Questions and Replies
27 September 2021 - NW2038
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she recommended a certain person (Dovhani Colbert Mamphiswana) for employment in any capacity to a municipality; if so, (a) in which municipality was the specified person employed; and (b) on what date was the specified person employed?
Reply:
I have not recommended Mr Dovhani Colbert Mamphiswana for employment in any capacity to a municipality.
a) Not applicable.
b) Not applicable.
27 September 2021 - NW1813
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) number of traditional disputes has she resolved in each province in the past five years, (b) are the relevant details of each dispute and (c) number of traditional leaders (i) receive and (ii) do not receive a stipend in the Republic?
Reply:
a) In terms of disputes at the level of kingship or queenship, the AmaZulu Kingship dispute is being attended to at national government level, and it was formally brought my attention in August 2021 and we are working with a Mediation Panel to assist the Royal family to resolve the dispute amicably. Other disputes at kingship or queenship level are those that were/are in the courts and they cannot therefore be dealt with by the Minister.
b) Limpopo Province
VaVhenda Kingship Dispute
One section of the Royal Family is challenging the recognition of the current King Toni Ramabulana as the King of VaVhenda in court. The matter is therefore being handled by the courts.
Bapedi Kingship Dispute
Following the passing of the late King of Bapedi, there is now disagreement on who should be the successor, the acting king/queen or the regent. One section of the Royal Family has taken the matter to court for the court to rule on the matter.
Eastern Cape
Amaxhosa Kingship Dispute
One section of the Royal Family has taken Government to court, to challenge the recognition of the King.
AmamPondo Kingship Dispute
One section of the Royal Family has taken government to court after the recognition of His Majesty King Zanozuko as the King of AmaMpondo.
c) There are 882 Traditional Leaders in South Africa including kingship, queenship, principal and senior traditional leaders. All are remunerated in accordance with the Remuneration of Public Officers Act (Act 20 of 1998). The salaries of all legally recognized traditional leaders are paid by provinces from their respective budgets.
27 September 2021 - NW1837
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)What is the (a) total number of veterinarians in the Limpopo and (b)(i) current vacancy rate and (ii) date on which the specified province intends to fill the vacant positions (2) What is the total number of veterinarians in each livestock unit of her department in the North West; (3) Whether the department has implemented the compulsory service; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) What were the (a) prevailing animal diseases during the past financial year in Limpopo and (b) interventions of her department to treat them?
Reply:
1. (a) The total number of Veterinarian's posts in the province is 28 (Animal health, Labs and VPH).
b) N(i) 6 of these are vacant (5 in Animal health and 1 in the laboratory).
(ii) The province intends filling vacant positions in the new financial year.
2. With up 1000 000 mature livestock units in Limpopo province and 22 filled positions, the Livestock Units per State veterinarian ratio is 1:45 000.
3. Yes, the Compulsory Community Services (CCS) with Veterinarians has been implemented, and have been having a new cohort on an annual basis. There are currently 10 CCS Veterinarians across the Province.
4. (a) Foot and Mouth disease, Rabies, Lumpy skin disease and sporadic tick- borne diseases have been the major challenges.
(b) Vaccinations and identification of the susceptible population in the protection zone. Dipping of the communal cattle.
27 September 2021 - NW2041
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) is the rationale behind placing those who are nearing retirement and those with comorbidities before placing the middle-aged ones during the integration process, (b) concrete steps are taken to boost the morale of the staff after the integration and (c) are the reasons that the Deputy DirectorGeneral post was re-advertised?
Reply:
a) The Public Service Central Bargaining Council (PSCBC) Resolution 1 of 2019 determines the provisions to be applied in the integration and migration process. These provisions were closely followed in the implementation of the integration and migration process.
b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development rolled out the Change Management and Leadership programme to boost the morale of employees especially on Senior Management Service (SMS) and Middle Management Service (MMS) levels. Some of the key issues addressed which contributed to the establishment of the new Department were:
- Understanding how to manage new teams;
- How to build and keep cohesive teams;
- Working together as senior managers;
- Embracing change/common culture;
- Change management tools;
- Managing virtual teams;
- Dealing with fear on the ground;
- Creating an environment where there can be sharing of ideas and new ways of working;
- How to motivate the demotivated; and
- Improve my leadership skills.
c) The exposure of the initial advertisement was found to be too limited, and thus not all potential candidates were reached.
27 September 2021 - NW1903
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the (a) current status of the Public Investment Corporation’s liquidation proceedings against Sekunjalo Independent Media and (b) cause of delay of the proceedings?
Reply:
a) The liquidation proceedings have been stayed and are pending before the Western Cape High Court, Cape Town.
b) In the course of the liquidation proceedings, certain factual allegations emerged that caused a factual dispute which could not be resolved on paper or affidavit in the application. This necessitated that the liquidation application be held in abeyance pending action proceedings, which were instituted for purposes of resolving the factual dispute.
27 September 2021 - NW2197
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With reference to the R60 million received in 2019 under the General Budget Support Programme, what (a) progress has been made on the development of the spatial and economic development frameworks for (i) Port St Johns, (ii) Port Nolloth and (iii) Port Edward, (b) total amount was spent in each case, (c) further steps have been taken in the development of the small harbours and (d) total amount has been budgeted (i) annually for the next five years for the required dredging and removal of sunken vessels in the proclaimed small harbours and (ii) for the current financial year for security services for the safety of the public and offices of the harbour masters at all the small harbours?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
I have been informed by the Department that the R60 million received under the General Budget Support Programme (GBS) was over the 2019 MTEF period and not solely for the 2019/20 financial year.
a) Identification of existing data and studies was the first step under the GBS programme and has been completed. With the existing data, the Department intends on focussing the funding on actual maritime infrastructure and therefore did not commence with the development of spatial and economic development frameworks (SEDF). Should saving be realised from the construction process, the spatial and economic development frameworks will be developed as long-term development guides for the three respective sites.
(i) Port St Johns has an existing feasibility study for the development of a small harbour and the Department intends on implementing the recommendations of the feasibility study to repair the existing slipway. The process of obtaining a Procurement Instruction is currently underway.
(ii) Port Nolloth has an existing jetty which is in a dilapidated state and has been prioritised to be refurbished to ensure the safe use of the jetty. A concrete slipway has also been proposed for the Port Nolloth site. The process of obtaining a Procurement Instruction is currently underway.
(iii) Port Edward forms part of the Ugu South Coast Masterplan and can currently accommodate thirty (30) launches per day from the beach area. The formalisation of the launching from a concrete slipway is currently under review due to the hydrographic conditions of the site being extremely rocky.
b) No funding has been withdrawn from the General Budget Support Programme as all the current work has been completed in-house by the Small Harbours directorate in conjunction with the respective coastal regional offices. Upon completion of the planning phase, including the Environmental Impact Assessments, the relevant funding allocations will be requested from National Treasury. It should be noted that the allocation has not been lost and is carried forward until the funding is requested by the Department.
c) The Department, guided by DIRCO, has received technical grant funding from the People’s Republic of China for the development of economic and feasibility studies which will utilise a nodal approach for the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The matching South African team comprising of DPWI and ISA officials, has been formed and an introductory session was held on 6 September 2021. As a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) the Small Harbours programme has also been proposed for the upcoming SIDS Symposium. The Small Harbours Unit is also working closing with ISA to develop a project pipeline.
d) The Department is responsible for the capital works in the harbours. The removal of sunken vessels is solely the responsibility of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) however was executed under the repair programme as the Department would be unable to conduct capital dredging where sunken vessels would provide a blockage. The capital dredging has been completed within all the harbours where they were required.
(i) The operational/maintenance dredging and removal of sunken vessels is a function of the DFFE. The Department will assist the DFFE in completing the User Asset Management Plan (U-AMP) to ensure that the budgeted amounts for maintenance dredging and removal of sunken vessels are within the market prices and not under budgeted for.
