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24 November 2023 - NW3785

Profile picture: De Villiers, Mr JN

De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

With reference to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and its impact on the small business sector in the Republic, what are the details of the (a) total number of small businesses currently integrated into the AGOA value chain, (b) total number of jobs created in the small business sector as a direct result of participation in the AGOA value chain and (c) quantifiable impact the involvement has had on our Republic’s economic growth?

Reply:

In 2022 South Africa’s goods exports to the United States amounted to about US$14.4 billion. Of this, 21% ($3 billion) entered the US under AGOA. Over the recent five years since 2018, on average 16% of SA exports entered the US under AGOA.

Some sectors utilise AGOA for a significant portion of their US exports. I attach a revised copy of a presentation made to a joint meeting of the Portfolio and Select Committees of Parliament on 26 September 2023.

Both the SA and US data sets do not distinguish exports/imports by company size and employment and also do not record the suppliers of inputs into the production of the exported/imported products.

The Impact of AGOA on economic growth will require detailed research, and will not be definitive, as a number of factors influence trade performance, for example changes in the exchange rate of the currency.

 

-END-

24 November 2023 - NW3445

Profile picture: Cachalia, Mr G K

Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Whether, noting that trade unions under the Congress of SA Trade Unions, gathered in Durban to protest the privatisation of Transnet (details furnished), it is the policy position of his department that public private partnerships lead to job losses and retrenchment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether he, along with the Transnet board, presented the public with their plan to reap the benefits of public-private partnerships, while addressing union concerns which may otherwise derail the specified initiatives; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

1. Private sector participation that Transnet has incorporated in its Reinvention and Growth Strategy is not intended to result in job losses. Rather, the involvement of private sector is to attract capital required to fund expansion programs and unlock growth in exports for key sectors such as manganese, chrome, and iron ore; and accordingly, growth in the overall economic activities in the country.

Transnet is also able to attract skills and competencies to accelerate efficiencies in its ports and terminals operations, which have been identified as one of the areas of concerns by the customers and shipping lines, as reflected in poor rankings of South African ports, especially in the container segment.

2. Transnet Management continues to engage with labour representatives, particularly addressing concerns around employee protection in implementation of the PSPs, such protection is also translated into agreements with the potential partners.

Remarks: Reply:Approved/Not Approved/Comment

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3768

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) total number of (i) hospital and (ii) clinic staff have been attacked and/or threatened by (aa) patients and (bb) other assailants on the premises of health facilities in each province since 1 January 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) were the circumstances of each incident; (2) what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place to address such incidents in each province?

Reply:

EASTERN CAPE

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

0

 

4

Circumstances

Zwide Clinic

  1. Patient threatened Security guard with a gun.

Soweto Clinic

  1. Staff member in Pharmacy threatened with a firearm by the patient

New Brighton Clinic

  1. Patient attacked dentist

Tshangana Clinic

  1. Clerk assaulted by the patient inside the clinic

4

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

0

10 incidents

Circumstances

Nomangesi Jayiya Clinic

  1. Security Guard attacked by 4 thugs. He ran into clinic and locked himself in. Thugs took the exterior security gate with them
  1. Staff robbed of personal belongings inside the clinic    

Mabandla Rehab

  1. Staff Robbed at gunpoint

Max Madlingozi Clinic

  1. Security Guard and driver of vehicle collecting/delivering of blood samples robbed of personal belongings
  1. Service provider (repairing plumbing) robbed of personal belongings inside facility
  1. Security guard robbed of personal belongings on 1st day of work at clinic
  1. staff robbed of their personal belongings

Kwadwesi Clinic

  1. Staff Robbed at gunpoint   

West End Clinic

  1. Security Guard robbed of cellphone at the guardhouse

Middle Street Clinic

  1. 3 x gangsters chased rival gang member into clinic where they stabbed him inside the clinic.     

10

Total Hospital 0

Total Clinic 14 incidents

Grand total 14 incidents

(2) Measures put in place to address the p

  • Staff counseled at Wellness clinic
  • Security enhancements

FREE STATE

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

The Free State Department of Health reports that they have had no cases except for the following:

Pax clinic, two groups from township were fighting each other and the fight ended up at the clinic where one group wanted to finish the member of the other group.

(2) The police were called and positively calmed the situation down. The department increased the security personnel and instructed the district to utilize the hybrid security model to strengthen the security service by appointing the private security company for the clinic to work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays supplementing the departmental security service.

GAUTENG

  1. (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

3

Tembisa

  1. 1 x staff member attacked by patient
  1. 2 x staff members attacked by patient at Charlotte Maxeke

1

Circumstances

Lillian Ngoyi.

  1. Staff member attacked by patient at the clinic

4

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

4

Tembisa Hospital

  1. A police officer (boyfriend) shot a nurse assistant. The boyfriend entered the facility with a police vehicle flashing light, a case was opened at the local police station case 203/03/22
  1. The father to a patient assaulted a nurse in the ward at Tembisa Hospital. The matter was reported to Tembisa police station case 650/3/2023.

Charlotte Maxeke hospital

  1. 2 x security officers were assaulted by Psychiatric patient

0

4

Total Hospital 7

Total Clinic 1

8 Grand total

(2) Approved Security Policy and Access Control Policy were distributed across Gauteng Health facilities. The department is also conducting security assessments on the current status of CCTV cameras.

The Gauteng department of health is in a process to procuring the new security contract for all the department of health facility with the Hybridge model to address all security concern within the province.

KWAZULU-NATAL

(1)`(a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) and (2)

Facility

(ii) clinic staff have been attacked and/or threatened by (aa) patients on the premises of health facilities in each province

(b) were the circumstances of each incident in each Province;

what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place to address such incidents in each province?

Fort Napier Hospital

08

1 x case of sexual assault (A female Staff was touched inappropriately by a Patient.)

7x cases of physical assault on staff members by the patients.

  • In the wards staff members are issued with mobile panic buttons, to use in emergency cases.
  • Cleaners are encouraged to work in pairs as much as tasks allow.
  • Staff members are trained on de-escalation techniques.
  • Security officers are allocated in the wards to assist on security issues.
  • Patient risk assessment is ongoing and risk mitigation is implemented as risk changes are noted.

Niemeyer Memorial Hospital

01

The mentally ill patient attacked the nurse with a drip stand whilst under 72hrs observation.

  • Investigating Officer appointed to conduct investigation with effect from 23 November 2023.
  • Referral of violent /disruptive mentally ill patients immediately to designated psychiatric facilities.

Greys

01

  • A Female Nurse who was separated from her husband at the time was assaulted by her husband on the hospital parking lot.
  • Security was called to assist but the perpetrator was armed and threatening verbally.  
  • Local SAPS was called but unfortunately arrived after the perpetrator had left.
  • The wife was assisted by security to the Emergency Dept.  the wife completed a J88 in the Emergency Department.  
  • A court order was obtained, and the husband can only access the hospital property as a patient.

Townhill

09

  • 5 x Staff injured while restraining MHCU’s.
  • 3 x Professional Nurses sprayed with fire extinguisher by MHCU.
  • Security officer assaulted by enrolled nursing assistant at the main gate
  • More staff will be sourced to monitor psychotic patients.
  • Ongoing staff re-training on seclusion of psychotic patients.
  • ENA seconded to another hospital while labor relations investigation proceeds

Northdale

07

All cases of staff being attacked by patients involved acute psychosis exhibited by the patients.

  • Installation of live CCTV cameras to specific wards.
  • Upgrade security patrols around wards to do crowd control during visiting hours.

 

Richmond

01

   

Nkonjeni/ St. Francis Hospital

01

A patient brought by relative jumped and kick the window while the OPD clerk was retrieving his file

  • Strengthened security at OPD.

Vryheid hospital

14

Nursing staff attacked by psychiatric patients

  • Assistance by Security Guards.
  • Seclusion of psychotic patients.
  • Staff referred to EAP for grief counselling.

Addington hospital

01

Casualty Staff were threatened by a relative demanding urgent attention.

  • Security strengthened at Casualty.

KEH & ST. Aidan hospital

01

Staff threatened by a Patient who was intoxicated.

 

Mahatma Ghandi Memorial hospital

05

  • DR assaulted by MHCU patient in casualty and the Dr’s cell phone was taken and smashed by patient in male medical ward and had her arm twisted
  • Security and Nurse bitten by MHCU in casualty when restrained nurse trying to administer medication
  • Nurse attacked by MHCU that was refusing admission.
  • Security Officer attacked by MHCU from casualty. The patient pulled the security hair.
  • Security posted inside casualty and another at entry od casualty.
  • Each security has been provided with two way radios to call for backup.

Wentworth hospital

03

  • Relatives demanding attention
  • Installation of CCTV cameras.
  • Security guards are posted to all service point areas.

KwaMashu CHC

01

  • A security guard was hit by a patient who had requested assistance and the Security had a negative attitude towards the client
  • PRO attended and cautioned patient.
  • Security was subjected to disciplinary action.

St. Mary’s hospital

03

  • MHCU patient in OPD and another on one the ward threatened staff.
  • MHCU in ward Confused Patient in the ward.
  • Security attack by patient’s relatives Relatives brought in an assaulted patient and were demanding to be seen immediately. Attacked Security and broke the hospital boom gate.
  • Matter discussed in OHS Committee Meeting, relevant department to keep in stock soft restrains and improve communication with other relevant stakeholders during hand-overs to ensure that status of all patients is known to the new shift employees.
  • The matter was discussed in the OHS Committee Meeting and information cascaded to the relevant ward.

SOP of handling confused Patients developed.

Ward strengthened communication during handover between shifts should status of patients change.

  • SOP in place to ensure one relative accompanies the patient that is unable to assist themselves.

G.J. Crooks hospital

02

  • Staff Member was assaulted by a patient
  • Verbal assault of a Doctor and a Nurse.
  • Access control was intensified and Security was added.

Phoenix CHC

01

  • MHCU that had defaulted his treatment punched a staff members in the face.
  • Security personnel are placed throughout the facility at strategic points to ensure the safety and security of patients, community, staff and the facility.

Thonjeni clinic

01

  • A Security Officer was shot and killed outside the clinic while on duty.
  • It was an isolated incident as it was nothing to do with work, except that on the day of incident he was on duty.

RK Khan Hospital

05

  • All were attacked by Mental Health Care Users in Casualty Department.
  • An additional 7 beds have been added in the Male Psych ward to avoid keeping patients in Casualty.

