Questions and Replies

Reply:

SASSA runs the data – both for social grants and the social relief of distress grant – against the Department of Home Affairs’ Population Register before the payments are extracted for the following month. All deaths that have been registered with Department of Home Affairs result in the payment not being extracted. However, deaths that are reported late, or after the extraction date will result in payments for the specific beneficiary being extracted.

The information provided below is for the payment vouchers extracted after the date of death of the beneficiary. This information is not grant specific, but linked to a beneficiary, who may receive more than one grant. Further analysis is required to be able to specify this by grant type. For the period January 2020 to 31 October 2021, a total of 214 344 vouchers were extracted after the death of the beneficiary. However, this does not reflect the numbers actually paid out as in some cases, the money paid has already been recovered, or returned to SASSA by SAPO.

The total number of vouchers for the R350 social relief of distress grant extracted after the death of the beneficiary for the period under discussion is 59 089. Again, this is the total number of vouchers extracted, but the actual number paid out will only be known on receipt of the full reconciliation from SAPO.

Reply:

Yes, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has made efforts to intervene and improve the quality of drinking water in Hammanskraal including the following:

• Undertaking sampling of drinking water at the Temba Water Treatment Works (WTW) which confirmed that the drinking water is non-compliant with the drinking water standards, South African National Standards 214:2015
• Conducting investigations into the situation regarding water challenges in Hammanskraal and issued Directives to the City of Tshwane to improve the quality of drinking water supplied to the community of Hammanskraal
• Issued mutliple directives instructing City of Tshwane (CoT) to comply with the drinking water standards

It is important for the Honourable Member to note that the source of the contaminated water in Hammanskraal is the poor effluent discharged by the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) into the Apies River. The Rooiwal WWTW is overloaded, such that the effluent discharged into the Apies River is partially treated, and therefore pollutes the Apies River and the Leeukraal Dam.

The DWS also found that the CoT did not have capacity to optimally operate the Rooiwal WWTW. Subsequently, the CoT appointed East Rand Water Care Company (Erwat) to operate and upgrade the Rooiwal WWTW. Once completed, it is envisaged that the effluent discharged from the WWTW will improve. This will in turn improve the quality of water abstracted from the Temba WTW, which supplies water to Hammanskraal. The DWS will continue with compliance and enforcement processes until the CoT fully complies with effluent standards. The CoT is currently providing potable water to Hammanskraal community, using tankers.

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Reply:

1. National Treasury is not drafting a policy on a family poverty grant.

2. There will be no pilot as National Treasury is not drafting the policy.

3. Refer to (2).

Reply:

10 In 2018, Ministers of Health and of Police met to discuss safety and security challenges emanating from the incident where a Dr was shot at in Limpopo at Letaba Hospital. It was resolved that an inter departmental task team should be established comprising SAPS, PSIRA, DLE, SSA and all Provincial Security Managers to develop a safety and security strategy to address security challenges.

2. In this regard, a Task Team through National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINS) developed a plan with the following deliverables:

• Development of security infrastructure norms and standards
• Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between SAPS and Department of Health
• Deployment of Reservist at identified hot spot hospitals
• Development of a Health Security Dispensation
• Physical assessment of hot spot hospitals
• Normalisation of hot spot hospitals and safety of EMS practitioners

Progress to date

The following table reflects progress to date

Deliverables	Progress
Development of security infrastructure norms and standards	Done: Infrastructure Unit Support Systems (IUSS) was developed and Gazetted. This is a document developed for health facilities and provides norms and standards, which include security services.
Memorandum of Agreement between SAPS and Department of Health	Done: MOA for collaboration was developed and signed by both the Director-General of Health and the National Commissioner of South African Police Services
Deployment of Reservist at identified hot spot hospitals	Work in progress: Costing for the development of police Reservists was done, waiting for provinces to request for deployment when required
Development of a Health Security Dispensation (in-sourcing of security)	Work in progress: Dependent on inputs from provincial in-sourcing strategy and/or hybrid model, which would then be consolidated into a nation strategy. These are still outstanding.
Physical assessment of hot spot hospitals	Done: Assessments were conducted at all hot spot hospitals and recommendations were submitted to relevant HoDs for implementation.

 

3. In addition to the establishment of the task team by both Ministers (Health and SAPS), NDoH has established a team to facilitate the implementation of safety and security strategy emanating from NATJOINTS comprising South African Medical Association (SAMA), Medical Women Association of South Africa (MWASA), Provincial Security Managers and Organised Labour.

4. The National Department of Health internal team came up with the following action plan:

• Expand membership of the Forum to incorporate other key stakeholders.
• The Forum will be the sub-committee to the Technical NHC
• Provinces must submit their needs for intervention and indicate hotspots hospitals for deployment of Reservists, number and period for deploying the Reservists and lastly indicate if funding is available.
• Health Care Workers and In-house Security Officers must be trained while Private Security should be retrained every six months.
• Provinces to provide copies of their current Service Level Agreement (SLA) to NDoH which will help the Forum to develop a universal SLA.
• The Forum will develop standardized security services specifications.
• Provinces to conduct and provide capacity and competency database audits and submit to NDoH.
• Provinces must report security breaches to NDoH promptly on a continuous basis.

5. CONCLUSION

Both NATJOINTS task team led by SAPS and internal stakeholder’s security committee are meeting on continuous basis with the view to ensure that all provinces implement the strategy.

 

END.

Reply:

a) (i) and (ii) Following extensive investigation and consultation between the National Department of Health (NDOH) and National Treasury to find a suitable model to distribute the funds, these two departments have resolved that the Fund will be administered within the NDOH. Treasury will transfer the appropriate allocation to the NDOH. The NDOH is in the process of establishing a unit that will administer the Fund, in consultation with Treasury and the Department for the Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The Director-General of Health as the Accounting Officer will oversee the governance and administration of the Fund.

b) See (1) above.

c) (i) and (ii) The prescripts of the PFMA will apply. Treasury and the Auditor General will also continue to exercise oversight over the Fund.

d) The Director-General of the National Department of Health.

END.

Reply:

According to the information received from SAA

 

1. (a) Captain Themba McClain was appointed at SAA as a Captain on 1 June 1992. He held the position of Chief Standards Pilot during his career at SAA.

(b) During his employment with the airline he received and completed training required for the execution of his duties as a pilot, as required by all pilots. Captain McClain’s training as a Commander with SAA, commenced on 29 January 2007.

c) This information is of a confidential nature

2. (a) & (b) No investigations or findings thereof are known to SAA. The SACAA in their role as regulator approves all pilots license. It is Important to note that the Chief Pilot position is a regulated post holder in terms of CARS 121.06.2, and all incumbents acting for a period in excess of 30 days are approved by the CAA. Captain Themba acted as the Chief Pilot from 8 November 2016 until 31 December 2017. He was approved by the CAA on the 3 November 2016.

