Questions and Replies
15 June 2021 - NW1515
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether there has been any feedback yet from the Treasury with regard to her department’s request to have the R350 grant extended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The request for the extension of the R350 grant has been processed through the relevant structures within government and as soon as guidance has been provided, the Department will be in a position to respond to the public accordingly.
15 June 2021 - NW1527
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What challenges are faced by small-scale indigenous farmers in the Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) whether her department has provided disaster-specific relief to the specified farmers as was done for other economic sectors during the pandemic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) Although agriculture was declared as essential service, smallholder production activities were negatively affected in the sector as they struggled to access their fields during initial lockdown period. There were post-harvest losses because of agro-logistics challenges experienced by farmers. Many smallholder farmers experienced loss of income and were also unable to prepare for the next planting season. There were reduced availability and access to extension services particularly during levels 5 and 4 of lockdown. There were other challenges such as:
- Closure of input dealerships and temporary hike in input prices in the first two months of lockdown as well as challenges in travelling to purchase inputs due to movement restrictions during lockdown levels 4 and 5. This included the massive congestion at the Durban port as Cape Town was considered the epicenter of the pandemic from around April to end May/early June 2020
- Lack of transport/slow processing of permits impeded the ability of workers to get to work in the first months of the outbreak of the pandemic and the general misinterpretation of disaster management regulations by law enforcement agencies
- During levels 5 to 3 of lockdown, almost all types of informal markets where smallholder farmers supply their farm produce were closed, including those that trade in cooked / prepared food. Informal food traders were not allowed to operate during the hard lockdown without permit and distribution plans for the perishable foods already harvested); & even when they were eventually allowed to operate, the customer base was significantly reduced.
(2) Yes. The Department provided disaster-specific relief to farmers. The Minister of Agriculture of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development secured funding of R1.2 Billion to assist smallholder farmers during April and May 2020. The fund was able to assist about 14 400 distressed smallholder farmers due to COVID-19 pandemic. A further R1 billion was allocated to the Department from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Initiative (PESI) to assist about 74 626 subsistence farmers who were not considered for the R1.2 Billion COVID-19 Relief. The Department is still implementing the R1 billion PESI intervention through e-vouchers.
15 June 2021 - NW1113
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department, as the majority shareholder in the Solms-Delta farm, has placed the farm in the Stellenbosch municipal area under business rescue; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was it placed under business rescue, (b) who are the business rescue practitioners and (c) what amount has been paid to the business rescue practitioners since the farm was placed under business rescue; (2) whether the business rescue practitioners produced a business rescue plan; if not, why not; if so, will she furnish Dr L A Schreiber with a copy of the plan; (3) (a) what is the current financial position of the farm and (b) how has the financial situation changed since the business rescue practitioners were appointed?
Reply:
1. No. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is not a shareholder in the business of Solms Delta.
a) The Department did not put the Solms-Delta farm under business rescue. The shareholders are the ones who resolved to put it under business rescue on 27 July 2017. Ms Timme (first BRP appointed) was subsequently replaced by Tayfin Forensic and Investigative Auditors on 01 November 2018), when the former applied to the high court to place the business under liquidation. In response to Ms Timme’s action, the beneficiaries themselves approached the Department for assistance and intervention. This led to an out of court settlement between, the interested parties, which resulted in the appointment of Tayfin Forensic and Investigative Auditors on 01 November 2018
b) The business rescue practitioners were Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC), represented by Ms Alison Mary Timme and Tayfin Forensic and Investigative Auditors, represented by Mr Mahier Tayob. The former resigned following the out of court settlement.
c) The amount of R1 120 293.00 was paid to the business rescue practitioners since the farm was placed under business rescue.
2. Yes. If the Business Rescue Practitioner agrees.
(3)(a) The current position of the farm is that the business is operating, even though not at full capacity partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
b) The financial situation has not changed much and that is why there is a meeting of stakeholders scheduled for 18 May 2021 to try to resolve the challenges.
15 June 2021 - NW1430
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to her reply to question 696 and question 697 on 23 March 2021, (a) on what date did the specified SA Social Security Agency (SASSA)-led investigations commence, (b) what number of the specified investigations (i) have actually been resolved and (ii) are still outstanding, (c) who specifically at SASSA is conducting the investigations, (d) what number of people at SASSA are currently responsible for conducting the investigations and (e) how are the investigations being conducted?
Reply:
With reference to her reply to question 696 and question 697 on 23 March 2021, (a) on what date did the specified SA Social Security Agency (SASSA)-led investigations commence
On 9 July 2020, SASSA received the findings from the Auditor General containing 20797 exceptions relating to the Covid-19 SRD grant. These exceptions included 216 government employees (PERSAL registered) who received the special COVID 19 SRD grant for the month of May 2020.
On 16 July 2020, SASSA received additional findings from the Auditor General containing 11845 exceptions of which 25 related to government employees (PERSAL registered) who received the special COVID 19 SRD grant for the month of May 2020.
Thus the total number of government employees who were flagged by the Auditor General is 241.
On 7 August 2020 SASSA received additional findings from the Auditor General containing 1513 exceptions consisting of company directors whose companies had received payment for government contracts. It is important to highlight that SASSA did not have access to the databases that the Auditor General used to identify the exceptions.
SASSA’s Project Management Office, upon consideration of the reports of the Auditor General and in consultation with management immediately suspended payments to certain categories of Covid 19 SRD grant beneficiaries. Among those that were immediately suspended were payments to the implicated government employees and the 1513 company directors.
As a result of the suspension of the payments, the implicated government employees each received R350 for May 2020 and no more.
SASSA engaged the Auditor General on the exceptions/findings with particular focus on some of the discrepancies. For instance, of the sample records tested from the findings provided by AGSA for instance the Grants it was noted that the applicants did not receive any grants in April 2020 – they only received grant payments from May 2020 and thus qualified to receive the R350 in May 2020. This was confirmed during a walkthrough with the AGSA on the system in terms of two records which AGSA themselves had chosen for verification and validation.
SASSA placed a focus on the 1513 company directors and the 241 government employees who received the Covid-19 SRD grant for further investigation.
SASSA has since written to the Departments where the implicated officials are employed so that disciplinary action can be taken including recovering the monies that were paid. Most of the implicated government employees work for the Department of Education (75), Department of Health (71) and the Department of Transport (45), with the remaining 50 officials spread across 16 departments.
The investigation into company directors who benefitted from the Covid funds was referred to the Fusion Centre that consists of various law enforcement bodies for further processing.
(b) what number of the specified investigations (i) have actually been resolved and (ii) are still outstanding
Please note that none of the investigations have been finalised. The Fusion Centre is still conducting the investigation into the company directors. Regarding, public servants, SASSA is engaging the relevant departments to ensure that the monies are recovered.
(c) who specifically at SASSA is conducting the investigations
The investigations at SASSA Head Office are conducted by 2 Fraud managers, 2 assistant managers and 1 specialist.
(d) what number of people at SASSA are currently responsible for conducting the investigations
The Fraud Management department at Head Office has 5 investigators, two of which are managers (level 12), 2 are assistant managers (level 10) and 1 level 8 specialist.
The post of General Manager: Fraud Management has been vacant for more than 5 years. However, this position has been advertised and a new GM: Fraud Manager has been appointed and expected to start duty as of 01 June 2021. The Fraud Management department does not have senior managers. In the interim the General Manager: Information Management has been assisting in managing the Department in addition to his normal functions.
This team is responsible for conducting all the investigations that emanate from Head Office or are cross-cutting, including SASSA card related fraud, general administration including supply chain matters, and the special Covid 19 SRD grant related matters.
(e) how are the investigations being conducted?
Due to shortage of staff, the SASSA fraud team relies primarily on data analytics in conducting its investigations. In addition the Fraud Management team works with law enforcement agencies, other state institutions and banking industry partners. Where possible the team also conducts field visits as part of the investigations.
It should be noted that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is also conducting investigations emanating from the presidential proclamations numbers R.37 of 2019 and R. 23 of 2020.
In addition, in February 2021 SASSA requested the Special Investigating Unit to assist the Agency with forensic specialists to conduct complex investigations.
15 June 2021 - NW1439
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, in light of the number of social grants that increased from 2 million in 1994 to 18,2 million in December 2020, she has found that the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) can sustain the R190 billion annual social assistance programme, taking into account the extra 6 million unemployed Social Relief of Distress grant beneficiaries since May 2020; (2) whether SASSA is considering a more comprehensive social protection system; if not, how does SASSA envisage to sustain the current programme; if so, what are the relevant details of the programme?
Reply:
1. Yes, the Department can sustain the social assistance budget of R190 billion. This allocation is made in terms of the Social Assistance Act (Act 13 of 2004),which mandates government to provide social assistance to specified categories of vulnerable people, including children, the elderly above the age of 60 years and persons with disabilities. All the social grants are means tested, with the exception of the foster child grant, to ensure that only the most vulnerable are able to access it. Over the past 20 years, the budget has been kept constant at around 3% of the national gross domestic product (GDP), thus staying more or less in line with the economic performance of the country.
2. Yes, the Department is considering a more comprehensive social security system, which will create a three-pillar system comprising social grants, contributory social insurance and voluntary insurance to ensure that those who are able to contribute towards their own social security provision are provided with appropriate institutional platforms to participate in social security cover. The policy makes extensive proposals for ensuring that all working people in the country, both in the formal sector and those in atypical forms of employment are mandated or encouraged to make contributions during their working years, so that they will have adequate income in the event of retirement, death or disability. These policy proposals will be the subject of wide stakeholder consultations during this financial year.
15 June 2021 - NW1534
Nxumalo, Mr MN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)Given that budget adjustments were made in response to COVID-19 and its impact, resulting in the decrease of the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges budget, while the infrastructure efficiency grant is also projected to decrease, as presented in Budget Vote 17, what are the implications of the specified adjustments on creating a competent workforce, which is one of the objectives of the National Development Plan and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan; 2) how do the specified budget reductions affect the employability of graduates, especially from TVET colleges, which enrol over 700 000 students, mainly from economically disadvantaged households; (3) what measures has his department put in place to ensure that targets set for the Department of Basic Education will be reached, despite challenges such as COVID-19?
Reply:
(1) To assess the real impact of the proposed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system budget cuts, it is important that the earmarked budget provided by National Treasury for the purpose of implementing the TVET Post Provisioning Norms (PPN) be excluded from the baseline increase, as it is actually being subsidised through a baseline reduction from the TVET Direct Transfers (subsidies). The PPN allocation is, therefore in real terms not a baseline increase, as the TVET sector and public TVET colleges will receive no additional funding for this purpose in particular.
The following table reflects in real terms the proposed budget reduction for the TVET sector over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which excludes the PPN:
Budget |
2021/22 R'000 |
2022/23 R'000 |
2023/24 R'000 |
Total R'000 |
TVET Compensation of Employees (CoE) budget cut |
(908,399) |
(1,206,281) |
(951,175) |
(3,065,855) |
TVET subsidy budget cut |
(100,000) |
(100,000) |
(100,478) |
(300,478) |
Sub-Total |
(1,008,399) |
(1,306,281) |
(1,051,653) |
(3,366,333) |
TVET operationalisation of new campuses budget cut |
(16,664) |
(22,136) |
(31,648) |
(70,448) |
TVET Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant budget cut |
(204,282) |
(265,613) |
(458,610) |
(928,505) |
Total |
(1,229,345) |
(1,594,030) |
(1,541,912) |
(4,365,287) |
Impact on student enrolments: TVET CoE and subsidies |
|
|
|
|
Budget reduction % |
-8.39% |
-10.47% |
-8.60% |
-9.17% |
Annual Performance Plan Targets |
|
|
|
|
Headcount enrolments in TVET colleges (State funded) |
505 770 |
|
|
|
TVET enrolment reduction |
(42 419) |
(52 978) |
(43 492) |
(138 889) |
As can be noted from the above table, the budget for the rest of the MTEF has been reduced by R3.3 billion affecting the TVET Compensation of Employees (CoE) and TVET Direct Transfers (subsidies), which translates to a reduction of student headcount enrolments by approximately 138 889 over the MTEF period.
