Questions and Replies

Reply:

1.  The Water Trading Entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation owns 108 buildings in Gauteng as reflected in the table below:

Area Office	Spatial Locations	Number of buildings
1. Bronkhorstspruit Dam	Bronkhorstspruit/ Gauteng	11
2. Roodeplaat Dam on the Pienaars River	Moloto Road/ Gauteng	60
3. Vaal Dam	Springs, Krugersdorp & Germiston	37
Total	108

2. Since 1 April 2020 to date, the department did not dispose-off any buildings.

Reply:

a) The Auditor General identified 5812 government employees who had applied for and received the social of relief grant to the value of R5 498 500. Due to the volume of government employees exposed and also work which needs to be done, a total of 242 was prioritised in line with a resolution taken with other stakeholders at the Fusion Centre.

SASSA opened one a criminal case for all the prioritised 242 government employees at Sunnyside Police Station (CAS 753/08/2021). SAPS recommended that SASSA open a criminal case for each of the individual on the prioritised list.

A series of meetings were held at the Fusion Centre to further discuss prosecution-led investigation, with another meeting scheduled for 26th November 2021. Working with the Fusion Centre, SASSA is currently in the process of opening such individual cases and this process is envisaged to be concluded on or before the end of December 2021.

b) No government employee suspended currently. SASSA has concluded its internal investigation of the 242 government employees. An internal investigation report was shared with the DPSA for the purpose of coordinating and monitoring disciplinary hearings as well as facilitating Acknowledgment of Debts (recovery) with relevant government employees through their respective departments. DPSA has since advised that of 242 government employees on the priority list, 198 were confirmed to have been actual government employees in the period of the Social Relief of Distress grant pay-outs, meaning 44 individuals are to be removed from the initial list.

In the meeting held by DPSA and SASSA on the 15th November 2021, as directed by the Fusion Centre, it was resolved that SASSA should submit evidence files per individual government employee. The process of submitting such 198 files is projected to be concluded on or before the 3rd December 2021. SASSA and DPSA is also validating the variance between 242 and 5812 (5570) and such process is to be concluded by the 30th December 2021.

In terms of roles and responsibilities, SASSA is expected to compile evidence files, while DPSA is expected to coordinate and monitor the processes of disciplinary hearings and acknowledgment of debts with relevant departments.

On the question of loss recovery, it is expected that cases of government employees who refuses to sign acknowledgment of debt forms be dealt with in terms of Section 300 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Disciplinary hearing and criminal prosecution processes will run concurrently.

2. As and when SASSA submits individual criminal cases to SAPS, SAPS will hand over the cases to the NPA for criminal prosecution.

Reply:

The numbers of beneficiaries who have been paid per month from January 2021 to October, as at 10 November 2021 is as follows:

Month	Number paid
January 2021	6 045 534
February 2021	6 057 481
March 2021	5 897 986
April 2021	5 939 137
August 2021	6 998 278
September 2021	7 483 712
October 2021	8 850 442

Reply:

a) No cash send payments for the first iteration of the grant are still outstanding. Of all the applications received to date, approximately 51% have provided information their personal bank accounts, into which the grants are paid. The cash send option, while being very convenient, is not the most popular method of payment for approved applicants. This is because many do not own their mobile phones, and one of the requirements for this payment option is that there has to be a positive, direct link between the applicant’s ID number and the mobile number.

For the month of August, only 8,8% of approved applicants chose the cash send option; while this percentage for September and October is 9,1% and 9,4% respectively. Given the delay in activating the cash send payment method, clients who had chosen this method were requested to provide banking details or to opt to be paid through the post office. The majority responded positively, and in August 2021, of the 734 358 approved clients who chose cash send as a payment method, 712 784 were paid through their own bank accounts or the post office. The numbers paid through their own bank accounts or post office in September and October were 804 559 of the total of 866 517 and 809 647 out of 900 753 respectively. This indicates that approximately 89% of the clients who originally chose the cash send payment option were able to access their funds.

The balance of the clients who have not yet been paid for these three months, are as a result of the failure of the bank details which were submitted, or a delay in the opening of accounts with SAPO for them. SASSA will continue to ensure that all approved clients are paid.

(b) SASSA was not given the authority to extend the contracts which had been in place with the banks for the first iteration of the grant. As this is a procurement process, SASSA had to first get approval from National Treasury to go on a closed tender with all registered banks, as advised by the Bid Adjudication Committee in order to ensure compliance with supply chain prescripts. This process is currently underway. Once completed, the cash send option will be available once again, and those clients who initially indicated this as their preference will be considered to be paid through this channel, provided they meet the conditions for this channel as set by National Treasury.

Reply:

I do not have knowledge of any other contractor that SASSA has paid without work being done except this one.

The case of fraud and corruption was opened in March 2019 (Case no. 133/03/2019) in Qeberha (not East London). This matter was finalised through SASSA’s internal disciplinary processes and the official was dismissed in 2019. The case is currently in court scheduled for the 6th of December 2021.

The total amount involved in this particular case is R1 174 777, 59 (One million, one hundred and seventy-four thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven rand – fifty-nine cents.

The SIU (in terms of Proclamation No. R. 37 of 2019) launched an investigation into this matter. It should be noted the SIU has a legal duty to submit the investigation report only to the President, and not to SASSA. It is envisaged in the event there are recommendations necessitating SASSA implements certain recommendations, SIU will communicate the investigation report.

Reply:

The Honorable member is advised and requested to direct the above Parliamentary Question (PQ2597) to the Minister of Finance as National Treasury is the department in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, (MFMA) Section 71 responsible for receiving reports on municipal finance and budget management related aspects. Also the City of Joburg is a non-delegated municipality and reports directly to National Treasury.

Reply:

I would like to bring it to the attention of the Honourable Member that no application for any of the social grant is rejected by virtue of the applicant being part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). On application for a social grant, every applicant has to declare his/her source of income. Applications are subjected to a means test thresholds for a specific grant, and applicants are approved when the meet the eligibility criteria.

Recently, SASSA completed a verification process against the PERSAL (government payroll system) to identify social grants beneficiaries on this system, but have not declared income on their applications. Beneficiaries whose names appear on the PERSAL were all suspended pending verification. Upon completion of this process, it was found that many were EPWP workers or interns, whose stipends do not exceed the means test threshold. The affected beneficiaries’ social grants have since been investigated from this month.

However, I must clarify that the reinstatement does not absolve beneficiaries from declaring their source of income to SASSA. Each affected beneficiary will thus have to review their grant, and provide information on the stipend received, to ensure that SASSA records are up to date. The onus is on beneficiaries to inform SASSA as soon as their financial circumstances change.

Reply:

1. Within this Covid-19 Ters Benefit, a special category of Charitable Industries was opened at UIF, which included Religious Bodies who have been able to apply for the Covid-19 Ters Benefit on the basis of all insured workers, meaning institutions that had registered could then apply.

However, to date no formal queries nor complaints were received that faith based organisations are experiencing problems with TERS.

From 27.03.2020 TO 15.10.2020, all employers / employees that meet the requirements as stated in the directive, including those from faith based, qualified and were paid TERS.

From 16.10.2021, it is sector based as per the directives. However, there is a bullet that states any industries and business establishments that form part of the value chain of the above qualify too.

2. According to UIF records under the Charitable Industry:

A Number of 2 666 Religious Bodies applied for this benefit.

An amount of R 516 272 762.64 was paid out to these Charitable bodies.

It is not clearly outlined in any communication that faith based do qualify outright. However, that the directive clearly states that those that lost income and are contributors to UIF is sufficient and was basis for all to apply.

3. As stated the directive allows for discretion of the UIF to include or not, however no communication clearly states that. As stated above, the category that accommodates churches already exist.

Reply:

FOSKOR MINING PHALABORWA INSPECTIONS:

COMPENSATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AND DISEASES ACT, NO 130 of 1993

Inspections were conducted at Foskor Mining Phalaborwa from 12/08/2019 to 16/08/2019.Thirty eight (38) employers were inspected to determine compliance with COID Act. Twenty-four (24) employers complied and Fourteen (14) employers were found not complying with the COID Act. Compliance orders were issued and the employers complied before the expiry of the compliance order.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT, NO. 63 OF 2001 AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS ACT, NO. 4 OF 2002

Thirty-Three (33) inspections were conducted for the financial year 2019/2020 at Foskor Mining Phalaborwa from the period of 12/08/2019 to 16/08/2019 to determine the level of compliance with UI legislation. Eleven (11) employers complied and Twenty-two (22) employers were found not complying. Compliance orders were issued and the employers complied before the expiry of the orders.

 

BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ACT, NO 75 OF 1997 (BCEA) AND NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ACT (NMWA), NO 9 OF 2018

Employers contracted to the mine were inspected in 2020/21 and 2021/22 to determine compliance of contractors with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the National Minimum Wage Act.

Seven (7) employers were inspected in 2020/21. Five (5) complied and two (2) were found not complying. Compliance orders were issued and the employers complied after 14 days.

Three (3) employers were inspected in 2021/22 and all complied.

The mine has a collective agreement providing for more favourable terms of employment than basic conditions of employment which are not enforceable in terms of the BCEA and NMWA and therefore it was not prioritised for inspection to establish compliance with these legislations.

More inspections to establish compliance with the BCEA and NMWA by employers contracted to the mine are planned for Q4 of 2021/22.

