Aide

The following are departmental employees who render services to Ministry in compliance to provisions of the Ministerial handbook:

Surname & Initials	Designation
Mr J Skhosana	Administrative Services/ System
Mr F Raboroko	Driver/Messenger

The following are Special Advisers in terms of the Dispensation of Special Advisers:

Surname & Initials	Designation
Adv M Simelane	Special Advisor
Mr MJ Mdekazi	Special Advisor

Reply:

Significant progress has been made in addressing transformation within cricket South Africa particularly in terms governance related matters. The efforts commenced when the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture received complaints from members of the public on the state of governance including progress in terms of transformation in the sport of Cricket. As a direct intervention the Minister appointed an Interim Board to replace the previous Board who had resigned. The objective was to help Cricket SA to comprehensively assist with both governance and transformation. By the time the Interim Board finished their task, they left the new board with an extensive report on both governance and transformation that the current board has adopted.

Furthermore, by the time the previous board left, they had devised a transformation initiative whereby a platform was created to allow all transformation-related issues to be publicly ventilated. These hearings known as the Social Justice and Nation-building hearings were chaired by an Ombudsman, Adv. Dumisa Ntsebeza. He has since concluded and delivered the report to Cricket South Africa. Cricket has reported that they are implementing the recommendations of the Ombudsman.

Cricket South Africa has already instituted disciplinary process against the officials fingered in the report. We have also noted the progress made in the transformation effort.

Reply:

(a). The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between my Department (DSAC) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), remains the joint responsibility of both departments. Within the framework, roles and responsibilities for both departments have been clearly defined. DSAC responsibilities within this framework, starts at District, goes to Province and National. These tasks have been fully implemented and we will continue to play our role in executing our part in the MoU.

(b). As per the MoU delineation of responsibilities, the first three levels of the MoU, which are School, Cluster and Area level, remains the responsibility of DBE. We have worked together to ensure that we set-up the structures that will manage and coordinate sport at that level, there is still a lot of work to be done. Using School Sport as a transformation tool, we have also strengthened the role of Sport Federations, with regard to taking ownership of grassroots development, which includes school sport. We are currently introducing the former athletes, as the Sport Ambassadors, who will help us manage the after school programme within the school sport.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is advised that as this information is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH), the Department is still working with the provinces to source this information. The full response will be furnished to Parliament as soon as we have obtained such from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, change over time. Most changes have little to no impact on the virus’ properties. However, some changes may affect the virus’s properties, such as how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, its ability to evade the immune system, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures.

1. The following variants of concern (as defined by the World Health Organization) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been found in South Africa during the Covid pandemic: Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. The Beta variant was dominant during the 2nd wave, Delta during the 3rd wave and Omicron during the 4th wave. Other variants, which have not been classified as variants of concern, have been detected in South Africa e.g. Eta, Kappa and C.1.2.

2. COVID-19 tests identify anitgens that are common to all variants, and the tests do not differentiate between different variants of the virus. Genomic sequencing is required to identify the variant of the virus which has infected an individual, and is only conducted on some of the specimens.

a) It is not usually possible to be certain as to which variant has infected each individual, although inference may be drawn based on the dominant variant at the time of infection. From a clinical perspective, this does not matter as the clinical management of the patient is the same, irrespective of the variant causing infection.

b) No

3. Not all viruses are sequenced, and therefore the number of persons infected with each variant is not known. However, based on genomic surveillance, whereby both routine specimens from all provinces and specimens of special interest are sequenced, it is possible to identify new variants as well as shifts in the variants causing COVID disease over time. Each of the waves of COVID infection has been associated with emerging dominance of a new variant. The first wave was associated with the alpha variant, the second with the beta variant, the third with the delta and the fourth with omicron.

4. The Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa, which includes the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, KRISP at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Free State, the University of Pretoria, the University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service, continue to monitor and assess the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Updates are published on a weekly basis on the NICD website (https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/sars-cov-2-genomic-surveillance-update/).

END.

