Questions and Replies

Reply:

The information below was sourced from the Provincial department and the District municipality in question

1. Amatole District Municipality (ADM) is the Water Services Authority (WSA) in the

ADM area of jurisdiction which includes Amahlathi Local Municipality ALM). The Water Sevices Act, 108 of 1997 defines a WSA as any municipality responsible for ensuring access to water services. According to ADM, the aging infrastructure resulting in ongoing bursts and continuous vandalism of Water Treatment Works are the main contributors leading to unreliable and intermittent supply to Lower Zingcuka.

 

2. According to ADM, water is being carted to Lower Zingcuka to ensure communities get supply. As part of ongoing operations and maintenance, ADM procure and fit necessary fittings and piping to replace burst sections. ADM is currently implementing a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funded water supply project with a budget of R5,7 million in the Zingcuka Village. The municipality is awaiting for Eskom connection for the project booster pump which application was submitted. Payments have been made to Eskom and the project is scheduled to be completed by December 2021.

In June 2021, the State of Local Government Report was presented to Cabinet. Cabinet resolved that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and National Treasury should lead the process of the development of the municipal support plans in collaboration with sector departments, SALGA, provinces and municipalities. This process is underway and the target date to complete the municipal intervention and support plans (MISP) for high priority municipalities, which include ADM and ALM, is the end of September 2021. This MISP will include plans to address the water challenges mentioned above.

 

Reply:

1. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) piloted the Braai Café Programme which was coordinated through a partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). This intervention is a youth-owned, micro-franchising project piloted in Mbekweni, Western Cape in 2019. The purpose and intent of the programme is to roll out a national youth-owned initiative owned through a cooperative business model to create and foster the next generation of entrepreneurs through structured interventions including incubation, coaching and mentorship, funding and after care support. The pilot project has revealed major challenges attributed to various factors impeding implementation as per the project plan.

(a) The DSBD set aside funding total value of R8 400 000.00 through the Cooperatives Incentives Scheme (CIS) to roll out the programme but only R1 800 000.00 was advanced to NYDA to invest in the pilot.

(b) The aim was to open fifteen Youth Cooperative Micro-restaurants, one hundred youth owning their own business through the cooperative’s model. However only one store in Mbekweni was piloted which had five co-operative members.

(c) The programme is currently halted as a review is being undertaken given the complaints received from other members of the cooperative.

(d) Out of a total of R1 800 000.00 that was advanced to the NYDA, R514 175.90 was spent and R1 285 824.10 was returned to DSBD and paid back to the National Treasury at the end of the 2020/21 Financial year as per Treasury Regulations.

2. (a) Assets were purchased in support of realising the pilot project which entail full kitchen equipment and delivery motor bikes.

(b) Assets purchased:

• Glass door underbar fridge.
• Anvil Axis Bain Marie- table top - 2 division.
• Anvil Axis Electric Double Pan Fryer (8kg).
• Munaaz e-cool  Double Glass Door Beverage Cooler.
• Munaaz e-cool Single Door Chest Freezer.
• Munaaz Double Bowl Preparation Sink 1500x650x915h.
• Overhead Pre Rinse Spray includes mixer taps.
• Munaaz 500x650x900 h double 10 liter fryer - 18kw floor standing with oil bin.
• Munaaz 5 burner gas flat top grill table model: specifications weight: 78 kg dimensions: 900x650x300h.
• Munaaz 2 burner boiling table grade 430 full stainless steel design anti-clog burners 2.5 350X800X 900h.
• 2000x1100 Munaaz Stainless Steel sloped vent hood complete with removable Cycloflow grease filters and grease catchment drawers.
• 2 Motor bikes.

(c) The assets were utilised to operationalise the co-operative and have the café fully functional.

(d) Two delivery motor bikes were purchased.

(e) The DSBD is the custodian of the Braai Café in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) as the implementation agency through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019. The Department plays a critical role in the conceptualisation and designing of dedicated programmes to facilitate youth entrepreneurship. In this regard, the Department has conceptualised and coordinated the Braai Café programme. The Department’s role includes monitoring and evaluating the programme, regularly providing reports on the effectiveness of the programme.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), as the implementor of the project, plays an oversight role and has control over the assets. The NYDA has recently embarked on a site visit and confirmed that all the assets are still in existence. As part of the programme review process, the department is looking at a more sustainable model of delivery where assets will be fully utilised by beneficiaries supported under the programme.

The Department’s remedial action includes the following:

• A site visit undertaken in April 2021 to ascertain challenges the co-operative is facing in respect of governance, an in-depth analysis of problems and risk factors inherent in the implementation of the project;
• The status and continued viability of Mbekweni co-operative assessed. Dissatisfaction regarding the governance and conflicts amongst members were identified as major problems attributable to the non-functional business operations;
• A legal opinion has been sought affording parties availability and applicability of remedies in law; and
• The Department has embarked on a programme review process in order streamline the delivery model ensuring that the initiative is integrated within the DSBD portfolio programme offering.

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

1. The DSBD is the custodian of the Braai Café in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) as the implementation agency through a Memorandum of Understanding.
2. The DSBD budgeted funds totalling R8 400, 000.00 through the Cooperatives Incentives Scheme (CIS) to roll out the programme. A total of R1 800 000.00 was advanced to the NYDA. Of the advanced amount, R514 175.90 was spent and R1 285 824.10 was returned to DSBD and paid back to the National Treasury at the end of the 2020/21 Financial year as per Treasury Regulations.
3. YOU TURN - Consultant services and TABBS Group, as outlined in the budget breakdown below, are the service providers that were contracted by the NYDA. Payment terms were linked to the following key deliverables: project inception, store roll-out, and post implementation support as stipulated in the agreement. The payment services are also outlined in the table below.

Date	Amount Paid	Items paid/allocated for:
27/03/2018	R865,000.00	Amount approved by NYDA
20/04/2018	R240,000.00	TABBS GROUP - Technical support
	R50,000.00	TABBS GROUP - Business Plans
	R50,000.00	TABBS GROUP - Roll-out Delft store
	R13,168.31	Rental deposit - Delft
	R2,698.00	Game/Dion -
	R355,866.31	Total payments by NYDA
		SBD Investment - equipment
		SBD Investment - consultant services
20/04/2018	R509,133.69	Balance (NYDA approval)
30/04/2018	R8,400,000.00	Funds from DSBD
	R6,600,000.00	Adjustment of funds from DSBD
	R1,800,000.00	Balance of funds from DSBD
Nov-19	R13,168.31	Rental refund
Nov-19	R522,302.00	Balance (NYDA approval)
07/11/2019	R345,000.00	YOU TURN - Consultant services
18/03/2020	R7,547.00	Point of sale system
	R12,000.00	Architect
	R5,439.04	Uniforms
	R21,046.80	Health safety and hygiene
	R391,032.84	Total payments
21/08/2020	R6,184.16	Security
	R27,645.00	Building improvements
	R25,673.90	Kitchen utilities
	R2,737.00	Additional kitchen equipment (grease trap)
	R17,297.50	Kitchen equipment (Gas) & installation
	R41,805.50	Scooters
	R1,800.00	Working capital
	R123,143.06	Total payments
21/08/2020	R1 285 824.10	Balance from DSBD funds

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Reply:

A strategic planning session took place between the Department of Health (DoH) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), on 24 November 2018, in Polokwane to deliberate on the root causes of the problem and initiate relevant interventions.