Port Shepstone hospital

01

  • Security Officer assaulted while assisting Nurses to control a MHCU.
  • More than one Security in assisting to control the violent patient

G.J. Crookes hospital

03

  • Staff Member was assaulted by a patient.
  • Verbal assault of a Doctor and a Nurse.
  • Access control was intensified.
  • Priority is given to transfer of mentally ill patients to mental health wards.
  • Staff members were referred to EAP.

Murchison Hospital

02

  • Staff members attacked by a MHCU.
  • Provided better measures and counselling of handling the mentally disturbed patients.

Isithebe Clinic

01

  • Armed robbery by five unknown men.
  • Investigation conducted by the District Security Coordinator.
  • A case was open at Nyoni Police Station and a Team came to take fingerprints.

KwaMashu CHC

01

  • A Nurse was assaulted by unruly patient. Security deserted post during incident
  • Security was dismissed and an additional security was posted

Umkhontokayise clinic

01

  • Armed robbery by two unknown men who had made a hole in the parameter fence.
  • Investigation conducted by the District Security Coordinator.
  • A case was open at Nyoni Police Station and a Team came to take fingerprints.

Thokozani clinic

01

   

Ndulinde clinic -

01

  • A Nurse was attacked by her boyfriend.
  • Security guards intervened.
  • No physical injuries were sustained.

Sundumbili clinic

02

  • Break-in where two staff vehicles were taken at gunpoint.
  • Staff members were threaten by the relatives who were accompany the critical ill patient. Staff members were told to pay a special attention to their patient at gunpoint, if a patient dies staff members will be killed as well.
  • Additional of security personnel and one roving/ patrol vehicle has been made to check all clinics.
  • A case was open at Nyoni Police Station and a Team came to take fingerprints.

uNtunjambili Hospital

03

  • A staff member suspected to be intoxicated attacked his colleague
  • A formal investigation was done which resulted in dismissal.
  • Reported to early warning signs system, PSI was discussed in the meetings
  • Nurses were referred to psychologist

GJGHM

02

Patient was aggressive and he wanted his baby to be discharged

  • Security guards were trained to handle aggressive patients
  • Nurses were capacitated to identify patients showing signs of aggression and how to manage aggressive patient
  • Explained to the father the cause of child’s admission.

Ndwedwe CHC

01

Doctor was attending to a patient with a gunshot wound with fatalities and the relatives were questioning the doctor.

  • Security guards were instructed not to allow multitudes to accompany patients to service areas.

Nkandla Hospital

03

Psychiatric patients were aggressive to Staff.

  • Security bars were installed in the ward.

Eshowe Hospital/Clinics

01

Attacked by intoxicated relative of patient in casualty

  • Reduce number visitors per patient to one
  • Increased security patrols in casualty backup especially during weekends and after hours
  • Stakeholder engagement with local SAPS
  • Revived security committee, inclusive of SAPS representative

Ndlangubo Clinic

01

Robbery

  • Security do frequent patrols especially at night.
  • Revived security committee inclusive of SAPS.
  • Community leadership engagement for support.

Greytown Hospital

02

Both staff members were attacked by mental health care users.

  • Both assaults reported as incidents during PSI Meetings and maximum doses recommended for psych patients especially at night.

Church of Scotland Hospital

02

All staff members were physically handled by the psychiatry patient.

Increased security guards in the wards

Mseleni Hospital

02

The Mental Health Care User became violent slapped the Nurse and attacked the security guard who sustained soft tissue injuries.

  • Staff members were seen by the medical officer in OPD and referred to the psychologist for psychological support.
  • Staff in-service on the handling of a violent MHCU.

Bethesda Hospital

01

A Nurse was assaulted by a MHCU.

  • Risk assessment of the work environment done by Safety Officer and risks identified.
  • Staff members referred to Occupational Health doctor.

Madadeni Regional Hospital

09

  • 08 Staff members were attacked by MHCU’s.
  • Stray bullet went through the window at the clinic.
 

Ladysmith Regional Hospital

07

  • MHCU’s assaulted staff members on separate incidents. A Medical Officer was pushed and fell in an iron bar.
  • Emergency Medical care for injuries
  • Health Risk assessments done, quarterly.
  • EAP counselling and debriefing
  • Ongoing Staff training and on management of aggressive patients.
  • Increase security in MHC wards.

Eg &Usher Memorial

Hospital

03

  • In casualty a mental health care user attacked a Nurse with a drip stand.
  • A Nurse in casualty was attacked by an aggressive patient believed to be intoxicated.
  • Professional Nurse was attached by patient relative
 

Estcourt Hospital

03

Two Security Guards and a Nurse were assaulted by a Mental Health care user who was brought in for admission.

 

LIMPOPO

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

4

Circumstances

Kgapane Hospital:

  1. Patient threatened a Nurse with a knife, demanding to be injected with a small injection.

Hayani Hospital:

  1. A MHCU patient attacked 1x Security Guard.

Maphutha Malatjie Hospital:

  1. MHCU Patient assaulted Security guard.
  1. Patient assaulted a Nurse

3

Circumstances

Morutji Clinic:

  1. Assault of 2 x Nurses by a Patient

Relela Clinic:

  1. Patient assaulted a Nurse.

7

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

9

Circumstances

Pietersburg Hospital:

  1. NEHAWU Members threatened 8 members of management with violence and disrupted services

Lebowakgomo Hospital:

  1. A political party leader of an organization called Defenders of the People (DOP) forced entry and verbally abused the PA to the CEO.

2

Circumstances

Sambandau Clinic:

  1. 1 x Male Nurse assaulted by armed robbers and robbed of a Car, Cellphones and Cash (R100- 00)
  1. Same robbers proceeded to rob 1 x Security Officer of a cellphone.

11

Total Hospital 13

Total Clinic 5

Grand total 18

(2) For all incidents of assault against Nurses and Security, criminal cases were opened, security increased in vulnerable areas and counselling arranged for the affected persons.

Material loss is covered by the SLA with Security company(s) and the Service Provider replaced the lost materials.

Threats and disruptions of services by organised labour are handled through negotiations and where there is no agreement court interdicts are applied for, as it was the case with Pietersburg Hospital.

A court interdict was obtained against the Defenders of the People (DOP)for Lebowakgomo hospital.

MPUMALANGA

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

0

0

0

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

1

Circumstances

Carolina hospital

  1. Staff member was assaulted by a group of young men. Case No 59/06/2023 was opened

5 cases

Circumstances

Mayflower CHC

  1. Staff member were attacked by a group of young men

Pholansikazi CHC

  1. Three young men robbed and shot an EMS crew member. Case number 147/06/2023 was opened.

Dwarsloop clinic

  1. Armed robbery and Theft of equipment. Case No 55/7/2023 was opened

Jim Brown clinic

  1. Intruders came and discharged firearm in the clinic at night. Security was robbed of their belongings. Armed robbery case number 24/07/2023

Empumelelweni CHC

  1. Four young men entered the facility through the palisade fence and robbed staff and security officers cellphones and stole computers

6 cases

Total Hospital 1 case

Total Clinic 5 cases

Grand total 6 cases

(2) The MDoH has opened police cases with regard to these incidents.

MDoH, has already at some facilities at is in the process at others of improving physical and electronic security. Amongst these measures are increasing security officers, installed walkthrough metal detectors and a bullet proof glass on guard houses.

NORTHERN CAPE

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

2

Circumstances

Galeshewe Day Hospital (GDH maternity)

  1. female patient slapped the nurse

NMH Hospital

  1. Security guard was assaulted by Mental patient who was trying to escaped

6

Circumstances

Pichard CHC

  1. security guard was assaulted by a Patient

Wega CHC

  1. Assault Fight between patient with visitor and nurse

Pampierstad CHC

  1. patient threatened to stab the nurse with a sharp object
  1. Aggressive patient threatened a nurse

Valspan Clinic

  1. Aggressive patient threatened a nurse

Dr Winston Torres Clinic

  1. a nurse was threatened by the patient.

8

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

3

Circumstances

Hospital not mentioned

  1. Patient’s father assaulted security guard alleging that security man-handled his son.

RMS Hospital

  1. Unhappy visitor threatened the nurse

De Aar Hospital

  1. security guard was assaulted by police officer. Police officer refused to be searched

1

Circumstances

Ritchie Clinic

  1. a nurse was assaulted by her boyfriend

4

Total Hospital 5

Total Clinic 7

Grand total 12

(2) Increased security and involved SAPS

NORTH WEST

(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals

Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics

# Attacked by patients

8

4

12

Circumstances

Circumstances

 

Witrand Hospital,

  1. Mental patient assaulted the staff member
  1. Mental patient assaulted the staff member

Park Street Clinic

  1. Mental patient attacked 2 staff members.
 

Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital

  1. Arson at Mental Health Care Unit by Mental Patient. Case 554/11/2022 was opened
  1. HRT (Refusal of Hospital Treatment) by mental patient who threated nurses. Case 447/04/2023 was opened

Jouberton Clinic

  1. Patient who refused to queue threatened staff members
 

General De La Rey Hospital

(v)Patient attacked security guards at the gate Case 282/10/2022 was opened.

Grace Mokhomo CHC

(iii)Verbal abuse to a Doctor by a patient under the influence of alcohol.

 

Mafikeng Provincial Hospital

(vi)Patient threatened a doctor

(vii)Security Officer was assaulted by an aggressive patient

Botshabelo CHC

(iv) Mentally sick patients attacked security officers on duty

 

Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital

(viii)Male staff cleaner was assaulted by Psychiatric patient

   

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals

Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics

# Attacked by Assailants

13

8

21

Mafikeng Provincial Hospital

  1. Health workers were attacked by gangsters at hospital casualty.

Tswelelang CHC

(i)Local gangsters were fighting and one got injured and threatened the staff to attend the injured speedily

 

Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital

  1. Group of males (8 in number) forced entry at Ward 5 to check their patient. Group threated the nurses that they must assist their patient fast

Tigane CHC

(ii)MMC for Safety and Security threatened staff and attacked patient inside the facility

 

Koster Hospital

  1. Nurse received death threat call from unknown caller. Case 1/4/15-185/2023 was opened,

New Jouberton (N12) CHC

(iii)Community members forced entry into emergency unit and threatened nurse on duty needed assistance for their partner who was stabbed,

 

Tshepong Hospital

  1. Doctors were attacked and robbed their cellphones and belongings at gunpointDoctors were threatened by family members due to long waiting time

Orkney Clinic

(iv)Job seekers (community members) attacked health worker. Case opened with SAPS,

 

Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital

  1. Staff members on duty were intimidated by community members. Case 497/07/2023 was opened,

Alabama Clinic

(v)Nurses were verbally attacked by members of community.