Reply:

(a), (b) No one can pre-empt what other countries may do in future in relation to their approach to the management of the pandemic. However, South Africa’s approach which has proven to work effectively is to engage diplomatically with affected countries including the United Kingdom.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. I requested the State Attorney to appoint the Initiator and Chairperson for the ensuing disciplinary process. An Initiator and Chairperson have been appointed by the State Attorney. The Initiator has prepared draft charges against Ms. Melissa Whitehead. I interacted with the Initiator on 9 December 2020, 27 February 2021 and 1 April 2021. I, further, met with the Initiator and State Attorney in December 2021 to finalise the charge sheet. To this end, charges have been finalised and will be presented to Ms Whitehead in due course. The reason for the delay emanates from one of the implicated officials taking the matter on review, leading to a postponement of these proceedings. I have since received legal advice that I can go ahead with the disciplinary proceedings. The charge sheet is now finalised by the Initiator and will be served on her by 30 March 2022. Hearing dates will be set for April 2022.

2. She has not been placed on suspension.

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

	Minister	Deputy Minister
(a)	(i) N/A	(ii) BMW
(b)	(i) N/A	(ii) X3 XDRIVE 20D
(c)	(i) N/A	(ii) 2021
(d)	(i) N/A	(ii) R761 199.40
(e)	(i) N/A	(ii) 12/10/2021

 

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

(a) Make	N/A
(b) Model	N/A
(c) Year of manufacture	N/A
(d) Price	N/A
(e) Purchase date	N/A

 

1. No vehicle was purchased for Dr BE Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in 2019 to date.
2. No vehicle was purchased for Mr BK Manamela Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in 2019 to date.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is advised that as this information is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH), the Department is still awaiting specific details from the North West Provincial Department of Health to enable me to respond to the question. The full response will be furnished to Parliament as soon as we have obtained such from the Province.

END.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard, as received from the Limpopo Department of Health

Sekhukhune
Dilokong	4
Groblersdal	6
Jane furse	4
Matlala	1
Mecklenburg	2
Philadelpjia	7
St Ritas	2
PHC	2
Total	28

Mopani
Dr CN Phatudi	3
Evuxakeni	1
Kgapane	7
Letaba	10
Maphutha	2
Nkhensani	15
Sekororo	2
PHC	2
Total	42

Capricorn district
Botlokwa	4
Helen Frans	6
Lebowakgomo	8
mankweng	8
Pietersburg	21
Seshego	12
Knobel	3
Zebediela	1
PHC	3
Total	66

Vhembe
Donald fraser	2
Elim	11
Louis Trichard	8
Malamulele	7
Messina	5
Siloam	7
Tshilidzini	17
PHC	3
Total	60

Waterberg
Ellisras	1
FH Odendaal	4
Mokopane	7
Thabazimbi	1
Voortrekker	4
Warmbaths	4
PHC	4
Total	25

• (2) what steps is his department taking in terms of human resources, training and upgrading of infrastructure and equipment to ensure that there are no further medico-legal cases?
• Ans.
• The Department in conjunction with the University of Limpopo has begun to produce well trained health care professionals and doctors on annual basis to enter the job market and contribute in providing healthcare particularly to many rural communities in the Province. There is also training of specialists within the province through the many HPCSA recognised sites; these practitioners will be contributing actively in the improvement of services rendered.
• Infrastructure upgrades are currently being under taken in various healthcare facilities throughout the Province. New equipment is being procured e.g. MRI machine to be in stalled in the Pietersburg/ Mankweng Complex. These measures are anticipated to increase the overall quality of care which in turn will reduce future claims against the state.
•  

END.

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (d) (i) (ii)

(i) nThe Department did not purchase a vehicle for the Minister during the current Administration. The two vehicles used by Minister were purchased in 2011 and 2016 and are both Totoya Fortuners.

(ii) The Department purchased a BMW 5 Series (year model 2021) in October 2021 at a price of R799 910 for Deputy Minister Majola. The Department has ordered but not yet received a BMW 5 Series, at a purchase price of R743 624 for Deputy Minister Gina.

-END-

Reply:

a) The Department of Health does not handle nor collect data of persons who have committed suicide. They are handled by the South African Police Service.

b) There are 19 976 beds available nationally to cater for mentally ill patients. This consists of 14 246 beds in public sector and 5 730 in the private sector.

c) (i) The Department of Health does not collect data on persons who have committed suicide.