(2) For many young people, attending a TVET college secures them with the skills and opportunities for employment in industries and businesses, and for some to venture into self-employment. A reduced budget will restrict access to TVET colleges for many students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, thereby exacerbating the challenges of escaping the generational trap of poverty.
(3) The Department has been supporting TVET colleges in developing strategies to overcome the difficulties faced by the contracting budget:
- The Department has identified the need for TVET colleges to expand access by developing partnerships with both private and public sector enterprises, and has incorporated this as a performance target for colleges to achieve. Colleges with partnerships have been able to increase their enrolments despite facing constrained budgets.
- The Department has encouraged colleges to initiate online learning as a platform of learning that can be accessed by a larger number of individuals that do not require to be physically at the college.
- In line with this and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, computers will be disbursed to TVET students thereby enabling the digital revolution for expanded blended and online learning.
All these innovations will boost the quality and quantity of competency achieved by young people attending TVET colleges.
15 June 2021 - NW1279
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)With reference to the special COVID-19 report of the Auditor-General, what (a) number of beneficiaries were over-paid in May 2020, (b) amount was overpaid and (c) number of beneficiaries were not paid as a result of the specified overpayments; 2) (a) what consequence management measures were instituted due to the food parcels not agreeing with the content list of the Social Relief of Distress grant and (b) how was the distribution of food parcels monitored; (3) whether the food parcels only reached the intended beneficiaries; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1(a) Following a reconciliation of all available information, a total of 31 929 grants were paid to clients who did not qualify for these in the period from May to July 2020. The grants were paid as the information available to SASSA at the time excluded databases of COVID relief paid to citizens through other government programmes such as the relief to sportsmen, spaza shop owners and farmers. In addition, SASSA only received the database from correctional services which included information on inmates in correctional facilities later in the process.
(b) A total of R11 175 950 was paid to citizens who did not qualify.
(c) No qualifying beneficiary was not paid as a result of the above incorrect payments.
2(a) All food parcels which were identified as not complying with the standard set for food parcels issued by SASSA were replaced by the relevant service provider.
(b) The distribution of food parcels was monitored by SASSA staff in the provinces, as the food parcels were distributed. SASSA staff were available at all distribution points to confirm the content of the food parcel, that the food parcel was collected by the approved beneficiary and that the invoices for food parcels distributed was received from the relevant service provider.
3. The food parcels were distributed to the approved applicants. Where an approved applicant did not arrive to collect the allocated food parcel, the parcel would be distributed to another approved beneficiary, after following a standard process to cancel the initial application and replace it with another applicant, who met the qualifying criteria.
The processes followed at the time were all manual, as SASSA was operating under Level 5 lockdown restrictions, with minimal staff available for this project.
In conclusion of the project, SASSA undertook a reconciliation process, to ensure that for every food parcel ordered and distributed, there was an approved application form; and that the support provided was captured on our grant system. This has taken a lot longer than initially planned, but has been now been completed.
15 June 2021 - NW1235
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department is taking any initiatives to address structural digital inequalities in e-learning in primary schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, in view of the much-feared third wave of COVID-19 which might dawn on the Republic soon, with anticipated learning losses for all learners, and given that due to the digital divide between fee-paying and non-fee paying schools more losses are anticipated for learners in non-fee paying schools, her department has a long-term sustainable solution to fight the digital divide for primary school learners who are disadvantaged; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1) The Department of Basic Education has developed a comprehensive plan to provide learners and teachers with digitised content as well as Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSMs). Different types of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets will be provided to learners in the Primary as well as Secondary schools, based on the type of teaching and learning resources that will be installed on these devices. The department has also developed the Remote Learning Strategy that ensures education continuity during the period imposed by the pandemic. This includes the Tswelopelo platform for primary school learners, and the zero-rating of education sites.
(2) The Department of Basic Education is working with State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and National Treasury to put all the necessary procurement processes in place to provide learners and teachers with ICT devices. The DBE has partnered with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to zero-rate over 300 education sites, that provide digital and video content to all learners. Furthermore, the DBE has developed a comprehensive recovery plan for teaching and learning that includes broadcast through TV OVHD Channel; use of both public and community radio broadcast; and printed materials have been made available and are collected at schools by parents and caregivers to complement all the other efforts by the department.
15 June 2021 - NW1529
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) current status of cotton production in the Republic for the 2020-21 financial year, in terms of yields and (b) viability of the cotton production, given the current importing trends of cotton products?
Reply:
a) The major production areas for cotton in South Africa are Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North-West Provinces. The 2020/21 cotton crop is just over 80 000 lint bales for April 2021, which is considerably lower compared to the 2019/20 of 134 230 lint bales. This is largely because some cotton farmers have switched to food crops because of relatively good prices and the lateness of the marketing of the previous season’s crop that contributed to a contraction in planted area. In certain production regions, excessive wet and adverse conditions during planting season led to scaling down of number of hectares for cotton. Therefore, the 2020/21 cotton plantings are considerably lower compared to the previous season, which led to lower cotton crop volumes. The table below is an illustration of the status of cotton in the country.
Production |
2021/21 estimate |
2019/20 estimate |
Hectares irrigated |
5 836 |
11 543 |
Hectares dryland |
11 122 |
16 132 |
Total ha |
16 958 |
27 675 |
Yield: seed cotton kg per ha |
||
Yield irrigated |
4 542 |
4 393 |
Yield dryland |
1 577 |
1 206 |
Total production of 200kg lint bales |
80 235 |
134 230 |
b) South Africa is known for producing good quality cotton despite many challenges it is facing. It is true that the increase in volumes of imported cotton threatens the viability and sustainability of the cotton industry in South Africa. Government and stakeholders in the cotton sector established the Sustainable Cotton Cluster (SCC) in June 2014 led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The SCC connects the entire cotton value chain under one umbrella: farmers, gins, yarn manufacturers, weavers and knitters, dyers, finishing plants and retailers. In the six years it’s been in operation, cotton production and processing has increased 800% and almost 50,000 jobs have been created or maintained in the cotton sector.
The outbreak of Covid 19 had a negative impact on this good initiative. During the lockdown harvesting and processing continued, but exports were suspended, striking a severe blow to the sector. Since then, export restrictions have been lifted, but global demand for cotton is decreasing and so are global prices. With around 80% of locally produced cotton being exported, this has significant implications for the sector. At the same time, severe financial strain on retailers is adding pressure. One of the main purposes of the SCC is to increase consumption of cotton by local retailers, aiming to increase local procurement from the pre-Covid average of 45% to 63% by 2030. Government is positive that by addressing the challenges, growth could be restored in 2021/22 and beyond.
15 June 2021 - NW1569
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) Who was appointed by her department as the administrator to ensure that the Richtersveld community sets up a committee to deal with issues of being a legal stakeholder within Alexcor and having legal mining rights, and that the community benefits fairly in terms of the set legal requirements, (b) what are the terms of reference for the specified administrator, (c) for what period will the administrator be appointed and (d) at what cost; 2) (a) what is the name of the trust account that has been set up for the community of Richtersveld, (b) what is the total amount of funding that is currently in the trust account, (c) who are the trustees of the trust account, (d) what is the total amount of funds that the trustees have withdrawn and (e) for what purpose(s) were the funds required?
Reply:
(1)(a) Following the application to the Northern Cape High Court, in terms of case number 961/2019, by the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and the order granted by the same court on 28 February 2020; Honey Attorneys were appointed as Judicial Administrator of the Richtersveld Communal Property Association (CPA). Mr Don Madjiet is a representative of Honey Attorneys and responsible for the day-to-day running of the CPA as per the Court Order.
(b) The terms of reference of the Judicial Administrator are as per the Court order of 28 February 2020 of case number 961/2019. The Administrator is required to exercise powers of the executive committee of the Richtersveld CPA and perform all functions assigned to him in terms of the said court order. The Judicial Administrator has developed a comprehensive workplan which has been approved. The details are specified in the court order. Please refer to Annexure A.
(c) The Judicial Administrator is appointed for a period of three (3) years from the date of the court order i.e. 28 February 2020 until 28 February 2023.
(d) The costs are determined as per the rates of the Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF). The rate of compensation depends on the experience of the appointed Administrator and the hours he spends doing activities relating to the work of the CPA. The minimum is R475.00 to a maximum of R750.00 per hour, and the minimum per day is R3 800.00 to a maximum of R6 000.00.
(2)(a) In 1998 the Richtersveld community lodged a claim against the Government for dispossession of land under the Restitution of Land Rights Acts 22 of 1994. Following protracted court proceedings, the Constitutional Court awarded the land and mineral rights to the community of the Richtersveld. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and the then Department of Land Affairs represented the Government in the settlement negotiations. The Deed of Settlement (DoS) was signed on 22 April 2007. In order to protect the interests of the community, the DoS sought to create a very comprehensive structure of Trusts and Companies to house the interests of the Community. The DoS signed by the parties in 2007 directed that at least two (2) Trusts: Richtersveld Community Trust and Richtersveld Investment Trust) and eight (8) companies must be established to manage and operate the various business dealings of the Richtersveld Community Claim and one (1) Communal Property Association as a land-holding entity. DALRRD is responsible for the CPA as determined through Communal Property Association Act, 28 of 1996. The Department of Justice, as the custodian of the Trusts in terms of the Trust Property Control Act 57 of 1988, is responsible for the administration and management of Trusts.
(b) DALRRD does not have any figures relating to the total amount of funding that is currently in the Trust account. It should be noted that Trusts are independent legal entities. Trustees had to report to the CPA on its operation but such could not be obtained from the previous CPA committee. The administrators function is to facilitate that such reports are consolidated and made available when meetings are convened and reports tabled to the members of the CPA.
(c) The term of office of the trustees has expired and DALRRD will assist the community with the elections of all structures within Richtersveld, as instructed by the Administration court order of 28 February 2020.
(d) DALRRD does not have that information and will only be known once trustees have reported to CPA members and submitted a report to the Administrator.
(e) Unknown at this stage.
15 June 2021 - NW1528
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With regard to the local production of beef and importation of beef products in the Republic, (a) what percentage of beef consumed in the Republic is (i) produced locally and (ii) imported and (b) from which countries is the beef imported; (2) what strategies is the Government implementing to boost local production of beef and ensure self-reliance, given that the Republic is a naturally conducive environment for beef production?
Reply:
(1) (a) South Africa fluctuates between being a net exporter or importer of beef. Drought and FMD outbreaks are the major factors that contributes to the direction of beef import or export. The country currently produces 1 081 900 tons and consumes about 1 065, 000 tons of beef per year. It is currently a net exporter of beef, with only 3 000 tons imported in 2019/2020. The country exported 37 000 tons in the same period. South Africa consumes just over 97% of the beef that is produced locally and only about 3% from the imports.
1 (b) From which countries is the beef imported;
In the past 12 months live animals were imported mainly from Botswana & Namibia for feedlots. In that period 383,400 live animals were imported from these countries. Beef cuts that were either frozen or fresh were imported from the following countries:
• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• Swaziland
• Australia
• New Zealand
• France
• Germany
• Republic of Ireland
• Spain
• Switzerland
• the United Kingdom
• the USA
• Argentina
• Brazil and
• Uruguay.
2. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is implementing Beef Recording and Improvement Schemes including the transformative Kaonofatso Ya Dikgomo scheme, that tracks performance of the individual beef animals farmed in South Africa under stud and commercial farming. The scheme also focuses on getting a beef farmer to be on a continuous improvement path through training and linkages with good markets. DALRRD also strategically included beef farming support on all funding scheme i.e. CASP; Ilema/Letsema; Blended funding and the Jobs Fund. DALRRD is in the advance stage of implementing the Livestock Identification and Traceability system which will help with health control and market access and thus improved productivity and profitability of the sector.
14 June 2021 - NW1747
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism
In light of the fact that on the Annual Performance Plan of 2021-22 of her department, as well as her planning, through the destination development programme, to do some work at Ga-Tisana in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality in Limpopo, (a) what exactly will her department be doing in the area and (b) how will the residents in the village and the surrounding areas benefit from the specified initiative?
Reply:
a) The Department will be undertaking work at the Tisani Cutural village situated in Ga-Tisani village, Makhuduthamaqa Local Municipality in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. The Department of Tourism has appointed the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as the implementing agent to construction or complete the following: 10 chalets, 10 braai areas, conference facility, new entrance gate, swimming pool with ablution facility, cultural village with museum, furniture, security fence and landscaping.
b) Employment opportunities will be provided during the implementation of the project. The workers will mainly be from the villages of Tisani, Sekwati, Magukubu and Ga-Phaahla.
Non-accredited and accredited training will be also be provided during construction stage. After completion the project will be operational to create permanent jobs for local people.
14 June 2021 - NW1729
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) Where is the Head Office of SA Tourism located, (b) what is the office’s (i) commercial grade and (ii) square meterage and (c) who owns the building in which the Tourism Head Office is located?
Reply:
(a) Bojanala House
90 Protea Road, Cnr Impala and Protea,
City of Johannesburg,
Sandton,
2196
Gauteng Province
b) (i) Zoning - Business 4 Offices as per Town Planning Regulations
(ii) Extent of property is 5 345.00 m². Gross building area including ground floor, first floor, basement, covered patios, balconies, guardhouse and refuse area is 6 025.00 m².
c) The building is owned by the South African Tourism Board.
14 June 2021 - NW1540
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
What (a) has she found to be the reason that De Hoop Dam in Limpopo is unable to provide the communities around it with water, as was initially planned, (b) faults were made in the construction of the specified dam and (c) steps have been taken by her department to correct those faults, and hold the persons responsible to account?
Reply:
(a) The construction of the De Hoop Dam, Phase 2A, is complete and the dam is currently operational. With regard to Phase 2C, a steel pipeline from the De Hoop Dam to Steelpoort was completed and is also operational. The dam currently delivers raw water to Sekhukhune District Municipality through the water treatment plant at Ga-Malekana (Steel Bridge) and Steelpoort. It is the responsibility of the local authority to treat the water and arrange for its reticulation to communities.
Notwithstanding, it is critical to complete the remaining phases for the dam to be utilised optimally. The remaining phases and status are indicated below:
- Phase 2B – Pipeline Flag Boshielo Dam to Mokopane, design complete, construction to commence once funding is available.
- Phase 2D – New pipeline from Steelpoort to Mooihoek and Balancing Dam, pipeline design has been completed and final work packages for tender purposes was submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and are under review. The project is ready to commence with the construction stage pending confirmation of funding required for the entire project. In addition, delays in the finalisation of the acquisition of land may adversely impact the progress with the construction programme due to the required relocations/ resettlements.
- Phase 2E – 10 km gravity pipeline from Mooihoek to Havercroft Junction, tender design stage. This phase is currently on hold due to no funding being allocated.
- Phase 2F – 46 km gravity pipeline from Havercroft Junction to the existing Olifantspoort WTW, tender design stage. This phase is currently on hold due to no funding being allocated.
(c) The design and construction of the De Hoop Dam meets the requirements in terms of Chapter 12 of the National Water Act 36,1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998). The dam was developed under the auspices of an Approved Professional Person.
(d) Delays in completing the project cannot be attributed to specific officials, therefore, no officials of the department are being held to account in this regard.
14 June 2021 - NW1403
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether the (a) Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements and (b) Msunduzi Local Municipality have (i) received and/or (ii) been allocated and/or (iii) spent any emergency funding from the Human Settlements Development Grant for the purposes of emergency relief for the victims of fire which occurred during the National State of Disaster at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (aa) what amount has been spent and (bb) for what purposes?
Reply:
According to information received from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements and Msunduzi Local Municipality;
(i) & (ii) The HSDG funding has been received and allocated
(iii) In the aftermath of a fire that broke out in the Jika Joe Informal Settlement, the Msunduzi Local Municipality requested the assistance of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements to appoint a service provider to supply building materials for the 174 households that were affected by the fire.
An amount of R1 510 416.00 was spent to supply building materials for the 174 households that were affected by the fire.
14 June 2021 - NW1263
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether she will furnish Mr S J F Marais with the details of the use of the Automated Shooting Range System used by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) whether the use of the Automated Shooting Range System benefits the SANDF and the protection of the land, sea and air borders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any comparable system from an SA Defence Industry entity was considered; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether a tender was advertised for the procurement of the system; if not, why not; if so, what are the costs involved for the (a) SANDF and (b) the Department of Defence?
Reply:
(1) Details requested entail the SANDF’s tactical employment of strategic assets, any information so required may only be disclosed in a closed session.
(2) The Automated Shooting Range (ASR) system will benefit the SANDF as it is intended to improve its members’ shooting skills and combat effectiveness with limited ammunition and the simulation of different combat scenarios in the midst of the dwindling budget allocation.
(3) The ASR was specifically designed for the SANDF; the Department is not aware of a similar capability within the local defence industry.
(4) The system was benchmarked and requested at a bi-lateral (Cuba/RSA) level, thereby no tender process was followed.
14 June 2021 - NW1262
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What are the (a) reasons that Project Thusano was extended to other operational matters in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), like the inclusion of the Cuban techniques into basic infantry training and (b) benefits for the SANDF from (i) a South African and (ii) an African security perspective; (2) whether the specified project was first analysed and compared to the existing SANDF and best international techniques; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) what are the costs related to the extension of the project and (b) how is this justified given the economic pressures and budget cuts in the SANDF?
Reply:
(1) (a) Project THUSANO has not been extended to operational matters in the SANDF, only the basic maintenance and utilisation at technical level information was exchanged with SANDF members in order to ensure proper servicing of equipment developed together with the Cubans as part of skills transfer.
(1) (b) (i) and (ii) Project THUSANO activities are beneficial to the SANDF as its internal capability is being built. The SANDF dependency on industry for maintenance and repair will be reduced. The cost of training will be drastically reduced, including improving shooting capability in simulation of different types of combat arenas which may be encountered, thereby, reducing the need for physical travel of trainees and the concomitant costs.
(2) Project THUSANO was analysed and compared with SANDF and best international techniques and proved to be the cheapest and cost-effective way of reducing costs of maintenance and repair, as well as acquiring skills through imparting technical knowledge to SA Army artisans.
(3) (a) According to Contract TI 17-001 South Africa Annexure 6 signed in October 2018, the total cost is US$ 5,975,545.00 (ZAR 86,645,402.50) based on a rand-dollar exchange rate of R14,50:US$1.
(3) (b) Economic pressures and budget reductions require innovative and creative approaches as the funds to outsource maintenance and repair are limited. Building internal capability is one of the initiatives intended to manage the limited budget and/or budgetary constraints. The skills could have been acquired very expensive if these members were sent to private institution for training and skills development.
14 June 2021 - NW1613
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether her department has put any measures in place to assist the Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal to resolve its water supply issues; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the measures?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is providing financial support to the Harry Gwala District Municipality in order to address water supply challenges. The support provided through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) is as indicated below:
a) The DWS is funding the implementation of the Greater Bulwer Bulk Water Project through RBIG. The project will supply water potable water to 23 729 households living within the Doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipalities. The project is being implemented by the Harry Gwala District Municipality. The estimated project cost is R556 363 974. To date, the Department has transferred R352 973 445 to the municipality for implementation of the project.
b) Since the introduction of the WSIG in the 2016/17 financial year up to the 2020/21 financial year, the Department has transferred R384 518 000 to the municipality for implementation of various water and sanitation projects. The municipality has implemented the following projects funded through WSIG:
Name of project |
Local municipality |
Villages benefitting |
Project status |
Hlokozi Water Supply Phase 4 |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Kwa-Bhengu, Nhlangwini, Sigcakini and Ngcikica |
Completed |
Nokweja/Mashumi Water Supply Scheme Upgrade Phases 1 and 2 |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Nokweja, Mashumi, Webbstown, St Allois, Plainhill, Kwa Dladla, Nkoneni, Ngongoneni, Mazabekweni, Madungeni, Ntambama, Mdabu, Magaba and Bovini |
Completed |
KwaSpheni Water Supply Scheme |
Ingwe |
KwaSpheni, Maxhini, Maphempeni and Sokhela |
Completed |
Mqatsheni Stepmore Water Supply |
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
Mqatsheni and Stepmore |
Completed |
Ndawana Water Resource Upgrade |
Umzimkhulu |
Ndawana |
Completed |
Water Supply for Identified Villages under Umzimkhulu Jurisdiction |
Umzimkhulu |
Ngujini, Sdadeni/Nguse, Gujendlini, KwaSenti 02, Chancele, Pholanyoni, Thonjeni, Tsaule/Mbomvini, Ngwagwane and Gaybrook |
Completed |
Umzimkhulu Sanitation |
Umzimkhulu |
Ndawana, Nyanisweni, Bonvini, Nsikeni, Dumanomoeh, Nazareth, Ngwinjini, Chancele, KwaJames, Rhauka, Mfundweni, KwaTshaka, Bombo, KwaDay, St Barnabas, Madakeni, Gijima and Mahobe |
Completed |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment/Updgrade in Kokstad: (Kokstad CRU Development) |
Kokstad |
CRU Developments |
Completed |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade in Kokstad: Upgrade of CBD Pipeline |
Kokstad |
CBD Upgrade |
Completed |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade in Kokstad: Upgrade of Mamiesa Developments |
Kokstad |
Mamiesa Developments |
Completed |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade |
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
Bulwer, Donnybrook, Kwezela, Nkumba |
Completed |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade in Ubuhlebezwe: Upgrade of Jolivet Water Supply |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Jolivet |
Completed |
Mariathal, Mandilini and Esperance Water Supply Project Phase 4 |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Mariathal, Mandilini and Esperance |
Under construction |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade |
Umzimkhulu |
Riverside |
Under construction |
Capital Infrastructure Refurbishment Upgrade - Upgrade of Mhlabashana Water Supply |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Mhlabashana |
Under construction |
Universal Rural Sanitation coverage |
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Kokstad and Ubuhlebezwe |
Construction of 1000 VIP toilets scattered in the following wards for Kokstad (6,2,3 & 4) & 1000 VIP toilets scattered in the following wards for Dr Nkosazane Dlamini-Zuma (1,4,6,12&14) |
Under construction |
Nokweja-Mashumi Water Supply scheme Phase 3 |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Mbambalala and Mgodi |
Under construction |
Water Supply to Masimini Mbuzweni Villages Intervention Schemes |
Umzimkhulu |
Ndawana, Masameni, Mnyembe, Gudlintaba |
Under construction |
Water Supply to Masimini and Mbuzweni
|
Umzimkhulu |
Ndawana, Masameni, Mnyembe, Gudlintaba |
Under construction |
Villages Intervention Schemes |
|||
Marriaskop Water Supply Intervention Schemes |
Greater Kokstad |
Marriaskop |
Under construction |
Refurbishment/ Augmentation of water supply schemes |
Dr Nkosazane Dlamini Zuma |
Mabedlane, Tarr's Valley, Goxhill, Kwa-Bhobhi, Sandanezwe |
Under construction |
Refurbishment/ Augmentation of Springvale water supply |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Springvale |
Under construction |
Refurbishment/ Augmentation of Ebhayi/ Gudlucingo Water Supply |
Ubuhlebezwe |
Ntapha, Gudlucingo, Chibini, Ngomakazi, Bhethani, Ebhayi, Thathani |
Tender stage |
The 2021 WSIG Medium Term Expenditure Framework allocations to the Harry Gwala Municipality for the completion of projects under planning and implementation respectively are as follows:
Financial Year |
Amount |
2021/22 |
R 90 700 000 |
2022/23 |
R 95 000 000 |
2023/24 |
R100 000 000 |
TOTAL |
R285 700 000 |
c) A Directive has been issued to the Umgeni Water Board to commence with the planning and implementation of the Stephen Dlamini Dam to provide a long term sustainable water source for the Greater Bulwer Project.