Case opened with SAPS

 

Moses Kotane Hospital

  1. Male patient threatened the nurses at Casualty to be assisted first

Empilisweni Clinic

(vi)Operational Manager assaulted by officials from legal firm demanding a patient record.

 

Taung District Hospital

  1. Family accompanying patient refused to follow department procedure by opening patient file instead they became violent and threaten nurses and doctors

RB Nzima Clinic

(vii)Staff member attacked by unemployed community members demanding removal of personnel not from their area

 

Taung District Hospital

  1. Community members fight outside the hospital premises and followed the one who was taken to hospital for medical attention

Top City Clinic

(viii)Staff members were threatened by the local business forum during a site briefing meeting for the renovation of the clinic.

 

Taung District Hospital

  1. Community members fight outside the hospital premises and followed the one who was taken to hospital for medical attention
   

Joe Morolong Hospital

  1. Community members fight outside the hospital premises and followed the one who was taken to hospital for medical attention One of the group was in passion of Firearm threatening Dr, Nurse and security Officers
   

EMS Station

  1. Emergency staff on night duty attacked at gun point.
  1. EMS Staff attacked at Jacaranda Informal Settlement by a knife
  1. EMS personnel on night shift were chased by a car.
   

TOTAL HOSPITAL 21

TOTAL CLINICS 12

33 GRAND TOTAL

(2) For some incidents police cases have been opened.

Increased security and involved SAPS

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3501

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Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the relevant details pertaining to the exclusion of foreign nationals from claiming compensation from the Road Accident Fund?

Reply:

There are no exclusions

24 November 2023 - NW3778

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Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

(1)What (a) total number of the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology institutions that report to him have Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have been appointed on a full-time contract or on a full-time basis, (b) number of the specified institutions have acting CEOs and (c) are the reasons for an acting CEO being in the position; (2) Whether the positions of CEO have been advertised; if not, why not; if so, (3) Whether any of the entities produced shortlists; if not, why not; if so, what number of the entities have (a) submitted candidates for the position of CEO to him for approval and (b) not submitted such a candidate; (4) What steps does he intend to take to fill the position of CEO in instances where no candidate for the position was submitted to him?

Reply:

Work done by the National Treasury over the past number of months has pointed to the need to identify ways to reduce the levels of public expenditure, including structural costs due to the number of public entities.

the dtic-group is therefore reviewing the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology entities to identify whether potential mergers of entities can be effected, whilst enhancing service delivery.

The appointment of CEOs on lengthy fixed term contracts may impact on these. Steps were taken for the appointment of CEOs in the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology institutions prior to the above considerations and the Department is working to align these two processes, taking into account the need for stability.

-END-

24 November 2023 - NW3592

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

With reference to the Solicitor-General’s determination that the legal fees incurred by the former President, Mr J G Zuma, in multiple unsuccessful legal challenges to almost every aspect of the State’s corruption case against him, which he has been instructed to repay by the Supreme Court of Appeal, have doubled since the initial assessment was made, what are the (a) full relevant details of the person who conducted the reassessment and (b) further relevant details regarding the investigation, including the reasons that the original estimation has nearly doubled?

Reply:

a) what are the full relevant details of the person who conducted the reassessment?

The reassessment was conducted by the senior and junior advocates involved in the matter, along with the attorney of record and state accountants attached to the Office of State Attorney, Pretoria.

and

b) further relevant details regarding the investigation, including the reasons that the original estimation has nearly doubled?

The advocates that are on brief (on behalf of the State) in the matter initiated the reassessment after reviewing the initial pleadings and records filed in the High Court (Pretoria) during the review application. Discrepancies were found, leading to the discovery of omitted amounts in the initial accounts made by the State Attorney, resulting in nearly doubling the original estimation. This resulted in the revision of the quantification and intimated claim upwards.

 

24 November 2023 - NW3786

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Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(a). What is the envisaged commencement date of the investigation on South Africa’s position on World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) compliance and possible consequences due to non-compliance, (b) what are the (i) terms of reference and (ii) timeframes of the investigation and (c) on what date will he report back to Parliament and the nation on the WADA non- compliance? NW5002E

Reply:

(a) Efforts in processing of amendments to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Act; 2006 (Act No. 25 of 2006) to ensure alignment and compliance with the WADA Code have pre-occupied the Minister’s attention since August 2023 to the end of October 2023. The Minister’s engagement with this process also assisted him to understand roles of different players in what is ascribed to have caused late amendment of the identified sections in the Act, resulting in non-conformance to WADA code. In November 2023, an audit team has been briefed to start working on the terms of reference and scope for the appointment of an investigation that will determine possible consequent management actions because of this non-compliance and related recommendations.

(b)(i). Terms of reference are currently being developed and (ii) timeframes of the investigation will be determined once the investigation team has been appointed. It is envisaged that the investigation team will be appointed in December 2023 to commence the investigation in January 2024 due to the December holiday break period.

(c). Minister will provide progress reports to Parliament and the nation on the WADA non- compliance focusing on amending the legislation various steps of taking it through the legislative review process so that it speedily reaches Parliament for promulgation by no later than February 2024.

24 November 2023 - NW3570

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Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What is the (a) total budget of the newly established Border Management Authority (BMA) in the 2023-24 financial year and (b) estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years?

Reply:

1(a) The total Budget for the BMA in the 2023- 2024 is R1 341 225 000.

1(b) The estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years is R2 880 770 000 (R1 407 692 000 and R1 473 078 000 for 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years respectively).

 

END

24 November 2023 - NW3413

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Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether her department has put in place specific measure to address the problem of long queues for social grants in SA Post Office branches, specifically in the Mbizana Post Office, where it is alleged that grant beneficiaries wait in queues for almost seven days; if not, why not; if so, what specific measures has her department put in place?

Reply:

SA Post does not only process social grants but other payments, including stipends for Expanded Public Works Programme. The long queues that the Honourable Members refers to people at Mbizana Post office were made up of EPWP workers.

With regard to Mbizana, all SASSA payments were completed successfully within three (3) days at the Love Life Hall in Bizana from 3-5 October 2023.

 

24 November 2023 - NW3478

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Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the details of all funds paid out by her department for the maintenance of the KwaZulu-Natal R74 road from the Free State border to the bottom of the Oliviershoek Pass from 1 June 2022 to 31 August 2023, including but not exclusively, the (a) amounts paid to each contractor, (b) name of each contractor, (c) name of each director of the contracted companies, (d) address of each contractor, (e) scope of work for each contractor, (f) amounts withheld from contractors and (g) expenditure for work done?

Reply:

The question was referred to the Kwa Zulu Natal Department of Transport who has advised that the road in question is road P340 (R74) from Bergville to the Free State border and

  1. R10 731 792.87
  2. Madudla Contractors has been the contractor that was working on Main Road 340 (R74) for the duration mentioned (Pass from 1 June 2022 till now).
  3. Mr S Dlamini is the sole owner / director of the company;
  4. The company is registered in Van Riebeek park, Ladysmith
  5. the project scope was for the replacement of the failed Armco pipe with new pipes.
  6. None withheld
  7. To date, expenditure on the project is R10 731 792.87

 

24 November 2023 - NW3803

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has any actionable mechanisms in place to ensure fair and transparent (a) application and (b) admission processes of the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of students in each province have benefited from the specified programme from 2016 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

Reply:

The National Department of Health has the National Recruitment Plan, which is the tool used by all the Provincial Departments of Health to guide and facilitate the recruitment and selection processes of the new students for the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Training Programme to ensure, uniformity, transparency, and fairness.

a) An advert for the recruitment to the programme is published and managed by the Provincial Departments of Health. The Provincial Departments of Health use various methods of advertisements that include print media, social network platforms, websites. Adverts are also placed in radio adverts, schools, and hospitals. The minimum duration for the advertisement, is one month.

b) The admission process is informed by the selection criteria that are outlined in the National Recruitment Plan. Potential new recruits must have passed Grade 12 (matric) with full University exemption. They must have passed four key subjects which are, English, Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences with the minimum of achievement level of 50% in each. The Provincial Departments of Health also ensure that all the districts are represented when selecting potential recruits.

Table 1 below indicates the number of students recruited for the programme by year and province.

Table 1:

Provinces

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Total

Eastern Cape

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Free State

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Gauteng

1

0

0

0

0

0

9

0

10

KwaZulu Natal

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Limpopo

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mpumalanga

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

10

20

Northern Cape

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

10

10

Northwest

0

0

0

4

0

0

20

20

44

Total

11

0

0

4

0

0

29

40

84

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3482

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

What (a) progress has been made on the curtailment framework and (b) is the expected date of release of the (i) Generation Connection Capacity Assessment and (ii) Curtailment Framework?

Reply:

According to Information Received from Eskom:

The Eskom Curtailment Framework involves the controlled reduction of electricity supply output from renewables (wind and solar) plants in response to system-security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints. Eskom has developed this new approach to curtailment to allow for additional generation capacity to be built at points on the grid that had previously been shown as fully committed. It will therefore unlock scarce grid capacity in high-potential renewables regions ahead of Eskom’s grid investment roll-out. It is widely used by system operators to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators in a context of grid constraints. This involves the cumulative assessment of the new generation applications and ensures that the projects which are readiest for project implementation are prioritized for grid allocation. The framework could be implemented now that the updated Generation Connection Capacity Assessment is released.

The Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) is an assessment of the generation that can be accommodated on the transmission system, at a given time and a a given location, without adversely affecting grid reliability and without requiring significant infrastructure upgrades. The GCCA aims to assist customers in making more informed decisions about where to pursue generation projects by providing information about the generation connection capacity that will be available on the transmission grid in a specific year, assuming that all planned projects are completed on time.

(1)(a) The curtailment framework has been approved within Eskom. A submission is being finalised by Eskom to NERSA on curtailment and other initiatives for noting and information. Detailed mechanisms and procedures to effect the curtailment framework are still to be finalised.

(b)(i) The Generation Connection Capacity Assessment 2025 was published on 31 October 2023 and can be accessed on the Eskom website:

GCCA Transmission Network – Eskom.

(ii) The curtailment framework will become official upon Eskom’s receipt of NERSA’s written response on the submission, as stated above in (a).

 

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved/Comments

Adv. Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3632

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Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

What total amount has (a) Eskom, (e) Alexkor and (f) SAFCOL spent on (i) air travel, (ii) hotel accommodation and (iii) residence maintenance costs for their Chief Executive Officers and Board members in the past 10 years?

