Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. The persons that were allegedly invol\led in the assault are not security officers but self-employed businessmen. The following cases were opened and are being investigated:
   • White River, CAS 214/03/2021, common assault, pointing of a firearm and malicious damage to property. This case was opened by Mr Byliefeldt against Mr Maroga, Mr Nkadimeng and others.
   • White River, CAS 196/03/2021, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria. This case was opened by Mr Maroga against Mr Byliefeldt.
   • White River, CAS 74/04/2021, crimen injuria. This case was opened by Mr Masuku against Mr Byliefeldt.

1. The businessmen, referred to above, are also the complainants in criminal cases, involving the alleged victim of the assault, at White River. Multiple cases are, therefore, being investigated, all of which are still pending.

1. The misconduct investigation against the members in question, in terms of the SAPS Disciplinary Regulations, 2016, was instituted and finalised. It has been referred to the Office of the Provincial Commissioner, for the implementation of further departmental steps and possible sanctions.

Reply to question 1134 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date:2021-05-19

Reply to question 1134 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 24-05-2021

Reply:

I have been informed by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation that in her Oral Reply to the question posed by the Honourable Member on this matter, she indicated that the Department had brought a review application in 2018 to have the tender award reviewed and set aside, and to request the recovery of the money that had been paid to the service provider. As the Minister also indicated in her Oral Reply, the judgement is still awaited.

Ambassador Jerry Matjila, who was the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, is no longer an official of the Department, as the Employer-Employee relationship was terminated on 15 January 2021.

There is no intention to suspend Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.

Reply:

The Department acknowledges that the current SAMRAD system has had some challenges and requires an overhaul. We have begun a process of procuring a Mining Cadastral System to ensure that there is a complete effective system in place.

Reply:

PetroSA has plans in place that are targeting a new imported Liquefied Natural Gas supply to replace the depleting indigenous gas produced from its offshore gas fields for the last 30 years. Gas imports for the production of synthetic fuels are planned to start in 2022. The potential for longer term gas supply from newly discovered offshore gas fields is also being considered.

PetroSA is reviewing the potential to convert the Mossel Bay site to a ‘carbon free’ blue hydrogen production facility which will be explored in more detail when operation on imported Liquefied Natural Gas is completed. Operation on Liquefied Natural Gas will also enable PetroSA to recommission the Methcap renewable power facility installed to produce power from biogas which was in operation from 2004/5 until November 2020 (i.e. green electricity).

PetroSA fuel produced from processing of gas meets most of the CF2 specifications. However, capital investment will be required to meet the anticipated South African Clean Fuels 2 specifications.

PetroSA’s depleted offshore gasfields are also identified as the most promising carbon dioxide storage opportunity in South Africa to facilitate a lower carbon footprint. The ‘Atlas on geological storage of carbon dioxide in South Africa’ was completed together with the Council for Geoscience and major industry players highlights PetroSA’s existing infrastructure potential in this regard.

Reply:

Yes. According to the provisions of the State land Lease and Disposal Policy as well as the Lease Contract, a lessee is eligible for a renewal of the lease agreement on state-owned land.

Reply:

(1) All higher education institutions will be included in the countrywide government phased plan to vaccinate all South African citizens. Higher Health, as the entity that supports the post-school sector in this area, will liaise with the Department of Health, and ensure regular communication with the sector on all matters relating to COVID-19 and vaccination. Higher Health, in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Higher Education and Training, and post-school institutions will ensure that all relevant plans and communication relating to vaccination are put in place effectively across the sector.

(2) Higher Health works with all post-school public institutions to support the training of institutional staff and peer mentors on many aspects of work, including COVID-19. This has included the distribution of information on the current phase of the vaccination programme and will include awareness raising at the appropriate times during the phased vaccination programme of government.

Reply:

(1) (a) The assumption that the rapid expansion of the tertiary system was not followed by the implementation of financial support is not a true reflection of the interventions that the Department has put in place to try to meet the system expansion. Government’s expenditure goal is to spend 1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product on university education. Given the trajectory seen over the past ten years, this target was achieved during the 2018/19 financial year. However, it is not clear if it will continue to be achieved.

(b)  Funding for the university sector is part of the budgetary processes of government and therefore competes with other government priorities such as health, social welfare, etc.

(2) The Department is aware of the systematic challenges and remains committed to being responsive to the constantly changing landscape within the post-school education and training system. The funding model or regulations are updated when the need arises. Post 1994, the Department revised the funding framework (Annexure A) and is in the process to develop a policy framework on fee regulation to manage the funding model accordingly to ensure it remains relevant. A policy review on student funding is also underway as requested by Cabinet.

Reply:

ENTITY	AG ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS	CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT APPLIED	IF IT DID NOT TAKE PLACE, HOW IS IT ENFORCED
AFRIKAANSE TAALMUSEUM	The AG identified irregular expenditure during the audit as well as requested proof that an investigation was done regarding the previous irregular expenditure.	Although the AG has been asking for reports, letters and minutes relating to how the ATM handled identified irregular expenditure, in its recommendations, the AG did not mention any corrective steps it will be considering from their side against the Council or Management. This may be due to the nature of the irregular expenditure and the fact that it was due to administrative matters. Value for money was still achieved by the ATM. Corrective steps have been taken against officials.
NATIONAL MUSEUM	No findings applicable	N/A	N/A
WAR MUSEUM	no irregular or fraudulent expenditure incurred	N/A	N/A
UMSUNDUZI	Supply Chain Management	The UMsunduzi and Ncome Museum in order to remedy and to prevent the recurrent of this finding has appointed a Supply Chain Management Officer. With this appointment, the office of the CFO will be capacitated to deal with supply chain issues. To avoid further irregular payments and consequence management will be enforced.
FREEDOM PARK		Freedom Park has since constituted the Loss control committee to address the Irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure identified. The committee refer the investigated matters to Human Resources department for disciplinary process. Freedom Park has also concluded the forensic investigations to closure the raised irregular expenditures	Freedom Park has committed to continuously trained all the officials in SCM department and those officials who are responsible for the processing payments in Finance department. The SCM manager also conduct SCM policies and procures awareness on quarterly basis. Those who are charge with the responsibility of implementing consequence management will be accountable to the Executive Authority.
NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM	Nelson Mandela Museum has had no adverse findings with regards to its SCM processes and continues strengthening controls and processes to mitigate the risk flouting the PPPFA regulations.	N/A	N/A
PLAYHOUSE COMPANY	The Playhouse Company did not incur any irregular and fraudulent expenditure and the auditor general did not raise any findings in this regard. As such, no consequence management has been recommended.	N/A	N/A
SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND	Please note that there has been no irregular expenditure or fraud at the SALB. Internal policies are aligned to National Treasury guidelines around this aspect and consequence management will be applied if these come to light.	N/A	N/A
ROBBEN ISLAND MUSEUM	The invocation of the Public Audit Amendment Act by the Auditor General, has not impacted Robben Island Museum on any issues currently.	N/A	N/A
SOUTH AFRICAN STATE THEATRE	Fraud was discovered in the prior years	Management immediately reported the matter to the relevant authorities, Council, the Minister of Arts and Culture, the SAPS (Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation), and the South African Revenue Services. The SAST instituted a forensic investigation, which was undertaken by an external and independent company, and the Auditor General was also informed. The AG supported the action taken and management will report back in the next audit to ensure that the consequence management taken is reflected in the audit report. The two employees that were involved in the fraud are no longer working at the SAST, one resigned while the other one was dismissed. Their provident fund payments have been attached and further criminal and civil proceedings are underway.
MARKET THEATRE FOUNDATION	History of irregular expenditure at MTF: 2019: R2,1 mil 2020: R35 887 2021: R201 775 Written warnings	Written warnings were issued for all incidences of irregular expenditure incurred in 2019 and 2020. The expenditure incurred in 2021 was approved by the Council of the MTF. Consequence management did take place iro all irregular expenditure in the past 3 years. No staff member has had repeat transgressions. Fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R16 370 was incurred in 2020 and the full amount was recovered from the staff members responsible. No fraudulent expenditure was incurred in the 3 years.
IZIKO MUSEUMS OF SOUTH AFRICA	The recommendations of the AG, as contained in the Management Report, are followed. However, no recommendations have been made with respect to consequence management of material irregularities	N/A	N/A
NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION	The audit report has given management clear recommendation on implementing consequence management and also requested management to have timelines that must be followed. It further advise management to implement internal controls that will prevent non-compliance that lead to irregular expenditure or fruadlent one, though they clearly state in the report that their audit approach is not meant to detect fraud.	A forensic investigation was done in the past, in 2018/ 2019, when the irregular expenditure was incurred and also when there was suspicion of fraud and that resulted in the a number of executive leaving the NFVF. The NFVF continues to monitor irregular expenditure and investigate the SCM noncompliance that leads to irregular expenditure. If there is suspicion of fraud, the Council does take action to verify if indeed the fraud has taken place.	N/A
PAN SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGE BOARD	The AG has recommended that an investigation related to the identified irregular expenditure should be conducted and based on the result of the investigations, disciplinary steps to be taken against anyone to have the irregular expenditure or fail to comply with Treasury regulations. The AG further stated that in terms of section 225 of the IESBA code, they have a responsibility to consider reporting identified and suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations to an appropriate authority and they have escalated the matter to the Board for them to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to address the non-compliance.		The AG proposed that Accounting Officer should urgently develop, review and approve policies. Implement controls to avoid Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure; The appointment of a permanent committee to deal with all the irregular, fruitless, Wasteful and unauthorized expenditure will assist the AO to enforce the consequence management with recommendations.
BOXING SOUTH AFRICA	The AG has not suggested or provided guidance other than the recommendation as stated in the Management Report.	BSA has in the past not adequately addressed matters of consequence management	The entity report to the Board and sub-committee of the Board including the Audit & Risk Management Committee any non-compliant matters that may lead to or constitute Irregular Expenditure on a quarterly basis. 2. The Internal Auditor report quarterly the outcome of any investigations to the Audit and Risk Management Committee . 3. The recommendations of the investigations shall be implemented and reported by Management to the Board and the Audit and Risk Management Committee on a quarterly basis. 4. All officials implicated by the outcome of the investigation shall be subjected to BSA internal disciplinary process , whilst monies owed to BSA will be recovered in terms of the Debtors Policy
PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OF THE FREE STATE	Nothing more than recommendations was proposed	N/A	N/A
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL	The AG advised that officials should be kept abreast and informed of SCM and other relevant regulations to mitigate the risk irregular and fraudulent expenditure. b) In prior years consequence management was not possible due to implicated officials leaving the employ of the NAC.	The NAC is taking a proactive approach in ensuring officials are trained on SCM and other relevant legislation. This will ensure due-diligence and compliance in relation to SCM, funding approvals and other relevant regulations.	i) Ensuring consequence management in cases of non-compliance will is added to the performance contract of Unit Heads. ii) It is enforced through following procedures outlined in the NACs internal disciplinary policy.
SAIDS	The AGSA has recommended that Irregular expenditure be investigated to identify the root cause and the necessary steps to remedy the root causes be taken or measure be put in place to prevent similar incidents from taking occurring again.	The irregular expenditure was investigated, and it was found that there was no fraudulent and criminal conduct relating to the Irregular expenditure. The entity did NOT incur any financial losses as a result thereof. Training will be provided to the employees of the entity to improve their understanding and application of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations in relation to Supply Chain Management and Procurement.	N/A
DITSONG MUSEUMS OF SOUTH AFRICA	DMSA has a Financial Misconduct Disciplinary Committee which deals with all incidences of irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure and the recommendations are tabled at both Audit and Risk Committee (ARIC) and Council. However, this Committee was established before the revisions to the PAA came into effect.	Consequence management does take place and the actions taken are reported at both the Audit and Risk Committee, Council and a report is included in the Annual Financial Statements. (i) Action is taken against any staff member who has transgressed the PFMA and Treasury Regulations regarding irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. (ii) Through verbal or written warnings and recovery of funds lost.	N/A
ARTSCAPE	The AG has identified cases of irregular expenditure and one case of fraud. This was brought to the attention of management and Council. It was recommended that the entity must attend to these cases through the Irregular Expenditure Framework. Artscape has disclosed such cases in the Annual Financial Statements and has submitted request for condonation to the National Treasury.	In one case where fraud was identified, the incumbent was charged, found guilty and was dismissed. Financial loss was also recovered from the said employee.	N/A

Reply:

The Department is in a process of arranging training with the National School of Government for all senior managers and the induction workshop on Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes will be presented to all staff.

Reply:

One of the Petroleum refining companies has decided to close its refinery and convert is into an import terminal.

The Department believes that the refineries should remain operational not just used as storage, because this approach compromises the country with respect to numerous benefits such as employment creation, skills, enterprise development and other benefits that come with local manufacturing.

With respect to the pricing issue, the planned closure of the refinery will not affect pricing because the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) assumes that the product is being imported not produced locally.

Reply:

1. A company by the name of Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd had a mining right, dealt with under reference GP 30/5/1/2/2 (140) MR, issued in terms of the provisions of the MPRDA on 11 November 2008. The mining license expired/ lapsed in 2017. Prior to the lapsing of the validity of the mining license, Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd applied for a renewal of their licence, in terms of the provisions of the MPRDA. The Department refused to renew the mining licence. Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd then lodged an appeal against the Department’s decision to refuse to renew their licence.

a) Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd went into liquidation during the appeal process by the Department. The final decision on the appeal has not been finalised since the appellant went into liquidation and/ or business abandonment.

b) The Department issued several orders, instruction and notices in terms of the provisions of the MPRDA and NEMA, to Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd when the company was still in operation and when the company still existed.

c) Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd went under liquidation in 2018. The Department was not able to finalise the appeal since the appellant was liquidated.

(2) Yes, a rehabilitation programme was submitted by a company called Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd, wherein it proposed to rehabilitate many parts of the mining area of Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd, namely,

a) Backfilling of the open pit (which lies behind T.C Esterhuysen Primary School and George Harrison Park on R41 Main Reef Road).

b) Backfilling of the open pit (which lies south of the cement plant at approximately 300m from the CRG Plant area).

c) Levelling and cleaning of the CRG Plant Area.

(3) A company called Amatshe (Pty) Ltd provided a rehabilitation plan to backfill and rehabilitate areas that were left by Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd. On 03 December 2021, a directive was issued to Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd by this Department, in terms of section 28 of the NEMA, to rehabilitate the areas that were left in a degraded and unsafe state by the mining operation of Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd.

(4) (a) (i) Rehabilitation are anticipated to resume by June 2021 when all necessary access negotiations between the applicant and Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd have been completed.

(ii) The rehabilitation project will proceed for a period of at least 10 months. Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd.

(b) (i) Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd is rehabilitating for the account of the surface owner and the relevant costs of rehabilitation should be borne by the land owner or whoever the landowner deems fit and appropriate to help. In the case at hand, the costs are to be borne by Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd.

(ii) The rehabilitation programme submitted by Amatshe Mining (Pty) Ltd projected the cost of their rehabilitation project to be R10 400 000.00. In addition, the Department has about R44 774 902.01 held as financial provision provided by Central Rand Gold (Pty) Ltd which could still be used for rehabilitation purposes.

Reply:

(1) In March 2021, the Department requested universities to complete a student debt survey template with the aim of providing the best possible data on the total student debt as at 30 December 2020. This work will feed into the review requested by Cabinet on government policy in relation to student financial aid, including the “missing middle” and the sustainability of institutional funding (block grants, earmarked and infrastructure funding). 

(2) The Minister will appoint a task team to review the sustainability of and options for the post-school education and training student financial aid system. The focus of the review will be on the sustainable modelling of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), as well as to explore a different public-private sector mechanism to enable better support for the “missing middle” income bracket. Once concluded this will be tabled for Cabinet’s consideration.

Reply:

Government has contributed R1.7 billion to NSFAS as a result of the due diligence exercise that was undertaken in 2018 towards the historic debt owed to universities by continuing or returning NSFAS qualifying students, registered in 2018.  This allocation specifically targets students who were subject to the R122 000 family income threshold and the NSFAS funding cap, and also covers students registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.  In many cases, the amount of funding provided was insufficient to cover the actual fees and costs of the study, where the cost of the study was higher than the NSFAS cap. These students (referred to as capped students) therefore accrued debt with their institutions.

Students, including former qualifying NSFAS students, had to meet the academic progression criteria for the years being claimed for and had to sign an acknowledgment of debt with their institutions. Students (including former NSFAS students) who did not meet the NSFAS academic criteria do not qualify for continued funding.

This project is work in progress as it is subject to an audit process required by NSFAS and has not yet been finalised.

Reply:

(a). All Entities under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have qualified Curators.

(i) n/a

(ii) n/a

 

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. (a) I have been informed by the Department that the total number of buildings which have been renovated and ready for use by Department of Social Development (DSD) is twelve (12) instead of thirteen (13). The Department has renovated all 12 buildings for use by DSD. Currently seven (7) buildings have been handed over to provincial and national Departments of Social Development and are in operation.

(b) The list of the seven (7) buildings, which have been completely renovated and are operational, is provided on table A below:

Table A

No.	PROVINCE	PROPERTY ADDRESS	STATUS
1.	Western Cape	Albertina: 8 Aalwyn Street, Cape Town	Operational
2.	Western Cape	Laingsburg: 39 Voortrekker Road, Cape Town	Operational
3.	Western Cape	Aurora: 44 Long Street, Cape Town	Operational
4.	Western Cape	Aurora: 42 Long Street, Cape Town	Operational
5.	Western Cape	Mooreesburg: 16 Tuin Street St, Cape Town	Operational
6.	Western Cape	Heidelberg: 92 Van Riebeek Street, Cape Town	Operational
7.	Gauteng	Salvokop, Pretoria	Operational

(c) The Department has handed over the buildings to the Western Cape Provincial Department of Social Development and National Department of Social Development (Salvokop) for operationalization. The Department, therefore, does not have information of service providers which have been appointed by DSD to operationalise the facilities.

(d) and (e) The Department is awaiting a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Social Development and the Provincial Department of Infrastructure Development. This will inform the timelines for occupation and use.

2 (a) and (b) The renovations of the remaining five (5) buildings in Gauteng commenced during the 2020/2021 Financial Year and have since been completed.

 

Reply:

 

1. Yes, the Department has been informed of the open mine shaft directly south of the Zamampilo informal settlement at Riverlea, Johannesburg. Subsequently a site visit was conducted on a joint operation with South African Police Services because of the prevalence of illegal miners operating with the area. It was observed during the site visit that the said open mine shaft that was opened, is the same shaft that was rehabilitated, sealed off and fenced off by concrete palisade fencing. The resealing of the said shaft is being prioritised and will be completed within the current financial year.

2. Yes, the Department is putting interim measures in place including erecting warnings and conducting public awareness.

 

Reply:

a)  The Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IPR2019), Decision 8: directed the Government to commence with the preparations for a nuclear build programme to the extent of 2500 MW, at a pace and scale that the country can afford because it is a no-regret option in the long term. To implement this decision, in June 2020 the Department commenced with the preparations, including issuing a non-binding Request for Information (RFI), to test the market’s appetite for the 2500MW nuclear new build programme.

In terms of the Electricity Regulations Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006), the Department has submitted the Ministerial Section 34 determination to request the concurrence of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for the procurement of additional 2500MW from nuclear energy. The Department is awaiting NERSA’s decision on the Ministerial section 34 determination. Subject to the Regulator’s approval, the Department will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 2500MW nuclear new build programme, at a pace and the scale that the country can afford.

b) As indicated in the IRP2019 Decision 8, the Department targets to procure the 2500MW from nuclear energy.

c) The decision from whom to procure the 2500MW nuclear energy will only be known once the procurement process has been concluded and successful bidder(s) appointed. This decision has not been made at this stage because procurement has not started. The Department is still awaiting NERSA’s verdict on Ministerial section 34 determination.

d) To ensure security of energy supply and in line with the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019-2024, the Department plans to complete the procurement of the 2500MW nuclear new build programme by 2024.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) implemented the commando system which includes training and appointing locust contractors to control the locust outbreak. DALRRD provides these contractors with pesticides, protective clothing and spraying pumps for effective control of the locust outbreak before they reach the crop lands. In addition, DALRRD further appoints the aerial locust spraying contractors to assist within areas where the outbreak is out of control and un-accessible.

Reply:

The root causes could not be determined, this matter is not within the competency of the DMRE. Following the investigations that were undertaken by the Department’s Regional Office, it is evident that the incident took place on an area that was not authorised by the Department. It is alleged that the contractor who opened the borrow pit was contracted by the Department of Public Works for purpose of using the materials for road construction. Furthermore, the Department also learnt that upon completion of their activities, the contractor apparently had an intention to rehabilitate the area, it is alleged that the community did not support the issue of rehabilitation on the basis that the borrow pit will serve as water storage for their animals (cattles). Following the delisting of these activities In terms of the EIA Regulations, 2017 as amended and the associated Listing Notices, read also with section 106 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development, Act 28 of 2002, the Department of Public Works is now no longer required to apply for both the Environmental Authorisations/Mining Authorisations from this Department. Given this exemption, this Department is not a competent authority to deal with this matter.

(b) Considering that there were no Environmental Authorisations issued by the Department, the onus lies with the Department that appoints the contractor to ensure that the area is rehabilitated in a safe manner.

(c) See the previous remarks

(d) The Department is not an appropriate institution to determine this issue but the relevant Department can furnish clarity in this regard.

Reply:

a) the proposed tenure for the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) is 20 years.

b)

Project Name	Contracted Capacity (MW)	Evaluation Price (ZAR/kwh)*
Oya Energy Hybrid Facility	128	1.55
Umoyilanga Energy	75	1.72
ACWA Power Project DAO	150	1.46
Karpowership SA Coega	450	1.49
Karpowership SA Richards Bay	450	1.50
Karpowership SA Saldanha	320	1.70
Mulilo Total Coega	198	1.89
Mulilo Total Hydra Storage	75	1.52

*the evaluation price is rounded off to the nearest ten

A further three (3) eligible bidders will only be announced after further value for money propositions have been successfully concluded.

c) See response table above

d) The projects are expected to connect to the grid between June 2022 and December 2022.

2. a) The Department is not aware of any exemptions granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries.

b) The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition granted exemption from certain designated local content requirements.

c) See response to question (b) above.

3. a) Regarding to environmental compliance, bidders were only were only required to submit a scoping report as part of their response to the Request for Proposal.

b) No public participation was conducted regarding economic impact of successful bids, but bidders have committed to prescribed minimum economic development requirements in line with the PPPFA and the RFP.

c) See response to question (b) above.

Reply:

(a) Yes, after the Constitutional Review Committee of Parliament had recommended that section 6(1) and (5)(a) of the Constitution be amended to include South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th South African official language, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services (DoJ) took the necessary steps to kick-start the Constitutional amendment process. The first working session for all national departments to make contributions to the draft 19th Constitutional Amendment Bill was held in March 2021. DSAC and PanSALB as the key implementers of section 6 of the Constitution were working closely with DoJ. A follow-up working session was facilitated by DSAC in April 2021 where all affected stakeholders mainly the deaf community gave input into the draft Bill.

DSAC is also planning to conduct further consultative meetings with all relevant structures of the Deaf Community as users of the South African Sign Language (SASL) to understand their specific needs that will inform the draft implementation plan to give effect to section 6 of the Constitution when it is amended.

In the meantime, PanSALB is workshopping stakeholders on the SASL Charter, which sets out key obligations to improve access to quality services and effective protection of the linguistic rights of deaf people.

(b) There is no budget yet allocated for the SASL as the constitutional amendment process is still ongoing. When SASL is finally adopted as the 12th official language of the Republic of South Africa, DSAC will include it in its plans with cost implications.

Reply:

(1) The Department has developed a standardised organisational structure and Post Provision Norms (PPN) model for TVET colleges, which makes provision for a unit and funded post for Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) services within each TVET college. This model and standardised organisational structure is currently being implemented at a college level over 3 years in line with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework budget. 

(2) The EHW unit at Head Office has been capacitating colleges whilst the PPN model was being developed and supporting the implementation of programmes in colleges.

Colleges were capacitated with 3-day EHW capacity-building workshops. There were 86 psychosocial interventions in TVET colleges. Processes of employee health and wellness were followed, which were agreed upon by labour structures within the Department.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and currently, the EHW unit has trauma counselled, tracked and traced 70 officials, and equipped colleges with various protocols in ensuring adherence to the prescripts of the Department of Public Service and Administration.

(3) The support functions and implementation of the EHW programmes does not depend on the establishment of an EHW unit, as it is the right of all members within the public service to be provided with health care services based on the Bill of Rights section 24 (a) and section 27 (i), as per the directive from the Minister of Public Service and Administration in Circular 1 of 2017 on Employee Health and Wellness.

(4) (a) The EHW programmes are based on the National Strategic Framework of Employee Health and Wellness of 2008. The programmes are as follows:

• HIV, AIDS, TB & STI programmes.
• The Health and Productivity Management programme focuses on the return on investment and other psychological, biological, medical and environmental challenges that impede officials to perform in the workplace. Implementation of this programme is done in tandem with leave determination policies, job access strategies, reasonable accommodation, employment equity and the Policy on the Implementation of Incapacity in the public service.
• The Safety Health Environment Risk and Quality (SHERQ) programme is directed by Regulation 53 of the Public Service Regulation that heads of departments must establish and maintain a safe and healthy work environment for employees of the department and a safe and healthy service delivery environment for members of the public. This programme does not operate in isolation but is implemented with the COVID-19 master plan and protocols, and reasonable accommodation and buildings, e.g. maintenance schedules of lifts and equipment by facilities management and the Departmental SHERQ policy.
• The Wellness Management Physical programme includes a sports policy whereby members of the Department can participate in healthy lifestyle programmes. Wellness Sporting Committees exist in colleges where a healthy lifestyle is promoted and ensuring that officials achieve a work-life balance. Daily body-mass-index screening is done as part of this programme.
• The Financial Wellness programme comprises of National Treasury workshops for Departmental officials, including colleges, on savings and managing finances.
• The Wellness Management Psychosocial programme cuts across all EHW interventions, implemented in conjunction with other Departmental programmes and customised for officials. Scheduled 8 of the Labour Relation Act is invoked in cases that need ill-health retirement.
• The Organisational Wellness programme incorporates SHERQ as the environment can incapacitate a person; hence, reasonable accommodation is implemented in various ways and can lead to officials being re-allocated to other work or work terrain appropriate for wheelchair-bound officials.

(b)   The EHW programmes are being utilised and programmes are in place within the EHW work plans.

Reply:

(1). The lists of beneficiaries for Phase 1 and 2 COVID-19 Relief are attached. For Phase 1 each applicant was paid an amount of R20,000.00 and for Phase 2 each applicant was paid an amount of R6,600.00.

(2). Yes Phase 1 was completed, (a). the list is provided as per (1) above, (b) each successful applicant was paid R20,000.00.

(3) Clarity is required in terms of this question to determine what the question is referring to regarding those who were contracted in Phase 2. No one was contracted in Phase 2.

Reply:

The projected 2021 average full cost of study as reported by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is R59 508.00 per annum for public universities. It should be noted that this includes both distance and contact students. It also includes students on the DHET Grant (capped funding) and the DHET Bursary (fully subsidised) funding. 

The projected cost for a student at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college is R62 000.00 per annum which covers tuition and allowances. It is important to note that all TVET college students are provided with textbooks, consumables, and safety gear irrespective of whether or not a student is a NSFAS recipient.

Reply:

1. The list of paid beneficiaries of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme that is being rolled out by the National Film and Video, inclusive of the amount is attached as requested.
2. PESP Phase 1 of the National Film and Video Foundation is not yet completed and it is envisaged that it will be concluded by the end of June 2021. The list of beneficiaries paid is the same as the one provided in question 1 above.
3. PESP phase 2 has not started. No approval for implementation has been granted yet by the National Treasury.

Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme
Split	Allocation	Paid to date	Balance available	Jobs proposed	Jobs projected	Jobs outstanding
Stream 1	84 534 772,00	58 764 484,00	25 770 288,00	6 375	5 838	537
Stream 2	22 513 038,00	22 263 038,00	250 000,00	1 200	1 187	13
Stream 3	12 950 000,00	12 950 000,00	-	705	705	-
Stream 4	13 002 190,00	10 502 190,24	2 499 999,76	675	480	195
Admin	7 000 000,00	4 531 324,12	2 468 675,88
Total	133 000 000,00	104 479 712,24	28 520 287,76	8 955,00	8 210,00	745,00

Reply:

Yes.

a) One.

b) Pursuant to a claim by three communities in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 22 of 1994, a consent order was granted by the Land Claims Court that the state acquire 10 properties in the Mthonjaneni area pending the resolution of a dispute regarding the properties between the Mthonjaneni Community and the Toggkry Community. The properties were duly acquired by the department and are managed in terms of the State Land Lease and Disposal Policy. The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) was appointed as caretaker of the properties, with the view to later appoint it as lessee pending the resolution of the above-mentioned dispute. The caretakership agreement with SAFDA was an interim measure to safeguard the properties and to ensure that farming operations continued on the properties. The Mthonjaneni Community Trust subsequently brought an application against the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development & 2 others (Case No LCC201/2013) seeking the following orders:

• That the Minister and the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (the Commission) (the second respondent) immediately cease to harvest all crops on the relevant properties;
• That a joint committee between the Mthonjaneni Community Trust and the department be established to determine various service providers to undertake the harvest of the timber;
• That the Minister and the Commission ensure that an interest-bearing account is ringfenced for all funds generated by the lease or the farming operations; and
• In the alternative, that the Minister and the Commission are directed to ensure that all funds that are generated from the farming operations as at date of transfer must be held in an interest-bearing account.

The department successfully defended the application in the Land Claims Court and the judge dismissed the application of the Mthonjaneni Community Trust with each party to pay their own costs. The transfer of the properties from the state to the beneficiaries is currently in progress and a further consent order with time frames are being negotiated with Cox and Partners Attorneys.

Reply:

1. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) confirms that Additiv Solutions (Pty) Ltd met all the requirements for support from the Photonics Prototyping Facility that is hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) National Laser Centre. As set out in the reply to question 404 in March 2021, the proposal was evaluated by the PPF Investment Committee, which includes industry experts and the DSI, and which evaluates and recommends proposals to be supported to the CSIR. Proposals are evaluated against the following criteria:

(a) Relevance and Impact (commercial relevance; feasibility; and significance of impact to the Photonics industry);

(b) Technical merit (clarity of objectives/motivation to use the PPF; novelty of technology; maturity of technology);

(c) Budget (alignment to tasks; and feasibility with existing infrastructure); and

(d) Management Plan (feasibility and efficiency of plan; and track record and team)

The proposal from Additiv Solutions (Pty) Ltd was evaluated by the PPF Investment Committee on 9 December 2019. The committee agreed that there was a clear need for lower cost 3D metal additive manufacturing machines, that the proposal met the requirements of technical merits, budget and the management plan. The proposal also met the requirements with respect to relevance and impact, but the committee did recognize that significant effort would be required with respect to market development and marketing, and that the prototype to be developed in this project would assist in this regard. The Committee agreed that the proposal from Additiv Solutions (Pty) Ltd therefore met the requirements for support from the PPF, and recommended it for approval.

2. The project was initially scheduled to be completed by 31 March 2021. However, there were delays with the procurement processes at the CSIR, which delayed the initial setup phase of the project. These delays were due to challenges with suppliers of hardware to the CSIR. The hardware necessary for this phase was delivered to the CSIR in December 2020 and February 2021 and this work is now completed. In the project scope, a prototype system had to be characterised, and then three subsequent "Beta" machines have to be characterised for Additiv Solutions. The prototype setup and characterisation is completed; the Beta 1 system is being characterised. This makes up the bulk of the work in the project and will completed by 31 May 2021. Additiv Solutions is also required to deliver 2 additional machines (Beta machines 2 and 3) to the PPF team for them to characterise the optical setup and complete all activities planned. This stage is dependent on Additiv Solutions and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2021. The project is on track, there are no remaining technical challenges.

3. This question relates to particular project at the CSIR. The Minister does not usually make statements on particular projects, and is not planning to do so in relation to the CSIR’s support to Additiv Solutions.

Reply:

No. The Department did not intervene, as this is an administrative matter the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee is empowered to deal with.

Notwithstanding the latter, SASCOC indicated that they have secured a sponsorship from Mr Price Sport, with regards to the kit for the Tokyo Games. As part of the process the athletes have joined the Mr Price Sport design team to finalise the design of the kit. The kit design will therefore have full input from the Athletes who will be wearing it. SASCOC also indicated that the EThekwini Municipality has also provided professional designers to join the Mr Price Sport Team to design the opening ceremony outfits.

Reply:

(a)  The audited data for 2019 indicates that 1 074 912 headcount students were enrolled, representing an under-enrolment of -6 178 headcounts in relation to the projected target of 1 081 090 set for 2019. This represents a -0.57% deviation from the 2019 target. Universities are permitted to move within a 2% band of their planned targets.

(b)  The Department has not yet received the 2020 final audited data from universities. This is only due at the end of July 2021 once they have finalised their graduate numbers and their external auditors have undertaken the audit of the data to be submitted to the Department. Thereafter the Department can undertake the comparison between the 2020 enrolment planning targets and the actual 2020 enrolments. However, UNISA did signal to the Department last year that they had over-enrolled in 2020. The Department has had a number of discussions with UNISA on over-enrolments both in 2018 and in 2020. 

(c)  The Department has not yet received data for the 2021 academic year, as universities will still enroll students in the second semester. The 2021 audited data will only be received at the end of July 2022.

Reply:

1. (a). A forensic investigation into the handling of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) is being instituted by the Council of NAC. The findings of the report will be analysed and implemented in line with the governing legislation. If there is/are individual/s that may have transgressed in the management of the PESP rollout, consequence management will apply.

(b). The recommendations coming out of the Forensic investigation will determine further steps to be taken.

2. The Department has not taken any steps against any individual as the findings of Forensic investigation will determine the scale of the problem and what steps to take; and this will be done by the Council. My duty will be to play an oversight in ensuring that recommendations coming out of the Report are implemented and consequence management where applicable. However; also note that a legal opinion was sought on the matter of alleged conflict of interest by some Council members; to which it stated that there was no conflict of interest as adjudication was done under the previous Council.

3. The NAC did pay the legal bill relating to the internal disciplinary hearing of the Chief Executive Officer.

a) This was the re-imbursement paid to the CEO as she won the disciplinary hearing and Council agreed to settle her legal costs.

b) The amount paid was R594 500. The NAC Council approved the payment in 2020.

4. The National Arts Council has since instituted a Forensic investigation into the handling of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) by management. Once that process is finalised the Council will work with speed to adequately and swiftly act on the implementation of the recommendations of the Forensic Report including disciplinary hearing if that is part of the recommendations.

Reply:

The Departments response to the current energy supply challenges consist of a number of interventions including procurement under the RIMPPPP (commonly known as emergency power). The interventions by the Department are follows:

• We have amended regulations to enable municipalities to build or procure power from IPPs.
• We have amended of Schedule 2 of ERA and therefore making exempting certain categories of generation for own use from the requirements to hold apply for a license.
• We are working with IPPs and Eskom to ensure that projects signed under bid-window of renewable energy are completed as soon as possible. 1 200 megawatts of the 2 200 megawatts has already been connected to the grid. The remaining capacity is expected to be connected to the grid by not later than December 2021
• We are procuring power from existing private generators through short-term contracts. Eskom is finalising the procurement of 128 megawatts and the Department is finalising an offer to purchase additional power from existing renewable energy IPPs.
• We are proceeding with the procurement of 1 995 megawatts of power under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP). Preferred bidders have been given until end of July 2020 to reach financial close. The Department is planning to conclude the signing of Power Purchase Agreements shortly after that.
• We have issued Request for Proposal to procure 2 600 megawatts from renewable energy (Bid window 5)
• We will be issuing additional Requests for Proposal for 9 213 megawatts from renewables, coal, gas, and battery storage. These will be done between now and March 2022.

 

Reply:

The NSFAS cohort study considers any student who received NSFAS funding at any point in time during their studies. The database of students who had received NSFAS funding in all previous years of study is mapped to the Higher Education Management Information System dataset. The NSFAS cohort study published in March 2020 considered all cohorts that entered the public higher education sector, i.e. universities, for the first time from the 2000 to 2017 academic years. The study found that the dropout rate for the 2009 NSFAS cohort was 22.2%, which is 9% lower than the national cohort average of 31.3%.

It should be noted that in order to determine how students, including NSFAS students, are performing, at least 4 years of data is required for a 3-year qualification and 5 years of data for 4-year qualification. The Department is currently in the process of updating the cohort report for this year.

Reply:

a) Measures to maximize communication with DIRCO

Communication between the Department of Tourism and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is institutionalised and effective. The department works with DIRCO on matters pertaining to the implementation of tourism Bilateral and Multilateral Relations and Cooperation. The department working with South Africa Tourism and DIRCO provides support to South Africa’s missions to support tourism growth in pursuit of economic diplomacy.

b) (i) and (ii) How is communication monitored and measured?

Through management reporting.

c) (i) an ( ii) Success and failures of the (aa) past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2021

(aa) Since the establishment of the standalone Department of Tourism the two departments work well together resulting in, amongst others, the identification of Tourism as a pillar of Economic Diplomacy.

(bb) Since the onset of COVID-19 both departments adjusted well to working remotely and have kept constant virtual contact.

Reply:

The Department of Public Service and Administration has not introduced rationalisation of the Public Service headcount. Headcount increases have not been the main driver of the wage bill. Rationalisation of the Public Service headcount may adversely affect service delivery to citizens in critical sectors such health, education and policing amongst others. The 2021 Budget Review, has indicated that the government wage bill must be managed within the Fiscal Framework which assumes that compensation budget ceilings will be maintained.

Not applicable in terms of the response in (a).

End

Reply:

The setting of prices falls within the ambit of the private sector. South African Tourism does engage the sector to consider special offers as part of the promotion activities they conduct i.e. Sho’t Left programme. Furthermore, The Minister of Tourism called for the sector to consider two-tier pricing model i.e one for Domestic tourist and one for International tourist. It has been encouraging to see a growing number of business responding to this call. For long term purposes, the policy review policy panel is also considering wether there is a need for a policy pronouncement on pricing.

(a) – (e) Not applicable

Reply:

No measures have been taken to make the grading system free and compulsory. The Minister has appointed a Policy Review process which will review all the areas of work by the department and this will include Grading.

(b) – (e) Not applicable

Reply:

The Department of Tourism does not have the mandate on measures such as the Temporary Employer Relief Scheme (TERS). However, the Department of Employment and Labour have been engaging social partners at Nedlac and the tourism sector is also represented in those discussions. It is suggested that the Honourable member refers her question to the Minister of Employment and Labour.

1. – (2) Not applicable

Reply:

1. No employees of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has been implicated, therefore the Department did not take any disciplinary and/or legal steps. Discipline management is a decentralised function and therefore the responsibility of each department to enforce the disciplinary code and take the necessary legal steps to recover public funds. The DPSA is only mandated to take action against its own employees when found guilty of wrongdoing through a disciplinary process.

2. The DPSA did not recover monies from the implicated public service employees. Before monies can be recovered from employees, an investigation must be finalised with sufficient evidence of criminality collected and recommending for monies to be recovered. The recovery of monies will then be effected through a court order. The mandate to investigate fraud, corruption and crime belongs solely to the South African Police Service, or under special circumstances to the Special Investigative Unit (SIU). The DPSA, including the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU), does not have a mandate to investigate crime or to recover monies from employees.

3. The DPSA established that all cases regarding government employees receiving Social Relief of Distress grants (SRD) were referred to the Fusion Centre, with a process embarked upon to analyse the data and to refer established cases to investigators. The Fusion Centre is an Anti-Corruption Task Team initiative, where resources of law enforcement agencies are pooled and coordinated to investigate and prosecute priority corruption cases. The DPSA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Financial Intelligence Centre (who are involved in the Fusion Centre) in terms of which the DPSA will assist any investigations by identifying Public Service employees in corruption cases. In this regard, the DPSA will assist with the identification of Public Service employees from the SRD Grant cases, and after investigations established criminal conduct involving public service employees, the PAEIDTAU will monitor if national and provincial departments are taking disciplinary steps against the identified employees. The Department of Social Development will have to implement measures on their systems to prevent government employees to be able to fraudulently and/or unlawfully apply for and/or receive the SRD grants, as those systems are not managed or maintained by the DPSA.

End

Reply:

a) Total number of complaints received by the department in each month in the past three financial years.

Period/ Month	TOTAL NUMBER OF TOURIST COMPLAINTS MANAGED
	2018/ 2019	2019/2020	2020/21
April	8	9	34
May	4	6	25
June	2	5	40
July	4	7	20
Aug	6	4	33
September	2	3	42
October	14	12	54
November	2	3	30
December	2	2	6
January	9	15	28
February	11	25	24
March	1	33	40
Total	65	124	376

(b) Refunds, rescheduling of reservations, service levels, alleged non-compliance with COVID19 protocols and acts of discrimination.

c) The Tourism Act, 2014 (Act No. 3 of 2014) makes provision for the Department of Tourism to put systems in place for dealing with complaints lodged by tourists in respect of tourism services, products or facilities. The Regulation on the Prescribed Manner and Procedure for Lodging and Dealing with Tourism Complaints outlines the process to be followed when managing tourism complaints.

The main focus is on mediation and amicable resolution of tourist complaints and that has proved to be effective. In cases where mediation fails, complaints are referred to other relevant structures for further intervention where applicable.

d) (i) and (ii) Database and records of all complaints received, managed and referred are kept and updated.

Reply:

a) On 2 December 2009, Cabinet resolved that departments must implement mechanisms to ensure that payments to suppliers are paid within 30 days from the date of receiving an invoice. On 22 November 2010, Cabinet reiterated its decision taken on 2 December 2009 regarding the payment of invoices.

b) In addition, the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD) resolved that the National Treasury must provide the Forum with regular reports on the extent of compliance by departments with the requirement to pay suppliers invoices within 30 days.

c) In November 2011, National Treasury published a Treasury Instruction Note No. 34 which emphasised the importance of the payment of suppliers timeously and enjoins departments to submit reports to their relevant treasuries each month with information related to the:

• number and value of invoices paid after 30 days from the date of receiving invoices;
• number and value of invoices that are older than 30 days which remained unpaid; and
• reasons for late and / or non-payment of the invoices.

The National Treasury Instruction Note 34 further requires accounting officers to put systems in place to enable tracking of invoices received.

d) Since 2012, the National Treasury has been actively monitoring compliance with Treasury Regulation 8.2.3 and report quarterly on the level of non-compliance with the requirement to pay suppliers within 30 days as well as the recommendations to improve the level of compliance to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to present to the FOSAD. The National Treasury also submits an annual report to the Standing Committee of Public Accounts, Standing Committee of Finance and Cabinet. These reports are also shared with the Public Service Commission and Department of Small Business Development.

e) The National Treasury in its continued effort to assist public sector institutions to meet their contractual obligations and to remind heads of institutions of this requirement, issued a treasury circular on 23 March 2018 to urge heads of institutions to put measures in place to pay valid invoices and claims as required by the legislation, strengthen internal controls and monitor the implementation thereof, institute disciplinary steps against those employees who undermine the legislative requirement or set internal controls, and to remind relevant authorities that failure to take disciplinary steps against those employees constitute non-compliance and misconduct.

f) Some of the initiatives that the National Treasury took to address this matter are as follows:

• The National Treasury in collaboration with DPME visited all provincial departments of Health to understand challenges that are faced by these departments in paying legitimate invoices within 30 days and to develop action plans to address identified challenges and improve compliance levels;

• The National Treasury embarked on roadshows in certain provinces to encourage government departments at various levels to adhere to commitments made on payment of invoices within the stipulated 30-day period as a critical element to support SMMEs who do business with the state;

• The National Treasury established a hotline where queries related to non-payment of invoices are received from suppliers. The National Treasury assists suppliers by following up with transgressing departments on reported late payment of invoices and provides feedback on to the supplier on (i) reasons for the delay and (ii) date payment will be effected. At a provincial level, the process is handled by the Office of the Provincial Accountant-General.

• The National Treasury is in the process of finalising a guideline on payments within 30 days to assist accounting officers with measures to implement to improve the level of compliance and pay invoices on time and also improve their internal control systems in relation to processes and procedures to be followed when effecting payments.

g) Whilst it is not currently a legal requirement that public entities must settle their invoices within 30 days, it is considered a best practice. When amendments are effected to the Treasury Regulations, public entities will also be legally required to pay their invoices within 30 days from date of receipt of an invoice.

Reply:

The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) section 5 mandates National Treasury to fulfil its responsibilities in terms of Chapter 13 of the Constitution and MFMA, to the extent necessary to comply with this requirement, the National Treasury may monitor and assess compliance by municipalities and municipal entities with the act; and any applicable standards of generally recognised accounting practice and uniform expenditure and revenue classification systems amongst others.

The National Treasury performs assessments on the establishment and the functioning of the audit committees in municipalities. The focus is on the Non-delegated municipalities, because of the size of their budgets and the types of services provided. The assessments are utilised to develop support programmes for audit committees and internal auditors in these municipalities. The review is performed annually and focuses on:

• Establishment, membership and appointment
• Skills, experience and training
• Meetings of the committee
• Resources
• Relationship with council and management
• Oversight responsibilities
• Audit Committee assessments
• Reporting

In terms of the oversight responsibilities of ensuring that management implements corrective action of previously reported findings by both Auditor-General and Internal Audit units, the National Treasury’s assessment found that the majority of the committees do track management’s efforts to implement corrective action, however, there is room for improvement on the rate at which management implements the recommendation from the auditors. This is one of the root causes for recurring or repeat findings from the auditors.

Reply:

(a) and (b). The Minister and Department of Health have advised the country that the implementation of the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) is the most effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19. To that end, the Department of Basic Education has developed the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Management and Containment of COVID-19, which are used in the basic education sector.  Learners, teachers and non-teaching staff are provided orientation on the SOP.  Schools ensure that the SOP is adhered to, and that the COVID-19 cleaning and sanitising resources are available.  The wearing of face masks is mandatory in schools.  Screening is conducted for learners, staff and visitors.  All these measures continue to be emphasised so that schools remain a much safer environment for all.   

Reply:

In terms section 51(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, the responsibility to, amongst others, manage revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities lie with the accounting authority. The executive authority of the South African Post Office is the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who has the responsibility to oversee any plans to return the Post Office to solvency. The National Treasury cannot take over the functions of the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, and the accounting authority, who is the board of the Post Office.

Reply:

As the two Co-chairpersons, we have had a series of meetings with both the Technical Team and the IMC members to put together a discussion document and Action plan on policy intervention areas, short term, medium and long term measures.

We have submitted to Cabinet, policy areas that some of the IMC member department and intervention that we will be focusing on.

As for the Department of Employment and Labour, we committed to:

• participate in the joint inspections that were to be conducted in the various sectors of our economy where we received or continue to receive high presence of undocumented foreign nationals.
• Coordination of the Trucking and Road Freight Industries stand-off and ensuring the participation of the various stakeholders in the established Bargaining Council to resolve their disputes.
• To develop and present a Draft National Labour Migration Policy as a sub-theme of the broader National Employment Policy that we have been tasked to develop.
• To present Draft legislative provisions to realise proposals outlined in the Draft Policy.

We have done our part and I have instructed the Director General of the Department to convene a Technical Task Team meeting of the IMC to gather progress report from each of the member departments. We will be approaching the IMC to secure a sign-off on the second progress report that we are going to table to Cabinet somewhere in June 2021.

Reply:

The National Department, in cooperation with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), submitted approved business plans to the National Treasury for the new financial year with the subsequent release of funds to provinces in April 2021. Amidst COVID-19 restrictions and to ensure learners receive meals, the Programme is implemented using three feeding modalities (i) feeding learners attending school (ii) collection of meals by learners not attending school due to rotation, and (iii) collection of food item/parcels by learners and/or parents. Provinces monitor and support schools. 

Reply:

a) What are the next immediate steps of the specified process.

SA Tourism conducted a study to determine the readiness of trade (supply side) to participate in future shows and buyers (demand side) to place business in the market (demand side).

Further studies were conduced to determine the viability of a Hybrid model which comprises of virtual & physical format of the trade shows. The outcome indicates that tangible ROI from meeting engagements needs to be derived for exhibitors and buyers.

The team is currenly finalising the proposed approach and dates for both Africa’s Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa to be hosted in 2021.

b) What are the (i) timelines, (ii) time frames and (iii) deadlines in this regard.

Given the current situation due to the global pandemic, physical participation, vaccine roll-out and travel restrictions, this is an ongoing evaluation to determine when the trade show can be hosted. No date has yet been established for the hosting of the show.

c) Changes in the form and content of:

(i) Africa’s Travel Indaba and (ii) Meetings Africa

The proposed approach is a Hybrid model which comprises the hosting of the platform in a combination of physical and virtual formats. Details will be communicated once finalized

(ii) The Welcome Programme

The Welcome Program seeks to inspire and educate South African tourism role players and ordinary South Africans to deliver exceptional visitor experience. This is done through authentic interactions and the delivery of great customer service.

As an extension of the Welcome Program is the “Make Someone’s Day” initiative, which is positioned to showcase and highlight the importance of trade in the tourism value chain. We create and sustain partnerships with the trade through information sharing, toolkit developments, training and fact sharing, including implementing key ports of entry activations.

d) Contents of the Partnership Policy that has been developed.

SA Tourism recognises the important role of strategic Partnerships in furthering the discharge of its legislative mandate by broadly leveraging opportunities, spend, reach and influence beyond traditional tourism source markets with a direct measurable correlation with tourism destination choice (destination brand strength), travel decision and transactions (arrivals) and in-market spend (GDP contribution).

The aim of this Policy is accordingly to regulate the participation of SA Tourism in any Partnerships by providing clear governing principles relating thereto in order to ensure that such Partnerships further entity’s legislative mandate, are aligned to its strategic objectives, add value and are conducted in a consistent and fair manner. The Partnership Policy focuses on five categories:

• National Imperative Marketing Partnerships
• Tourism Targets and Brand Strength Driver Partnerships
• Market Development Driver Partnership
• Bid Support Partnerships
• Trade Partnerships

Reply:

National Departments

1. Table 1 below provides the total Rand value of invoices older than 30 days that were not paid as at 31 December 2020.

Table 1: National Departments: Rand value of Unpaid Invoices as at 31 December 2020

No.	National Department	Rand Value
1	Cooperative Governance	R 17,850
2	Police	R 71,674
3	Home Affairs	R 636,813
4	Statistics South Africa	R 832,404
5	Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities	R 1,712,016
6	Mineral Resources and Energy	R 4,311,452
7	Public Works and Infrastructure including PMTE	R 51,673,929
8	Water and Sanitation including Trading Entity	R 357,636,505
Total Rand Value	R 416,892,642

Provincial Departments

(2)(a) Table 2 below provides the total Rand value of invoices older than 30 days that were not paid as at 31 December 2020.

Table 2: Provincial Departments: Rand value of Unpaid Invoices at the end of December 2020

No.	Provincial Government	Rand Value
1	Northern Cape	R 517,636
2	Western Cape	R 600,546
3	Limpopo	R 28,471,372
4	Mpumalanga	R 97,788,753
5	Kwazulu-Natal	R 104,363,510
6	Free State	R 112,778,551
7	North West	R 351,858,302
8	Gauteng	R 389,973,533
9	Eastern Cape	R 2,114,327,450
Total Rand Value	R 3,200,679,654

b) Table 3 below provides a list of provinces that are worst performing in terms of payment of suppliers within the prescribed period.

Table 3: Worst performing provincial departments in each province at the end of December 2020

No.	Provincial Government	Rand Value 31 December 2020	Worst offenders (Department)	Rand Value 31 March 2021	%
1	Northern Cape	R 517,636	Education	R 517,636	100%
2	Western Cape	R 600,546	Education	R 600,546	100%
3	Limpopo	R 28,471,372	Health	R 18,000,716	63%
4	Mpumalanga	R 97,788,753	Health	R 97,788,753	100%
5	Kwazulu-Natal	R 104,363,510	Education	R 71,235,451	68%
6	Free State	R 112,778,551	Health	R 64,549,129	57%
7	North West	R 351,858,302	Health	R 327,595,920	93%
8	Gauteng	R 389,973,533	Health	R 342,257,759	88%
9	Eastern Cape	R 2,114,327,450	Health	R 2,025,125,297	96%
		R 3,200,679,654		R 2,947,671,207	92%

Provincial departments of Health and Education contributed 92% of the total rand value not paid by provincial departments as at December 2020.

Reply:

1. The nature of operations of the Fund is such that it collects and processes large volumes of personal information of its clients (beneficiaries, and Medical Service Providers). The threat in the Annual Performance Plan was highlighted in the context of the risk of potential breach of personal information. In the event that such personal information is not adequately and safely managed/stored, it might fall into wrong hands and with the potential of being abused/misused.

2. Yes. The Act has proven to be an important safeguard against abuse of personal information. The Fund has developed and is implementing a compliance plan.

Reply:

The numbers referenced in the document are BAS Payment numbers.

Please find attached the extract of BAS payments made by the National Department of Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation to Travel with Flair. These payments were consolidated payments which included other items and or services that were not Covid-19 related.

(a) PM-2420322, Total payment of R487 735.00 of which R103 000.00 was Covid related.

(b) PM-2420317, Total payment of R437 710.00 of which R126 875.00 was Covid related.

(c) PM-2420328, Total payment of R496 715.20 of which R59 830.00 was Covid related.

(d) PM-2420330, Total payment of R272 005.00 of which R135 000.00 was Covid related.

(e) PM-2420329, Total payment of R492 595.00 of which R253 750.00 was Covid related.

(f) PM-2420326, Total payment of R199 105.00 of which R125 750.00 was Covid related.

In all cases the Covid-19 related expenditure (in red text on Annexure A) is referring to “Consumables: Medical Kit”. Based in this payment information, the National Treasury cannot completely determine whether these payments constitute irregular expenditure.

The National Treasury will, however, request the Department of Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation to provide the details of the transactions to determine whether the transactions complied with National Treasury Instruction No. 05 of 2020/2021 which was applicable at the time of the transactions.

Reply:

The National Treasury receives limited financial information from each of the municipalities and we therefore recommend that this detailed information is sourced directly from the finance division of the City of Ekurhuleni who is best placed to give the explanations required.