GRAVELLOTE CHARCOAL MINE

No recent inspections not conducted; planned for 3rd week of January 2022

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT, NO 85 OF 1993 INSPECTIONS

The two workplaces (Foskor Mining and Gravellote Charcoal mine) constitute a ‘mine premise/s’ as defined in section 102 of the mine health and Safety Act, Act no.29 of 1996.

It is declared that the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act no.85 of 1993, as amended are not applicable to the workplaces as defined for in the provisions of Section 1(3)(a) of the Occupational health and safety Act, no.85 of 1993.

In terms of the above judicial confirmation, it is declared that the OHS Act, does not have jurisdiction to enforce compliance on the working conditions within the mine premises, and any further engagements on the health and safety conditions in the mine premises should be directed to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Reply:

a) The Auditor-General Report for 2019/20 identified the following ten (10) municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province as they indicated in their Annual Financial Statements that they are a going concern uncertainty, and their total current liabilities exceeded the total current assets.

Out of the ten (10) municipalities, the following six (6) municipalities (Makana, Amahlathi, Raymond Mhlaba, Amathole, Enoch Mgijima and Walter Sisulu) were included by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in the list of dysfunctional municipalities in the Eastern Cape and draft Municipal Support and Interventions Plans have been developed for these municipalities taking into consideration an analysis conducted by National Treasury.

Three (3) out of the ten (10) the municipalities identified in the Auditor-General report have been placed under Section 139 intervention and they are Makana and Enoch Mgijima and have FRPs in place and they are jointly monitored on a monthly basis whilst the Amathole FRP has just been approved and will be implemented and monitored.

Dr Beyers Naudé, Koukamma and Inxuba Yethemba local municipalities, have been engaged by the province to participate in a financial management support programme in partnership with the National Business Initiative to address their financial challenges, part of the initiatives in the NBI include:

• Group coaching of financial management personnel within municipalities.
• Deployment of support staff from the pool of consultants from NBI
• Training of municipal officials on financial reporting.

Dr Beyers Naudé, Koukamma and Inxuba Yethemba local municipalities also are set to benefit from the partnership with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and the projects include development of revenue enhancement strategies for municipalities and assisting them with the embedded energy generation to overcome the high cost of electricity.

King Sabata Dalindyebo, Walter Sisulu and Amahlathi have also been approved by DBSA for funding on embedded energy generation and for the development of revenue enhancement strategies.

b) Out of the ten (10) municipalities, the provincial department instituted investigations in line with Section 106 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act in seven (7) of the municipalities (Makana, Amahlathi, Raymond Mhlaba, Amathole, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Emoch Mgijima and Inxuba Yethemba). Investigations are at various stages. Further, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) is conducting investigations in two (2) of the municipalities (King Sabata Dalindyebo and Makana).

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that the question refers to 13 buildings, however the actual number of buildings refurbished is 12.

The table below indicates the 12 buildings handed over to the Department of Social Development for the purpose of being used as shelters in terms of the Victim Empowerment Programme. The table provides (a) names of the service provider(s) who were contracted to carry out the refurbishment, (b) full names of the owner(s) of the specified service provider(s), and (c) full names of the foreman on site during each specified refurbishment.

Region:	Building:	(a) Service provider(s):	(b) Full names of the owner(s):	(c) Full names of the foreman:
Cape Town	Heldelberg:92 Van Riebeek Street	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
	Albertina: 8 Aalwyn Street	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
	Laingsburg: 39 Voortrekker Road	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
	Aurora: 179 Main Street	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
	Aurora: 180 Main Street	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
	331 Moorreesburg	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops)	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Takalani Mudau, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Cape Town Regional Office
Johannesburg	Observatory: 37 Frederick Street	Unified Plumbing Services Siyaphambili	Hassim Reyaaz Hajee Mr S. Moodley	Gerald Percival Anthony Breda Mrs S Balgobind
	Cyridene: 48 Aida Street	Unified Plumbing Services Siyaphambili	Hassim Reyaaz Hajee Mr S. Moodley	Gerald Percival Anthony Breda Mrs S Balgobind
Pretoria	Salvokop	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops) – For minor repair work	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Johann De Wit, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Pretoria Regional Office
		SEAMIED Electrical and Building Construction CC – For electric fence	Michael Machete	Michael Machete
		Jorud Solutions - For Structural Palisade fencing installation and razor barbedwire	Mr Matole Malatjie	Mr Matole Malatjie
	Kordaat Avenue, Pretoria	Babereki projects - Garden Services	Mr Vincent Mphahlele	Mr Walter Mkhabela
		Provide the Best – Building Services	Marcie Mogale	Marcie Mogale
		Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops) – For minor repair work	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Johann De Wit, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Pretoria Regional Office
	103 Mountain View Road, Pretoria	Babereki projects - Garden Services	Mr Vincent Mphahlele	Mr Walter Mkhabela
		RM 7 – Building Services	Mr Ramoboa	Mr Ramoboa
		Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops) – For minor repair work	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Johann De Wit, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Pretoria Regional Office
	5 Adina Street, Waterkloof	Babereki projects - Garden Services	Mr Vincent Mphahlele	Mr Walter Mkhabela
		Clamsy Construction – Building Services	Jonas Manyemula	Jonas Manyemula
		Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in house resources (Workshops) – For minor repair work	Department of Public Works and Infrastructure	Mr Johann De Wit, Head of Workshops, DPWI’s Pretoria Regional Office

Reply:

a) it should be noted that in 2019/20 a total o f28 attempted escapes were reported, whilst a total of 22 were reported om 2020/21. Based on investigations conducted no officials were implicated in these incidents.

b) No arrests were made as no staff was implicated in these attempted escapes.

END

Reply:

1. This question was forwarded to CCIFSA to answer and we are still waiting for their response. As soon as CCIFSA provide me with the information, I will furnish the Hon. Member.

Reply:

(1)(a). National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) supported beneficiaries as follows;

Beneficiaries	Number
Stream 1: Production	133
Stream 2: Skills Development	43
Stream 3: Industry	26
Stream 4: Business Recovery	11
Total	213

(b). With regard to the National Arts Council, 1 309 projects (or lead beneficiaries) were supported. Within these 1 309 supported projects 20 221 Beneficiaries were verified by the end September and these numbers includes artists and other industry practitioners.

(c). The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) supported 893 beneficiaries.

(d). Public Art programme supported 200 beneficiaries from Iziko Museum, National Museum and KZN Museum combined.

(e). Banking with the arts supported 151 beneficiaries through the Arts Bank and CCIFSA (Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa).

2. List with names of artists is attached as annexure A.

 

IZIKO MUSEUM

Ms	D	Danica	Barends
Mr	M	Malibongwe	Bonakele
Mr	L	Liso	Bonile
Ms	L	Lecardia	Eleni
Ms	T	Tamryn	Joseph
Mr	S	Sizwe	Kwezi
Ms	L	Lumka	Mangena
Mr	S	Siyabulela	Mana
Mr	C	Chadwyn	Matthews
Ms	N	Nonkuleleko	Mbili
Mr	T	Thobani	Mnconywa
Mr	S	Sandile	Mzimela
Ms	Z	Zintathu	Nogengela
Ms	L	Lusanda	Paul
Mr	A	Ayabulela	Stevens
Ms	N	Ncuthukazi	Tshotyana
Mr	Y	Yanga	Zaba

Reply:

1. (a) The Department started funding the Liliesleaf Farm Museum in Rivonia, Johannesburg from the 2002/2003 financial year. (b) No funding was provided for the Liliesleaf Farm Museum during the 2017 to 2021 period. (c) No funding was provided by the Department during the above-mentioned period.

2.The Liliesleaf Farm Museum has accounted for the previous funding received from the Department in the years. It was only in 2015 after receiving funding for exhibition infrastructure development that the Museum failed to account to the Department as per the agreement signed which stated that the funds were for exhibition infrastructure development and not for the Museum’s operations. The Department communicated to the Board of Trustees of the Lilies Leaf Trust of the Museum management’s inability to account for the money received from the Department. The Board of Trustees informed the Department that an investigation will be instituted and the Department will be updated of the outcome of the investigation. A meeting was held with the Board where the Board informed the Department that it is handling the matter in accordance with the outcomes of the investigation.

(3) The Liliesleaf Farm Museum is not a Declared Cultural institution that is obliged to submit their annual financial statements to the Department.

(4) The Department Sport Arts and Culture (DSAC) has for the past years supported the Liliesleaf Trust on several projects ranging from capital funding to construct the facility, infrastructure refurbishments and exhibitions. DSAC is unable to provide annual operational funding to the Liliesleaf Trust as the museum has not been declared by the Minister in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act, No 119 of 1998 as a Declared Cultural Institution and a Schedule 3 A Public Entity in terms of the PFMA.

Should the site be so declared, and depending on the availability of funds, I will in consultation with and with the assistance of the Minister of Finance set aside an annual subsidy that would be transferred to the institution for operational purposes. The Department has also not received a request for assistance from Liliesleaf for any of the Presidential COVID-19 relief funding opportunities the Department has made available for struggling institutions in the sector.

Reply:

1. The Sports Councils where they still exist are primarily at the Local Government Level. At the Provincial Level there are Provincial Sports Confederations. The Provincial Sports Confederations are members of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). SASCOC is a National Confederation recognized by the Minister in terms of Section 2(1) of the National Sport and Recreation Act. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Schedule 5, lists “Provincial Sport” as a Functional Area of Exclusive Provincial Legislative Competence. Therefore, the administrative and governance matters relating to the Sports Councils fall within the jurisdiction of the Local Government as well as Provincial Government.