(ii) The Department is responsible for the security of infrastructure i.e. security fencing, gates, booms and CCTV apparatus which has been completed under the current repair and maintenance programme to the proclaimed fishing harbours. The only two remaining harbours are Saldanha Bay and Pepper Bay where the work is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year. The actual warm bodies for security is the responsibility of the DFFE as they manage the operations within the harbour precincts and generate revenue from such activities taking place from the use of the marine infrastructure
27 September 2021 - NW2088
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to his reply to question 2644 on 7 December 2020 on the non-payment of pension funds by municipalities, what (a) measures have been taken by the National Treasury to address the non-payment of pension contributions by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality to third parties, (b)(i) undertakings have been given to the National Treasury by the specified municipality to ensure that all pension monies have been paid up and (ii) date will this be achieved, (c) measures does the National Treasury have in place to ensure that not only the contributions, but the interest that would have been earned, is paid and (d) measures will be taken by the National Treasury if the municipality fails to meet its obligations in this regard?
Reply:
a) National Treasury after being informed by the Pension Fund concerned, wrote to the municipality early in October 2020 to request the municipality to pay the outstanding debt and also to warn the Municipal Manager that it is a criminal offence not to pay over the pension contributions deducted from the employees to the Pension Fund.
b) (i) The municipal manager responded in late October 2020 acknowledging the debt and committed to settle all the outstanding amounts.
(ii) National Treasury is aware that by 15 December 2020, the municipality did not follow through on its commitment to settle all the outstanding amounts, but has since made a number of payments since January 2021, including current and outstanding debt. To date as at 08 September 2021, the total outstanding pension debt is at R16.4 million, which is a reduction by 50 per cent since January 2021.
As the Pension Funds Act currently stands, the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality is required to pay over pension contributions, in terms of the rules of the fund, deducted from member’s remuneration within 7 days of the end of the month in terms of section13A(1) read with 13A(3) of the Pension Funds Act, 24 of 1956 (“the Act”). Further, in terms of section 13A(7) interest is payable on the late payment of contributions, which starts running from the 1st day of the end of the month in terms of Regulation 33(7). Regulation 33(4) further requires the monitoring person, usually the Principal Officer, to bring the non-compliance to the attention of the affected members and advise the FSCA of the action taken. If the non-compliance persists after 90 days, the Principal Officer must report the matter to the SAPS. Should the Board of the Fund not take the requisite action against the employer, it may face regulatory action.
c) National Treasury does not have the power to take direct measures against a municipality that has not paid, as such power resides firstly with the provincial government. National Treasury can only act in terms of section 139 of the Constitution if the province has failed to exercise its oversight over the municipality.
d) The powers of the National Treasury are very limited in following up on non-payment by municipalities, and can only intervene via a province in terms of section 139 of the Constitution. National Treasury is working on amending the PFMA and MFMA to put in place a stronger framework to deal with non-payments on tax, pension contributions, as well as to suppliers like Eskom and Water Boards.
National Treasury does the have the power to stop the transfer of the equitable share funds to a municipality in terms of Section 216(2) of the Constitution and other applicable legislation in the event of persistent failure by a municipality to honour its financial commitments. National Treasury does require municipalities to report on the non-payment of its commitments to SARS, pension and other staff benefits deducted from municipal officials to be paid over to the appropriate Funds and / or institutions. Failure for municipalities to provide this evidence may result in their equitable share being withheld in an effort to enforce compliance.
Until further legislative changes are made to the MFMA, the power of the National Treasury to directly intervene in a municipality is very limited, and often restricted to a form of moral suasion and naming and shaming, or if it is suspected that there is a case of criminal actions, to refer such matter to the police for further action.
27 September 2021 - NW2089
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether her department has developed an action plan to address the 30 findings in the report it commissioned in October 2020 titled Review of Parliament’s Prestige Construction Projects; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what measures (a) will be taken against those who are implicated in fruitless, wasteful and irregular expenditure and (b) are being taken to (i) address the issue of capacity within this directorate and (ii) ensure that proper risk assessment and mitigation strategies are being implemented in this directorate; (2) what is the reason that the specified report has not been presented to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure; (3) whether she will provide the minutes of the Internal Audit Committee Meeting in which the report was presented and discussed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she will furnish Ms S J Graham with a copy of the report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. A draft report on the independent assessment by BDO was submitted to the department on 19 October 2020 for the department’s management to comment on. The final report was submitted by DPWI management on 20 November 2020.
The report was, however, not submitted to me as the Executive Authority of the Department who commissioned the independent assessment. This audit report was only submitted to me on Friday, 17 September 2021, almost a year after the Department received it. This, after I made regular enquiries about the final report.
I have been informed by the Department that the draft action plan has been crafted and will be finalised with Internal Audit and be effective immediately upon finalisation. The final action, incorporating Internal Audit inputs, have not yet been shared with the Ministry. It is anticipated that this internal consultative process will be finalised by 30 September 2021.
a) No actions have been taken against any Official at this time.
b) I have written to the Acting Director-General to immediately institute consequence management against a) those who failed to share the report with me and 2) those implicated in any wrongdoing.
2. The report has been submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly, as the report was commissioned following meetings held with the former Speaker.
3. I was not part of the meeting held by Internal Audit in which the report was presented.
(4) As indicated above, I have furnished the Speaker with the report for further processing
27 September 2021 - NW2195
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) total number of districts in the Republic are not covered in relation to (i) special needs school and (ii) schools for autistic children for early childhood development and (b)(i) are the names and (ii) other relevant details of the specified districts?
Reply:
a) (i) There are four (4) districts that do not have special schools; (ii) The ECD function does not reside with the Department of Basic Education;
b) (iii) Amathole West (EC), Chris Hani West (EC), ZF Mgcawu (NC) and Pixley Ka Seme (NC) (iv) There are no other details.
27 September 2021 - NW2082
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether, in view of the changes in the local and global economy, owing largely to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have compelled businesses in tourism to be proactive and flexible in dealing with challenges and opportunities, she has found that the growing gig economy, which is dominated by skilled part-time workers, freelancers and/or individuals with flexible working hours who are also leisure travellers, negatively affects the creation of permanent jobs in the tourism industry; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, which specific solution is she considering to minimise the impact on job creation, especially in light of high unemployment rates?
Reply:
SA Tourism has not conducted a study on the changes brought about by the COVID pandemic and gig economy and its impact on job creation in the mainstream tourism products. The entity therefore does not have any data to support the question.
27 September 2021 - NW2201
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1).(a) What total amount of his department’s budget was spent on the SA Music Industry Council’s (SAMIC's) elective conference and (b) where did the money come from; (2). what measures did his department take as a precaution to see to it that public money is not reduced into wasteful expenditure, considering the previous track record of the SAMIC's non-compliance, as well as direct and indirect mismanagement of public funds; (3). whether any bodies and/or organisations indicated to him and/or his department their intention to contest the constitutionality of the elective conference and its outcomes in court; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4). given that his department has funded the elective conference, what is the short-term plan and long-term plan that justifies the urgent need to fund the legitimisation of SAMIC's existence, seeing that there is no track record of tangible programmes as per its mission and objectives other than meetings, hotel bookings and travelling costs, or can his department provide the relevant details? NW2502E
Reply:
1. The Department approved a grant for R602 000 to SAMIC for the hosting of this conference and the funds were sourced from MGE Cultural Events budget.
2. Upon approval of the grant, the Department entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with SAMIC stipulating the conditions of the grant and deliverables as the clause of the contract.
3. To our knowledge, no formations or individuals indicated any intention to contest the outcome of SAMIC elective conference. The Department has since received the SAMIC close out report as per the contractual obligation.
4. SAMIC was funded like the other sector organisation in the arts and culture sector with the objective of building capacity and creating a platform for engagements to strengthen their programmes and operations.
27 September 2021 - NW2200
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether he has found that his department is ignoring the findings of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition concerning the SA Music Industry Council that breached the Memorandum of Agreement, and therefore signalling that government departments are not working together and/or undermining each department’s authority; if not, what is the basis for such, where public funds are irregularly spent without accountability or even an attempt to recoup the funds; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department was not aware of any agreement between the Department of Trade and Industry with SAMIC.
This challenge is largely due to the lack of a centralised Government wide database of defaulting beneficiaries, so that we are able to identify and isolate them until they comply with all prescripts of the contracts without fail.
Internally, the Department’s Legal Unit has initiated a recovery process and black listing of defaulters.
