Questions and Replies

Reply:

After realizing that there are problems of patients waiting time at Brits hospital in Madibeng, North West Province, an intervention team was deployed by the Administrator on 29.10.2020. Tet ream identified issues for intervention and implementation:

• The long waiting time could be attributed to the fact that the hospital does not have the gateway clinic, as it is the center of the town. Long-term plan is to develop a Gateway Clinic at Brits Hospital to relieve the load of non-urgent or minor cases self-referring to the hospital.

• There was poor management of the Outpatients which contributed to the delay in attending to them and thus increasing the waiting time.

• Implementation of the Integrated Clinical Services Management approach;
• Uni-directional patient flow to be mapped out and introduced which includes screening and sorting of patients;
• Use of a queue marshall to improve patient movement;
• Introduction of a patient appointment system to decrease long waiting times.

• Casualty

• Appropriate triage protocol to be followed to avoid patient waiting in wrong queues or a delay in attending to the serious patients.
• The clinicians will be allocated based on rosters which was developed as a response to identified needs and peak times.

END.

Reply:

The South African sugar industry is an important part of South Africa’s agricultural sector, employing some 85 000 people directly. South Africa experienced an increase in imported sugar up until 2017. To provide protection to South African sugar producers, and following consultation with the industry facilitated by the Ministry, in August 2018 the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) amended the dollar-based reference price used to determine the effective customs duty on sugar, which resulted in an increase in the customs duty on imported sugar.

Subsequently, sugar imports declined from 844 522 tons in 2017, to 544 708 tons in 2018, and to 519 189 tons in 2019. This has been largely attributed to the change in the tariffs.

Imports from Brazil have declined from a record 243 982 tons in 2017 to 21 971 tons in 2019; while imports from the United Arab Emirates have declined from 157 387 tons in 2017 to t 26 tons in 2019.

This decline in sugar imports has continued during 2020, with imported sugar for the period from January to October 2020 amounting to 408 364 tons, some 8% below imports during the same period in 2019. However, I have been advised that there has been an increase in imports from Brazil during this period, from 19 488 tons in the period from January to October 2019, to 31 563 tons in the same period in 2020; though still below levels of imports experienced in 2017 and 2018. Imports from the UAE as reflected in official statistics for 2020 (to date), remain at modest levels compared to 2017.

To help provide further support to the sugar value chain in South Africa, government began consultation in August 2019 with the sugar industry - including producers, industrial and retail users, and organised labour – on the development of a masterplan for the sector. The broad terms of the Masterplan, which includes a commitment to local procurement of at least 80% of need for industrial users and retailers were agreed in April 2020, and signed by stakeholders during a virtual signing ceremony in November 2020, ahead of the 3rd South Africa Investment Conference.

A media statement was issued jointly by the dtic and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) on 17 November 2020, providing the details of the masterplan, a copy of which can be found on the dtic website at http://www.thedtic.gov.za/government-and-industry-stakeholder-signed-the-sugar-master-plan/.

-END-

Reply:

1. The National Department of Health followed an established acquisition method for emergency state of affairs. Paragraph 8.1 and 8.2 of the National Treasury’s SCM Instruction Note 03 of 2016/17 on Prevention and Combating Abuse in the Supply Chain Management Systems states the following:

“8.1 The Accounting Officer/Accounting Authority must only deviate from inviting competitive bids in cases of emergency and sole supplier status. 8.2. An emergency may occur when there is a serious and unexpected situation that poses an immediate risk to the health, life, property and environment which calls an agency to action and there is insufficient time to invite competitive bids.”

The Covid-19 is a worldwide pandemic, hence the declaration of National State of Disaster earlier this year. Various activities had to be conducted by the country to curb the spread of the virus, which amongst others, included the repatriation of South Africans from different countries. Due to the City of Wuhan being declared as the epicentre of the virus, the South African Government prioritised the repatriation of its citizens that were either studying, working or had travelled to China for various reasons. A process was followed by the Department in conjunction with the South African National Defence Force to identify the most appropriate site for quarantine of the repatriates from Wuhan, China. The repatriation followed immediately after the closure of most businesses. Based on limited knowledge of the virus at the time, not all businesses (in this case accommodation facilities) were willing to take the risk of accommodating people whose status was unknown as well as the consequences that their business would have suffered thereafter. Eighty-four (84) facilities were considered for quarantine of which six (6) were inspected across the country and two (2), namely The Ranch Hotel and Black Mountain Resorts, were deemed suitable due to weather conditions, which was amongst other considerations.

Both facilities were found willing to take the risk associated with Covid-19 and to accommodate SA Citizens who were repatriated. The quotation received from Black Mountain Resorts was however considered exorbitant and The Ranch Hotel was a preferred supplier. The National Department of Health therefore followed the emergency acquisition method in procuring services to accommodate repatriated SA Citizens from Wuhan as indicated in the extract of Instruction Note 3 of 2016/17 quoted above. This was an urgent situation with serious pressures arising Wuhan with our South African citizens in Wuhan regarding food, physical and mental health as well as great deal of stress and anguish by the parents back home. We then entered into negotiations with the owners of the Ranch for emergency procurement as our repatriates were returning within the same week.

It must further be noted that the main objective of the Minister and the Department at the time was to prioritise the lives of South Africans who were distressed and facing a highly infectious virus in China, hence the followed procurement method in securing proper accommodation for them while waiting for their Covid-19 test results.

Based on the above clarification, the Minister we have not found that the National Department of Health has set a poor example by doing business in this kind of manner as the Department followed an approved method as per prescripts in procuring services of this nature.

2. Provincial Departments of Health either as provinces are classified as autonomous levels of government according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Provinces have their own MECs, accounting Officers and Supply Chain Management Systems which are guided by Provincial Treasuries and National Treasury. Provincial Departments therefore run their own procurement processes independently from the National Department of Health. If there are any alleged non-compliance issues from Provinces, it is expected that Provincial Accounting Officers will conduct an investigation and take appropriate actions where necessary. These investigations will also involve the use of various Law Enforcement Agencies and the National Department of Health will be updated of any progress by the Provincial Departments.

END.

Reply:

Most health and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities are provided at fixed health facilities including Primary Health Care facilities (clinics and community health centres) and hospitals. Children with disabilities are assessed and, based on the outcome of the assessment, provided with appropriate therapy and assistive devices where required.

Where children need to be referred to receive specialised services at a higher level of care, referrals are made either through emergency medical services (e.g. ambulance) or more usually through Planned Patient Transport (PPT).

The Department of Health is also committed to bringing services closer to children. Strategies to achieve this include:

• Specialised clinicians and allied health/rehabilitation professionals provide specialised outreach services at primary health care facilities.
• At household and community level Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams screen and refer children to local clinics.
• Provision of outreach services through Primary Health Care and specialised mobiles (such as dental mobiles or optometric mobiles).
• Non-governmental organisations provide community based rehabilitation services including home based services on behalf of the Department of Health.
• The Department of Health also collaborates with the Department of Social Development to ensure that eligible children receive social grants, and are able to access other social services.

END.

Reply:

a) Health facilities throughout the country implement a number of programmes and strategies which aim to ensure that children remain healthy, and reach their full developmental potential. These services are all free of charge and include:

 

• Well Child/Early Childhood Development (ECD) services
• Expanded Programme in Immunisation (EPI)
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) including provision of paediatric HIV services.
• Child nutrition services 
• Specialist services: these include rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, oral health, eye care and mental health
• Adolescent and Youth Health services
• Mass media campaigns especially the Side-by-Side campaign which aims to support parents and other caregivers to provide all aspects of care that children require.

The Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) is implemented jointly with the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The ISHP provides onsite screening services to school-going children once during each of the four educational phases, (foundation phase (Gr R-3), intermediate phase (Gr 4-6), senior phase (Gr 7-9) and Further Education and Training (FET) (Gr 10-12). This focuses primarily on identifying health barriers to learning, as well as identifying children who have or are at risk for long-term health, psychosocial or other problems. Additional individual assessments, offered by a professional nurse, should also be offered to all learners who are repeating grades or at the request of an educator, parent or at the request of the learner/self-referral.

The Department of Health also works with the Department of Social Development to ensure that eligible children receive social grants, and are able to access other social services.

b) Whilst some specialist services are only provided at hospital levels, efforts have been made to expand provision of services at primary health care levels. Such efforts include appointment of District Clinical Specialist Teams, ensuring that all primary health care facilities are visited by doctors and allocating therapists who are completing their community service to primary health care facilities.

Where learners are identified as requiring health and other services that cannot be provided on-site through routine school health services, outreach services are provided through specialised school health mobiles.

In areas where specialised mobiles are not operating, learners are referred to fixed facilities including PHC clinics, community health centres (CHCs) and hospitals. Plans are in place to ensure that learners are seen at appropriate times (i.e. in the afternoon or during the school holidays). These arrangements must be made with the facility prior to the screening of learners.

Services may also be provided using existing mobile services, both PHC mobiles and specialised mobiles (such as dental mobiles or optometric mobiles). These services may be provided by DOH employees or by other providers on a regular or intermittent basis (e.g. services provided by NGOs or by professional societies on a voluntary basis). The Department of Social Development (DSD) is responsible for assisting learners to access services, particularly providing transport to accessing services where financial barriers exist.

Data and indicators regarding screening of learners is available at all levels of care, however DBE has data on learners with learning disabilities per grade, gender and type of disability as the custodian of providing learning and teaching to all learners. This is provided in line with the 2014 Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy, which provides a standardised programme for all learners who require additional support to enhance inclusion in schools.

END.

Reply:

The Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicines List (EML), are the foundation of appropriate medicine use in South Africa. Review of medicines by the National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) for inclusion on the Essential Medicine List (EML) is based on priority conditions in the country and takes into consideration the clinical need, evidence of efficacy, quality, safety, affordability and implications for practice.

The current edition (2018) of the Primary Health Care STGs and EML includes a Guideline for albinism and recommends the use of sunscreens with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of between 20 and 230 for adequate protection. Sunscreen is therefore on the Essential Medicines List and can be accessed at all levels of care. Sunscreen products can be purchased by provinces off the current National Contract (HP08-20120SSP).

Monitoring of the availability of essential medicines at a national level, including sunscreen for use in albinism, is done through the Affordable Medicines Directorate’s (AMD) National Surveillance Centre (NSC).

The review of the EML is dynamic and ongoing, with disorders/medicines being reviewed continuously based on factors such as the changing clinical need, change in clinical evidence, price of medicines etc. Hence any additional requirements for the management of albinism is considered on an ongoing basis as the clinical need arises.

END.

Reply:

According to information drawn from the PERSAL System as on 30 October 2020, the overall vacancy rate for Medical Specialists in the Public Health Sector is 0.9%. The table below reflects the (a) vacancy rate in each (i) province and (ii) not per the categories of specialized medical personnel (Information not captured as such on the PERSAL System) and (b) number of overall vacancies of specialized medical personnel in each province.

Provincial Departments of Health have been requested to provide categories of Medical Specialists in each province since the information cannot be drawn from the PERSAL System and the information will be shared as soon as received.

Medical Specialist as at October 2020	Filled / Vacant	% Vacancy Rate
Province	Health Professions	Filled	Vacant	Grand Total
Eastern Cape	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	3	0	3	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 2	2	0	2	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	106	1	107	0.9
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	32	0	32	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	16	0	16	0.0
	Medical Specialist(Senior)L12	2	0	2	0.0
Total		161	1	162	0.6
Free State	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	1	0	1	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 2	1	0	1	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 3	1	0	1	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	87	0	87	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	13	0	13	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	14	0	14	0.0
Total		117		117	0.0
Gauteng	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	5	0	5	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 2	3	0	3	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	495	3	498	0.6
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	196	1	197	0.5
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	162	2	164	1.2
Gauteng Total		861	6	867	0.7
KwaZulu Natal	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	2	0	2	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	297	1	298	0.3
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	129	1	130	0.8
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	121	1	122	0.8
Total		549	3	552	0.5
Limpopo Province	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	2	0	2	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	41	3	44	6.8
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	10	0	10	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	13	0	13	0.0
Total		66	3	69	4.3
Mpumalanga	Medical Specialist (Sessions)	2	0	2	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	1	0	1	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	10	0	10	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	17	0	17	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	11	0	11	0.0
Total		41	0	41	0.0
North West	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	1	0	1	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	55	4	59	6.8
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	10	0	10	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	16	1	17	5.9
Total		82	5	87	5.7
Northern Cape	Medical Specialist Grade 1	15	0	15	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	9	0	9	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	3	0	3	0.0
Total		27	0	27	0.0
Western Cape	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 1	29	0	29	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 2	31	0	31	0.0
	Medical Specialist (Sub-Speciality) Grade 3	56	0	56	0.0
	Medical Specialist Grade 1	310	5	315	1.6
	Medical Specialist Grade 2	157	1	158	0.6
	Medical Specialist Grade 3	196	0	196	0.0
Total		779	6	785	0.8
Grand Total		2683	24	2707	0.9

END.

Reply:

According to the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Health, the Compensation of Employee budget has been cut by R276 million in the adjustment budget, thus the Department’s plans for the full operationalization of hospitals (including Connie Vorster Hospital) could not be implemented.

Nevertheless, in line with a path towards the full implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in the Province, District hospitals in the Province have been established as the Centre of our CUPS. As a result, Connie Vorster Hospital is designated to be the Main Health Facility for the Phokwane and Magareng CUP which will include Pampierstad, Jan Kempdorp, Hartswater and Warrenton.

Even though it is envisaged that Connie Vorster Hospital will be NHI ready by 2026, an improvement Plan for the Hospital that includes the establishment of a proper Management Structure has already been set in motion. Currently, a Nursing Service Manager as well as a Clinical Manager have been appointed. Again in the past few months 6 Sessional Nurses have been sourced to assist the Hospital to improve service delivery. 

There is further recruitment process underway to fill another 8 vacant funded clinical posts and 6 non-clinical posts on contract basis. It is envisaged that they will commence duty by January 2021.

END.

Reply:

Yes, there is a comprehensive campaign that is inclusive of HIV, TB and NCD. It is known as Cheka iMpilo National Wellness Campaign, which seeks to enable early diagnosis and treatment of HIV, TB, STI, diabetes, and hypertension, through stimulating health seeking behaviour, specifically in under-tested high-risk groups. The campaign was launched by the Deputy President, David Mabuza in 2018. Further, annually during the month of November to mark the World diabetes day, the Department together with its partners intensify education on Diabetes using various media platforms.

END.

Reply:

a) Wards 1 to 8 at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital that were earmarked for refurbishments were successfully refurbished and currently fully operational. Below are the dates of occupation achieved for each of the wards:

Ward 1: 13 July 2020

Ward 2: 08 July 2020

Ward 3: 31 July 2020

Ward 4: 28 August 2020

Ward 5: 13 July 2020

Ward 6: 08 July 2020

Ward 7: 28 August 2020

Ward 8: 28 August 2020

b) The refurbishment project was done at a cost of R186,000,000.

END.

Reply:

1. The full implementation of NHI is dependent on the finalisation of the Bill. The envisaged timelines in finalising the Bill have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The public hearings have also been delayed as result of the restrictions that had to be implemented as part of the National Disaster Management response to manage the pandemic nationwide. While it is acknowledged that the health system has faced several challenges over the years, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still farfetched to indicate that the system is overwhelmed. It may suffer pressures in some instances, for instance due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 infections and the number of patients needing to be admitted and treated in some provinces and districts.