An interdepartmental Safety and Security National Task Team, consisting of the SAPS, the DoH, the Department of Labour (DoL), the Department of Home Affair (OHA) and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority(PSIRA) was establi9hed to support the DoH and embarked on visits to the affected provinces to assess the threat, in order to recommend proper interventions.

A National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Priority Committee was established to monitor the incidences of attacks and harassment of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and to recommend interventions, Iri line with the five pillar approach.

A National Crime Combating Forum (NCCF) Instruction, number 1 of 2021: Overarching Crime Combating Strategy, was registered to run, from 1 February 2021 to 31 March 2025.

The operational concept entails the stabilisation of crime in high crime police stations and clusters/districts, through an intelligence led geographical and organised crime approach.

Tactical Operational Centres were established in identified locations and hotspot areas to maintain a 24-hour presence, led by competent operational commanders to implement respective concepts and command the established multidisciplinary teams, implementing stabilization through the following concepts:

Pillar 1: Intelligence gathering, analysis and coordination.

Pillar 2: Proactive and high visibility approach.

Pillar 3: Combat and reaction approach.

Pillar 4: Reactive through detection, including organised crime approach.

Pillar 5: Communication.

Reply to question 1247 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-05-26

Reply to question 1247 approved not approved

MINISTER OF POLICE

GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 25-10-2021

Reply:

(1)The person, whose name and details were furnished, was arrested and charged, on 30 March 2011 .

2(a)(b) No, the accused ha» not been convicted. The cases against the accused are still before the court and were postponed because the accused changed the defence attorney, during the trial The accused is still in custody and no bail has been granted.

Reply to question 2257 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 202-08-27

Reply to question 2257 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 26-10-2021

Reply:

(1) Data is being recorded electronically, on the Enhanced Firearm Registration System (EFRS), at the Central Firearms Register (CFR).

(2)(a) The total amount spent on the EFRS, since its inception, in 2000/2001 to date, is R103 431 342,00.

(2)(b) The above amount has been spent on annual system support, as well as the maintenance and enhancements performed on the system through the SAPS/ State information Technology Agency (SITA) Service Level Agreement, over a period of 21 years.

(3) Since the system built is based on old technology, it lacks the capability to provide efficient support to smart modem information Technology (IT) processes, such as electronic connectivity with external stakeholders and workflow capability, to reduce the paper-based processing of firearm licence applications. Not all processes, as required by the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) and its Regulations, are supported by the EFRS.

The EFRS is slow and sometimes not available at the CFR, due to challenge6 with network infrastructure to and in the building where the CFR is located.

(4)(a) Ad hoc reports from the EFRS, are available for gun owners.

(4)(b) Similarly, ad hoc reports from the EFRS, are available for guns owned.

(4)(c) The reasons for gun ownership are available, as part of the report related to gun owners.

(5) The Minister of Police will decide whether to make a statement, in this regard. '

Reply to question 1395 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICDE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-06-04

Reply to question 1395 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 25-10-2021

Reply:

Yes, a total of 230 members from various specialised units within the South African Police Service (SAPS) were deployed, since last year, in the five most problematic provinces, namely; Gauteng, Mpumalanga, !he Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West, in order to direct law enforcement structures and empower them with the necessary expertise and resources, to reduce and prevent the increasing scourge of Cash-in-Transit (CIT) crimes.

CIT Centres, which are coordinated by the Provincial Operational Command Centres (POCC), have been established in the abovementioned provinces.

A threat analysis was conducted, in which firearms and explosives ware identified as the enablers of CIT robberies and interventions were subsequently developed and

implemented to neutralise this threat.

Compliance inspections at various mines have been intensified by the Office of the Chief Inspector, from the SAPS’ Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), in collaboration with members from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). Members attached to the Firearms and Explosives Unit, in the DPCI, have also intensified compliance inspections at various firearm shops and security companies, in collaboration with the FSL Ballistics Section and linkages are being established, by the FSL, in respect of the firearms that are being used during CIT robberies.

SAPS members at ports of entry, such as Beitbridge and Lebombo, have been trained in the identification of explosives and sniffer dogs are also used at the border posts to detect explosives.

All CIT companies are compelled to vet all of their personnel, to identify and eliminate collusion from within the companies. Stakeholder meetings with all the CIT companies are held monthly, to evaluate and review the progress that has been achieved with the reduction of CIT crimes.

Bilateral meetings with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana are being arranged, through INTERPOL, to discuss collaboration on mechanisms; to reduce the smuggling of explosives and firearms into South Africa.

Reply to question 1203 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-05-26

Reply to question 1203 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH, CELE, MP
Date: 28-19-2021

Reply:

(1). Criteria have been developed, to calculate the number of posts, per salary level ' and act of appointment, which are required to perform the duties, which are associated with a police station, in line with the approved organisational structure for police stations.

The criteria are applied, based on the profile ofa particular police station, taking into account various external variables, which include demographics, the size of the station precinct, population density, settlements tribal areas and farms, socio economic factors, reported crime analysis and the classification status of rural urban; as well as Internal variables, which include activities performed at the Client Service Centre, the investigation of crime and support functions. The aforementioned will determine the post establishment required, to enable a police station to render a service to clients, within the allocated ratio of 80/20°/», in respect of operational/support functions.

The post establishment which has been determined for a police station, will be utilised as a point of departure for the determination of all categories of physical and financial resources that are required for a specific police station, based on the relevant criteria. The overall resource allocation will be utilised, to inform the resource allocation plan for a police station, depending on the affordability of the resources, in line with the current budget and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

(2)(a) The resource plan is unique for every specify police station, based on the profile, category and classification of the station.

The total number of police stations, is 1 156 and includes different sizes of police stations, which are categorised, based on their uniqueness, into Category A (Captain), Category B (Lieutenant Colonel), Category C1 (Colonel) and Category C2 (Brigadier) and are catered for in one plan, depending on the affordability of the required resources, in line with the current budget and the MTEF.

(2) (b) The resources that are provided for different types of police stations, are In line with the unique circumstances that are particular to each station, including crimes that are prevalent in the station precinct, e.g. contact crimes, sexual offences, property-related crimes, etc. and other relevant criteria, such as the topography of the station precinct, e.g. in respect of vehicles, rural areas will be allocated light delivery vehicles (4x2 or 4x4 vehicles), rather than sedan vehicles.

Reply to question 1589 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-06-04

Reply to question 1589 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 26-10-2021

Reply:

(1)(a)(b)(c) The details regarding the number of vehicles that each Trio Task Team has, the number of vehicles currently in working order in each case and the current mileage of each vehicle, are reflected in the tables below:

Find here: Trio Task Team

Reply:

(a) A total number of 27 persons of Indian descent have been arrested for killing Africans, in Phoenix.

(b)(i) One person has been granted bail.

(h) (ii) A total number of 26 accused persons, are still in custody.

Reply to question 1930 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 202-10-06

Reply to question 1930 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 26-10-2021

Reply:

There is a total number of 210 South African Police Service (SAPS) satellite police stations, in the Republic of South Africa (RSA).

Feasibility studies are continuously conducted to determine the satellite police stations that qualify to be fully fledged police stations. Emanating from the results of the feasibility studie9, plans which are dependent on the availability of budget, are put in place, to determine which satellite police stations are prioritised to be graduated into fully fledged police stations, in the medium-term.

Reply to question 1220 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-06-04

Reply to question 1220 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 25/10/2021

Reply:

 None. Currently the victim empowerment coordinators at police s1ations, coordinate the matters, with regard to services to victims of gender-ba9ed violence (GBV).