2(a) and (b) Considering the response in (1) above should there be any matter, allegations or complaint against Sports Council Members such may only be referred to the Provincial Department concerned.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. I have been informed by the Department that the structure that burnt down was not part of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) leased properties. SAPS had made its own arrangements to occupy and utilize the space. The DPWI did not investigate the cause of the fire because it is not leasing nor does it own the structure that burnt down. As this property is not part of the DPWI portfolio, the DPWI will not be refurbishing the property.

1. There is an extension of lease in place.

1. Payments for the lease are up to date.

(4) DPWI has not received an instruction to purchase the property from SAPS. The decision to purchase the property should originate from SAPS. The current lease is extended to 31 March 2028.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that the question refers to 13 buildings, however the actual number of buildings refurbished is 12.

The following 12 buildings renovations were completed. The table, below, indicates (a) total cost of the refurbishment of all 12 buildings, (b) the total amount paid to each service provider to date and (c) outstanding amount to each service provider.

The PQ refers to 13 buildings, however the actual number of buildings refurbished is 12.

Region:	Building:	(a) Total cost:	(b) Progress payment to date:	(c) Outstanding amount to date :
Cape Town	Heldelberg:92 Van Riebeek Street	R 155 287.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Albertina: 8 Aalwyn Street	R 102 839.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Laingsburg: 39 Voortrekker Road	R 147 344.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Aurora: 179 Main Street	R 218 381.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Aurora: 180 Main Street	R 179 779.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	331 Moorreesburg	R 223 270.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
Johannesburg	Observatory: 37 Frederick Street	R 822 760.29 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Cyridene: 48 Aida Street	R 424 466.59 (All inclusive)	100%	None
Pretoria	Salvokop	Minor Repair work by DPWI Workshop: They used materials from the workshop stores. The cost is approximately R 5500 (All inclusive)	100%	None
		Electrical fence installation: R 22 087.46 (All inclusive)	100%	None
		Structural Palisade fencing installation and razor barbwire: R301 000.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	Kordaat Avenue, Pretoria	Garden services: R29 382.50	100%	None
		Building work: R 109 800.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
		Minor Repair work by DPWI Workshop: They used materials from the workshop stores. The cost is approximately R 26 000 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	103 Mountain View Road, Pretoria	Garden Services: R20 585.00	100%	None
		Building work: R 99 00.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
		Minor Repair work by DPWI Workshop: They used materials from the workshop stores. The cost is approximately R 37 000 (All inclusive)	100%	None
	5 Adina Street, Waterkloof	Garden Services: R20 930.00	100%	None
		Building work: R 110 000.00 (All inclusive)	100%	None
		Minor Repair work by DPWI Workshop: They used materials from the workshop stores. The cost is approximately R 21 000 (All inclusive)	100%	None

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1, 2 and 3

I’ve been informed by the Department that in terms of the lease agreement the Lessor is responsible for the repairs and maintenance. The Department of Labour and Employment has closed the detectives’ offices which has been substituted by park homes.

The Department approached the Municipality on the 09th of October 2018, requesting approval to place additional park homes as a temporary solution. This request of placing additional park homes has not yet approved by the Municipality. Furthermore, the Department approached the municipality on the 04th of December 2017 to consider disposing the building to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure so that full maintenance and upgrades can be performed by this Department.

The Department will send out a team of building inspectors on 24 November 2021 to do an assessment report, and will be guided by the report regarding the urgent maintenance requirements.

Reply:

The officials from the department are engaging the creatives through various meetings, with the latest having been held on the Monday 22nd November 2021.

Reply:

a) A joint national and provincial intervention was undertaken by the Deputy Minister of CoGTA, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation and the MEC responsible for CoGTA in the Free State province which resulted in a series of engagements with the Sedibeng Water Board and its management team aimed at resolving the challenges impacting on water interruptions due to the debt owed by Nala and Matjhabeng Local Municipalities to Sedibeng Water Board. The national and provincial interventions undertaken resulted in payments made by both Nala and Matjhabeng local municipalities to the Sedibeng Water Board. Discussions are ongoing between Sedibeng Water and the Nala and Matjhabeng municipalities to finalise realistic and affordable payment plans to address the debt owed to Sedibeng Water.

b) The Municipal Managers are appointed by the Municipal Councils, and it is therefore the responsibility of the Mayor and municipal council to hold officials to account for any practices relating to maladministration or misconduct.

Reply:

This question was forwarded to CCIFSA to answer and we are still waiting for their response. As soon as CCIFSA provide me with the information, I will furnish the Hon. Member.

Reply:

1. The Downtown project is very important in the history of our music industry. It is the most sacred place where most of our well-known musicians and producers from across the racial divide busied themselves, creating top local and international hits. For many years, the studios remained a haven of these legendary musicians who also were instrumental in the progressive politics of this country, when they used their music to further the objectives for the emancipation of our people, thereby bringing the atrocities of apartheid to the eyes and ears of the world. It was for this reason that the Department saw it fit to preserve its legacy, when that opportunity was presented to us by Gallo Records when they took a decision to sell the asset.

The studios boast, inter alia, a collection of historical artifacts including gold and platinum discs covering what SA had produced over the past years, an accomplishment for which we should be immensely proud of. The Department aligns itself with the notion that, a generation which ignores its history has no past and no future.

Since it was purchased, the asset had been transformed from just being a mere studio into a Music Industry Hub for people to be empowered as we also ensure accessibility to recording opportunities. Certain parts of the building were renovated, and the recording facilities were also upgraded to be one of the best spacious control room and large versatile studio area, making it the flagship studio ideal for large ensembles and is now regarded as one of the best in the entire continent. A permanent exhibition has been set up on the first floor of the Hub titled A Glimpse of South African Music Industry.

The exhibition includes a presentation of old multi-media recordings, historical landmark recording equipment’s and information about many musicians who went through the Downtown Studios such as the late Mama Miriam Makeba and many others. The exhibition is accessible to many students, among others, who want to get further information about the development of the SA music sector. The Hub has also been used to provide educational information for many practitioners and has hosted workshops and master classes in areas such as sound engineering and general music business insight.

The studio section of the Hub has recorded over 1500 recordings per annum and such services are provided at a more affordable rate to benefit the historically disadvantaged, especially those with talent who cannot afford the exorbitant fees charged by some of the prime studios. This speaks to the access to quality recordings that the industry now has. Recent recordings from Downtown have won well known accolades such as the South African Music Award, and a Grammy.

Although not yet at the level that we have envisaged, the Downtown project plays a significant role in nurturing the development of all forms of South African music from traditional sounds such as Maskandi, Isicathamiya, choral and other genres. Therefore, investing in this project is one way of contributing to the upliftment of the lives of our people, in particular, assisting many local investors to move from the periphery economy into the more mainstream, while also preserving the history of our music industry.

2. The Department has either directly or indirectly through the National Arts Council (NAC) provided just over R60 million to support the Downtown project since its inception in 2008. The total amount includes funds allocated for the purchasing of the assets (both immovable and movable), refurbishment of some spaces in the building, installation of recording studio equipment’s and for the day-to-day operations and management.

Abiding by the parameters laid down in the Promotion of Access to Information Act, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other relevant legislation/s and all protocol observed, the Department would be in a position to furnish or provide access to honourable Mrs Van Dyk of the relevant information that is in its custody.

Reply:

a)  The installation of boreholes falls under the mandate of municipalities in line with Section 84(1)(d) of the Municipal Structures Act which mandates that municipalities are responsible for the provision of potable water within their areas of jurisdiction.

(b) (ii) As per the Department of Water and Sanitation Annual Performance Plan and funding for the 2021/22 financial year, progress for the following construction of the following dams is as follows:

No	Project	Progress	Estimated date of completion
1	Raising of Hazelmere Dam	96% construction	August 2022
2	Raising of Clanwilliam Dam	12% construction	April 2026
3	Raising of Tzaneen Dam	10% construction	June 2023
4	Mzimvubu Water Project	20% construction (Advanced Works-Access Roads)	Completion to be confirmed on finalisation of construction drawings
5	New Nwamitwa Dam	Procurement completed Designs completed	Completion to confirmed on sequencing of the work packages and availability of long term funding
6	Lusikisiki Regional Water Supply Scheme: Zalu Dam	43% design completion with estimated 100% design completion	Date of completion to be confirmed on finalisation of specialist services appointment
6	Algoa Water Supply System: Corney Dam	0% Design stage	October 2022 for completion of designs
7	Umkhomazi Water Project	Project preparation stage	2027

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Reply:

1. The contracts of the advisory committees that were set up by the former Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, were linked to her term of office in the Department of Water and Sanitation. Due to the fact that the tenure of the former Minister ended on 5 August 2021, the advisory committees was given 30 days’ notice from this date and terminated on 4 September 2021.

2. The Chairpersons of the respective committees were requested to prepare and submit close-out reports. The Water Services Advisory Committee has submitted its close-out report. The other Committees will table their reports when they meet with the Minister.

 

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Reply:

South Africa receives both summer and winter rainfall, with most Provinces falling within the summer rainfall area; whereas the Western Cape Province receives its rainfall mainly in winter. As a result, annual water allocation decisions for the summer rainfall areas are made in May or June when most of the summer rainfall is believed to have been harvested. On the other hand, the decision date for the winter rainfall areas is November.

