Questions and Replies

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:

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:

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:

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 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) 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:

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:

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:

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

.

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:

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:

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:

(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. 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 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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

The report is attached hereto as Annexure A.

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:

Based on information received as well as a consultation with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements, the Better Living Challenge (BLC) started in 2014 to respond to socio-economic needs of communities and to spur job creation. It was co-funded by the Western Cape Provincial Department, of Human Settlements and Economic Development and Tourism.

The target groups of the BLC are:

1. Residents who only qualify to receive a serviced site from government and are required to build their own structures,
2. Residents already living within informal settlements, to assist them to build safer structures and promote dignity by utilising the principles from the tutorials, and
3. Small-scale builders who are already assisting residents in informal areas, which are key to economic empowerment.

The Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements reported that they engaged with various communities, including in Du Noon, Khayelitsha and Philippi, on their needs and priorities to design the initiative to respond to the respective requirements and attain the necessary community support. The initiative is aimed at assisting those still waiting for housing opportunities and cannot assist themselves in any other way to, in the very least, build a safer structure. The initiative has been well received by the communities and was also nominated for a Human City Design Award in 2019 hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, the Human Cities Network, and the World Design Organisation.

In addition, the incubator programme facilitated the training of fifteen (15) local small-scale builders from Du Noon, Khayelitsha and Philippi in the City of Cape Town informal settlements, not only building and material-selection skills, but also entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, and personal development skills. Workshops were held with community builders and stakeholders in Sibanye in Moorreesburg and Swartland, in December 2020 as well as with other communities in Grabouw in the Theewaterskloof Municipality. The BLC, via the Cape Design Institute, also developed tutorial videos, which is aimed at small scale builders and the facilitators, including municipal housing official, within the informal settlements upgrade sector who are conducting workshops with community builders.

The Province advises that the BLC has thus far assisted many informal settlement communities directly in the Breede Valley and Drakenstein Municipalities, and the Provincial Department has also shared the initiative with Non-Governmental Organisations working within informal settlement areas, Municipal human settlements and housing officials across the Province, relevant sector Departments and the National Department of Human Settlements.

The National Department has in place policies, planning, programmes and funding interventions to ensure that informal settlements are upgraded, and this includes ensuring households are provided with security of tenure and access to water, sanitation, energy with access to socio-economic development and opportunities, to ensure an improved quality of life.

The National Department of Human Settlements will undertake further consultation with the Western Cape Province to ensure that the outcomes of the BLC are congruent with that of the policies and programmes of the Department. On this matter the Department was advised that the BLC also includes an initiative to promote adequate housing. The Department has advised the Western Cape Province, that all the outcomes of the BLC must ensure that all required minimum norms and standards of the Department as well as compliance with building regulations and specifications. In addition, the dignity of all households must be respected.

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:

1 a) The Houses have not yet been completed, however construction is still underway.

b) i) 41 Houses have been handed over to beneficiaries and they are still 237 houses to be handed over- the delay was due to community unrests which led to the contractor vacating the site. More delays were caused by additional remedial work that had to be done on some of the houses.

ii) We are following engagements between the councillor and the community to resolve any problems that they had with regards to the additional works that have to be done, a submission has been done by the Department of Human Settlements to request additional funding.

2) R 28 241 413.25

3) The contractor was paid all claims for work done and the department does not owe the contractor anything.

4) a) the delays were caused by community unrests which led to the contractors vacating site. More delays were caused by additional remedial works that had to be done on some of the houses and needed extra cost to complete them.

b) June 2021

c) the matter is no longer with both the Former MEC and Former Minister it is with The department of Human Settlements Administration and attending to resolve it. The current Acting Head of Department is addressing the outstanding variations.

 

 

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:

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:

a) The sugarcane industry is regulated by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and they have assessed the damage. Initial assessments have been undertaken and further information was also requested from the industry.

b) All those industries which were affected by the unrests will apply to the Sasria Insurance and National Empowerment Fund (NEF).

Reply:

1. The Foreign Placement policy stipulates the process as follows:

(a) The vacant foreign posts are advertised, shortlisting is undertaken and interviews are conducted for final selection of candidates.