A work-study investigation had to be conducted, prior to the establishment of the GBV desks, in order to enable practical recommendations for the day-to-day functions, capacitation and resourcing of these desks. It is envisaged that the work-study investigation should be finalised, in June 2021, for the roll-out of the GBV desks. It is envisaged that the operationalisation of the GBV desks will be executed in three phases.

Phase 1: At the 30 national GBV hotspots, by 30 September 2021. Phase 2: At the 30 provincial priority stations, by 31 March 2022.

Phase 3: At the remaining policing stations, nationwide, by 31 March 2023.

Reply to question 1323 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-05-26

Reply to question 1323 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP

Date: 26-20-202

Reply:

The export tax on scrap metal was introduced into the Customs and Excise Act of 1964 with the intention of replacing the price preference system (PPS) for scrap metals, as noted in the 2020 Budget Review and the 20 January 2021 Final Response Document on the 2020 Draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill, 2020 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and 2020 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill. The export tax on scrap metal became effective on 1 August 2021.

This export tax was initially pursued as a proposal after a recommendation from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), and was proposed by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), after which it was followed by consultations with scrap metal suppliers and scrap metal users before the Bill was passed by Parliament. Following the extension of the PPS for two years, National Treasury is engaging with the DTIC on the role and impact of the export tax on scrap metal while the PPS is in place. Further consultations will also take place with other stakeholders, like the scrap metal suppliers and scrap metal users.

Reply:

(a) and (b)

The department is aware of the red list. However, the department does not agree that the red list is a reflection on or has a bearing on UK – South Africa relationship. The department, South African Tourism and the industry will embark on an advocacy project to ensure that information regarding South Africa’s and in particular the industry’s management of the pandemic and efforts o support ease of travel facilitation is provided to travel trade, consumers and other inbound tourism stakeholders. This will be targeted at all our priority markets to ensure confidence building.

Reply:

Pending the finalization of the court case, the Department is abiding by the interim court order by not processing or paying out any applications for the Tourism Equity Fund.

Reply:

The 2020/21 provincial conditional grant roll over process was concluded and provinces were notified of the outcome at the beginning of June 2021. All approvals granted were based on pre-audited spending as of 31 March 2021. In terms of the ECD Stimulus Relief Funds of the budget of R496 million, provinces underspent by around R392 million. Eight provinces, except for Western Cape who had fully spent their allocation, subsequently applied for the unspent funds to be rolled over to the 2021/22 financial year. After assessing all applications, taking into consideration commitments provinces had incurred; relevant legislation; and Treasury Regulations, approval was granted for R351 million to be rolled over.

This was communicated to Provincial Treasuries, who in turn notified provincial departments on 7 June 2021, Limpopo was notified on 21 June 2021.

Reply:

The 2021 Budget proposed to contain the growth in the public sector wage bill to protect an already vulnerable fiscus. The compensation of employees’ budget ceilings for the 2021 MTEF, which includes the 2022/23 financial year, assumes no pensionable salary increases however, it does provide for pay progression of 1.5 per cent annually for all public servants over the 2021 MTEF.

The impact of the 2021 Wage Agreement signed on the 27 July 2021, is currently being considered as part of the preparations for the 2021 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) and the development of the 2022 MTEF. Further information will be provided at the time of the tabling of the 2021 MTBPS.

Reply:

1. (a) National Treasury Instruction Note No 34 issued in 2011 requires departments to submit 30 days exception reports to relevant treasuries each month with information related to (i) the number and value of invoices paid after 30 days from the date of receiving invoices, (ii) the number and value of invoices that are older than 30 days, which remained unpaid, and (iii) the reasons for the late and/or non-payment of the invoices.The amount of R4,1 billion represent the total amount of all invoices paid after 30 days during the 2020/2021 financial year and this amount is inclusive of invoices paid to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). (b) Information on the breakdown of amounts paid to SMMEs can be obtained from relevant accounting officers of national departments.

2. The amount of R415 million represent the rand value of all invoices older than 30 days and not paid, this amount is inclusive of amounts owed to SMMEs as at the end of the 2020/2021 financial year. Information on the total outstanding amount to SMMEs can be obtained from relevant accounting officers of national departments. (b) Information on the breakdown of outstanding amounts to SMMEs can be obtained from individual departments.

3. The amount of R25,9 billion is the total amount of all invoices paid after 30 days by provincial departments during the 2020/2021 financial year including invoices from SMMEs. Information on the total amount paid after 30 days to SMMEs can be obtained from departments. (b) Information on the breakdown of amounts paid to SMMEs can be obtained from individual departments in provinces.

4. (a) The amount of R5,3 billion represent the rand value of all invoices older than 30 days and not paid by provincial departments including invoices from SMMEs as at the end of 2020/2021 financial year. (b) Information on the breakdown of invoices not paid and total outstanding amount to SMMEs can be obtained from the relevant accounting officers of provincial departments.

5. Table 11 as contained in the annual report provides the status of performance of provinces regarding the number and rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid as at the end of February 2021 which did not include the results/progress as at 31 March 2021. Table 11 has since been amended with the aim of aligning it to information depicted in Graph 10 as indicated in table and graph below.

Graph 10 of the 2020/2021 report provides month-to-month comparative figures of the rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid during the 2020/2021 financial year when compared with the 2019/2020 financial year.

Table 11 of the 2020/2021 report provides information related to the performance of provinces regarding the number and rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid as at the end of 2020/2021 financial year.

Performance of provinces regarding the Number and Rand Value of invoices older than 30 days not paid
Province	Number of invoices	Rand Value of invoices	%
Northern Cape	10	95 124	0%
Western Cape	95	84 763 955	0%
Limpopo	175	19 002 927	0%
Kwazulu-Natal	915	451 527 061	2%
Free State	1 010	81 356 354	3%
Gauteng	2 650	313 956 082	7%
Mpumalanga	2 738	399 224 299	7%
North West	5 691	446 883 143	15%
Eastern Cape	24 222	3 522 284 900	65%
Total	37 506	5 319 093 844	100%

Reply:

1. The riots/looting and protests were broadcasted across the globe. While no study was conducted on the impact, publicity of such negative events would have impact on the brand and the sector recovery efforts. It will require more effort to reposition destination South Africa and to restore consumer and trade confidence. Disruption of tourist activities and forward bookings cancellations were the most immediate impact while the brand impact will also be felt in the medium to long term.

2. (a) and (b) The main focus is the implementation of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan. On the global front, SA Tourism will be embarking on the Global Advocacy Project in collaboration with Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) which is focused on addressing travel trade and consumer confidence building measures. In reigniting the domestic tourism and stimulating demand, Travel Week trade campaign was launched end of August 2021. The campaign is aimed at driving the trade to load their discounted deals on the Sho’t Left platform. This was followed by the consumer campaign. Furthermore, SA Tourism will be launching the Global Brand Campaign. The campaign is aimed at reigniting the regional and global demand and will be launched in September 2021.

 

Reply:

The Department has not engaged with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on this matter. The management of fresh water resources and associated infrastructure is the competency of the DWS, relevant Water Boards as well as relevant municipalities. Furthermore, beaches are the responsibility of relevant local government while marine and coastal management resides with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment. It is therefore suggested that the Honourable member refers the question to the relevant authority.

Reply:

(1)-(3) As was widely publicised in the media, the relevant authorities responsible for chemical waste management paid due attention to the matter of the chemical spillage in the interest of both human health and environmental safety.