The water reserves in most Provinces have been generally sufficient due to good rains received during the past summer rainfall season. The state of water storage in dams as at 30 August 2021 per Province is indicated in the table below:

Water availability and supply situation is determined by undertaking an Annual Operating Analysis (AOA) of the relevant water supply systems in the Provinces. The AOA determines the amount of water that can be supplied sustainably and equitably over the coming year considering the amount of water in storage at the decision date of the system. Water restrictions are implemented in cases of inadequate water availability.

The provinces with relatively less water availability, as indicated by low Dam levels, are located in the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape Provinces. Dam levels in the Western Cape winter rainfall area are generally good and still increasing given that the Province is still in its rainfall season.

The main two water supply systems in the Eastern Cape experiencing water shortages are the Algoa and Amathole Water Supply Systems (WSS). The Algoa WSS supplies water to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Metro (NMBMM), Kouga Local Municipality and the irrigation sector. On the other hand, Amathole WSS supplies the Buffalo City Local Municipality and Amatola Water Board in East London and surrounding areas; as well as the irrigation sector.

On river systems that have been found to have inadequate water availability for the season, water restrictions are proclaimed in the government gazette to curb water abstractions in order to prolong supplies, especially for essential use. The Provinces with water restrictions on a number of systems/dams are listed below as:

Eastern Cape Province

The Algoa Water Supply System, which supplies the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area, comprises of 5 Dams and is also augmented by the Orange-Fish-Sundays transfer scheme from the Orange River System in the Free State. There are currently restrictions imposed at 80% on irrigation supply and an overall 30% on the domestic sector. Specific restrictions for the different dams are indicated in Table 2.

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	Storage Level (%) – 01 Jun 2021 (Decision Date)	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	% Restrictions
Churchill	35.24	23.07	19.55	50% Domestic & 80% Irrigation
Impofu	105.76	15.04	16.99
Kouga	125.91	4.22	5.44	70% Domestic & 80% Irrigation
Loerie	3.03	37.16	32.8
Groendal	11.64	26.64	21.81	80% Irrigation
Total System	281.6	11.92	12.51	30% Domestic and 80% Irrigation

Note: A supply of 58 million m³/a from the Orange-Fish-Sundays transfer scheme to the NMBMM

is not restricted

The Amathole Water Supply System, which supplies the Buffalo City area comprises of 6 Dams as detailed in table 3 below – 10% Restrictions are required on the domestic water supply and 30% on irrigation.

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	Storage Level (%) – 01 Jun 2021 (Decision Date)	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	% Restrictions
Rooikrantz	4.79	97.14	77.59	10% on Domestic & 30% on irrigation
Laing	18.90	99.57	100.65
Bridle Drift	97.92	26.59	21.15
Wriggleswade	91.47	19.06	14.88
Nahoon	19.26	42.00	28.86
Gubu	8.52	85.76	79.36
Total System	240.88	34.19	28.81

 

Stand-alone Dams in Eastern Cape Province that are experiencing water shortage and requiring restriction rules for the season are listed in Table 4 below.

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	Storage Level (%) – 01 Jun 2021 (Decision Date)	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	% Restrictions
Nqweba	44.7	8.0	6.7	20% domestic
Howiesonspoort and Settlers Dam	6.4	Not known - no information received from the municipality	20% domestic & 70% irrigation
Sandile	29.7	56.0	50.7	30% irrigation
Xilinxa and Gcuwa	14.2	20.4	7	20% domestic
Kliplaat	57.1	26.9	24.3	30% irrigation
Mhlanga	1.6	13.2	35.1	10% domestic

 

Western Cape Province

Stand-alone Dams in Western Cape Province that are experiencing water shortages and requiring restriction rules for the season are listed in Table 5 below.

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	Storage level at decision date 1 June 2021	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	Restrictions Required at Decision Date
Gamka	1.82	45.1	32.62	10% domestic
Oukloof	4.19	0.0	0.00	90% irrigation
Karee	0.95	14.9	21.00	50% domestic

 

Mpumalanga Province

Stand-alone Dams in Mpumalanga Province that are experiencing water shortage and requiring restriction rules for the season are listed in Table 6 below.

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	% Storage decision date - 1 May 2021	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	Restrictions Required at Decision Date
Mkhombo	204.6	10	7.6	10% domestic, 40% irrigation
Rust de Winter	28.2	100	99.65	10% domestic, 40% irrigation
Ohrigstad	13.5	100	57.6	10% domestic and irrigation

Limpopo Province

Stand-alone Dams in Limpopo Province that are experiencing water shortage and requiring restriction rules for the season are listed in Table 7 below.

Table 7: Stand-alone Dams in Limpopo Province

Dam	Net Full Supply Capacity (Million m3)	% Storage decision date 1 May 2021	Storage Level (%) – 30 Aug 2021	Restrictions Required at Decision Date
Middle Letaba	171.9	11	7.79	35% domestic, 70% irrigation
Nsami	21.9	90.5	71.46	35% domestic, 70% irrigation

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Reply:

 

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for assisting the municipalities with provision of water and sanitation services to communities. In this regard, the DWS provides assistance to municipalities through conditional grants such as Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for the following:

• Building new infrastructure
• Refurbishment and upgrade of the existing water and sanitation infrastructure.

In accordance with the implementation protocols, the DWS is responsible for implementation of the infrastructure projects and the municipalities are responsible for Operation and Maintenance of the infrastructure. Upon completion of projects, the assets are handed over to the municipalities. Municipalities are therefore obliged to ensure that the infrastructure is operational and delivers water or sanitation services as intended.

Requesting the Honourable Member to refer to the table below for details on bulk projects implemented and completed from 2012/13 financial year to date as well as the status thereof.

