Questions and Replies
08 January 2024 - NW2533
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
1) With reference to his reply to question 882 on 24 July 2023. What is the reason that no response was furnished to paragraphs (2) and (3) although he explains in the same response that stolen firearms that are sold by members of the SA Police Service are investigated by Project Impi; 2) What (a) total number of the stolen firearms that were directly linked to the former Col Christiaan Prinsloo and David Charles Naidoo were recovered to date and (b) number of murders are linked to the specified firearms?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 January 2024 - NW3246
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What was the total expenditure incurred by her Office in relation to the (i) BRICS Summit in August 2023 and (ii) BRICS Parliamentary Forum in September 2023?
Reply:
The total amount of R 10 571 360.75 was utilized for BRICS related expenditure. We do not have the split with regards to the Summit and the Parliamentary Forum.
REPLY COORDINATOR
Name :
Designation :
Contacts :
Recommended / Not recommended
___________________________
Ambassador Thembisile C Majola
Director-General: State Security Agency
Date:
Approved / Not Approved
________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni , MP,
Minister in The Presidency
Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3633
Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What (a) number of board meetings and/or operational planning meetings of state-owned enterprises that report to him did he attend in (i) the past two financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 and (b) was the purpose of each meeting he attended?
Reply:
The Minister does not attend operational meetings. The Minister attends board meetings.
Alexkor
(a)(i) 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Reporting Period
- The current interim board of Alexkor was appointed in February 2022 and the Minister convened an introductory meeting with the Interim Board on 7 February 2022.
- A meeting took place on 18 March 2022 following the first board meeting to provide feedback and receive guidance from the shareholder.
- The 2021 AGM took place on 27 May 2022.
- A meeting took place on 5 August 2022 following the strategy session of the board to provide feedback and receive guidance from the shareholder.
- There was continuous telephonic interaction between the chair of the board and the Minister and Deputy Minister in the course of the 2022/2023 reporting period.
(ii) 2023/2024 Reporting Period to date
- The newly appointed Deputy Minister attended the board meeting on 28 April 2023 to be briefed by the board and provide guidance from the shareholder.
- A meeting took place on 10 August 2023 to discuss the future of Alexkor and, following the strategy session of the board, to provide feedback and receive guidance from the shareholder.
- The Deputy Minister attended the Alexkor RMC PSJV board meeting on 11 August 2023 to meet the newly reconstituted PSJV board and provide guidance from the shareholder.
- The 2022 AGM took place on 29 September 2023.
- There is continuous telephonic interaction between the chair of the board and the Minister and Deputy Minister in the current reporting period.
Denel
(a)(i) Board meeting: 05 April
(b) Annual General Meetings
Please note that the Deputy Minister is also delegated to deal with Denel matters.
Eskom
|
Safcol
(a) (i) Annual General Meeting on 28 September 2021
(ii) Annual General Meeting on 23 September 2022
(iii) Annual General Meeting on 28 September 2023
|
Transnet
(a)(i) Number of board and/or operational planning meetings attended in the past two financial years (FY) |
(a)(ii) Number of board and/or operational planning meetings attended since 1 April 2023 |
2021/22FY (1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022) - 2 (two) |
7 (seven) since 1 April 2023 |
2022/23FY (1 April 2022 – 30 April 2023) - 9 (nine) |
|
(b) Purpose of each meeting |
|
Meetings attended during the 2021/22 FY |
|
21 October 2021 |
Meeting with Transnet |
11 January 2022 |
Transnet / SONA |
Meetings attended during the 2022/23 FY |
|
6 May 2022 |
Briefing by TNPA |
12 May 2022 |
Follow-up meeting regarding TNPA matters |
20 May 2022 |
DPE Budget Vote |
27 June 2022 |
Transnet Zondo Report |
26 July 2022 |
Briefing by the Board on Transnet AGM of 27 July 2022 |
27 July 2022 |
Transnet AGM |
5 August 2022 |
Transnet Container Corridor |
28 November 2022 |
Vulindlela – Transnet - DPE |
29 November 2022 |
Trilateral meeting: Vulindlela, DPE and Transnet |
Meetings attended from 1 April 2023 to date |
|
21 June 2023 |
Meeting with the Transnet Board |
11 July 2023 |
Meeting with Shareholder Minister |
18 July 2023 |
Transnet New Board Members |
5 September 2023 |
SCOPA Review of 2021-22FY Annual Report, Irregular and wasteful expenditure of Transnet |
Meetings attended from 1 April 2023 to date (continued) |
|
28 October 2023 |
Transnet Turnaround Plan by Board |
29 October 2023 |
Engagement with SATAWU/Shareholder/Transnet Board |
13 November 2023 |
Workshop: DPE/AGSA/SOEs on Budgetary Review (BRRR) |
South African Airways (SAA)
a) (i) 22 November 2021
22 February 2022
10 November 2023
(ii) The three meetings attended by the Minister was for the purpose of Annual General Meetings (AGM)
Remarks: Reply: Approved /Not approved/Comments
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3732
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
Considering that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has launched a customer relations management tool to improve the finalisation of RAF claims, (a) what total number of (i) claims have been finalised since the launch of the specified programme and (ii) cases are still outstanding and (b) how long will it take to clear the backlog?
Reply:
(a)(i) The Customer Relations Management (CRM) solution is not a claims processing solution, but a Customer contact solution that provides communication platform with claimants and other stakeholders, where claimants can interact with the RAF to enquire and follow up all claims related matters. The CRM solution intends to centralise and optimize all queries handling and become a central point for all key communication information. The solution.
(ii) N/A
(b) We hope that the CRM solution will assist with expediting resolution of the claims backlog.
It must however be noted that if we continue to pay in lumpsums, the backlog may take up to five years to clear, because of liquidity challenges, however; if the legislative changes proposed in the RAF amendment Bill are approved and enable the RAF to pay in instalments for loss of earnings and loss of support benefits, then the backlog could be cleared in less than two years.
08 January 2024 - NW1394
Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Whether, with reference to the reply to question 268 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she and/or any member of her Office has met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since her appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting occur, (b) who was present at each meeting, (c) at whose request did each meeting take place and (d) what was discussed at each meeting?
Reply:
No, I have not, to the best of my knowledge, met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since my appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
08 January 2024 - NW2605
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)(a) What is the name of each company that will be created out of the unbundling of Eskom, (b) who is the director of each specified company, (c) what is the composition of their boards and (d) what are the relevant details of the initial capitalisation of each company; (2) whether he will furnish Mr N F Shivambu with the memoranda of incorporation of each company; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a)
- The Transmission Division will become the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA SOC)
- The Distribution Division will become the National Electricity Distribution Company South Africa (NEDCSA SOC)
(1)(b)
The National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) currently has the following directors:
- Elsie Pule
- Calib Cassim
- Segomoco Scheppers
The National Electricity Distribution Company of South Africa currently has the below-mentioned directors:
- Elsie Pule
- Calib Cassim
- Monde Bala
It must be noted that Mr de Ruyter is being replaced by Ms Elsie Pule on boards of the above two entities. So, in the near future Mr de Ruyter will not reflect as a director. It is to be noted that the removal of Mr de Ruyter from CIPC had been delayed by the lack of a recently certified ID copy from him and CIPC refused to make a change without a recently certified ID. The companies have since prepared an affidavit for consideration by CIPC to enable the deregistration of Mr de Ruyter as a director.
(c )
One African male, one coloured male and one African woman.
(d)
Details entailed in the MOI are attached.
(2)
MOI attached.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW2285
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether, with reference to the institution of an inquiry by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, into matters surrounding the docking of the Russian vessel, Lady R, in Simonstown in December 2022, the import permits granted in 2019 and 2020 were still valid to offload Russian ammunition while the ship was docked and/or any applications for export permits for munitions to be loaded onto the specified vessel were received; if not, was the validity of the import permits extended by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee; if so, what are the details and reasons that the extension and the export permit application were not reported to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence?
Reply:
- The NCACC confirms that the import permits granted in 2019 and 2020 were not valid at the time of the offloading Russian ammunition while the ship was docked and/or any applications for export permits for munitions to be loaded onto the specified vessel were received.
- This is because the Permits issued at any given time have a limited lifespan and may only be extended to keep these valid but the extension in terms of legislation is limited. When such a time frame lapses so does the validity of the Permit. Thus, it goes without saying that the Import Permit issued in 2019 and 2020, would have lapsed.
- The Export Permits of munitions to be loaded on the specific vessel do not arise, since the NCACC has not received any application for such export permits therefore none would/were issued.
- Further, the Judge Mojapelo (retired) Panel Report also vindicated the NCACC by concluding that no ammunition was loaded onto that specific vessel.
- The Import Permits which were used in 2022 are linked to the same Order and Purchase by the Importer. However, the Order and Purchase are purely a commercial transaction and are not regulated under the NCAC Act.
- The Importer is entitled that in pursuance of their commercial interests to apply to the NCACC and should enjoy the full consideration by the Conventional Arms Control processes. This the Importer complied with in 2022 and was issued with the necessary Import Permits.
- The Importer applied for the Import Permits and these were issued as follows:
PERMIT 1
(a) Import Permit IM0036810 which is the Final Import Permit that was issued and signed by the Secretariat of the NCACC in order for the Vessel that was carrying Equipment. This permit is referencing both Order Numbers of Armscor: KP467230/1 and KP467233. Further, this Import Permit also indicates that it is a replacement permit that replaced IM0036672, which had been cancelled earlier.
PERMIT 2
(b) The final issuing of Import Permit no IM0036677 was issued by the Secretariat as a result of a request for cancellation and an issue. This transaction resulted in the Permit being issued under a changed Import Permit to IM0036814 by the Importer.
Finally, the report(s) by the NCACC to Parliament in terms of s23 of the NCAC Act are compiled in a predetermined manner. Thus, ensuring consistency and probity when the respective Parliamentary Committee(s) have to exercise their Oversight Role.
Therefore, it is not an omission by the NCACC that the Export Permit(s) was not reported to Parliament. Such reporting is done/provided based on applications received and processed. Since no Export Permit was received by the NCACC, no report can be furnished to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD).
I trust that this enables the Member to fully appreciate and accept the factual aspects of the matters at hand.
Thank You.