(4) Ministerial engagements with local tourism communities are mainly conducted through or in collaboration with provincial and local government. However, virtual engagements were held with business affected by the riots.

(5) In response to the protest and looting that swept across parts of South Africa in July, SA Tourism released a TV advertisement which called for nation building and unity amid the unrest. The advert was aired on SABC, ENCA, and ETV channels. The footage was further shared on social media platforms.

In reigniting the domestic tourism and stimulating demand, Travel Week Trade campaign was launched. The campaign is aimed at driving the trade to load their discounted deals on the Sho’t Left platform (www.shotleft.co.za). This was followed by the launch of a consumer campaign. In the main, the focus of the department is to implement the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan to ensure sustainable recovery of the sector.

 

Reply:

1. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs did not place in the Government Gazette in advertising the Ekurhuleni Valuation Roll 2021/2025.
2. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs did not appoint any contractor as part of Black Dot Opti Joint Venture.

Reply:

A detailed breakdown of all public funds spent on travel and travel-related expenses for the past three financial years is attached in Excel format. The breakdown includes data from National and Provincial government departments only. National Treasury is still in the process of centrally obtaining, importing and analysing procurement relating data from the local sphere of government.

The breakdown provides the following dimensions:

(a) Spend per department per financial year;

(b) Spend per department per posting level item;

(c) Spend per department broken down in supplier turnover categories.

Reply:

(a)– (b) No investigation was done by the Department of Tourism, as it is not within its mandate.

.

Reply:

Kindly refer to the response that was provided by the National Treasury to Question number: 1680 [NWW1888E].

Reply:

R1.5 billion has been allocated to provincial Departments of Health in 2021/22 through a ring fenced conditional grant component to fund the administration of vaccines, including weekend work. As of 22 August, only 19.8% (R297.2 million) of this amount had been spent.

National Treasury has not received any request from the National Department of Health (NDOH) indicating additional funding is needed in provinces for weekend vaccinations or otherwise. While some provinces have informally indicated that additional funding might be required, the National Treasury has requested the sector to provide a formal budget bid but has not received anything to date.

In principle, we support opening up for vaccinations in public sites on weekends, should the health sector decide to do so. However, it is not immediately clear to us that finance is the binding constraint to weekend vaccinations.

Reply:

What total amount was spent on the Ministerial event hosted in Duncan Village in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality on 11 March 2021, including:

a) Logistics – The Department of Human Settlements spent R0.00

The Housing Development Agency was the event organiser and responsible for all logistical arrangements on 11 March 2021 in Duncan Village.

Accommodation (x 12 staff 2/3 nights)	R50 400,00
Flights (x 11 staff)	R32 368,05
Car Rental (x1)	R3 602,65
Shuttles (x 6 staff)	R7 550,00
Tent Hire & Chairs for 200 Pax Lunch & Water for 250 Pax P.A System	R92 120,75
Travel Agency Service Fees	R615,00
TOTAL	R186,650-45

 

b) Photographers and drone specialists – The Department of Human Settlements spent R0.00.

The Department of Human Settlements together with the Department of Water and Sanitation deployed internal photographers – staff members.

c) Ministerial Security – One staff member from the Security Unit of the Department of Human Settlements was deployed to the event.

d) Accommodation and Travel – Thirteen members of the Department and Ministry travelled to BCM at total amount of R181 915.00

 

 

Reply:

a) 30

b) The APP 2021/22 details 30 Community Based Tourism projects that will be supported as outlined in the Table below.

PROVINCE		(i) NAME OF PROJECT	(ii) LOCATION OF PROJECT
Eastern Cape	1	Maluti Hiking Trail	Matatiele, Alfred Nzo District Municipality
	2	Mthonsi Lodge	Located along R63 route between Fort Beaufort and Adelaide, Nkonkobe Local Municipality.
	3	Qatywa Lodge	Xhora, north of Mbhashe River
	4	Nyandeni Chalets	Ward 3,Nyandeni Local Municipality
	5	Western Tembuland	Queenstown, Emalahleni Local Municipality
Free State	6	QwaQwa Guest House	Qwa Qwa
	7	Vredefort Dome	Parys, Ngwathe Local Municipality
	8	Monotsha	Phuthaditjhaba, Maluti a Phofung Local Municipality
KZN	9	Muzi Pan	Mbazwana
	10	Anton Lembede Museum	eThekwini Municipality, Mbumbulu, Durban
	11	AmaHlubi Cultural Heritage	Estcourt
Limpopo	12	Phiphidi Waterfall	Giyani
	13	The Oaks Lodge	Maruleng Municipality
	14	Matsila Lodge	Mstila, Makhado Local Municipality
	15	VhaTsonga Village	LouisTrichardt
	16	Ngove	Giyani.
	17	Tisane	Magukubu,Jane Furse
	18	Nandoni Dam	Nandoni Dam, Vhembe District
	19	Tshathogwe Game Farm	Makhado Municipality
	20	Mtititi Game Farm	Mtititi Village, Collins Chabane Local Municipality
	21	Mapate Recreational Social Tourism Facility	Mapate Village, Thulamele Municipality
Mpumalanga	22	Mnisi Resort	Bushbuckridge
	23	Numbi Gate	Hazyview,
Northern Cape	24	Platfontein Lodge	Kimberley
	25	Kamiesburg	Roodebergskloof Farm, Kamiesberg Municipality
	26	McGregor Museum (has 12 satellite sites all located in the Northern Cape with the main museum located in Kimberly)	Kimberley
North West	27	Manyane Lodge	Mafikeng
	28	Lotlamoreng Dam	Mafikeng
	29	Sol Plaatjie Exhibition	This is an information and exhibition at the Mafikeng museum that requires upgrading.
	30	Lehurutshe Liberation Heritage Route	This is a broad route and planning is underway for an Interpretation Centre to showcase the narrative.

In addition, there is the Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Golden Gate National Park in the Free State and the Baviaanskloof Leopards Trail and Interpretation Centre in the Eastern Cape that have been included in previous APP documents, these are brand new facilities initiated through the work we are doing. There is also the maintenance programme in National Parks as listed in the 2020/21 APP and an expansion of the maintenance programme to include Provincial facilities, these maintenance programmes were initiated by the Department.

Reply:

Yes, the Department of Tourism has, together with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), implemented the following capacity building programmes to empower the youth in the tourism sector:

1. Hospitality Youth Programme: Fast Food Services

This is a National Certificate in Fast Food Services accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). It is a one-year learnership programme. 2 321 beneficiaries completed the programme.

2. Wine Service Training Programme: (Sommelier)

The early stages of the programme cover areas such as Bar Attendant and Drink Service Skills. In the later stages, the programme covers Sommelier training aspects such as international Wines, Wine Stewardship, Event Support Assistant, Customer Care, Culture and Nature guiding. The programme is accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority. (CATHSSETA) and South African Sommelier Association (SASA). 241 learners completed the programme in June 2020.

The following capacity building programmes to empower the youth in the tourism sector are in the implementation phase:

1. Hospitality Youth Programme (Food and Beverages)

It is a one-year learnership programme. This is a National Certificate in Fast Food Services accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). The programme is targeting 1000 unemployed and retrenched youth in Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces.

2. Wine Service Training (Sommelier)

The programme will be implemented as a learnership for a period of one year. The programme covers Sommelier training aspects such as international Wines, SASA Wine Steward, Customer Care, Bar Attendant and Drink Service Skills. The programme is accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority. (CATHSSETA) and South African Sommelier Association (SASA). The programme is targeting 252 learners in the KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape Provinces.