However, upon approving the grant, the Department entered into a contractual agreement with SAMIC stipulating terms and conditions of the funds dispersed to ensure that they will be used to achieve the intended purpose.
27 September 2021 - NW1856
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional AffairsQUESTION
Whether Knysna Local Municipality is responsible for the maintenance of retaining sea wall surrounding Leisure Isle in Knysna, if not who is responsible for the maintenance of the sea wall, if so what are the relevant details of (a) Maintenance that was undertaken on the wall over the past five years and (b) What are the plans for future maintenance of the wall?
Reply:
a) Due to the ongoing dispute between the three role-players, Knysna LM, SANPARK and the Leisure Island Rate Payers Association about who is responsible for maintenance of such wall, no significant maintenance was done in the past five years. An Environmental Approval was issued by DEA&DP in 2019 to assigned to the Island Rate Payers Association to work on the sea wall.
b) The responsible party has not been formally identified and all maintenance remains on hold.
There is currently a formal IGR dispute between the Knysna Local Municipality and SANPARKS in relation to the above. Knysna Local Municipality disputes liability for maintenance of the seawall and so does SANPARKS.
A formal IGR has been declared by the Knysna Local Municipality to resolve the dispute as to whether Knysna or SANPARKS should be responsible for the maintenance of the seawall. The dispute is still ongoing, but there are current attempts to facilitate a resolution. The dispute is however still ongoing and is not yet resolved.
The Acting Municipal Manager of Knysna Local Municipality on 8 December 2020 (attached as ANNEXURE A), requested that the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) designate a facilitator to assist with resolving the dispute between the Knysna Local Municipality (KLM) and SANParks regarding the repair and maintenance of the Leisure Island seawall.
The following three-pronged approach has been proposed to address the issue:
- The Development Management unit of DEA&DP in the George Office, will engage with the officials of the KLM and SANParks to see whether a longer-term solution can be found to the conflict relating to the responsibility for the maintenance of the Leisure Island seawall and research on the history of the dispute.
- Based on the outcomes of the engagement with the officials of KLM and SANParks, consider recommending the appointment of a facilitator (or facilitate such) to involve the parties in a high-level engagement which is documented in detail, to try and resolve the issue.
- Should the above approach not be successful in finding a solution, KLM will then forward all records to the DFFE, to prove that the parties have indeed undertaken every reasonable effort to resolve the dispute.
There is no set date on the outcome and no timelines determined but will depend on the procedures of the IGR dispute.
27 September 2021 - NW2159
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What remedial action has her department taken to respond to the tariff-hikes affecting historically poor and black communities during COVID-19, such as the community of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality?
Reply:
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) does support municipalities in relation to the provision of electricity to indigent household in line with the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) policy. However, the Department provides support and guidance to all municipalities (not particular) with regards to the provision of FBE to indigent households. It further assists with the identification of indigent households not collecting their FBE thus not benefiting from the provision of FBE and enable the necessary interventions to be effected.
Tariffs are levied for the use of municipal trading services. Section 75 A of Municipal Systems Act (MSA) under general powers to levy and recover fees, charges and tariffs, it also states that the municipality may Levy and recover fees, charges, or tariffs in respect of any function or service of the municipality
Electricity tariffs is governed and approved by the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) in as per the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) and water and sanitation tariffs are regulated by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) through the norms and standards.The tariffs approvals are outside the mandate of the Department, however, the Department plays a two important roles through provision of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) for poor households who qualifies as Indegents and also through providing inputs during tariff increase consultations..
The above is done through the regular monitoring of monthly FBE executive summary reports which shows transactions for that particular month, quarterly reports reflecting a list of municipalities that are in arrears on their FBE accounts and quarterly reports reflecting details of access/collection of FBE tokens per municipality.
The Department works closely with Eskom (where Eskom is the licensed service provider), Provincial COGTAs and Municipalities; with the objective being to ensure that municipalities provides FBE to all qualifying indigent households receive FBE guided by the FBE Funding Agreement.
27 September 2021 - NW1809
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional AffairsQUESTION
What action has her department taken against the Councilors and/or municipalities that have been found guilty through forensic investigations in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000?
Reply:
Most of the forensic reports instituted in terms of Section 106 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 made recommendations that certain remedial or other corrective measures should be taken. In instances where corruption, fraud and related offences have been identified, such reports are handed over to law enforcement agencies for further processing. Where Councilors are implicated and internal disciplinary processes are recommended, disciplinary processes are instituted in line with schedule 1 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act.
The outcome of the assessment in some of the forensic investigations reports points to the need for further investigations. The Department continues to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, provinces and municipalities to ensure that recommendations which emanates from forensic investigation reports are implemented.
27 September 2021 - NW2130
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
What support is his department providing for the first officially recognised Tana Baru Muslim Cemetery in Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, given its national heritage status?
Reply:
The Tana Baru Muslim Cemetery is managed by a private entity (The Tana Baru Trust) and as such do not receive any direct financial support from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The Tana Baru Muslim Cemetery falls under the conservation framework laid out in Section 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999). This ensures that the site will receive support in terms of conservation and protection from SAHRA
27 September 2021 - NW2163
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What interventions have been put in place by her department to ensure that the community of Ward 7, 8, 9 and 10 in QwaQwa in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality have water on a daily basis amidst the water shortage in that area?
Reply:
1. According to the Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) Local Municipality the water situation in the municipality has improved significantly from last year. The major cause of water problems in QwaQwa was the drought. Following the recent rains, the main Fika Patso dam supplying QwaQwa is now at 75% full capacity. The other major problem is old infrastructure being mainly AC pipes that are constantly bursting causing intermittent cuts in water supply.
2. In accordance with the District Development Model (DDM) that ensures integrated service delivery by government and non-government stakeholders, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is supporting Maluti-A-Phofung (MAP) Local Municipality to monitor interventions and the implementation of projects aimed at proving electricity among other services.
3. According to MAP Local Municipality, the interventions and projects mentioned above include the following:.
i. In the wards in question the MAP Local Municipality is undertaking repairs to burst pipes, which are common in all wards due to aged infrastructure. ii. MISA supported the Municipality to develop a Water Conservation and Demand Management Plan and to draft a Water O&M plan to improve the operations and maintenance regimes for all wards in MAP Local Municipality. iii. In ward 10, Tseki area some 2 boreholes were drilled and equipped with solar pumps, 5 000 litre tanks and stand pipes and security fencing with funding from DBSA in partnership with MISA (as part of the COVID-19 interventions) for a total cost of R762 427,78. These were handed over to the community.
4. COGTA, with provincial counterparts and MISA, led a rigorous process of assessing the state of local government (SOLG). The assessment included all service delivery issues including the provision of electricity in MAP. A process is underway to address basic service delivery issues and the target date to complete the municipal intervention and support plans (MISP) for high priority municipalities like MAP is the end of September 2021. This MISP will include plans to address the water challenges mentioned above.
5. The compilation of MISP brings together all sector departments as advocated for by the DDM.
27 September 2021 - NW2162
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What measures have been taken by her department to ensure that the community of Ward 10 in QwaQwa in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality receive a regular supply of electricity, given that they experience over 12 hours of electricity cuts on a regular basis?
Reply:
1. The Department has;
- seconded MISA engineers to augment technical capacity in the municipality. The engineers have amongst other things developed an infrastructure master plan to inform better planning with respect to the electricity infrastructure. It is anticipated that MISA will also develop an Operations and Maintenance Plan for the municipality and continue to provide technical support, as implementation unfolds.
- Supported the intervention by the Service Delivery Task Team led by the Deputy President to fast track service delivery backlogs in Maluti a Phofung Local Municipality. Amongst the key deliverables of the intervention is the process of facilitating the partnership between Eskom and the municipality through which, Eskom will take over supply of electricity in the municipality for a specific time frame. The process towards legally concluding the partnership is unfolding and the Department is leading the application of sections 78 to 80 of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000; which is a mandatory undertaking, prior to utilizing an external mechanism to deliver services in a municipality.
27 September 2021 - NW2164
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) On what date is it envisaged that her department will deliver water to the Lerome South community in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, since their taps have run dry?
Reply:
The municipality does not have sufficient bulk water infrastructure to meet the demand of the growing area. To that end it is currently supplying water through interim measures of water carting to temporal storages including water tanks which are then utilized by the community of Lerome South. These are interim measures put in place while the municipality works on a permanent solution.