(b) The advertisement shall outline the inherent requirements such as academic qualifications as well as specific attributes as per the specific job evaluation specifications that are required for each post, in accordance with the foreign mission.

2. The posts have not been advertised. The number foreign offices have been rationalized. This took into consideration the impact over the years in various foreign offices. The posts for all foreign offices are all vacant and are being advertised. Shortlisting will be done and interviews will be conducted. Candidates will be appointed from the recommended interviewed qualifying candidates.

3. The former Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) had a Foreign Placement Policy:

a) The Policy was periodically reviewed.

b) With the merger of the two departments, a new policy has been finalised. .

Reply:

An order for eviction was granted by court on 15 October 2019. The Department did not act on the order because it had not yet received the Court order from the State Attorney. The delay was caused by the fact that after matters are finalised at High Court Registry files are taken and stored somewhere.

(b)The Court order was received on 30 September 2021. The State Attorney was instructed on 8 October 2021 to instruct the Sheriff to serve the order on the respondents (unlawful farm occupiers) to give them time to vacate the farm on their own accord.

(c) On the 11 October 2021 the Sheriff of Mogwase, Northwest, served the Court order on persons who reside in villages. The same process was undertaken by the Sheriff of Thabazimbi, Limpopo on persons on the farm Nooitgedacht 11 JQ.

(d)In terms of the Court order the Sheriff is authorised to evict any occupant who fails to vacate the farm, within fourteen (14) after service of the order.

(e)The countdown commenced on the 13 October 2021 and ends on 3 November 2021.

1. If the occupants fail to vacate the farm on their own accord, the Sheriff will be instructed to execute the order by :

• 1.1 Demolishing the herdsmen’s shack erected on the farm.
• 1.2 Liaising with the nearest Poundmaster to find space where the livestock will be accommodated after removal from farm.
• 1.3 The Sheriff will, with the assistance of the South African Police Services remove the livestock from the farm, using trucks or hired trucks.
• 1.4 After removal the animals will be accommodated at the pound of the nearest

Poundmaster so that their owners can go and remove them there.

(f)In terms of the Court order, “in the event that that unlawful occupiers and any other unauthorised person fail to vacate the farm on 3 November 2021, the costs of removing, transporting and impounding the livestock are borne by the owners

thereof”.

Reply:

1. No. The Agri-Parks programme was conceptualised to be implemented through its defined three legs as outlined in the programme simultaneously. An Agri-park comprises three distinct but interrelated basic components:

• The Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU): A rural small-holder farmer outreach and capacity building unit that links with farmers and markets. The FPSU does primary collection, some storage, some processing for the local market, and extension services including mechanisation;
• The Agri-hub (AH): A production, equipment hire, processing, packaging, logistics, innovation and training unit; and
• The Rural Urban Market Centre (RUMC): The RUMC has three main purposes. Linking and contracting rural, urban and international markets through contracts. Acts as a holding-facility, releasing produce to urban markets based on seasonal trends. Provides market intelligence and information feedback, to the AH and FPSU, using latest Information and communication technologies.

However, noting the less than desired and envisaged private sector investment and active involvement of other government departments, it became evident that implementing all three legs of the programme at the same time is not affordable. The approach of prioritising the first leg of the programme (FPSUs) became the obvious one and is what the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is focusing on.

The implementation of the programme is not unfolding as originally planned but we would not classify it as a failure given the fiscal constrains the country faced post introduction of the programme.

There are success stories that can be shared with regards to Agri-Parks. One of the success stories is support provided by the African Development Bank. In an effort to build capacity of the Agri-Parks, the African Development Bank has recently approved Technical Assistance (Transaction Advisory Service MIC TAF Grant) of UA 400,000 (about R9.9 million), to support the development of two Agri-Parks, namely Tsiame Agri-Park located in the Free State Province and Springbokpan Agri-Park, located in the North -West Province. This grant is intended to upscale the South Africa Agri-Park program to the Sustainable Infrastructure Development System (SIDS) methodology at the Infrastructure Investment Office (IIO) in the Presidency. This grant will also assist with coordination, bringing the project to financial closure and provide an operations and management structure that will enable investors to provide investment funds for infrastructure development and attract private sector investment to the respective provinces.