In recognition of the challenges facing the health system and as part of the initiatives to holistically address them, the Department of Health has developed and is implementing several interrelated interventions. The focus of these interventions includes:

a) Strengthening community level health care delivery platform

Primary health care(PHC) as a bed-rock of the system and that provides an accessible, cost-effective and sustainable platform for the speedy realisation of universal health coverage. Our efforts in this area focus on initiatives directed at strengthening community mobilisation in health promotion, improved screening, disease prevention, rehabilitation and early treatment of disease. An expansive network of Community Health Workers serving a catchment population will be linked to support the delivery of PHC services in our communities. This has been so especially during screening and contact-tracing that has been implemented to manage the spread of theCOVID-19 epidemic at the local level. A well-organised referral system to support the delivery of PHC services through referral to our clinics is being implemented. The Ideal Clinic and Integrated School Health Programmes have been implemented to strengthen the PHC platform.

b) Improving the health systems health information systems

Over the past few years, the NHI information systems capacity has been augmented, strengthened, and dramatically improved. The investments made in these improvements will all remain and enhance the capability of the department to manage the health system into the future.  We have also established a patient registry through the deployment of the Health Patient Registration System in our PHC facilities and public hospitals. The National Department of Health in response to the stipulation of Section 74 (1) and (2) of the National Health Act has established structures and process with key stakeholders for the coordination of health data and information. The Health Normative Standards for Interoperability have been completed after wide consultation. The Department has already done work on the Health Patient Registration System using a single patient identifier. The system has been rolled out in several facilities for piloting.

c) Health infrastructure delivery

One of the NDP Implementation goals is to build health infrastructure for effective service delivery. The Department has developed a 10-year national health infrastructure plan to improve health facility planning to ensure construction of appropriate health facilities on a sustainable basis. Healthcare infrastructure will focus on the provision of new hospitals, CHC’s, clinics and maintenance, upgrading of established facilities that needs to be expedited to improve citizen’s access to more advance healthcare facilities. The Department is also implementing a programme to address health infrastructure backlogs as part of the preparation for the accelerated roll-out of NHI. The COVID-19 pandemic experience has necessitated the need to improve our health technology and equipment such as oxygen reticulation, ICU equipment and increasing our bed capacity through field hospitals. This will also contribute to job creation and stimulating economic growth and transformation of the construction sector. We believe that this health infrastructure programme will improve public confidence in the public health care system.

d) Human resources

In terms of improving health system capacity, one of the core areas we are focusing on is to address the human resources gaps in the system with finality. We are pleased that between the period January to July 2020, Medical Interns and Community Service Personnel were allocated to existing Statutory Posts. It is further expected that an additional number of these personnel will be allocated in January 2021.This increase in the number of staff employed in critical posts in the health sector indicates a positive step that the national and provincial departments are taking to prioritise and meet the health needs of South Africans in line with the progressive realisation of the right to health as enshrined in the Constitution.

It is important to note that all these interventions are already being implemented to ensure consistency with the global vision that health care should be seen as a social investment and not be subject to market trading as a mere commodity.

2. Funding for NHI will not be from increased taxes, but rather from the strategic reprioritisation of healthcare financing resources that are already available in the health sector. These details are outlined in Chapter 10 of the NHI Bill which provides details outlining the chief sources of funding that will be utilised to finance the NHI implementation programme.

South African citizens will benefit from NHI as outlined in Chapter 2 section 4 which provides the details on how the population (including non-citizens) will be covered informed by the functions of the Health Benefits Advisory Committee.

Non-citizens also provided for in line with international obligations. Chapter 2 of the Bill emphasises the population coverage criteria and how South Africans will be prioritised, how their rights as users will be protected and provided for within the NHI set up, how costs associated to accessing and utilising services will be covered and which comprehensive healthcare services they will be entitled to.

Our plans to implement NHI reflect the kind of society we wish to live in: one based on the values of social solidarity, equity, justice and fairness. It is for this very reason that these values are enshrined in the White Paper on NHI as well as the NHI Bill that is currently before Parliament.

END.

Reply:

a) There is an overall 12% vacant posts in Clinics. The table below reflects a summary of the PERSAL report on the vacancy rate in Clinics. A detailed report on the vacancy rate in clinics in terms of vacant position, post salary level and names of the Clinic is attached as Annexure 1

Summary of vacancy rate in Clinic's as at October 2020	% Vacancy rate
Province	Clinic's
Eastern Cape	CLINIC	17%
	GATEWAY CLINICS	20%
	MOBILE CLINIC	28%
Eastern Cape Total		18%
Gauteng	CLINIC	6%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC	100%
Gauteng Total		6%
KwaZulu Natal	CLINIC	15%
	GATEWAY CLINICS	14%
	MOBILE CLINIC	14%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC	13%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC A (8HOURS 5DAYS)	13%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC B (12HOURS 7DAYS)	12%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC C (24HOURS 7DAYS)	14%
KwaZulu Natal Total		13%
Mpumalanga	CLINIC	9%
	MOBILE CLINIC	13%
Mpumalanga Total		9%
North West	CLINIC	31%
	GATEWAY CLINICS	46%
	MOBILE CLINIC	10%
North West Total		27%
Northern Cape	CLINIC	12%
	MOBILE CLINIC	8%
Northern Cape Total		12%
Western Cape	CLINIC	5%
	MOBILE CLINIC	3%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC	8%
	PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC B (12HOURS 7DAYS)	100%
Western Cape Total		5%
Grand Total		12%

(b) There is an overall 11% vacant posts in Hospitals. The table below reflects a summary of the PERSAL report on the vacancy rate in Hospitals. A detail report on Hospital vacancy rate in terms of vacant position, post salary level and names of the facilities is attached.

Summary of vacancy rate in Hospitals as at October 2020	% Vacancy rate
Province	Hospital Services
Eastern Cape	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	15%
	HOSPITAL	0%
	PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL	22%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	11%
	TB HOSPITAL	18%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	50%
Eastern Cape Total		15%
Gauteng	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	9%
	HOSPITAL	7%
	ORAL AND DENTAL TRAINING HOSPITAL	30%
	PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL	12%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	5%
Gauteng Total		8%
KwaZulu Natal	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	11%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL LARGE	13%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL MEDIUM A	13%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL MEDIUM B	13%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL SMALL A	9%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL SMALL B	16%
	HOSPITAL	15%
	HOSPITAL COMPLEX	32%
	ORAL AND DENTAL TRAINING HOSPITAL	10%
	PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL	14%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	12%
	SPECIALISED CHRONIC HOSPITAL	21%
	TB HOSPITAL	17%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	11%
KwaZulu Natal Total		13%
Limpopo Province	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	3%
	HOSPITAL	3%
	HOSPITAL COMPLEX	3%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	2%
	SPECIALISED CHRONIC HOSPITAL	2%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	3%
Limpopo Province Total		3%
Mpumalanga	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	12%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	9%
	TB HOSPITAL	13%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	10%
Mpumalanga Total		11%
North West	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	15%
	PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL	0%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	36%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	33%
North West Total		20%
Northern Cape	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	16%
	HOSPITAL	50%
Northern Cape Total		16%
Western Cape	DAY HOSPITAL	17%
	DISTRICT HOSPITAL	46%
	HOSPITAL	7%
	MATERNITY HOSPITAL	6%
	ORAL AND DENTAL TRAINING HOSPITAL	4%
	PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL	6%
	REGIONAL HOSPITAL	8%
	TB HOSPITAL	16%
	TERTIARY HOSPITAL	30%
Western Cape Total		11%
Grand Total		11%

END.

Reply:

The NLC has advised that there is no basis for an investigation into the named individual.

The Department requested further information from the NLC and will provide such information in a supplementary reply.