Reply:

According to information received from these intities

 

ESKOM:

ALEXKOR:

Awaiting response.

SAFCOL:

 

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

(i)Air Travel

       

R265 581.39

R132 180.16

-

-

R16 436.16

R26 831.83

(ii)Ground Transport

       

R137 214.98

R238 656.14

R3 441.79

R120 591.39

R250 519.36

R58 048.71

(ii)Hotel Accommodation

       

R132 112.70

R116 742.76

R6 579.62

R41 398.20

R85 254.27

R8 783.21

(iii) Residence Maintenance

       

None

None

None

None

None

None

 

 

Remarks: Approved/Not Approved/Comments

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3782

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department has renewed its anti-virus software licence; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of Home Affairs offices do not have the required anti-virus software on their computers and (b) are the further relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

The Department is not able to provide details that pertains to the IT security environment and divulging IT security information in public may compromise security and increase the risk of cyber-attacks.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3608

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Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether her department has set out the standardisation for all scholar transport to be managed under her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether certain provinces still use the Department of Basic Education to provide scholar transport; if not, why not; if so, who is responsible for the breakdown of the management responsible for scholar transport in each province where the department of Basic Education is being used?

Reply:

1. The Department has developed the National Learner Transport Policy that set policy directives in respect to the provision of the learner transport operations nationally. The policy directives provide amongst others, the criteria for inclusion of learners into the National Learner Transport Programme, and safety considerations in respect approved operators and vehicles. Furthermore, the department has developed operational guidelines to guide provinces in the implementation of the policy.

2. The function is managed by the Provincial Departments of Transport in four (4) provinces, namely: North West; Mpumalanga; Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal. In five (5) provinces, the function is managed by the Provincial Departments of Education, namely: Gauteng; Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Free State.

24 November 2023 - NW3603

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Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether, the tender regarding the Port of Cape Town equipment has been awarded; if not, (a) by what date will it be awarded and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in awarding the tender; if so, who was the successful tenderer; (2) whether bids can still be submitted; if not, why not; if so, which suppliers may submit tenders; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. (a) (b) No Information.

Transnet National Ports Authority is the landlord and has a mandate to maintain ports infrastructure as per the National Ports Act, No. 12 of 2005. The Minister of Transport is only the custodian of the policy framework.

The Department of Transport duly requests for the question to be re-directed to Minister of Public Enterprises as the Shareholder Minister.

2. No Information.

3. No statement will be issued by the Ministry of Transport.

24 November 2023 - NW3777

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether (a) he and/or (b) any officials of his department travelled to France to attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris using the taxpayers’ money; if not, (i) what is the position in this regard and (ii) who paid for each person; if so, (aa) what are the full details of the officials who travelled to France, (bb) what was the duration of stay for each specified person and (cc) what was the cost of (aaa) flights, (bbb) accommodation and (ccc) meals in respect of each person?

Reply:

  1. No
  2. No

24 November 2023 - NW3449

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Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

With reference to capital investment on ports by Transnet, what was the (a) total amount and (b) nature of capital expenditure for the past three financial years for the ports under the control of Transnet in (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

a) Over the preceding three financial years, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) made a capital projects investment of R 2.7 billion in the ports of Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Durban and Port Elizabeth. No capital investments have been made into the development of the Port of Boegoebaai thus far since only conceptual studies have been conducted. Table 1 provides (a) the total amount (detailed breakdown) of the capital expenditure over the past three financial years.

Table 1: Capital Expenditure over past three financial years

Ports

Expenditure
2020/21

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2021/22

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2022/23

(Rm’s)

Total Expenditure (Rm’s)

Cape Town

86

280

141

507

Saldanha

70

123

187

380

Boegoebaai

0

0

0

0

Durban

133

954

508

1,595

Port Elizabeth

31

65

128

224

Grand Total

320

1,422

964

2,706

b) Tables 2 and 3 below offer insight into (b) the nature of the capital expenditure for the same period. In expansion projects (Table 2), a new asset is either constructed/ acquired or an existing asset is extended. Whereas in sustaining projects (Table 3), an existing asset is replaced or refurbished.

Table 2: Investment on Expansion Projects over past three financial years

Ports

Expenditure
2020/21

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2021/22

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2022/23

(Rm’s)

Total Expenditure (Rm’s)

Cape Town

0.8

238

15

254

Saldanha

0.1

1.5

22

24

Boegoebaai

0

0

0

0

Durban

12

711

98

821

Port Elizabeth

0

0

0

0

Grand Total

13

951

135

1,099

Table 3: Investment on Sustaining Projects over past three financial years

Ports

Expenditure
2020/21

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2021/22

(Rm’s)

Expenditure
2022/23

(Rm’s)

Total Expenditure (Rm’s)

Cape Town

85

42

126

253

Saldanha

70

121

165

356

Boegoebaai

0

0

0

0

Durban

121

243

410

774

Port Elizabeth

31

65

128

224

Grand Total

307

471

829

1,607

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacy Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3721

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Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

(a) What progress has been made with the development and/or acceptance of an effective avian flu vaccine, (b) how will the private sector be involved in the (i) development and (ii) roll-out of such a vaccine and (c) what are the projected time frames; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department has received applications from two companies to consider registering avian influenza vaccines. To date three vaccines have been registered.

(b)(i) The development and distribution of vaccines is by the private pharmaceutical companies.

(ii) The poultry industry has been consulted on the use of the vaccines and is continuously being engaged on the use and monitoring of the vaccines in the roll out process.

(c) Currently the Department is still engaging with the poultry industry regarding the vaccination protocol. We anticipate that the consultation will be completed very soon; thereafter the vaccination will commence.

(2) No.

24 November 2023 - NW3716

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Adams, Ms R C to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

Considering that the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign is critical to focus the attention of the nation on the fight against gender oppression and the discrimination of women, what plans has his department put in place to ensure that the programmes against gender-based violence and femicide are effectively supported by leveraging sports, arts, and culture creatives?

Reply:

Recognising the complex depth of Gender Based Violence Femicide (GBVF) that is multi layered the Department is engaged in programmes among other in line with the NSP pillars. Pillar 3- Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion, Pillar 4 – Response, Care, Support and Healing and Pillar 5 Economic Prevention and in line with the NSP.

1. Supporting a pilot project in Mhlabuyalingana to end GBVF using Amasiko and Sport as a vehicle to end GBV in a sustainable manner using an impactful and sustainable process of the Community Capacity Enhancement process (CCEP). Sporting tournaments will be rolled out in the various Izigodi including the support of the soccer legends. Training of trainers for the representatives of the 10 Izigodi (1. Hangaza, 2. Mntanenkosi, 3. Manzibomvu, 4. Esiphahleni 5. Olakeni 6. Qongwana, 7. Othungwini, 8. Empini 9. Ezinqeni, 10. Mabibi) to be Change Agents and Anti GBVF Ambassadors during the sport tournaments will be done. The Izigodi will be supported with Sporting Kits that will be printed with key messages on GBVF and during the sporting practices and tournaments, there will be programmes and key messaging on ending GBVF. The cultural programmes of Azibuye Emasisweni as a foundation to end GBVF and supporting the Isibaya and Izwi LaMadoda through an interactive positive messaging with Artists, Actors and Musicians will be supported. The intervention seeks the impact sustainable approach of bottom up and not top down as these programmes are community initiated and not imposed. The plan is to replicate and roll out to other provinces incrementally.

2. My department supports the Nqoba iGender-Based Violence and Femicide (GGBVF) Trauma and Social Cohesion: Localising the NSP. The programme is on harnessing the collective action of public officers, traditional leaders, activists, practitioners, and other community structures to address GBV. The Nqoba project is not a direct intervention project but an enabler for those already doing work on the ground by facilitation Social Cohesion through supporting the establishment/enhancement of local collective structure with focus at Municipal level. NQOBA focus is on the four Hotspots (Inanda, Mankweng, Lusikisiki and Thohoyandou). It will collaborate with the Department’s GOLEKANE GBVF Awareness Campaign, a mentorship programme that will include career guidance, a wellness intervention, arts and sports, and cultural education and will mentor Teen Boys across the nine Provinces. It will also collaborate with the Departments SILAPHA Wellness Programme which was initiated in 2022 to support Artists and Athletes with critical access to wellbeing support.

It is a comprehensive programme run by Workforce Healthcare for those in the creative and sporting fields, providing Counselling services, support around mental wellbeing, substance abuse, preventable illness, financial and legal advice, GBV and discrimination etc.

3. My department is also rolling out the Orange campaign on Uniting to End GBVF. This is an international campaign that calls all to unite to end GBVF against women and girls. The Department plans to extensively roll out the campaign by Vigorously marketing key messages using Artist, Creatives and Sport sector to influence the narrative in the visual, print and broadcast space through the use of Sport, Film and Theatre as well as Music Song and Dance including Fashion, Culture and Heritage to promote key messaging on Active Citizenry to Unite to end GBVF and create a proud and caring society.

24 November 2023 - NW3453

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Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)Considering that the strike by workers from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is seemingly having a direct and dire effect on the SA Social Security (SASSA) grant payment system, what (a) role does SITA employees play in the SASSA social grant payment environment and (b) is the scope of the role played by SITA in the payment of SASSA grants; (2) what (a) preparations have (i) SASSA and (ii) her department put in place should the specified strike continue and (b) measures have (i) SASSA and (ii) her department implemented to ensure that grant payments continue without disruptions; (3) what steps has her department taken to reduce the dependency on other government agencies and/or departments to protect the poor and vulnerable?

Reply:

1(a) The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) plays a very crucial role in the payment of social grants. Key amongst others, SASSA has contracted SITA to provide Social Pensions System (SOCPEN) application maintenance; SOCPEN functional support; SOCPEN mainframe hosting; geographical information services (GIS) support; Basic Accounting System (BAS); and PERSAL (Government employee Personal and Salary System) mainframe hosting project. These services directly impact SASSA’s ability to manage the administration and payment of social grants.

(b) Refer to A.

(2) (a)(i)(ii)(b)(i)(ii) SASSA had proactively engaged with SITA to ensure that social grants payments are not adversely affected by the strike action. In turn, SITA assured SASSA in a formal letter of its mitigation plans and business continuity in case they were unable to dissuade the participation of key personnel in the strike.

SASSA had also put in place contingency plans to ensure the administration and payment of social grants were not disrupted during the strike action. These would have included executing jobs that enable bank accounts verification and updating records prior to payment; extracting the payment file as per predetermined validation and Bankserv format, routing files to National Treasury (PERSAL) for routing to Bankserv and routing cash book files to National Treasury (PMG) for funding purposes.