(ii) Beds available for mentally ill patients in the public and private sector in each province are distributed as follows:

Province	Public Sector	Private Sector
Eastern Cape	1 864	1 088	2 952
Free State	920	298	1218
Gauteng	2 547	2 787	5 334
KwaZulu-Natal	3 200	385	3 585
Limpopo	1 492	38	1 530
Mpumalanga	258	0	258
Northern Cape	344	74	418
North West	1 256	186	1 442
Western Cape	2 365	874	3 239
Total	14 246	5 730	19 976

END

Reply:

The Department of Health has Outbreak Response Teams at National, Provincial, District and facility level. These teams are activated on notification of an outbreak of any communicable disease in the province and in the country, typhoid fever inclusive. The teams meet regularly to discuss and monitor the trajectory of all prevalent notifiable medical conditions, one of which is the Typhoid disease.

Typhoid (Salmonella Typhi) is a Notifiable Medical Condition, meaning that all confirmed cases must be officially reported to the Department of Health through the Notifiable Medical Conditions Surveillance System (NMCSS). The NICD Notifiable Medical Condition (NMC) system helps to notify cases of Typhoid and other communicable diseases in real-time. These timely notifications assist members of the Outbreak response teams to respond urgently to any Typhoid case and any communicable disease outbreak at all levels of service delivery. In addition, the district team downloads cases daily on the NMC system if any have been reported and liaise with the IPC nurses to get the demographics of the cases so that the clusters can be correctly identified, and contact tracing can commence.

Environmental Health Practitioners regularly go inside communities where there are possibilities of community members drinking from streams, dams, rivers, and lakes. They collect samples of water from these water entities and measure levels and concentration of E. coli in these waters. These levels are proxy indicators of the levels of the Typhoid fever pathogens.

They also use the opportunity to educate community members about the Typhoid disease and how to prevent this disease. Social mobilization and Risk Communications are ongoing in the communities towards the prevention and control of Typhoid disease. The provinces make use of community radio stations and secure slots where communities are educated about typhoid.

END.

Reply:

(i) No vehicles were purchased for the Minister since 29 May 2019.

(ii) The following vehicle was procured for the then Deputy Minister:

(a) Audi

(b) Q5

(c) 2020

(d) R756,489.83

(e) 30 September 2020

END.

Reply:

The following table provides the response in this regard.

Provinces	Number of babies stolen
	2019		2020		2021
	Public hospitals	Private hospitals	Public hospitals	Private hospitals	Public hospitals	Private hospitals
Eastern Cape	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding
Free State	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	0	Not reported
Gauteng	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding	Outstanding
Kwa-Zulu Natal	0	Not reported	0		0	Not reported
Limpopo	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	0	Not reported
Mpumalanga	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	0	Not provided
North West	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	0	Not reported
Northern Cape	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	0	Not reported
Western Cape	0	Not reported	0	Not reported	1	Not reported

 

We still await information from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces. This will be furnished to Parliament as soon as it is received.

 

END

Reply:

The Department has over the years implemented initiatives to support Local Economic Development at a municipal level. In 2018 the Department released the National Framework on Local Economic Development which sought to encourage all actors and role players to recognise the critical importance of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as a catalyst to promote inclusive, local economic growth and development.

Guided by framework, the Department has championed the establishsment of Business Development Forums (BDFs) which seeks to address the public sector – private sector divide as it relates to the planning and implementation of local economic development programmes. The BDFs have been implemented in municipalities such as West Coast; Sara Baartmaan, Ehlanzeni and Umgungundlovu District Municipalities.

The Department has also been involved in various Business Adopt a Municipality (BAaM) / Partnership projects with the business sector and State Owned Companies to support municipalities in addressing the challenges they face in complying to their legislative mandate.Partnerships established under the BAaM programme are different to other relationships between local government and the private sector in that they offer an opportunity for the private sector to share its experiences, skills and resources to directly support service delivery in a structured fashion at local level.

The Department in collaboration with the DTI and SALGA produced guidelines for reducing red tape in municipalities. The evidence study pointed out that municipal managers are usually focused on improving municipal financial audit results, and not on reducing Red Tape. The guidelines call upon municipal managers to prioritise both the improvement of audit ratings and the reduction of Red Tape. Among others, the guidelines recommend the initiation of Red Tape Reduction programmes by municipalities in conjunction with local business entities.