08 January 2024 - NW3068
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1)On what date(s) did the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) hold its scheduled meetings in the (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023 calendar years to consider applications for all the (i) import and (ii) export permit applications as defined by the National Conventional Arms Control Act, Act 41 of 2002; (2) whether the NCACC has considered the instability that prevailed between Russia and Ukraine in both 2021 and 2022; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether the NCACC has considered any applications for imports and exports to and from Belarus, which has provided its territory to Russia since its first attacks on Ukraine, actively supported and participated in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and now houses the Russian Wagner private military group; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1.
1.1 The NCACC Meetings are scheduled to take place on the last Thursday of each month from February to November in each year. Dates of scheduled NCACC meetings for 2021, 2022 and 2023 are as follows:
1.2 The 2021 meetings though scheduled as per ussual, were held virtually due to the protocols that were under COVID 19 Controls as prescribed under the State of Disaster as proclaimed at the time.
A. 2021
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
25 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
29 |
26 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
B. 2022
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
24 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
C. 2023
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
23 |
30 |
27 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
30 |
2.
2.1 The NCACC applies the provisions of s15 of the NCACC Act (as amended) to evaluate and approve application(s), presented for such consideration. The NCACC has not considered and approved any applications to export to Russia and/or the Ukraine. Unless there were any such transfers, in contradiction to s15 of the Act, the contradiction of s15 of the Act would have been a conterpoint of consideration. However, given that none were considered, s15 has been applied without fail.
2.2 Importation of equipment from Russia and/or the Ukraine would not have come into contention, since the importation of controlled items seeks not/does not contribute destabilization of the Region. But, contributes to South Africa’s defensive needs.
3.
3.1 The NCACC is provided with intelligence reports on a systematized frequency and this subscribes to the manner of the criteria contained in various estimates. The reports also target the type of equipment for assessment in terms of whether such transfers are in line with both our domestic and international obligations. Key to this assessment is the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) that include arms embargo.
3.2 At no stage of assessment could the aspect of Belarus and/or the Wagner Group constitute an identified risk to consider at the time. Further, the applications that were destined for such a country would have come under scrutiny, given the applicable criteria of the NCACC Act.
3.3 Thus the question does not arise, other than it being postulate.
Thank you.
08 January 2024 - NW3771
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)(a) What total number of heads of department (HODs) and Directors-General (DGs) were on suspension with full pay in the (i) 2020-21, (ii) 2021-22 and (iii) 2022-23 financial years and (b) in which department was each HOD or DG employed in each case; (2) what (a) were the reasons for the suspension in each case and (b) was the duration of the suspension and (c) total amount was paid in salaries for the duration of their suspension?
Reply:
The question falls out of the scope of my portfolio it should be directed to the Minister of Public Services and Administration.
NAME OF THE DRAFTER :
DESIGNATION :
CONTACT DETAILS :
SIGNATURE : ____________________________
_____________________________
Phindile Baleni (Ms)
Director General and Secretary of Cabinet
Date:
__________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3761
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Noting that The Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) has the poorest Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecard of Level 9, which is non-compliant compared to all other state-owned enterprises, what are the reasons that Eskom continues to conduct business with PetroSA when Eskom can get a cheaper product from service providers other than PetroSA?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom:
Eskom follows an open, fair, transparent, and competitive procurement processes in sourcing its goods and services as prescribed by National Treasury Regulations, Eskom Procurement Policy and Procedure (32 – 1034), as well as the legislative requirements (PPPFA, BEE, NIPP, etc). These processes entail:
- A robust selection process to appoint qualifying suppliers to provide goods and services using the following criteria: 1) Technical capability and capacity, 2) Quality and competitiveness, 3) BEE, and 4) Price.
- Once the suppliers have been identified through this process, a ranking based on preference points (price and BEE) is used to select the highest-ranked supplier to be awarded a contract.
An open market tender process was followed to award PetroSA
- The process described above was undertaken to award the current contracts for fuel supply where PetroSA was the highest ranked (BEE level 4 and competitive price = discount of wholesale price) at the point of award (2019).
- This was submitted and approved by the delegated approval authority (DAA).
- These contracts will expire in September 2024 and a similar process is currently underway to source suppliers to replace the existing contracts.
Concern over high price
- At the time of the award, PetroSA offered the highest discount/litre compared to other bidders.
Detailed market analysis
- Eskom conducts a market analysis for benchmarking purposes and scans the market for potential new entrants.
- Eskom also monitors the market in search of opportunities for price renegotiations where possible.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3528
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
(1) What urgent steps of intervention has she taken to create job opportunities for youth, in particular graduates, since she assumed office; (2) whether there has been any discussion to legislate job seeking allowances for unemployment graduates who seek employment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Addressing the youth unemployment challenge requires all of society to intervene. It requires all spheres of government to prioritise the creation business and employment opportunities for the Youth. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), plays a coordinating role in the all-of-government intervention particularly as the budget of the DWYPD is not proportional to the scale of the youth unemployment challenge in the Republic.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is part of Project Management Unit (PMU) established by government and placed at The Presidency. Through the PMU, the Presidency, (NYDA), and the DWYPD, are implementing the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) as a response of the sixth administration to impact on jobs and livelihoods. Using direct public investment, the PES supports job creation, job protection, and livelihood support programmes as part of a wider economic recovery progress. The PES has created 1 098 304 work and livelihood opportunities for unemployed South Africans. Of the participants, 84% are youth and 62% are women.
As part of the Employment Stimulus, the Department of Higher Education and Training is supporting a graduate placement programme in 21 universities - because even for graduates, lack of work experience creates barriers to labour market entry. These placements are for work that allows graduates to apply their skills in relation to their field of study, in order to directly enhance relevant work experience. University departments have been invited to create meaningful opportunities for graduates and in so doing increase their research and academic support capacity. 1052 graduates have benefitted from the programme.
The DWYPD also amended its 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan (APP) to include new priorities for implementation with various stakeholders within and outside of government that are aimed at creating jobs for youth, including for the graduates. These initiatives include:
a) SANDF-led National Service (NS) – To address the current state of poverty, idleness, and general economic inactivity among our vulnerable population in general and the youth in particular, the SANDF led NYS programme is being introduced to build the youths’ character, empower them to serve in their communities, inculcate discipline and a sense of patriotism, train youth in leadership and entrepreneurship; and then provide them with technical capacity building in value chain driven sector specific industries with high absorption capacity. The training streams will range from food and agriculture value chain; oceans economy and maritime skills; engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure development; digital technologies and platform economies; and defense industries, public safety and security stream. The programme participants will be trained to be resilient and self-sustaining and then linked with job opportunities in diverse sectors.
Cabinet has asked us to work with the following Departments who have the financial capacity to support elements of the National Service:
- Department of Higher Education and Training
- Department of Transport
- Department of Forestry Fisheries and environment
- COGTA
- Department of Basic Education
- Department of Employment and Labour
- Department of Human Settlement
b) Integrated Farming Value Chain Cooperatives - To address the key challenges of poverty, weakened livelihoods, hunger, limited or no economic opportunities, little to no income as well as inadequate access to resources contributing to the cycle of poverty, the DWYPD is mobilising women, youth, and persons with disabilities, particularly those in poor rural communities to establish integrated farming value chain cooperatives.
Additionally, the department is also partnering with the CSIR in the development of a national goat commercialization pilot project in all the 9 provinces. The goat farming value chain is identified as an initial focus area, because goat farming in South African has been practised since time immemorial, yet this sector has not been fully exploited for optimal economic value.
We are also working with the Department of Agriculture in implementing this program. We have also approached the Private Sector to support the beneficiaries of the farming value chain cooperatives.
c) Community Micro Bakery Training Projects – DWYPD will provide bakery training for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in some of the poorest districts in local municipalities, so that they can participate in this growing industry in order to reduce the impact of extreme poverty, unemployment, create community wealth, raise household incomes, and restore livelihoods as well as basic socio-economic insecurity. Once trained, the programme participants will be supported to become entrepreneurs thus facilitating their economic self-reliance whilst contributing to an all-of-government’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
2. The National Treasury is better placed to respond on discussions to legislate job seeking allowances for unemployed graduates who seek employment. This part of the question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for reply.
08 January 2024 - NW3212
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
(1)On what date (a) did the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, and the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity, Dr K Ramokgopa, sign a performance agreement and (b) will the performance agreement lapse;
Reply:
(1) (a) The President and the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity, Dr K Ramokgopa signed a performance agreement on 31 July 2023 and (b) the performance agreement is until the end of the 2023/2024 financial year (31 March 2024);
(2) No. I will not furnish Ms S J Graham with a copy of the performance agreement; as it is an agreement is between the President and the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity;
(3) President meets regularly with Ministers to assess progress in their portfolios. Whilst the Minister in the Presidency for Electricity provides regular progress with regard to the performance of his portfolio. In addition, the management of the performance of ministers is a prerogative of the President in terms of the Constitution.
08 January 2024 - NW3433
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
What measures have been taken to accommodate employees from closed post offices; 2. what (a) measures have been put in place to facilitate the payment of stipends and grants which would ordinarily have been paid at the closed Post Offices, (b) number of beneficiaries have been affected and (c) measures have been taken to assist the affected beneficiaries, including the means of communication?
Reply:
1. Employees from closed Post Offices are offered redeployment to other workplaces based on staffing requirements.
(2)(a) Beneficiaries are referred to the nearest branches, retailers and banks for access to their grants.
(2)(b) SAPO has closed a number of branches nationwide, and amongst the closed branches are SASSA paying offices. The SAPO does not have a measure of determining the number of affected beneficiaries as a result of closed branches.
(2)(c) The process below is followed when a branch is closed:
- SASSA beneficiaries are referred to nearest branches, retailers and banks for assistance.
- For a planned closure – a board indicating the intention to close is displayed prior to the actual closure for customer information. An SMS is sent to branch customers where the cell phone details are known.
- For forced closure – a notice indicating closed status is displayed and left on the property for customer information.
- List of closed branches is shared with SASSA for further communication with beneficiaries.
- The list of closed offices is also placed on the SAPO website and updated weekly with details of alternative offices. The process has proven effective as beneficiaries have a choice to use retailers or banks.
Thank You.
08 January 2024 - NW1635
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(a) For what total number of days has a certain person (name and details furnished) been on suspension, (b) what are the (i) circumstances surrounding the specified person’s suspension and (ii) reasons that the person was suspended and (c) what total amount has the State spent to date on the continued suspension?