(3) SASSA is in the process of drafting its requirements for supply chain procurement processes to source a service provider to replace SOCPEN. The replacement will ensure that SASSA opt for a standard modern technology and in a long run drastically reduce dependency on SITA. It is anticipated the transition will be phased-in over a 3-year project.

SASSA is also engaged in a Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project of which one of its aims is ensuring that the IT environment is resourced through a hybrid model (partially outsourced/ insourced/co-sourced) therefore reducing more technical dependence on SITA. Additional measures include the implementation of online application channel as an additional option for new applications and change of circumstances processing, thereby enabling activation of another channel should the accessibility to SOCPEN have been affected by the strike. This channel is not dependent on SOCPEN.

24 November 2023 - NW3802

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has any actionable mechanisms in place to (a) increase the total number and (b) improve the efficiency of forensic personnel in each province; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(a) All the Provincial Departments of Health are recruiting forensic personnel to increase the number through their recruitment policy and plans. Where necessary medical officers do sessional work to ensure that provision of service especially in mortuaries is adequate. There is a drive to send medical officers for specialisation in Forensic Pathology based on availability of funds and intake by the universities.

(b) There are various mechanisms in place related to training and development of forensic health professionals in all provinces. This is done through workshops, attendance of seminars, clinical professional development and in service education and attendance of short courses.

Health officials also receive debriefing sessions by the Counselling and Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists where necessary to improve their well-being.

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3444

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Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Whether, considering that Transnet Freight Rail announced the completion of the Mamathwane crossing loop in the Northern Cape a month ahead of schedule (details furnished), the Government will now officially confirm that it has abandoned its state led approach to public enterprises and is moving towards more private sector participation in the sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (2) Whether he will share the overall plans and/or strategy at company level to move away from state control to public-private partnerships and perhaps to areas of full privatisation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

1. The South African government, through the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), continues to emphasise that involving the private sector in State-Owned Enterprises' (SOEs) operations should not be regarded as a departure from a state-led approach to public enterprises. One example of a partnership with the private sector that enhances Transnet's logistical value chains is the Mamathwane loop. This partnership brings in capital investments, expertise, and/or competences.

The state continues to play a major role in the management, oversight, and ensuring that the mandates of the SOEs are in line with the country’s socio-economic goals. Prior to the implementation of private sector participation (PSP) transactions, the DPE and other government departments evaluate and authorise these transactions in accordance with the PFMA and other legislative requirements.

Furthermore, the Cabinet's approval of the National Rail Policy (NRP) in March 2022 and the presidency's subsequent development of the Freight Logistics Roadmap set the stage for the country to move towards a more liberal rail market—a move that will necessitate major structural reforms. By allowing 3rd party private operators to operate on the national rail network, these changes are expected to encourage competition. This shift in policy will increase the effectiveness and performance of logistics, promote the development of rail-based support services (such as rail-focused warehousing), and draw in capital (via the acquisition of rolling stock).

For the first time, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will no longer be the sole provider of freight rail services, as private train operating companies (TOCs) will be able to operate on the freight network. TFR must be vertically separated into its component parts, namely operations and infrastructure, as part of the envisaged policy reforms and the Freight Logistics Roadmap's recommendations. The appointment of the interim rail infrastructure manager (RIM) on 1 November 2023, is proof that this process is well under way. In order to foster stronger cooperation between Transnet and the private sector and develop a vibrant rail sector, the establishment of a RIM is essential.

2. Transnet’s strategy is based on repositioning the organisation to deliver against the economic needs of the key market segments that it serves. There is a considerable opportunity to expand volumes (+/- 60 million tonnes of additional volumes) in the bulk mining commodity space, particularly in respect of iron ore, manganese, ferrochrome, and magnetite, in the next three to five years.

In order to provide industrial segments with more access to global trade and commercial networks, Transnet is repositioning its rail network and terminals to improve operational efficiency and capacity expansion. This is supportive of the Port of Durban being repositioned as a hub port for containers and automotives and Richard's Bay as an effective bulk commodities port.

Consequently, Transnet is driving capacity expansion and improving and transforming the key market segments that it serves by leveraging private sector participation in concert with Transnet's own assets and skills. Transnet's current corporate plans, which were submitted to Parliament, National Treasury, and the shareholder representative, clearly outline the nature and approach of private sector participation.

In addition, Transnet developed a comprehensive Joint Investment and External Partner Selection (JIEPS) framework that guides the involvement of the private sector in the business. To determine whether the private sector will offer any value, for instance, an extensive business case is developed that also includes a detailed financial model. A decision is taken at that moment on the suitability of working with the private sector partner.

The private sector’s is also not limited to ownership but involves other considerations such as capital contribution (for example, by customers through upfront payment or tariff adjustments), operations, and management.

Remarks: Reply: Approved/Not Approved/Comment

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3662

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Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1). whether he has found the response of Boxing South Africa (BSA) to allegations made against it by a certain publication (Sunday times of the 30th of July 2023 ) to be acceptable (details furnished); if not, (a) what action does he intend to take in this regard and (b) on what date does he intend to answer on the allegations made in the BSA media statement; (which one) if so, on what basis; (2). in light of the fact that the BSA has lost multiple court cases against a certain official (name and details furnished), (a) at what stage will the matter be settled and (b) when will the BSA board members start paying for the frivolous court cases from their own pockets?

Reply:

The Department has requested a response to these questions from Boxing South Africa (BSA). BSA have indicated that they are processing the questions and request additional time

24 November 2023 - NW3760

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Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What (a) was his role at the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final in France and (b) were the total costs to his department for his (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) other related expenses?

Reply:

  1. I attended the World Cup as a spectator in my private capacity.
  2. There were no costs to my departments.

24 November 2023 - NW3767

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, with reference to the R5 billion class-action lawsuit in which the Tshiamiso Trust was ordered to pay compensation to mine workers after they contracted tuberculosis and silicosis at five mines (details furnished), and since the merger of the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD), the CCOD has taken over the processing of the claims; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the current backlog in the processing of the specified claims and (b) by what date will the backlog be eradicated; (2) whether the CCOD has had any engagement with the Tshiamiso Trust; if not, why not; if so, (a) how often have they engaged and (b) what was the (i) date and (ii) nature of each engagement?

Reply:

According to the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works:

1. The CCOD is responsible for the administration of the Mines and Works Compensation Fund under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act, 78 of 1973. The Tshiamiso Trust is an independent trust set up through the class action settlement in 2018. The CCOD is not processing claims on behalf of the Trust as the Trust has its administration for claims processing.

(a)-(b) The CCOD is not involved in the processing of claims lodged with the Tshiamiso Trust. The details relating to the current backlog in the processing of the specified claims and the date on which the backlog will be eradicated can be obtained from the Dr M Kwinda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tshiamiso Trust at [email protected].

2. (a) The MBOD/CCOD interacts with the Tshiamiso Trust in areas of common interest. Additionally, the Commissioner (Dr Kistnasamy) is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Tshiamiso Trust.

(b) (i)-(ii) During the period 1 April 2023 to 31 October 2023, Dr Kistnasamy attended three Benefits Committee meetings; two meetings of the Governance, Human Resources and Remuneration Committee; two Trust Advisory Committee meetings; three Board of Trustees meetings and the Annual General Meeting of the Trust. Regular meetings are also held between the operational teams of the MBOD/CCOD and Tshiamiso trust regarding the exchange of information to assist with the tracking of claimants with unclaimed benefits; outreach activities for ex-mineworkers (Eastern Cape (April 2023) and Free State (September 2023) and discussions with service providers who provide the call centre inputs and the compensation claims management system across the MBOD/CCOD and the Trust.

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3740

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) measures have been put in place by his department to raise Malaria awareness in the Republic and (b) assistance has been specifically provided for residents in (i) Mpumalanga, (ii) Limpopo and (iii) KwaZulu-Natal which are the high-risk provinces?

Reply:

a) The National Department of Health raises awareness through various communication platforms such as social media, which includes Facebook and Twitter. There are also periodic webinars conducted, which are open to the public. There are national and local radio malaria campaigns conducted by both the National and Provincial Departments of Health. Community campaigns are conducted before and during the high peak seasons to sensitize and raise awareness. Key Malaria days, such as World Malaria Day, SADC Malaria day and Mosquito day are also commemorated across the country.

b) (i)(ii)(iii) South Africa’s strategy to prevent, detect and diagnose Malaria in high-risk provinces is implemented in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. In each of the provinces, the Department has fully functional Malaria Control Programmes which oversee activities geared towards malaria elimination and consist of the following:

  • The screening and testing of patients who show signs and symptoms of malaria is prioritized at facilities. This is to ensure patients are promptly diagnosed and treated with the recommended first line treatment to avert unfavourable outcomes and to disrupt ongoing transmission and/or spread.
  • Subsequently, active case finding is implemented at community level, which entails screening, testing and treatment for any identified cases to avert further community transmission.
  • Surveillance units deployed to the border areas to expand access to early diagnosis and treatment for border communities as well as mobile and migrant populations.
  • Prophylaxis is also available in all public health facilities for those who are traveling from non-endemic areas to endemic areas.
  • Vector control through Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), supplemented by the treatment of stagnant water bodies, also called larviciding. This is timed to cover the peak transmission periods.
  • Targeted Health Promotion and Risk Communication Community Engagement.

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3495

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1). Which national government departments have not yet adopted and implemented language policies as contemplated in terms of section 4(1) of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act 12 of 2012. (2). in cases of non-compliance, has he made use of the powers conferred upon him by section 9(5) of the Use of Official Languages Act; if not, why not. (3). what other steps has he taken against departments that have failed to adopt and implement such language policies?

Reply:

1. Based on the 2022-23 Annual Language Reports submitted by the national departments to PanSALB thus far, there are twenty-two (22) national departments that submitted their Annual Language Reports in terms of the Use of Official Languages Act. It is an improvement in submission from the previous reporting periods. Only eight (8) national departments reported in the 2020-2021 reporting period and (7) national departments submitted in the 2021-2022 period.

Out of forty-two (42) national departments contacted in 2022-2023, twenty (20) may be reported not to have complied by 31 October 2023 with the submission of an annual report to PanSALB as required by the Use of Official Languages Act. A comprehensive report on the Use of Official Languages Act Compliance for 2022-2023 will be available by no later than 31 March 2024.

2. Letters were written to all national departments through PanSALB reminding them to send their annual reports and this was also published in the national gazette (See attached gazette for 2022).