Lastly, the Department is coordinating the implementation of the District Develomplent Model (DDM) which is anchored on the development and implementation of district and metro one plans. One of the critical focus areas of the one plan is economic positioning - which is about that ensuring that districts and metros throughout the country understand their competitive and comparative advangateges and utilise them to grow their economies. The district and metro one plans are also meant to facilitate the reimagining district and metro spaces to promote inclusive growth and development. Importantly, one plans contain catalytic projects that will be implemented over a medium to long term to support economic recovery and growth in the districts and metros.  

Through the DDM approach, the department is championing a programme focusing on the alignment of the Cooperatives based community economic development model to the District Development Model to address service delivery challenges in Municipalities. This programme seeks to address amongst others the following challenges - high rate of unemployment and poverty; minimal community participation in their development; lack of focus on repairs and maintenance to reduce government expenditure and carbon emission; and over dependency of poor families on government handouts and services. The programme is being piloted in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province focusing on Land fill, routine road maintenance, and potholes patching targeting Community Works Programme Participants.

Reply:

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health informed that-

a|) The Circular was issued by the Department as a cost containment plan for the management of budget allocated. The primary aim is to ensure that there is no over expenditure on COE amongst other things as a turnaround strategy to reduce the over expenditure in the budget allocated.

b) The Department will closely monitor the spending of budget in which it will allow the filling of critical posts whilst the moratorium is in place as a cost containment plan.

c) The resolution by the Provincial Executive Council, Provincial Treasury and relevant Portfolio Committees is that the accounting officer submits and implements a turnaround plan that will ensure the Department does not over-spend its budget allocation as envisaged in section 39(2)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999, as amended.

END.

Reply:

a) Breakdown of R49 million unauthorised expenditure

Programme 4: Primary Health Care: (R37,886 million)

Per economic classification	Amount in R’000
Compensation of Employees	(43 763)
Goods and Services	4 936
Transfers and Subsidies	-
Capital Assets	941
Net Results	(37 886)

Programme 6: Health Systems Governance: (R11,841 million)

Per economic classification	Amount in R’000
Compensation of Employees	151
Goods and Services	13 708
Transfers and Subsidies	(30 568)
Capital Assets	4 868
Net Results	(11 841)

Grand total: R49,727 million

b) The National Department of Health did not incur irregular expenditure to the value of R922 million for the 2020/21 financial year. The irregular expenditure disclosed in the Annual Financial Statements for the 2020/21 financial year amounts to R297,888 million and is composed as follows:

Actual Irregular expenditure incurred in 2020/21 R131,752 million

Irregular expenditure incurred in previous financial years R166,136 million

Accumulative amount as at 31 March 2020/21 R297,888 million

c) The National Department of Health did not incur R849 million for the 2019/20 financial year. The irregular expenditure disclosed in the Annual Financial Statements for the 2019/20 financial year amounts to R166,136 million and is composed as follows:

Actual Irregular expenditure incurred in 2019/20 R 58,784 million

Irregular expenditure incurred in previous financial years R107,352 million

Accumulative amount as at 31 March 2019/20 R166,136 million

With regards to disciplinary procedures, cases have been sent for assessment in terms of the Irregular Expenditure Framework as published by National Treasury, dated 16 May 2019 to determine whether the transactions are indeed irregular or not. Some of these transactions have been sent to the Office of the Accountant-General to determine if indeed the findings of AGSA are valid or not in terms of the Mechanism for Resolving Disagreement Between the Auditor (AGSA) and Auditee dated 01 June 2021, the auditee in this cases is (NDOH). Some of the officials implicated in the cases mentioned had been suspended and disciplinary hearings are underway/ in progress.

END.

Reply:

The MISA technical support was made aware of the water provision challenges. MISA is continually supporting MLM in infrastructure delivery and service delivery including improving access to water together with the Department of Water & Sanitation and other stakeholders through the DDM.

a) National Government has deployed technical support, through MISA as mentioned in the background above, to low and medium capacity municipalities including MLM.