Reply:
(a) As at 25 May 2023, the specified employee has been on suspension for approximately 654 working days owing to: 1) delays imposed by the employee in respect to disciplinary process, which was kickstarted within the prescribed 60 days period, and 2) the passing away of the chairperson of the disciplinary committee.
(b)(i) The employee is alleged to have committed serious misconduct (29 charges) including several allegations of prejudicing the administration of the department, failing to carry out lawful instructions, abuse, insolence and gross insubordination. The prolonged suspension is as a result of the protracted processes and applications that had to be dealt with within this process in different forum. To expedite the matter, the Director-General: DPSA, as the disciplining authority, has referred the matter to the GPSSBC as a hearing under section 188A(11) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 triggered by the passing of the Chairperson of the disciplinary process, amongst others.
(ii) A professional public service starts with holding senior officials accountable to the highest standards of behaviour, decorum and ethics. The DPSA, as the leader of the charge to build a professional, ethical and capable State and the custodian of ensuring that the public service adheres to these enshrined Constitutional principles, must itself live and achieve this goal. Employees within the DPSA have a higher responsibility to act in a manner becoming of these aspirations. The employee in this instance has fundamentally failed in his/her responsibilities and was suspended as his/her continued presence in the workplace would jeopardise the current disciplinary processes, interfere with witnesses and actively undermine the administration of the department to the extent that key work of the department and public service at large would be hamstrung.
(c ) The employee is suspended on full pay, as per section 188A of the Labour Relations Act, read with the Disciplinary Code and Procedures contained in Chapter 7 of the Senior Management Services Handbook. Despite the delays not being at the instance of the Department, the Department is obliged to continue to pay the employee as there is no authority for an unpaid suspension. The DPSA is reviewing the relevant disciplinary codes to ensure that matters such as these are not a phenomenon that plagues the public service. The employees’ rights to fair labour practices must be balanced against the State's ability to hold public servants accountable for their conduct or misconduct. The Department is not in a position to share further details as the case is ongoing.
End
08 January 2024 - NW2834
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he has found that Eskom assets are being sold off to private companies; if not what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will remain resolute in the face of opposition by encouraging public-private partnerships at (a) Eskom and (b) Transnet; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. No part of Eskom’s restructuring involves selling any of its assets. Eskom is being restructured into three separate and distinct subsidiaries – generation, transmission and distribution – which will be 100 percent wholly owned by the State.
2. Public-private partnerships have previously been acknowledged as a way to unlock critical investment opportunities for the SOEs. They are also critical in helping the state to address competing fiscal priorities by making SOEs more financially sustainable and self-reliant. These partnerships also enable crowding in of appropriate skills and capital. This ensures that the national interest is best served by creating a collaborative ethos among all stakeholders, including labour.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW1395
Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Whether, with reference to the reply to question 73 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she has ever met two certain persons (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the name of the specified company; if not, what is the position in each specified case; if so, in each case, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting take place, (b) who was present at each meeting and (c) what was discussed at each meeting?
Reply:
No.
As the Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs, I was never part of a meeting with the referenced individuals.
08 January 2024 - NW3746
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Noting the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, what measures are being taken to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of the Republic and protect the personal data and privacy of citizens and businesses?
Reply:
In 2016, the Department established the national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), namely the Cybersecurity Hub, as per the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework of 2015. The Cybersecurity Hub acts as the national CSIRT responsible for the private sector and citizens. It delivers various services including, among others, incident coordination, cybersecurity assessment and advisory services, cybersecurity awareness building and collaboration with private sector industry bodies tasked with issues of cybersecurity.
Measures taken to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities and protect the personal data and privacy of citizens and businesses include the following:
1. The Department in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education developed a Cybersecurity Schools Toolkit for Teachers, Parents and Learners which is freely available in digital and printed format. The School’s Toolkit was developed in order to equip teachers (and other caregivers) to educate learners on how to create and adapt to a cyber safety mindset and culture.
2. The Department also has a programme on child online protection which focuses on providing information to children, specifically girls on how to stay safe online and what to study at school to follow careers in the field of cybersecurity.
3. The Department led the development of a Cybersecurity Toolkit for SMMEs in collaboration with the Information Regulator, which is freely available in digital format. Training on the use of the toolkit was launched in November 2021 and included a provincial rollout which is currently underway. The SMME Toolkit provides the tools and knowledge to better guard against cybersecurity risks and drive greater compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2023 and international data protection legislation.
Thank You.
08 January 2024 - NW3546
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
As the custodian of the National Development Plan (NDP) that promotes the capacitybuilding of the State, what specific guidance did her Office give to the National Treasury not to work against the implementation of the NDP? [
Reply:
The Government has translated the Capacity of the State into Priority One which binds all Government Department including National Treasury. All government department participate in the implementation of the NDP, in terms of the MTSF.
This priority addresses the social, economic and governance issues that cuts across all government that affects all of society. The NDP remains the country’s guide and serves to inform all short- and medium-term plans including the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
08 January 2024 - NW3839
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
What plans has her Office put in place to monitor the extent of the demographical representation of the disability sector (details furnished) in the (a) Public Service and (b) private sector?
Reply:
The DWYPD analyses draft annual performance plans (APPs) of government departments with an aim to assess whether they are disability responsive in terms of indicators and targets in the APPs. Technical Feedback is provided by the DWYPD to and they are encouraged to disaggregate data for all its programmes and services according to sex, age and disabilities of beneficiaries. An annual progress report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD) is developed where the number of persons with disabilities included in the various programmes including employment and procurement equity targets are captured, and submitted to Cabinet to provide a determination of the extent to which persons with disabilities are being included and represented in the different areas within the departments. The Department of Public Service and Administration produces its annual report where it outlines the number of persons with disabilities employed by government over the financial year. National Treasury is required to provide a report to the DWYPD highlighting the number of disability owned companies who benefited from the national procurement spend of government through its budget tagging system. The Commission for Employment Equity also provides data on the number of persons with disabilities employed by the private sector and national, Provincial and local government spheres.
STATS SA in partnership with the DWYPD have established the Disability Advisory Group (DAG) consisting of experts from the disability sector, academic institutions, civil society organisations and government departments, which will work in finalising the report on the standardisation of disability in administrative data with the World Bank. The Disability Advisory Group met on 18 August 2022 and on 5 December 2023 and have prioritised the definition of disability so as to ensure that the measure of disability is standardised and harmonised across society. The Disability Advisory Group will also provide assistance in research and development of disability statistics to ensure that the demographic data on disability is accurate and effectively collected and monitored to assist with proper planning, monitoring and reporting.
To this end, the DWYPD will endeavour to build relationships with academic institutions, research institutions, donor funders and civil society organisations to build research partnerships and also engage multiple stakeholders to advance evidence based policies and programmes aimed to reach the diverse disabled population group.
Among sources which may be used to respond and provide information on key indicators are: Data from Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Surveys; Departmental Annual and Research Reports; data from the 2016 South African Demographic Health survey, the 2022 census, SAPS quarterly Crime Stats and the Commission on Employment Equity annual Report.
The monitoring and evaluation that the DWYPD undertakes is in line with the 5 year policy priorities as defined in the MTSF 2019/2024. In planning for the medium-term projects, the programme is always directed towards interventions directed to women, youth and persons with disabilities particularly the most vulnerable, including the elderly, women with disabilities and those from poor households, including in informal settlements and rural areas.
08 January 2024 - NW3605
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether her Office has contributed towards the training and/or upskilling of youth agri-preneurs in rural areas in the current financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) how was thee training and/or upskilling done and (b) what total (i) number of youth were beneficiaries and (ii) amount was spent in this regard?
Reply:
The Presidential Employment Stimulus is coordinated by the Presidency while the budgets and implementation sit with line departments
The pandemic illustrated the vulnerability of our food production and distribution systems. Although exempt from the strictest lockdown regulations, the sector faced severe challenges with disruptions to production and marketing experienced by many small-scale farmers. The Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided production input vouchers to subsistence farmers, to assist them back into production.
In the 2022/ 23 financial year, a total of 104, 906 beneficiaries were reached with vouchers using rollover funds. This is made up of 70% female and 30% male. In the current financial year, a further 17,000 beneficiaries were added to the programme.
Presidential Employment Stimulus – Dashboard is available on www.sons.gov.za
NAME OF THE DRAFTER :
DESIGNATION :
CONTACT DETAILS :
SIGNATURE : ____________________________
_____________________________
Phindile Baleni (Ms)
Director General and Secretary of Cabinet
Date:
__________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date:
08 January 2024 - NW211
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
(1)(a) Please refer to the table below.