3. Please refer to responses in (1) and (2) above.

4. Capt. Themba McClain was offered the position of Chief Pilot at SAA, which he declined.

Reply:

The Department spent a total amount of R24 million on consultants as shown below:

Service Provider (1)	Service Rendered (2)	Amount
Matsei Technology	Development and implementation of the enterprise architecture	912 640,00
Tipp Focus holdings	On Demand IT Technical Services	169 883,77
R. Kalidass	Provision of co-sourced internal audit and forensic investigation services	291 121,35
Full Stream Business	Development of the ICT Security Strategy	819 057,41
21st Century	Conduct SOC Remuneration Survey	1 202 400,00
Vortex	Development of the Board Evaluation Framework	543 950,00
Government Technical Advisory Committee	Development of the Risk Management Framework	1 691 754,70
Seabury International	SAA Business Rescue	17 486 565,00
Basadzi Personnel	Recruitment and Selection	192 648,00
Quest Staffing Solutions	Recruitment and Selection	17 725,00
Gijima Holdings	Recruitment and Selection	16 882,00
Mogoma Research and Development	Recruitment and Selection	21 200,04
Audit and Risk Committee Members	Audit and Risk Committee meetings	676 356,58
Azile Resources	Impact Assessments of Corporate Social Investment Projects	145 600,00
Total	24 187 783,85

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet

Financial performance

For the 31 March 2021 financial year, Transnet experienced challenges due to the nationwide lockdown resulting in subdued volume demand as well as operational challenges.

• Transnet’s revenue decreased by 10,5% to R67,3 billion (2020: R75,2 billion), due to a:
• 13,7% decline in rail freight volumes,
• 26,4% decline in pipeline volumes, and
• 11,5% decline in port container throughput mainly as a result of the nationwide lockdown.

Transnet performance was at a backdrop of South Africa’s real GDP that had contracted by 7% in 2020 after GDP growth of only 0,2% was recorded in 2019. In a historic context, it was the worst SA GDP performance since the great depression years of the 1930’s.

In addition, net operating expenses increased by 16,2% to R47,8 billion (2020: R41,2) mainly due to:

• fixed costs that have not decreased in line with the reduced activity - personnel costs, maintenance, and security costs,
• unbudgeted third party claim provision and increased environmental provisions relating to pipeline spills arising from product theft incidents, which also resulted in increased security costs (R5,6 billion),
• unbudgeted Covid-19 related expenses of R232 million, and
• lower operating income due to the lower sale of scrap, lease recoveries and PRASA recoveries.

The 2022 YTD results indicate that recovery is further evident in the steady improvement of revenue achieved (96,2% of the plan).

Management has also implemented cash preservation measures to safeguard financial performance and cash flows over and above the plan. Key focus areas include amongst others:

• Collections from overdue customers;
• Revenue initiatives;
• Sale of non-core properties;
• Sale of scrap;
• Procurement optimisation;
• Moratorium on discretionary and other costs;
• Review of contract spend; and
• Capital investment optimisation.

It is important to note that no employee has been forced to take severance packages, however, employees voluntarily selected to leave the company.

Irregular expenditure

The Company has embarked on a PFMA improvement programme which has both a long-term ( STATE CAPTURE LINKED IRREGULAR EXPENDITURE) and short-term emphasis, which collectively focusses on addressing the audit qualifications and improving internal controls, to ensure a sustainable process is in place where all information required by the PFMA are identified, actioned and reported timeously.

The PFMA improvement programme was implemented through an enhanced 2021 financial year remedial plan to deal with the root cause and the recommended remedial action that is required to create sustainable solutions around people, processes and systems in the procurement environment and to reduce the occurrence of irregular expenditure.

Planned outcomes of the PFMA remedial plan include:

• improved procurement processes;

• reduction in PFMA transgressions; and

• improved completeness and accuracy of PFMA reporting through implementing sustainable solutions embedded within the business.

Transnet remains committed to continuing to enhance consequence management efforts and investigating PFMA related transgressions. As a result, the forensic investigations process has been centralised. The centralisation was to enhance the coordination and efficiencies of the investigation process, to ensure consistent application of corrective action throughout the organisation that resulted in areas of improvement.

Challenges exist due to the history in managing and reporting PFMA transgressions which make it impractical for Transnet to disclose all irregular expenditure reliably. The National Treasury accepted the impracticability judgement for the historic periods up to and including 31 March 2021, given the legacy of state capture that this process will take time to complete. However, Transnet will still need provide evidence to demonstrate the impracticability assertion and for the Auditor General of South Africa to assess its applicability.

Transnet will continue engaging the National Treasury to find a way to ring-fence the legacy issues of irregular expenditure as these do not impact on the fair presentation of the annual financial statements.

Reply:

The Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ (MAPSEZ) was designated in 2015; and subsequent to that, the SEZ License was issued in 2017 which formally designated MAPSEZ as a brownfield. The SEZ is managed by the Free-State Provincial Government. The department of trade, industry and competition’s role in this regard is to designate at the request of the province and to provide the financial support at the SEZ.

With all the new SEZ’s designated since 2020, the dtic is directly involved in the co-ownership and management of the zones. The new ownership model involves the national, province, and municipalities in the running of the SEZs.

Accordingly, the honourable member is encouraged to engage directly with the province and the SEZ Management to get more details about the project.

-END-

Reply:

The Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ (MAPSEZ) was designated in 2015; and subsequent to that, the SEZ License was issued in 2017 which formally designated MAPSEZ as a brownfield. The SEZ is managed by the Free-State Provincial Government. The department of trade, industry and competition’s role in this regard is to designate at the request of the province and to provide the financial support at the SEZ.

With all the new SEZ’s designated since 2020, the dtic is directly involved in the co-ownership and management of the zones. The new ownership model involves the national, province, and municipalities in the running of the SEZs.

Accordingly, the honourable member is encouraged to engage directly with the province and the SEZ Management to get more details about the project.

-END-

Reply:

There are a number of factors (and therefore, government departments) that are possible contributors to ultimately, to ultimately resolving the challenge of loadshedding.

The government is working closely with Eskom to reduce the duration of loadshedding. Cabinet has acknowledged the inconvenience loadshedding has caused and National Treasury is working with Eskom to grant it the appropriate exemptions to acquire the spare parts needed for repairs and maintenance.

Government notes that Eskom is making progress in re-employing skilled personnel – including plant managers – to help the organisation make headway at individual power stations and across other operations.

In addition, government is making every effort to bring new power generation capacity online in the shortest possible time. While Cabinet is aware that the current energy challenges are frustrating and counterproductive to economic growth, it is confident that the practical actions to restructure and strengthen our electricity system will eventually improve South Africa’s energy capacity.

We are very mindful of the economic constraints and social (and political) negativity unleashed by loadshedding.