Status of completed projects from 2012/13 to 2021/22 financial year

Name of the project	Name of the WSA/district municipality	Status of the project	Reasons/comments on non-functional projects
EASTERN CAPE
Mount Ayliff Bulk Water Supply	Alfred Nzo DM	Functional	None
Greater Mbizana Regional Bulk Water Supply Phase 1	Alfred Nzo DM	Functional	None
Mncwasa Bulk Water Supply	Amathole DM	Functional	None
Ibika Bilk Water Supply	Amathole DM	Not Functional	Water rationing due to drought around Butterworth and shortfall of funds to complete the project
Xonxa Bulk Water Supply Phase 1	Chris Hani DM	Functional	The contractor is busy with snags on the pumpstation
Coffee Bay Bulk Water Supply Scheme	OR Tambo DM	Functional	None
KSDPI Bulk Sanitation	OR Tambo DM	Functional	None
Steytlerville Bulk Water Supply	Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality	Functional	Due to extreme drought. the plant is struggling to obtain water from the Poort where water abstraction is taking place.
Graaff Reinet Bulk Water Supply Phase 1	Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality	Functional	None
Paterson BWS Phase 1 to 5A	Sundays River Valley Local Municipality	Functional	None
MPUMALANGA
Acornhoek Bulk Water Supply	Bushbuckridge LM (Ehlanzeni DM)	Functional	None
Botleng Wastewater Treatment Works	Victor Khanye LM (Nkangala DM)	Functional	None
Balfour Wastewater Treatment Works phase 2	Dipaleseng LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Functional	None
Amsterdam/Sheepmoor phase 1 & 2	Mkhodo LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Functional	None
Delmas Wastewater Treatment Works phase 1	Victor Khanye LM (Nkangala DM)	Functional	None
Lushushwane Regional Bulk Water Supply phase 1 to 4	Chief Albert Luthuli LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Functional	None
Hoxani Bulk Water Supply	City of Mbombela LM (Ehlanzeni DM)	Not functional	Waiting for the City of Mbombela to finalise the Mechanical & Electrical components that were funded through co-funding by the Municipality
Northern Nsikazi Bulk Water Supply
Bushbuckridge Water Services (Cunningnore) phase 1	Bushbuckridge LM (Ehlanzeni DM)	Functional	None
Empuluzi phase 3A, 4A & 8	Chief Albert Luthuli LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Functional	None
Refurb & Upgrade of Ermelo Water Treatment Works	Msukaligwa LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Functional	None
Refurbishment of Emalahleni Water Treatment Works	Emalahleni LM (Nkangala DM)	Functional	None
Balfour/Siyathemba Regional Bulk Water Supply Phase 1	Dipaleseng LM (Gert Sibande DM)	Not functional	Awaiting the completion of the Upgrading of the Balfour Water Treatment Works in Fortuna (known as the Balfour/Siyathemba phase 2)
GAUTENG
Upgrade of Hannes van Niekerk WWTW	Rand West City Local Municipality (formerly Westonaria Local Municipality)	Partially Functional	Some process units of the new module are dysfunctional due to poor maintenance, theft and vandalism.
Upgrade of Rothdene Pump Station	Midvaal Local Municipality	Functional	None
Upgrade of Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Works Module 6	Emfuleni Local Municipality	Functional	None
KWAZULU-NATAL
Jozini	uMkhanyakude DM	The scheme is functional. The plant is producing 20Ml/day. Bulk pipeline to Ngwavuma with 12 zonal areas completed. Zone 1 to zone 5 completed and operational with reticulation	The municipality is currently implementing zone 6 under MIG programme
Dukuduku Resettlement	uMkhanyakude DM	Functional with minor operational challenges in some areas.	Portion of the settlement with proper reticulation. UKDM has improved most of the unreliable areas through WSIG
Hlabisa	uMkhanyakude DM	The scheme is functional	There is currently not enough water coming from Mandlakazi scheme which is currently under construction. UKDM has improved most of the unreliable areas through WSIG
Emadlangeni	Amajuba DM	The scheme is functional	None
Greater Eston	uMgungundlovu DM	The scheme is functional	None
uMshwathi Phase 1-3	uMgungundlovu DM	The scheme is functional	None
Mhlabatshane	Ugu	The scheme is functional	None
Lower Tugela	iLembe	The scheme is functional	None
FREE STATE
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Construction of Sterkfontein WTW	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: The construction of Escol Reservoir.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Rising main to Escol Reservoir.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 2: Escol pipelines.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 2: Raw water supply system at Sterkfontein Dam.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 3: Makwane Scheme.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 3: Northern Bulk Storage Stage 1.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 3: Northern Bulk Storage Stage 2.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 3: Sealing and waterproofing of the Uniqwa Reservoirs.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 3: Bulk interconnection pipeline: Uniqwa Reversal.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply, Phase 4: QwaQwa Borehole project Stage 1: Drilling and testing of 60 operational boreholes.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Functional	None
Maluti-a-Phofung Bulk Water Supply BWS, Phase 4: QwaQwa Borehole project Stage 2: The equipping of 5 priority boreholes.	Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Partially functional	From the five (5) priority boreholes, one (1) has been severely vandalised, and two (2) are not being operated.
Nketoana Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Stage 1A: Upgrading of the Reitz WTW	Nketoana LM	Partially Functional	The some components are not working fully.
Nketoana Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Stage 3A: Ground Water Study in Nketoana, and Development of Boreholes in Arlington, Petrus Steyn and Lindley	Nketoana LM	Functional	None
Nketoana Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Stage 3B: Upgrading of the Lindley WTW	Nketoana LM	Functional	None
Nketoana Bulk Water Supply, Phase 1: Stage 3C: Upgrading and refurbishment of Lindley and Arlington Water pump Stations	Nketoana LM	Functional	None
Refurbishment of Clarens Sewer Pump Station	Dihlabeng LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Upgrading of La Provence Sewer pump station Rising Main	Dihlabeng LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Upgrading of Bethlehem Water Treatment Works: Replacing of Asbestos Cement Pipeline from Abstraction point at Sol Plaatjies Dam to Water Treatment Works	Dihlabeng LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Upgrading of Fouriesburg (Carolina) Pump Station	Dihlabeng LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Refurbishment of 4 sewer pump station in Bethlehem/Bohlokong	Dihlabeng LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Replacement of AC pipes to PVC pipes in Memel	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Replacement of AC pipes to PVC pipes in Warden	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Refurbishment of sewer rising main(asbestos) for Ezenzeleni Area and construction of new sewer station with outfall sewer	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Refurbishment of the WTW in Vrede & Memel Water Treatment Works	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Replacement of AC water pipes to PVC in Vrede – Phase 1	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Phumelela BWS: Construction of the Ezenzeleni 3ML reservoir and appurtenant works	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Phumelela BWS: Construction of the Ezenzeleni raw water pump station and pipelines	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Non-functional	The pump station was vandalized and some equipment at the pump station were stolen. Currently under Construction funded under RBIG 5B COVID19 project to render it operational.
Phumelela BWS: Construction of the Ezenzeleni Water Treatment Works and construction of the civil structure and associated works	Phumelela LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Non-functional	The water treatment works depended on raw water pumped from the vandalized pump station within the same scheme, making it non-functional. However, currently under construction to render it operational funded under RBIG 5B. COVID19 project.
The Upgrading of the 1,5km clear water raising main line from the WTP to Marquard Reservoir	Setsoto LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Setsoto BWS Phase 1: Sand River Abstraction, Borehole refurbishment, Construction of the pipeline from Caledon to Meulspruit – Clocolan and Marquard	Setsoto LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Setsoto BWS Phase 2: Construction 630mm raw water pipeline from Meulspruit to Ficksburg Water Treatment Water Abstraction of raw water from the Caledon Riverbed	Setsoto LM / Thabo – Mofutsanyana	Functional	None
Ngwathe Bulk Sewer (Vredefort)	Ngwathe LM – Fezile Dabi DM	Non-functional	The plant is not functional due to lack of operation and maintenance.
Moqhaka Bulk Sewer	Moqhaka LM – Fezile Dabi DM	Not functional	The plant is not functional due to lack of operation and maintenance. Currently the DWS, Provincial office and Municipality are implementing a project to refurbish the plant.
Ngwathe Bulk Water Supply – Construction of concrete reservoir at Edenville	Ngwathe LM – Fezile Dabi DM	Functional	None
Ngwathe Bulk Water Supply – Construction of pump house and equipping of boreholes in Edenville	Ngwathe LM – Fezile Dabi DM	Partly functional	Not all boreholes are operational due to vandalism
Mafube Bulk Sewer Phase 1 of 2 - Construction of Namahadi Pump Station Construction of Geelhout (Britz) Pump Station Refurbishment of Seagull Street Pump Station and Associated Works	Mafube LM – Fezile Dabi DM	Functional	None
Moqhaka Bulk Water Supply - To construct a 9.5 km pipeline with a booster pump station	Moqhaka LM in the Fezile Dabi DM	Functional	None
Bulk water pipeline to hospital	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Tweespruit Bulk water Supply - Supply and Equipping of 6 Boreholes	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Tweespruit Bulk water Supply - Supply and Equipping of Two Boreholes within 10km Radius10km Radius Phase 2A (Exploration)	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Tweespruit Bulk water Supply - Supply and Equipping of Two Boreholes within 10km Radius – Phase 2B	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Equipping Of Boreholes and Upgrading Of Pump Station in Excelsior	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Excelsior: Design and Construction Monitoring Water Tower, Raw Bulk Pipeline and Pumpstation- Phase 2	Mantsopa LM	Functional	None
Masilonyana Bulk water Supply Phase 1 of 2	Lejweleputswa DM/ Masilonyana LM	Functional	The project is functional but being a raw water pipeline, some repairs has been highly necessary to undertake through a WC/WDM project, considering water leakages in the line and mechanical / electrical issues in the high lift pump stations associated to this pipeline
Tokologo Bulk Water Supply Phase 1 of 3	Lejweleputswa DM/Tokologo LM	Functional	The project is functional, but Municipality is facing operational issues with lack of spares in the installed raw water pumps in the abstraction point.
Tswelopele Bulk water Supply Phase 1 of 2	Lejweleputswa DM/Tswelopele LM	Functional	None
Wesselsbron / Monyakeng Bulk Sewer	Lejweleputswa DM/Nala LM	Non-functional	The plant is not functional due to lack of operation and maintenance.
Jagersfontein /Fauresmith BWS Phase 1	Xhariep DM/Kopanong LM	Functional	The project is complete and functional connected to phase 2 which is at practical completion stage
WESTERN CAPE
Worcester Bulk Water	Breede Valley	Functional	None
Grabouw Wastewater Treatment Works	Theewaterskloof	Functional	None
Paarl Bulk Sewer	Drakenstein	Functional	None
Drakenstein Wastewater Treatment Works	Drakenstein	Functional	None
Swellendam Wastewater Treatment Works	Swellendam	Functional	None
Citrusdal Wastewater Treatment Works	Cederberg	Functional	None
George Bulk Water	George	Functional	None
Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works	Stellenbosch	Functional	There is a challenge on the inlet works but municipality is sorting matter.
Lamberts Bay	Cederberg	Non-functional	There is a need to complete the installation of the sea outfall. The contractor has been appointed and the anticipated completion date is end of February 2022
Tulbugh BWS	Witzenberg	Functional	There is a need to complete the construction of the dam and tributaries. The contractor has been appointed and the anticipated completion date is end of June 2024
LIMPOPO
Mogalakwena Phase 1	Waterberg	Non-functional	The challenge is with the water abstraction point that has not been developed as yet
Polokwane BWS	Capricorn	Functional	None
NORTH WEST
Koster Wastewater Treatment Works	Kgetleng river	Functional	None
Tlokwe phase 1	Tlokwe	Functional	None
Pilanesburg phase 1	Moses Kotane /Rusternburg	Functional	None
Pilanesburg phase 2	Moses Kotane /Rusternburg	Functional	None
Madibeng /Britsphase 1	Madibeng	Functional	None
Maqussi hills WWTW/BWS	Maquassi	Functional	None
Moretele south phase 1	Moretele	Functional	None
Greater Mamusa phase 1	Mamusa	Functional	None
Taung Naledi phase 1 Podumong	Dr Ruth Mompati	Functional	None
NORTHERN CAPE
Colesburg Wastewater Treatment Worksulk	Umsobomvu / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Hopetown Water Treatment Works	Thembelihle / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Niekershoop Bulk Water Supply	Siyathemba / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Kathu Wastewater Treatment Works	Gamagara / John Toalo Geatsewe	Functional	Functional, but need to be upgraded again
Colesburg Water Treatment Works	Umsobomvu / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Vanderkloof Wastewater Treatment Works	Renosterberg / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Norvalspont Bulk Water Supply	Umsobomvu / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Noupoort Bulk Water Supply	Umsobomvu / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Britstown Oxidation Ponds	Emthanjeni / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Van Wyksvlei Bulk Water Supply Phase 1	Kareeberg / Pixley Ka Seme	Functional	None
Marydale Bulk Water Supply	Siyathemba / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Strydenburg Bulk Water Supply	Thembelihle / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Kalahari East Pipeline phase 1	Dawid Kruiper / Pixley ka Seme	Functional	None
Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works	Sol Plaatje / Frances Baard	Non-Functional	The plant is currently not fully functional due to poor Operation & Maintenance, theft, and vandalism
Ricthie Bulk Water Supply	Sol Plaatje / Frances Baard	Functional	None
Loeriesfontein Bulk Water Supply	Hantam / Namakwa	Functional	None
Brandvlei Bulk Water Supply	Hantam / Namakwa	Functional	None
Williston Bulk Water Supply	Karoo Hoogland / Namakwa	Functional	None

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Reply:

His Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, is seized with the engagements to bring about lasting solution to the political challenges in Eswatini.