A letter of Agreement is currently under preparation by the legal team of the African Development Bank for review and signature. Once this process is completed it is estimated that the launch will be in November 2021, whereafter the process of recruiting a Transactions Adviser will commence.

 

2. No. There has not been corruption detected or reported on the Agri-Parks.

3. No. No maladministration and incompetence have been detected or reported.

(a),(b),(i),(ii) Falls away.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) I’ve been informed by the Department that the Department of Public Works and Roads in the North West is not aware of any investigation relating to the North West Development Corporation.

b) The Department is aware of an investigation done by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in line with Proclamation R21 of 2021 to investigate corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the procurement of, or contracting for works or services by and on behalf of the Department relating to:

(i) Project Management for the Transport Infrastructure Directorate of the Department;

(ii) Rehabilitation of flood damaged roads infrastructure in the North West Province and

(iii) The installation of perimeter fencing at the Eagle Waters Wildlife Resort and payments which were made in respect thereof in a manner that was contrary to applicable legislation and instructions issued by the National Treasury and relevant Provincial Treasury.

The investigation started in March 2021 and is ongoing. It is anticipated to be concluded by the end of January 2022.

Reply:

a) Nature of the specified plans

Environmental implementation plan (EIP) is required by chapter 3 of National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998. (NEMA). Section 11(1) of NEMA provides that every national department listed in Schedule 1 of NEMA as exercising functions which may affect the environment must within one year of the promulgation of the Act and at least every five years thereafter develop an EIP. The Department of Tourism is listed in Schedule 1 of NEMA and is thus required to develop an EIP.

In 2018 the Department of Tourism gazetted the Environmental Implementation Plan (TEIP) 2015-2020 (First edition) in fulfilment of the requirements of Section 11 (1) of National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA). The gazetted EIP reached its end of life during the end of 2019-2020 financial year. The Department of Tourism second edition EIP (2020 – 2025) is currently in the process of being gazetted.

The purpose of the EIP is to co-ordinate and harmonize environmental policies, plans, programmed and decisions of the various national departments that exercise functions that may affect the environment or are entrusted with powers and duties aimed at the achievement, promotion, and protection of a sustainable environment. It further gives effect to the principle of co-operative government in Chapter 3 of the South African Constitution.

(b) Scope of specified plans

The Tourism Environmental Implementation Plan (TEIP) contains the following:

• A description of policies, plans and programmes that may significantly affect the environment.
• A description of the manner in which policies, plans and programmes referred to above will comply with the principles set out in section 2 of NEMA as well as any national norms and standards.
• Recommendations for the promotion of the objectives and plans for the implementation of the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) procedures and regulations referred to in Chapter 5 of NEMA.
• The 2020 - 2025 TEIP outlines 12 strategic objectives and interventions to address the key environmental impacts associated with the tourism sector’s operations.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) (a) I have been informed by the Department that the Council for the Built Environment’s (CBE) succession plan and other relevant HR polices are being reviewed and updated to assist with staff retention. Regarding the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO) positions that were vacated at the end of June 2021, the CBE has advertised them. Shortlisting and interviews have been held in a bid to fast-track the filling of the posts.

(b) The CEOs that have been leaving the CBE mid-term were grounded on the following.

• CEO 1 – A 3-year contract (10 February 2004 – 09 February 2007) – Suspended on 22 August 2006 until end of contract
• CEO 2 - 4-year contract (1 August 2007 – 31 July 2011) – Requested and received approval for early release on 2 June for 30th June 2011
• CEO 3 - 5-year contract (1 May 2012 – 30 April 2017) – Suspended and dismissed on 29 August 2016
• CEO 4 – 5-year contract (01 October 2017 – 30 September 2022) – Requested to be released citing the reason for leaving being to further her studies; and
• The COO left due to a job offer in another entity.
• The Manager: Legal and Regulations, was suspended on 17 November 2020 after it came to Council’s attention that he allegedly tried to interfere with the investigation in which he was implicated through the Whistle Blower allegations of the 4th Term Council and the dismissal of the former CEO, Ms. Gugu Mazibuko. The decision to suspend the manager was taken as an administrative precaution to protect the integrity of the investigation process and to ensure that the investigation into the alleged misconduct is undertaken independently. An acting Manager was appointed into the position and his contract is renewable until the investigations are concluded.