3. Food Safety Quality Assures

The programme covers the following areas: Hygiene and Food Safety Practices, Conduct Audits and Optimise Product and Process Quality within a Quality Management System in a Food Processing Environment as well as Occupational Health & Safety Unit standards (Accredited with CATHSSETA and the FoodBev SETA). The programme will be targeting 500 unemployed and retrenched youth in KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng provinces.

4. Chef/ Professional Cookery

The programme will be implemented for one year. It is a National Certificate in Professional Cookery accredited with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA). The programme is targeting 300 unemployed and retrenched youth in the Northern Cape, North West and Free State Provinces.

Reply:

The application channels were re-opened on 6 August 2021.

(a)(i) As at 25 August 2021, a total of 11 237 724 complete applications have been received.

(ii) The validations of these applications is still underway. However, as at 25 August 2021, a total of 1 914 538 applications have been approved.

(b) A total of 282 598 have been paid to 25 August. Payments will continue to be made until 31 August, by which time we expect to reach 6 million payments.

(c) The total number of grants approved on appeal which are still outstanding from the first cycle of this grant is 1 425 (Note: this refers to the numbers of grants to be paid, not the number of beneficiaries, as one beneficiary may have the grant approved for more than one month)

Reply:

a) Yes

b) Health Certificate or Passport implementation modalities is a matter that is currently being discussed within government and amongst social partners and relevant authorities shall pronounce in due course.

Reply:

1. On 18 December 2020 the Supreme Court of Appeal made the following orders in the matter of President of the RSA and Another v Women’s Legal Centre Trust and Others 612/19) [2020] ZASCA 177; [2021] 1 All SA 802 (SCA); 2021 (2) SA 381:

1.1 The Marriage Act 25 of 1961 (the Marriage Act) and the Divorce Act 70 of 1979 (the Divorce Act) are declared to be inconsistent with ss 9, 10, 28 and 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, in that they fail to recognise marriages solemnised in accordance with Sharia law (Muslim marriages) as valid marriages as long as these have not been registered as civil marriages. The declaration of constitutional invalidity was referred to the Constitutional Court for confirmation.

1.2 The declarations of invalidity were suspended for a period of 24 months to enable the President and Cabinet, together with Parliament to remedy the defects by either amending existing legislation, or passing new legislation within 24 months, in order to ensure the recognition of Muslim marriages as valid marriages for all purposes in South Africa and to regulate the consequences arising from such recognition.

2. Par 1.5 of the order of the Supreme Court of Appeal of 18 December 2020 makes it clear that the orders made by the Supreme Court of Appeal were not the final word on the recognition of Muslim marriages and their consequences. Proceedings would necessarily have to be brought at the Constitutional Court for the confirmation of the declarations of unconstitutionality made by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

3. On 5 August 2021 the matter of Women’s Legal Centre Trust v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others CCT 24/21 was enrolled at the Constitutional Court for argument. The Constitutional Court heard argument and adjourned the matter for judgment.

4. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) has consequently not failed to give effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal on the matter of the recognition of Muslim marriages and their consequences. The final judgment in the matter is awaited as it will guide further development of legislation in this regard.

5. The six-month timeframe the Honourable Mr Hendricks refers to which he notes the DOJCD had to comply with to attend to the recognition of Muslim marriages and their consequences has consequently also not yet commenced but will only commence once the Constitutional Court has ruled in the matter of Women’s Legal Centre Trust v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others CCT 24/21.

6. Marriage Laws are now the responsibility of the Minister of Home Affairs, and the necessary legislation will be introduced by that Minister.

Reply:

The Department of Social Development Expenditure Analysis for the 2020/21 Fourth Quarter report discussed in Committee on 1 September 2021, it stated in programme 1 that the 'analysis of the requirements for the integration of GBV and VEP systems was not achieved'. The reasons for this was 'due to complexity of the processes'.

(a) End to end processing of Victim requires not only DSD services but other Government Departments services which is SAPS, DOJ, DCS, DBE, NPA, HEALTH, NGOs. The complexity is as a result of defining/ mapping integrated processes which required full understanding of participating departments processes towards GBV and VEP in order to develop sound Interface Control Functionality which articulates the electronic messages that will be flowing between the departments. The main challenges it where processes are not standardised within respective Departments which requires more sessions of sector standardisation of the processes first before defining integration interfaces with GBV and VEP.

(b) The plan that was executed was to have a joint consultation with all affected departments to uniformly define processes which then required more time.

(c) The complexities have been addressed. Processes are fully developed. Requirements specification developed. Currently in a process of integrating the systems which will also takes into cognisance other participating departments processes which contributes in the victims’ processes.

(d) The programme is part of the DSD’s response and contribution towards addressing the scourge of GBV by providing victim support and empowerment to victims of gender based violence. Provision of victim support and empowerment in a holistic manner reduces secondary victimisation, encourages cooperation with the criminal justice process and reinforces socially desired behaviour. Victim support and empowerment therefore contributes to crime prevention and enhances the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The DSD is coordinating and leading the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) which is the integrated programme that addresses the diverse needs of victims in a multi-disciplinary approach within the criminal justice value chain. The DSD has developed the Victim Empowerment Programme Information Management System (VEPIMS) to capture data of all victims that serviced by the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP). Furthermore, the DSD) has since established the Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) which provides professional telephone counselling and referral services to victims of gender based violence from the national call centre that is available 24 hours a day. The process of integrating the VEPIMS and GBVCC is underway in order to ensure that data collected within DSD is integrated. This data will be used to inform strategies to improve services to victims of gender based violence. This integrated DSD VEP Information Management System will be connected to interface with Integrated Justice System (IJS) Hub in order to improve access to victims’ information for further criminal justice processes such as participation in the parole processes.

Reply:

In respect of the South African Polica Service Amendment Bill, 2030:

(a). No, the CSPS did not meet with Gun Free SA

(i)The following stakeholders were consulted

South African Police Service

Office of the DPCI Judge

Office of the Inspector General of Intelligence

Department of Public Service and Administration

State Security Agency

National Treasury

Provincial Budget Council

Local Government Budget Forum

Heads of Departments for Community Safety in the provinces

Find here: Reply to question 1770

Reply:

1. Prior to responding to the abovementioned question by Ms N.N. Chirwa, it is important to provide the definition of Backlog maintenance court cases in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
2. Backlog maintenance court cases means all maintenance cases finalized after 90 days from the date of proper service of process. This definition was developed due to the fact that the Department is alive to the provisions of Section 6 of the Children’s Act 2005, which provides that all matters affecting children must be finalized speedily and any forms of delays must be avoided.
3. Given the provisions of Section 6 of the Children’s Act 2005, and with the view to finalize all maintenance cases speedily, the Department firstly developed a key performance indicator: Percentage of maintenance cases finalized within 90 days from the date of proper service of process. With this, the Department planned to finalize maintenance cases within 90 days from the date that the Respondent/ Defaulter was served with the Directive/ Subpoena informing him or her of the maintenance claim and further calling upon him/ her to make good the maintenance claim and also provided that the Maintenance Application complied with the requirements of a complete maintenance application such as that the application has clearly outlined the details of the Defaulter / Respondent, proof of birth of the child and identity documents of the Applicant. Thus any application which does not have the required and necessary information will not be processed as it will negatively affect the investigation process.
4. Whilst the Department had developed the said Key Performance Indicator, the Department experienced severe capacity constraints and as such resolved to introduce the implementation of the said Key Performance Indicators in identified maintenance courts also referred to as Maintenance Pilot Sites. To date, there are 241 Maintenance Courts which are implementing the said Key Performance Indicator. It is envisaged that the number of the Maintenance Pilot Sites would be increased as and when the Maintenance Courts are capacitated accordingly.
5. With the view to also track the maintenance backlog cases, the Department also developed the Key Performance Indicator: Percentage of Maintenance Backlog cases finalized. The said Key Performance Indicator has been introduced in the Branch Operational Plan of Court Service and this assist the Department to track backlog cases and prioritize them accordingly.
6. To date there are 2905 backlog cases (that is cases which were received in the 241 Maintenance Pilot Sites and which could not be finalized within 90 days from the date of proper service of process).
7. The above backlog cases were received between the periods 2008 to 2021. The reasons for the cases not being finalized within 90 days from the date of proper service of process were also analyzed and it was found that they could not be finalized due to the whereabouts of the Respondents/ Defaulters being unknown and as such they could not be served with the Subpoenas / Directives. It should further be noted that due to the nature of the maintenance processes, the non-service of the subpoenas and directive on the Defaulter means that the maintenance case will not be hearing ripe and as such cannot be finalized. Furthermore, the backlog was also occasioned by postponements as a result of incomplete investigation of the cases. Since the introduction of the Maintenance Defaulters Track and Trace System the courts have also experienced delays in obtaining information from the Information Storing Institutions such as Banks and CIPC.
8. The Department plans to deal with the backlog cases by training the Maintenance Officers and Maintenance Investigators on the utilization of civil remedies, forensic investigation and child forcedness. This will ensure that maintenance cases are prioritized.
9. The Department will also train the Maintenance Officers on the utilization of the Interim Maintenance Orders option pending the finalization of investigations.
10. The Department also plans to strengthen the Maintenance Defaulters Track and Trace System.
11. The Department will also fill some of the vacant Maintenance Officers’ vacant position progressively.

Reply:

The Department does not have direct statistics on number of child marriages in the Republic as this is the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs.

a) Education and Awareness is done on Section 12 of the Children’s Act which prohibits child marriages, engaging communities, religious and traditional leaders on the implications of child marriages as well as Section 141 that prohibits child exploitation and children engaging in exploitative child labour.

Advocacy programmes on gender equality are conducted as well as intersectoral training and capacity building to key stakeholders such as SAPS and NPA on their roles and responsibility in the prosecution of perpetrators.

The department has institutionalized 365 days education and awareness programme on violence against women and children, conducted in partnership with other relevant stakeholders to educate the communities about children’s rights, protection of the rights of children from abuse and exploitation which includes child marriages.

The department further implement social behavior change programmes such as CHOMMY, a programme that is intended to equip pre-teenagers aged 10-14 with information and life skills, YOLO- teenagers aged 15-24 which serve the same purpose as CHOMMY. There is also Men and Boys Championing Change programme that is championed by men and is intended in mobilizing other Men in the fight against GBV and HIV; ad to serve as role model for boys especially those without fathers. Boys are empowered on growing up as responsible men and how to deal with issues. Social behavior change programme further includes “Asikhulume”, an InterFaith based programmes which seeks to foster social cohesion, restore moral fibre and healing to individuals, communities and the society.

Provinces embark on skill building initiatives to empower girls, families and communities through sustainable livelihood programmes and cooperatives to reduce poverty in communities which often sees a girl child traded in.

(b) Child marriage is a multi-sectoral issue which requires collaboration with different stakeholders which include government, civil society organizations, private, business, community leadership and structures, and families.

Reply:

1. The Department has conducted an investigation into the trend of the maintenance defaulters and found that most defaulters do not want to be found so as to avoid the maintenance inquiry processes and further that when they are found they conceal their means or distort the extent thereof so as to appear indigent and become exonerated from the liability to pay maintenance.

The investigation further revealed that there are two forms of economies in South Africa being Formal and Informal economies and as such most defaulters who claimed not to have means to pay for maintenance are within the informal economy. The business concerns are not registered for tax and the defaulters do not have bank accounts in their own names and thus making it difficult for the Maintenance Courts to process the maintenance cases.

In light of the aforesaid, the Maintenance Defaulters Track and Trace System was introduced. Initially it was introduced through the service provider who provided information of the defaulters such as full names, contact details, property ownership and business ownership.

The Department decided to strengthen the Maintenance Defaulters Track and Trace System by training the Maintenance Officers and Maintenance Investigators on the electronic system and investigation processes. So far Maintenance Investigators and Maintenance Officers in the Western Cape, Limpopo and Kwazulu-Natal provinces have been trained on Track and Trace System. Such training remains ongoing.

The officials in the Northern Cape Province were trained on 30 August to 3 September 2021.

The Department is developing a framework through which the concealment of income and assets gained in the informal economy can be traced for the courts to be able to grant maintenance orders in such cases.

2. The following challenges/ obstacles were encountered in implementing the plan:

2.1 The Department had advertised a tender for a service provider to provide On-line/Electronic Tracing Services. The Department received the bids from prospective service providers and the said bids were found to be way above the funds available on the budget for this purpose. This resulted in the tender process being suspended so as to enable the Department to approach National Treasury for additional funding of the project.

2.2 Covid-19 related challenges which resulted in the planned trainings being cancelled owing to officials going on sick leave, quarantine and self-isolation. Inter-provincial travel ban was also implemented in Gauteng and as such trainers who are based in Gauteng could not travel out of Gauteng to other provinces.

2.3 Lack of civil enforcement capacity and forensic investigation skills and capability.

2.4 Lack of tools of trade such as laptops, cellphones and motor vehicles which are necessary for Maintenance Investigators to conduct physical investigation of cases.

2.5 Introduction of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act 4 of 2013 which resulted in the training format being revised.

2.6 Justice College was also approached to develop a Forensic Investigation Training for Maintenance Investigators and Officers with the objective to further strengthen the System. Justice College has advised that they will have to procure the services of the curriculum expert to assist accordingly.

Reply:

The Magistrates Commission was ready to proceed with the disciplinary matter since the previous response after it had already appointed two Officers to Lead Evidence (OLE). In the process in getting the OLEs to be trial ready one of the OLE, Regional Magistrate Johannesburg, indicated that he will be leaving the Judiciary to go on pension during 2022 and the matter will not be finalised by the time he leaves. Based on that reason he requested to be withdrawn as OLE.

The remaining OLE, Tshwane Judicial Administrative Region acting Head, acting Chief Magistrate has also requested to be withdrawn.

His reasons were that the matter related to Mr Nzimande comprised 165 counts, inclusive of alternative charges, of which according to him, will require months of preparation. He indicated that the OLEs must be able to have the required time on hand (many months) to thoroughly prepare for this complex matter prior it even reaching a stage of being pre-trial ready. That responsibility alone is certainly not a one-man-task and definitely requires a minimum of two persons to prepare for the leading of the evidence. It is also important to note that persons appointed as OLEs should have no prior knowledge of the merits and/or evidence to the matter and thus the preparation will include working through all the evidence, the task which consist of many lever-arch files of documents and statements.

He requested to withdraw as OLE as he will not be able to find himself in a position to time-manage his personal life in order to give this matter the time that it deserves, together with some other reasons he chose not to disclose.

The Commission has approached the Department to facilitate the appointment of other component persons to lead evidence and a team has been identified for this purpose.

Reply:

During November 2020, a request was received from the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) for the extradition of Shepherd Huxley Bushiri and Mary Bushiri from the Republic of Malawi to the Republic of South Africa to stand trial on various charges. The request was subsequently delivered at the office of the Attorney-General in Malawi on 5 December 2020. The extradition hearing proceeded in the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court in Malawi.

On 19 April 2021, the attorneys acting on behalf of the Bushiri’s argued in court that South Africa could not rely on the SADC Protocol on Extradition as the Protocol has not been domesticated in accordance with section 211 of the Republic of Malawi’s Constitution. The court ruled that even though the Protocol had not yet been domesticated, that Malawi’s Extradition Act clearly demonstrates in the First Schedule to that Act that South Africa is a designated country for purposes of extradition, and therefore ruled in favour of the prosecution.

The matter was then postponed to Friday 4 June 2021, for the extradition hearing to start. During the proceedings the defense argued that the witnesses who would testify against the Bushiri’s in South Africa should travel to Malawi to give evidence during the extradition proceedings. The Magistrate’s Court ruled in favour of the defense that the witnesses should travel to Malawi. The DPP in Malawi advised the Department that they are of the view that the Magistrate’s Court misdirected itself as regards what amounts to a preliminary inquiry, and that Section 9 of the Extradition Act of Malawi never envisaged physical presence of witnesses in court during an extradition hearing.

The Office of the DPP in Malawi filed a review application to review and set aside the Magistrate Court’s ruling. The review application was heard on 21 July 2021, and judgment is expected soon.

Reply:

Through the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDS) process, a number of infrastructure projects were submitted to the Investment and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency. The 276 projects received had an estimated value of R2.3 trillion. These projects were divided per sector, of which 71 were in human settlements, 64 in transport, 42 in water and sanitation, 33 in agriculture and agro-processing, 25 in energy, 7 in digital infrastructure and 34 in other sectors such as mining, tourism and environment.

In terms of the provincial spread, 57 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 40 in Gauteng, 38 in Eastern Cape, 37 in Limpopo, 23 in Western Cape, 18 in Mpumalanga, 16 for both the Free State and Northern Cape and 12 in North West. A further 19 projects cut across provincial borders and are classified as national.

These projects were evaluated by the various technical working groups and 50 were subsequently gazetted as Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) in line with the provisions of the Infrastructure Development Act (IDA), focusing on energy, digital infrastructure, water, transport, human settlements and agriculture and agro-processing. The balance of the 276 projects require further project preparation to progress them to bankability stage.

The details of the 50 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) are contained in Government Gazette no. 43547 of 24 July 2020.

Reply:

In answering the above question, it is important to first understand the concept of “maintenance defaulter” in its correct perspective. A Maintenance Defaulter is a person against whom a maintenance court order has been issued but who fails to comply in full or in part with the said order for a period exceeding 10 days from the date of the issuing of the said order. The above definition therefore indicates that a distinction must be drawn between parties who fail to comply with maintenance court orders and who are simply not contributing financially to the upbringing of their children.

In this regard, the following should be noted:

1. The total number of maintenance defaulters that the Maintenance Courts has dealt with since 1 April 2021 to 30 July 2021 is 16435. Of the 16435 cases, enforcement orders in the form of Emolument attachment orders and Warrant of Attachment of Debts were issued in respect of 2555 cases.
2. The number of defaulter’s cases has increased since the outbreak of Covid 19 due to the fact that at the end of the 2020/2021 financial year, the Maintenance Courts have dealt with approximately 35 000 maintenance cases. However, the 2021/2022 financial year is left with 8 months before it comes to an end, but the figures are already drawing close to half of last year’s figures. This may be attributed to job losses as a result of Covid 19 and changes in parties’ personal circumstances.
3. New applications could not be enrolled during the first lock down which was proclaimed in March 2020. Similarly pending inquiries could not be proceeded with. The situation returned to normal with the announcement of lower alert levels. The courts are grappling with the backlog of matters which accumulate during the lockdown

 

Reply:

Applications for pardon are considered on an individual basis based on the application made by the applicant or his/her legal representative. No application for pardon was received in respect of Mr Zuma’s conviction for the Minister’s consideration and recommendation.

My Department plays a supporting role in receiving pardon applications and processing the documents for the consideration of the President. The preparatory steps to be taken by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development fall within the auxiliary powers of the President in the decision-making process as per the case of Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development v Chonco and Others 2010 (2) BCLR 140 (CCT).

With regard to pardons in general, the President’s power to grant pardon is derived from section 84(2)(j) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution). The decision whether or not to grant pardon to an applicant rests solely with the President. Though there is no right to be pardoned, the function conferred on the President to make a decision entails a corresponding right to have a pardon application considered and decided upon rationally, in good faith, in accordance with the principle of legality, diligently and without delay. That decision and the constitutional responsibility for that decision, rests solely with the President as Head of State.

Reply:

(1a) The tender was cancelled due to the scope of the project, which was not properly defined and crafted in line with the advertised terms of reference. This resulted in huge price difference between the bidders. The request for cancellation of the tender was submitted and approved by the Bid Adjudication Committee of the Department.

(b) The purpose of this project is to upgrade the monitoring and evaluation of substance use disorder treatment services in South Africa to ensure capacity for greater responsiveness to emerging substance use trends, rapid feedback to providers, policy makers through the integration with other systems on demonstrable electronic architecture. The objectives are to monitor the quality and outcomes of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) services; to improve the quality of SUD treatment in South Africa and to collect data that is needed to advocate for greater investment in SUD prevention, treatment and continuing care services.

(2) First bidder: Esoftware Solutions (PTY)LTD; Second bidder: Tirisan Teach Solutions (PTY)LTD.

The Tender was not awarded to anyone. The difference in price was enormous hence the request to cancel the tender and be allowed to redefine the scope for re-advertisement.

(3) The role of the Integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Programme is to develop, review, implement and Monitor legislation, policies and services aimed at reducing the scourge of substance abuse in the country. The system is therefore intended to monitor compliance, quality of services and trend and patterns of substance abuse in the country.

(4) The integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Programme targets children and youth in and out of school, women, people with disabilities, men, homeless people, and people living in substance abuse hot spot areas.

Reply:

1. (a) The total number of veterinarians in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is sixteen (16).

(b) (i) The current vacant post is nine (09).

(ii) The Department is planning to recruit four (4) state veterinarians in the current financial year and then follows the next financial year.

2. One veterinarian in an average of 40 000 livestock unit.

3. The Department has implemented the Compulsory Community Service (CCS) since 2016. Currently we have received thirteen (13) veterinarians doing CCS. The department is in a process of procuring twelve (12) more prefabricated clinics to complement the five (5), procured by national department.

4. (a) The animal disease outbreak that occurred during the past financial year in KZN is Rabies, Brucellosis and Foot and Mouth Disease.

(b) Interventions are:

• • Rabies: The province conducted awareness campaigns led by Hon MEC Mrs B.N. Sithole-Moloi. Strategic vaccination campaigns across the province and worked with relevant stakeholders.
  • Brucellosis: Embarked on awareness campaigns led by Hon MEC Mrs B.N. Sithole-Moloi across the province. Sero-surveillance vaccinations across the province.
  • Foot and Mouth Disease afflicted KZN in May 2021 and continues to be a serious concern. Surveillance has been conducted and the initial large area that was declared a Disease Management Area has been reduced. Further new information and latest control measures are being employed in the management of the disease.

Reply:

1. (a) The total number of veterinarians in the Gauteng is 28 permanent, 2 contract and 18 CCS veterinarians.

(b) (i) The current vacancy rate is 7%. There are 2 vacancies.

(ii) The two (02) vacant posts of veterinarians have been advertised, interviews conducted and appointment process is underway.

2. The number of mature veterinary livestock unit in Gauteng is 266294. With the veterinarians allocated for animal health the ratio of livestock units to veterinarians becomes 19000 livestock units to a veterinarian.

3. Compulsory Community Service for Veterinarians is a National driven program, which is implemented in all provinces. For 2021/2022 financial year, Gauteng has been allocated 18 CCS veterinarians. These have been distributed to the four (04) regional offices.

4. (a)The animal disease outbreak that occurred during the past financial year in Gauteng is African Swine Fever.

(b)There is neither treatment nor vaccine available for the disease. In instances where pig owners were cooperated, they were assisted with culling and disposal. The department conducted an extensive awareness campaign during the last quarter of the financial year. The lack of compensation for affected farmers has made it difficult for the department to convince farmers to cull their animals.

Reply:

The response from SASCOC to question no. 2066 is taking longer than anticipated. As a result, we are still waiting for a substantive response, once it has been provided my office will certainly forward it for your attention.

Reply:

Based on the provisions of the Residential Rent Relief Programme (RRRP), the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA), an entity of the National Department, has been appointed as the designated programme manager for the RRRP. The SHRA utilises applicable accredited Social Housing Institutions (SHI’s) or Other Development Agents (ODA’s), as the conduits to receive and submit applications on behalf and for the benefit of tenants. An SHI and/or ODA are the landlords for units regulated by the SHRA. The successful applicants are then notified, and approved payments are then made to the landlord in favour of the tenant’s account.

The National Department of Human Settlements has transferred the RRRP funds to the SHRA in the 2020/21 financial year. The SHRA has advised the Department that it has not distributed the money to the tenants of the affordable housing. However, SHRA has since procured the required resources to assist with implementation of the RRRP. To date, the SHRA has considered applications received in two rounds of requests to tenants, in the months of July 2021 and August 2021.

A total of 144 applications were received and assessed. Of these 144 applications, 54 tenants (37.5%) have been approved and are to receive a rent relief award to a total value of R324 118.53 The table below provides the details.

Table 1: Applications Rent Relief for Social Housing Tenants by province and institution - 31 August 2021

Province / Project	No. of Approved	Value of Grant Award Approved	No. of Pending Application	No. of Pending Application	Total No. of Tenant Applications
Eastern Cape	1	9 500.00	1	1	3
Housing Authority of East London	1	9 500.00	1		2
SOHCO Property Investment NPC:				1	1
Gauteng	22	142 641.25	51	19	92
Johannesburg Housing Company	3	26 600.00	22	8	33
Madulammoho Housing Association	13	80 771.25	28	8	49
Norvena Property Consortium	6	35 270.00	1	3	10
Kwazulu-Natal	6	31 567.42	1		7
KwaZulu Natal Social Housing	1	5 700.00	1		2
SOHCO Property Investment NPC:	5	25 867.42			5
Western Cape	25	140 409.86	9	8	42
Madulammoho Housing Association	19	119 559.82	8	7	34
SOHCO Property Investment NPC	6	20 850.04	1	1	8
Total	54	324 118.53	62	28	144

(a) Based on the provisions of the RRRP no funds have been disbursed in favour of the tenants to date for the following reasons:

1. The waiting period for National Treasury approval for the roll-over of funds allocated in the prior financial year is required; and

2. Lower than anticipated number of applications have been received due to lack of general awareness of the programme, and qualification criteria in terms of eligibility as per the qualification criterion which includes:

a) A tenant in good standing requirement and;

b) The period of application being 01st April 2020 to 30 September 2020

c) Many tenants were not in good standing at the start of the hard lock

down or the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic manifesting post

September 2020

(b) Duration of the Programme

This Programme is a temporary relief measure based on the impact of the various state of disasters declared to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will only be considered until funds in terms of the funding allocation made by National Treasury in terms of reprioritised grant funding are exhausted. No expectation must be created that the Residential Rental Relief Programme will be extended beyond the approved stipulated time period, and/or exhaustion of the available funds allocated by the National Treasury

Given the intent of the programme to provide for those impacted by the state of disaster hard lockdowns in 2020, the Programme is to be rolled out within the 2021/22 year and the intention is not to extend the RRRP beyond March 2022.

(bb) Qualification Criteria

The following tenants qualify to apply for rent relief: -

• • 1. The tenant must be a South African citizen or in possession of a valid South African permanent residence permit.
    2. The tenant must have been renting the property for his/her private and primary residential use since 31 March 2020 (or before), in terms of a valid lease agreement.
    3. The tenant must have been in good standing at the date of the commencement of the state of disaster and level 5 lockdown, as at 31 March 2020.
    4. The tenant's combined gross household income must be R15 000 per month or less.
    5. The tenant must submit proof that her/his household income reduced by at least 50% due to the state of disaster resulting from the Covid - 19 pandemic - the material period for determinations of loss of income is the period for which relief is sought (and not income at the time of applications).
    6. The tenant must not have been in rental arrears, as of 29 February 2020, OR have been less than 30 days in arrears by end of March 2020.
    7. The tenant must have a repayment agreement in place.
    8. The tenant must display that she/he has been unable to pay full rental during the lockdown because of loss of income caused by the economic downturn associated with the state of disaster on the COVID-19 pandemic.
    9. The tenant must be over 18 years of age on the date of lodging an application for rent relief.
    10. The tenant must not currently own any residential property in full ownership, leasehold or deed of grant.
    11. Special Provisions:
        • The fact that a lessee may have previously benefitted from any form of housing assistance from the Government of the Republic of South Africa, shall not disqualify him/her from receiving a rent relief grant. Being a beneficiary of the Rent Relief Programme in no way whatsoever will disqualify a qualifying lessee from future participation in another National Housing Programme.
        • Preferential treatment will be given in cases of tenants who are pensioners and or disabled, or who have pensioners and/or disabled persons as part of their household

 

Reply:

At the moment, we are busy compiling and verifying the accuracy of the information to my department by various entities across the country. Once that process is done, we will provide the Honourable Member with the proper response.

Reply:

(1)(a) It is unknown which Security Cluster Meeting is being referred to in this parliamentary question given that many meetings were held pertaining to the reports of racial tensions in areas such as Phoenix in Durban during the unrest in July 2021.

However, government is determined to address racial tension and concrete steps taken include the following:

• A task team has been established to fast track investigations into the killings, cases are currently being heard at the Verulam Magistrates’ Court. Investigations into the killings are ongoing. The South African Police Service is a lead department in this regard.
• Provincial Government took a decision to establish committees to facilitate dialogue between affected communities. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has also been roped in as schools are been affected by the racial tensions.
• Community dialogues are being facilitated by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Social Cohesion and Regeneration Council.

(1)(b) Given that the meeting being referred to in this parliamentary question is unknown, details of the stakeholders who attended the meeting cannot be stated with accuracy.

(2) Since the meeting referred to in this Parliamentary Question is unknown, intention on follow-up meeting cannot be state with accuracy.

Thank You.

 

 

Reply:

The report is attached hereto as Annexure A.