Moses Kotane Local Municipality (MKLM) is a Water Services Authority (WSA) in the MKLM area of jurisdiction which includes Lerome South. The Water Services Act, 108 of 1997 defines a WSA as any municipality responsible for ensuring access to water services. In executing its functions, which include the WSA function, MKLM gets grant funding and technical support from the provincial and national government departments.
MKLM is implementing a bulk water supply project (bulk water line and reservoir) scheduled to complete by end of November 2021. The bulk water supply project is funded thorough the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) administered by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
MKLM indicated that it has prioritised in this financial year Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Implementation Plan a project, among others, for water reticulation for Lerome South. In an effort to avoid misalignment between bulk and reticulation, the reticulation project is only under consideration this financial year when the WSIG funded bulk project is near completion. The DWS, as the responsible sector department, is currently appraising the technical report submitted by MKLM for water reticulation through the MIG funding. The MIG funding is administered by the Department of Corporative Governance (DCOG). DCOG through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is providing technical support to MKLM for both project implementation and the MIG funding application.
The estimated date to deliver the full functional water supply project to Lerome South, having completed both the WSIG funded bulk water and MIG funded water reticulation projects, is anticipated to be in November 2022.
27 September 2021 - NW1851
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether her department has any other projects in the pipeline for Lindelani Informal Settlement in terms of the provision of (a) electricity, (b) water and (c) sanitation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The response is received from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; the Lindelani informal settlement is currently provided with basic services such as water, sanitation, refuse removal, grading of the streets and mobile community services.
Further to the above, the residents of Lindelani informal settlement are earmarked to benefit from the two housing projects which are currently in the implementation phase, namely Alliance Extension 1 which entails the construction of houses and Alliance Extension 9 which entails the provision of serviced sites.
The allocation of completed houses at Alliance Extension 1 is in progress, whereas the construction of serviced sites and allocation thereof has not commenced. No electricity will be provided for the beneficiaries of houses and serviced sites as per the applicable policy.
However, the residents of Lindelani informal settlements who did not benefit in the Alliance Extension 1 and Alliance Extension 9 projects will be considered for the provision of water, sanitation and electricity when the informal settlement is re-blocked. The re-blocking will take place once the relocation has been finalised.
27 September 2021 - NW2110
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With reference to the assistance offered to community museums by her department, (a) under what programme does the specified assistance fall, (b) what are the qualifying criteria for communities to apply for this assistance, (c) what are the details of assistance to community museums that is offered by her department and (d) how do communities apply for the assistance?
Reply:
a) The specified assistance falls under Programme 3: Destination Development
b) This is not a formal funding programme with set qualifying criteria. The Department regularly receives requests for assistance from various organisations and entities which includes community owned facilities. Support is provided where possible provided that there is alignment with the overall strategic objectives of the Department and resource availability.
c) For the projects listed in the 2020/21 APP, a needs analysis was conducted to determine what enhancement interventions are necessary for these museums to attract more visitors. These interventions include improving exhibitions, training guides, improving signage, revamping some structures and improving the overall visitor experience.
d) Currently there is no call for communities to apply for assistance. The Department prioritised five community museums for enhancement and will review this assistance once work on these projects is concluded.
27 September 2021 - NW1828
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she intends to extend legal protection to small businesses facing liquidity challenges as a result of the pandemic, similarly to the legal protection that was given to residential tenants and unlawful occupiers under the COVID-19 Regulations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The issues relating to relief measures to small businesses facing liquidity challenges as a result of the pandemic are managed and administered by the Department of Small Business Development. The question needs to be redirected to the relevant department.
27 September 2021 - NW2160
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and TraditionalAffairs
What are the reasons that her department has not been providing relief to 123 villages that are currently without water in Peddie under the Amathole District Municipality?
Reply:
Amatole District Municipality (ADM) is the Water Services Authority (WSA) in the ADM area of jurisdiction which includes Peddie. The Water Services Act, 108 of 1997 defines a WSA as any municipality responsible for ensuring access to water services. ADM however gets grant funding and technical support from the provincial and national government departments.
According to ADM, the water infrastructure in the villages in Peddie is not operating as designed to provide basic water through standpipes because of rampant illegal yard and house connections in about 80 % of the villages. This causes pressure reduction and higher water demand resulting in no water or intermittent supply to about 23 of the 123 villages. ADM supplements supply with water tankers that deliver water to communities.
Furthermore, ADM is implementing a multi-year Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funded project, Ngqushwa Villages Water Reticulation for about R36 million scheduled for completion in January 2022. ADM is conducting community awareness programmes highlighting the negative impact of illegal connections.
27 September 2021 - NW2189
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Taking into account that his department was alerted of the status of the SA Music Industry Council (SAMIC) vis-à-vis the Department of Trade and Industry's withdrawal of its support towards SAMIC due to unaccountability and non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and Corporate Governance, what (a) informed the decision of his department to fund the hosting of the recent SAMIC conference and (b) documentation did his department acquire from SAMIC to warrant the approval of the specified funding; (2). whether his department will provide the specified documentation, since another SAMIC was registered in 2020, compared to the legitimate SAMIC which was registered in 2015; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) registration documents of the two SAMIC organisations that his department funded and (b)(i) proof of address, (ii) tax clearance certificate and (iii) bank confirmation letter in each specified case?
Reply:
1. The Department was not aware of any agreement between the Department of Trade and Industry with SAMIC.
This challenge is largely due to the lack of a centralised Government wide database of defaulting beneficiaries, so that we are able to identify and isolate them until they comply with all prescripts of the contracts without fail.
SAMIC is national, legal and autonomous body, comprised of members from music industry organisations that represent different constituencies. It is the sole voice and umbrella body for the entire South African music industry role-players, Established in 2014. The South African Music Industry Council (SAMIC) aims to transform protect and preserve the South African music market, assets and legacy.
a) The Department agreed to fund the recent SAMIC Conference held in April 2021. The decision by the Department to provide financial support was due to the following:
- The fragmentation within the arts and culture sector has contributed to its underdevelopment in terms of unified policy development and direction.
- The sector has not realised its full potential to effectively contribute to social development and initiative
- The music industry in particular has evolve as a result of fourth industrial revolution and its impact has affected the South African music industry,
- The legislative framework governing the music industry is out dated and requires to be updated in order to respond to the demands of the digitalisation in the industry.
The initiative by SAMIC to position itself as an umbrella body within the music industry is commendable and it is in line with the overall mandate of the Department.
b) SAMIC approached the Department requesting funding to host a national conference in January 2021 and provided a project proposal, a compliancy documents namely; company registration, tax certificate, entity form with a certified bank stamp,
2. The Department is able to provide all documents received from SAMIC,
a) The Department funded SAmic with the Registration Number: 150-953 NPO. -Registered in terms of the Non-profit Organisation Act, 1997, Act no 71 and we are not aware of another SAMIC formed in 2015.
b) Attached as (Annexure A) are documents received from SAMIC as per the question request.
27 September 2021 - NW2091
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). (a). What is the time frame for the Chairperson of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) Audit and Risk Committee and (b) how long has the current chairperson been in the position; (2). whether the specified position has been advertised every three years; if not, why not; if so, (a)(i) where and on (ii) what dates, (b) what was the total number of applications .and (c) who did the interviews; (3) whether he has found it good governance practice for a chairperson to serve for three consecutive terms in one institution; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4). whether the current chairperson (name furnished) is a government employee at Treasury Northern Cape and being remunerated for it; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, does the policy permit for this; (5). (a) has the institution ever received a clean audit under the watch of the specified chairperson and (b) what was the role of the Chairperson of the PACOFS Audit and Risk Committee with regard the implementation of the recommendations of the Morar forensic investigation report which was completed in 2018? NW2372E
Reply:
1. (a) The time frame for the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee is 3 years, which can be renewable for another 3-year term as provided for in the Audit and Risk Committee.
(b)The Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee has served for a period of 5 years, and he is serving his second and final term.
(c) He was re-appointed unanimously by Council in its meeting held on 14 June 2019, after his effectiveness, independence and objectivity was evaluated by the Chairperson of Council.