To this effect, President Ramaphosa dispatched SADC Organ Troika Special Envoys to Eswatini from 21-22 October 2021, to engage with His Majesty King Mswati III, the Eswatini Government, civil society stakeholders, and diplomatic community on the ground, on ways to de-escalate the situation and chart the way forward. The Special Envoys were duly supported by the SADC Secretariat.

As a follow up to the visit of the SADC Organ Troika Special Envoys, the President visited Eswatini on 02 November 2021 to further engage with King Mswati III. Consequently, Emaswati agreed to undertake, with the assistance of SADC, a national dialogue process which will be initiated and owned by all stakeholders.

 

Reply:

The Department has requested the Province to investigate and provide a report on the matter.  A response will be furnished upon receipt of the requested report. 

Reply:

The matter of whether vaccination for COVID-19 should be made compulsory for physical access to university campuses is something that is currently under consideration within the university system. Universities South Africa (USAf) has prepared guidelines for universities to consider and guide them in their discussions. At the end this is a matter that is decided upon by university Councils, who have the responsibility, within the framework of the Constitution and the Higher Education Act, to determine institutional policy.

As far as I am aware there have been no formal requests for consultation with the Department. However, I am aware that universities have sought legal advice on the matter and that in some universities discussions were held with their stakeholders prior to making decisions on this matter, which is a critical part of considering any vaccination strategy and any requirement for access based on proof of vaccination.

Higher Health, working with the Department of Health, Department of Higher Education and Training, universities, TVET and CET colleges has been actively working to establish vaccination sites for the post-school education and training system and the number of sites has grown significantly. It is also working closely with institutions to promote scientific information about the vaccination which can also address vaccine hesitancy within the post-school population.

Higher Health has indicated to the Department that they believe that it is extremely vital currently to promote vaccination through every communication channel. The priority for now is to mobilise and persuade people to volunteer to be vaccinated. Higher Health’s 15 000 campus-based peer educators are tasked to explain all about the vaccine and respond to people’s anxiety and are encouraging a peer-to-peer dialogue.

This will continue to be the focus for the current period, until the vaccination programme has had time to reach a majority of staff and students. I note the public attention on this matter, given the tension between individual rights to choose and the responsibilities of educational institutions to ensure the safety of students and staff. Ultimately, it is important that stakeholder discussions on this matter continue at the current time.

Reply:

(1) The forensic audit has not yet commenced.

(2)(a) None.

(2)(b)(i)

(aa) & (bb) Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo & Grant Thornton Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd have been mandated to conduct the audit

and/or investigation.

(bb) Grant Thornton Advisory Services Pty Ltd.

(2)(ii) It was discovered that a potential conflict of interest exists as Grant

Thornton was contracted by the Estate Agency Affairs Board to conduct an audit of the Fidelity Fund in 2017. The Department will appoint a substitute forensic auditor by 31 December 2021.

Reply:

The development of the eVisa phase 1 was completed in 2020/2021 financial year but the deployment of the system was delayed due to COVID19 lockdown and suspension of international travel. The eVisa system has been piloted in Kenya and India already. As at 29th September 2021, the eVisa system has been deployed in a phased approach and operational for the following countries, namely: Kenya, Cameroon, Philippines, DRC and Saudi Arabia.

It must be considered however, that the current eVisa module is designed for tourists only, and further modules of the solution for other categories of visas will be developed and deployed in line with the stabilization of the launched version of the eVisa module. As the system matures, the department will implement a more extensive deployment plan structured and sub-divided across African countries and the Rest of the World to be undertaken during the outer years of 2022-2025.

END

Reply:

(1) The last Tender Bulletin was last published on 29 January 2021.

(2)(a) The delays on the publication of the tender bulletin was as a result of the power surge that hit the GPW data centre on 4 February 2021, which damaged critical servers, resulting in the crashing of the eGazette systems and disabling the publishing of all Government gazettes, including the Tender Bulletin.

(2)(b) GPW had to work on manual mode to publish the National and Provincial gazettes. However due to its format, sensitivity and complexity of its content the Tender Bulletin could not be processed manually.

GPW has appointed the service provider to rebuild and automate the eGazette system and also work on the back-up systems. The project milestones are expected to have been achieved by the 31st March 2022, and then publishing of the Tender Bulletin will resume.

END

Reply:

All new houses constructed with the use of the National Housing Subsidy must be enrolled with National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). All Provinces and Municipalities must also in terms of required NHBRC regulations enrol the projects within which houses are constructed. The enrolment with the NHBRC ensures that the houses have a five-year warranty from the day of occupation. The warranty covers the following:

(1) Minor defects within 3-months from date of occupation.

(2) Roof leaks within 1-year from date of occupation and

(3) Major structural defects within 5-years from date of occupation.

Where a defect is detected, the housing consumer should as an initial step notify the home builder of any complaint(s) within a reasonable period. It is expected that the home builder will attend to the complaint again within a reasonable timeframe.

Where the Province or Municipality are the developer and enrolled the project and house, then the complaint maybe lodged with the Province or Municipality. If the compliant is not attended to or resolved between the parties, then the complaint maybe escalated to the NHBRC.

In terms of legislation and regulations, the NHBRC has the responsibility to protect the interests of homeowners, and this includes resolution of complaints received from homeowners against a home builder.

Reply:

1. (a) (i & ii) A schedule for grass cutting and cleaning at Station and Workplace

facilities is on a periodic basis as reflected in table 1 below. The grass cutting service is included as one of those performed by the contractors as PRASA does not appoint a contractor for one specific service but covers a range of services included in the table below.

AREA	TASK SPECIFICATION	FREQUENCY
	Waste Collection and Disposal	Empty and clean all waste baskets, receptacles	Continuously
		Remove all waste to a specified and designated area	Continuously
Platforms & Railway tracks	Platform areas	Sweep platforms	daily
		Remove papers and other foreign objects	Continuously
		Sweep the railway tracks.	Every three months
	Railway tracks. Note: Commuters work under protection on tracks and only during the off-peak)	Remove papers and other foreign objects – Clean the railway tracks up to 200m beyond the edges of both sides of the platforms	daily
	Grass and weeds	Remove Grass and Weed	Weekly

Table 1: Schedule for grass cutting and cleaning at Station and Workplace facilities

(iii) After the unprecedented levels of vandalism and theft of assets, PRASA’s strategy to maintain fences at station level includes putting in place 3 years fencing maintenance contracts which will attend to all maintenance issues related to fencing.

These will support the stations which are due to receive improvements under the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP) and the Alternative Building Technology (ABT) Projects. Stations earmarked to receive improvements are in the 12 priority corridors.

The tenders for these programmes have been advertised on various platforms such as eTender. These will then be evaluated and awarded to successful bidders for execution and are due to be completed before end of March 2022.

The purpose of these projects is to restore functionality at stations which includes the repairs or replacement of fences, painting of platform lines, lighting, provision of water and working toilets, ticket offices among other functional requirements.

(b) Security is not deployed at leased houses. The few that are not leased we do checks on these properties on the routes by security. Limited security is however deployed at commercial buildings that are not leased. The deployment will increase over the next month as it forms part of our total security deployment plan and intervention which will have a total of 4500 extra security guards excluding our internal guards, totalling 7000 people on the ground covering PRASA assets and infrastructure.

2. The 3 years fencing maintenance contracts will then be used to maintain these newly restored fences. The tenders for the three (3) years fencing maintenance contracts will be advertised before end of the financial year.

Reply:

a) The following efficiency measures were implemented by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to absorb the cut:

i) Reduction of the personnel headcount by only filling critical vacant posts in order to manage the compensation of employees’ budget within the set budget ceiling.

ii) Paced down the construction of new courts and prioritised the refurbishment as well as upgrading of existing infrastructure.

iii) Constrained expenditure on cost containment items such as catering, travel and subsistence, venue hire, etc. by maintaining a negative growth on its allocation, each year.

iv) Strengthened controls on the management of service providers’ performance to seal the expenditure leaks.

v) For high value procurement, allowed the participation of departmental entities and sister departments under the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services in order to take advantage of economies of scale.

vi) Reviewed Annual Performance Plan targets to focus on high impact outcomes.

b) The measures implemented with regards to compensation of employees are short term until the economy in the country stabilizes. These measures will have a negative impact on service delivery where a reduction in frontline services is implemented. Managers are required to put mitigation measures in place to reduce the impact on the public.

a) The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has implemented the following measures to reconcile the recent budget cuts with the key cost drivers of the Department:

• Reprioritization and filling of only critical vacancies; and
• Reprioritization of operational expenditure to provide for virtual operations.