We should always be mindful of the operational and technical damage done by those involved in state capture – their priority together with insiders and businesses, was to steal, to overprice services and parts and engage in other forms of malfeaseance. The parliamentary enquiry conducted in 2017, exposed many of these shenanigans.

Reply:

The following responses are as received from the nine provinces

a) Safety precautions and/or plans have been implemented nationally in hospitals to manage fires

• In Eastern Cape, fire safety is managed at hospital level. Fire safety has several role-players including Infrastructure/ Facilities/ Engineering and Occupational Health and Safety units in most hospitals. Some hospitals have fire safety in their disaster plans and some have unit / ward – based action cards for response to fire and/or evacuation plans.

• All Free State facilities are fitted with fire extinguishers and fire hydrants. The smaller facilities have fire extinguishers and the larger facilities e.g. Hospitals have fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.

• Safety plans and emergency preparedness plans are in place but in many facilities in Gauteng there are no approved disaster management plans by the local authority for hospitals and also no occupancy certificates. Fire and evacuation drills are done sporadically or not done at all.

• All institutions in KwaZulu-Natal have fire fighting equipment i.e. fire extinguishers (10538), fire hose reels (2756) and depending on the size of the institution fire hydrants (1152). Internal disaster management plans, which include fire evacuation plans are available and reviewed as necessary. Fire evacuation drills are conducted internally and documented. Fire departments from local municipalities are involved in major evacuation drills and also institutions acquire their inputs when reviewing fire evacuation plans. Fire safety training has been conducted for staff and some institutions have fire and alarm detection systems.

• Limpopo has trained fire wardens in every facility with the Fire departments providing support and training. Fire drills are conducted at each facility.

• Mpumalanga facilities have approved disaster and emergency evacuation plans. Risk assessments are being conducted inclusive of fire hazards and risks and control measures put in place. Local fire inspectors conduct fire inspections at facilities on invitation.

• Northern Cape has no approved disaster plan but emergency plans are in place and bi-annual fire drills are conducted at facilities.

• All hospitals in North West have floor plans and evacuation plans with trained fire wardens and fire drills performed. Inspections of hospitals were done by the Fire Departments of local authorities in 2021 and the recommendations are used to enhance the plans.

• The Western Cape has adopted the MIMMS systems for hospital preparedness for managing Major Incidents. MIMMS (Major Incident Medical Management and Support) is an internationally accepted system to manage such incidents. Hospitals have Major Incident Plans that also include managing a fire incident. The Office for Disaster Medicine at provincial level and the facility manager signs off on the plan. The plan is reviewed annually or after a major incident at the facility.

(b) Servicing of fire equipment

• Eastern Cape has a provincial contract for the fire safety equipment which includes the servicing of fire extinguishers and fire hydrants annually.

• In Gauteng fire equipment are serviced once a year in line with expiry dates – however there is a dependency on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

• The fire equipment are serviced annually in Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West.

• Fire equipment at all facilities in all districts of the Western Cape are serviced through service level agreement (SLA) contracts. Each district has its own SLA contract and all fire equipment are serviced every 12 months according to applicable regulations and requirements.

(c) Breakdown in each province in terms of fire equipment checks in each of the past five financial years

• Eastern Cape could not collate the information as it is kept at facility level.

• It varied in different hospitals in Gauteng with 27 facilities reporting annual checks; 5 facilities were last assessed in 2020 and 4 facilities did not report.

• Free State and Limpopo have annual checks on the fire equipment.

• In KwaZulu-Natal, fire equipment checks form part of the monthly inspections by health and safety representatives.

• Mpumalanga has spent on average R2m per annum on fire equipment checks and maintenance.

• Northern Cape conducts monthly checks on fire equipment.

• North West has monthly checks by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) representatives with quarterly inspections by the provincial OHS forum.

• Western Cape has spent on average R8m per annum on fire equipment checks and maintenance.

 

END.

Reply:

The CEO of the NRCS, Mr Mamaditse, has provided the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) with the following information.

a) “Full Details of the Fraud Case:

There was fraud committed amounting to R4 501,488.21. The employee processed fraudulent refunds. The NRCS receive funds from clients for services rendered or levies. In some instances, the clients fail to indicate or include the correct reference number. These funds are treated as unallocated until they are traced and allocated to the correct client account. The employee allocated some of these funds to third parties with the intention to refund them to these fraudulent clients that were not the respective depositors of the funds. The wrongly allocated funds were subsequently refunded to third parties that were not the depositors of the said funds, thereby defrauding the NRCS.

Disciplinary Against the Implicated Employee:

The NRCS has initiated a disciplinary action against the implicated employee and the disciplinary process is still in progress. The disciplinary process against the employee commenced on the 15th of March 2021. Subsequently thereto the NRCS appointed Initiator of the disciplinary process passed on due to COVID 19 and another Initiator has now been appointed. The matter sat again on 14th of September 2021 and employee representative fell ill during the proceedings and matter was postponed to and proceeded on the 14th and 15th October 2021. Matter was further adjourned to the 18th and 19th of November 2021.

b) Who was involved?

Position: Accounts Receivable Manager

Employee Name:

c) A criminal case was opened on the 25th of March 2021 at Sunnyside Police Station and was transferred to the Commercial Crimes Unit on the 12th of April 2021. The respective case number is: CAS 685/3/2021.”

-END-

Reply:

According to the information received from ALEXKOR

1. (a) Scarlet Skye Investment (SSI) does not possess a diamond marketing licence instead a licence belonging to the company Daniel Nathan Trading (now called) Alexander Bay Diamonds) was used. Daniel Nathan is the director of SSI.

(b) The valuator was appointed by SSI. Alexkor does not have the records of the

valuators details.

(c) Alexkor SOC obtained a diamond marketing licence in May 2020. Alexkor SOC has since assumed the function on behalf of the Alexkor RMC PSJV.

2. (a) The brokers notes are provided to individual companies who have a contract with Alexkor and PSJV. These are subject to confidentiality, Alexkor is unable to provide these without consent from the Alexkor RMC PSJV and contractors.

(b) The fact that SSI did not have the licence, Daniel Nathan Diamonds was used which made the selling of diamonds legal. As for Brokers Notes and Invoices, these are private and confidential information Alexkor SOC is unable to provide

these without consent from the Alexkor RMC PSJV and contractors.

 

The DPE will attempt to obtain the necessary consent for disclosure.

Reply:

According to the Information Received from Denel

Denel SOC has no intention to sell off Denel Pretoria Metal Pressings. This part of business remains strategic to both Denel and THE Department of Defence. The development and manufacturing of small and medium caliber munitions are core to Denel’s business model of Denel. However, the SOC overall structure and business model required for sustainability is under review.