-END-

Reply:

Renosterberg Clinic is currently operating for 24 hours using 24 hours call system. Every day staff rotate on standby. The Clinic has three (3) professional nurses and one (1) nursing assistant. There is an EMS in standby for emergency. The Clinic is supported by a hospital which is 50 km away.

END.

Reply:

The forensic investigation into matters relating to NLC funding is currently underway and I await conclusion of the investigation.

I have also been furnished with a reply to the question submitted, by Ms Thabang Mampane, Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission.

Ms Mampane’s reply is as follows:

(a) “At this stage, the Commission has established that the Minstrels’ Carnival Heritage Museum is housed at a rented property as per (b) below. The NLC is continues to ensure due diligence on the funding including reassessment of information and reports submitted and will at the appropriate time take remedial actions should the need arise.

(b) The address is ERF 82, 5/7 Crete Road, Wetton, Cape Town.”

-END-

Reply:

1. (a) The ambulances parked at Bronkhorspruit Hospital premises are awaiting the completion of the disposal process by the Asset Disposal Committee. There was a delay in appointing an auctioneer due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown during which time auctioneers were not operational. However, since 17 November 2020 and at a subsequent meeting on 25 November 2020, it is anticipated that the auction of 117 ambulances will be held in the third week of December 2020 subject to the relevant supply chain management processes.

(b) The relevant details of the (i) registration number, (ii) fleet number and (iii) faults of each ambulance are listed in the table below.

Number	(i) Registration Number	(ii) Fleet Number	Model year	(iii) Faults
	BS88FWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	BS88JXGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	BS88KKGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	BS88LBGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ73BJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ73CPGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CS56DYGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS58TVGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS58WDGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT01TRGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT10ZGGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11DBGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11FLGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11JVGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81PCGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81RDGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV21CMGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV29LRGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	DP36BGGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	DP36CHGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	FB49NJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2016	Beyond economical repair
	HD82HWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2005	Beyond economical repair
	SMV923GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2005	Beyond economical repair
	SYN357GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2004	Beyond economical repair
	XMM523GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	XPR662GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	XZF465GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YHN788GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YNF923GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YNF933GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YNN381GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	ZHZ434GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	ZJG569GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2010	Beyond economical repair
	ZJK442GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72SSGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72THGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72XNGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CR21KKGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CR21LZGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS56GTGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS58TZGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS58VKGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS59BXGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS59JGGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CS59KXGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT01TKGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT01TWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT01VHGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11HCGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11HVGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11JDGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11JJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11JRGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT11KJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81NXGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81RMGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81RRGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81TCGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV20NWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV48SNGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV48VYGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV48XJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	DM41VHGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	DP36BNGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2015	Beyond economical repair
	DP36DMGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	DP36FLGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2014	Beyond economical repair
	FN74JPGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	XFH009GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2006	Beyond economical repair
	XTX877GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YFS623GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YHZ037GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	ZML334GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	BS88GGGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	BS88FHGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72VWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72RKGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	CV48PLGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	RBH693GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2004	Beyond economical repair
	SGB875GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2005	Beyond economical repair
	XRW491GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	XRW501GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YHP647GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YNN390GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YRD953GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YSJ418GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72ZNGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	YNF879GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	TRT411GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2004	Beyond economical repair
	YHZ076GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YPP388GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	ZJK413GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	CS58STGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CT81PSGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	CV20PWGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2013	Beyond economical repair
	FB49MYGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2016	Beyond economical repair
	FL93BVGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2016	Beyond economical repair
	RPW155GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2004	Beyond economical repair
	SYN342GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2004	Beyond economical repair
	TTL254GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2006	Beyond economical repair
	XDZ379GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2005	Beyond economical repair
	XDZ425GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2006	Beyond economical repair
	XFV596GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2005	Beyond economical repair
	XVJ137GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YHN810GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YHP651GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YHP728GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YNF902 GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YPP377GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	YPP435GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	ZML369GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	ZPC489GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2010	Beyond economical repair
	CJ72SJGP	Debranded - no fleet number	2012	Beyond economical repair
	XTX871GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair
	ZHZ411GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	ZJG589GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2010	Beyond economical repair
	YHN955GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2009	Beyond economical repair
	YPP382GP	Debranded - no fleet number	2008	Beyond economical repair

2. There is no intention to repair the ambulances as these ambulances are beyond economical repair and have been replaced in the 2020/21 financial year. A total of 250 new ambulances were launched on 10 December 2020..

END.

Reply:

I have been furnished with a reply to the question submitted, by Ms Thabang Mampane, Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission, which is reproduced below. In view of the costs per participant, I have requested the Department to consider following this up with the Board of the NLC.

The reply of Ms Mampane, the Commissioner is as follows:

a) “(i) In terms of the allocation about R 801 000.00 (eight hundred and one thousand) was spent on the workshop.

(ii) According to the allocation, funds were provided generally for a programme and not for infrastructure.

b) Kindly see (ii) above.

c) The event was planned for 150 people.

d) In Cape Town.”

-END-

Reply:

 

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
ReatlegileCreche	302 Boskuil Farm,153 Mukile Street, Makwassie	60	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Rethabile Creche	1719 Mouma Street, Leeudovingstand, 26440	45	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
TokologoCreche	2608 Fourth Avenue Tswelelang Location, Wolmaransstand	65	Conditional Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Tshireletso Day Care Centre	2255 Extension 4, Tswelang, Wolmaransstand	88	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Boitshoko Day Care Centre Reaipela ECD	300 Donnakas Street, Tswelelang Location, Wolmaranstand	35	Full Registration	Full Registration
ItirelengTataiso  Day Care  Centre	House No A 78, Itireleng Village, Kagisano Municipality	42	Full Registration	Full Registration
Tlhaping	House DD 94 B, Thibogang Section, Ganyesa	119	Conditional Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Ithembalethu Day Care	2336 Slovo Section, Lethabong, Rustenburg	89	Full Registration	Full Registration
Tshedimosetso Early Learning Centre	Stand No. 263E, Seoding Village, 8464 Taung	85	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (damaged roof)
Khensani Early Learning Centre	12040 Ext 9, Jouberton Location, Matlosane	126	Full Registration	Full Registration

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Bontle Day Care Centre	256 Savana Section, Ga-Moeka, Moretele	52	Full Registration	Full Registration
Mercy Kidz Corner	1046 RDP Phase 2, Mathibestand, Moretele	85	Conditional Registration	Full Registration
Oesi Day Care Centre	House No A 04 Mmadinonyane Village, Kagisano	50	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (damaged roof)

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
MolalatladiCreche	E 46 Mmupudung, Jericho, Madibeng	38	Full Registration	Full Registration
Martha MamogaleCreche	182 Morolong Section, Jericho, Madibeng	88	Full Registration	Full Registration
Barona Day Care Centre	House No. B 40, Kgokgojane, Kagisano	25	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (septic tank incomplete)

Name of the Centre	Physical Address for the Centre	Total number of learners	Registration status before receiving National Lotteries Commission grant	Current registration status
Obedience Day Care Centre	386 River Side Block Kgomo - Kgomo Village Moretele	20	Not registered	Full Registration
Bray Early Learning Centre	House No. 6 New Town Bray Kagisano Molopo	62	Conditional Registration	Conditional Registration (structure incomplete)

 

National AssemblyWritten Reply: 1982 of 2020

________________________

Approved by the Minister of Social Development

Date……………………….

Reply:

Cabinet has not taken any decision on the conversion of the special COVID-19 SRD into unemployment.

Reply:

1. The Sensor Strategy is completed and is in the process of final approval by higher authority.

2. The implementation timelines can be confirmed if and when the Sensor Implementation Plan is funded.

3. In terms of the threat analysis all borders and ports of entry are prioritised.

Reply:

Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

(a) The National Department of Human Settlements has developed and instituted systems and measures to verify all subsidised housing subsidy applications against subsidy scheme qualification criteria, which ensures that a successful housing subsidy applicant is not approved to receive more than one subsidised housing opportunity.