14 June 2021 - NW1346
Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she has been informed that the waste water treatment plant in the Naledi Local Municipality in the North West has broken down to such an extent that it is leading to the pollution of natural and/or bulk water sources and constitutes a health risk to the local community; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has she taken to compel the responsible water provider to take urgent steps to comply with its licence conditions?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), as the water sector leader is required to ensure compliance with minimum water quality norms and standards as well as the efficient use of water in its pursuit to strengthen the regulation of the water sector. However, the maintenance of Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) is the responsibility of Water Service Authorities (municipalities) and DWS plays a regulatory role.
In accordance with the above, the Department is aware of the state of the Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) in the Naledi Local Municipality in the North West. The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mopati District Municipality is the water service authority while Naledi Local Municipality is the water service provider. I am informed that Service level agreement disputes between the two municipalities have resulted in a breakdown of services to the community.
Contractors are appointed by Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mopati District to operate and maintain the Vryburg WWTW on a short term basis which contributes to the plant payment disputes between the municipalities and the service provider. In addition, the capacity of the plant is also inadequate for the increased sewer requirements. Therefore, there are spillages from the sewer pipelines and partially treated and untreated sewer spillages from the plant.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) issued a Directive in terms of Sections 19(3) and 53(1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) to the DRSM DM addressing both the Vryburg WWTW and the Farm Rosendale 673 pollution in October 2018. There were some improvements in infrastructure and operation and maintenance of the WWTW thereafter, as the municipality implemented corrective measures.
However, there were recurring sewer spillages and the DWS took legal action against the municipality. A court order was granted on 18 September 2020 against the DRSM DM by the High Court of South Africa (North West Division) for the municipality to take all necessary steps to ensure that raw sewage is not discharged. The following were long term interventions that were part of the action plan to remedy the situation:
- The Naledi Local Municipality recommended construction of a new WWTW as the existing plant was originally designed for 4.8 ML/d but the daily flow had reached 8-9 Ml/day overtime
- The DWS recommended an amount of R314 410 500 towards the upgrade and development of a new 16Ml/d WWTW in Vryburg to be funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and issued a water use license to the facility.
- The DWS also provided R5.2 million to the Municipality through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for the refurbishment of the pump station, the sewer network and refurbishment of the Sludge handling facilities.
The DWS conducted inspections during May 2021 and found that the situation has not improved despite the undertakings in the Action Plan submitted by the municipality. Given the non-compliance to the Directive and the court order, the department will proceed with additional legal action to ensure that the municipality implements corrective action.
14 June 2021 - NW1475
Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)Whether his department has concluded any work exchange and/or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba from the 2010-11 financial year up to the 2020-21 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total number of Cuban nationals (i) have been employed in each of the specified financial years and/or (ii) are due to be employed in the 2021-23 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, (b) are the details of the work that each of the specified Cuban nationals was and/or will be employed to perform, (c) are the details of the specific skills sets that each of the specified Cuban nationals possessed and/or will possess that South African nationals did or will not possess and (d) are the details of the total cost of employing each of the specified Cuban nationals in each case; (2) whether his department took any steps to ensure that the specific skills set of the specified Cuban nationals were and/or will not be available in the Republic amongst South African citizens; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) steps taken and (b) outcomes of the steps taken in this regard?
Reply:
HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Department has not concluded any work exchange and/or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba from the 2010/11 financial year up to the 2020/21 financial year.
SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
(1) (a) South Africa and the Republic of Cuba signed a science and technology agreement in 2001 to promote development cooperation in S&T by means of exchanging scientists, research workers, specialists and scholars and exchange of scientific and technological information. However, the department has not employed any Cuban nationals and it is not due to employ any in the 2021-23 Medium Term Expenditure Framework period.
(b) There are no Cuban nations to be employed in the department, therefore there are no details of work to be carried out.
(c) There are no details for specific skills sets possessed by Cuban nationals to be communicated as there are no Cuban nationals employed/to be employed in the department.
(d) Details of the costs of employing Cuban nationals are not available as there are no Cuban nationals employed in the department.
2 (a) Despite having a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Cuba, the department has had no plans to employ Cuban nationals, and as such has not taken any steps to ensure that any specific skill set was not available amongst South African citizens.
(b) As no Cubans with specific skills set were employed by the department, the department has not taken any steps to ensure the specific skills set of the Cuban nationals were available in the Republic amongst South African citizens.
Some contextual issues
Following South Africa’s democratic transition, South Africa and Cuba established formal diplomatic relations on 15 May 1994 and opened resident Embassies in Pretoria (1994) and Havana (1995), respectively. Cuba has since become an established strategic partner for South Africa in the Latin American region. This led to the signing of an agreement on Scientific and Technological cooperation between the countries in 2001.
14 June 2021 - NW1048
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she will furnish Ms E L Powell with all responses received by her department to the (a) requests for quotation and/or (b) tender adverts for personal protective equipment ultimately awarded to certain suppliers (names and details furnished) during the period 1 March to 1 October 2020; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
I wish to indicate to the Honourable Member that the names of contractors or service providers involved in the provision of the services indicated in the reply have been concealed because the document titled “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly” prohibits Members of Parliament, including the Executive, from providing names of individuals or companies in parliamentary questions. The document referred to states that:
“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”.
The information provided in the table below relates to service providers that provided quotations for Personal Protective Equipment:
SUPPLIERS |
QUOTED PRICE |
TOTAL POINTS SCORED(PRICE & B-BBEE) |
R675 700.00 |
100 points |
|
R800 800.00 |
64.18 points |
|
R1 249 500.00 |
32.06 points |
|
R11 600 200.00 |
-1193.42 points |
The information provided below relates to service providers that conducted screening of employees and visitors in the Department of Human Settlements:
SUPPLIERS |
QUOTED PRICE |
TOTAL POINTS SCORED(PRICE & B-BBEE) |
R 345 000.00 |
100 points |
|
R 388 000.00 |
90.02 points |
|
R 465 000.00 |
72.17 points |
|
R 562 650.00 |
49.53 points |
|
R 661 200.00 |
26.67 points |
|
R 1 884 000.00 |
-256.86 points |
Quotations received from service providers for the provision of fumigation services is provided in the table below:
SUPPLIERS |
QUOTED PRICE |
TOTAL POINTS SCORED(PRICE & B-BBEE) |
R 242 213.00 |
80 points |
|
R 447 803.26 |
|
Quotations received from contractors for deep cleaning and sanitizing of buildings in the Department of Human Settlements:
SUPPLIERS |
QUOTED PRICE |
TOTAL POINTS SCORED(PRICE & B-BBEE) |
R467 386.20 |
100 points |
|
R498 291.00 |
|
|
R 733 500.00 |
|
|
R174 464.00 |
80 points |
|
R411 298.88 |
-8.60 points |
|
R476 504.80 |
-58.50 points |
|
R879 896.50 |
-243.47 points |
14 June 2021 - NW1727
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)What (a)(i) specific projects are anticipated for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of her department known as the Social Responsibility Implementation Programme (SRIP) in the 2021-22 financial year and (ii) are their details in each case, (b) amount has been budgeted for each project, (c) number of persons are to be employed in each project and (d) is the duration of each project; (2) what has she found will each project contribute to the skills development of the persons employed in the SRIP?
Reply:
(1)(a) and (d) The Member is kindly referred to the Annual Performance Plan for 2021/22-2023/24 that was tabled on 25 March 2021 (ATC no 43 of 2021) as well as the Presentation of 4 May 2021 to the Portfolio Committee on Tourism. Details of projects are reflected in the above-mentioned documents. As the member knows infrastructure projects will be implemented through the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and they are currently in the planning phase.
(b) The skills projects are in an advanced procurement process. No budget can be disclosed until finalisation of such processes which include competitive bidding and price negotiations in some cases, as it will compromise the requisite competitiveness and could influence market prices. The member’s attention is drawn to slide 65 of the above-mentioned presentation where the overall budget for EPWP projects is reflected under Working for Tourism. This budget is also reflected in the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) page 779 as tabled by the Minister of Finance on 24 February 2021.
(c) No projects, are yet concluded for this Financial Year, thus the final number of persons employed/ gaining experiential work experience is not yet available. Slide 40 of the abovementioned presentation give an indication of the number of people that are targeted for the Work Opportunities of Infrastructure Projects and the target numbers for the Capacity Building projects are indicated in the presentation (Food Safety Programme, Chefs- Professional cookery, Wine Service Training Programme (Sommelier), Hospitality Youth Programme (HYP), Data Collectors and Tourism Safety Monitors)
(2) The participants in these projects are provided with accredited and non-accredited training and in some projects full accredited qualifications.
11 June 2021 - NW1615
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
1) Whether his department and/or the National Energy Regulator of South Africa received any licence applications from DNG Energy for its proposed Khensani Gas to Power Plant in Komatipoort; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the current status of such application; 2) Whether any public participation has taken place regarding the proposed Khensani Gas to Power Plant to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1821E
Reply:
- No, the Department is not responsible for the licensing of power generation, that is the function of Nersa. Nersa was consulted and they have confirmed that they have not received any licence application from DNG Energy for its proposed Khensani Gas to Power Plant in Komatipoort.
- See (a) above.
11 June 2021 - NW1617
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
With regard to his statement during the Mini Plenary of his department’s Budget Vote concerning the raising of the electricity generation licencing threshold to 10MW, alternatively 50MW, (a) on what date was the survey conducted, (b) what was the format of the survey, (c) what were the exact questions asked and (d)(i) what was the total number of respondents and (ii) what total number of respondents were (aa) in favour of limiting the threshold to 10MW and (bb) in favour of raising the threshold above 10MW? NW1823E
Reply:
a) The word “survey” was used to refer to public comments received by the Department following the gazetting of Schedule II of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) in relation to the threshold for embedded generation licencing.
b) The comments were received through the post and email.
c) There were no questions as comments were on the gazette notice.
d) (i) Over 15000 comments were received.
(aa) Majority is in support of the 10MW threshold.
(bb) The remainder is split between those who disagree completely with embedded generation and those who prefer a higher threshold.
11 June 2021 - NW1146
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 421 on 1 April 2021, every regulation issued in terms of section 134 of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, has been referred to the relevant Parliamentary committees overseeing his department, as is required by subsection 134(5), since the inception of the specified Act; if not, (a) which regulation(s) has or have not been referred to the relevant Parliamentary committees and (b) what are the reasons that each specified regulation was not referred to the relevant Parliamentary committee; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
Yes, every regulation issued in terms of section 134 of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998 as amended was referred to the relevant parliamentary committees as required by section 134(5). The 2004 regulations (promulgated in government gazette 26626 dated 30 July 2004) and 2012 regulations (promulgated in government gazette (35277 dated 25 April 2012) are the only regulations issued and there have been no amendments since 2012.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
END.