(1)(a) |
Reason for travel |
||
Minister |
July/August 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Addis Ababa/ Cook Islands/ Lome (Togo)/Porto Novo, Benin / Cook Islands/ Lome (Togo)/ Lagos/ Johannesburg |
Attended a conference on Songhai farming methods and protecting Natural Resources. |
Minister |
September 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Accra Ghana/ Johannesburg |
Attended 2019 African Green Revolution Forum |
Minister |
Oct/Nov 2019 |
Johannesburg/ Addis Ababa/ Johannesburg |
Attended High level Food Security & Nutrition Conference |
Minister |
November 2019 |
Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Abidjan/ Entebe Uganda |
Attended Land Policy Conference in Africa |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Johannesburg / Lome (Togo)/Addis Ababa/ Dubai |
Attended State visits to Guinea Conakry, Ghana and Togo |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Lome (Togo)/Addis Ababa/ Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Addis Ababa/ Dubai |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa /Addis Ababa/Johannesburg/ Johannesburg |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Dubai/ Wuhan/ Sanya (China) |
Attended state visit to China |
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa/ Doha/ Johannesburg |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Pekoa / Sanya /Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2019 |
Sanya /Pekoa |
|
Minister |
December 2021 |
Abidjan/Accra |
Attended State Visit to Abidjan, Cote D”Ivoire and Ghana |
Minister |
March 2022 |
Dubai: United Arab Emirates, |
Commemoration of the South African National Day of the Dubai Expo |
Minister |
June 2022 |
Johannesburg / Berlin – Germany / Johannesburg |
Ministerial Conference on Food Insecurity |
Minister |
June 2022 |
Johannesburg /Addis/ Geneva / Addis / Johannesburg |
Attended WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Jeddah / Johannesburg |
Attended State visit to Saudi Arabia |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Paris / Johannesburg |
Attended the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting of agriculture ministers |
Minister |
October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Johannesburg |
Attended the High Level Food and Security and Nutrition Conference. |
Minister |
November 2022 |
Nairobi Kenya |
Attended state visit |
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BY DM CAPA
DM |
Date |
Destination |
Reason for travel |
DM Capa |
February 2023 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Addis Ababa/ Cape Town |
Attended the investors’ roundtable common African Agro Park (CAAPs) programme held on the margins of the 36th Ordinary session of the African Union (AU) assembly. |
DM Capa |
Sept/October 2022 |
Johannesburg / Indonesia/ Johannesburg |
G20 Agriculture Ministerial meeting |
DM Capa |
November 2022 |
Johannesburg / Muscat: Oman / Johannesburg |
Attended the Third Global High Level Conference on Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR). |
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BY DM SKWATSHA
DM |
Date |
Destination |
Reason for travel |
DM Skwatsha |
November 2021 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Geneva/ Johannesburg / Cape Town |
Cancelled due to COVID 19 travel restrictions (12th WTO Ministerial Conference) |
DM Skwatsha |
September 2022 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg / Cairo/Johannesburg / Cape Town |
Attending COP 27 |
DM Skwatsha |
November 2022 |
Cape Town / Johannesburg/ Entebbe/ Johannesburg/ Cape Town |
12th Conference of Ministers of Agriculture |
(1)(b),(i),(ii),(iii),(aa),(bb) Please refer to the table below
Financial year |
Minister accomodation (b)(i)(aa) |
Minister travel cost (b)(ii)(aa) |
Minister other costs (b) (iii)(aa) |
Deputy Minister(s) accommodation (b) (i)(bb) |
Deputy Minister(s) travel costs (b)(ii)(bb) |
Deputy Ministers other costs (b)(iii)(bb) |
2019/2020 |
R 12,800.00 |
R - |
R - |
R98,163.00-DM- Skwatsha |
R381,803.00-DM Skwatsha |
R8,875.00-DM Skwatsha |
2020/2021 |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R - |
R3,836.00-DM Skwatsha |
2021/2022 |
R - |
R29,426.00 |
R - |
R - |
R 91,287.00-DM Capa |
R - |
2022/2023 |
R66,581.00 |
R570,445.00 |
R - |
R92,722.00-DM Capa |
R185,059.00-DM Capa |
R9,431.00-DM Capa |
Total |
R79,381.00 |
R699,871.00 |
R - |
R 190,885.00 |
R658,149.00 |
R22,142.00 |
(2)(a),(b) Please refer to the table below.
Total Cost Domestic Air |
|||
Financial Year |
(a) Minister |
(b) Deputy Minister-Skwatsha |
(b) Deputy Minister-Capa |
2019/2020 |
R32464.8 |
R377519.44 |
0 |
2020/2021 |
R132408.29 |
R74372.76 |
R9777.45 |
2021/2022 |
R219798.87 |
R233453.98 |
R247203.55 |
2022/2023 |
R91277.44 |
R527487.61 |
R3209.51 |
Total |
R475949.4 |
R1 212833.79 |
R260190.51 |
08 January 2024 - NW1448
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
What monitoring interventions has her Office made to build the skills base of youth in rural areas to fight unemployment?
Reply:
The department has adopted a step change toward an all-of-government and all-of-society approach to livelihood restoration, wealth creation, poverty and hunger alleviation through special projects that will be rolled out across some of the country’s poorest district municipalities. These projects will have a training element for vulnerable groups in general and youth in particular.
(a) SANDF-led National Service (NS) – To address the current state of poverty, idleness, and general economic inactivity among our vulnerable population in general and the youth in particular, the SANDF led NYS programme is being introduced to build the youths’ character, empower them to serve in their communities, inculcate discipline and a sense of patriotism, train youth in leadership and entrepreneurship; and then provide them with technical capacity building in value chain driven sector specific industries with high absorption capacity. The training streams will range from food and agriculture value chain; oceans economy and maritime skills; engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure development; digital technologies and platform economies; and defense industries, public safety and security stream. The programme participants will be trained to be resilient and self-sustaining and then linked with job opportunities in diverse sectors.
Cabinet has asked us to work with the following Departments who have the financial capacity to support elements of the National Service:
- Department of Higher Education and Training
- Department of Transport
- Department of Forestry Fisheries and environment
- COGTA
- Department of Basic Education
- Department of Employment and Labour
- Department of Human Settlement
(b) Integrated Farming Value Chain Cooperatives - To address the key challenges of poverty, weakened livelihoods, hunger, limited or no economic opportunities, little to no income as well as inadequate access to resources contributing to the cycle of poverty, the DWYPD is mobilising women, youth, and persons with disabilities, particularly those in poor rural communities to establish integrated farming value chain cooperatives.
Additionally, the department is also partnering with the CSIR in the development of a national goat commercialization pilot project in all the 9 provinces. The goat farming value chain is identified as an initial focus area, because goat farming in South African has been practised since time immemorial, yet this sector has not been fully exploited for optimal economic value.
(c) Community Micro Bakery Training Projects – DWYPD will provide bakery training for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in some of the poorest districts in local municipalities, so that they can participate in this growing industry in order to reduce the impact of extreme poverty, unemployment, create community wealth, raise household incomes, and restore livelihoods as well as basic socio-economic insecurity. Once trained, the programme participants will be supported to become entrepreneurs thus facilitating their economic self-reliance whilst contributing to an all-of-government’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
08 January 2024 - NW3779
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to Eskom’s required Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) reports published on the Eskom website data portal, what are the reasons that Eskom has not provided monthly reports on AEL for each of the power stations for most of the months in 2023? (2) How does Eskom identify and ensure compliance with the requirements of the AEL for its power stations in the absence of monthly reports? (3) What measures and/or procedures does Eskom have in place to monitor and verify compliance with the conditions of the AEL, given the lack of monthly reports? (4) Whether there are any alternative reporting mechanisms and/or systems in place that Eskom utilises to track and document emissions data in the absence of regular monthly reports; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to information received from Eskom:
1. The emission reports in terms of the atmospheric emission licence (AEL) are compiled monthly and submitted to the licensing authorities by the power stations and the Head Office receives a copy of these reports when it is sent to authorities.
As of 23 November 2023, 17 out of 18 stations are up to date with their submission to the licensing authorities. Eskom experienced a delay in uploading the submitted and completed AEL monthly reports to the Eskom data portal due to issues with system access rights. These issues were resolved in October 2023 and all completed reports have been updated on the portal. Eskom will be able to keep the portal regularly updated going forward. Duvha power station is the only station which has been delayed in submitting to the data portal. The reports are being revised based on data issues identified through the internal quality control processes and this report will be submitted in December 2023.
2. There was no absence of monthly reporting as indicated above. There was only a delay in making the reports publicly available on the data portal.
Monitoring of emission compliance with the AEL limits is carried out continually at the power stations using continuous emission monitors located in the power station stacks. Compliance with the emission limits is tracked continuously and reported on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis within Eskom.
3. There was no absence of monthly reporting. Reports were prepared and submitted to the authorities. However, there was a delay in making the reports publicly available on the Eskom data portal.
4. There was no absence of monthly reports. The reports were prepared and submitted to the authorities. However, there was a delay in making the reports publicly available on the Eskom data portal.
Therefore, the reporting within Eskom, to the relevant authority, and to the public is complied with and in order.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3775
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether, given the role of The Presidency as the centre for strategic coordination within the Government, The Presidency intends to transfer the National Language Unit, created in terms of section 5 of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act 12 of 2012, to The Presidency; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The is no intention to transfer the National Language Unit to The Presidency. The functions around national language policy are determined by the Ministry of Arts and Culture as the designated department.
NAME OF THE DRAFTER :
DESIGNATION :
CONTACT DETAILS :
SIGNATURE : ____________________________
_____________________________
Phindile Baleni (Ms)
Director General and Secretary of Cabinet
Date:
__________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3780
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to Eskom’s required Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) reports published on the Eskom website data portal; (a) how does Eskom plan to address the specified issue moving forward to ensure consistent and transparent reporting on AEL compliance for all power stations and (b) what are the full details of any corrective actions and/or initiatives that have been undertaken by Eskom to rectify the reporting gaps and improve compliance monitoring in relation to the AEL? (2) Whether Eskom faced any regulatory and/or enforcement actions due to the lack of regular reporting on AEL; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (3) (a) What steps is Eskom taking to enhance transparency and accountability in reporting on atmospheric emissions and (b) how will stakeholders be kept informed about progress in this regard? NW4996E
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom:
(1)(a)The atmospheric emission license (AEL) emissions reports are compiled monthly and submitted to the licensing authorities by the power stations, and the Head office receives a copy of these reports when it is sent to authorities. Most of the stations are up to date with their submissions to the licensing authorities. However, Eskom experienced a delay in uploading the submitted and completed AEL monthly reports to the Eskom data portal due to issues with system access rights. These issues were resolved in October 2023, and all completed reports have been updated on the portal. Going forward Eskom will keep the portal regularly updated.
(b) The issues in respect of access rights for the uploading of completed AEL reports have been resolved by ensuring that additional staff are trained and have the appropriate system access rights to allow the uploading of completed reports. The delayed publication of the reports on the data portal was not indicative of any gaps in compliance monitoring in relation to the AELs.
(2) There was no lack of regular reporting on AEL compliance to the authorities, and no regulatory and/or enforcement actions were implemented.
(3)(a)(b)Eskom has already published all the available monthly AEL reports as submitted to the authorities onto the public data portal. Eskom will regularly update the portal which is available to the public.
Remarks: Approved/Not Approved/Comment
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3182
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether her department has purchased any new vehicles since her appointment to Office; if not, why not; if so, what (a) did each vehicle cost and (b) is the (i) make and (ii) model of each new vehicle?”
Reply:
Yes the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) purchased new vehicles during the Minister’s appointment to office. To note however, when the Minister was appointed in the department there was a procurement process already underway for one (1) vehicle for the previous Minister was later transferred to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Therefore, in total Eight (8) vehicles were purchased since the Minister was appointed in the department.
To avoid the cost of hiring vehicles within the department five (5) vehicles were purchased and the details of the vehicles purchased are provided below.