The measures and systems in place referred to above include the Housing Subsidy System, which verifies all subsidised housing subsidy applications against a range of data sets, and the National Housing Subsidy Data Base (NHSDB), on which all successful housing subsidy applications are recorded. It is therefore not possible to obtain more than one subsidised housing subsidy opportunity. All subsidised housing applications are verified against the National Population Register, The Deeds Offices’ Title Deeds Register, the Government Unemployment Register, Government Employee Pension Fund, the Public Service PERSAL System and the NHSDB.

(b) Based on the abovementioned measures, there are no measures required.

Reply:

(a) The social housing rental projects and/or schemes that have been constructed in municipalities in Gauteng are indicated below:

• City of Tshwane – Three (3) namely Akasia, Little Manhattan and Castle Crest.
• City of Ekhurhuleni – Two (2) namely Delville and Germiston Fire Station, Kempton Village, Carnival Gardens and Sondela
• City Of Johannesburg – Six (6) namely Dobsonville, Plein Street, Turffontein, Devland Extension Two and City Deep,

(i) A total of 14 959 units were completed in twenty (20) projects across the country for the period April 2015 to March 2020.

(ii) Since 1 April 2020, no units were delivered, based on the delays which occurred as a result of the declaration of the National State of Disaster and various associated lockdowns. Further, the period for a development to complete all planning and funding approvals is approximately eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months. Post this period a project is implemented, and actual delivery and handover of a unit to a beneficiary takes approximately another twelve (12) months.

(b)(i) The number of the Social Rental Housing projects that were;

(aa) Completed is none as a result of the impact of the declaration of the National State of Disaster.

(bb) Since 01st April 2020 no occupation of units were possible due to the impact of the National State of Disaster. Post the declaration of alert level one, project implementation will continue and once units are completed, they will be tenanted.

(ii) The Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) have been requested to collate all the information required, and it will be sent to the Honourable Member, as soon as it is received

(c) The current policy requires that 30% of units in a project is allocated to primary beneficiaries which are households with an income of below R5 500. The Social Housing Institution (SHI) is required in terms of the Consolidate Capital Grant to submit tenant audits to the SHRA for verification, which is to ensure that occupation or tenanting of units complies with policy. A SHI is required to advertise the availability of accommodation using various media and communication platforms to allow for qualifying tenants and/or households, to then make application to be provided with an opportunity to rent. All applications are vetted according to the social housing qualification criteria in line with the Social Housing Act and the terms and conditions of the grant award contract.

(d) The unit size allocation versus the household income always creates challenges. The tenants would sign a lease agreement clearly stipulating that the social housing programme is for rental in perpetuity. However, the tenants would demand ownership which is not in keeping the social housing programme.

Reply:

I have been furnished with a reply to the question submitted, by Ms Thabang Mampane, Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission.

Ms Mampane’s reply is as follows:

(a)“(i) A total amount of about R 8 290 000.00 was spent on the magazine. In terms of the report this amount is inclusive of procurement of transport equipment, marketing costs, procurement of operational equipment including personnel costs.

(ii) The organization was funded to conduct the socioeconomic cohesion symposium in two different areas/regions namely the metropole as well as the Western Cape region. A total amount of about R 5 460000.00 was spent in executing the project. This cost is inclusive of all operational costs and personnel costs for both regions/areas.

(iii) The cultural awareness campaign would have been part of the socio-cohesion programme.

b) The report submitted does not provide the number of publications and only quantifies the costs associated with publishing the magazine.

c) The report submitted only quantifies costs related to the execution and does not mention the names of the speakers.

d) The report submitted only quantifies costs related to the execution and does not indicate the number of people in attendance.

e) It was held in the Western Cape in the areas as defined in (a)(ii).

f) The purpose of the cultural awareness campaign was to set a foundation to integrate communities who were still operating within the boundaries of the previous dispensation according to race and socioeconomic status.”

-END-

Reply:

Government has identified public procurement as one of the economic policy instruments to re-industrialise the economy. In this regard, the Preferential Procurement Regulations make it mandatory for organs of state, including state owned companies (SOCs) to implement local production and content in the procurement of goods designated for such purpose in the public procurement system.

To date, a number of products have been designated for local production.

The National Treasury, being the custodian of supply chain policy in government has circulated the instruction notes/circulars which regulate the environment within which government departments, public entities and SOCs may procure designated products.

In addition to this, I am advised of work by the dtic across a number of initiatives, to strengthen compliance, as detailed below.

To promote compliance with the local content requirements, Proudly South African (PSA) working closely with the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (the dtic) has instituted a tender monitoring system which monitor tenders for compliance on local content and production on a regular basis.

Where there are incidences of non-compliance, the dticrequests organs of state to rectify this through either amending or canceling tenders. Some of the non-compliant tenders are referred to the National Treasury’s Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) for intervention.

I am advised that the dtic is also working closely with the Office of the Auditor General to scale up the auditing of tenders designated for local production; audit opinions are being issued in this matter. The dtic is also working with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in making sure that the biggest SOCs reporting to it such as Denel, Eskom and Transnet implement local content requirements in their tenders.

Regular training is also provided to other departments and SOCs on the implementation of local content.

Finally, the dtichas made submissions on the draft Public Procurement Bill on the tightening of measures dealing with non-compliance on the local content requirements.

-END-

Reply:

(1)(a) A total number of forty eight (48) allegations of sexual misconduct cases were reported in the SANDF from the different Arms of Service since 01 January 2020.

(b)(i)(ii) Of the 48 cases, eight (8) cases have been finalised (five [5] guilty verdicts, one [1] acquittal and two [2] withdrawn). Forty (40) cases are still in progress, with four (4) awaiting court dates, four (4) referred to SAPS and thirty two (32) still under investigation.

(2) The report of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) isis currently being printed and will be presented to the Minister shortly.The MTT mandate ends end of December 2020. 

Reply:

a) SASSA has already assumed responsibility for the payment of social grants. All social grants are processed and extracted for payment off Socpen, which is the mainframe system owned by SASSA, but hosted and maintained by SITA.

The payment of social grants is done by SASSA. Each and every social grant beneficiary has a bank account, into which the grants are paid on a monthly basis. The bank account may be with a commercial bank or Postbank through the SASSA card. The payments all follow the standard bank processes to credit the accounts. Once the account has been credited, the social grant has been paid.

The contract SASSA has with the South African Post Office is for the distribution of the grant payments, through various channels, which include bank ATMs, retailers, post offices and cash pay points.

b) The Department of Social Development and SASSA have been engaging both the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the South African Post Office to address the challenges in the Post Office environment. The risks are being actively addressed with the political and administrative leadership, to ensure that this does not impact on the distribution of social grants.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) provides financial support to the Ugu District Municipality in the form of the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to deal with its water supply challenges. Since the inception of the WSIG in the 2015/16 financial year up to the 2020/21 financial year, the DWS has allocated R378.68 million to the municipality.

An allocation of R50 million was provided to the municipality in the current financial year to implement the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Project aimed at reducing water losses. It is envisaged that the project will be completed by June 2021.

In addition the DWS is working with the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Umgeni Water to support the Ugu DM in conducting an assessment of the most suitable water services provision arrangements in the area.

(2) The provincial CoGTA department is conducting an assessment of water services infrastructure to determine the refurbishment requirements and is in the process of developing a Provincial Water Master plan. These interventions will assist in aligning and prioritizing grant funding to effectively address the challenges being experienced. In order to address the significant challenges facing water services in the Ugu DM area, a task team has also recently been established.

Reply:

I have been furnished with a reply to the question submitted, by Ms Thabang Mampane, Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission.