1. (b) These mitigation measures negatively impact on the capacity of the OCJ to resource the Superior Courts in relation to human resources, ICT equipment and replacement of ageing ICT infrastructure which has a detrimental effect on judicial functions (case processing / adjudications); court modernisation and access to justice due to a reduction in the number of circuit courts.

Reply:

1. The NCACC is scheduled to meet every last Thursday of the month. These meetings are planned to take place from February to November. In the event that the Parliamentary Program and some important matters present challenges as regards meetings being held as scheduled, the NCACC makes up for such events. To date the NCACC does not have any outstanding meetings and meeting schedule is under control.

2. The NCACC applies the criteria as envisaged in the Act, Regulations and Policy considerations. The protests or reports as alluded to have no bearing on the decision of the NCACC. When an applications is kept in abeyance (under consideration) pending authorization, it for the NCACC to satisfy itself that outstanding issues about such an application are resolved prior to authorization.

 

3. It is never or it should not be a consideration to seek to harm the Defence Industry and certainly the NCACC would not subscribe to such a notion. The Permits that are Under Consideration have a value of R15,8 Million for Saudi Arabia and R3,8 Billion for the United Arab Emirates, respectively.

4. When a matter is placed under consideration (UC) the risk as identified by the review process must have a corresponding risk mitigation response in place with satisfies the minimization of such risk to a residual risk in order to proceed with a recommendation to consider authorization.

5. It is anticipated that the matters outstanding as regards Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be resolved in September 2021. However, the NCACC authorizes the Categories of Controlled items that fall outside the circle of risk identified. It never or ought not to be a consideration to seek to harm the Defence Industry and certainly the NCACC would not subscribe to such a notion, as it is not sustainable on any grounds.

6. The assertion or otherwise of End User Certificates violations remain unproven to date. However, should there be violations by entities registered under the Act, the NCACC will not hesitate to act against such transgressors of prescripts.

1. I as Chairperson and on behalf of my Committee remain seized of matters of the NCACC in order to resolve and effectively manage Conventional Arms Control as mandated under the Act.

END

Reply:

(1) The youngest recipient of the Military Veterans Housing Programme was 35 years old when she was allocated a house on the 10th December 2019.

Reply:

1. (a) The court order has not yet been implemented. This court order will be

implemented by the PRASA Sub Fund of the Transport Pension Fund upon the approval of the Fund Rule amendments this implies.

“In terms of the Transnet Pension Fund Act (Act 62 of 1990 as amended), the responsibility to approve amendments to the Special Rules of the PRASA Sub Fund of the Transport Pension Fund rests with the Minister of Public Enterprises with concurrence by the Minister of Finance. The relevant proposed amendments to the Special Rules of the PRASA Sub Fund is currently receiving attention by the Minister of Public enterprise.”

(b) In terms of PRASA protocol, all rule amendments for the pension funds are channelled through Transnet. The proposed amendments to the PRASA Special Rules were circulated to the Office of the Transnet Chief Financial Officer on 12 April 2021.

2. Regular follow ups have been made with Transnet and the matter will now be escalated to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) for intervention as the submissions were made in April 2021 already.

3. I will not be making any statement on the matter.

Reply:

1. The rights of the arrested, detained and accused persons are clearly indicated in Section 35 of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. This include the right of the accused:

a) to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible but not later than 48 hours after the arrest, or the end of the first court day after the expiry of the 48 hours;

b) to be charged or informed of the reasons for the detention to continue or to be released; and

c) to choose and consult with the legal representation.

During the civil unrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng, the Bill of Rights was observed. The magistrates in which the civil unrest cases occurred managed to process all matters brought before the court in line with the Constitution. Cases were reported and enrolled to the following courts as the consequences of civil unrest:

No.	Name of the Court	No. of Cases Enrolled
1	Pietermaritzburg	30
2	Impendle	4
3	Mooi River	4
4	Ladysmith	34
5	Newcastle	15
6	Dundee	6
7	Paulpietersburg	1
8	Nqutu	30
9	Durban And Branch Courts	256
10	Empangeni	40
11	Ngwelezane	12
12	Kwambonambi Periodical Court	2
13	Richards Bay Branch Court	8
14	Kwamsane	6
15	Mtubatuba	3
16	Ongoye	12
17	Hlabisa	3
18	Hluhluwe	4
19	Mtunzini	1
20	Nyoni Periodical Court	10
21	Stanger	19
22	Verulam Including Branch Courts	100
23	Emlazi	19
24	Emzumbe	21
25	Scottburgh	17
26	Umbumbulu	16
27	Vulamehlo	6
28	Sawoti	1
29	Port Shepstone	20
30	Harding	9
31	Ramsgate	15
32	Ixopo	68
33	Phungashe	15
34	Matatiele	7
35	Izingolweni	29
36	Umzimkhulu	30
	Total Number No. of Cases Enrolled	873

The JCPS Steering Committee was established in which the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development participates. The above mentioned Steering Committee includes key stakeholders such as the South African Police Service, Legal Aid South Africa and National Prosecuting Authority. The mandate of this Steering Committee was to ensure that all cases are processed promptly and in observance of the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution.

2. There was no record of any confiscation of property which was discussed by the Integrated Task Team which was established to monitor the civil unrest. This does not exclude the possibility that if such information could have been reported to various Police stations, the matter will be placed on the agenda of the Integrated Task Team, and should it emerge of any confiscated property during unrest, an appropriate solution will be discussed by the relevant law enforcement agencies

Reply:

1 (a) The Western Cape is the only province that has established six (6) shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide following provision of necessary facilities by the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. The other provinces have conducted site verification and prepared costing for operationalisation of the shelters in the coming financial year (2022/23) due to the budget constraints experienced by the provinces.

(b)(i) Countrywide, there are 140 Shelters established and functional by Government in partnership with Civil Society Organisations

In terms of the National Public Works and Infrastructure partnership the Western Cape Government operationalised six (6) shelters.

(ii) The Shelters that are functioning and established by government in partnership with Civil Society Organisations are 134. However only Six (6) shelters in Western Cape from the facilities donated by the National Public Work and Infrastructure are operational

(2) (a) Below is the reflection of the breakdown for the (i) Government shelters in partnership with Civil Society Organisations with regard to the (ii) uptake:

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF SHELTERS PER PROVINCE	BED CAPACITY
GAUTENG	25	605
FREE STATE	07	47
KWAZULU-NATAL	20	274
MPUMALANGA	22	144
NORTHERN CAPE	08	20
EASTERN CAPE	13	88
WESTERN CAPE	15	361
NORTH WEST	SHELTERS 02 SAFE HOUSES 20	108
LIMPOPO	02	40
TOTAL:	134	1687

Below are what is the breakdown for each shelter established through the National Public Works and Infrastructure in the Western Cape with regard to the (i) uptake of the shelters:

Shelter	District/ Municipality	Quarter 1 (1April – 30 June 2021) new Admissions	Quarter 2 (1 July – 30 September 2021) new Admissions
Shelter 1 (Launched on 7th May 2021)	West Coast/ Swartland	2	5
Shelter 2 (Launched on 26th March 2021)	Eden Karoo/ Central Karoo	1	7
Shelter 3 & 4 (Launched on 7th May 2021)	West Coast/ Bergriver	11	23
Shelter 5 (Launched on 27th August 2021)	Eden Karoo/ Hessequa	6	6
Shelter 6 Launched on 27th August 2021)	Eden Karoo/ Hessequa	2	14
Total:	22	55

(ii) capacity for each shelters

Shelter	District/ Municipality	Bed Capacity
Shelter 1	West Coast/ Swartland	8
Shelter 2	Eden Karoo/ Central Karoo	6
Shelter 3&4	West Coast/ Bergriver	16
Shelter 5	Eden Karoo/Hessequa	8
Shelter 6	Eden Karoo/Hessequa	8

2 (b) All shelters are established in partnership with NPO service providers.

Reply:

1. The criteria regarding

a) Memberships is informed by the 2011 Military Veterans Act, the Military Veterans Regulations Number 11 of 2014 and the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two Ministries to provide decent housing for Military Veterans.

According to Section 1(a) of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011,

"military veteran" means any South African citizen who (a) rendered military service to any of the military organizations, statutory and 15 non-statutory, which were involved on all sides of South Africa's Liberation War from 1960 to 1994; (b) served in the Union Defense Force before 1961; or (c) became a member of the new South African National Defense Force after 1994, 20 and has completed his or her military training and no longer performs military service, and has not been dishonourably discharged from that military organization or force: Provided that this definition does not exclude any person referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) who could not complete his or her military training due to an injury sustained during military training or a disease contracted or associated with military training;

b) The list of potential beneficiaries eligible for the housing benefit is provided by the Department of Military Veterans on an annual basis. The list is signed off by the Accounting Officer/ Director General of the Department of Military Veterans after all verification processes from DMV are concluded and it includes both the statutory and non-statutory forces. The list is then captured on the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) and immediately thereafter dispatched to Provinces.

Reply:

(1) The minimum requirements/competencies for senior management in the Public Hospital are as prescribed by the DPSA directive on minimum entry requirements for Senior Management Service (SMS).

Minimum Qualifications for entry into SMS positions

For a Director and Chief Director - an undergraduate qualification (NQF Level 7) as recognized by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in Public Health/Management.

For Deputy Director-General and Head of Department – an undergraduate qualification and a post graduate qualification (NQF Level 8) as recognized by SAQA.