Reply:

According to the information received from ALEXKOR

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

According to the information received from DENEL

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

According to the information received from ESKOM

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

According to the information received from SAFCOL

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

According to the information received from SAA

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

According to the information received from TRANSNET

1. Not Applicable
2. (i), (ii) Not Applicable

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Kgathatso Tlhakudi Pravin Gordhan, MP

Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

The Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ (MAPSEZ) was designated in 2015; and subsequent to that, the SEZ License was issued in 2017 which formally designated MAPSEZ as a brownfield. The SEZ is managed by the Free-State Provincial Government. The department of trade, industry and competition’s role in this regard is to designate at the request of the province and to provide the financial support at the SEZ.

With all the new SEZ’s designated since 2020, the dtic is directly involved in the co-ownership and management of the zones. The new ownership model involves the national, province, and municipalities in the running of the SEZs.

Accordingly, the honourable member is encouraged to engage directly with the province and the SEZ Management to get more details about the project.

-END-

Reply:

a) Plans to address the hospital’s

(i) Infrastructural problems

The Northwest Department of Health currently focus on statutory and day-to-day maintenance on health facilities in Lichtenburg. Statutory maintenance budget is ring-fenced to focus on Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning and Cooling (HVAC) and maintenance of standby generators and boilers.

(ii) Staff Shortage

Due to funding constraints, the Department finds it difficult to fill vacant posts and continue to year-on-year overspend on compensation of employees. The Department continues to engage both Provincial and National Treasury in this regard.

b) Costs of the plans to the department

The estimated cost at present associated with the replacement of Lichtenburg Hospital amounts to R1.2 billion. This excludes costs associated with maintenance to maintain operability of the current facility and to where possible extend its life.

c) Update on the progress regarding the implementation of plans

The Maintenance plan, to do upkeep of the existing hospital, is an ongoing activity and funded for every financial year. The new Lichtenburg hospital will replace the old General de la Rey Hospital and the dilapidated Thusong Hospital which is too old for renovation at an estimated cost of R1,2 billion. The following tasks have been completed by the professional team since 2017:

• Accommodation Schedule – The number of beds (wards) including the pharmacy, operating theatres, trauma unit, kitchen, laundry, mortuary, mechanical workshops etc. have been agreed to and signed off by the stakeholders. This forms part of the project brief.
• Acquisition of land – The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has committed to making land available for the project (refer to attached letter from the municipality).
• Environmental Impact Assessment – A record of approval from the relevant authorities have been received.
• Traffic Impact Study – A preliminary study has been done.
• Geotechnical Investigation – A preliminary soil investigation has been completed.
• Land Survey – A topographical survey of the project site has been completed.
• Hospital layout and designs – A layout of the hospital and the detailed designs are expected to be finalized by the department in 2022/23 financial year

d) What steps will he take to address implementation of the plans.

There is an emphasis on strategic alignment of the project in the Infrastructure Unit of the National Department of Health and the appraisal and prioritization of this capital project undertaken has received quite a bit of attention over the past years. A concerted effort in alignment is thus underway for this project to ensure full compliance to the National Treasury Capital Planning guidelines.

The National Department of Health via the Direct-Health Facility Revitalisation Grant will continue monitoring the progress of implementing plans associated with this new hospital.

END.

Reply:

a) Beds

The Department has no plan to increase the number of beds from the current baseline that we have. This is based on the fact that even during the third wave, which was the highest, the country never had shortage of beds and oxygen that was required for the management of Covid-19 pandemic. As an example, between the 12 and 15 July 2021, which was at the highest point of the third wave, the country had the following hospitalisation breakdown:

• The total admissions in Non-ICU Beds was 14 319 out of total General 108 805 beds (13% bed occupancy)
• There 2423 admissions in the ICU beds out of 5615 total ICU beds (43% bed occupancy)

This means that we have enough capacity based on the lessons learned from the third wave, and as such there is no need to increase the number of beds.

b) Additional Ventilators

Both private and public sector hospitals have received 14 292 ventilators from Solidarity Fund. These devices are in the hospitals and approximately 7000 have been used. This has left us with a strategic reserve in the event of the increase in the number of patients. The department has further received 5708 of the additional ventilators which is the reserve that is kept in the National Department of Health for further deployment in the event of further pressure that may arise.

c) Additional PPEs

PPEs are in the main consumable and as such they are dependent on the rate of use. The Department has a system for monitoring the Stock On Hand, which alerts the department to the areas of acute shortages. The department has budget which will be used whenever the PPE reach less than 70% at aby given time.

END.

Reply:

The Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ (MAPSEZ) was designated in 2015; and subsequent to that, the SEZ License was issued in 2017 which formally designated MAPSEZ as a brownfield. The SEZ is managed by the Free-State Provincial Government. The department of trade, industry and competition’s role in this regard is to designate at the request of the province and to provide the financial support at the SEZ.

With all the new SEZ’s designated since 2020, the dtic is directly involved in the co-ownership and management of the zones. The new ownership model involves the national, province, and municipalities in the running of the SEZs.

Accordingly, the honourable member is encouraged to engage directly with the province and the SEZ Management to get more details about the project.

-END-

Reply:

According to the information received from ALEXKOR

1. Alexkor and Richtersveld Mining Company (RMC) Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture, known as Alexkor RMC PSJV, is an unincorporated joint venture where Alexkor holds 51% interest and RMC holds 49%.

The settlement agreement reached between Government and the community of Richtersveld directed that land-based diamond assets previously owned by Alexkor be transferred to the community and Alexkor to retain the marine based diamonds assets

The Alexkor RMC PSJV is led by a board composed of three (3) members from Alexkor and three (3) from the communities.

2. In terms of the settlement agreement, the court ordered that R200 million be expended to the recapitalisation of the diamond operations post the prolonged court proceedings.

The terms of repayment are outlined in the settlement agreement. No further funding has been provided to the PSJV nor Alexkor

Alexkor is a Schedule 2 company bound by the PFMA. Alexkor RMC PSJV is not Schedule 2 company therefore it is not bound by PFMA provisions.

3. Alexkor is a Schedule 2 company bound by the PFMA. Alexkor RMC PSJV is not Schedule 2 company therefore it is not bound by PFMA provisions.

4. The Alexkor RMC PSJV is an unincorporated entity and does not qualify as a national public entity or a national government business enterprise based on the definition of the two by the PFMA namely the Alexkor RMC PSJV is not juristic entity nor under the ownership control of the national executive. Given that the Alexkor RMC PSJV is not a public entity that it could not be listed in either Schedule 2 or 3 of the PFMA. Section 3 of the PFMA provides that the PFMA applies to departments, public entities listed in Schedule 2 or 3, and constitutional institutions. The Alexkor RMC PSJV is none of these. It is therefore advised that the PFMA does not apply to the Alexkor RMC PSJV itself, in its own name.