Ms Mampane’s reply as received is reproduced below:

a) “(i) The allocation (R21 08 623, 21) was for training camps, license fees and development, advertisement, admin including international competition.

(ii) The allocation of 24 million was for the send-off and it included accommodation in 9 provinces, advertising, admin fees, travel costs, medical assistance, security, sport wear including catering.

(iii) Funding decisions were made by the relevant distribution agencies with due consideration of all the information placed before them including availability of budget.”

-END-

Reply:

1. The SASSA cards are actually bank cards issued by the South African Post Office on behalf of Postbank to approved applicants who choose to collect their social grants through the post office. The cards are not managed by SASSA at all.

In 2019, SASSA was alerted to the fact that the master keys for the cards had been compromised in the bank environment. The South African Reserve Bank as the responsible entity for the National Payment System then issued an instruction late in 2019 that all the current SASSA cards would have to be replaced as they are potentially compromised. However, the SARB also set conditions for the improvement of controls within the Postbank environment related to card manufacturing, storage and issuing. These have been addressed by Postbank.

Given the need to replace the cards in circulation, SASSA took a decision not to issue any more of the existing cards, as the need to replace them within a very short period would inconvenience social grant beneficiaries.

Discussions are underway with SAPO and Postbank to ensure that the replacement of the cards is done with the least disruption to the clients.

It must be noted that the potentially compromised cards did not result in any social grant beneficiary losing any social grant money. The fraud that has been experienced by social grant clients has been as a result of poor implementation of controls in the management of the cards within the post office environment, and not because of the security of the card itself.

b) The security lapse for the master keys of the SASSA cards is not something which happened within the past few months, but right at the start of the payment contract with SAPO. It took some time to surface and, once made public, was addressed by the South African Reserve Bank.

c) As explained, SASSA is not the custodian of the cards. These are banking instruments which are managed within a banking environment. Fighting crime and corruption, including the detection of fraud, is a key national priority and SASSA is committed to play its part.

Reply:

I am awaiting conclusion of the current forensic investigation process and when this is done, due consideration will be given to any other information that emerged either in the process or through information made available to the public, including from Members of Parliament.

-END-

Reply:

(a) The Grant Proposal Evaluation Team comprising of NDA, DoSD, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Interim Steering Committee evaluated 589 qualifying proposals received in response to the NDA’s call for proposals from CSOs rendering services to support victims of gender-based violence and femicide. The Team short-listed and recommended 312 emerging and established CSOs for funding to the value of R 86,100,000, for the NDA Board’s approval. Table 1 below outlines the outcome of the evaluation process per Province.

Province	Number of recommended emerging CSOs	Number of recommended established CSOs	Total number of recommended CSOs	Total amounts of recommended CSOs per Province
Gauteng	8	52	60	R 17 200 000
Eastern Cape	37	30	67	R16 400 000
Western Cape	2	21	23	R 6 700 000
Mpumalanga	3	34	37	R 10 800 000
Free State	3	17	20	R5 700 000
Northern Cape	5	8	13	R3 400 000
North West	4	5	9	R 2 300 000
Limpopo	9	48	57	R16 200 000
KwaZulu-Natal	4	22	26	R7 400 000
Total	75	237	312	R 86 100 000

(b) The following criteria was used to make a decision on the proposals submitted:

1. Financial and operational capacity- this looked at whether the applicant organisation has experience and capacity to manage the project. The financial and governance capacity of the organisation was also examined. The applicant needed to indicate how the programme would address vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+.

2. Relevance. The relevance was to demonstrate how the proposed programme responds to the Emergency Response Plan (ERAP) to expedite the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Additionally the application was to demonstrate how clearly defined and strategically chosen are those involved (intermediaries, final beneficiaries, target groups)?

(c) 168 organisations received their first tranche payments to date. 10 of these organisations have received their second and final tranche.

(d) The names of the organisations that receivedfunding are attached separately.

Reply:

I am advised by the Director General of the DTIC as follows:

1. The Department has been advised by the official that she was married to Mr Hangwani Mulaudzi’s brother until 2013. There is currently no family relationship.

2. The Department advised me that the official is not involved in the work of the Department relating to NLC matters; and that in any event, the NLC’s funding processes and decisions are administered by the NLC independent from the Department. Based on the above, no conflict of interest was detected.

-END-

Reply:

According to the information received from Provincial Departments of Human Settlements, Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) have been delivered as per the table below:

Province	Municipality	Project	(a) Number of units completed	(b) Unit Cost
Eastern Cape	Buffalo City	Duncan Village	377	R64 441
Free State	Maluti-a-Phofung	Linda Mkhonto	638	R19 680.97
Gauteng	City of Tshwane	Mooiplaats Mamelodi	48	R64 441
		Mamelodi Hostels	201	R64 441
	City of Johannesburg	Ikemeleng	70	Donated units
Limpopo	Greater Tzaneen	Talana Hostel	40	R64 441

Reply:

With reference to Capacity Building and training programmes the Honourable member is also referred to the tabled Parliamentary Question no 1104 of 23 September 2020. In addition to the programmes explained in the response the department also implement the following programmes:

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME: (1) Local Government Capacity Building Programme
YEAR	(b)What are the details of each programme	(c) On which date did each programme take place.	(d)What are the details of each person who conducted each programme. ( service Providers)	(e) What is the total number of applicants who applied for each programme.	(f) What is the total number of applicants who: (i)Completed each programme (ii)Graduated from each programme	(g)What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme.
2017/18	Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities. Development of the Framework on Support Provincial and Local Government.	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	NA	NA	NA	NA
2018/19:	(Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities.) Local Government Tourism Peer Learning Network Sessions	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	The two (2) days learning session targeting all the Local Economic Development (LED)/ Tourism Practitioners and Councillors responsible for Economic Development.	Participants do not have to apply. They are in the programme by virtue of being tourism practitioners in provinces and municipalities	LP: 53 EC: 52 MP: 31 NC: 27 FS:32	All were employed already
2019/20	(Peer Learning Network platform for Local Economic Development/ Tourism Practitioners in the provinces and municipalities.) Local Government Tourism Peer Learning Network Sessions	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2018/19 and 2019/20 tabled to Parliament	The two (2) days learning session targeting all the Local Economic Development (LED)/ Tourism Practitioners and Councillors responsible for Economic Development.	Participants do not have to apply. They are in the programme by virtue of being tourism practitioners in provinces and municipalities	WC: 82 KZN: 70 NW:80 GP:74	All were already employed.

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME: (2) TOURISM RESOURCE EFFICIENCY TRAINING FOR YOUTH (FUNDAMENTALS OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT) (b) The objectives of this programme is to train young people on the NCPC tourism resource efficiency methodology and ensures that companies save operating costs. Students were selected through interviews.
YEAR	(b)What are the details of each programme	(c) On which date did each programme take place.	(dWhat are the details of each person who conducted each programme. ( service Providers)	( e) What is the total number of applicants who applied for each programme.	(f) What is the total number of applicants who: (i)Completed each programme (ii)Graduated from each programme	What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme.
2017/18	N6 Tourism Hospitality	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	Gauteng-17 KZN-20 LP-19 See quarterly Reports and Annual Performance Report	This is linked to green incentive fund and upon completion of the programme, they are able to access the market for assessment of applicants to the fund.
2018/19	N6 Electrical / Mechanical	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	EC-17 FS -11 WC-15
2019/20	N6 Tourism Hospitality	Refer to Quarterly Performance Reports submitted to the PC as well as the Annual Performance Report of 2017/18 and 2018/19 tabled to Parliament	In Partnership with the National Cleaner production Centre (NCPC	Adverts placed with public TVETS in the Provinces Students selected through interviews	MP-18 NW-22 NC-7

(g)What is the total number of graduates who were employed within the sector after completing each programme. –

Not applicable.

(h) How are all the capacity building programmes monitoredQuarterly reports ?