As part of the support package to MLM, MISA conducted a water infrastructure assessment from the 21st of August 2018 to the 31st of March 2019 that covered the nine (9) water services treatment plants in MLM. The Assessment Report was shared with the MLM and MLM is continuously supported to implement the recommendations of the report in order to improve delivery. MISA supports MLM with the implementation of projects throughout the project life cycle. Some of the specific activities of support are as follows:

• • • Review of projects business plans and technical reports for registration processes,
    • General project management and project implementation planning
    • Verification of work done on infrastructure projects
    • Invoice verification on the MIG funded projects prior payment to ensure value for money is created on the ground.

MISA is also supporting MLM with the development the Social Labour Plans (SLP) in mining towns.

b) National government has developed programmes to support municipalities including the MLM to perform their functions.

MLM is also supported by national government through conditional grants like the MIG and WSIG to provide access to water. MISA is providing technical support to implement these grants.

Furthermore, the Minister of Water and Sanitation has commenced a stakeholder consultation process to address the challenges that SWB is facing. To that end the Minister of Water and Sanitation wrote to the Minister of COGTA in that regard on the 4th of February 2022.

Reply:

a) Surgeries are conducted at facility level and the information is also collected here. The current national backlog information can therefore not be provided as there is still outstanding information.

Table below provides information by province who have reported for (b)(i)(ii).

Province	b(i) non-essential surgeries	b(ii) cancer treatment,
Free State	3076	Not specified
Kwa-Zulu Natal	16295	311
Limpopo	5398	120
Mpumalanga	2687	No backlog for cancer treatment
Northern Cape	2542	Not specified
Western Cape	Western Cape Department of Health use operations > 30 mins as a proxy marker for this: 2019 the Department performed 105 882 operations > 30 mins This dropped by 19 % during 2020 Dropped even further to 22 % by 2021	The services have begun re-escalating cervical cancer screening activities again.
Province	c(i)Number of delayed surgeries	c)(ii)Type of surgery
Free State	411	Orthopaedics
	59	Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	350	General Surgery
	722	Ophthalmology
	88	Urology
	98	Maxillo- Facial

(d) (i) The waiting time in Free State facilities for non-essential surgery is as follows:

• Orthopaedics surgery ranges between four (4) weeks for femur fracture to five (5 years) for arthroplasty.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology between from two (2) weeks to two (2) years.
• General Surgery ranges between two (2) weeks to two (2) years.
• Urology ranges between one (1) month to one (1) year.
• Ophthalmology there is none for Retina surgery from one hospital.

(ii) However for cataract surgery it ranges from one (1) year to three (3) years.

Province	c(i)Number of delayed surgeries	c)(ii)Type of surgery
Kwa- Zulu Natal	2147	Orthopaedics
	721	Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	1653	General Surgery
	6857	Ophthalmology
	2287	Urology
	740	Maxillo- Facial
	650	ENT
	246	Plastic Surgery
	107	Neurosurgery
	887	Paediatric Surgery

(i) The waiting time in Kwa Zulu-Natal facilities for non-essential surgery is as follows:

• Orthopaedics surgery ranges between six (6) months to two (2) years.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology ranges between three (3) months six (6) months.
• General Surgery ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.
• Urology ranges between twelve (12) months to three (3) years.
• ENT ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.
• Plastic Surgery not provided
• Neurosurgery not provided
• Paediatric Surgery not provided

(ii) Ophthalmology which includes cataract surgery ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.

Province	c(i)Number of delayed surgeries	c)(ii)Type of surgery
Limpopo	141	Orthopaedics
	74	Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	5000	Ophthalmology
	97	Urology

(i) The waiting time in Limpopo facilities for non-essential surgery is as follows:

• Orthopaedics surgery ranges between six (6) months to two (2) years.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.
• Urology ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.

(ii) Ophthalmology which includes cataract surgery ranges between one (1) year to four(years)

Province	c(i)Number of delayed surgeries	c)(ii)Type of surgery
Mpumalanga	325	Orthopaedics
	369	Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	80	General Surgery
	1913	Ophthalmology

(i) The waiting time in Mpumalanga facilities for non-essential surgery is as follows:

• Orthopaedics surgery ranges between seven (7) days to one (1) year.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology ranges between four (4) weeks to six (6) months.
• General Surgery is one (1) year.
• Urology ranges between six (6) months to one (1) year.

(ii) Ophthalmology which includes cataract surgery ranges between four (4) weeks to one (1) year.