2. There is no legal requirement to advertise the position every three years. The Charter states the term of office (3 years) and indicates that the Accounting Authority may renew the contract once, which is to a maximum of 6 years. In exceptional circumstance where a member has resigned, died or automatically terminated, the position may then be advertised only if there is no prospective substitute member.
3. As stated above, the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee is serving his second and final term. It is not good governance for a Chairperson of any Institution to serve over the prescribed term of office and the Charter does not allow for such. PACOFS applies the principles of KING IV to advance effective and excellent corporate leadership.
4. The current Chairperson is not a government employee at Treasury Northern Cape. He is compensated for being a Chairperson of Audit and Risk Committee according to rates determined by the National Treasury and approved PACOFS remuneration policy.
5. No, the institution has not received a clean audit under the leadership of the current Audit & Risk Committee Chairperson. Noteworthy is that the current Chairperson joined PACOFS in 2016 after it received a disclaimer of opinion in the financial period 2015/16. Under his leadership and active oversight role, he has since steered the institution to obtain an unqualified audit opinion in the period 2020/2021, a significant improvement worth noting since the past three financial period.
(b) The Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee has no role to play in the implementation of the recommendations of the Morar Investigation report, as it is Council’s responsibility to implement the recommendations of the report.
27 September 2021 - NW2022
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she will furnish Mr M J Cuthbert with a (a) list of all capital projects that a certain company (name furnished) has been contracted by her department to complete in the City of Ekurhuleni and (b)(i) detailed scope of work and (ii) bill of quantities for each of the specified projects; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) What was the (a) value of each contract her department awarded, (b) total amount paid to the company by her department for the specified projects in the City of Ekurhuleni and (c) date of inception of each contract awarded by her department to the specified company
Reply:
- The Department has not issued any contracts to NJR Projects/G5 Group.
- N/A
23 September 2021 - NW2085
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
1)Whether, with regard to modern technologies that can be harnessed to make his department efficient and reduce direct inquiries from the public about the progress of their applications for various documents, his department has implemented an online verification platform in which members of the public can check the status of their national identity document applications; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, is the system live and accessible to the public; (2) what steps is his department taking to ensure that its systems across all of its service centres are always up and running to enhance service and reduce wastages of resources and time that manifest in long queues at its service centres?
Reply:
1. The DHA Online Verification System (OVS) was initially deployed and accessed by the Citizens for the online verification of; marital status, passport and ID application status, among others. The OVS gained popularity to the point whereby insurance companies were not using proper processes. However, insurance companies opted to use the same free service designed for individual citizens. International users were identified trying to access our National Population Register (NPR) system via the unsecured OVS.
This imposed a risk to NPR and security of Citizen’s data. Department was then advised to temporally close the OVS and work on a solution to address all identified risks. Security of Citizen’s data is the priority of the DHA, that’s why the Department opted to temporarily close the system, until OVS is secured and is solely accessed by the authorised users. Thereafter, DHA separated OVS processes for insurance companies and Citizens, into two phases. The former is already in commission, while the latter is being planned to be released as a second phase.
Efforts are underway to provide such services in a more secure fashion. Some of the related developments are described below.
DHA continuously invests in ICT innovations that improve internal operational efficiencies and effectiveness, while also improving Citizen’s digital experiencing through deployment of innovative technologies. DHA acknowledges the adoption of digital transformation and the implementation of ICT technologies that enhance service delivery channels. That’s why there are current e-modernisation projects in place and e-home affairs digital channel. The first phase of eHome Affairs digital channel was developed to allow Citizens with access to the Internet, to apply for Smart IDs and Passports.
This first phase was further rolled-out to the participating banks to provide application of Smart ID’s and Passports. The same eHome Affairs digital channel will soon be used to allow clients to book appointments; not just with the participating bank branches, but with participating Home Affairs front offices as well, but for various services not just Smart ID and Passports. This is one of the initiatives contributing to the War on Queues, as communicated to Parliament.
(2) Emanating from the above background, DHA has embarked on the following initiatives to improve system availability and connectivity:
-
- Go to Market Strategy for Access Link – The implementation of a strategy wherein DHA has access to a localised pool of pre-approved service providers wherein a procurement of a connectivity service can be expedited without the onerous procurement processes has long been awaited by DHA. SITA’s promise to implement this strategy in early 2022/23.
- Partnership with Connectivity Equipment Manufacturers in order to improve turnaround times to replace connectivity hardware infrastructure is in progress.
- Improve management of generators in term of maintenance together with Department of Public Works to minimise issue of power outages that affects ICT infrastructure.
- Implemented 100 DHA Mobile trucks with VSAT connectivity and Live-Capture system that are deployed in Rural areas and also planning to procure additional 10 Mobile trucks within the current financial year.
- Implement DHA Self-service kiosk system for collections, reprint (of birth, marriage and death certificates and re-issue applications for Smart ID’s and Passports by 2024/25 financial year in order to reduce long queues and ease access to DHA services.
- Increase rollout of DHA services such as ID and Passports to more banks in all Provinces.
- Implement LTE internet routers to the most of DHA branches in all Provinces to minimise service interruptions, due to cable theft.
- Closer cooperation with other state and private entities on improving access to the internet to the areas that do not have internet connectivity.
- Upgraded most of DHA branches across the Country to a minimum of 2MB line or higher bandwidth.
END
23 September 2021 - NW2007
Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to a virtual conference with a Chinese delegation on 12 May 2021 during which the Portfolio Committee on Police was informed of the SA Police Service and Chinese civilian cooperation centre that was established in the Republic In 2004, and the number of such cooperation centres which has now increased to 13 covering the nine provinces in the Republic that aim to strengthen community governance, protect the legal rights of Chinese people in the Republic, control risks and strengthen the foundation of mass power, (a) in terms of what legislation were the centres established, (b) what are the roles of the centres, (c) where are they situated across the Republic, (d) what number of Chinese staff are attached to each centre, (e) with which other countries does the Republic have similar agreements in place and (I) what total number of centres are run by such countries in the Republic?
Reply:
(a) to (f) The information is attached, as Annexure A.
Reply to question 2007 recommended
NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-09-23
Reply to question 2007 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 29-9-2021
23 September 2021 - NW2171
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What were the reasons behind the unblocking of all stalled projects in North West; (2) whether (a) officials who were found to be involved in corrupt activities have been removed and replaced by clean ones and (b) monies were recovered from the specified officials; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the further relevant details in each case?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. As you may be aware that the province is under administration in terms of Section 100 of the Constitution, therefore the Minister or her department is only accountable for provincial matters requested to the extent of her or her Department’s section 100 intervention.
2. (a) and (b) Falls away.
23 September 2021 - NW2270
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
With regard to the Government employees who, contrary to legislation, have done and continue to do business with the State, what (a) measures has the Government undertaken, in the past 24 months, to ascertain the total number of government employees doing business with the State, (b) total number of government employees in the specified period have been identified as doing business with the State and (c) steps has the Government taken against its employees who do business with the State?
Reply:
a) The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) draws reports of employees who are alleged to have conducted business with the State from the National Treasury’s Central Supplier Database (CSD) on a monthly basis and alert their departments to take appropriate steps and provide progress reports to the DPSA on action taken.
b) At the end of March 2019, National Treasury found 1068 employees alleged to have conducted business with the State (270 from national departments and 798 from provincial departments). In April 2020, the number increased to 1539 (this number was 1544, but Department of Trade and Industry confirmed that the 5 cases identified in their departments were in fact employees officially representing that department). A total of 1111 employees, possibly conducting business with the State, were from provincial departments, whilst 428 were from national departments. At the end of June 2021, the total number of employees alleged to have conducted business with the State has drastically decreased to 118, wherein 38 employees were from national departments whilst 80 were from provincial departments. This shows the effectiveness of interventions that the Public Service has introduced to eliminate this action.
c) The DPSA is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to assist with the investigations and prosecution of cases of employees who are criminally charged with conducting business with the State, in terms of the Public Administration Management Act, 2014. SAPS is currently investigating 17 employees who were alleged to be conducting business with the State and three of these cases have already been referred to the NPA for prosecution. One of these cases was enrolled in court. On a quarterly basis the DPSA also follows up with Departments to verify any disciplinary action taken against such employees alleged to have conducted business with the State.