(2) For the purposes of getting contracts from the public sector, failure to register with the Councils for the Built Environment Professions (CBEP) can make individuals unemployable. For the private sector however, the restrictions are less, although exposes companies or individuals to higher risk when deciding to use the services of persons that are not professionally registered. Mainly so, because the CBEP only regulate the conduct of registered professionals. There would be very little room for recourse for a company or individual to utilize the services of an unregistered person, because the CBEP would not be able to act against such a person should their work not conform to the required standard or endanger the public. In fact, the client would be liable should the project result in the lives of the public being put in danger as a result of the work of unregistered persons.

This is partly the reason that the policy on the Identification of Work (IDoW) has been mooted. This would assist in ensuring that people work in the areas that they are most proficient in and avoid people taking on work that is classified in the higher classes of work, for which normal professional registration would be required.

Understandably, there would be persons that have gained sufficient experience and proficiency in performing different classes of work, and an opportunity exists to be professionally registered through the path of Recognized Prior Learning (RPL). Once each of the CBEP have published their IDOW policy persons will be accorded a specific time-frame to get professionally registered. However, the challenge of enforcing this in the private sector will still remain as the Acts that established the CBEP, are mainly targeted at regulating the conduct of registered professionals only.

(3) The CBE in collaboration with the DPWI, has several initiatives to promote professional registration. Quarterly forums are convened to monitor progress on candidacy programmes and to address the bottlenecks identified. The CBE further coordinates professional registration workshops wherein, amongst other things, all Councils for the Built Environment Professions (CBEP) engage on how to simplify their professional registration processes and use uniform standards where applicable. Another initiative is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which is being incorporated by Councils in route for registration process.

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

(a) The port networks have not been negatively impacted by the attack, as the surface area of attack was on the server domain and applications.

(b) Transnet networks were shut down in the attack to prevent the spread of the malware.

(b)(i) Through the shutdown period, some terminals operated manually, while others could not operate in manual mode, given the complexity of the operations. This impacted on vessel and truck turnaround times.

(b)(ii) No long-term impact is foreseen, as catch-up planning takes place within the terminals. No IT systems were compromised or lost at Transnet Port Terminals. We have seen similar cyber-attacks on large organisations - including shipping lines - that have recovered without a long-term negative impact on trade.

 

Reply:

According to the information received from the South African Airways:

South African Airways has not acted as an agent for any other airline and/or travel agent in the period 01 January 2021 to 15 August 2021.

2119.

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

(1)(a) The Shareholder Ministry - the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) - has been kept abreast of all developments pertaining to the declaration of a force majeure, following the incursion on Transnet systems that occurred on 26 July 2021. It is not accurate to suggest that the force majeure has resulted in a ports crisis. The current status of the global shipping environment has been as a result of a number of factors which are more often than not, exogenous to Transnet’s operations. The current perception of Transnet as the fault-line and the cause for a “ports crisis” is factually incorrect. 1a

(1)(b) Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has engaged with the Ports Regulator of South Africa on measures to follow in the event of a similar incident recurring. 1b

(1)(c) We have provided a detailed analysis of the number of import containers that have left the country since 26 July 2021, to-date. (see the attached annexure A)

(2)(a) Transnet has engaged all affected stakeholders following the incursion on the systems.

(2)(b) Since the ICT challenges first began on Thursday 22 July 2021, Transnet Port Terminals has continued to keep all customers and stakeholders informed of the progress made, both on the ICT side and on the operational recovery. This has taken the form of daily meetings and letters, among others.

(2)(c) Whilst the frequency has declined as the crisis was addressed, as at 20 September 2021, Transnet still conducts the following stakeholder engagements:

• A daily operational meeting with port stakeholders (shipping lines, transporters, freight forwarders, TNPA, TFR, TPT)
• A weekly engagement with the citrus stakeholders
• A weekly engagement with members of Business Unity South Africa

(2)(d) Transnet will continue to engage in dedicated recovery forums, until all operations and the entire supply chain have normalised.

(3) The question should be directed to the Department of Transport as the Port Regulator of South Africa is an entity under its authority.