Province	c(i)Number of delayed surgeries	c)(ii)Type of surgery
Northern Cape	425	Orthopaedics
	190	Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	492	General Surgery
	1440	Ophthalmology
	471	Urology
	750	ENT
	100	Plastic Surgery
	62	Maxillo Facial

(i) The waiting time in Northern Cape facilities for non-essential surgery is as follows:

• Orthopaedics surgery ranges between two (2) days to three (3) months
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology not specified.
• General Surgery not specified
• Urology ranges one (1) year eight (8) months
• ENT not specified
• Plastic Surgery not specified

(ii) Ophthalmology which includes cataract surgery ranges between two (2) to three (3) years.

We still await information from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Northwest, and Western Cape Provinces. This will be furnished to Parliament as soon as it is received.

Reply:

The scientific evidence is that where people must unavoidably congregate every protective measure should be taken including masking, ventilation, social distance from one another where possible, physical barriers such as screens, and increasing individual immunity through vaccination. The approach taken by institutions of higher learning is in line with this evidence and is therefore supported.

END.

Reply:

a) This is a requirement stipulated in the current National State of Disaster Regulations. The global community is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and its categorisation as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation COVID-19 calls for countries to decrease the disease incidence through early detection and response. Requiring tourists to produce a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is classified as part of the early detection measures South Africa has introduced to reduce transmission of COVID-19. This requirement assists in deterring travellers who are symptomatic from travelling and from potentially infecting others during travel and South Africans on entry into the country.

b) An increase in immunity levels against the virus by the general population and vaccination uptake will allow the country to revise some of these entry requirements as more and more citizens become less susceptible to severe disease caused by COVID infections.

c) Considerations are underway to allow fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country and allow for the use of other less expensive means of tests such as antigen testing in the future also in consideration of the epidemiological circumstances. There are also joint initiatives between accounting officers of Health, Tourism and Home Affairs to work on the electronic screening process of travellers.

END.

Reply:

1. (a)(i)(aa) The total number of doctors who were confirmed as having met the requirements of completing their degrees in December 2021 that made them eligible for medical internship for January 2022 are 2 419;

(a)(ii)(aa) The total number of Nurses who were confirmed as having met the requirements of completing their degrees in December 2021 that made them eligible for community service for January 2022 are 3 196;

(a)(bb) The total number of Interns who have completed their medical degrees and were eligible to be placed for medical internship in the Annual 2022 cycle are 2 419;

(a)(cc) The total number of community service doctors who have completed their medical internship and were eligible to be placed for community service doctors in the Annual 2022 cycle are 2 155.

(b) A total of 43 Medical Community Service doctors, 10 Medical Interns and 12 Community Services Nurses were placed, respectively into positions. However, they have since rejected their placements due to various reasons and therefore remain unemployed.

(b)(i)(ii)The budget for placing Interns and Community service Doctors and Nurses in the healthcare system have since increased from the year 2016 baseline with 75%, making the budget demand to be R 4 898 440 063.00 p/a. The increased numbers demanding additional positions for placements, are due to returning medical students who studied in Cuba through the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) Programme and additional intakes by local Universities, (b) the National Department of Health, had to approach National Treasury to introduce new funding as Human Resources Training Grant (HRTG) to cover the shortfalls as Provincial Departments of Health were unable to the shortfalls demands within their equitable share budgets.

END.

Reply:

The Department coordinated the Municipal Structures Amendment Act of 2021, the Act now includes the function of Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), which empowers the committee (MPAC) to investigate and report to council on matters affecting the municipality.

The Department is embarking on the development of online monitoring and reporting tool for MPACs. The Department in collaboration with stakeholders within local government space continues to capacitate MPACs to have a better understanding of their oversight role, which includes treatment of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in accordance with section 32 of Municipal Finance Management Act.

The Northwest Province has targeted to support all four district municipalities on the investigation of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in line with District Development Model. Additionally, the Provincial CoGTA in collaboration with Provincial Treasury and SALGA will follow up on the work executed by the previous council on the investigation of UIF&W expenditure. 

The province has inducted newly elected MPAC members on numerous components with emphasis on investigation and reduction of the UIF&W expenditure in the municipalities on the 7-11 February 2022.

The Department of Treasury is taking a lead on the review of municipal UIF&W expenditure reduction strategy and municipalities are directed to implement the recommendations.