End
23 September 2021 - NW2177
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What system does his department have in place to trace all the identity documents and other important documentation which were lost and/or destroyed during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July 2021; whether the citizens and/or Home Affairs clients have been informed of the specified procedure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. There were no identity documents lost in the Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng Provinces during the unrests. However, there were death registers which were recorded on the system waiting for dispatch and archival process by Head Office which were destroyed at the Baragwanath Mall office during the unrest due to a burst water pipe which resulted in the office being flooded.
In tracing the documents, the Department has registers to record all face value documents from Government Printing Works (GPW), and in this particular case DHA-5 forms come with unique serial numbers which are recorded on a register DHA-812 form as proof of receipt. The same documents are then issued to the sections/service points/health facilities in a sequential format and those are also signed for by the supervisor acknowledging receipt.
Upon issuance to the applicant after information is printed (death certificate) there is also a register signed by the client indicating a unique serial number issued. In the event that there is an error on a certificate and the latter gets cancelled, the cancelled certificate is recorded as such and crossed as cancelled to ensure that every serial number is accounted for.
2. According to the Standard Operating Procedure of birth and death registration, the clients are issued with death certificates on the spot and if the client requires a vault copy it is upon the client to lodge a formal request. all those who made requests were issued with death certificates and if there is a need for a vault copy. In terms of section 3 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992, the Director General may reproduce or cause to be reproduced any document submitted in terms of this Act, such as in this case.
END
23 September 2021 - NW2215
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What is the total number of estate agents who hold Fidelity Fund Certificates in each of the financial years from 1 April 2016 to date?
Reply:
Financial Year |
Total number of Fidelity Fund Certificates |
2015/16 |
43 729 |
2016/17 |
48 563 |
2017/18 |
49 645 |
2018/19 |
51 430 |
2019/20 |
47 356 |
2020/21 |
51 063 |
23 September 2021 - NW2223
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1293 on 9 July 2021, any client and/or user department has requested to use the Van Rooyen House of Horrors; if not, what process must the Capital Park Ratepayers and Residents Association follow to apply for use of the specified property as a centre; if so, which department and/or client?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
I have been informed by the Department that the DPWI has not received any request by any client to use the property. The Department has however, offered the property to the Department of Social Development and still await their response.
If the Department of Social Department indicates that they will not need the property, the DPWI may consider other organizations.
23 September 2021 - NW2260
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
In light of the fact that his department is facing a backlog that includes pre-COVID-19 permanent residence applications, and given that the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZPS) dispensation is set to expire on 31 December 2021, how does he plan to address the backlog of (a) permanent residence applications and (b) ZPS permit holders, with only a few months until the year is over?
Reply:
a) The Department has not been receiving Permanent Residence applications since March 2020. An extensive project plan to address the current Permanent Residence application backlog at all delegated approval levels was developed and implemented. Staff are currently working overtime until end of March 2022 in an attempt to address the backlog.
b) The Department is currently consulting the various Government clusters where after a Cabinet Memorandum will be presented to Cabinet for a final decision whether any further dispensation will be issued or not.
END
23 September 2021 - NW1792
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether her Office has conducted a study on the same or similar topic that was covered by a study that was recently published by The Lancet (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the full, relevant details; (2) what plans does her Office have to monitor the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in an increased number of orphanhood and caregiver deaths?
Reply:
1. The Department of Social Development has not conducted any study that is specific to orphan hood and therefore does not have the figures of children orphaned due to COVID-19. The causes of orphan-hood have not been tracked as yet, services are rendered to all children who are made vulnerable by different circumstances including those who are orphaned.
2. The department in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the children’s sector at the National Child Care and Protection Forum developed an Emergency Response Plan which is intended to ensure coordination and monitoring of services to children including the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in an increased number of orphanhood and caregiver deaths. The National Child Care and Protection Forum meets on quarterly basis and is a coordinated national structure to monitor implementation of services to children.
23 September 2021 - NW2118
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether any measures are being taken to prevent the escape from justice of the 11 suspected instigators announced by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms K P S Ntshavheni, then Acting Minister in The Presidency, particularly across the borders of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) are there enough human resources and/or manpower to do so; (2) Whether the said intelligence is being shared across all security cluster departments; if not, why not; if so, on what date was the intelligence shared?
Reply:
1. The task of preventing persons who face criminal charges is overseen by the South African Police Services. They ensure that the relevant details are recorded in the various departmental systems that can detect whether a person travelling through borders is a fugitive from justice. Further departments are meeting daily over the matters relating to this incident. There are relevant resources deployed for this purpose.
2. The information mentioned is shared through daily security cluster meetings at NATJOINTS.
END
23 September 2021 - NW2178
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the additional measures that he has put in place to ensure that (a) citizens in general and (b) citizens affected by the unrest that took place in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July 2021 will receive their identity documents on time and before the commencement of the local government elections?
Reply:
a) The Department has developed an ID distribution strategy and the following programs have been put in place to ensure that citizens receive their Identity documents on time before the commencement of the local government elections:
The Department has undertaken to prioritize its services to those who have applied for their identity documents ahead of the general elections by issuing election enabling documents, i.e. Identity Documents, and also to issue Temporary Identification Certificates (TIC’s) on the spot to those whose identity documents are lost.
- Targeted Communication intervention on uncollected Green Barcoded Identity Books and Smart Identity Cards.
- Provinces in collaboration with stakeholder forums will embark on public awareness campaigns for the distribution and collection of ID’s.
- Communities are encouraged to collect Identity documents already received at offices.
- Collections of ID smart cards are prioritised at all offices.
- Provinces to work with Stakeholders to deploy mobile units for people to collect their Green Barcoded Identity Books.
- Mobile Offices will be deployed to service a cluster of Voter Registration stations (Green Barcoded ID Books). Mobile trucks are also deployed in cooperation with the local government office of the premier to voter education programs throughout the provinces.
- Provincial managers to make announcement making use of local media.
- Rescan all Green Barcoded Identity Books on hand on track and trace to reactivate the Short Message System (SMS) to clients informing them to collect IDs.
- A contingency plan to provide back office support services, where its front offices are experiencing problems with issuance of ID’s and TIC’s enabling documents.
- Clients to contact the Call Centre using 0800 60 11 90 to establish the status of their Identity Documents.
- Lastly, the Department plans to extend its operational hours during the Voters Registration Weekend as well as on the scheduled Election day(s). It is against this backdrop that the Department has aligned its working hours with those announced by the Independent Electoral Commission(IEC). On the weekend of the 18th and 19th September 2021, all DHA offices will be opened in order to fast track the processing of identity document applications and to ensure that all persons who are legible to vote are not excluded from participating in the next upcoming local government elections.
b) There were no identity documents that got lost during the unrest of July 2021 in both KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng provinces. However, in KZN only three offices were accessed during the unrest namely Vulamehlo, Eshowe and Impendle. All three offices reported that no documents of value were lost during the unrest as the areas where the documents were stored were not accessed. In Gauteng province, at Bara Mall (Soweto) office only, death registers that were already recorded on the system and ready for dispatch for archival purposes were damaged during the unrest due to burst water pipes, however all citizens who were affected applied for death certificates, and received them the same day.
END
23 September 2021 - NW1850
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Police
What is the total number of school learners in each province who are facing criminal charges for any kind of assault that took place in school? NWW2075
Reply:
The total number of school learners, in each province, who are facing criminal charges for any kind of assault that took place in school, is reflected in the table below.
Find here: Number of assault cases reported in schools, per province, in 2020/2021
23 September 2021 - NW2239
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With reference her reply to question 1486 on 18 August 2020, what does the term in-house workshop under the service provider column explicitly mean?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
I have been informed by the Department that the term in-house workshop refers to full time employees of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) housed in the Workshop Section of the Facilities Management Branch. The Workshop undertakes various routine maintenance and repair activities on various facilities.
23 September 2021 - NW1964
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) total number of veterinarians in her department based in the Free State and (b)(i) current vacancy rate and (ii) date on which her department intends to fill the vacant positions; (2) what is the total number of veterinarians in each livestock unit of her department based in the Free State; (3) whether her department has implemented the compulsory service in the Free State; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what were the (a) prevailing animal diseases during the past financial year in the Free State and (b) interventions by her department to treat them?