(4) There are a number of reasons for Shipping Lines omitting South Africa from their schedules, these include:

4.1. Omissions for shipping line convenience (trying to catch-up on schedule integrity/make the next window in the following port; profitability; inability to complete the customer’s voyage, e.g. when the vessel plans to omit a destination port in Europe).

4.2 Blank voyages (lack of vessels on a line service network e.g. there should be 7 vessels in a row to make a weekly call in every port, but due to shortages of vessels the line plans to only have 6 vessels, in order to save costs and effectively balance supply with anticipated logistics delays which may impact any one of the number of ports within the schedule).

4.3 Omissions because of delays in the port (caused by TPT operational inefficiencies/delays; wind delays; port congestion; landside congestion. It is worthwhile to note that it becomes difficult to quantify the percentage of TPT’s responsibility because all incidents (wind, operational, congestion etc) have a combined impact on the total terminal delay, resulting in decisions by the shipping line to omit. It is worthwhile to note that it becomes difficult to quantify the percentage of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) responsibility because all incidents (wind, operational, congestion etc.) have a combined impact on the total terminal delay resulting in decisions by the shipping line to omit.

• TPT is undertaking initiatives to reduce congestion at the ports. This includes increasing equipment availability to improve productivity. The initiatives are tracked through the Durban Decongestion Workstreams, where all stakeholders participate. These include:

• Decongesting Durban Container Terminal (DCT) imports through promoting prompt evacuation in partnership with the shipping lines (carrier haulage).

• Working closely with citrus exporters to ensure the export reefers arrive within the terminal in time to make the vessel sailing deadlines.

• Mass evacuation of imports through Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) supporting the short-haul evacuation to back-of-port facilities in the greater Durban precinct.

 

 

Reply:

1. All applications received by the Guardian’s Fund is captured on the Application Tracker System by each office. However, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s Information Technology Systems are currently down, hence the inability to extract and provide such information at this stage.

2. Though various litigation cases are served on the Master annually, they are not necessarily lodged against the Master, as the Master is and have to be, in many instances, cited as an interested party due to the functions of the Master as prescribed in the various acts governing the Master. In most of those matters, no specific relief is necessarily sought against the Master. The tables below provide details of all litigation matters received in which the Master is cited according to the records kept:

1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021	Total
Unopposed summonses	74
Opposed summonses	6
Unopposed applications	574
Opposed applications	costs only opposed	22
	application opposed	6
Matters where no specific action was filed (withdrawn, incorrectly cited, etc.)	25
Annual Total	707

1 April 2021 – 30 June 2021	Total
Unopposed summonses	29
Unopposed applications	207
Opposed applications	costs only opposed	4
Matters where no specific action was filed (withdrawn, incorrectly cited etc.)	15
Quarter 1 Total	255

3. The only funds held by the Master, is that which have been deposited into the Guardian’s Fund in terms of the applicable laws.

Funds are received or accepted by the Master into the Guardian’s Fund for the benefit of a specific beneficiary. The Master opens an account in the name of the person to whom the money belongs to or the estate of which the money forms part of. Only that beneficiary may claim the funds due to him/her once it becomes claimable. The Master will administer the funds, free of charge, for the minor until he/she turns major (now 18 years of age) or reach the age as indicated in the Will/Testament.

Deceased Estate funds in the Guardian’s Fund becomes claimable by beneficiaries as soon as they reach the age of majority, or such other date as may be determined by a Will/Testament. Funds which earn interest will still bear interest for a period of five (5) years after it became claimable. Claimable funds are also advertised in the Government Gazette for three (3) consecutive years in September each year (Section 91). These adverts must also be displayed at all Magistrate Courts. The advertisement is further also placed on the Master’s Website

Whilst the funds are not yet claimable by the beneficiary, the guardian of a minor/persons incapable of managing their own affairs can claim maintenance/allowance from the Guardian’s Fund. The Master is entitled to pay for maintenance, such as school and university fees, clothes, medical fees, boarding and lodging and any other needs that can be fully motivated. Payments can be made directly to the service provider such as schools, universities, bookshops, etc.

In terms of Section 92 of the Administration of Estates Act, if funds are not claimed for thirty (30) years after it became claimable, it is forfeited to the State and are paid over to the Commissioner of Revenue. All funds which have not yet been claimed prior to thirty (30) years are still claimable by the relevant beneficiaries.