11 June 2021 - NW1200
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether, in light of the popular Netflix documentary series titled Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, whose Season 5 featured a hard look inside the Brandvlei Correctional Centre in the Western Cape that is home to the notorious number gangs, he has been informed of the show as it portrays to the world a daily account of the lives of the inmates at the prison; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether his department has done anything to address the challenges that the wardens are faced with at this particular centre and others like it; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
1. Permission to access to Correctional Centres is permitted under section 99 of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998. This section must be read together with Section 123 which relates to prohibited publication. The Department has a gang combating strategy in place to deal with gangsterism in our facilities.
In the case of the mentioned documentary, permission was granted during 2019 for filming of the documentary at the Brandvlei Correctional Centre, filming then commenced in January 2020.
2. Yes, It is also common practice for the Department to provide qualified Employee Assistance Practitioners (EAP) to officials. Group awareness and therapy programmes are regularly presented to correctional officials. Individual consultations are also arranged for officials who are either referred to the EAP for debriefing or through voluntary personal requests. In the event that further assistance and intervention is required, the cases are referred to external practitioners.
END.
11 June 2021 - NW1428
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether his department has embarked on a learnership programme for the 2021-22 financial year; if not, will his department hold the learnership programme in abeyance until all existing trainees have been absorbed; if so, (a) what number of learners are enrolled and (b) what steps will be taken to ensure that these learners are absorbed into his department when they qualify, (2) whether the unsuccessful candidates who are not going to be absorbed will be advised personally; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the unsuccessful candidates will be removed from the persal system so that they can pursue alternative employment; if not, why not; if so, by what date will they be removed?
Reply:
1. No, the Department of Correctional Services has not yet embarked on the 2021/22 Learnership Programme. The enrolment will be determined by the human resource needs and the availability of funds. The absorption of learners who have completed their learnership is not a determining factor for the enrolment of the next group of learners on the programme. The aim of the programme is to provide training and skills development opportunities to the youth preparing them for the labour market.
(1)(a) None
(1)(b) Not applicable
2. No, the learnership programme is a 12 month development programme and not an employment contract, in the case of group 1 of 2019/20 the contract was extended as the programme was suspended for two months during the lockdown levels 5 and 4. The programme came to an end on 31 December 2020.
3. Yes, their contract appointment on the PERSAL system is created in such a way that, when the contract end date is reached, the learner is automatically removed from the PERSAL system enabling them to pursue alternative employment.
END
11 June 2021 - NW1676
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What are the (a) full relevant details of the various agreements signed by him and his predecessors over the past 10 financial years on behalf of the Government with the Republic of Cuba, (b) reasons and (c) total amounts paid to any Cuban entity in the past 10 financial years by (i) his department and (ii) any entity reporting to him?
Reply:
a) The DMRE has no Inter-Governmental Agreements with Cuba.
b) N/A
c) (i) N/A, (ii) N/A
11 June 2021 - NW1622
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
1) What is the position regarding the mining licence of the Shiva Uranium and Gold mine; 2) Whether buyers for the mine are still being sought; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 3) Whether there have been any offers to buy the mine; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the reasons the offers were refused, (b) are there any prospects for a sale this year and (c) on what date will his department withdraw the mining right if no buyer is secured; 4) Whether his department communicates with the previous employees of the mine; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how and (b) on what date; 5) What (a) is the position regarding the mine’s rehabilitation guarantee, (b) will the estimated cost of rehabilitation be and (c) amount of it will be funded by the rehabilitation guarantee?
Reply:
(1) Shiva Uranium has been issued with three mining rights, and they are all valid
(2) This matter is still before the Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) and is yet to be finalised. The Department does not get to be involved in the process of appointing the potential buyers, it is only once purchase has been concluded wherein an application to transfer ownership would be made in accordance with the provision of section 11 of the MPRDA. At this stage, such application has not been brought for our attention as the BRP’s process is not yet concluded.
(3) (a) Please see (2) above
(b) Please see (2) above
(c) The date cannot be confirmed as the rescue process is still underway
(4) (a) The Department is of the view that the issue of communicating with previous employees of the mine remains to be the responsibility of the BRP as they are assuming the responsibility of the right holder (b) 31 May 2021
(5)(a) There is financial provision to the value of R61 424 275.00 that has been deposited into Rehabilitation Trust (Cash Deposit) held by the Department.
(b) The environmental liability that was determined by the independent environmental assessor (before the mine went through the BRP’s process) was estimated at R101 018 658. 57, the mine was further directed to address the shortfall of R39 594 383.57, which is still pending.
(c) The shortfall of financial provision has be discussed with the Business Rescue Practitioner in the sense that the potential buyer will be required to demonstrate that they have financial capacity to address the required financial provision before section 11 application is finalised.
11 June 2021 - NW1623
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Given that mining and prospecting rights can be obtained with a shelf company that could incur major financial liabilities, what are the reasons that applications for mining rights do not require Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Act 38 of 2001, information from applicants, including banking details, tax numbers and proof of residence? NW1829E
Reply:
Section 16 for prospecting right and 22 for mining right read with Regulation 5 and 10 of the MPRDA outlines granting criteria for such rights.
11 June 2021 - NW1478
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether his department has concluded any work exchange and/or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba from the 2010-11 financial year up to the 2020-21 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total number of Cuban nationals (i) have been employed in each of the specified financial years and/or (ii) are due to be employed in the 2021-23 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, (b) are the details of the work that each of the specified Cuban nationals was and/or will be employed to perform, (c) are the details of the specific skills sets that each of the specified Cuban nationals possessed and/or will possess that South African nationals did or will not possess and (d) are the details of the total cost of employing each of the specified Cuban nationals in each case; (2) whether his department took any steps to ensure that the specific skills set of the specified Cuban nationals were and/or will not be available in the Republic amongst South African citizens; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) steps taken and (b) outcomes of the steps taken in this regard?
Reply:
1. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) has never concluded any agreement with the Republic of Cuba or any entity in Cuba for work exchange and/or employment during the period from the 2010-11 financial year up to the 2020-21 financial year.
The DoJ&CD is currently negotiating an Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance agreements with Cuba. These agreements have not yet entered into force and are not linked to any work exchange programme and/or employment between the two countries.
The position is that the DoJ&CD does not currently have any plans to conclude work exchange programme and/or employment with any entity of the Republic of Cuba.
Neither the Department of Correctional Services concluded any work exchange or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba since 2010/11 financial year up to 2020/ 21 financial year.
(a) Not applicable
(i) Not applicable
(ii) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
2. Not applicable
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
END.
11 June 2021 - NW1624
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister Police
What total number of requests for protection orders were (a) granted and (b) violated in the 2019-20 financial year?
Reply:
The South African Police Service (SAPS), is not in a position to provide the information on the granting of protection orders. This is a court process and falls within the mandate of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The number of protection orders, which were violated, in 2019/2020, per province, is reflected in the table below:
Province |
Number per Province |
Eastern Cape |
28 |
Free State |
11 |
Gauteng |
22 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
22 |
Limpopo |
12 |
Mpumalanga |
5 |
Northern Cape |
5 |
North West |
33 45 |
Western Cape |
|
Total |
183 |
Reply to question 1824 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 202107-31
Reply to question 1624 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 04/08/2021
10 June 2021 - NW1688
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) are the effects of budget cuts on feeding schemes in each province and (b) is the total number of meals that have had to be reduced as a result of budget cuts?
Reply:
a) The budget cut on the Grant in 2020/21 totaled 1.5% over the 2021 MTEF. This cut has affected all provinces; especially on priorities, such as the meal costs, which were not substantially increased against the rising food prices. Also the honoraria for Volunteer Food Handlers could not be increased in line with the Ministerial Determination of the Department of Employment and Labour.
b, The number of learners/meals was affected by the rotation timetable. However, no meals were reduced, as all learners attending school or collecting meals/food parcels were catered for at the school.
10 June 2021 - NW1438
Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to the court action by Astral Foods Limited compelling the National Treasury to prepare a financial recovery plan for the Lekwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, what are the reasons that such a financial recovery plan could not have been prepared by the Government without court action being taken by residents (2) on what date is the financial recovery plan expected to be (a) finalised and (b) implemented; (3) whether the National Treasury is currently a party to any other case that seeks to compel the Government to intervene in the financial management of a municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of each of the cases
Reply:
1. The court order granted in favour of the applicant Astral Operations Limited related to a failure of the Provincial Executive to ensure implementation of the financial recovery plan rather than a failure of government to prepare a financial recovery plan for the Lekwa Local Municipality. When the application for a national intervention was first sought by Astral Operations Limited in 2018, it was agreed that a national intervention at that time was premature, since the Province had already resolved to intervene in the Lekwa Local Municipality in October 2018. A national intervention is a last resort remedy in terms of the hierarchy of interventions outlined in S139 of the Constitution. Consequently, the key role players agreed to support the provincial intervention and the application was subsequently held in abeyance to allow the provincial intervention to unfold and for the financial recovery plan to be implemented with the view that the intervention would address the concerns raised by Astral.
However, since the approval of the financial recovery plan for the Lekwa Local Municipality by the MEC for Finance in the Mpumalanga Province in October 2019, no significant improvement has been noted in the Municipality. Astral Operations Limited has now revived the application on the principle basis that the financial recovery plan was not implemented and ultimately the provincial intervention has failed. Astral now insisted on a national intervention.
2. Section 139(1) (a) (v) (bb) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, No. 56 of 2003 (MFMA) requires that a financial recovery plan be prepared within a period not exceeding 90 days determined by the MEC for Finance in the Province. The court order issued on 12 April 2021 allows for a period of 6 months from the date of the order, however, the financial recovery plan will be prepared in terms of the timeframes in the MFMA.
3. There are court applications and orders in this regard against the following municipalities:
- Emalahleni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga - a High court application brought by Save Emalahleni Action Group and Others to compel the province to invoke a mandatory intervention in the municipality. An order by consent of all parties was granted by the Court for the mandatory intervention. If the province fails to comply with statutory provisions relating to mandatory intervention and if the applicants intend to review any decision the applicants may enrol the matter file supplementary papers seeking appropriate relief which might possibly also include national intervention in terms of section 139(7) of the Constitution.
- Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape - a High Court application brought by Let’s talk Komani against the Premier and Others seeking a mandatory intervention in terms of section 139 of the Constitution. An order by consent of all parties was granted by the Court to the effect that the financial recovery plan approved by the province was made an Order of Court; the province reports quarterly to the High Court on progress on the implementation of the financial recovery plan.
- Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape - a High Court application was brought by the Unemployed Peoples Movement against the Premier of the Eastern Cape and Others seeking a mandatory intervention by the province into the Makana Local Municipality; the dissolution of the municipal council; and the appointment of an administrator.
- Kannaland Local Municipality in the Western Cape - a High Court application brought by the municipality against the provincial government for judicial review of decisions of the provincial executive to intervene in the municipality, claiming that the financial recovery plan of March 2017 and appointment of administrators was unlawful and unconstitutional.
- Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality in Free State province - a High Court application which was brought by Harrismith Business Forum to interdict Eskom from discontinuing electricity supply to Maluti-A-Phofung municipality and to compel national government to intervene in terms of section 139(7) of the Constitution. An order by consent of all parties was granted by the Court to, amongst others, establish a consultative committee chaired by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and prepare a financial recovery plan;
- Mafube Local Municipality in Free State province – a High Court application brought by Mafube Business Forum and Afriforum seeking declaration that the provincial intervention has failed and jurisdictional facts for national intervention in terms of section 139(7) of the Constitution are present.
10 June 2021 - NW1566
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a)(i) are the details and (ii) is the total breakdown of the expenditure of the $4,3 billion loan approved and granted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the Republic in July 2020, (b) are the reasons that part of the loan has not been saved for procurement of vaccines and (c) were the terms and conditions of the IMF bailout?
Reply:
a) The loan from the International Monetary Fundf (IMF) was a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) facility, which was a temporary arrangement by the IMF for its member countries in response to the Covid outbreak. It is a loan that provides rapid and low-access (including low-interest) financial assistance to member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need, without having to agree to a full-fledged IMF structural adjustment program. It provides support to meet a broad range of urgent needs, including those arising from commodity price shocks, natural disasters, conflict and post-conflict situations, and emergencies resulting from fragility. South Africa applied for the loan in the context of an unprecedented fall in government revenues, coupled with a spike in borrowing costs in the market. The loan was for the following purposes:
- 1. Implement a counter-cyclical fiscal policy, by avoiding a dramatic and damaging reduction in government spending in response to an unprecedent fall in tax revenues as a result of the CoVid-induced economic crisis; and
- 2. Finance a sizeable potion of the Covid relief package announced by the President on 21 April 2020 and implemented in the Special Adjustments Budget of 24 June 2020. At the time, this loan financed was estimated to finance between R70 billion and R75 billion of the overall fiscal relief package overall.
The loan supported the spending plans in the 2020 Special Adjustments Budget of 24 June 2020, along with other sources of borrowing. At the time of the Special Adjustments Budget, the total planned borrowings amounted to R776.9 billion. This was revised substantially down to R670.3 billion at the time of the 2021 Budget, with the IMF loan being around R75 billion of this. South Africa will repay the loan over a maximum 5-year period as stipulated in the Letter of Intent (LOI).
b) The loan is part of the overall pool of government borrowings and all the financing instruments that are accessed by government are used to finance spending appropriated by Parliament. At the time of finalizing the RFI arrangement with the IMF, there was no credible information internationally on a widely-available vaccine, and this was not the intended purpose of the loan. Following the development of a vaccine, government has made allocations for a full-vaccination programme over the MTEF. The spending ceiling was lifted in 2021/22 mainly for the vaccine, meaning that borrowings are in part directed towards the vaccine.
c) The loan was given with the broad understanding that it would assist with mitigating the effects of the economic crisis, and did not require earmarking of the funds towards specific spending items. The loan was not subject to conditionalities that compromised fiscal sovereignty. However, as outlined in the Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), government is obligated to provide broad spending reports to the IMF in line with the requirements of the PFMA. The National Treasury has published spending reports on the 2020 Special Adjustments Budget in terms of section 32 of the PFMA, and provided an update on the spending against this package in the Budget Review published on 24 February 2021.
10 June 2021 - NW1061
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)In light of confirmation by the Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration of endemic post vacancies within various government departments (details furnished), (a) what total number of posts are currently vacant in the National Treasury, (b) for what time period has each specified post been vacant and (c) what are the relevant details of each such post; (2) (a) what total number of vacant posts currently in the National Treasury have been filled on an acting basis, (b) for what time period has each such post been vacant and (c) what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a) The total number of posts currently vacant in the National Treasury is 170.
(1)(b)(c) The time period and relevant details are as follows:
POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION |
VACANT SINCE |
Receptionist |
2019/12/01 |
Parliamentary and Cabinet Support (OMIN) |
2019/12/01 |
Administrative Support and Co-Ordination (OMIN) |
2020/01/07 |
Director: Office of Deputy Minister |
2019/06/30 |
Parliamentary Officer |
2018/03/31 |
Private and Appointment Secretary (OMIN) |
2019/12/01 |
Chief Director: Office of Minister |
2018/03/31 |
Assistant Administrative/Appointment Secretary |
2020/01/03 |
Administrative Assistant |
2018/12/31 |
Director: Corporate Law |
2021/02/01 |
Deputy Director: Corporate Law |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: Litigation and Administration |
2020/05/31 |
Assistant Director: Legislation (ODG) |
2021/02/01 |
Deputy Director: Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations |
2020/10/01 |
Junior Graphic Designer |
2020/02/29 |
Enterprise Risk Management Analysts |
2021/02/28 |
Driver |
2021/01/31 |
Analyst: Corporate Governance |
2020/10/16 |
Snr Analyst: Prov Fin Development Institution |
2021/01/01 |
Director: Treasury Operation |
2018/04/01 |
Chief Director: Liability Management |
2020/12/15 |
Analyst: Debt Issuance and Management |
2020/02/01 |
Snr Analyst: Debt Issuance and Management |
2021/01/31 |
Director: Debt Issuance and Management |
2020/09/30 |
Helpdesk: Retail Bonds Operations |
2021/02/13 |
Analyst: Accounting and Information |
2021/03/01 |
Director: Accounting and Information |
2020/09/01 |
Analyst: Market Risk |
2020/12/10 |
Director: Energy and Telecoms |
2021/03/31 |
Deputy Director-General: Budget Office |
2017/12/01 |
Deputy Director: Programme Coordination |
2020/09/01 |
Policy Analyst: National Budgets |
2020/02/01 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Budget Reform |
2021/04/01 |
Chief Director: Public Finance Statistics |
2021/02/01 |
Policy Analyst: Extra Budgetary Accounts and Funds |
2021/03/15 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Extra Budgetary Accounts & Funds |
2019/09/30 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Portfolio & Strategic Management |
2021/03/31 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Infrastructure Finance |
2020/02/01 |
Assistant Director: Fiscal Research (BO) |
2020/10/01 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Fiscal Research |
2021/03/13 |
Chief Director: Public Sector Remuneration Analysis |
2021/01/26 |
Snr Policy Analyst: Civil Pension |
2020/02/01 |
Senior Budget Analyst: Public Finance |
2020/12/17 |
Programme Coordinator |
2019/06/30 |
Senior Budget Analyst: Public Finance |
2020/10/01 |
Budget Analyst: Basic Education Sports & Recreation |
2020/12/01 |
Senior Budget Analyst: Public Finance |
2020/07/25 |
Director: Higher Education & Training |
2020/11/11 |
Budget Analyst: Communications and Energy |
2021/02/01 |
Senior Budget Analyst: Public Finance |
2020/09/01 |
Director: Public Finance |
2020/04/01 |
Director: Forecasting |
2019/07/01 |
Economist: Econometric Research |
2021/02/01 |
Economist: Econometric Research |
2021/02/01 |
Senior Economist: Sectoral & Revenue Modelling |
2020/10/01 |
Chief Director: Microeconomic Policy |
2020/12/01 |
Snr Economist: Primary Sectors |
2020/02/01 |
Director: Sectors |
2021/04/07 |
Senior Economist: Secondary Sectors |
2020/01/01 |
Director: Secondary Sectors |
2020/09/01 |
Director: Environmental Economics |
2020/10/01 |
Chief Director: Macroeconomic Policy |
2020/08/07 |
Snr Economist: Growth |
2020/11/01 |
Economist: Fiscal Framework (IGR) |
2020/02/26 |
Director: Fiscal Framework (IGR) |
2018/11/01 |
Director: Local Government Fiscal Framework |
2020/11/11 |
Economist: Budget Process |
2019/12/01 |
Snr Budget Analyst: Provincial Budget Analysis |
2021/04/01 |
Snr Budget Analyst: Provincial Budget Analysis |
2019/11/01 |
Director: Provincial Budget Analysis |
2021/03/31 |
Deputy Director: Spatial Planning |
2019/09/30 |
Project Coordinator |
2020/09/30 |
Project Manager |
2020/04/01 |
Budget Analyst: Provincial Budget Analysis |
2020/10/01 |
Budget Analyst: Provincial Budget Analysis |
2020/10/01 |
Snr Economist: Local Government Budget Analysis |
2020/03/31 |
Director: Local Government Budget Analysis |
2019/04/30 |
Snr Economist: Local Government Budget Analysis |
2018/12/31 |
Director: Local Government Budget Analysis |
2019/08/02 |
Manager: Investment Planning |
2020/05/31 |
Project Manager |
2021/04/01 |
Urban Economist: NDGP |
2020/09/30 |
Project Manager |
2020/11/09 |
Snr Economist: Financial Inclusion |
2020/10/01 |
Snr Economist: Financial Sector Charter |
2020/10/01 |
Snr Economist: Banking Development |
2019/08/15 |
Chief Director: Financial Services |
2020/10/01 |
Chief Director: Financial Markets & Stability |
2020/07/31 |
Economist: Business Taxes |
2020/11/01 |
Director: Business Tax |
2018/10/15 |
Senior Economist: Tax Revenue Database |
2019/09/01 |
Director: Environment & Fuel Taxes |
2020/10/01 |
Team Assistant |
2021/03/01 |
Deputy Director: International Tax Treaties |
2021/02/01 |
Deputy Director: International Tax Treaties |
2021/02/01 |
Economist: Africa Economic Integration |
2020/10/31 |
Deputy Director: International Organisations |
2020/10/01 |
Senior Economist: G20 |
2020/12/11 |
Director: BRICS |
2020/11/04 |
Chief Procurement Officer |
2016/12/31 |
Deputy Director: Transversal Contract Management |
2020/10/31 |
Assistant Director: Transversal Contract Management |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: Transversal Contract Management |
2020/12/31 |
Deputy Director: Transversal Contract Management |
2020/02/29 |
Director: Central Supplier Database |
2020/10/01 |
Assistant Director: Strategic Procurement |
2020/10/01 |
Director: SCM Strategic Procurement |
2021/03/15 |
Assistant Director: Strategic Procurement |
2020/10/01 |
Director: SCM Client Support Local Gov |
2020/06/30 |
Deputy Director: SCM Monitoring & Compliance |
2020/09/30 |
Deputy Director: SCM GMC (OCPO) |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: SCM GMC (OCPO) |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: SCM GMC (OCPO) |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: SCM GMC (OCPO) |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: Programme Coordination |
2020/09/01 |
Facilities Generalist: Help Desk |
2020/06/30 |
Facilities Generalist: Help Desk |
2018/11/01 |
Human Resources Support: Service Delivery |
2020/01/01 |
Manager: Talent Development & Performance Management |
2020/05/31 |
HR Support: Employee Wellness Programme |
2020/01/01 |
Employee Relations Practitioner |
2020/02/01 |
Manager: Organisational Development |
2021/03/31 |
Deputy Director: Employee Health Wellness & Trans |
2020/09/01 |
Human Resources Support: Recruitment |
2019/10/01 |
Financial Admin Specialist: Internal Control |
2019/12/01 |
Financial Admin Specialist: Budget |
2020/02/01 |
SCM Database Administrator |
2020/10/01 |
Bids Administrator |
2021/03/12 |
Assistant Manager: Travel Coordination |
2021/01/01 |
Manager: Performance & Risk |
2019/11/30 |
Manager: Strategic Sourcing / Acquisition (Corporate Services) |
2020/05/31 |
Receipt and Inventory Coordinator |
2021/03/15 |
Deputy Director: SCM Operations (Corporate Services) |
2019/07/03 |
Financial Analyst: Public Entities Oversight Unit |
2020/10/01 |
Team Assistant |
2020/06/03 |
ICT Administrator |
2020/10/01 |
Deputy Director: Information Security |
2020/10/01 |
Senior Security Officer |
2020/12/18 |
Senior Security Officer |
2020/09/30 |
Director: Security Management |
2021/03/09 |
Chief Audit Executive |
2019/07/31 |
Team Assistant |
2019/12/01 |
Business Support Manager |
2019/04/04 |
Jnr IT Audit Specialist |
2020/04/30 |
Manager: IT Audit |
2020/02/24 |
Manager: IT Audit |
2020/08/31 |
Senior Manager: IT Audit |
2019/05/31 |
Jnr Performance Audit Specialist |
2019/09/30 |
Senior QA and Compliance Audit Specialist |
2019/10/17 |
Senior Manager: Quality Assurance & Compl Audit |
2019/06/17 |
Project Manager |
2020/01/10 |
Accountant-General |
2015/10/09 |
MFMA Advisor |
2019/07/01 |
Director: MFRS |
2019/10/31 |
Financial Analyst: NRF & RDP (Banking Services) |
2019/08/31 |
Financial Analyst: NRF & RDP |
2021/01/31 |
Director: Justice & Protection Services Cluster |
2020/07/31 |
Director: MFMA Support |
2020/10/01 |
Chief Director: Specialised Audit Services |
2020/07/04 |
Snr Fin Analyst: Fin Man & Int Contr Systems Audit |
2021/04/01 |
Chief Director: Capacity Building |
2018/12/01 |
CAA Trainees |
2021/03/11 |
Deputy Director: SCM Education Training & Development |
2020/11/16 |
Chief Director: Financial Systems |
2020/06/30 |
Refreshment Coordinator (Corporate Services) |
2020/05/20 |
Financial Systems Administrator |
2019/07/23 |
Systems Specialist: Projects Management |
2021/02/11 |
Snr Systems Specialist: Projects Management |
2021/03/31 |
Snr System Specialist: Training & Support |
2021/02/28 |
Training Administration Officer (Financial Systems) |
2019/07/01 |
(2)(a) The total number of vacant posts currently in the National Treasury have been filled on an acting basis is 17.
(2)(b)(c) The time period and relevant details are as follows:
VACANT POSTS FILLED ON AN ACTING BASIS |
PERIOD POSITION HAS BEEN VACANT |
ANY OTHER RELEVANT DETAILS IN EACH CASE |
Deputy Director-General: Chief Procurement Officer |
December 2016 to date |
Headhunting stage |
Deputy Director-General: Accounting General |
October 2015 to date |
Headhunting stage |
Chief Director: Financial Systems |
June 2020 to date |
Waiting Organitational Review process finalisation |
Chief Director: Capacity Building |
June 2020 to date |
Recruitment is underway: re- advertisement |
Director: Provincial Fiscal Framework |
July 2020 to date |
Recruitment is underway: at offer stage |
Chief Director: Microeconomic Policy |
December 2020 |
Recruitment is underway |
Director: Forecasting |
July 2019 to date |
To be re-advertised |
Director: Secondary Sector |
September 2020 |
Recruitment is underway: re- advertisement |
Deputy Director-General: Budget Office |
December 2017 to date |
Recruitment is underway |
Chief Director: Fiscal Policy |
March 2021 to date |
Awaiting funding confirmation, then will start with recruitment |
Chief Director: Public Finance Statistics |
February 2021 to date |
Awaiting funding confirmation, then will start with recruitment |
Chief Director: Public Sector Remuneration |
January 2021 to date |
Awaiting funding confirmation, then will start with recruitment |
Director: Security Management |
March 2021 |
The previous Director: Security Management got promoted to Chief Risk Officer |
Assistant Director: Travel Coordinator |
November 2020 |
Previous incumbent resigned pending disciplinary action |
Chief Director: Financial Markets, Stability and Prudential Regulations |
July 2020 to 15 March 2021 |
Recruitment is underway-assessment stage |
Director: Treasury Operations |
April 2018 to date |
Recruitment is underway- assessment stage |
Chief Director: Liability Management |
August 2020 to date |
Recruitment is underway: re- advertisement |
10 June 2021 - NW1520
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, with reference to a certain instruction (details furnished) issued by a principal of a certain school (name and details furnished) to parents and staff not to allow learners to discuss and/or debate the latest Israeli-Palestinian fighting at school and in which the specified principal threatens to take further action in line with the school’s Code of Conduct should anyone overstep the specified instruction, her department will take any steps against the principal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps; (2) whether her department will issue a directive to all educational institutions to refrain from issuing threats to learners, parents and teachers who wish to address any crisis involving humanitarian matters; if not, what is the position in this regard if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) It is not yet necessary for the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to take any steps against the Principal until the Gauteng Department of Education, through its relevant Education District authority, has had an opportunity to interact with the School Principal to provide proper hearing on how the standpoint of the Code of Conduct at the school on such matters has been interpreted.
The Provincial Department and District Office will be advised ahead of time of their interaction with the School Principal, to clarify with the School Principal the fundamentals of the DBE Human Rights Education programme offering, in raising awareness among learners, regarding constitutional imperatives; as well as violence and crimes against humanity. Thereafter, the necessary adjustments and modifications will follow, which could include further clarification in the provisions in the Code of Conduct, or retraction of the instruction by the Principal where violation is detected.
(2) The DBE will not be issuing any such directive at this stage. Instead, an invitation is being extended to all Provincial Departments and schools to participate in the Oral History, Moot Court, and Youth Citizen Action programmes, where such matters are safely discussed and debated, to support the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) existing provisions in Social Sciences, Lifeskills and Life Orientation.
10 June 2021 - NW1590
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What was the total number of unplaced learners (a) of each grade and (b) in each province (i) when schools re-opened on 15 February 2021 and (ii) on the latest date for which information is available; (2) whether each province removes a learner from the list of unplaced learners once the learner has been offered a place and/or once a place has been accepted by the learner’s parent; (3) what is the total number of learners who have been removed from the list of unplaced learners in each province without parents having accepted any of the places that were offered?
Reply:
(1) What was the total number of unplaced learners (a) of each grade and (b) in each province (i) when schools re-opened on 15 February 2021 and (ii) on the latest date for which information is available;
Response:
Kindly refer to the attached consolidated table as provided by provinces.
(2) whether each province removes a learner from the list of unplaced learners once the learner has been offered a place and/or once a place has been accepted by the learner’s parent;
Response:
Learners are removed from the list of unplaced learners as and when placement is confirmed.
(3) what is the total number of learners who have been removed from the list of unplaced learners in each province without parents having accepted any of the places that were offered?
Response:
There are no learners removed from the list of unplaced learners without the consent of the parents. They are only removed when placement is made and confirmed by parents.
10 June 2021 - NW1764
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she has been informed that the R431 million paid to service providers in Gauteng for decontaminating schools was awarded without following due procedure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) who was responsible for issuing the specified contracts and (b) what steps will be taken in this regard?
Reply:
(a) and (b) As the Minister of Basic Education, I do not know who was responsible for issuing the specified contracts, and what steps will be taken by the Gauteng Administration in that regard. Matters of procurement in all the 9 Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), are processed and finalised by the respective PEDs; and the national Department of Education (DBE) has no jurisdiction over any of the PEDs on such matters. PEDs, similar to the DBE, have an obligation in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations, Treasury Instruction Notes, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and PPPFA Regulations, to follow due process when procuring goods and services.
10 June 2021 - NW1760
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What progress has she made in resolving the conflict amongst the Ndabeni Land claimants and (b) on what date is it envisaged that the claimants will be able to use and benefit from their land?
Reply:
a) Independent Trustees were appointed by the Master of the High Court Cape Town in 2018 and letters of authority were issued for these Trustees to finalise the verification of members of the Ndabeni Community Trust in collaboration with the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commission: Western Cape. The Trustees are assisted by a committee of six representatives appointed from the community and regular meetings are held by the parties to resolve all the outstanding issues.
b) We are unable to confirm the date envisaged for the claimants to have full use and benefit of the land as yet because negotiations with the City of Cape Town, the Commission, the Department and representatives of the unlawful occupiers are still on going.
END
10 June 2021 - NW1762
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) total number of unqualified teachers are employed by her department across the Republic and (b) subjects do the specified unqualified teachers mainly teach?
Reply:
There is a total of 1 139 unqualified educators employed by Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) across the country. This number is made up of 1 038 temporary and 101 permanent educators. The 101 permanent educators are the protected group, who were made permanent in 2001. The number of unqualified educators has declined, and is down to zero in some PEDs. Some of these educators, are either in scarce skills subjects; or are teaching in farm and rural schools. Some are in technical schools, where they teach technical-vocational subjects.
10 June 2021 - NW1492
Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury has concluded any work exchange and/or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba from the 2010-11 financial year up to the 2020-21 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total number of Cuban nationals (i) have been employed in each of the specified financial years and/or (ii) are due to be employed in the 2021-23 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, (b) are the details of the work that each of the specified Cuban nationals was and/or will be employed to perform, (c) are the details of the specific skills sets that each of the specified Cuban nationals possessed and/or will possess that South African nationals did or will not possess and (d) are the details of the total cost of employing each of the specified Cuban nationals in each case; (2) whether the National Treasury took any steps to ensure that the specific skills set of the specified Cuban nationals were and/or will not be available in the Republic amongst South African citizens; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) steps taken and (b) outcomes of the steps taken in this regard?
Reply:
- & (2)
The National Treasury has not concluded any work exchange and / or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba during the period 2010/11 FY to 2020/21 FY. The National Treasury is an equal opportunity employer and follows all prescripts in terms of employment in the public service. The department does not hold any formal position in regards to work exchange and / or employment agreements with any entity of the Republic of Cuba.
10 June 2021 - NW1661
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) What is the (i) normal age when members of the Department of Defence (DoD) and the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) are obliged to go on pension and (ii) policy of the DoD and SANDF with regard to the obligated retirement age of permanent force members and (b) if the age is still 60 years, what would be the reasons and motivations for certain persons not retiring at the age of 60; (2) what were the reasons (a) that the employment term and contract of a certain person (name and details furnished) was extended when the specified person turned 60 and (b) for a further extension of the person’s employment contract to a certain position (details furnished) in the SANDF, from which the person will only retire at the age of 66?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i)(ii) Section 19 of the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (Proclamation No. 21 of 1996) states, inter alia, that a member shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired on reaching the age determined by the law governing his or her employment. Section 52 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act 42 of 2002) makes provision for members to be appointed and utilised in the Regular Force from the age of 18 to 65 years of age. In terms of Regulation 21 of Chapter III of the General Regulations for the South African National Defence and the Reserve an officer serving in the Permanent Force shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired, on the date when he or she attains the age of 60 years. Regulation 22 of Chapter III also states that the maximum age limit for temporary service in the Permanent Force shall be 65 years. In terms of the Regulation 29 of the Regulations for the Reserve Force, the date of retirement of a Reserve Force member may be extended to the date on which he or she attains the age of 75 years.
(b) The following are the reasons and motivations for certain persons not retiring at the age of 60:
i) To ensure continuous effective strategic direction and management to the SANDF.
ii) To ensure the effective management of medical and health services to the Department of Defence (DOD).
iii) To retain specialist skills, especially where there is a shortage of skilled members in the Senior Management System, such as Medical Officers and Special Forces Operators.
iv) To ensure the retention of experienced members to mentor young and inexperienced members.
(2) The Defence Act makes provision for members to be appointed and utilised in the Regular Force from the age of 18 to 65 years, while the Regulations for the Reserve Force makes provision for the extension of the retirement of a Reserve Force member from 65 to 75 years.
10 June 2021 - NW1443
Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to the report of the Public Affairs Research Institute that found that R9 billion budgeted and disbursed by the Government to municipalities in the 2019-20 financial year for the provision of free basic electricity (FBE) was misappropriated and/or misspent on unauthorised purposes, what is the National Treasury's position on the misappropriation of funds meant to alleviate the plight of indigent persons by municipalities; (2) whether the National Treasury has put any mechanisms in place to monitor that funds allocated to municipalities for the provision of basic services to indigent persons are not misappropriated and/or misspent on unauthorised purposes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the National Treasury has been informed of the misappropriation and/or misspending of the specified R9 billion budgeted and disbursed to municipalities for the provision of FBE; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what action does the National Treasury intend to take against municipalities that have been found to have misappropriated and/or misspent the FBE funds?