Reply:
1. (a)The Free State Province has a total of fifteen (15) field veterinarian positions, ten (10) of these positions are filled.
(b)(i)There are five (5) positions that are currently vacant, and the department has advertised three (3) positions linked to the provincial budget.
(ii)The department plans to therefore to fill the three advertised positions as early as 1st October 2021.
2. The ratio of mature livestock unit is approximately 50000 livestock units to a veterinarian.
3. The Free State has implemented the compulsory community service with success, and the program has been running since inception in 2016. During 2021, the compulsory community service year the Free State Provincial Department is hosting 14 Veterinarians in the following eight (8) provincial clinics that are again distributed among the province’s five (5) Districts:
- a) Bloemfontein State Vet Clinic in Mangaung Metro;
- b) Thaba Nchu State Vet Clinic in Mangaung Metro;
- c) Qwa Qwa State Vet Clinic in Thabo Mofutsanyana;
- d) Kroonstad State Vet Clinic in Fezile Dabi;
- e) Ladybrand State Vet Clinic in Thabo Mofutsanyana;
- f) Fauresmith State Vet Clinic in Xhariep District;
- g) Welkom State Vet Clinic in Lejweleputswa District; and
- h) Heilbron State Vet Clinic in Fezile Dabi.
On average all the clinics are seeing an average 928 Clients per month. Each client brings to the clinics a minimum of two (2) animals. The clinics are providing assistance for both companion animals (dogs and cats) and farm animals (cattle sheep and goats). Primary animal health care remains the focus area of intervention at these clinics. Farmer extension services and farmer workshops are being offered to assist our rural emerging farmers to improve their livestock production.
4. (a) The Free State Province shares the same disease profile as the rest of the country. Bovine brucellosis, Bovine tuberculosis and Rabies continue to be recorded from time to time as a result of our field personnel performing routine disease surveillance function. The outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever also spread to the Free State Province, this being a result of movement of migratory wild water birds; as well as movement of pigs and pig products between different provinces (livestock auctions as possible route).
(b) The veterinary and para-veterinary personnel continue to implement disease prevention and disease control interventions as part of their day-to-day functions linked to these diseases.
23 September 2021 - NW2224
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1293 on 9 July 2021, the house was given to the Department of Social Development; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how was the house placed on auction on 1 July 2021; (2) whether the house was sold on the auction held on 1 July 2021; if not, has the house been given to the Department of Social Development; if so, (a) what was the amount realised from the sale and (b) to whom was the money paid; (3) whether the house was sold by the Real Estate Management section of her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (4) whether the proceeds of the sale of the house reflected in the bank account of the entity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I have been informed by the Department that the DPWI communicated its intention to transfer/allocate the said property to the Department of Social Development on 01 June 2021 and is still awaiting their response. The house was not placed on auction.
2. The DPWI did not sell the referenced property in an auction
(a) Not applicable;
(b) Not applicable
3. The referenced property is still under the custody of and reserved for Government purposes.
4. Not Applicable
23 September 2021 - NW2116
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with regard to the court outcome dated 28/02/2020 in the case of The Richtersveld Sida’ Hub Communal Property Association versus The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, an administrative plan has been put in place through the department of Rural Development and Land Reform as instructed by the court; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether employees have been appointed to implement the administrative plan, take all the necessary steps to comply with the terms of the order and are specifically authorised and instructed to perform the tasks of maintaining the affairs of the Richtersveld Sida’ Hub in good and proper order; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether (a) day to day management, (b) control of running expenses, (c) payments of ordinary running expenses, (d) maintenance and control over day-to-day financial processes, (e) updating of members’ register in line with the Communal Property Associations Act, Act 28 of 1996, and (f) mandating and instructing the auditors to prepare financial statements have been included in the administrative plan; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether assistance in terms of arranging the annual general meeting (AGM) and other meetings that may be required by the Richtersveld Sida’ Hub has been given; if not, why not; if so, on what date was each meeting held; (5) whether the Electoral Commission was asked to assist when the AGM was held to ensure that the nomination process was just and transparent; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, an administration plan has been submitted to Court by the Department as part of the application to place Richtersveld Sida Hub CPA under Judicial Administration, in terms of section 13 of the CPA Act.
2. Yes. Following the Northern Cape High Court order of 28 February 2020, in terms of court order number 961/2019, the Department appointed Honey Attorneys, represented by Mr Don Majiedt as the Judicial Administrator of Richtersveld Communal Property Association for a period of three (3) years. Mr Chris Viljoen has been appointed for a period of 6 months as an Accountant to do the bookings of the CPA from January 2015 to date.
3. (a),(b),(c),(d),(e),(f) Yes. It is part of the Administration Plan as per the court order number 961/2019.
4. Yes. As part of the Judicial Administration process and providing support to the CPA in terms of in terms of the CPA Act, the Department is legally obliged to assist the CPA in terms of arranging AGM and other meetings as indicated below:
Meeting |
Date Scheduled |
Annual General |
December 2021 |
Others: Special General Meeting |
20-23 September 2021 |
5. Yes. The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa; Northern Cape office has been asked for assistance but are unable to assist due to the coming local government elections. Department has appointed an independent election agency to assist with nominations and elections.
23 September 2021 - NW2068
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1) With reference to the reply to question 113 on 5 March 2021, wherein it is stated that, having taken cognisance of the National Home Builders Registration Council report, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) has since appointed independent engineers to oversee the corrective measures that are currently being implemented and in progress, what is the total cost of all independent engineers appointed by the HDA between January 2020 and April 2021; (2) Whether the tender specifications of the specified projects require that the full costs of all personnel and materials required in the construction of temporary residential units (TRUs) be borne by the contractors to whom the tender for each TRU construction project was awarded; if not, why not; if so, (3) Whether the costs of independent engineers will be recuperated from the contractors; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The total cost of appointment is R1 057 075.20.
2. A more information will be provided after having interacted with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Report on the matter.
3. N/A
23 September 2021 - NW2087
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)With regard to the Small Harbours Unit (SHU), what (a) progress has been made on establishing the SHU as a stand-alone unit and (b) was the total revenue generated by the SHU for the 2019-20 financial year; (2) whether any funding applications were approved in the (a) 2019-20 and (b) 2020-21 financial years; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) which of the funding applications were approved and (ii) what (aa) total amount was received, (bb) total amount was utilised and (cc) infrastructure was built as a result?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1:
a) The Small Harbours Unit has been located as a Chief Directorate within the Department’s Programme Management Office (PMO). The Small Harbours has been included as one of the 62 Strategic Integrated Projects of Government.
b) The Small Harbours portfolio of properties generated a total of R21 139 517.65 of revenue during the 2019/20 financial year.
2:
a) In the 2019/20 financial year the Small Harbours Unit applied for the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) and General Budget Support Programme (GBS) from National Treasury. The BFI approved R100 million. A total of R15 million under the GBS programme was allocated however no funding was received
The R100 million assisted the Small harbours Unit in completing the priority scope of work under the repair programme to the 13 proclaimed fishing harbours in the Western Cape. Part of the funding was directed to Saldanha and Pepper Bay harbours as the last two harbours in the programme to complete the upgrades to the slipway infrastructure, civil infrastructure upgrades, electrical infrastructure upgrades and security infrastructure upgrades.
b) The Small Harbours Unit did not apply for any funding applications in the 2020/21 financial year.