3. There has been an active engagement with non-compliant national departments that have not submitted annual reports to PanSALB. PanSALB sought services of the monitoring provider who is directly engaging the departments to understand the reasons behind their non-compliance. The presentation on non-compliance with the Use of Official Languages Act was made to FOSAD to remind the accounting officers about the requirements of the Act. A comprehensive report will be available no later than 31 March 2024.

24 November 2023 - NW3483

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

What is the (a) collection rate of Eskom from (i) municipalities and (ii) direct consumers, (b) total number of prepaid electricity meters that Eskom has and (c) value of non-technical losses?

Reply:

According to Information Received from Eskom:

1. As at end September 2023 – the payment collection levels on 12 months moving average basis are as follows:

(a)(i) Municipalities = 87.3 %

(ii) All other customers combined = 99.9%

(b) The number of prepaid user customers as of September 2023 on Eskom’s Customer Care & Billing system is 6 803 462.

(c) The 2022-23FY non-technical losses are 13 396GWh and are equivalent to R5 607 441 692.

 

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Adv. Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3644

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Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

(1). what were the reasons that a certain person (name and details furnished) was not charged criminally as corruption is a criminal offence. (2). noting that the sanction of the specified person included a ban from attending any boxing events, even as a spectator, (a)(i) how was the specified person allowed to attend a boxing tournament promoted by a certain entity (name furnished) and sit with a certain person (name furnished) and (ii) what action will be taken in this regard and (b). what are the reasons that the Boxing South Africa Board does not uphold its own sanctions?

Reply:

(1). Boxing South Africa (BSA) opened a case against the official in question and SAPS is currently investigating the matter, SAPS: CAS 584/8/2023

(2)(a)i. The sanction against the stated individual did not include a ban from attending boxing events. The ban revoked their license to promote boxing and or do any business with BSA.

(ii). No action is required.

(2)(b). The Board of Boxing South Africa is firm in its disciplinary processes and the current Board unlike any other Board has instilled discipline in its licensees and has ensured compliance with its directions, orders, the law regulating the sport and sanctions.

24 November 2023 - NW3812

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Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

(1)With reference to the advertising fees in the Ubuntu magazine which is published quarterly by her department, and whose latest issue, BRICS Special, lists various advertisers that include certain business entities (names furnished), how is the revenue allocated; (2) whether internal advertisers such as Ubuntu Radio are charged a reduced rate; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5030E

Reply:

1. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), through its Branch: Public Diplomacy, introduced its stakeholder magazine Ubuntu – South Africa’s Public Diplomacy in action – in August 2012. The publication’s objectives are to communicate with and inform stakeholders on South Africa’s foreign policy positions, achievements, objectives and goals. It also provides analysis and information on key departmental issues ranging from current affairs, bilateral and multilateral milestones.

Advertising in Ubuntu magazine forms part of the sponsorship package that DIRCO offers to potential sponsors of specific events, such as the Ubuntu Awards, Diplomatic Fair, as well as the XV BRICS Summit.

Based on the chosen sponsorship package, sponsorships that are accepted by DIRCO, and in the case of the XV BRICS Summit approved by the sponsorship committee, are provided with space in the magazine to advertise. The sponsorship, monetary or in kind, is then allocated to cover a specific cost for the identified event.

2. We do not charge internal or external entities to advertise in Ubuntu Magazine. External entities get advertising space as value for sponsoring DIRCO led events.

24 November 2023 - NW3610

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What are the reasons that the Immigration Affairs branch of his department continues to (a) achieve below 50% of its set targets and (b) struggle with vulnerabilities pertaining to fraud, corruption and security breaches; (2) (a) how are the specified challenges resolved and (b) what total number of overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019?

Reply:

(1)(a) It is common cause that the Department of Home Affairs is grossly under-staffed at 39% staffing. A Business Plan was sent to Treasury to this effect. Treasury provided R 260 Million to capacitate the Department. However, this took the Department to a 42% staffing level. This translates to 700 extra staff. Unfortunately, the Department had to make a choice between staffing the Civics branch or the Immigration Branch more. The choice we made, which was also made in past instances, was to send more of the staff to the Civics branch because every single South African depends on it for documentation. Hence, the Immigration branch will always perform much less than the Civics branch.

(1)(b) When coming to fraud the Department of Home Affairs is the only government department with a Counter Corruption branch. This branch is doing a lot. It even has a Chief Director for Analysis and Prevention and it is very working well.

(2)(a) The department has implemented the different quality assurance levels, which allows for better control in the adjudication process. It minimises the risk of security breaches and fraudulent activities. The department has a Counter Corruption branch, who are monitoring the work of officials. They are also working closely with other relevant agencies to help prevent such activities from taking place as well as to identify those officials who are involved in such activities.

(2)(b) According to the department's Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS), 137 846 overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3562

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Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

With reference to capital investment on ports by Transnet, what is the (a) total envisaged amount and (b) nature of planned capital expenditure for the next three financial years for the ports under the control of Transnet in (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth; (2) How does Transnet prioritise where investment spending is targeted between the different ports? NW4732E

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

(1)(a) The total envisaged capital expenditure budget for the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) over the next three (3) year period (FY24/25 – FY26/27) for the ports of (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth is R 7,221 bn. The proportion of the capital budget per port is shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Ports Capital Expenditure (FY2024/25 – FY2026/27)

Ports

Budget
2024/25

(Rm’s)

Budget
2025/26

(Rm’s)

Budget
2026/27

(Rm’s)

Total Budget

(Rm’s)

Cape Town

520

792

668

1,980

Saldanha

311

321

269

901

Boegoebaai

0

310

590

900

Durban

489

1,488

1,205

3,182

Port Elizabeth

81

99

78

258

Grand Total

1,401

3,010

2,810

7,221

(1)(b) The nature of planned capital expenditure for the next three financial years for the respective ports is allocated in terms of segments. Table 2 below indicates the breakdown of the budget per segment for the respective years.

Table 2: Budget Breakdown Per Segment Cumulative 3 Years

Segment

Total Budget 3 Yrs.

(Rm's)

%
of Total Budget

Auto

168

2.3%

Bulk Services

1,120

15.6%

Container

321

4.5%

Energy

626

8.7%

Fleet

1,238

17.3%

Infrastructure

2,116

28.8%

Iron Ore

110

1.5%

Liquid

468

6.5%

Manganese

900

12.5%

Other Segments & Supporting Infrastructure

155

2.2%

Grand Total

7,221

100.00%

2. TNPA prioritizes investment with a two-step system as detailed below:

  • The capex portfolio undergoes a process that provides a view of strategic alignment and funding readiness.
  • The projects are then vetted through a ranking and prioritization model, which provides an ascending rating scale to indicate project prioritization. This ensures strategic alignment, driving TNPA’s intended strategic direction, and consistency in admitting projects onto the CAPEX plan.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3781

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Concerning vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on the Home Affairs information technology systems conducted by the Home Affairs Internal Audit Unit, what are the (a) exact dates on which (i) internal and (ii) external assessments were conducted in the period 1 January 2021 up to the latest specified date in 2023 for which information is available and (b) full and relevant details of the outcomes?

Reply:

The Vulnerability assessment and penetration tests reviews were conducted as follows at the Department of Home Affairs:

a) Exact dates

(i) Internal assessments

Internal Audit conducted internal assessment in 2021/2022 financial year and the report was issued on 23 February 2022.

(i) External assessments

Internal Audit conducted external assessment in 2020/2021 financial year and the report was issued on 07 December 2020 and also conducted internal and external assessments in 2022/2023 financial year and report was issued on 24 July 2023.

The outcomes of the assessments and tests contains sensitive information which can compromise IT security architecture and can lead to cyber-attacks because it details actions taken in different environments.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3715

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Malomane, Ms VP to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

In view of the indication of the SA Cultural Observatory that the cultural and creative industries contributed 2,97% to the gross domestic product in 2020, employing about 1 million workers in the process, and that it has observed a trend of our expropriated national costumes and crafts being manufactured in other countries, resulting in South Africans importing local cultural identity costumes and crafts, what measures is his department implementing to increase domestic manufacturing in the specified sector, working together with sister departments such as the Departments of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry and Competition?

Reply:

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has since appointed a National Design Committee comprising Nine (9) members from different provinces with different expertise in the Design Sector. Their mission is to:

  1. Advise the department in the formation of the South National Design Council
  2. Assist the department in formulating a National Design Policy

The key objective of the Committee is to look at the holistic nature of the industry and advise on how to grow the sector, increase employment and action to buy local products. The sector has been plagued by the advent of cheap imports and the second-hand market which caused losses in the manufacturing industry and the number of output decreasing. The proposal is to bring in the two sister departments during the development of the policy (The Department of Small Business and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition) at the end and thereafter work on the proposed strategies on how to assist SARS and the National Department of transport on regulatory frameworks for illicit goods and services.

The DTIC has developed a Clothing and Textiles Masterplan which looked at some pillars amongst which was the introduction of the R-CTFL (Retail, Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather) Masterplan aimed at encouraging structural change in the value chain to grow the domestic market, increases purchases from domestic suppliers, access and grow export markets and enhance value chain competitiveness. Other complementary measures include cluster development, local procurement, trade support and countering the illicit trade by working alongside the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and customs authorities.

Also, to improve competitiveness, manufacturing capability, technology, skills, and transformation. Its Strategic Pillars are domestic market growth; value-chain localisation; competitiveness advancement; transformation in the value-chain and technology and skills development.

The Crafts industry on the other hand are small craft businesses with one owner producing goods and products in their own homes, while larger operations may employ several workers. Craft businesses are not mass production but rather employ a hands-on approach to produce unique items for customers. In recent years, other countries with big budgets have utilised machinery to produce mass goods that are sold relatively cheaply.

The DSAC has expressed to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) intentions to formalise our collaboration on the Craft Customised Sector Programme (CSP) to mitigate these risks through concerted efforts on capacity building to craft producers and enterprises. Other interventions include ongoing craft incubator programmes which will be topped from 2024 to build the capacity of producers for sustainable production and improved market access and share vis a vis imported products.

The Department has also produced craft business guides in all official languages for use by creatives to build their capacity to compete effectively and sustainably. The ethos of the above interventions is to provide craft producers with a competitive edge over their competitors through innovation along the whole value chain of the craft sector.

24 November 2023 - NW3627

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

Whether his department utilises the proposed complaint forms that were made available by the Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (AKTV); if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the specified complaint forms are not available on the website of his department?