Reply:
In terms of section 227 of the Constitution, local government is entitled to an equitable share of nationally raised revenue to enable it to provide a package of free basic services to poor households and to support additional costs for municipalities with limited own revenue 1. potential. The local government equitable share (LGES) is an unconditional transfer that supplements the revenue that municipalities can raise themselves (including revenue raised through property rates and service charges). The components and sub-components of the LGES formula are neither an indicative budget nor a guideline as to how much should be spent on each service. Its annual baseline growth is determined, taking into account household growth (typically about 3% per year) and cost increases, including for bulk electricity and bulk water, which are typically above inflation. Despite the government's progress in ensuring that millions of households receive basic services, the demand for services remains high and outstrips the pace of delivery. Municipalities are able to use a variety of targeting methods to distribute free basic services to households, including household income, geographical, property and service value. This flexible approach means arbitrary decisions may exclude certain households. The intended recipients of free basic services should be poor households. Each municipality identifies households falling within their prescribed classification method and municipalities develop a subsidy framework based on targeting mechanisms designed to ensure that wealthy or middle-income people do not benefit from free basic service; that is, so long as the household has a municipal account and is registered on the municipality’s indigent register, it can get the free basic services package. Therefore, the R9 billion is indicative of how much it costs to cover the costs of providing free basic electricity to poor households and is therefore used to determine a fair and equitale allocation that each municipality is entitled to receive. Some municipalities have actually a Free Basic Services (FBS) policy that provides higher level of services than the norm indicated by the formual. The decision of how and where these funds are spent is up to the respective municipal councils. The Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) as a legislation that governs how grants are monitored does not give National Treasury and the National Transferring Officer (NTO) the powers to monitor spending on Equitable Share in line with indicative amounts reflected by the formula. This is different for direct grants whereby the DoRA is explicit on the monitoring mechanisms to be applied on a monthly basis.
2. The LGES is transferred by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG). Due to being an unconditional transfer, the DoRA does not give National Treasury and DCoG the powers to monitor LGES expenditure. This is different for conditional grants as the DoRA is explicit on the monthly and quarterly reporting and monitoring requirements for these transfers. As noted above, the poverty threshold used in the LGES formula - which along with the cost factor for each service – determines each municipality’s allocation for each service in the FBS component, is not an official poverty line or a required level to be used by municipalities in their own indigence policies. The Explanatory memo to DoRA does however state that, if municipalities choose to provide free basic services to fewer households than what they are funded for through the LGES, then their budget documentation should clearly set out why they have made that choice and how they have consulted with their community during the budget process.
- Different national departments or NTOs administer conditional grants, and these departments are responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the conditional grants they allocate to municipalities are spent on their intended purpose. This is done through ensuring compliance with DoRA and the applicable conditional grants framework by municipalities, including providing business plans, implementation plans and cash flows. Municipalities also need to report on a monthly and quarterly basis to the national department administering the grant. The administering department also monitors and undertake site visits to ensure compliance by municipalities. Where there is non-compliance, they ought to apply the levers available to them through DoRA, which includes withholding transfers and they may propose the stopping and reallocation of a portion or an entire municipality's grant allocation.
In order to guard against the misuse of conditional grants, if the National Treasury (NT) anticipates that a municipality may underspend on the allocation or a portion of the allocation, NT may in its discretion or on request of a transferring officer, withhold, stop and re-allocate the transfer of a Schedule 4B or 5B allocation, or a portion to a municipality. This is in line with sections 17,18 and 19 of the 2020 DoRA and Section 38 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003) (MFMA). Further, in instances where municipalities commit serious or persistent breach of any of the provisions of the DoRA or the MFMA, NT may decide to stop or withhold funds to a municipality by invoking section 216(2) of the Constitution and section 39 of MFMA for no more than 120 days subject to an approval by Parliament.
3. NT has not been informed and would not be in a position to determine that the funds for free basic services have been spent on other areas given that the allocations indicated by the formulal are not meant to be indicator of budgets but to ensure equitable allocations per muncipality. What can be of assistance is for the respective municipal councils to have ways of monitoring budget spending by municipalities and ensure that there is consequence management for non-compliance with the DoRA prescripts as the councils and municipal managers have powers to implement such measures.
08 June 2021 - NW1523
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Given the current political and economic challenges affecting the neighbouring countries of the republic, and in light of the impact on the Republic of the influx of undocumented immigrants fleeing their countries and seeking better opportunities in the Republic, what, (a) strategies does the Government have in place to assist the affected states to stabilise politically and economically and (b) are the challenges if any, towards those endeavours?
Reply:
South Africa is one of the biggest economies in Africa and has always been an attractive destination to citizens from neighbouring countries seeking better economic opportunities. Although South Africa, the region and Africa face similar challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, South Africa is seen as providing better economic opportunities. Inevitably this has also attracted illegal and irregular migration.
South Africa’s Foreign Policy priorities are centred on the region first and in Africa, being cognisant of the fact that South Africa’s prosperity and her ability to address inequality, poverty and unemployment are interlinked and inseparable to that of the region and Africa. In this regard, South Africa has bilateral engagements with all the countries in the region and eight countries have engagements on the highest level of Bi-National Commissions. It is through cooperation within these mechanisms that South Africa seeks to address the challenges within the areas of peace and security, social, economics and politics.
08 June 2021 - NW1580
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) How is funding to community tourism organisations (CTOs) determined and (b) what (i) are the criteria that a CTO must meet to qualify for funding and (ii) is the consequence management plan for municipalities that fail to pay legislated funding to CTOs?
Reply:
The Honorable member is referred to previous responses to Hon HS Gumbi, Question numbers: 467,468,469,651 and 652, as tabled on 21 April 2021 in this regard.
The Department of Tourism does not keep data on Community Tourism Organisations. The Department’s point of entry to community organisations is through Provincial and Local government with due recognition of the concurrency of the tourism legislative mandate. The Department maintains this approach as it has worked effectively in terms of outreach and engagements with local tourism communities as well as from an intergovernmental relations point of view. Thus, the department acknowledges concurrent legislative competence and that local govenment is responsible for the development of local tourism including matters related to community tourism organisations.
a) How is funding to community tourism organisations (CTOs) determined.
Community Tourism Organisations (CTOs) are independent associations based on voluntary participation by their membership. The organisations are responsible for their own operations including financial aspects thereof. The Department of Tourism does not fund CTOs.
b) (i) and (ii) Not Applicable
08 June 2021 - NW1591
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What (a) was the total number of learners in each (i) quintile and (ii) province in the (aa) 2018, (bb) 2019 and (cc) 2020 and (b) are the details of the data source from which the figures were sourced in each case; (2) what was the total number of learners in each province according to the SNAP Survey for Ordinary Schools undertaken (a) in the past nine academic years and (b) since the beginning of the 2021 academic year?
Reply:
(1)
(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(cc) Table 1 (ATTACHED ANNEXURE) indicates the number of learners by quintile and province between 2018 and 2020. (see attached).
Province |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Eastern Cape |
1 951 523 |
1 938 078 |
1,946,885 |
1,953,397 |
1,961,547 |
1,795,563 |
1,840,780 |
1,843,814 |
1,843,297 |
Free State |
661 974 |
664 508 |
672,290 |
682,704 |
688,349 |
701,487 |
707,166 |
716,080 |
719,847 |
Gauteng |
2 075 387 |
2 129 526 |
2,191,475 |
2,262,319 |
2,326,584 |
2,413,225 |
2,402,576 |
2,447,377 |
2,508,387 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
2 877 969 |
2 866 570 |
2,901,697 |
2,881,518 |
2,877,544 |
2,863,316 |
2,821,221 |
2,844,764 |
2,867,271 |
Limpopo |
1 715 778 |
1 714 832 |
1,720,585 |
1,753,734 |
1,765,555 |
1,776,467 |
1,724,791 |
1,753,819 |
1,759,322 |
Mpumalanga |
1 054 783 |
1 052 807 |
1,057,788 |
1,079,280 |
1,074,352 |
1,096,428 |
1,045,972 |
1,094,941 |
1,107,890 |
Northern Cape |
277 494 |
282 631 |
289,004 |
290,139 |
292,595 |
292,377 |
295,339 |
298,888 |
304,237 |
North West |
775 142 |
788 261 |
800,316 |
813,873 |
829,467 |
825,776 |
840,640 |
852,589 |
863,071 |
Western Cape |
1 038 019 |
1 052 435 |
1,075,396 |
1,097,509 |
1,116,572 |
1,127,634 |
1,141,057 |
1,188,926 |
1,243,150 |
South Africa |
12,655,436 |
12,814,473 |
12,932,565 |
12,892,273 |
12,819,542 |
13,041,198 |
13,216,472 |
(b) The data provided in question i and ii, were extracted from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 School Master list data which is also published on the Department's Website.
(2) Table 2 shows the number of learners, by province, between 2012 and 2020. Please note that the 2021 data is not yet available.
Table 2: Number of learners in ordinary schools, by province, between 2012 and 2020
Sources: 2012-2016 SNAP Survey. 2017-2020 LURITS
08 June 2021 - NW1594
Gumbi, Mr HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)What was the purpose of the Ministerial cook off with Mr Somizi Mhlongo on 17 May 2021 ahead of the Budget Vote of her department; (2) whether any State resources were used to host the event; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what amount did the event cost, (b) from what budget were the funds obtained and (c) on what statutory grounds did she rely in this regard?
Reply:
(1) The Ministerial cock-off was part of the pre-Tourism Budget Vote departmental awareness activities, showcasing the work of the department in terms of the participation of graduate Chefs from its training programmes as well as promoting a culture of eating out particularly at township establishments.
(2) (a) The event cost was R150 000,00 (One hundred and fifty thousand rand) covering the venue and mobile kitchen hire, event staffing, safety and event compliance requirements, the stage, sound system, food supplies, exhibition setup, publicity including live-streaming of activities and sound system.
It is also important to state that there was no payment made to Mr Somizi Mhlongo and the department notes with concern the general public perception that he benefited from the event, which is not the case.
(b) The funds were obtained from the Chief Directorate: Communications from its 2021/22 MTEF allocation.
(c) The Tourism Act, No 3 of 2014 provides for development and promotion of tourism in South Africa.
08 June 2021 - NW1579
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether her department has engaged with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to address the issue of (a) sewage spills and water course pollution that is severely impacting tourism, for example the status of blue flag beaches, and (b) dam and river pollution that has an impact on sporting events such as the Duzi Canoe Marathon; if not, (i) why not and (ii) how does her department intend to address the specified problem; if so, what are the details of the plan to address the impact of water pollution on tourism?
Reply:
The management of water resources and water infrastructure is the competency of the relevant Local Authority and the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation as well as the relevant Water Board. The matter of sewerage spills and water pollution are usually addressed by these competent authorities. Where these matters are raised directly with the Department of Tourism, they are then brought to the attention of the competent authorities for resolution. It is suggested that the Honourable member refers her question to the Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation as well as the relevant Provincial and Local Authority.
07 June 2021 - NW1588
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department has been informed of the Nico Bekker Intermediary School Hostel that is standing abandoned and vandalised in Williston in the Northern Cape; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the reason that her department has not intervened earlier; (2) what (a) is the total worth in Rand of repairs that the specified building needs and (b) steps will her department take against persons holding official positions in other departments who are found guilty of stealing state-owned property at the specified hostel; (3) what are the reasons that the building was transferred to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture when it and was intended to be used as accommodation and/or a hostel for primary school learners?
Reply:
The question has been referred to the Northern Cape Department of Education and a response will be provided as soon as it is received.