23 September 2021 - NW1867
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What number of (a) child murders and (b) child rapes took place in the (i) 2017- 18, (ii) 2018-19, (iii) 2019-20 and (iv) 2020-21 financial years; (2) what number of investigations into the specified cases led to a successful conviction for (a) child murder and (b) child rape in each specified year; (3) what (a) weapons were used to murder the child in each case and (b) number of the specified number of firearms were used by the registered owner in each case? NW2095E
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) to (iv) The number of child murders, which took place, in 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, is reflected in the table below:
(i) 2017-2018 |
(ii) 2018-2019 |
(iii) 2019-2020 |
(iv) 2020-2021 |
|
Total |
576 |
563 |
534 |
469 |
(1)(b)(i) to (iv) The number of child rapes, which took place, in 2017-2018, 2018- 2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, is reflected in the table below:
(i) 2017-2018 |
(ii) 2018-2019 |
(iii) 2019-2020 |
(iv) 2020-2021 |
|
Total |
11 656 |
11 665 |
11 380 |
10 552 |
(2)(a)(i) to (iv) The number of investigations into the specified cases for child murders, which resulted in successful convictions, in each specified year, is reflected in the table below:
Total |
(i) 2017-2018 |
(ii) 2018-2019 |
(iii) 2019-2020 |
(iv) 2020-2021 |
|
251 |
174 |
95 |
33 |
23 September 2021 - NW2152
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
1)What is the current total number (a) of children who are undocumented in the Republic and (b) of the specified children are born to (i) South African parents and (ii) foreign nationals; (2) what does his department intend to do to address the problem of children being rendered vulnerable due to being undocumented; (3) on what date is his department anticipated to have completed the project of collecting the biometrics of children (details furnished); (4) (a) what are the relevant details of the project on identity management and the biometrics associated with identity management that his department has embarked on with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, (b) how is it envisaged that these biometrics will help with cases involving missing children and (c) on what date is the policy set to be implemented if it is only due to be approved in 2023; (5) whether it will be possible to add the biometrics of children who were born before the date on which the project was implemented; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a-b) The Department does not have the records of undocumented children as the records at its disposal are of those who are documented; as such it is difficult to ascertain the number of the undocumented children being those born to South African parents or foreign nationals. Undocumented persons have to present themselves for registration on the National Population Register by the Department to achieve such.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is the national statistics agency of South Africa established under the Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999) with the aim to produce timely, accurate and accessible official statistics from the civil registration system. Within this system, the Department of Health is responsible for registration of births occurring in health facilities. The aim of government is to ensure that babies are registered and issued with birth certificates shortly after birth at health facilities, for collection of vital statistics which are important for planning and service delivery.
2. The Department operates within the legislative framework that prescribes registration of birth within thirty (30) days. The Department continues to conduct outreach programmes led by the Deputy Minister encouraging parents to register births of their children.
The Department of Home Affairs is in collaboration with International Social Services (ISS), which is a unit within the Department of Social Development that render inter-country social assistance, paying particular attention to destitute and vulnerable children who might have experienced social problems as a result of international migration.
The Department in its cooperation in ensuring the best interest of the child and safeguarding the smooth facilitation process during the child’s repatriation in collaboration with DSD. In the past three years the Department in co-operation with Department of Social Development facilitated repatriation of undocumented foreign children who are born to foreign nationals back to their countries of origin as follows;
Countries where foreign undocumented children repatriated to |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
Lesotho |
1 |
8 |
6 |
15 |
Zimbabwe |
|
|
28 |
28 |
Angola |
|
1 |
|
1 |
Botswana |
1 |
|
3 |
4 |
Nigeria |
|
|
2 |
2 |
Mozambique |
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
9 |
41 |
52 |
3. Further modernisation and integration of systems mean the DHA will introduce the Automated Biometric identification system (ABIS) which will enable capturing of more biometrics. The current Home Affairs National Identity System (HANIS) only records two (2) biometrics; that is, photos and finger prints. The ABIS will record at least five (5) biometrics; that is, fingerprints, palm print, facial, iris and photo recognition.
4. The Department had requested the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to look into a possible use/ introduction of biometrics associated with identity management for children. The DHA is still researching on the options such as foot/palm print, iris, DNA and fingerprint for children. However, the Official Identity Management policy which was approved by Cabinet for public consultation in the last financial year recommends that a combination of different biometric data for children should be considered with options such as the fingerprints, palm-prints and footprints. This will depend on the availability of proven technology. The policy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval by 31 March 2022. Once approved by Cabinet, the policy will be translated into a new Identification Act that will regulate capturing of personal information (biographic and biometric data) for all children born in South Africa.
5. The new legislation and ABIS will make it possible to capture biometrics of children born before the inception of the new approach to birth registration. It is envisaged that once the biometrics solution is in place, missing but found children could be easily identified through their fingerprints, and linked to their parents.
END
23 September 2021 - NW1969
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether the investigations of his department have revealed the officials who aided and abetted the escape of a certain person (name furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what steps is his department taking to identify departmental officials who aid and abet illegal migration either through (a) selling of fake and/or duplicate documents and/or (b) taking bribes in particular at the border posts?
Reply:
1. No Department officials have been identified as aiding and abetting the escape of the identified individual.
2. Under section 49 (5) of the Immigration Act, 2002, any public servant who provides false or intentionally inaccurate or unauthorised documentation or benefit to an illegal foreigner, or otherwise facilitates such illegal foreigner to disguise his or her identity or status, or accepts any undue financial or other consideration to perform an act or to exercise his or her discretion in terms of this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding eight years without the option of a fine: provided that if such public servant is employed by the department , such office shall be punishable by 15 years without the option of a fine.
END
23 September 2021 - NW2220
Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What (a) number of employment opportunities have been created by the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and (b) was the monthly salary for each employee; (2) whether the employees contributed towards the Unemployment Insurance Fund; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and (b) other contributions have the employees made?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. a) I have been informed by the Department that for the period from 01 April 2021 – 31 August 2021, a total of 3 466 work opportunities were reported in the EPWP Reporting System for participants who participated in various EPWP Projects implemented in the Greater Taung Local Municipality.
b) Based on the duration of work reflected as total employment days for each participant reported, participants were paid an average daily minimum wage rate of R97.50 which sums up to approximately R3 120 a month.
2. The Code of Good Practice on EPWP indicates that employers should comply with the Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001. However, based on the data reported in the EPWP Reporting System of EPWP participants in Greater Taung Municipality, the DPWI has noted that only the North West - Education and Sports Development have reported the payment of UIF contribution for participants to the value of R16 051. In cases where it’s reported that UIF has not been paid, the Department will request the proof of payment from those public bodies.
a) From the public bodies that implemented EPWP Projects in Greater Taung Municipality, there were no reports of the UIF payments for the participants captured in the EPWP Reporting System. To ensure the information on UIF is reported, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) will engage the public bodies who have not reported on the UIF payments for participants in the EPWP Reporting System. In the event that there is non-compliance by public bodies towards the payment of UIF for participants, the Unemployment Insurance Act provides for enforcement measures to be undertaken by a Labour Inspector.
(b) From the information required to be reported in the EPWP Reporting System, there are no other contributions reflected made by the employers. The information on any payments made to EPWP Participants by employers reside with the public bodies.
23 September 2021 - NW2265
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
In light of the fact that her department has noted that there is a fine line between adoption and the sale of a child, what total number of cases (a) is her department aware of where South African children have been trafficked through adoptions and (b) were intercountry adoptions?
Reply:
a) The department is not aware of any South African children trafficked through adoption. Thus, there is no statistics of children trafficked through adoption. The department only have statistics of children legally adopted through intercountry adoption.
b) are three thousand three hundred and fifteen (3 315) intercountry adoptions recorded in the adoption register from 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2021. The following reflects the breakdown according to financial year:
Period |
Intercountry Adoptions |
1 April 2004 – 31 March 2005 |
239 |
1 April 2005 – 31 March 2006 |
248 |
1 April 2006 – 31 March 2007 |
256 |
1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008 |
231 |
1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 |
218 |
1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010 |
234 |
1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011 |
200 |
1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012 |
194 |
1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 |
177 |
1 April 2013 – 31 March 2014 |
212 |
1 April 2014 – 31 March 2015 |
250 |
1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016 |
187 |
1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017 |
149 |
Period |
Intercountry Adoptions |
1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018 |
153 |
1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 |
151 |
1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020 |
156 |
1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021 |
60 |
TOTAL |
3 315 |
23 September 2021 - NW2205
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) total number of land claims are currently instituted against land of the SA Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL), (b) is the status of each specified land claim and (c)(i) total number of claims have been settled and (ii) is hampering the settling of the land claims; (2) whether any title deeds have been handed over to the local folk in terms of the process; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what role has the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform played in order to deal with the land claims relating to SAFCOL?
Reply:
1. (a), (b), (c )(i)(ii) Attached as Annexure A
2. Attached as Annexure A
3. Attached as Annexure A
END