As the Master does not have control over who decides to claim the funds, maintenance etc. and how much they want to claim – it is not possible to indicate a quantified amount which should have been distributed to families or an individual, but is still with the Master. As from the above explanation, it is clear that all funds in the Guardian’s Fund, can be applied for by the beneficiary, guardian, etc. at any stage, from the date it is deposited, up to 30 years after it became claimable.

4. Yes, action has been taken against relevant personnel. Below are the relevant details:

NATURE	NUMBER	STATUS	OUTCOME OF THE SANCTIONS
Bribery	3	2 Finalised	2 Final Warning
		1 Not Finalised	1 Pending
Corruption	7	5 Finalised 2 Not Finalised	1 Suspension
			1 Verbal Warning
			1 Written Warning
			2 Dismissal
			2 Pending
Fraud	3	1 Finalised	1 Withdrawal
		2 Not Finalised	2 Pending
Insubordination	3	1 Finalised	1 Final Warning
		2 Not Finalised	2 Pending
Intimidation	1	Not Finalised	1 Pending
Negligence	3	1 Finalised	1 Dismissal
		2 Not Finalised	2 Pending
Unauthorised Absence	1	Finalised	1 Written Warning
Unethical Behaviour	2	Not Finalised	2 Pending
Maladministration (Busasa)	1	Not Finalised	Pending
Non-Disclosure (Busasa)	1	Not Finalised	Pending
Total	25	11 Finalised 14 Not Finalised	14 Pending 1 Withdrawal 2 Written Warning 1 Verbal Warning 3 Final Warning 3 Dismissal 1 Suspension

5. A new administration and financial system for the Guardian’s Fund was developed together with Information Systems Management.

The tender process has been done in the 2020/21 financial year, and it is envisaged that development of this system will be finalized and rolled-out in the 2022/23 financial year. The new system will be a full financial system which will ensure accurate financial statements and management. The move to a fully financial system will guarantee accurate records and reports while simplifying processes of the Master’s office in Guardian’s Fund matters.

Reply:

The Parliamentary Question PQ 587, with its reply provided on 26 March 2021, is similar to PQ 194. The reply to PQ 194, which is attached as part of the annexure, was submitted to Parliament.

I have requested the Provincial Department to furnish further details of work done during the period in question. We will make this information and anys supporting ducuments available to the honourable member.

Reply:

A rigorous process of assessing the state of local government (SOLG) culminated in the Cabinet considering the SOLG report in June 2021. The assessment included all service delivery issues including drainage systems in the City of Cape Town (CoCT). 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) is the end of October 2021. This MISP will include plans to address the challenges mentioned above.

As stated above, the compilation of MISP brings together all sector departments as advocated for by the District Development Model as service delivery challenges of informal settlements go beyond flooding challenges, but include lack of basic services and housing among others.

We are also planning to brief the nation on the 21 October 2021 on the seasonal weather forecast. This briefing will include the state of readiness in municipalities across provinces to deal with disasters resulting from the seasonal rainfall.

Reply:

1. In terms of sections 29 and 31 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, all claims against Deceased Estates must be lodged with the appointed executor, and not the Master.

In terms of sections 32 and 33 of the Act, the Executor can dispute or accept these claims against the estate and any party aggrieved by such decision of the executor can either proceed to proof his/her claim in court. Alternatively, the claimant may wait until the executor lodge the Liquidation and Distribution Account and then formally, in terms of section 35(7) of the Act, object to the Liquidation and Distribution account to include his/her claim.

It is the duty of the executor to ensure that all heirs and creditors specified in the approved Liquidation and Distribution account are paid accordingly.

The Master does not receive or decide on the validity of claims against Deceased Estates and does not keep record of such information. This information can be obtained from the lodged Liquidation and Distribution Account in each estate above the value of R250 000.

 

2. In terms of Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, every executor shall, as soon as may be after letters of executorship have been granted, cause a notice to be published in the Gazette and in one or more newspapers circulating in the district in which the deceased ordinarily resided at the time of his death and, if at any time within the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of his death he so resided in any other district, also in one or more newspapers circulating in that other district, or if he was not ordinarily so resident in any district in the Republic, in one or more newspapers circulating in a district where the deceased owned property, calling upon all persons having claims against his estate to lodge such claims with the executor within such period (not being less than thirty days or more than three months) from the date of the latest publication of the notice as may be specified therein.