Reply:

According to the information received from ESKOM

1. With respect, the two issues are not linked.

The increased tariff contributes to the revenue of Eskom and its financial performance. Eskom has managed to meet its debt commitments and not defaulted on its debt commitments. There are various factors that contribute to this including the equity support that Eskom has received from Government. The increase in the tariff will improve cash from operations and will assist in strengthening Eskom’s financial position.

The load shedding minimization and impact on the national grid is not related to the price increase. Various other issues, from a technical operational point, need to be considered in this regard.

2. Eskom will work together with the private sector and IPPs to rollout renewables. Our plans and strategies are not mutually exclusive. An important part of our strategy is to ensure we deal with the socio-economic impacts of transition from coal. We are working on repowering and repurposing options, as well as plans to drive localisation, in collaboration with other industry players. This is meant to spur economic growth and grow local manufacture and industrialisation.

3. The unbundling process will not affect the completion of the new build programme.

• At Medupi, following the Commercial Operation (CO) of the last unit (Unit 1) on 31 July 2021, focus is now on completion of the remaining issues on the balance of plant (outside plant), including but not limited to the ash dump facility, ash silos, coal stockyards and building structures with their associated systems.

• At Kusile, the three remaining units (Units 4, 5 and 6) are under construction, with the last unit (Unit 6) targeted for completion in May 2024.

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

Eskom’s current leadership is committed to rooting out fraud and corruption and addressing issues related to past corporate governance breaches, in order to restore Eskom's reputation as a trusted corporate citizen and further, to improve the organization’s financial and operational sustainability.

(1)

There are a number of safeguards built into the operationalization of the JET financing facility. Firstly, we see the facility, and disbursement of funds being managed by a strict governance committee comprised of the lender group. Financing will be released in tranches, based on project milestones being met. This means if we do not meet project deliverables and timeframes for deliverables, the financing will not be released.

(2)(b)

The total amount identified through investigations conducted by the Eskom Forensics team is R3 448 024.

(2)(b)

While loadshedding cannot ALWAYS BE attributed to corruption, the financial losses due to corruption have had a negative impact on Eskom’s overall financial position. This in turn negatively affect Eskom’s ability to reliably provide electricity.

For instance, the underlying cause of Eskom’s poor operational performance is insufficient maintenance on Generation plant over the years which is now resulting in poor plant performance. There is an increase in mechanical power station breakdowns.

Therefore, the sum of R3 448 024 which was lost due to maladministration could have been used to perform much-needed maintenance on Eskom’s power generating units.

 

We also provide details of Eskom’s response to the fraud and corruption challenge:

• Eskom is making good progress in the implementation of the Fraud Risk Management Plan, to maximise fraud prevention and enhance good corporate governance practices. The Anti-Fraud and Corruption Integration Committee monitors the implementation of this plan and ensures integration between forensic, legal, ethics, industrial relations and supplier review functions, with progress reported to Exco and the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) on a regular basis.

• In financial year 2020/21, our fraud prevention and whistleblowing policies were revised to enforce our zero-tolerance approach to fraud, strengthen our whistleblowing processes and ensure compliance with changes to relevant legislation. Furthermore, a whistle-blowing procedure has been developed to provide step-by-step guidance to report incidents of unethical behaviour through an independent, confidential hotline. As an additional measure, we also encourage reporting through DPE's whistle-blowing channels.

• Ethics and fraud awareness programmes have been enhanced and remain mandatory for all employees. To complement these, anti-fraud training has been developed for managers and supervisors to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities in the management of risks associated with fraud, corruption and irregularities. Fraud awareness for suppliers was also implemented during the year.

• Our Assurance and Forensic Department and Human Resources Division are collaborating to improve consequence management and disciplinary processes. Feedback on disciplinary cases is reported regularly to executive management. Disciplinary action is monitored, particularly where line managers and supervisors have decided not to take action against an employee despite findings from an investigation.

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

(a) and (b)

Investigations on the fuel oil crime syndicate are ongoing and at a critical stage therefore we are unable to offer any more information on the matter at this stage.

Eskom issues media statements to the public, and reports progress on investigations into cases of suspected fraud and corruption to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, on a regular basis.

The media statement issued on 5 November 2021 on the fuel oil crime syndicate is attached.

Reply:

The health system has limited capacity to provide vaccinations in people’s homes. Factors that contribute to this include the fact that the vaccine must be administered by a health professional, that open vials of vaccine (5 doses) cannot be transported between different locations, that the vaccinee must be observed for 15 minutes (or in some cases 30 minutes) following vaccination and that emergency equipment must always be available during administration of vaccines.

Local health services are however encouraged to assist elderly and disabled persons who are unable to attend vaccination sites, including through provision of vaccination in people’s homes. Community health workers who visit households play an important role in establishing linkage between such persons and local vaccination sites.

Additional strategies used by the Vaccine Programme to reach elderly people include:

• Vaccination of people in congregate settings especially in old-age homes.
• Setting up outreach and pop-up sites at locations where older persons congregate such as at SASSA pay-points.
• Encouraging younger people to assist elderly people to access sites.
• Ensuring that all sites prioritise the elderly to avoid long waiting times.
• Piloting the provision of R100 grocery vouchers for older persons to offset costs associated with vaccination such as costs associated with transport.

END.

Reply:

1. The number of vacancies at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State, as drawn from the Persal System and confirmed by the province are as follows (a) Nurses – 113, (b) Doctor – 22, (c) Cleaners – 33, (d) Maintenance officials – 5, Administrative Officials – 4 and (f) Management Personnel – 21.

2. These posts were vacated between the periods September 2009 to May 2021.

3. Due to financial constraints in the Free State Province, the priority of filling vacant posts is given to clinical posts. The Department does that to avoid unauthorised expenditure on Compensation of Employees (COE) within the budgetary allocation (VOTE), in accordance with Treasury Regulation 8.3 read with the PFMA section 76(4)(b) and Treasury Regulation 9 read with PFMA sections 38(1)g and 76(2)(e).” The Department is also busy with a process of reviewing the Organizational Structures of Hospitals including Pelonomi and the process is already at an advanced stage. It is anticipated that some of these posts might become redundant.

4. In order to ensure that the Hospital services are not compromised, as a temporary control measure, the Department has appointed a committee that focus in identify posts that are critical for filling. Based on the recommendation of the said Committee, those posts are urgently filled on a contract basis as when the need arise (i.e. While the Organizational Structural review is underway). The department also makes provision for approved overtime as one of the measures in ensuring that service delivery is not compromised.

5. The department will make a statement on the matter once the process of the Organizational Structure review is completed, defined in line with the service delivery requirements.

END.