Minimum Years of Experience as an Entry Requirement into the SMS

SMS Level	Relevant Experience (wef 01 April 2015)
Entry (Level 13)	5 years of experience at a middle/senior management level
Level 14	5 years of experience at a senior management level
Level 15	8-10 years of experience at a senior management level
Level 16	8-10 years of experience at senior management level (at least 3 years of which must be with any organ of State as defined in the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996)

Pre-Entry Certificate into the SMS

A further requirement for appointment at SMS level is a successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government.

Competencies

Strategic Capability and Leadership; People Management and Empowerment; Programme and Project Management; Financial Management; Change Management; Knowledge Management; Service Delivery Innovation; Problem Solving and Analysis; Client Orientation and Customer Care; Communication; Sound Knowledge of the Relevant Legislation such as National Health Act, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Public Service Act.

(2) (a) (i) See the attached list (Annexure A)

(ii) Kindly see the attached list (Annexure A)

(b) None

(c) Not Applicable

END.

Reply:

Gauteng Provincial Department of conducted the investigation about the allegations made about the Tembisa decuplets and produced a report in this regard, that confirms that Ms Gosiame Thamara Sithole was never pregnant. It is therefore not necessary for the national Department of health to conduct further investigations. The report is confidential in terms of the law.

END.

Reply:

According to the report from the Northern Cape Provincial department of health, the clinic that is referred to as Bloemanda is Masakane Clinic.  Masakhane Clinic has been without immunisations for children. This clinic does immunisations daily and this has been verified through stock visibility system which has not shown any stock outs for vaccines.

END.

Reply:

Conclusive evidence regarding the duration of immunity following immunisation against Covid-19 is not currently available.

Vaccine effectiveness has been shown to be maintained over time for severe/critical disease, but does diminish for mild-moderate disease. The durability of a particular vaccine is dependent on the variants of concern circulating at the time, and the durability of the immune response of the primary vaccine series.

It is also currently not known whether immunity induced by one vaccine will last longer than that induced by others. The vaccine effectiveness of the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines has remained relatively stable over time for protection against hospitalisation and death. There have been mild declines in effectiveness over time for hospitalisation and death for older people and those who are immunosuppressed. This has led to recommendations to provide booster doses to older people and those who are immunosuppressed and health care workers.

Such recommendations are country specific. Although vaccine effectiveness has remained durable over time for severe/critical disease, vaccine effectiveness against infection declined in the USA in the period when the Delta variant became dominant as compared to the pre-Delta period. This has led to the recommendation to provide booster doses as mentioned above.

It is difficult to extrapolate evidence of vaccine effectiveness from other regions to South Africa for the following reasons:

• their vaccine programmes started 4-6 months before the South African programme
• different variants have dominated in South Africa
• the high HIV prevalence in South Africa.

In South Africa, durability of effectiveness of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against severe/critical disease during the Beta and Delta period was demonstrated in health care workers through the Sisonke study. The durability of the Pfizer vaccine during the Delta period has also been demonstrated. Ongoing monitoring is required to measure the duration of protection following immunisation with these vaccines.

END.

Reply:

The information provided is for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Financial Years. The 2020/21 Financial Year is an update of the information that was submitted in March 2021. The information submitted in March 2021 was for Five Financial Years from 2015/16 Financial Year to 2020/21 Financial Year. The Information on 2020/21 Financial Year is now updated as when the information that was submitted in March was before the end of the Financial Year hence the submission of the updated information of the 2020/21

2020/21 FINANCIAL YEAR

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF NEW CASES RECEIVED	AMOUNT CLAIMED BY THE PLAINTIFFS[1]
Eastern Cape	Outstanding	Outstanding
Free State[2]	47 Cases	R 512 674 171.29
Gauteng[3]	77 Cases	R 873 785 433-55
KwaZulu Natal	329 Cases	R 727 706 522.00
Limpopo	215 Cases	R 1 764 652 099.00
Mpumalanga	132 Cases	R 1 058 442 000.00
North West	66 Cases	R 469 960 350.00
Northern Cape	15 Cases	R 531 716 811.04
Western Cape	65 Cases	R 529 995 591.10
TOTAL

 

2021/22 FINANCIAL YEAR

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF NEW CASES	AMOUNT CLAIMED BY THE PLAINTIFFS
Eastern Cape	Outstanding	Outstanding
Free State	21 Cases	R 246 850 920.00
Gauteng	53 Cases	R 560 370 586-90
KwaZulu Natal	205 Cases	R 1 578 054 150.00
Limpopo	167 Cases	R1 498 238 059.00
Mpumalanga	69 Cases	R 472 379 000
North West	31 Cases	R 215 496 610. 00
Northern Cape	11 Cases	R 169 616 789.42
Western Cape	39 Cases	R 319 202 451.00
TOTAL

END.

iThese are the amounts that the Plaintiffs think they are entitled to and they are not the amounts awarded by the Courts. Most of these cases are defended by the Provinces and the final payment or award if any will differ from the claimed amount. ↑

iiThe information from Free State has been revised from 2015/16 Financial Years after data cleansing as follows: 26 cases for 2015/16, 34 Cases for 2016/17, 42 Cases for 2017/18, 42 Cases for 2018/19, 44 Cases for 2019/20 and 47 Cases for 2020/21. ↑

iii.The information for Gauteng has been revised to 77 cases. ↑

Reply:

a) The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) issued circulars 80 and 82 in December 2019 based on two sets of research results at its disposal. The main message contained in these circulars was directed at the industry indicating that the exemption that had been granted to the primary insurance products that had applied to the CMS previously may not be granted again at the end of March 2021 if there were no significant improvement and changes made to primary insurance products and low-cost benefit options (LCBO). This was based on research conducted by a group of economists on behalf of Council, indicating the undesirability of these primary insurance products and the Low-Cost Benefit Option in the medical schemes industry. These research results indicated that:

1. These products are targeting individuals that are already tax-exempt based on their low income. Expecting these individuals to spend more of their remaining disposable income contributing to health products with thin benefits did not make sense
2. The introduction of the Low-Cost Benefit Option and related products will be adding yet another set of benefit options in an industry with too many options that are already making rational purchasing choices difficult for the consumer. This goes against the Health Market Inquiry recommendations
3. The Low-cost Benefit option will also require some tax subsidies and credits and further burden the fiscus during a period of economic constraints
4. There is no evidence that these options will ensure that relief is provided to the over-burdened public health system, given the fact that their beneficiaries still primarily rely on the state for the provision of the greater part of their health benefits.
5. The burden of disease in the lower income groups is often higher than your high income earners, and providing a low benefit option is counter-intuitive

 

The second set of research results indicated that the primary health insurance products that were subjected to analysis had serious structural shortfalls in the following areas:

1. The greater part of the contribution made by policyholders was spent on broker fees and administration instead of the relevant health benefits
2. The marketing of these primary insurance products was misleading, promising unlimited GP consultations when in fact, the entitlements are no more than 3 per annum
3. These products were experienced a significantly low claims ratio due to members were not aware of the extent of cover or benefit entitlements
4. These primary insurance products are also unlikely to reduce the over-burdened public health system on the basis of lack of comprehensive cover

b) The impact of circulars 80 and 82 on the primary insurance products in the market has been minimal as no product has been discontinued as a result of these circulars:

1. The CMS undertook an extensive stakeholder roadshow following the issuing of circulars 80 and 82. The purpose of these engagements that took place in the more significant part of January and February 2020 was to ensure that these primary insurance products demonstrate a significant shift towards complying with the Medical Schemes Act
2. The agreement reached with the key stakeholders was that further engagements were necessary and that a Low-Cost Benefit Framework will need to be developed that will assist these primary insurance products to migrate into the medical schemes environment
3. There was also an appreciation that the regulator cannot perpetually exempt these primary insurance products from complying with the Medical Schemes Act and its Regulations as this is the only legislation that is at its disposal for regulatory purposes
4. The engagements in these Advisory Committees are proceeding well and have included three workstreams:

• Schemes and administrators
• Insurance providers and brokers
• Service providers, policyholders and consumers

Circulars 80 and 82 of December 2019 and Circular 56 of 2015 have no bearing on the ability of low-earning households to have access to quality medical care other than providing a guide for medical schemes to report better-managed services. However, a more relevant circular to low-earning households' affordability of care is circular 56 of 2020. The objective of circular 56 of 2020 was to provide an overall update regarding establishing the LCBO Advisory Committees and developing the Low-Cost Benefit Guidelines and notice of extension of exemption period to 31 March 2022.

The Advisory Committees were tasked with addressing the challenges faced by primary health insurance providers in complying with the Medical Schemes Act:

• The need for medical schemes to develop options for low-income earners.
• They would also develop a roadmap leading to the end of March 2022.
• Provide inputs on the LCBO framework before the CMS submits it for approval by the Minister of Health
• The Charter and Code of Conduct were issued to nominees during June/July 2020.
• A regulatory workshop with the National Department of Health, National Treasury, Prudential Authority, Financial Sector Conduct and the Council for Medical Schemes was held on 29 September 2020;
• Introductory workshops were held with interested parties and nominees during October 2020, whereafter the Charter and Code of Conduct was adopted.

END.

Reply:

The Department of Health is taking serious precautionary measures by prohibiting hospital visits by the families of the patients that are admitted within the facilities because the threat of Covid-19 virus is still real. While the country in alert level 1, we remain concerned about the possible increase in infections especially because there are still a number of cases on infections that are reported through our laboratories, although very low.

END.