In terms of section 32, if an executor disputes any claim against the estate, he may by notice in writing:

a) Require the claimant to lodge, in support of his claim, within a period specified in the notice, an affidavit setting forth such details of the claim as the executor may indicate in the notice; and

b) With the consent of the Master, require the claimant or any other person who may in the opinion of the Master be able to give material information in connection with the claim, to appear before the Master or any Magistrate or Master nominated by the Master, material information in connection with the claim, to appear before the Master or any Magistrate or Master nominated by the Master, at a place and time stated in the notice, to be examined under oath in connection with the claim.

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom:

(a)

Eskom has concluded 2 Coal Supply Agreements (“CSA’s”) for FY2022 as follows:

• Modification to the CSA with South32 SA Coal Holdings (Pty) Ltd from MMS to supply Duvha Power Station.
• A new CSA with Arnot OPCO (Pty) Ltd from Arnot Mine to supply Arnot Power Station.

(b)

Eskom cannot, at this point in time, fulfil the parliamentary request of disclosing the contractual prices of the above-mentioned CSA’s.

Eskom is currently progressing with coal supply negotiations with the shortlisted tenderers from RFP’s issued to the market. By disclosing this information to the public, the tenderers could potentially use this information to erode Eskom’s bargaining power.

 

Reply:

We have integrated township development to the District Development Model (DDM) One Plans. The effort of pursuing a coordinated framework through the DDM approach presented an opportunity for balanced ecosystem for integrated development. This process requires cooperation of all three spheres of government to ensure efficient and well-coordinated implementation of the interventions and programmes including the Special Economic Zones.

We are working closely with The Department of Small Business Development, which is currently implementing the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) that is reflected in various Municipal Economic Recovery Plan that were developed with guidance from the Department of Cooperative Governance as a critical programme to relieve Township business from the haltfelt impact of the pandemic. The TREP is a dedicated programme to transform and integrate opportunities in townships and rural areas into productive business ventures. The focus is to create platforms which provide the business support infrastructure and regulatory environment that enables entrepreneurs to thrive. TREP places priority on spatial location as it is focused on enterprises based in townships and/or rural areas that have the potential or capacity to supply goods and services to public and private sector, local, provincial, and national government departments on a sustainable basis.

There are operational Special Economic Zones that are located in townships in partnership with rural municipalities, including the Nkomazi SEZ in the Mpumalanga, Nkowankowa SEZ and Seshego SEZ, both in Limpopo. Furthermore, there are 10 designated and proposed Special Economic Zones in seven Provinces which include, Duwazi SEZ in Limpopo, Namakwa SEZ in Northern Cape, Bojanala SEZ in Northwest, Vaal River SEZ in Gauteng which are located in townships.

It is for this reason that the Department of Cooperative Governance plays an active role in the Project Steering Committee (PSC) of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on SEZ and Industrial Parks to address challenges that are encountered at municipal level in the implementation of SEZs including Red Tape related challenges. Other challenges that has been noted particularly in the township economic zones include issues of infrastructure, electricity, access to water and rail and road facilities. These challenges have an impact on the investor confidence. In this regard, several recommendations have been put forth to the DTIC in relation to the role of SEZs in the South Africa economic reconstruction and recovery plan.

It is against this background that the Department approached the United Nations in South Africa to support the implementation of the DDM and to enhance the Department’s support initiatives. The outcome has been the development of district specific implementation plans built on three interrelated pillars: Unlocking Economic Value Chains, Social Transformation and Service Delivery enhancement. The first pillar encompasses the development of tools and unlocking of opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The delivery mechanism arranged to carry out these interventions has been realised in the establishment of Business Solution Centres, structures setup to provide business development services for micro- and small-enterprises with special focus on women- and youth-led SMMEs. The Business Solution Centres will also function as one-stop facilities whereby a range of services will assist small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in overcoming obstacles such as lack of management skills and access to capital and market entry. Through this provision, training and services will endow this important sector with the skills and capabilities to succeed in the economic ecosystem and realise its full potential.