Reply:

My department and PanSALB have not received the complaint form that is said was availed by AKTV, and therefore such a proposed form has not come under our consideration. When stakeholders want to lodge a complaint to the Department, they do so in a manner that is suitable for them. PanSALB usually receives language-related complaints and has developed its own complaint form template which is available online in all official languages and can be completed online in a digital format.

24 November 2023 - NW3394

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)Whether, in light of the fact that the pressing issue of unsafe abandonment of infants and the need for baby savers that are also known as haven boxes, which is intended to save lives and prevent babies from being abandoned in drains, open fields and/or rubbish bins, her department has (a) declared the haven boxes as illegal and (b) called on all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering the service to cease immediately; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the discussion around baby savers is no longer on the table; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3) whether her department will ensure that the Gauteng Department of Social Development withdraws its decision to declare the haven boxes as illegal to ensure that babies are not abandoned in unsafe spaces but are allowed to be safely handed over through the life-saving interventions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a) Yes, baby savers are illegal as they constitute a criminal offence in terms of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). Baby savers are regarded as an act of child abandonment and neglect as per the provision of Section 110 of the Children’s Act.

(b) Organisations that promote the use of the so-called baby savers contravenes the Children’s Act, which is the principal law in terms of the promotion and protection of children’s rights.

2. The issue of baby savers should not be seen in isolation from all other important issues aimed at strengthening child protection measures that were considered during the public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill. The Act makes provision for alternative care for children in need of care and support, and baby savers are currently one of those.

3. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Social Development bound by the same Act—the Children’s Act, according to which baby savers are a form of child abandonment and neglect.

24 November 2023 - NW3684

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Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

(a). What measures has his department put in place to ensure that funding for women’s sport in the republic is increased, given the fact that their male counterparts have greater recognition, more resources, and facilities available to them and (b). How does his department intend to level the field? NW4880E

Reply:

(a). As a matter of principle, the Department ensures that financial support provided particularly to the big federations is primarily for towards Women’s sport. To confirm this fact funding to South African Football Association (SAFA), South African Rugby (SARU) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) is strictly for the development of Women in sport and Women’s programmes. Funding to Netball South Africa (NSA) is for Women’s Netball.

My department has over in the past four years been providing special allocation to SAFA for the establishment of the Women’s Football League, R 5 million per annum. This year a similar allocation has been given to Cricket SA for the establishment of Women’s Cricket League, R 5 million per annum. The intention behind this support is that the Department together with the Federation concerned approach and engage the Broadcasters and potential sponsors to support the initiative. Once the Broadcasters and Sponsors are on board the Department scales down on the support and redirect the resources to another sport code.

For the current fiscal year, the total budget allocated by National Treasury (NT) for all Federations (about 65) is R 117 568 million only. Of this amount, a total of R 24 500 million is allocated to the above-mentioned Federations and earmarked for Women Sport Programmes. This translates to 20,9% of the total budget for sport and

recreation bodies. It must be noted that this is dedicated funding, for the rest of the Federations, all their applications must cater for both men and women equally, as a minimum.

Through the School Sport Programme all 16 priority codes that participate at the Championships, have a 50/50 representation of women. This is to ensure that there is an equal platform to participate and develop women. At the National School Sport Championships, provinces have been able to send at least 3 categories of participants which include male and female. We have also concluded the Club Development pilot study in Kwazulu-Natal and Limpopo, which has among sport codes caters for Netball, Athletics and Football clubs.

The Club Development programme is a dedicated programme to ensure the development of sport, including the participation of women in sport. This project is extended to rural areas through the Rural Sport Development Programme that currently focuses on organizing leagues and structures in rural areas.

(b). The programmes and initiatives mentioned above are all designed to level the playing field. From a policy point of view, the Department is currently engaging all provinces as we look to finalize the National Women in Sport Policy. A policy that seeks to ensure gender parity on and off the field of sport. I must state though, that these objectives will require active support from all corners of the society, government and in particular corporate investment to be achieved.

 

24 November 2023 - NW3750

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

Whether his department is responsible for local amenities in ward 23 Emadadeni in Phelandaba in the Newcastle local municipality, Kwazulu-Natal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the reasons that the swimming pool has remained closed for such a long period and (b) timeframes have been put in place for the specified pool to function properly?

Reply:

In term of Schedule 5B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (Act 108 of 1996), provision, maintenance and operations of local sport facilities are a mandate of local sphere of government, and therefore a first point of accountability in this regard is the municipality, and in this case, Newcastle Local Municipality.

In the main, the role of National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is formulation of a National Policy and Norms and Standards for the sport sector, including Norms and Standards for provision of concomitant infrastructure. While the department is a stakeholder and role-player in the provision of sport facilities, this function remains a mandate of the municipality, hence grants intended to fund this mandate are allocated to municipalities and not the department.

For this reason, my department is not responsible for this facility but the mentioned municipality. However, my department is responsible for the development and promotion of sport in the country, which is an endeavor that includes both provision of facilities and

implementation of programmes, it therefore should have an interest to ensure that facilities are made accessible and maintained by municipalities, and intervene where possible, that is its position.

(a). My department is not aware of the reason for the closure of the mentioned swimming pool and has requested an explanation of this unfortunate situation from the municipality.

(b). Since the operation and maintenance of this swimming pool are a function or mandate of the municipality, and my department was not aware of this situation raised by the Honorable Member, my department is not able to provide timeframes regarding the opening and functioning of this pool but has liaised with the municipality to establish these facts and required actions and interventions to get this facility operational.

At this point, we are still waiting for information from the municipality, and update will be given in future following our engagements with the municipality.

24 November 2023 - NW3414

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Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport

What specific steps of intervention does her department intend to take in Komani, in the Eastern Cape, to fix potholes in the local roads network, since there has been no response to the complaints logged by the residents through Operation Vala Zonke?

Reply:

As the honourable member may be aware, road and transport function are a concurrent function exclusively performed by the three spheres of Government. In terms of Section 4(a) and (b) and Section 5(a) and (b), of the constitution of the Republic,

Based by the complaint directed to both the province and municipality regarding the bad state of the Komani roads, I can confirm that in deed the roads referred to are municipal roads.

In terms of Section 139 and 154 of the constitution, both provincial and national government are required to provide the necessary support to those municipalities failing to perform their constitutional function to provide basic social needs/services.

The Department is fully aware that the Komani Municipality is currently experiencing shortage in both Human Resources (Technical) capacity and Financial Resources to deal with all basic social needs (such as water, electricity and roads etc) of which roads are not taken as a priority as a basic social need.

In support for the Municipality to address the rapid deterioration in their road infrastructure, the Department established the Vala Zonke Pothole Fixing Programme to assist both provinces and municipalities in fixing their roads.

Furthermore, the Department established the Roads War Room to have a common and centralised approach to all road and transport related matters. This serves as a center for excellence and research for new technologies and materials suitable for roads throughout country. Subsequently, the Vala Zonke App has been developed as a pothole reporting system, wherein SANRAL is currently training officials from Provinces and Municipalities on the usage of the App, under the theme “Train the Trainer”.

Being aware of the capacity challenges facing Municipalities, Municipalities are encouraged to enter into Memorandum of Agreement with SANRAL for pothole patching to augment technical capacities. In pursuance with the objective of the programme, through the Vala Zonke War Room, the Department has already communicated the initiative to the Municipality in question for technical personnel and those responsible for road maintenance in the municipality for training. Since most of the reported roads are mostly municipal roads, a concurrency is to be sought with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) for appropriate intervention.

24 November 2023 - NW3462

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the details of (a) livestock and (b) animal products that have been (i) exported to and (ii) imported from the neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho since the outbreak of the Foot-and-Mouth disease in 2019 and the recent outbreak in 2022?

Reply:

(a)-(b)(i) All neighbouring countries suspended trade of live cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa when the 2019 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak was reported and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) lost its Free Status with the World Organisation for Animal Health, therefore no livestock has been exported since 2019, nor are there any official records of exported products.

(ii) The following import permits have been issued from listed countries per listed commodity.

Country

Beef

Livestock

Other

Botswana

471

10611

3305

Lesotho

0

1131

2373

Eswatini

6

52

280

Namibia

117

18909

12837

Master permits have been issued for beef imports and in-transit shipments from both Namibia and Botswana.

This also includes "biltong/meat permits for personal use" and permits for hunting trophies in transit.

24 November 2023 - NW3769

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the current backlog on toxicology analysis at each forensic chemistry laboratory of the National Health Laboratory Service in each province, (b) measures have been put in place to eradicate the backlogs and (c) total number of toxicology tests does each laboratory run on each day; (2) by what date will the backlog at each forensic laboratory in each province be eradicated?

Reply:

According to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS):

1. (a) Toxicology tests are conducted at three Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs) in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. The factors that contribute to the backlog include inadequate infrastructure, equipment breaking down, loadshedding, inadequate water supply, the Covid-19 pandemic and shortages in human resources.

Toxicology backlogs as at the 31 October 2023:

FCL

Toxicology backlog

Completed during October 2023

Cape Town

6 825

58

Johannesburg

14 700

206

Pretoria

16 437

101

b) The NHLS has implemented strategies to address the backlogs in toxicology testing at the FCLs. In this regard the blood alcohol testing backlog has been cleared in all laboratories except the Johannesburg FCL.

The NHLS will expand the toxicology capacity in the three laboratories that currently offer toxicology testing to ensure an increase in the processing capacity at these laboratories. To this effect, additional laboratory space has been acquired from the CSIR that will accommodate a new toxicology section for the Pretoria FCL. Similar solutions are being explored for the Johannesburg and Cape Town FCLs. The NHLS have invested significantly in ensuring laboratories are equipped with functional analytic instruments through the replacement of ageing and obsolete equipment and the procurement of additional instruments for the planned expansion in services. Plans are underway to source additional laboratory space that would allow the Durban FCL to expand its service offering to include toxicology testing.

c) Toxicology cases are time-consuming, and this is mainly related to the complex nature and variability of the cases and testing processes as well as the requirement for special reference materials to complete cases. For these reasons, toxicology cases are allocated in batches to each analyst at the beginning of each month and laboratory outputs are measured on a monthly basis. Each toxicology analyst is allocated at least 15 cases per month.

2. The NHLS is determined to implement strategies to clear the backlogs in toxicology testing at the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories. At this stage it would be difficult to determine when the backlogs would be cleared. As can be seen from the various efforts that have been made, the NHLS is working towards clearing the backlog as fast as possible.

END.