The Department uses various methods and tools to monitor these programmes.Where relevant, site inspections, attendance registers and reports on learnings and the skills offered are used.

Reply:

South Africa as Chair of the African Union (AU) continues to follow with close interest the successful conclusion of the meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Tunis, Tunisia, that took place on 15 November 2020. South Africa is committed to the establishment of peace and security throughout Libya, hence South Africa’s robust support for the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Geneva on 23 October 2020 and our continued commitment to strengthen AU and UN cooperation in order to work with common purpose to end the conflict in Libya and by extension, throughout the continent. South Africa continues to play a prominent and influential role in the work of the AU High-Level Committee on Libya (AU HLC) as well as the Contact Group of Libya since their establishment as mechanisms for supporting a sustainable and lasting political solution to the protracted crisis in Libya. Regarding Libya, South Africa, as a member of the AU HLC will be in the position to ensure stronger management, control and oversight of the on-going peace process in that country. Meetings of the AU HLC are convened at the level of Heads of State and Government and Minister.

Furthermore, South Africa, during the 14th Extraordinary Summit on Silencing the Guns, reiterated that it is imperative that the African Union (AU) and its peace and security architecture supports vulnerable countries by focusing particular attention on the issue of post conflict-reconstruction and development (PCRD), through institutional capacity building, the rule of law and security sector reform, which are core elements for a lasting peace, in line with the guiding principles of African Union Master Roadmap and Agenda 2063.

 

 

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Mpumalanga Uprising Youth Development (NPO 240-128), is as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) The organisation is newly registered and can only submit annual financial statements and narrative reports after it has completed a full year circle of its financial year, therefore it is due for reporting in the year 2021 September.

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation is still compliant in terms of NPO Act as it is not yet due for reporting.

Reply:

a) Over the past five (5) years the department has not received back deposits from 101 properties that have been rented abroad.

b) The total amount of the deposit is R9 393 429.44.

c) Reasons for not receiving back the deposits are:

• Damages to properties
• Deposits used by the landlord for the maintenance work and repairs of damages.
• Lease terminated by mission outside the terms and conditions of contract e.g. late notice

Reply:

(1) Ms NN Mapisa-Nqakula, Ms LD Zulu, Ms NP Mokonyane, Mr E Godongwana, Mr A Magashule, Mr MD Legoete, Mr TS Yengeni, Ms NG Gqirana, Mr B Ngobese, Dr MM Chabedi, Dr SMB Makwela.

(2) (a)(i) Ms NN Mapisa-Nqakula, Ms LD Zulu, Ms NG Gqirana, Mr B Ngobese, Dr MM Chabedi and Dr SMB Makwela were on an official visit to Zimbabwe. (ii) and (b) The remainder of the passengers were not on an official Government visit but joined the flight at my invitation.

(3) (a) The Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe are both currently members of the SADC Troika. South Africa, as a troop contributing country to the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been seized over the last two months together with other SADC members and especially the Troika members with discussions on the way forward in regard to the continued existence and composition of the FIB in light of recent changes proposed by the UN. As countries neighbouring Mozambique we have also been engaged bi-laterally and through the meetings of the SADC Troika and SADC as a whole with the disturbing reports emanating from that country in relation to alleged insurgencies and terrorist activities. It is in the context of the above background that I contacted my counterpart, Ms Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans in the Republic of Zimbabwe to request an official visit to allow us to conduct a bi-lateral meeting to focus on these matters at hand.

(b) The SAAF calculated the total cost of the flight as R232 200.00

(4) No.

Reply:

(1)

	(a)(i) PPE details	(ii)Service provider details	(iii)Full details of the contract
	Hand sanitiser alcohol free for DSD officials	EDS Projects	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17 par 8.2
	Latex powder free disposable gloves for DSD officials	Time 2 Go Transport And Logistics	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17 par 8.2
	Hand sanitiser 70%alcohol for DSD officials	Time 2 Go Transport And Logistics	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 3 of 2016/17.
	Alcohol free hand sanitizers for 9 provinces	Kevali Chemicals Group	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks for welfare service facilities in 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Sanitizers for general surface 70% alcohol for welfare service in 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Examination gloves for welfare services facility’s in the 9 provinces	Tripple N Medical Distributors	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks	Bioclin Solutions	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 8 of 2019/20.
	Surgical face masks for daily visitors to DSD	Lesole Facilities Management	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Cloth masks for DSD officials	302k Emporium	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Various items -Equipment for the COVID-19 isolation room	Baltimore Media	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Sanitary refuse containers - Medical waste removal	Democratic Cleaning Services	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Surgical face mask	Ingestion Ennovation	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Hand sanitiser 70%alcohol	Retro Rhythm Trading And Distributions	All Procurement processes followed in compliance with National Treasury Instruction 5 of 2020/21.
	Thermometer	Zuberi Trade And Service	Processes followed in compliance with the Petty Cash Policy.

(b)

National Department of Social Development as well as all Welfare Services Facilities being subsidized by the Department.

(2)

No.

The procurement of PPE’s for ECD’s was decentralized to the Provincial departments of Social Development and the funding thereof has been provided for as part of the 2020 Special Adjusted Estimates for the division of revenue.

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127), is as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) The organisation has never made contact with the Department since its registration date.

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation is non-compliant because it failed to submit financial and narrative reports from year since registration.

(b) Steps to ensure compliance; the Department is encouraging non-compliant organisations like this Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127)to submit annual reports through a campaign known as “know your NPO status”

(c) The Department recognises that some of the organisations that are due for reporting are not able to do so due to the impact of COVID-19; however; the Department has De-registration program which will be implemented effective 01st April 2021.

(d) Therefore; should Uprising Youth Development Project (NPO 058-127) fail to submit outstanding reports it will be deregistered.

Reply:

1. Requested information related to Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198), as follows:

(a) Constitution which is also a founding document, is attached as annexure (i)

(b) The names of the Office Bearers and the (c) registered address of the NPO as listed in the NPO Registeris attached as annexure (ii)

(c) For the financial year 2017 and 2019: the organisation submitted affidavits with reference to financial disclosure attached annexure (iii).

(d) The organisation submitted narrative reports of its activities for the financial year 2017 and 2019 attached annexure (iv).

(2) The compliance details of the organisation are as follows:

(a) The organisation failed to submit financial and narrative reports for 2018 and 2020.

(b) Steps to ensure compliance; the Department is encouraging non-compliant organisations like this Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198)to submit annual reports through a campaign known as “know your NPO status”

(c) The Department recognises that some of the organisations that are due for reporting are not able to do so due to the impact of COVID-19; however; the Department has De-registration program which will be implemented effective 01st April 2021.

(d) Therefore; should Uprising Youth Development (NPO 153-198) fail to submit outstanding reports it will be deregistered.

Reply:

(a): Over the past three financial years, the following number of learners enrolled for the Second Chance Matric Programme:

2017	2018	2019	TOTAL
117 223	117 661	106 385	341 269

 

(b): Over the past three financial years, the following number of learners were supported to complete their enrolled subjects and/ or their National Senior Certificate:

Year	June SC	Mar/Jun NSC PT	Jun Multiple Exam Opportunity MEO
2019	600	517	6 320	7 437
2018	642	510	5 836	6 988
2017	772	759	Not available	1 531
2016	651	892	Not available	1 543
TOTAL	17 499*

 

* It should be noted that the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) also aims to support adult learners to achieve subject passes, which may not necessarily result in the completion of matric with every learner. For an example, a learner who has already obtained matric but have a Maths level 3, may enrol for the Programme so that she may improve her Maths passes. After receiving the support of the SCMP, such a learner may obtain an improved pass of level 5 and thereby qualify for an academic programme in an institution of higher learning. Such learners are not included in the information above (Table B).

Reply:

Efforts to get the responses from Netball SA regarding the said Parliamentary Question has been unsuccessful. The Department continues to follow up with Netball SA.