Reply:

a) The Department has put the following interventions in order to promote awareness on the dangers of diabetes:

1. The department has developed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on the signs and symptoms of diabetes, prevention measures and identification of risk factors. These materials have been shared with all provinces and are available in all the clinics. The materials are also used by the Community Health Workers as well as Health Promoters as part of the wider reach to the public. This is done as part of the routine services at all platforms, including during the commemoration of Health Events and at community campaigns. The target groups for these messages include vulnerable persons such as the youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
2. The Department has developed material which is used by nurses to educate patients and promote health and wellness when patients attend routine health visits.

b) Interventions which demonstrate how access to proper care for patients with diabetes is created, among others include:

1. Additional to the interventions listed above, he department is also conducting screening for chronic diseases including for diabetes at health facilities as part of the routine services in all our clinics, at mobile health facilities and is offered at the general Health Counselling and Testing Campaigns during all public events.

2. The department has further developed policies, strategies and guidelines including Primary Care Adult, Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicine List on the prevention, and treatment of diabetes including on preventing complications.

3. The Department promotes that diabetes risks and care are integrated in the policies, strategies, and guidelines of other health programs to address amongst others: gestational diabetes and diabetes among TB patients. The integrated approach for diabetic patients with co-, and multi- morbidities is implemented through the Ideal Clinic service delivery platform.

4. The department also introduced the Centralised Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distributing mechanism which ensures that the medicines are available and reach the eligible diabetic patients at points where they live and work.

5. There has been training of health care workers at all levels to enhance knowledge of diabetes and risk factors as well as to improve competencies when treating patients.

6. The department has also strengthened home and community-based care and support of patients with diabetes by community health workers.

END.

Reply:

Find here: REPLY

Reply:

Yes. The SAPS Compensation budget has been significantly reduced over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which resulted in the SAPS Fixed Establishment (headcount) being hugely reduced over this period. To ensure that the compensation budget is not exceeded, very minimal enrolment of new Police recruits will take place over the MTEF.

1. The intake is planned for 23 January 2022; and
2. It is envisaged to enroll 3000 new Police recruits.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
L NTSHIEA
Date: 2021-11-18

Reply to question 2377 recommended

LIEUTENANT GENERAL DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: SUPPORT SERVICE
FN VUMA
Date: 2021-11-23

REPLY RO QUESTION 2377 approved

GENERAL BH CELE, MP
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date: 2021-12-02

Reply:

Yes, there are plans to build a new Police Station in Taung. Construction of Taung Police Station is priority number 1 for the MTEF 2024-2028.

Taung Police Station is priority no 1 for the MTEF 2024-2028 the reasons why nothing has been done is due to the fact that attention was given to priorities 1- 5 for MTEF 2020-2024 which are as follows:

lkageng Police Station

Mothutling Police Station

Letlhabile Police Station

Makapanstadt Police Station

ltsoseng Police Station

LIEUTENANT GENERAL DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
J RIET
Date: 2021-11-24

Reply to question 2472 recommended

LIEUTENANT DEPUTY GENERAL DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: SUPPORT SERVICE
FN VUMA
Date

Reply to question 2472 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)

Reply to question approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 02-12-2021

Reply:

1. The required information is not centralised and readily available as each department keeps its own register and records. Individual Departments must be approached for detailed information.

2. The DPSA issues circulars following Cabinet and National Corona Virus Command Council (NCCC) resolutions as announced by the President on the state of COVID-19 Risk Adjusted Disaster Alert Levels. These circulars are meant to guide Heads of Departments on the decongestion of workplaces by keeping the minimum numbers of employees physically on-site in order to be within safety protocols in line with Department of Health Guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Directions from the Department of Employment and Labour. This is achieved through rotational and remote working arrangements. Although employees work off site on certain days, they are still expected to discharge their responsibilities as if they are in the offices.

The percentage of the occupancy rate at the workplace on any particular workday is determined by the alert level at that particular time and the specific operational needs and realities of the relevant organisation.

End

Reply:

Introduction

The term “rape kits" is used in the public domain, to refer to the collection kits, which are used to collect evidence from victims of sexual assault and rape. However, the South African Police Service (SAPS), makes use of 16 different types of crime kits to collect various samples at crime scenes, These include the two types of evidence collection kits, namely; the Adult Sexual Assault Collection Kit (D1) and the Paediatric Sexual Assault Collection Kit {D7), which are used to collect evidence from victims of sexual assault and rape. The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Reference Buccal Sample Kits (DB), are used to take buccal simples from persons, who are arrested and charged, for schedule eight offences (this includes serial murderers and serial rapists) as required by the DNA Act.

(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) The breakdown of the availability of rape kits, as at 4 November 2021, at each office of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, is reflected in the tables below:

Western Cape

Police Station	D1: Kit Collection, Adult, Sexual Assault	D7: Kit Collection, Paediatric, Sexual Assault
Albertinia	25	10
Ashton	27	38
Athlone	20	20
Atlantis	64	55

Find here: Table

Reply:

The promotion and appointment of employees of the SA Police Service to advertised posts are, inter alia, regulated by National Instructions. These National Instructions make provision for the withdrawal of a promotion or appointment in the instance where an employee was dishonest in his or her application for a post. to instances where employees were dishonest in their applications, processes to withdraw such promotions or appointments are instituted. Further action in terms of the South African police Service Disciplinary Regulations, 2016 may also be considered, and in the stance where qualifications are forged, criminal charges may be instituted.

i

LIEUTENANT GENERAL

DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

TSHIEA
Date: 2021-11-24

Reply to question 2460 recommended

LIEUTENANT GENERAL ACTING NATIONAL COMI¥IISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE FN VUMA
Date: 2021-11-24

Reply to question 2460 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 2021-12-02

Reply:

(a)&(b) The Minister of Public Service and Administration is responsible for the setting of norms and standards in terms of Section 3 of the Public Service Act, 1994. The Z83 is an instrument gazetted for such norms and recruiting. It is thus the relevant Executive Authorities responsibility to ensure that norms and standards are upheld. This was applicable to the previous version of the Z83 as well. Human Resource processes are subject to audit processes. DPSA has issued various circulars on the strict application of the Z83 to departments as part of advocacy.

End

Reply:

1 (a) All employees are required to sign performance agreements outlining the outputs, indicators and activities that they must deliver on during a particular period. This requirement still applies even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1 (b) Remote working requires supervisors to agree on work to be completed by employees and regular monitoring to be done in order to ensure that employees are on track in meeting the agreed upon targets. The Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) requires that the performance of employees must be monitored on a continuous basis, with oral feedback on an employee’s performance if the performance is fully effective and meeting the requirements, and in writing if the employee’s performance is unsatisfactory. Conducting mid-year performance reviews and annual performance assessments are compulsory, which is a formal process and in writing.

2. The Remote Working Policy Framework for the Public Service has been developed and is being consulted on with stakeholders including Organised Labour who are parties to the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) and it will be approved once consultations are completed.

3. The Remote Working Policy Framework for the Public Service is at a consultation stage, having been placed on the agenda of the PSCBC meeting of the 6th December 2021 for consultations with organised labour.

End

Reply:

Find here: Reply
 

Reply:

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, in KwaZulu-Natal, was making use of interim accommodation, because the official reserved residential accommodation was not available at the time when he arrived in the Province. The reasons are as follows:

The official residence needed minor repairs, as well as the installation/upgrade of security features. These minor repairs were not regarded as an emergency and the normal procurement process had to be followed. Some of the suppliers had challenges in obtaining the material. which was required to execute the task.
The major challenge, which prevented the Provincial Commissioner from occupying the official residence, was the alleged dispute over ownership of the property and the change of ownership of the electricity account.

lt was found that the official residence was allegedly fraudulently sold to a third party and the victim of this fraud had tried to change the ownership of the property into his name. He was not successful, however, he had successfully changed the electricity account details into his name, at the municipal offices.

The alleged fraudster owed the municipality a substantial amount of money since the change-over of this account. The municipality refused to reverse this account and insisted on all outstanding payments being settled before a new account could be opened. A fraud case was opened, at the Durban North Police Station and the case number, is CAS 165/05/2021

(a). The Provincial Commissioner made use of interim accommodation, from 1 April 2021 to 31 August 2021.

(b). The total cost for the interim accommodation, amounted to R175 000,00.

(c) The Provincial Commissioner has moved and is now occupying the official residence.

Reply to question 2336 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-11-17

Reply to question 2336 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 2021-12-02

Reply:

No, there are no plans to build a satellite police station at Greater Taung, at Magogong and Molelema.

There is currently at satellite station at Kokomeng which is currently under repair and renovation after being vandalised by the community. Magogong Contact point was at the tribal office but was closed down due to resource shortages at the Station.

The accessibility to Taung and Kokomeng Police Station is as follows:

Within a 4 km radius 35.24%
Within a 8 km radius 25.44%
Within a 16 km radius 27.59%
Within a 24 km radius 8.7%

The community had no requests for any additional service points including Molelema.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
FN VUMA
Date: 2021-11-24

Reply to question 2471 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-11-23

Reply to question 2471 approved

GENERAL BH CELE, MP
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date: 2021-12-02

Reply:

Submission of new South African permanent residency permit applications through Visa Facilitation Services Global will be opened for all foreign nationals who qualifies to apply for permanent residence on any of the categories of permanent residence. No foreign nationalities will be excluded.

END

Reply:

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is assisting departments in the following ways to deal with the disciplining of employees who left one department to join another:

Departments have, in terms of Section 16B (4) of the Public Service Act, 1994, a responsibility to ensure employees guilty of misconduct are disciplined.

Section 16B (4): If an employee of a department (in this subsection referred to as ‘the new department’), is alleged to have committed misconduct in a department by whom he or she was employed previously (in paragraph (b) referred to as ‘the former department’), the head of the new department-

a) may institute or continue disciplinary steps against that employee; and

b) shall institute or continue such steps if so requested-

(i) by the former executive authority if the relevant employee is a head of department; or

(ii) by the head of the former department, in the case of another employee.

The head of the Department of Home Affairs can follow the above prescripts to ensure that the disciplinary process is instituted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

To further discourage employees with pending disciplinary cases against them from moving around within the Public Service, the DPSA amended the Application for Employment form (Z83) to make it compulsory for prospective employees to disclose all pending disciplinary cases on the form. The use of the amended Z83 form is compulsory from January 2021, and misrepresentation is considered a misconduct which may result in the termination of an employee’s service.

End

Reply:

1. The 2021 Guidelines for the Department of Higher Education and Training Bursary Scheme for Students at Public universities make provision for NSFAS students to utilise the learning material allowances for the purchase of a digital learning device (laptop or tablet). All university students qualify for a learning materials allowance, which is set at a maximum amount of R5 200. The University of Zululand indicated that 438 students were notified that they erroneously received laptops as well as the R5 200 learning material allowances in April 2021.  The University recovered the R5 200 that students received as a once off amount up front, by deducting it over the remaining period from the meal allowances. These students received a laptop and the full meal allowances and did not forfeit any meal allowances to pay for laptops. The balance of the R15 000 living allowances for the 2021 academic year is spread out over the academic year.

2. Data provision to students required for online access for teaching and learning and for assessments remained high across the system. The average across the system for all undergraduate students was 90% and 91% for NSFAS students, as reported by institutions in the September 2021 monitoring reports.

Below is the breakdown per university:

Percentage of all undergraduate students and NSFAS students that have access to data off-campus for teaching and learning purposes.
	% all	% NSFAS
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)	73.0%	73.0%
Central University of Technology (CUT)	99.5%	100.0%
Durban University of Technology (DUT)	87.7%	84.8%
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)	100.0%	100.0%
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)	99.0%	99.0%
North West University (NWU)	57.5%	70.0%
Rhodes University (RU)	16.8%	12.9%
Sefako Makgato University (SMU)	94.2%	96.2%
Sol Plaatje University (SPU)	100.0%	100.0%
Stellenbosch University	90.0%	90.0%
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)	99.0%	99.0%
University of Cape Town (UCT)	100.0%	100.0%
University of Fort Hare (UFH)	96.9%	99.4%
University of Free State (UFS)	100.0%	100.0%
University of Johannesburg (UJ)	100.0%	100.0%
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)	99.9%	100.0%
University of Limpopo (UL)	98.0%	98.0%
University of Mpumalanga (UMP)	100.0%	100.0%
University of Pretoria (UP)	100.0%	100.0%
University of South Africa (UNISA)	100.0%	100.0%
University of Venda (UNIVEN)	45.0%	45.0%
University of Zululand (UNIZULU)	100.0%	100.0%
University of the Western Cape (UWC)	100.0%	100.0%
University of the Witwatersrand (UWC)	100.0%	100.0%
Vaal University of Technology (VUT)	99.0%	99.0%
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)	100.0%	100.0%
Average	90.60%	91.01%

14 Universities (CPUT, MUT, SPU, UCT, UFS, UJ, UKZN, UMP, UP, UNISA, UNIZULU, UWC, WITS, and WSU) reported that 100% of their students have been provided with data.  7 universities (NMU, SMU, SUN, TUT, UFH, UL, and VUT) reported that 90-99% of their students were provided with data. DUT reported 85% of their students to have been provided with data. CPUT reported 73%, NWU reported that 70%, of their students to have been provided with data in the period. UNIVEN reported 45% of their students to have been provided with data in the period under review. RU reported 13% of their students to have been provided with data.

It should also be noted that student who are on campus and living in university residences have access to campus wi-fi, so many students do not require access to mobile data at all times.

Reply:

a) There are 1 535 farms amounting to 691 523 hectares of agricultural state land that were identified for redistribution of which currently a total of 1 421 farms amounting to 650 550 hectares translating to 91% have been approved for allocation to various categories of beneficiaries.

b) The support to these farmers with production inputs and other agricultural inputs will commence in the new financial year starting 2022/23 through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). This will happen over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period due to the number of farmers and the budget required. The roll – out of training programmes in the allocated farms has started. A total of 106 beneficiaries have received training on business entrepreneurship in 66 farms in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West

Reply:

(1) As responded to in March 2021, the proposed Animal Welfare Bill has not been introduced to Parliament due to reasons advanced in the response. The Bill is still in its infancy and currently only an internal departmental (DALRRD and Provincial Departments of Agriculture) document. The department will not extend the process of drafting the proposed Animal Welfare Bill as far back as Green and White Papers. The reason for this is that the draft Bill is not a new policy direction since it aims to consolidate and update animal welfare issues which are currently dealt with in different pieces of legislation. Full consultation is however envisaged with all stakeholders after the necessary approvals have been obtained within the department.

(2) The Department is in communication with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the High Level Panel on the management of lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Some of the recommendations will be addressed in the draft Animal Welfare Bill, however, the Departments are considering drafting regulations under the current Animals Protection Act, 1962 (Act No. 71 of 1962) to address the issues that have been identified in the report and require additional regulations.

(3) The response under part (1) above addresses the question.

(4) The response under part (1) above addresses the question.

Reply:

The Births and Deaths Act 1992, (Act No 51 of 1992), makes provision for birth registration of all children born in the Republic of South Africa. Section 9 dealing with Notice of birth in subsection (1) states that in the case of any child born alive, any one of his or her parents, or if the parents are deceased, any of the prescribed persons, shall, within 30 days after the birth of such child, give notice thereof in the prescribed manner, and in compliance with the prescribed requirements, to any person contemplated in section 4. This legislative requirement make reference to any child born in the Republic without discriminating on the basis of the nationality of parents. Legislation provides for issuance of a notification certificate of birth to children born of foreign nationals.

END

Reply:

1. The only aspect of the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions, published on 30 October 2020, that is being legally consulted upon is the definition of "indigenous languages". My Department has sought legal opinion on this matter. I have indicated before that a technical matter such as a definition should not detract from the progressive character of the policy framework, which essentially seeks to create a just and inclusive higher education sector where all our languages are duly recognised and given space to develop in line with the prescripts of the Constitution of the Republic.

2. The above answers the next question, which is, whether the amendment will include languages that are perceived to be excluded in the policy framework. In my other response to this same question I have indicated that the Policy Framework affirms all South African languages, official and non-official. Specific reference is made in the framework to the importance of developing Khoi, Nama and San languages which remain largely neglected across the education system. The Framework has been positively received by universities and they are looking forward to its implementation starting from next year.

Reply:

The Covid-19 Relief Fund for Tourism Guides who are under distress were granted R1500 per month for three months. The relief was available to those distressed individuals who are:

• Registered as tourism guides at the provincial departments or agencies as per the Tourism Act; and
• Who are not registered on Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) up to and including December 2019.

The Tourism Act, no. 3 of 2014 provides for Provincial Registrars to register tourist guides and keep record of such. Provincial Registrars provided the Department with lists totalling 9561 tourist guides registered in the respective provincial databases. The information was verified by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to ascertain the tourist guides’ employment status.

A total of 4 650 registered tourist guides were reflected as unemployed and therefore falling under freelancing category. Payments amounting R4 500 were processed in three single payments of R1 500 per tourist guide. However, the total number of the R1 500 payments that were redeemed was 11 252 while a total of 4 435 payments of R1 500 each were not redeemed.

Reply:

1. The allocation over the Medium-Term will continue to assist the Department to execute its mandate in the current economic constraints. However, the allocation is not sufficient to provide for all the needs of the Department.

2. A shortfall on the NSFAS budget is still anticipated for the 2022/23 financial year and engagement is ongoing within the government budget processes in relation to this matter. Student debt for qualifying NSFAS students is being addressed in part through a process between NSFAS and institutions following a 2019 allocation from the Department to NSFAS for this purpose. I have also appointed a Ministerial Task Team to look at the long-term issues relating to a new financial aid policy for the future.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. (a) The hearings on the Beitbridge border fence consists of two phases. The first phase of the hearing is in respect of three senior managers and the second phase is in respect of the eleven NBAC members. The disciplinary hearing for the three senior managers was postponed until further notice by the Chairperson; pending the finalisation of the High Court review application served and filed by one of the senior managers in May 2021. The record of the review in terms of Rule 35, has been served and filed. However, the Applicant has since, requested additional information and documents. The record has been prepared and forwarded to State Attorney and Counsel for advice and releasing of same, in order to ensure that the Applicant supplements his papers and affords the Minister and ADG an opportunity to serve their answering papers.

Secondly, the hearings of the 11 NBAC members was scheduled for the 08 -12 November 2021 for continuation of hearings, but the hearing dealt with an application for postponement by NBAC members, through their legal representatives. After agreement and undertaking by the employee parties’ representatives that there will be no further postponements, the hearing was postponed to 14 – 25 February 2022.

2. Following a review application of the final Beitbridge report by one of Department officials charged, the Minister was advised to postpone the process until the outcome of the court application. Due to the proposed length of time of the legal proceedings, the Minister sought legal advice and was advised to continue with the DC. The Minister is scheduled to meet the Initiator on 10 December 2021 to finalize the charge sheet.

3. This matter is being dealt with by the Minister in the Presidency.

Reply:

Implementation progress of the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) is monitored on a quarterly basis through quarterly implementation reports submitted by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as the Department’s implementation partner for the GTIP, as well as quarterly Project Steering Committee meetings led by the Department.

Recipients of the GTIP that have concluded grant agreements and commenced installation are monitored through site visits conducted by officials from both the Department and the IDC. In addition, auditors that form part of the GTIP panel of resource efficiency assessors appointed by the IDC are contracted to audit energy and water consumption in the first 12 months after installation to verify actual efficiency improvements and saving against projected targets.

Reply:

1. (a) The Department’s target for the 2021-2022 financial year is to finalise 13 district profile. The following 13 districts/ metros profiles are being developed but are not yet finalised:

• City of Johannesburg, Gauteng;
• Central Karoo, Western Cape;
• Chris Hani, Eastern Cape;
• Buffalo City, Eastern Cape;
• Joe Gqabi, Eastern Cape;
• Mangaung, Free State;
• Lejweleputswa, Free State;
• Amajuba, KZN;
• Zululand, KZN;
• Bojanala, North West;
• Ngaka Modiri Molema, North West;
• John Taolo Gaetsewe, North West; and
• Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, North West

(b) The profiles will be finalized at the end of this financial year as planned.

2. Yes, finalised profiles are available.

3. The profiles will be deposited into the departmental knowledge portal for access by various potential users, in addition they will be used to guide tourism planning and development within municipal spaces.

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