Detail |
Breakdown |
|
Total cost |
Eight (8) vehicles were purchased: three (3) for Minister of Small Business Development and five (5) for departmental pool purposes. |
One (1) vehicle was procured in 2021/2022 financial year and was transferred to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies |
2021/22: Audi Q5: 1 @ R726 469.25 |
R 726 469.25 |
Five (5) departmental pool vehicles Nissan Almera 1.5 procured in 2022/2023 financial year |
2022/23 Nissan Almera: 5 @ R242 955.03 each |
R1 214 775.15 |
|
Two (2) vehicles were procured in 2023/2024 financial year and allocated to DSBD Pretoria and Cape Town Offices. |
2023/24: Audi Q5: 2 @ R790 000.00 each |
R1 580 000 |
|
R3 521 244.40 |
(b) Make and model of each vehicle:
Year |
|
|
2021/2022 financial year |
Transferred to DCDT: Audi Q5 |
Model: FYGCFY-E00, Audi Q5 40 TDI 140KW quattro S line tronic, and Paint & Trim |
2022/23 financial year |
Five (5) X Nissan Almera |
Model: Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta MT |
2023/2024 financial year |
Audi Q5 |
Cape Town: Model: FYGAFY-E00 Audi Q5 40 TDI 140KW quattro S tronic. |
Audi Q5 |
Pretoria: Model: FYGAFY-E00 Audi Q5 40 TDI 140KW quattro S tronic |
08 January 2024 - NW753
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
1) On what date was the position of the Eastern Cape Director of the National Rural Youth Service Corps advertised; 2) whether Mr Lubabalo Makapela applied for the specified position when it was initially advertised; if not, why not; if so, will she furnish Dr M M Gondwe with the proof of the specified person’s application; 3) whether the person met the criteria for shortlisting; if not, why was the person then shortlisted for the position; if so, on what date was the person interviewed for the position; 4) (a) what total number of candidates were shortlisted for the position, (b) on what date did the shortlisting take place and (c) what criteria were used to shortlist candidates for the position; 5) whether the (a) human resources department and (b) union(s) were represented during the entire recruitment and selection process; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
- 10 August 2021.
- Yes; however, the application form contains personal information and will not be disclosed in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013.
- All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
- (a) 6.
(b) 4 February 2022.
(c) All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
5.(a) Yes. Deputy Director Human Resource Administration, Eastern Cape (EC), Assistant Director Recruitment and Selection, EC; Human Resource Administration Clerk, EC.
(b) No, in terms of the Departmental Policy on Recruitment and Selection, “Trade union representatives may be present during the shortlisting and interview processes for posts on salary levels 1 to 12 and Occupation Specific Dispensations to observe that the process is fair and without any bias and discrimination.” The post of Director NARYSEC is at salary level 13 and therefore the unions were not required to be part of the processes.
08 January 2024 - NW3159
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether the needs of any specific sector of the economy of the Republic that were reported to her office in the past financial year are receiving priority; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has not assessed the sectoral needs of the small business development segment of the economy. However, there has been work around the challenges faced by SMMEs and Co-operatives. These challenges relate to excess red tape, access to finance, access to markets, a lack of inclusion of SMMEs in the value chains of big business, lack of access to information and a lack of skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship. To address some of these issues, the DSBD has formulated and executed several interventions aimed at ensuring the participation of MSMEs in the mainstream economy. These include, inter alia, increasing access to developmental funding, expanding support to township and rural enterprises, building access to markets, and improving the regulatory environment. These challenges remain prevalent in most of the sectors in which small businesses operate.
To demonstrate its commitment to the development of SMMEs in the various sectors of the economy, the DSBD established the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme (SEMSP), as one of the responses to the needs of the small enterprises operating within the manufacturing sector/industry. The programme is considered as one of the contributions to the localization strategy and supports manufacturing enterprises to increase the contribution of manufacturing within the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the South African economy.
The main intention of the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme (SEMSP) is to replace imports through locally manufactured goods thereby increasing small enterprises production capacity, growth, sustainability, and competitiveness. The support received by small enterprises through the SEMSP includes financial and non-financial to enhance technical skills, business infrastructure support (buildings and machinery) as well as market access. The programme prioritises various categories of manufacturing such as light consumer goods, hi-tech and industrial production which are associated with the sub-sectors such as furniture, basic iron and steel, petroleum and chemical, food and beverages (agro-processing), electrical, green technology etc.
Thus far, SEMSP performance overview for the past three financial years (i.e., 2020/21 to 2022/23) reflects approvals for all nine provinces at about R800M. The first year disbursements were at about R320M, second year being R237M and third year R274M as reflected below.
Figure 1: SEMSP approval 2020/21 to 2022/23
The DSBD has increased its involvement in the Cannabis industry. The aim of this involvement is to address some of the challenges faced by MSMEs in the sector. These challenges include, among others, regulatory environment, research, and development (Biomass quality, processing, and product quality), branding (markets), and financing.
The DSBD is working on a Cannabis Pilot Project with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct research and gather information regarding the how we could create opportunities for the creation of small enterprises across the Cannabis value chains, as well as on establishing and increasing the manufacturing capacity of the South African Cannabis industry.
In the main, this initiative is aimed at the development of interventions that are informed by evidence; the promotion and advocacy for an enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment, especially advocacy for ease and accessible issuing of cannabis producing operating licenses for start-ups. It is also the intention of the Pilot Project to develop targeted instruments to support small enterprises (Business Development Services and Financial Support). The development of the Cannabis industry will require a collaborative effort from relevant stakeholders. It is for this reason that we encourage strategic partnerships (public and private) to be formed to advance an inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive Cannabis industry in South Africa.
The DSBD has developed the Cannabis Small Enterprises Support Plan (CSESP), the aim of which is to develop an instrument for the support and promotion of small enterprises within cannabis industry value chains.
The DSBD–CSIR have also collaborated to establish an Incubation Programme that assists MSMEs to partake in the Cannabis industry. The intention of this programme is to conduct primary (not cultivation/harvesting), secondary, and downstream processing of Cannabis and Hemp biomass. Moreover, there is specific focus on the formulation and re-iteration of low THC cannabis/hemp product prototypes, as well as the upscaling and testing of the range of low THC cannabis-based products for the selected enterprises. The tail end of the process requires the partners to facilitate contract manufacturing of at least 100 market ready samples, at GMP facility, for each MSME to test the formal markets.
To respond to the needs of MSMEs operating in township and rural areas, the DSBD formulated the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP). The Scheme is aimed at supporting small enterprises to participate in the rebuilding and restructuring of the economy in townships and rural areas, improve the quality and competitiveness of small enterprises for both domestic supply and export market, and seize the opportunities in the various sectors of the economy. The Scheme supports all small enterprises operating in townships and rural areas that meet the qualifying criteria including but not limited to sectors such as Clothing & Textile, Bakeries & Confectionaries, Tshisanyama and Cooked Food, Retail (including restaurants, car washes, general dealers, etc.), Automotive, Personal Care, and Artisans.
To penetrate various local and international markets, the DSBD is implementing a localisation programme with the intention of building the manufacturing capacity of SMMEs. It is anticipated that the increased capacity and capability of SMMEs will assist with market access opportunities for SMME manufactured products. Essentially, the DSBD and its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), provide support and preparation of SMMEs towards import replacement and export market penetration.
On the regulatory environment front, the DSBD continues to roll out the red tape reduction guidelines – working together with municipalities. Several municipalities have been covered across the country.
08 January 2024 - NW3571
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What is the total number of properties that (a) have been rented out by his department for residential purposes as at the latest date for which information is available and (b) remain unoccupied and with security attached to them; 2) what is the total amount that his department spends on protecting state properties that remain unoccupied in each province?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
I have been informed by the Department that:
(1)
(a) 342 state owned properties let out for residential purposes
(b) 226 are unoccupied with security attached to them.
(2) Total monthly expenditure on security is R13 420 210.19
08 January 2024 - NW3228
Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
In view of the fact that the coordination of the Sanitary Dignity Programme across the Republic falls within her department’s mandate, while her department is more of a regulatory department rather than a service delivery department, what are the details of (a) how her department monitors and evaluates the sanitary dignity programme across the Republic and (b) the findings of the monitoring and evaluation process in each province since the programme was launched?
Reply:
The equitable share budget for the sanitary dignity programme is disbursed directly to Provinces by the National Treasury. Consequently, provinces run their procurement processes independently to appoint service providers to deliver sanitary pads. As the department has no control over the budget, we have no control over the procurement processes in the programme.
In monitoring the programme, the department convenes quarterly Sanitary Dignity National Task Team meetings with representatives from all provinces to receive updates on progress in the implementation of the programme.
08 January 2024 - NW3154
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether any of the funds that were allocated towards the repair of the bridge that was damaged in Ntuzuma in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2022 floods have been used; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total amount has been used to date and (b) repair work has been completed to date?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
The Ntuzuma Bridge in KwaZulu-Natal province does not fall under Department of Public works’ Welisizwe Bridges Programme.
It is therefore advised that the question be referred to the National department of Transport as well as the Provincial Department.
08 January 2024 - NW3747
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
How is his department promoting media diversity to break the mainstream media monologue and in addition ensure the independence and integrity of public broadcasting in the Republic in order to maintain a healthy democracy and free press?
Reply:
The Agency diversifies the sector through the support of community and small commercial media. The support is both financial and non-financial. The approach of the Agency in determining the diversity is through ownership of the entity, language utilised in the media entity, content being disseminated by the organisation as well as gender and disabilities disparities. Freedom of expression is a critical pillar of a healthy democracy. The support of community media and small commercial has no impediment on the public broadcaster and free press and is an extension of media channels to enhance access to information as part of democracy. The existence of a community media sector complements the work of the public broadcaster so that public news, education and information are also accessed in areas where public broadcaster has network/coverage limitation and improves reporting of matters that are of interest to communities closest to the location of community media.
NAME OF THE DRAFTER : PROF. HLENGANI MATHEBULA
DESIGNATION : MDDA BOARD CHAIRPERSON
CONTACT DETAILS : +27 82 448 9219
SIGNATURE :
_____________________________
Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)
Acting Director-General: Government Communication and Information System
(GCIS)
Date:
__________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date:
08 January 2024 - NW3824
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
(1) What (a) are the reasons for sending 29 officials on an official trip to Prague, (b) was the purpose of the trip, (c) was the duration of the trip and (d) are the expected outcomes and/or benefits to the road infrastructure and transportation sector of the Republic; (2) what (a) was the total cost associated with sending the 29 officials to Prague and (b) is the breakdown of the expenses incurred for (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) any other specified related costs?
Reply:
1.(a) SANRAL has been a member of the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC) since 1995. PIARC is a non-profit association established in 1909, with over 100 years of existence, with the broad aim of promoting international cooperation and sharing of knowledge on issues related to roads and road transport.
PIARC membership is of real value to South Africa as it enhances South Africa’s international relations and provides an opportunity to share its accumulated knowledge, experience and best practices with other member countries.
SANRAL attended and participated at the Congress, and as a member, SANRAL was allowed to exhibit and showcase its experiences and know-how at the PIARC exhibition. The South African exhibition titled the South African Pavilion was officially opened by the Minister, and attended by 125 representatives from member countries across the globe. It offered a unique to foster cooperation and networking between the main actors of the global road system. The exhibition proved to be extremely informative for member countries.
1.(b) In addition to the exhibition, and attending technical working group meetings, officials from SANRAL attended and participated at the Congress by presenting the following papers: amongst others
- Progressive approach towards stakeholder management in road construction.
- Are Advancing Public Transport Systems Inclusive to all Persons Living with a Disability in Africa.
- Public Private Partnership for weighbridge operations in South Africa.
- Competency training programme to equip diversifying engineering staff with first principal skills.
- Road Tunnel Challenges and Success Stories for LMIC.
- The Role of Road Network Operator for Mobility as a Service Development.
1.(c) The PIARC 27th World Congress took place from 02 – 06 October 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Minister and the Departmental/ Ministry Officials spent four days in Prague.
1.(d) The following include the expected outcomes and/or benefits to the road infrastructure and transportation sector of the Republic of South Africa:
- Transformation and innovation in the road construction industry, and by extension the public infrastructure development space, which is core to SANRAL and the South African Government’s agenda.
- Road safety and sustainable design solutions are prioritized in SANRAL projects.
- South Africa’s commitment to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030).
- Pedestrian safety and non-motorised transport (NMT) solutions which are a priority, for the most vulnerable road users and account for the most fatalities on South African roads annually.
2.(a) R 2.52 million.
2.(b) The breakdown of the expenses incurred by SANRAL are:
SANRAL EXPENSES: 29 employees |
|
Item |
Costs |
|
R1,421,002.29 |
|
R 77,600.00 |
Any other specified related costs: |
|
Visa costs for private passport holders |
R 23,161.96 |
27th PIARC World Road Congress Registration fees |
R 573,255.22 |
Subsistence and Travel Allowances |
R 416,484.13 |
TWF Management Fees |
R 8,359.27 |
TOTAL |
R2,519,863.87 |
08 January 2024 - NW2091
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What new ideas and solutions has the Republic adopted and implemented following her attendance in Moscow of the International Security Conference to share practical ideas and explore solutions on matters of global security in August 2022?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 January 2024 - NW754
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) On what date was Mr Lubabalo Makapela appointed as the Eastern Cape Director of the National Rural Youth Service Corps (Narysec); (2) whether his appointment was in line with human resources (a) recruitment and (b) selection processes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the person possesses the necessary (a) qualifications and/or (b) experience for the position of Eastern Cape Director of the Narysec; (4) on what date did the person (a) enrol for the Nyukela Programme and (b) obtain the Nyukela certificate?
Reply:
- 1 April 2023.
- (a) All the issues related to the appointment of Mr Lubabalo Makapela are subjected to comprehensive investigation by the Department. The department will be guided by the outcome of the investigation report.
(b) Falls away.
3. (a) and (b) Falls away
4. (a) and (b) Falls away
08 January 2024 - NW3248
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, given that he did not table in Parliament the annual reports for SA Airways (SAA) for the 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years, notwithstanding clause 17(6)(e) of the International Air Services Act, Act 60 of 1993, that requires the International Air Services Council to take into account the financial capability of the applicant, the SAA currently has a valid international air services licence; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what basis was the financial capability of SAA taken into account by the international air services council and (b) what date was the international air services licence issued to SAA?
Reply:
The previous years financial statements (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) have been tabled.
In adherence to the stipulations set by the Domestic Air Service Regulations 1991 Section D, Clause 5(a), the interim Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways (SAA) dutifully submits monthly management accounts to the council.
With these considerations SAA was issued its international air services license in February 2020 and the license is updated as new routes are added.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
08 January 2024 - NW2903
Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, noting that the Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools was published in the Government Gazette on 3 December 2021 and furthermore noting that the National Education Policy Act, Act 27 of 1996, requires that she shall within 21 days after determining policy in terms of section 3 table the policy instrument referred to in paragraph (a) in Parliament within 21 days after the notice has appeared in the Government Gazette (details furnished), the specified policy was tabled in terms of the specified Act; if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
The policy has been tabled with Parliament in December 2023.
08 January 2024 - NW3373
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether his department has its own target for job creation and growth within the communications sector; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The DCDT does not have a target for job creation. However, it subscribes to Government’s overarching programme on job creation and reducing unemployment. In this regard, the ICT sector and digital economy are viewed as key levers. Some of the areas identified in creating jobs include: broadband connectivity; broadcasting digital migration; digital skills; electronic equipment installation and refurbishment such as set-top box installation, fibre rollout, Wi-Fi deployment, cell phone repairs and owner driver delivery etc.
Thank You.
05 January 2024 - NW4007
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1 ) What total number of (a) firearms and (b) ammunition of each (i) type and (ii) calibre were (aa) stolen and (bb) lost and/or went missing at each military unit in each province (aaa) in the past four financial years and (bbb) from 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) What steps has her department taken to combat the theft and loss of the firearms and ammunition; (3) Whether any persons were (a) arrested and/or found guilty in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what total number of (i) persons were arrested and/or found guilty and (ii) the specified persons were members of the SA National Defence Force?
Reply:
Find reply here
05 January 2024 - NW3853
Dyantyi, Mr QR to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
What (a) is the impact of the Brand SA campaign known as Made in South Africa and (b) measures are required to promote the local brands of the Republic in the international market? [
Reply:
(a) Brand SA does not have a campaign called Made in SA. However, in line with its mandate, Brand South Africa profiles and showcases South African talent, skills, people, product and services. The recent campaigns anchored under brand advocacy focused on the following pillars on;
1) creative arts: where Brand South Africa profiled a young entrepreneur from Eastern Cape who owns a brand called Inga. Inga produces proudly South African bags that are designed, crafted, and produced in South Africa. Innovation & Technology: where Dr. Reza who is an aesthetics specialist and also owns an aviation company which exports aviation products. Dr Reza, through his foundation also offers skills and education on the aviation industry to his employees who come from the community the aviation company operates from. Brand South Africa recorded a video and promoted it on international platforms such as News Central. CNN Africa, Africa News, BBC News Africa, Supersports Blitz. This assisted in driving awareness, demand creation and expansion of his brand.
2) Exporting South Africa to South Korea: where Brand South Africa collaborated with influencers in South Korea with an objective of increasing familiarity and favourability of creative talent in South Korea. Some of the South African designers included Black Coffee, Maxhosa, and David Tlale. This campaign assisted in driving awareness of the nation brand, skills and talent.
3) In line with the Believe in SA strategy, Brand South has implemented a media partnership with BBC broadcast and BBC.Com on a campaign called ‘The Next Generation’ which profiles young South African entrepreneurs. The campaign puts a spotlight on the young generation showcasing their innovations in medical innovation, fintech and energy. As innovators, they have found new ways to make an impact and are ideal advocates for South Africa’s business story. The campaign is currently flighting across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific until March 2024.
(b) While the focus of Brand South Africa is to instil confidence in South Africa and promote investment and tourism, Brand South Africa is equally committed to fostering the consumption of South African goods and services as a way to export the South African nation brand to the world and as a stimulus for economic growth and overall competitiveness of South African industries in the global market.
As part of its strategic initiatives, Brand South Africa conducts the Global Reputation Research Study, involving over 10,000 respondents across 14 international target markets. This research study evaluates South Africa's export competitiveness and appeal (among other measured variables) in key markets: the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, China, Japan, India, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, the country is also benched marked against emerging & established continental powers: Africa - Nigeria & or Egypt; Middle East: United Arab Emirates & Turkey; Asia: Vietnam & Thailand, Vietnam & Thailand, South America: Chile & Brazil, and UK.
- Global businesses engaged in trade with South Africa, and those purchasing South African goods and services, consistently rank the country among the best, alongside esteemed counterparts such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
- Further attesting to South Africa's global standing, among the benchmarked nations, global businesses place it within the top five countries to do business with, sharing this distinction with the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand, and Brazil.
- Over 76 percent of all respondents across all 14 markets expressed a strong interest in purchasing South African export products. This affirmation underscores the resonance and desirability of South African goods on the global stage and reflects the positive perception of the Nation Brand but also signals a significant market potential for South African exports.
- Notably, the export sector emerges as one of the nation's key economic strengths, followed closely by the pivotal contributions of tourism and investment. This multifaceted approach reinforces Brand South Africa's crucial role in shaping and elevating the nation's global identity and economic prowess.
- prominence in Brand Finance’s Africa 200 report ranking stands as a testament to the robustness and resilience of its brands. Firmly positioned as the powerhouse of African brands, South Africa's influential role underscores its significant impact on shaping the business landscape across the continent. The top 200 brands in Africa have collectively experienced a commendable year-on-year brand value growth of 6%, culminating in an impressive total value of USD 54.4 billion. At the forefront of this success, South Africa emerges as the primary contributor, representing over half of the brands in the ranking and an impressive 75% (USD 40.8 billion) of the total brand value. This substantial leadership underscores South Africa's key role in driving and defining the narrative of African brands on the global stage.
05 January 2024 - NW4056
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
With reference to her commitment at the BRICS Dialogue 2023 to conduct investigations into communication breakdowns with Gauteng Economic Development, what are the relevant details of the (a) progress and (b) timeframes for the investigation? [
Reply:
1.(a) It was subsequently concluded that there was no need for a formal investigation to be instituted in this regard as the measures in place to address the challenge are adequate. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) has a Frontline Monitoring and Support (FMS) programme implemented across all provinces in a holistic manner, which is a key monitoring mechanism that provides government not only with relevant, reliable information on the quality of service delivery on the ground, but also to facilitate improvements in service delivery.
(b) N/A
05 January 2024 - NW3770
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What (a) total number of officials in the Public Service were implicated in irregular appointments in the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21, (iii) 2021-22 and (iv) 2022-23 financial years, (b) number of the officials were (i) dismissed and (ii) not dismissed from the Public Service following an investigation into their involvement in irregular appointments and (c) are the reasons that the officials were not dismissed; (2) (a) in which national and/or provincial departments are the specified officials employed and (b) what positions did/do the officials hold in each case?
Reply:
Discipline management and appointments are a decentralized function across the Public Service. Any investigation into alleged violations of appointment processes would be managed directly by departments and the DPSA would not be privy to the contents of such investigations into irregular appointments and/or information on dismissals with regard to irregular appointments. The information sought would therefore be accessible via the departments directly.
As part of the Ministerial-Presidential Priorities for the 2023/24 Financial Year, the DPSA is coordinating the establishment of a Central Discipline Database to address the challenges identified above. The Database will include the detailed categorisation and documentation of all disciplinary matters including sanctions such as dismissals.
End
05 January 2024 - NW4137
Mthethwa, Mr E to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether he has a mechanism in place when cases in courts are regularly postponed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the (a) justifications for a postponement of a case in excess of 75 times and (b) are the cost implications that could be attributed to such postponements including the costs related to legal aid provided in such cases; (2) whether any mechanisms in the judiciary have been reported to him that alerts the Judge Presidents of the various divisions of the High Court of multiple postponements of cases for their attention in order to minimise unnecessary and further costs and delayed processes that deny justice to those who seek and are desperate for it; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, there are mechanisms in place to address cases in courts which are regularly postponed. These include the quarterly meetings of senior members of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, with the Regional Court Presidents’ Forum as well as separately with the Chief Magistrates’ Forum, as Magistrates are in charge of Case-flow Management in courts. These meetings discuss blockages in the system and measures to address such blockages. The relevant actions on backlog cases, are further discussed at such meetings.
a) Please would the Hon member give me the details of the case that has been postponed in excess of 75 times, so that I can request the Department to follow up on such with the relevant Regional Court Presidents’ Forum or Chief Magistrates’ Forum, as well as the relevant Provincial Head of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development? I would not regard postponement of a case in excess of 75 times, as acceptable, but I do not know the reasons for such, i.e., it may have been caused by the accused himself or herself, by changing attorneys every now and then, which forces postponements because attorneys need to learn the history of the case.
(b) Legal Aid South Africa has informed me as follows:
(i) The mandate of Legal Aid SA in so far as the representation of accused persons in criminal matters are concerned, derives from section 35(3) of the
South African Constitution.
(ii) The accused in a criminal matter has the choice to conduct their own defence, alternatively, appoint a legal representative of own choice and, if they cannot afford a legal representative of their own choice, to apply for legal aid, in which case a legal representative will be appointed for them at no cost to them.
(iii) In the 2022/2023 Financial Year, Legal Aid South Africa represented a total of 322 337 accused persons in criminal matters across all courts. Legal
representation is provided using mainly salaried legal practitioners in the full-time service of Legal Aid SA. However, a small portion of matters, being 2% in
the 2022/23 Financial Year, are allocated to independent legal practitioners using Legal Aid SA’s Judicare and agency model.
(iv) In criminal matters, the state is dominus litis and all prosecutions are at the behest of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
(v) Very few criminal cases are capable of finalization at the first appearance and most criminal cases will be postponed at least once, the number of postponements and the reasons therefore differing from case to case.
(vi) It must be understood that a matter may be postponed, whether or not substantive proceedings were conducted on the day the matter was postponed, ad whether or not substantive proceedings are to be conducted on the next date of appearance. The word ‘postponement’ therefore does not equate to wasted court time.
(vii) The postponement of a case impacts productivity and cost-effectiveness, only if it is unnecessary. It must be noted however, that what may be unnecessary for one court stakeholder may be seen as necessary by another. Presiding officers have the overall responsibility to see to the efficient operation of the courts and therefore, a party seeking a postponement, must provide sufficient reasons for the request.
(viii) Legal Aid SA has a comprehensive Quality Management Program and as part of this program, every practitioner’s case is reviewed so that no unnecessary postponements are caused by the practitioner. The practitioner is also required to oppose all requests for postponements by the prosecution, which are unnecessary, or are likely to prejudice the client. The quality management program is applied to all legal practitioners dealing with legal aid work, notwithstanding the fact that they may practice independently.
(ix) A productivity monitoring program is also in place and all practitioners’ cases exceeding targeted turnaround times, are monitored. This ensures that legal practitioners keep postponements to a minimum, so that their cases may be finalized speedily. On average for Legal Aid SA Internal Practitioners, there are 2.8, 3.5 and 2.4 postponements per District, Regional and High Court matter, respectively, as per Legal Aid SA Management Information Systems. In regard to Judicare Practitioners (Private Practitioners) there are on average 3.3, 4.3 and 3 postponements per matter in the District, Regional and High Courts, respectively.
(x) Both the quality and productivity targets form part of our practitioner’s performance contracts as well as those of their managers and supervisors.
(xi) Legal Aid SA also has stakeholder engagement programs aimed at improving efficiencies in the court system. These include Local Case Flow Management Committees, as well as National and Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees.
(xii) Legal Aid SA shares data trends with other court stakeholders in a bid to promote an inter-sectoral approach in fighting case backlogs.
(xiii) Because the bulk of Legal Aid SA’s work (97%) is done by their own internal practitioners, the cost of postponing a case cannot be distinguished from the cost of any other work performed by an employee on a given day. However, where a matter is handled by Judicare, every postponement is remunerated according to approved tariffs, currently being R295 per postponement but was R276 in the 2022/23 financial year.
(xiv) There were 18 137 and 13 324 court sitting days in the year where the District and Regional Courts, respectively, sat when Legal Aid SA did not cover the Courts due to capacity constraints. This will result in postponement of matters where accused persons require legal aid representation but there is no legal aid practitioner scheduled to appear at the court on these days. This will result in the postponement of matters to a date when a legal aid practitioner is scheduled to appear in the Court.
(xv) The estimated cost of postponements, without considering the rationale, is
estimated to amount to R266 million for the 2022/23 financial year in respect
of Legal Aid SA.
2. (a); and (b) I have been informed by the Secretary-General of the Office of the Chief Justice that the Office of the Chief Justice does not maintain a performance dataset on the number of postponements per case in the Superior Courts. However, the OCJ continues to embrace the advantages that technology presents and leverages on it. The modernization of court processes remains a key priority area for the OCJ, not only to improve access to justice for all in accordance with section 34 of the Constitution but to enhance effective record management. As such, the Court Online system has been rolled out to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria and Johannesburg and a further rollout is imminent.
The Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee (PEEC) chaired by the Judge President of a Division interrogates the blockages and constraints that impact on the speedy resolution of cases. The performance of judicial functions falls however under the purview of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. It was advised that requests for information relating to the performance of judicial functions, be directed to the Chief Justice.
05 January 2024 - NW4051
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
With regard to the planned smart meter programme, what contingency plans are put in place to mitigate potential delays or unforeseen challenges in the smart meter implementation process; (2) What measures has he undertaken to ensure that the smart meters meet all the necessary safety and quality standards; (3) Whether there are any provisions for consumer education and awareness campaigns regarding the benefits and usage of smart meters; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether there will be any associated costs or fees to be incurred by consumers in relation to the smart meter installation or usage; if not, why not; if so, (a) who is liable for funding the smart meter programme and (b) what are the further relevant details; (5) Whether there are plans in place for cost-sharing with consumers or other stakeholders; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Ministry/Minister was appointed to oversee and direct the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, with 5-outcome areas. As such, the focus of NECOM has been on strengthening/stabilising generation, enabling the fast tracking of new generation including addressing legislative bottle necks, and accelerating the scale and pace of implementation of renewable energy projects, as well as upscaling rooftop solar/embedded generation projects, and transforming the energy landscape through transformation of the energy sector.
Whilst the deployment of smart meters is an important intervention (in particular to implement demand side management), it has not been a core focus the Ministry work. The level of the question is also largely operational, and assumes a national deployment of smart meters, whereas, smart meters will be deployed by respect distribution licence holders (Eskom and Municipalities). In respect of ESKOM the Department of Public Enterprises remains the shareholder department, to whom the Board of Eskom Holdings is accountable in terms of the Memorandum of Incorporation for strategic outcomes. As such, the question should either be directed to DPE (for Eskom supply distribution area) and the respective Municipalities and or COGTA for Municipal distribution areas
05 January 2024 - NW3796
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With regard to the several observations and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State regarding the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the fight against grand corruption, in giving effect to these, by what total amount has the annual budget of the NPA and specifically, the Investigating Directorate, been increased and/or supplemented to facilitate a more effective crime fighting operation?
Reply:
The NPA budget allocation increased by 5.39% over the MTEF period, from R4,9 billion to R5,7 billion in order to capacitate the NPA to deal with State Capture cases and the fight against corruption. This increase was as a result of the R1.3 billion additional funding allocated to the NPA during the 2022 MTEF.
However, the increase was against a background of an inadequate budget where the ratio of compensation to operational costs was 85:15. The budget increase improved the ratio to 77:33 which was soon reversed to 83:17 due to the virement to deal with the shortfall in the Compensation of Employees (CoE) budget, after the NPA had to absorb the Cost of Living Adjustment (CoLA) from its baseline and the ID, as part of the NPA, was also impacted.
The ID budget allocation increased by 11.60% from R243 million to R308 million over the MTEF period. However, this increase is below inflation and in fact, the budget has actually decreased, in real terms.
.
05 January 2024 - NW3600
Mkhwebane, Adv BJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What processes have been put in place to ensure that the National Prosecuting Authority handles cases in a fair and impartial manner, particularly cases that involve high profile individuals and politically sensitive matters?
Reply:
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides in section 179(4) that:
“National legislation must ensure that the prosecuting authority exercises its functions without fear, favour or prejudice.”
The National Prosecuting Authority Act, 32 of 1998, in compliance with the Constitution, provides in section 32 (1) (a):
“A member of the prosecuting authority shall serve impartially and exercise, carry out or perform his or her powers, duties and functions in good faith and without fear, favour or prejudice and subject only to the Constitution and the law.”
All prosecutors are required to take an oath in this regard, before commencing to exercise, carry out or perform their powers, duties or functions in terms of the NPA Act.
Not only does the law require prosecutors to handle cases in a fair and impartial manner, but the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has issued directives which require prosecutors in the prosecution of sensitive or contentious nature, including cases involving high profile individuals, to inform the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concerned in writing, of the nature and details of such matters, and for the DPP to similarly inform the NDPP.
This ensures that there is adequate oversight of cases that involve high profile individuals and politically sensitive matters.
05 January 2024 - NW4165
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether his department has records of (a) budget and (b) total spending towards the maintenance and refurbishment of courts in each province during the 2021-2023 period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) Yes
(b) Yes
(c) The table below is the summary of the DOJ&CD Day-to-Day maintenance budget and expenditure report.
Province |
Budget |
Expenditure |
National Office |
R1,808,000.00 |
R652,592.30 |
Eastern Cape |
R4,634,000.00 |
R1,485,168.04 |
Free State |
R1,970,000.00 |
R1,969,684.84 |
Gauteng |
R10,931,000.00 |
R8,759,690.39 |
KwaZulu Natal |
R2,631,000.00 |
R2,631,327.82 |
Limpopo |
R795,000.00 |
R708,416.74 |
Mpumalanga |
R7,082,000.00 |
R5,889,792.71 |
North West |
R1,760,000.00 |
R1,760,150.34 |
Northern Cape |
R2,655,000.00 |
R2,655,659.99 |
Western Cape |
R3,902,000.00 |
R3,901,726.26 |
Grand Total |
R38,168,000.00 |
R30,414,209.43 |
(d) The table below is the summary of the DOJ&CD Day-to-Day maintenance budget and expenditure report for 2022/2023:
Province |
Budget |
Expenditure |
National Office |
R2,216,000.00 |
R2,216,639.05 |
Eastern Cape |
R1,875,000.00 |
R1,875,054.42 |
Free State |
R1,556,000.00 |
R1,556,865.52 |
Gauteng |
R14,695,000.00 |
R14,695,085.80 |
KwaZulu Natal |
R8,627,000.00 |
R8,627,407.58 |
Limpopo |
R898,000.00 |
R897,541.76 |
Mpumalanga |
R4,843,000.00 |
R4,843,005.18 |
North West |
R6,001,000.00 |
R6,000,933.88 |
Northern Cape |
R5,072,000.00 |
R5,069,859.10 |
Western Cape |
R10,820,000.00 |
R10,820,294.21 |
Grand Total |
R56,603,000.00 |
R56,602,686.50 |
(e) The table below is the summary of the DPWI maintenance and refurbishment budget and expenditure report for 2021/2022:
Province |
Budget |
Expenditure |
Eastern Cape |
R80,706,214.00 |
R28,198,940.00 |
Free State |
R13,362,994.00 |
R3,852,995.00 |
Gauteng |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
KwaZulu Natal |
R1,805,833.00 |
R1,805,833.00 |
Limpopo |
R45,551,811.00 |
R26,392,055.00 |
Mpumalanga |
R4,464,708.00 |
R0.00 |
North West |
R16,259,403.00 |
R8,066,016.00 |
Northern Cape |
R1,494,062.00 |
R0.00 |
Western Cape |
R16,698,230.00 |
R16,277,284.00 |
Grand Total |
R180,343,255.00 |
R84,593,123.00 |
(f) The table below is the summary of the DPWI maintenance and refurbishment budget and expenditure report for 2022/2023:
Province |
Budget |
Expenditure |
Eastern Cape |
R78,858,841.00 |
R41,480,037.00 |
Free State |
R27,695,015.00 |
R6,235,802.00 |
Gauteng |
R2,300,000.00 |
R0.00 |
KwaZulu Natal |
R200,000.00 |
R0.00 |
Limpopo |
R24,809,728.00 |
R8,366,450.00 |
Mpumalanga |
R2,296,356.00 |
R0.00 |
North West |
R9,950,000.00 |
R9,408,015.00 |
Northern Cape |
R2,775,459.00 |
R511,628.00 |
Western Cape |
R25,311,261.00 |
R11,854,052.00 |
Grand Total |
R174,196,660.00 |
R77,855,985.00 |
05 January 2024 - NW3873
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What total number of (i) pre-1994 elections Special Branch members applied for amnesty at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and (ii) such applications were (aa) granted and (bb) denied and (b) what (i) happened to the Special Branch members who were denied amnesty and (ii) were their names?
Reply:
(a) What total number of
(i) pre-1994 elections Special Branch members applied for amnesty at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and
(ii) such applications were (aa) granted and (bb) denied
The information on the total number of the pre-1994 elections Special Branch members who applied for amnesty at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and whose applications were granted and denied is available on the amnesty hearing transcripts and on volume 6 section 3 chapter 1 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report which are available on the Department of Justice website www.justice.gov.za/trc/index/html.
(b) What (i) happened to the Special Branch members who were denied amnesty
The National Prosecuting Authority has established a section in the National Prosecuting service handling TRC amnesty and prosecution related matters.
(ii) What were their names
Their names are available on the Department of Justice website on the amnesty hearing prescripts www.justice.gov.za/trc/index/html.
05 January 2024 - NW4006
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
what total number of a firearms and ammunition of each (i) type and (ii) calibre were (aa) stolen and (bb) lost and/or went missing at each correctional centre in each province (aaa) in the past four financial years and (bbb) from 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available. (2) What steps has his department taken to combat the theft and loss of the firearms and ammunition (3) Whether any persons were (a) arrested and/or (b) found guilty in this regard; if not, why not, if so, what total number of (i) persons were arrested and/or found guilty and (ii) the specified persons were members of Correctional Services?
Reply:
- The total number of firearms and ammunition of each type and caliber which were stolen and lost and/or went missing at each correctional centre in each province in the past four financial years up to the latest specified date is as follows:
REGION |
Centre |
a) Total number of firearms (Type & calibre) |
b) Total number of ammunition (Type & calibre) |
(aa) Stolen |
(bb) Lost/ missing |
(aaa) period |
(bbb) April 2023 till date |
LMN |
Modimolle CC |
One (1) Glock 9mm |
N/A |
N/A |
Lost |
2020/21 |
N/A |
Witbank CC |
One (01) Beretta 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
Stolen |
N/A |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
Makhado CC |
One (01) Bereta 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Lost |
2022/23 |
N/A |
|
EC |
King Williams Town |
One (1) Glock 9mm |
N/A |
N/A |
Lost |
2021/22 |
N/A |
Middeldrift CC |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
N/A |
N/A |
Lost |
2020/21 |
N/A |
|
Mdatsane CC |
Two (02) Z88 9mm |
30 ammunition (magazine) |
X2 Stolen |
N/A |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
Mthatha Remand |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
Stolen |
N/A |
2021/22 |
N/A |
|
Flagstaff CC |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
10 ammunition (magazine) |
Stolen |
N/A |
2021/22 |
N/A |
|
Lusikisiki CC |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
15 ammunition Magazine |
Stolen |
N/A |
2020/21 |
N/A |
|
Sada CC |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
10 ammunition Magazine |
N/A |
Lost |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
St Albans Med B CC |
One (01) Barretta 9mm |
10 ammunition (magazine) |
Stolen |
N/A |
2019/20 |
N/A |
|
St Albans Med A CC |
One Glock 9mm |
30 ammunition (magazine) |
Stolen |
N/A |
2020/21 |
N/A |
|
KZN |
Eshowe CC |
One (01) Glock 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
N/A |
2023/24 |
Ncome Max CC |
One (01) Glock 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
FS/NC |
Victoria West CC |
One (01) Glock 9mm |
25 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
2022/23 |
N/A |
WC |
Brandvlei Youth CC |
N/A |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
2019/20 |
N/A |
Brandvlei Med CC |
N/A |
45 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
GAUTENG |
Johannesburg Med A |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
15 Ammunition |
N/A |
Missing |
2020/22 |
N/A |
Odi CC |
One (01) Z88 9mm |
15 ammunition (magazine) |
N/A |
Missing |
N/A |
2023/24 |
|
Total |
18 |
295 |
08 |
10 |
2. Steps taken to combat the theft and loss of firearms and ammunition are as follows:
- Monthly inspections and proper handing over of firearms is conducted daily;
- Continuous checking and control of firearms is done daily;
- Physical counting of firearms and ammunitions is vigorously done;
- Weekly certification is done and forwarded to the Area Commissioner according to the stipulations of Department B Order Chapter 16 Paragraph 5.6.4 and 5.6.5;
- SAPS is also conducting random inspection to monitor compliance with Firearm Control Act 2000;
- Continuous orientation of security officials and armoury controllers about the essence of registers;
- New arsenal controllers were appointed in writing and strict security measures are implemented;
- Fire arms are conducted for during unlock and lockup on daily basis;
3. (a) No arrest were made, however all incidents were reported to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation.
(3)(b) Yes, internal investigations have found that officials were involved and disciplinary processes were meted out. Details are as follows:
REGION |
TOTAL NUMBER FOUND GUILTY |
LMN |
|
EC |
Five (05) officials were found guilty:
Four incidents of stolen firearms are currently under internal investigation and all cases have been registered with SAPS. |
KZN |
No officials have faced disciplinary charges as the cases are still under internal investigation. |
FSNC |
Eight (8) officials found guilty as follows:
|
WC |
|
GP |
|
Total of nineteen 19 officials found guilty subsequent to disciplinary processes. |
END
05 January 2024 - NW3790
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
(1)What (a) total number of cases of transformer theft and/or sabotage to electrical infrastructure were reported in the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21, (iii) 2021-22 and (iv) 2022-23 financial years and (b) was the financial cost in terms of each province; (2) (a) which areas are yet to be restored and connected as a result of the theft incidents and (b) what action has been taken to restore and protect the electrical infrastructure?
Reply:
The Ministry/Minister was appointed to oversee and direct the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, with its 5-outcome areas. As such, the focus of NECOM has been on strengthening/stabilising generation, enabling the fast tracking of new generation including addressing legislative bottle necks, and accelerating the scale and pace of implementation of renewable energy projects, as well as upscaling rooftop solar/embedded generation projects, and transforming the energy landscape through transformation of the energy sector, consequently, the Ministry has not kept the records of the financial and economic impact (since its establishment) associated with cable theft and/or sabotage of transformer.
2. Further, incidences of this nature are observed across Eskom distribution, Transmission and the Municipalities and as such the Ministry does not maintain a outage/response and repair log. This information will have to be sourced from (Eskom Distribution), through the Department of Public Enterprises or the respect Municipality (in municipal licensed areas)