In November of 2020, I wrote a letter to SASCOC impressing upon them the importance to respond to all Parliamentary questions with honesty and on time. I will direct SASCOC to copy all sport federation this letter.

Reply:

The South African Football Association in its response indicated the following;

1. a) and b) That the revenue for the operation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was in a form of a grant from FIFA where all expenditure and accounts were approved by FIFA. In addition, the 2010 FIFA World Cup LOC closed in 2011 having accounted to the funder and owners of the tournament, FIFA.

c) i) ii) iii) and iv) That the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust has no assets.

2. That the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust is a Trust established by FIFA. The Trustees include FIFA's CFO; Head of Development and Head of Sustainability. The Trust accounts to the Trustees therefore will revert after presenting its financial report to the trustees

Reply:

(a). My Department has not been informed about the Cultural village in question and there is no correspondence forwarded to the department to this effect.

The honorable member is advised to approach the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture regarding the unfinished cultural village for assistance.

Reply:

The Table below represents the number of Multiple Examination Opportunity (MEO) candidates that did not write all six subjects in November 2017 and November 2018. These candidates would have written the remaining subjects in the  subsequent examination in June 2018 and June 2019. The candidates that opted for the Multiple Examination opportunity in November 2019, would have written the remaining subjects in the June 2020 examination. However this examination due to COVID-19, has been combined with the November 2020 examination and the examination is currently in progress.

Hence the table below represents the number of MEO learners that enrolled in November 2017 and November 2018 and the number that achieved the NSC after completing their examination in June 2018 and June 2019, respectively.

 

	November 2017	November 2018
Province	MEO Enrolled	MEO Achieved	MEO Enrolled	MEO Achieved
EC	6 485	185	12 848	414
FS	2 241	128	3 130	395
GP	8 036	806	10 064	1 052
KZ	21 125	1 443	30 705	2 126
LP	13 365	815	16 899	1 105
MP	10 372	1 773	6 470	677
NC	1 512	116	2 085	113
NW	4 377	552	5 164	438
WC	1 215	18	1 463	33
NAT	68 728	5 836	88 828	6 353

Reply:

a) My Department in its effort to nurture and support the development of athletes particularly from the disadvantaged communities has an Athlete Support Programme. Each athlete on the programme receives support towards coaching fees, tournament fees, medical and scientific support, attire and sport equipment. In addition, the Department has a Bursary Programme, which caters for athletes who are identified at the School Sport Championships. These athletes are placed at the Sport Focus Schools in their respective Provinces where they receive sport specific support. Through this programme, the athletes receive support towards tuition, coaching, equipment basic subsistence costs.

There is also a Mass Participation and Sports Development programmes, wherein Provinces receives conditional grant to implement this programme in partnership with other stakeholders. The main objective is to provide access and exposure to all school going children and members within those communities. Norms and standards in partnership with stakeholders have been set.

Again there is Active Recreation Programme were the youth from different races participate in National Youth Camps which include indigenous games tournaments. The Department has also identified the Club Development Programme that promotes participation in sport activities as well as the identification of talent at grass roots level through the formalisation of sporting communities. A platform for the identification of talent is therefore generated, with emphasis on marginalised communities, providing the necessary mechanisms to channel talented individuals into mainstream sporting opportunities. Local leagues are supported by providing clubs with equipment has and or attire and Club coordinators are remunerated.

In response to the needs of youth living in rural and township areas, DSAC lobbied Parliament to ring-fence 5% of the Sport Infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to ensure that local sport infrastructure is catered for by the local municipality. The purpose of this intervention was precisely to respond to the needs of young people living in rural and township with talents and aspiration that need to be supported and nurtured by providing adequate sport facilities.

(b). In line with its performance indicator on provision of technical and managerial support to municipalities, the Department has a dedicated Infrastructure Support Unit that provides support to municipalities during implementation of these sport infrastructure projects, including monitoring and ensuring compliance with applicable Norms and Standards.

Reply:

(a). The criteria for assessment for individual monuments and memorials is necessary to establish their cultural significance and suitability to the current South African Context. SAHRA has created four broad categories of assessment namely: community desirability; historical, social and political value; artistic or aesthetic value; and environmental and spatial qualities.

Cultural significance, as based on the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999.

(b). There is growing recognition that cultural heritage can benefit Nation Building and Social Cohesion, especially in the formation of personal or collective identities. Community participation then becomes an indispensable component of contemporary preservation practice.

The key focus beyond the materiality and desirability of the statue or memorial will be community participation. SAHRA will be following the legal prescripts as set out in the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) which ensures that meaningful participation take place during decision-making.

Furthermore, SAHRA will be making all decisions in consultation with the relevant Provincial Heritage Resources Authority, local authority and all interested parties.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education has established a National Investigation Team comprising of the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA); Universities South Africa (USAf), Umalusi as observer, the Department of Basic Education, one member of the National Examinations Irregularities Committee (NEIC) and an independent Examinations Consultant. The National Investigation Task Team (NITT) has been mandated to determine the extent of the spread of the leakage, the origin of the leak and measures that will be taken to ensure the credibility of the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination and prevent a future occurrence of this nature. The investigation is ongoing and the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has also been engaged and they are at an advanced stage of the investigation.   

(a) in terms of ensuring that this does not happen in the future, the Department has commenced with an audit of the entire value chain from origination of question papers to the delivery of question papers to examination centres. The purpose of this audit is to establish the weak points in the system with a view to strengthening these weak points and the  security will be doubled at all points in the system. The DBE will also appoint an independent Investigator to conduct a comprehensive audit of the entire examination system, inclusive of the Information Technology systems that are used to evaluate what new technologies can be utilised in future years to improve and modernise the examination system.

(b) In terms of the integrity of the 2020 NSC examinations, the Department has made a decision to rewrite nationally the question papers in Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science Paper 2. Umalusi has indicated based on a preliminary investigation report  that these two question papers have been compromised and therefore to restore the integrity of the examination in these two question papers, the decision to rewrite both these question papers on 15 December 2020 and 17 December 2020, has been taken.        

Reply:

(a – b) Follow-up to my Budget Vote statement on 10 July 2019, the Department of Home Affairs embarked on a large-scale project to roll-out online birth registration system in all 1445 health facilities. The project roll-out plan was adopted as outlined below:

Milestones	Estimated Completion Timeframe
Optimisation of 41 Priority 1 health facilities	2019/20 Financial year
Optimisation of 210 Priority 2&3 health facilities	2021/22 Financial year
Optimisation of 127 Priority 4 & 5 health facilities	2022/23 Financial year
Roll-out of birth registration system in 1067 new Priority 4 & 5 health facilities	2023/24 Financial year

The activities of the project involve optimisation of existing health facilities with DHA presence with the aim of enhancing network connectivity and space. The project commenced with the optimisaiton of 47 priority 1 (high actual births delivered) health facilities which were completed during 2019/2020 financial year. The next stage is the roll-out of 210 priority 2 and priority 3 health facilities which will be completed by the end of 2021/22 financial year. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the department could not implement the second stage of the project this financial year and had to roll the stage over to the next financial year. The third stage involves rolling out of online birth registration in 127 priority 4 and 5 health facilities and 1067 priority 5 health facilities will be completed in 2024/25 financial year.

The Department of Home Affairs depended heavily on network connectivity for the registration of birth and this project incorporated provision of uninterruptable network in all 1445 health facilities. The department has provided uninterruptable network, in a form of a router and UPS, in 160 health facilities and is in the process of procuring the services of the service provider to provide network in the remaining 1285 health facilities by the end of 2024/25 financial year. The process of connecting the 1285 health facilities has been with SITA to publish the Bid for the connection. The Business case for the Specification for the Health facilities has already been sent to SITA for the Publication of the Bid.

END