24 November 2023 - NW3517

Profile picture: Buthelezi, Mr EM

Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

What are the relevant details of the (a) total budget allocated for and (b) actual expenditure on (i) salaries, (ii) travel and (iii) accommodation of employees of his department (aa) in the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

(aa) The total salaries, travel, and accommodation of employees in the department for the last three financial years is shown below:

2020/21 Financial Year:

Expenditure Items

(a)

(b)

 

Total budget allocated

Actual expenditure

i) Salaries

184 177 000,00

141 165 000,00

ii) Travel

3 924 000,00

2 384 000,00

iii) Accommodation

501 000,00

275 642,00

 

 

 

Total

188 602 000,00

143 824 642,00

 

2021/22 Financial Year:

Expenditure Items

(a)

(b)

 

Total budget allocated

Actual expenditure

i) Salaries

158 954 000,00

140 046 805,00

ii) Travel

9 607 000,00

5 130 416,00

iii) Accommodation

1 410 000,00

872 699,00

Total

169 971 000,00

146 049 920,00

2022/23 Financial Year:

Expenditure Items

(a)

(b)

 

Total budget allocated

Actual expenditure

i) Salaries

178 741 000,00

142 026 534,00

ii) Travel

12 510 000,00

7 232 659,00

iii) Accommodation

1 769 000,00

920 170,00

 

 

 

Total

193 020 000,00

150 179 363,00

Total for the 2020/21 to 2022/23 Financial Years:

Expenditure Items

(a)

(b)

 

Total budget allocated

Actual expenditure

i) Salaries

521 872 000,00

423 238 339,00

ii) Travel

26 041 000,00

14 747 075,00

iii) Accommodation

3 680 000,00

2 068 511,00

 

 

 

Total

551 593 000,00

440 053 925,00

(bb) The total salaries, travel, and accommodation of employees in the department from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023 is shown below:

Expenditure Items

(a)

(b)

 

Total budget allocated

Actual expenditure

i) Salaries

167 311 000,00

77 341 594,00

ii) Travel

13 970 000,00

7 002 339,00

iii) Accommodation

1 616 000,00

443 595,00

 

 

 

Total

182 897 000,00

84 787 528,00

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved/Not Approved/Comments

Melanchton Makobe P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3406

Profile picture: Arries, Ms LH

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) What total number of senior managers have been on acting appointments for the past two years in (i) her department, (ii) the SA Social Security Agency and (iii) the National Development Agency and (b) by what date will all the specified positions be filled on a permanent basis?

Reply:

(a)

DSD (i)

SASSA (ii)

NDA (iii)

 

9 senior managers were appointed to act in vacant position in terms of the Public Service Regulations

 

There were forty (40) acting appointments at Senior Management level at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) over the past two years.

 

 

The following positions have had acting appointments within the past 2 years:

 

  1. Chief Executive Officer
  2. Company Secretary

 

(b)

 

1.Director-General: Social Development

2.Chief Financial Officer

3.Deputy Director-General: Welfare Services

4.Deputy Director-General:  Strategy and Organisational Transformation

 

The four vacant SMS posts have been job evaluated as per the DPSA prescripts and will be advertised and filled before the end of the current financial year.

 

The filling of the remaining five (5) SMS positions will be informed by the finalisation of the organizational structure and based on available budget for Compensation of Employees

The status with regard to acting appointments and or permanent appointments at the Senior Management System (SMS)category is as follows:

 

  • Twenty-three (23) positions have been filled;
  • Seventeen (17) positions remain vacant of which five (5) of these positions are prioritised for filling by 31 March 2024;
  • There are currently four (4) acting appointments and due to budgetary constraints and cost containment measures re-emphasized by National Treasury, in the current financial year (23/2024 FY);
  • Twelve (12) of these positions are not prioritized for filling in this financial year therefore, acting appointments have been terminated.

 

 

 

The positions are to be filled on a permanent basis on the following dates:

 

  1. Chief Executive Officer – interviews finalised and Cabinet Memo en route for Cabinet approval
  2. Company Secretary post is now filled

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 November 2023 - NW3598

Profile picture: Horn, Mr W

Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What are the details of the progress that has been made by Cabinet in respect of the recommendations by the Judiciary regarding the final court administration model?

Reply:

The Honourable Member will remember that the Judiciary submitted their report entitled “Capacitating the Office of the Chief Justice and Laying the Foundations for Judicial Independence: the next Frontier in our Constitutional Democracy, Judicial Independence” outlining their preferred court administration model to the Executive in 2013. Subsequent to the submission, Cabinet established an Inter-Ministerial Task team in 2017, tasked with preparing a response by the Executive to the Judiciary’s report. When the Inter-Ministerial Committee was dissolved, I was mandated by Cabinet at the beginning of the sixth administration to conclude the work started by the Inter-Ministerial Committee. In this regard, I caused the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to conduct research on an appropriate model suited for our constitutional democracy. This research culminated in a document entitled “Policy Framework on Judicial Governance and Court Administration” comprising a comparative study of the available comparable models whereupon a tentative model that suit the South African Constitution emerged.

Before I approach Cabinet, I took a decision that it would be prudent to share the policy framework with the Judiciary as part of our efforts to consult with that Arm of the State as they are a critical stakeholder in our quest to finalise the court administration model. I have therefore shared the document with the Chief Justice for him to provide us with the necessary inputs before approaching Cabinet. I have been advised that the Chief Justice has, in August 2023, established a Judicial Governance and Court Administration Advisory Committee to consider our proposed policy framework, whereafter he will provide me with the Judiciary’s comments. Once this consultation process with the Judiciary is completed, I intend to table the amended policy framework encompassing the Judiciary’s comments to Cabinet for adoption.

I hasten to indicate that one of the recommendations contained in the policy framework was to transfer the leave dispensation of Judges to the Judiciary. During the consultation process with the Judiciary, we agreed that whilst we wait for the Judiciary’s comprehensive inputs, the leave dispensation for Judges of the Superior Courts should be transferred from the Executive to the Judiciary. Having reached this agreement, I approached the President who duly agreed to amend the Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Regulations, 2001 to make provision for the transfer of the leave dispensation of Judges to the Judiciary. So, pursuant to our Policy Framework, the Judiciary is now responsible for managing leave for Judges.

24 November 2023 - NW3736

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)In light of the Pan-African vision of a united and borderless Africa, what other African countries are engaged in talks regarding visa waiver; (2) whether Nigeria is among the specified countries; if not, what are the reasons for not concluding visa waiver talks with Nigeria which is the biggest economy in Africa; if so, by what date will the visa waiver agreement with Nigeria be implemented?

Reply:

1. Currently South Africa is engaged in talks of a visa waiver with Uganda.

2. Nigeria is currently not amongst the countries being considered as this is not amongst the issues being discussed with Nigeria. There is a process to follow when discussions on visa waivers are being considered. For now, Nigeria is one of 34 countries to which an e-Visa was extended.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3443

Profile picture: Cachalia, Mr G K

Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Considering that a road to rail initiative between Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Port Terminals and Maersk aims to move freight from the Ngqura Container Terminal to Port Elizabeth Port Terminal via a 50 cart locomotive line, and noting that the specified initiative would potentially remove 50 trucks off the roads during the citrus season, what progress has been made to date on the initiative in terms of (a) dates, (b) terms and (c) security arrangements in particular?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

The triangular rail shuttle between the Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) of Ngqura (NCT), the Port of Port Elizabeth (PECT) and the TFR Deal Party container Terminal (PEG) started in June 2023 and continues to operate.

a) Progress made:

During June

The route between NCT and PECT (1480 TEUs) runs 15 trains that are made up of 50 wagons per train. The Reefer containers are all 40-foot containers which is equivalent to two x 20-foot containers. A single wagon carries one x 40-foot container and a total of 50 containers. The above scenario will remove 740 trucks from the road.

During September / October

The route between PECT and NCT based on 3 trains is equivalent to the removal of 150 trucks off the road.

b) The Inter-Terminal rail shuttle is an ongoing service that is based on customer demand. The service is not only restricted to the citrus season (reefer containers) but is a service offering throughout the year for general-purpose (GP) containers.

c) Stringent security measures have been instituted to ensure minimal security-related disruptions to the rail service. The Reefers are first inspected at the handover point at all Terminals by TFR Security Services. The Railway Police were called in as reinforcement when the service began operating in June 2023 to mitigate against the high-risk hotspot areas for criminal activity, which includes New Brighton.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacy Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

24 November 2023 - NW3397

Profile picture: Marais, Ms P

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) are the reasons she and/or her department is removing baby savers, which have been a successful method of saving the lives of new-borns and (b) interventions will replace the system as the department has in the past failed to intervene?

Reply:

a) There are no legislative provisions for baby savers that mandates their existence in the Children’s Act which already has adequate child protection measures to care and protect abandoned children. Baby savers encourages child abandonment which is a criminal offence, and a person who abandons a child after birth may be charged and prosecuted.

The practice encourages infant abandonment; promotes the birth mother relinquishing her parental responsibility with no consequences, silences the voice of the father who also has a parental responsibility as well as the family of the baby, robbing the child of a right to a name, identity as enshrined in the Constitution.

b) Temporary safe care, child and youth care centres and adoption interventions are available as per the provision of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). The Act provides for the placement of abandoned children in temporary safe care pending further investigation and final placement through children’s court proceedings.

24 November 2023 - NW3682

Profile picture: Mhlongo, Mr TW

Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

What total (a) number of persons from his department travelled to the French Republic for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and (b) costs his department incur in this regard?

Reply:

(a) The total number of persons from the department was 10, including the Minister and the Deputy Minister.

(b). The total costs incurred will be available once reconciliation of invoices and costs is finalised.

24 November 2023 - NW3409

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

With reference to the recent allegations that Transnet paid R29 for a R0,28c breathalyser straw, (a) what processes were followed in this procurement process, (b) who approved for the specified amount to be paid and (c) what actions have been taken against officials involved?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

a) An emergency procurement process was followed for the acquisition of disposable mouthpieces for alcohol breathalyzer straws.

b) The Executive Manager for Group Continuity and Disaster Management and the Executive Director for Safety were central to the procurement of the breathalyzer straws.

c) An internal disciplinary process was instituted in respect of the two employees central to the procurement of the breathalyzer straws. At the conclusion of this process, they were both dismissed. The matter was also reported by Transnet to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) on 5 October 2021 in terms of Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004. A referral has also been made to the National Prosecuting Authority. Transnet also referred the matter to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for further investigation in terms of Proclamation R23 of no 2020 published on 23 July 2020 in Government Gazette No. 43546. The SIU has launched an application in the Special Tribunal to review and set aside the contracts awarded to the 3 service providers. The two employees central to the procurement have been cited as respondents in this application.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Melanchton Makobe P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date: