Questions and Replies
19 December 2023 - NW3058
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Given that the Republic has not won a medal for three years in a row at the World Athletics Championships (WAC) (details furnished), (a) how will the Government support (i) Athletics South Africa and (ii) the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic can team leading up to the Olympics next year. (2). What (a) total amount has been spent on officials and athletes attending the WAC in Budapest, Hungary this year and (b) is the breakdown of the specified amount in terms of the (i) number of officials and athletes who attended and (ii) cost of flights, accommodation, meals, allowances and any other specified expenses?
Reply:
1a(i). Athletics South Africa( ASA) is one of the priority 16 Sport Codes and is therefore a beneficiary of the conditional grant that is accessed through provinces for sport events, competitions, capacity development for coaches, managers, technical staff, and other areas as identified by ASA and the respective provinces. Through the grant, DSAC supports ASA (through its affiliate South African Schools Athletics (SASA) to unearth new talent through the countrywide school’s athletics programme which starts at school/local level and culminates with a National Championship. The Department further funds ASA through transfer funds for the development of athletes, including support for international events. In 2021/22 the Department transferred R 6 million to ASA and in 2022/23 a transfer of R 4 650 000-00 has been allocated.
a(ii). The Department provides South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) with funding to deliver multi-coded teams to International Events only, e.g., Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games. Further, SASCOC works with National Federations (NF) including Athletics South Africa (ASA) to prepare and deliver the teams to these international events. The Department does not channel any support for the development of athletes through SASCOC but directly with the National Federations (NF).
Having engaged athletics, the poor performances of our athletes is attributed to dwindling financial resources and an inability to provide comprehensive support to athletes. This includes but is not limited to required services such medical support, training camps, support with competition costs, international travel for competition and suitable training facilities.
2(a). R 2 321 561-10 was spent.
(b)(i)(ii). A total of R 1 463 596-10 was spent on athletes and R 857 965-00 on officials as per the below tables.
AMOUNT SPENT ON ATHLETES |
|
HEADING |
AMOUNT |
Accommodation and Meals Domestic |
R 206,781.62 |
Flight - Domestic |
R 119,252.75 |
Flight - International |
R 668,598.00 |
Visa |
R 42,273.00 |
Medical |
R 69,850.00 |
Per Diems |
R 72,000.00 |
Training Camps |
R 257,097.23 |
Safeguarding |
R 27,743.50 |
TOTAL |
R 1 463 596-10 |
AMOUNT SPENT ON OFFICIALS |
|
HEADING |
AMOUNT |
Accommodation and meals |
R 97,700.00 |
Transport Domestic |
R 26,880.00 |
Transport International |
R 605,777.00 |
Visa |
R 55,608.00 |
Per Diems |
R 72,000.00 |
TOTAL |
R 857 965-00 |
19 December 2023 - NW3625
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture:
(1). Which national government departments submitted annual reports in terms of section 9(2) of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act 12 of 2012 to his department in the past two years. (2) (a) which (i) national government departments, (ii) entities reporting to him and (iii) state-owned enterprises were granted exemptions in terms of section 12(1) of the specified Act in the past two years and (b) what were the reasons for granting the exemptions?
Reply:
These annual reports are submitted to PanSALB. PanSALB took a strategic decision to move from merely monitoring the compliance reports to evaluating Language Policy Implementation in terms of the Constitution, the Use of Official Languages Act, and PanSALB Act. This ensured a more qualitative approach from merely receiving reports to ensuring the substantiveness thereof.
It commissioned Language Policy Implementation Evaluation which was affected by National Treasury Regulations on tenders above R30 000. The service provider commenced a Language Policy Implementation Evaluation in March 2023. The service provider has been on the ground conducting data collection and assisting national departments with language policy implementation reporting. They have also been analysing the received Annual Language Reports received from the national departments and the report is expected to be released by the end of February 2024. This will provide a comprehensive list of compliant and submitted reports from national government departments.
(2) (i) The Department has not granted an exemption to any national government department since the Act does not provide for that.
(ii) There are no entities reporting to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that were granted exemptions in the past two years. Below are four other national public entities that were granted exemptions:
- South African Weather Service
- National Gambling Board
- South African National Biodiversity and.
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park
(iii) There are no state-owned enterprises that were granted exemptions.
(b) The reasons for granting the exemption were that these entities in terms of the
size is small and they have capacity challenges. They were not able to establish fully-fledged language units as the Use of Official Languages Act requires. They indicated that they would assign a senior employee to perform the functions of a language unit. In the past two years there is no entity reporting to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture that was granted an exemption.
18 December 2023 - NW3904
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 549 on 17 April 2023 that her department intends to deal with overcrowding in schools through the Special Intervention Programme on Overcrowding in Schools, (a) which schools have been identified, (b) what are the relevant details of (i) assistance envisioned for each identified school and (ii) timeframes for the programme to be concluded in each identified school?
Reply:
A total of 70 043 additional classes were identified from 8 133 over crowded school across all provinces. The special programme was put on hold when Treasury implemented cost containment measures.
The building of additional classes will follow the normal infrastructure programmes until we are advised differently by Treasury.
The number of identified schools and classes per province are attached.
18 December 2023 - NW2928
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
With reference to the identification by his department’s Integrated Resource Plan of the Komati Power Station as an underperforming power plant scheduled for decommissioning in 2020, and in light of his claims in recent interviews and speeches that the Komati Power Station was a performing plant that should not have been decommissioned, what (a) total amount of electricity did Komati Power Station generate and (b) was the Energy Availability Factor at the time of its decommissioning?
Reply:
As part of information gathering process in preparation for the development of IRP 2019, the Department requested information on existing power plant generation capacity and performance projections. Eskom projected Komati to be performing at energy availability factor of 87 percent in year 2020. Komati power station has a design generation capacity of 1000 MW from a total of nine units. The repurposing of this power station has therefore led to the loss of this capacity.
18 December 2023 - NW4118
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, with reference to the committee meeting on 31 May 2023, she will furnish Dr W J Boshoff with a list of all the documents drafted by the Unit of Social Mobilisation and Support Services as indicated by the Deputy Director-General of the specified unit, Dr Granville Whittle; if not, why not; if so, (a) by what date will she furnish Dr W J Boshoff with the specified documents, (b) what is the status of the documents, (c) who were on the stakeholder lists of the unit and (d) who advised the unit on the drawing up of the documents; (2) whether the documents will be released for public comments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has drafted two documents awaiting approval by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM). These documents are:
- Protocol for the Elimination of Unfair Discrimination in Schools
- Guidelines for the Socio-educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics- (SOGIESC) in Schools
The DBE is currently doing further developmental work on the two documents, following comments gathered at the Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) and will be made available to the Honourable Member in 2024, when the log of comments has been considered.
The following engagement platforms of stakeholders were consulted:
- Education Labour Relations Council Bargaining Meeting
- National Consultative Forum
- South African Principals’ Association (including KZN-specific)
- District Directors’ Meeting with Minister
- South African Council for Educators
- National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations
- HEDCOM Subcommittee of Legal and Legislative Services
- Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign Interprovincial Forum
- Education Management and Governance Interprovincial Forum
- Safety in Education Interprovincial Forum
- Social Cohesion, Values and Nation Building Interprovincial Forum
- Care and Support in Schools Interprovincial Forum
- Inclusive Education Interprovincial Forum
- Provincial Education Departments and stakeholders
- Education Districts and stakeholders
The following partners have provided advice and technical support to the DBE in the formulation of the two draft documents:
- South African Human Rights Commission
- Commission on Gender Equality
- Equal Education Law Centre
- Centre for Child Rights
- Universities (Educational Psychology Departments)
- Catholic Institute of Education
- FOR SA
- The Children’s Institute
- UNESCO
- UNICEF
The documents will not be published for public comment because they are not policies. They are guidelines and protocols to guide institutional governance and management practice.
18 December 2023 - NW3964
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What has he found to be the (a) extent of effectiveness and (b) current status of the SA Police Service (i) specialised units and (ii) task forces dedicated to combating specific types of crime, such as organised crime, cybercrime and drug trafficking; (2whether there are plans to enhance the co-ordination and collaboration among various law enforcement agencies to address complex and interconnected criminal activities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
18 December 2023 - NW4043
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the number of prison warders who (a) were retained, (b) resigned from his department and (c) retired in 1994?
Reply:
The public service went through an administrative and structural transformation post the Democratic transition in 1994. The Government of the Republic of South Africa subsequently introduced a Personnel and Salaries Administration (PERSAL) system.
The PERSAL system is able to draw reports up to 2001 only, records for the period in question are not readily available, however, they may be sourced from the Archives and it will require more time.
END.
18 December 2023 - NW3759
Tambo, Mr S to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
(1). What were the (a) total costs to his department for his more than a week-long stay in Paris, France and (b) reasons for him to attend the semi-final match between South Africa and England at a time when the Republic has a tight austerity policy in place.
Reply:
(a). The Total costs incurred will be available once reconciliation of invoices and costs is finalised.
(b). I attended the Rugby World Cup to support the Springboks in the Semi-Finals and Finals, I also led the South African delegation to the 9th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 9) to the International convention against doping in sport, which took place in Paris, I attended this as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and Vice President of the International Conference of Ministers and senior officials responsible for physical education and Sport.
18 December 2023 - NW4029
Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether his department has the relevant details of the total amount spent by each institution of higher learning for contracting security companies in the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Reporting Regulations of June 2014 does not require the Universities in the Annual Reporting to the Department to specifically disclose Total Security Costs as part of the audited financial Statements of Comprehensive Income. However, the Outsourced Security costs are stipulated as part of the Supplementary Data which is verified by the external auditors of the University.
As per the audited supplementary data received and the universities’ audited financial statements, the total amount spent by each institution of higher learning for outsourced security services in the 2022 financial year is shown in the table below. The University of Cape Town, University of Fort Hare and University of South Africa have not as yet submitted their Annual Reports and Financial Statements, we are consequently unable to gauge how much they have allocated towards outsourced security services thus far.
Further, University of Limpopo has not as yet submitted their Supplementary Data and a follow up has been made. The Supplementary Data supplied by Sefako Makgatho University and Sol Plaatje University suggest that the universities have not incurred costs for outsourced security services. University of Pretoria was billed R11 000 for an outsourced security services.
NAME OF INSTITUTION |
SECURITY EXPENSES |
Traditional Universities |
R'000 |
North West University |
65 082 |
Rhodes University |
8 036 |
Stellenbosch University |
50 092 |
University of Cape Town (no data provided) |
|
University of Fort Hare (no data provided) |
|
University of KwaZulu Natal |
32 831 |
University of Limpopo (no data provided |
|
University of Pretoria |
11 |
University of the Free State |
44 779 |
University of the Western Cape |
78 971 |
University of Witwatersrand |
13 862 |
|
|
Universities of Technology |
|
Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
971 |
Central University of Technology |
17 826 |
Durban University of Technology |
54 155 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology |
26 671 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
25 210 |
Vaal University of Technology |
57 271 |
|
|
Comprehensive Universities |
|
Nelson Mandela University |
1 832 |
University of Johannesburg |
38 990 |
University of South Africa (no data provided) |
|
University of Venda |
45 530 |
University of Zululand |
30 737 |
Sol Plaatje University (no data provided) |
|
University of Mpumalanga |
22 137 |
Sefako Makgatho University (no data provided) |
|
Walter Sisulu University |
108 265 |
Where no data is provided, DHET will follow-up with the university concerned.
18 December 2023 - NW3718
Malomane, Ms VP to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether, considering that the maintenance and transformation of national heritage landscapes is a key performance indicator of the commitment of his department to address development and advocacy for the preservation of history, his department has been able to ensure that heritage sites are built and maintained, especially the ones that bear witness to our history and all heroes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, my department is able to maintain and build heritage sites. The department allocates Capital Works budget over the MTEF for the maintenance and repairs of our heritage sites that fall under the management of this department’s (VOTE 37).
Through the User Asset Management Plan (UAMP), system, institutions send their maintenance and new construction plans to this department for approval by National Treasury. Once approved the department releases the CAPEX funds via allocation letters. These include recently developed and constructed museums that my department has, since inception of the National Legacy Project, in 1998, developed and constructed, such as the Luthuli Museum in Stanger, the O R Tambo Memorial Garden in Nkantolo, Matola Raid Museum in Maputo Mozambique, the Nelson Mandela Statue at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Samora Machel Monument in Mbuzini, Freedom Park in city of Pretoria, the restoration of the Winnie Madikizela Mandela House in Brandfort, Inqghuza Hill Museum in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape to name a few.
The department has also contributed towards the completion of the following heritage sites, the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Museum & Learning Centre in Graaff-Reinet. Currently, the department has responded to a call to stabilise Liliesleaf Museum which was closed due to Covid-19 and other internal operational challenges.
The department ensures the transformation of the heritage landscape to commemorate, celebrate, conserve, and preserve the history and heritage sites of the previously marginalized South Africans. The new heritage structures that are developed under the ambit of the National Legacy Project, and are reflective of the history of all our heroes, heroines and history are:
- DR. JL DUBE AMPHITHEATRE: Phase 1 of the project was completed by the 31st of March 2023. The completed scope includes the construction of the roof covering, staircases and ramp, spectator ablutions, electrification, parking areas, civil works around the facility, tuck-shop and storage area, and spectator seating area.
- Phase 2, a Professional Service Provider has been appointed to finalize design work. Phase 2 scope includes the construction of the ablution area, the waiting area, security guardhouse, fencing, theatre floor polishing, paving around the facility, landscaping and storm water management, stage roof, stage lighting and sound system, access road, bus parking area, and the installation of plastic chairs on the concrete seating.
- WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELA BOMBED CLINIC: The Professional Service Provider was appointed in January 2023. Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is in the process of appointing the contractor. The tender bid closed on the 26th of October 2023. The scope of work includes the construction of enclosure side walls (see-through glass wall and solid brick wall), construction of the cover roof, electrification of the facility, paved walkway, and development of the exhibition work.
18 December 2023 - NW3717
Zondi, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Considering that developing a shared national identity is fundamental for nation building and social cohesion, what programmes has his department undertaken to promote a social compact through meaningful dialogue to embed shared values?
Reply:
The foundation for shared values based on nonracialism and non-sexist, democracy, social justice, and a shared national identity was laid by the 1996 adoption of the Constitution as a national compact to transform and uproot our country from its divisive past. As a Compact, the Constitution set the democratic government on a path to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights.
The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, which oversees the implementation of the Priority 6 Social Cohesion Programme of Action, has several national identity-building and constitutional values-affirmation initiatives aimed at fostering national unity and a sense of pride in being South African.
To foster a national identity that is inclusive of all individuals and surpasses racial, ethnic, religious, and other social identity-related factors, the Department has implemented targeted initiatives to popularise national symbols like the flag in school projects, the #IamtheFlag campaign, awareness-raising workshops on national symbols and national orders based on our Passport of Patriotism, and the commemoration of all our national days. These initiatives offer prospects for genuine nation-building and a broad national identity, with national symbols serving as crucial markers for our shared identity that is founded on Constitutional values, cohesion, and pride in our country.
Further, the Department also implements several community engagement initiatives that are designed with the express purpose of reflecting and mobilising our communities around our shared values in our constitution. These programmes include the Community Conversations Programme, the Social Cohesion Advocates Programme, and the Moral Regeneration Programme. These programmes create opportunities for social dialogue around our constitutional values and the horizontality of human rights in our country. Further, these programmes create platforms for communities to address the social ills that are plaguing our communities such as Gender Based Violence and Femicide as well as the eroding levels of morality and values in our communities. They are also a platform for creating opportunities for interaction to create trust among those from diverse backgrounds, shared values, and a sense of belonging.
There is no doubt that our quest for a shared national identity which is a fundamental prerequisite for nation-building and social cohesion must necessarily be based on the iconography and overall heritage landscape that accurately reflects the demographics of our country as part of redress and restitution. In this regard, my department remains steered by the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to redress the past inequities, whilst integrating the previously marginalised heritage as a way to cultivate the prospects of authentic reconciliation and social cohesion. In this regard, the Department carries out the Heritage Legacy Project, whereby the Department has constructed several heritage sites and erected monuments and statues in pursuit of the transformation of the heritage landscape. For this MTSF period, these include the Sarah Baartmann Center of Remembrance; Winnie Mandela House in Brandfort; OR Tambo Legacy Project and the JL Dube Amphitheatre.
Further, through the South African Geographical Names Council, the Department continues to standardise the geographical names in South Africa as a way to redress, correct and transform our country with major towns recently changed such as Gqeberha from Port Elizabeth, Kariega from Uitenhage, Qonce from King Williamstown, and Winnie Mandela from Brandfort, and major airports having been recently changed that include the King Phalo from East London and Chief Dawid Stuurman from Port Elizabeth. These national identity-building initiatives are very important in guaranteeing that nation-building and social cohesion are not merely theoretical concepts without the potential to impact inherited racial inequality which is antithesis to the shared values as espoused in the Constitution of our republic.
In addition to the aforementioned programmes, which are essential for forging a national identity based on our shared values, the Department is currently finalising a National Social Compact for Social Cohesion and Nation Building in partnership with key stakeholders. Under this initiative, social actors from the public sector, labour, business, and civil society will engage in meaningful dialogue that will see each of the social partners playing a significant and meaningful role in promoting social cohesion and nation-building.
The Department and other important stakeholders are planning to present this social compact before the social partners at NEDLAC before bringing it before Cabinet for approval. It is expected that the resulting Social Compact will inspire the important sectors of our society such as business, media, and civil society to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building, with the understanding that these goals cannot be achieved solely by government and that a fundamental agreement outlining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in society is necessary.
18 December 2023 - NW2686
Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police
What total number of (a) firearms belonging to the SA Police Service were reported stolen and (b) crimes have been committed with stolen police firearms, (i) in the (aa) 2021-22 and (bb) 2022-23 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
Find reply here
18 December 2023 - NW3576
Ramolobeng, Ms A to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What plans has his department put in place with regard to the safety of officials working at the (a) Tzaneen and (b) Tswelopele Correctional Centres in Kimberly, who do not have official accommodation?
Reply:
a) It should be noted that after the completion of the construction of the new generation Correctional Centre at Tzaneen, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) tasked the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to commence with the planning and design of the official staff accommodation on the existing site, in close proximity to the Correctional Centre. It is anticipated that the planning and design stages will be finalised during the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
b) Indeed, the Tswelopele Correctional Centre (TCC) was constructed without the inclusion of official staff accommodation, the need was communicated to the DPWI as there is existing state-owned land available for the construction of official staff accommodation. Currently, DCS is investigating funding strategies which includes the possibility of the District Development Model (DDM) to address housing challenges.
END.
18 December 2023 - NW3566
Joseph, Mr D to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
(1). whether his department continues to fund the cultural and creative industries (CCIFSA) after several allegations of mismanagement: if not, why not: if so, what was the ccifsa budget allocation in (a) 2020-21. (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23 financial years. (2). what was the date of 2022 CCIFSA annal general meeting and (b) where can one access and view audited financial statements for the 2022-23 financial year. (3). on what date were the CCIFSA office bearers elected, (c) who were auditors appointed to oversee the election of the specified office berears and (c) what were the audited results? NW4600E
Reply:
(1). Yes, CCIFSA is funded on an annual basis by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Budget allocations are as follows:
- For 2020/21 no funding was given to CCIFSA.
- R5 000 000.00 for 2021/22
- R5 000 000.00 for 2022/23
(2). CCIFSA did not have an annual general meeting in the 2022/23 financial year due to its unfinished business of facilitating the hosting of the three outstanding Provincial Regional Conferences. To date, the following Provinces have hosted the Provincial Conferences namely Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northwest.
(b) 2022/23 CCIFSA Audited Financial Statements are available at any time they a required through the Department.
(3). (a). CCIFSA Office bearers were elected on 21-23 August 2019
(b). The elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
(c). The results were as follows:
- President: Ms Joy Mbewana (KZN
- Deputy President: Mr Johannes Msomi (MP)
- National Coordinator: Mr Luzuko Lukhohli (EC)
- Secretary General: Mr Ayanda Roda (FS)
- Deputy Secretary General: Mr Anenele Maki (WC)
- Treasury General: Mr Mangaliso Mtshula (NC)
18 December 2023 - NW4110
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) What urgent interventions has he taken regarding the Diphtheria outbreak at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, where a young inmate has already died with several other inmates are placed in isolation?
Reply:
1. The urgent interventions, with, are as follows:
- All the contacts of the index patient were traced and symptomatic patients were isolated while all asymptomatic contacts were quarantined;
- Several inmates have been placed in isolation as a precautionary measure;
- Case finding was conducted by sending throat swabs of all the contacts to National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) for testing;
- Antibiotics treatment was given to symptomatic contacts and antibiotics prophylaxis also given to all asymptomatic contacts;
- Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) administered to the confirmed cases;
- Diphtheria Booster vaccine was offered to both inmates and officials;
- Continued close monitoring of those in isolation and in quarantine;
- Stakeholder collaboration was established with the National and Western Cape Provincial Department of Health including but not limited to:
- National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD)
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
- Provincial Centre for Disease Control, City of Cape Town from the onset of the outbreak.
- Daily updates were provided to the relevant stakeholders;
In addition to the above all the regions were updated to be on high alert especially because an inmate had already succumbed to Diphtheria at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre.
END.
18 December 2023 - NW3025
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to displaced educators in the Republic, particularly at the Lulamelani Secondary School in the Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga, (details furnished), her department has a standardised process of removing displaced educators from schools in place; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will she determine a process to deal with the issue of displaced educators as this happens throughout all provinces?
Reply:
The question is based on a direct context of Lulamelani Secondary School in the Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga. The question can therefore best responded by the the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Mpumalanga . The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Free State as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules.
18 December 2023 - NW4167
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has any functional interdepartmental agreements in place with other departments to (a) tackle bullying in public schools and (b) address substance abuse amongst adolescents; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) does have functional agreements in addressing bullying and substance abuse amongst adolescents in schools. These agreements are as follows:
1. Inter-Departmental Campaign on the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Gender-Based Violence, Teenage Pregnancy, Drugs and Substance Abuse.
The Department and its partner Departments: Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, Health, Communications and Digital Technologies, Home Affairs, the Presidency and the South African Police Service have embarked on an Inter-Departmental Campaign on Violence Prevention.
This Campaign raises awareness on issues such as the prevention of bullying, corporal punishment, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, drugs and substance abuse in schools. The Campaign has been championed by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and supported by other Deputy Ministers from the above-mentioned partner departments, and Executive Mayors. Additionally, it has also targeted districts with high levels of crime and violence known as hot spots throughout various provinces. The Campaign is also rolled out through a jamboree of career choices provided by various higher learning institutions (e.g Universities, T-VET Colleges and SETAs) and build up events that take groups of learners through priority content areas related to violence prevention; including bullying and substance abuse.
To date, the Campaign has been rolled out in six provinces such as Gauteng (Gauteng West District), Limpopo (Sekhukhune East District), Mpumalanga (Nkangala District) and the North-West (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District), as well as Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela District) and KwaZulu-Natal (Pinetown District). In the new financial year of 2024, the Department plans to roll out the Campaign in the outstanding provinces, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape.
2. Partnership Protocol between the Department of Basic Education and the South African Police Service (SAPS)
The Department has an established Protocol with SAPS to address crime and violence in schools, including drugs and substance abuse. The Protocol has enabled all schools to be linked to their local police stations. SAPS conduct searches and seizures in schools and also coordinate crime awareness campaigns in schools. Regularly, searches and seizures of illegal drugs and dangerous weapons are done in schools, as well as crime awareness campaigns discouraging gangsterism, bullying and theft amongst the adolescent.
3. Cyberbullying and Online Safety awareness campaigns in schools
The Department has an established relationship with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the Films and Publication Board in conducting awareness campaigns on cyberbullying and online safety in schools including alerting the learners about online child sexual grooming, human trafficking, classification of content, exposure to adult online content and digital footprint through social media, as well as encouraging them to be good digital citizens. The FPB has used its Online Safety Youth Council Members, made up of 11 young people from the ages of 13 to 21 years old in conducting peer to peer awareness dialogues in schools. The awareness campaigns have reached various schools nationwide in 2023 and will continue to be implemented in 2024.
4. Central Drug Authority in addressing substance abuse.
The DBE serves on the board of the Central Drug Authority (CDA), which is a coordinating structure set up by the Department of Social Development to coordinate the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan 2019-2024, on addressing substance abuse in the country, by various departments. The CDA comprises of officials from civil society organisations and departments such as Health, Higher Education, Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, as well as National Treasury. Through the CDA, the Department continues to implement its National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools. Its approach is not a punitive one, instead it is restorative. Schools are required to do the following to curb alcohol and drug use of learners:
- Establish school-based support teams;
- Establish or strengthen referral systems (e.g rehabilitation centres, social workers);
- Implement drug testing in schools;
- Implement Curriculum on drugs and substance abuse through the Life Orientation subject.
In terms of training on the National Strategy; provinces and districts continue to re-train schools. This training is predominately intergraded with the training on the National School Safety Framework. Drug testing is at the centre of the training on the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools.
- National Technical Intersectoral Committee on Child Justice
The DBE serves on the National Technical Intersectoral Committee on Child Justice (ISCCJ), which is mandated to implement the Child Justice Act of 2008 nationwide, and manage children in conflict with the law. The ISCCJ is championed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and supported by other departments and entities such as Social Development, Health, National Prosecuting Authority and SAPS. The DBE facilitates the provision of teaching and learning services in 34 Child and Youth Care Centres nationwide, as means to ensure the learners acquire skills, while DSD provides substance abuse and psychosocial support programmes in these centres, as means to rehabilitate the learners.
18 December 2023 - NW3278
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What are the reasons that he has not published the report to date, which was concluded in 2021 by the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, chaired by Professor Yunus Ballim?
Reply:
It is not mandatory for Minister to publish all reports, particularly after they have been tabled in parliament. Nonetheless the report is available on request. Furthermore, work is underway to ensure the report is published in the government gazette.
18 December 2023 - NW3688
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture
(1).Whether, with regard to his promise to build the economy by working with all stakeholders of his department, he has plans in place to work with the stakeholders to create jobs for young people; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (2). whether the 15th BRICS summit brought any sustainable economic development to the economy?
Reply:
(1). The Young Creatives Programme is creating 270 job opportunities for young people who are active in the Creative Industries. These Young Creatives are placed in Community Arts Centres across the country. They receive a monthly stipend of R4000.00 (Four thousand rands only) for 12 months. The Programme, as the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) of the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, also gears participants towards employability and better self-confidence to be successful in getting a long-term job or setting up their own Creative Arts enterprise.
The NYSP is a government-led initiative that engages South African youth in community service activities, to strengthen service delivery, build patriotism, promote nation-building, foster social cohesion. In our case with The Young Creatives Programme, when we place these young people in Community Arts Centres to assist the youth to acquire occupational skills. At the same time, the monthly stipends they receive, creates a measure of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The NYSP is currently said to be the single largest service programme for young people in the country. We are partnering on the Programme with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), to assist with management of stipend of these 270 participants.
I officially launched the programme in July 2023 in Gauteng, with young people from all nine provinces present.
14 December 2023 - NW4215
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether her department will furnish Ms H S Winkler with the contact information of the environmental management inspectors, commonly known as Green Scorpions, in each province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
14 December 2023 - NW4062
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of applications have been received for positions of (i) interns and (ii) community service doctors in 2024, (b) number of applicants have already been placed in each case and (c) is the deadline for final placement in each case?
Reply:
The National Department of Health opened the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) application site from 4 October until 23 October 2023. Applicants and all relevant stakeholders including students representatives by the form of Unions and Associations were informed accordingly.
As a result, it is appreciated that a total of 10 495 applicants headed a call and applied for medical internship and community service positions.
a) (i) A total of 2 403 medical interns (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for medical internship positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
(ii) A total of 2 391 medical doctors community service (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for medical internship positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
b) (i) 2 354 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above and have since been notified of their placement outcomes.
Some outcomes were unfavourable to the applicants with reasons as follows:
- 113 have been declared not eligible for this Cycle by HPCSA
- 6 applicants to commence duty from 1 July 2024
- 1 applicant retracted his allocation due to other commitments
(ii) 2 387 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above and 2 158 have since been notified of their allocation. The remaining 229 applicants to commence duty from 1 March 2024 and will be allocated in January 2024
(c) The ICSP has two cycles, January and July intake, for allocation designed to accommodate applicants who complete and confirmed eligible at different intervals. As a result the department ensures that those that are eligible to assume duty on 1st January are duly allocated and appointed before commencing duty.
The department is considerate and mindful that the applicants need to make necessary arrangements, including travelling, hence ensuring that applicants are notified a month before the intake date.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4163
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has records of the number of specialists in each specified area of specialisation (a) in each province, (b) in the public health service, and (c) in the private health service during the 2013-2023 period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The data as requested is drawn from the Persal System and was extracted on 30 November 2023. Unfortunately, records on the Persal System are not able to provide granule data of each specialization as Specialists are not captured per specialization but per Professional Category.
(a)-(b) The table below responds to question (a) and (b) which is the data available on the Persal system. We do acknowledge that the Professional Councils also keep data of all specialities but with a limitation of not being able to still distinguish between employment status (public or private) as well as current location of practice (Nationally or Abroad).
Row Labels |
EC |
FS |
GAU |
KZN |
LP |
MPU |
NW |
NC |
WC |
Medical Specialist |
163 |
127 |
1026 |
569 |
81 |
51 |
113 |
29 |
749 |
Registrar (Medical) |
97 |
186 |
1265 |
334 |
94 |
4 |
44 |
2 |
630 |
Senior Registrar (Medical) |
1 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Professional Nurse (Specialised) |
1448 |
596 |
2834 |
3605 |
1539 |
775 |
1265 |
150 |
1416 |
Dental Specialist |
0 |
1 |
60 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
Grand Total |
1709 |
910 |
5195 |
4510 |
1715 |
832 |
1422 |
181 |
2848 |
(c) Not able to provide information of specialist currently in the private sector as the Department is currently not collecting the data but still improving our Human Resource Information System to be operable with private sector.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4063
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of applications have been received for positions of community service nurses in 2024, (b) total number of applicants have already been placed as community service nurses and (c) is the deadline for final placement?
Reply:
The National Department of Health opened the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) application site from 4 October until 23 October 2023. Applicants and all relevant stake holders including students representatives by the form of Unions and Associations were informed accordingly.
As a result, it is appreciated that a total of 10 495 applicants headed a call and applied for medical internship and community service positions.
a) A total of 2 036 nurses (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for professional nurses community service positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
b) 2009 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above. All applicants have been allocated and notified.
c) The ICSP has two cycles, January and July intake, for allocation designed to accommodate applicants who complete and confirmed eligible at different intervals. As a result the department ensures that those that are eligible to assume duty on 1st January are duly allocated and appointed before commencing duty.
The department is considerate and mindful that the applicants need to make necessary arrangements, including travelling, hence ensuring that applicants are notified a month before the intake date.
The deadline to finalize all allocations cannot be specified as the process is not punitive, however it unfolds until all eligible applicants have been allocated to positions, and duly appointed by Provincial Departments of Health.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4142
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) number of doctors have been found to operate in public (i) hospitals and (ii) clinics without proper qualifications and (b) actions have been taken against the officials that allowed the specified doctors to have access to the hospitals and clinics?
Reply:
(a)-(b) According to the HPCSA they have no records of doctors employed and practicing in public hospitals or Clinics. It is important to appreciate that before a doctor can be employed in the public healthcare sector and paid in the public healthcare system he/she must be registered on the PERSAL system which would include a requirement that the doctor provides evidence of registration with the HPCSA as a doctor. Given that there are no reports of doctors without proper qualifications being employed in the public healthcare sector there would be no need to take action against any official in this regard.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4180
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What are the (i) full details of all companies that provided services to his department that have been blacklisted in each province and (ii) reasons for each specified company being blacklisted and (b) on what date was each company blacklisted; (2) whether he has found that any of the blacklisted companies are currently still operating as service providers to his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps does he intend to take in this regard?
Reply:
1. (a)(i),(ii) No Department within the Health Sector have blacklisted any company.
(b) Not applicable.
2. Not applicable.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4151
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) On what date will her department table the promised Bill to operationalise the SA Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) which has taken almost 15 years, and has contributed to underspending by her department and (b) what is the projected timeline for operationalising the SADPA?
Reply:
a) The Department is currently ensuring compliance with the below processes required for the introduction of the draft Bill into Parliament:
- Submission of the draft Bill to the Speaker and the Chairperson of the council in terms of Joint Rule 159 and thereafter the Bill is referred to committees;
- Gazetting the notice of intention to introduce in terms of National Assembly Rule 276/ NCOP Rule 186;
- Certification of the draft Bill by OCSLA and submission to Parliament’s Bills Office for processing in terms of National Assembly Rule 279(2).
The Department has been in contact with the Bill’s Office in Parliament and currently working on the submission of the draft Bill as per the Joint Rule 159.
The supply chain processes are also underway for the gazetting of the intention to introduce the draft Bill in terms of National Assembly Rule 276/NCOP Rule 186.
The Office of the Chief State Law Advisor (OCSLA) has also been engaged on facilitating the process of obtaining the certification of the draft Bill through the Department of Justice as required by the National Assembly Rule 279(2).
b) Following the proclamation of the Amended Act into law by the President, the Department will implement the necessary processes for the establishment of the fully-fledged entity.
14 December 2023 - NW4199
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With regard to the October 2023 medical and dental board (MDB) examination, what are the reasons that the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and MDB (a) deviated from past practice of allocating three hours to the theory component of the board examination and (b) did not inform candidates of the deviation from the past practice; (2) (a) what are the reasons that the HPCSA forces candidates who wish to register as interns and candidates who wish to register as medical officers to write the same examination and (b) on what date is it envisaged that the HPCSA will rectify the situation and provide different examinations to suit the level of registration?
Reply:
According to the HPCSA:
1. (a)-(b) The Scope and Guideline document for “Board Examination for Foreign Medical Practitioners wishing to practice in South Africa and for the purpose restoration” issued by the HPCSA’s Medical and Dental Professions Board dated July 2023 provides details on the content, length, and format of the Theory Examination. It is stated in the guideline document that the theory examination time is two (2) hours, as such the candidates were duly informed about the duration of the examination. In addition, the University (UKZN) created a special website from which candidates could access information and directly engage the institution on any matter as they prepared for the exams. The time period for each examination is determined when the examination questions have been finalised so there is no deviation from a three-hour examination period.
2. (a) Foreign-qualified medical graduates need to comply with the standards determined by the MDB for the purposes of registration and clinical practice. Both medical interns and medical officers will enjoy the same scope of clinical practice therefore it is appropriate that their assessment should be the same. There is no rational basis for separate examinations for the two groups.
(b) Based on what has been provided above, there is no need for rectification of any situation.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4150
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether his department has any projected capped amount at which it will cease to provide financial relief to state-owned enterprises; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is that amount and (b) are the further relevant details?
Reply:
The Department has no capped amount at which it will cease to provide financial relief to state-owned enterprises. Each request for financial relief is assessed on its own merit. The factors to be considered are diagnosis of the challenges the SOE is facing and the development of turnaround plan to remedy those challenges.
The Presidential State-Owned Enterprises (PSEC) was established by the President in 2020, of which the Department is the Secretariate. The task of PSEC is to reform, reposition and revitalise the SOE’s not only within the Department’s portfolio but others as well. The exercise will require some funding which may be from Government and/or from other sources including disposal of non-core assets, private sector participation amongst others. Funding will therefore be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
It must be emphasised that SOEs should not operate on the basis that they will always receive funding from the fiscus. In fact, SOEs must be viable in their own right as soon as possible.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
14 December 2023 - NW4205
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether she will furnish Mr W F Faber with a comprehensive list of all South African embassies and consulates worldwide, including their contact details and addresses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
A comprehensive list of all South African Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates with contact details and addresses are available online through the website of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation at www.dirco.gov.za/south-african-representation-abroad/. The contact details and addresses are updated on a regular basis when new Heads of Mission and officials assume their duties at these missions or when the location of the chancery has changed. In addition to consulting the Departmental website, contact details can also be obtained from our 24-hour switchboard number at +27 12 351 1000.
14 December 2023 - NW4202
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). (a) On what date did his department host the 2022 Sports Awards event to honour all the winners, (b) what total number of guests attended and (c) what is the name of the venue that the occasion was held at; (2). what was the total amount to host the event, including the breakdown cost for the venue, sound, food and music; (3). (a) what are the full details of the company that got the tender, including their names and contact information and (b) from which (i) line item of the budget was the money sourced and (ii) financial year’s budget?
Reply:
1)(a). The South African Sport Awards were held on 25 March 2023.
b). A total of 1000 people attended the event.
c). The event was held at Sun City Superbowl.
2). The total amount for event management services (hosting the event) was R7,962,131.38. This covered the following services;
Invitation Management, Accreditation and Seating |
Voting line |
Presenters and Anchor of the Main Event |
Set up and décor for Gala Dinner for 1000 people |
Technical Production of the Show |
Catering, meals, and refreshments (Set days) |
Accommodation (Hosts, Anchors, Choreographers, Artists, and Crew) |
Transportation (Hosts, Anchors, Choreographers, Artists, and Crew) |
Safety and Security |
Emergency and Medical Services and Public Liability Insurances |
Photography and Videographer |
Public Relations, Marketing and Collaterals |
Trophies and Medallions |
Nominees Blazers and Local Apparel |
Coffee Table Book |
Panel Members (including debriefing) |
Operations Venue Requirements and equipment |
Researchers |
3)(a). The company that provided the event management services was Moila Vortex Solutions.
3)(b). The budget was sourced from Recognition Systems: Contractors
3(c). The budget was sourced from the 2022/2023 financial year.
14 December 2023 - NW4198
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with regard to the Health Justice Initiative’s revelation that South Africa was forced to overpay for COVID-19 vaccines, and that the terms and conditions were overwhelmingly one-sided and favoured multinational corporations, he will ensure that South African representatives and negotiators working on the World Health Organisation Pandemic Treaty insist on including clauses that will (a) protect the (i) sovereignty of member countries and (ii) countries against extortion by pharmaceutical and other companies, as well as by member countries and (b) provide for consequence management, including arbitration, should extortion occur; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa’s representatives and negotiators working on the World Health Organisation (WHO) convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (WHO Pandemic Agreement) have participated in the various iterations of the development of a draft negotiation’s text to prepare for the actual negotiations. The latest version of the document under discussion is titled the “Advanced unedited version of the WHO Pandemic Agreement” and is dated the 16 October 2023 (attached as Annexure to this response). The actual negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement have not yet commenced as there is still no agreement on the negotiation’s text and there are divergent views on the language and contents of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by the WHO member states. The disagreements are on how the principle of Equity is to be operationalised throughout the Articles of the Agreement, to ensure that the mistakes made in responding to Covid-19 are not repeated as we move forward. The disagreements are based on developing countries requiring that lessons learnt for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response are provided for and that the provisions of the Agreement do not disadvantage member states from the global south. However, despite these divergent views, the following areas on sovereignty and conduct of pharmaceutical manufacturers are still being deliberated upon in developing a negotiations text for a future WHO Pandemic Agreement:
a) The “Advanced unedited version of the WHO Pandemic Agreement” has several articles addressing issues of protecting sovereignty of member states and on protecting members states against extortion by pharmaceutical manufacturers and other companies.
(i) On protection of sovereignty of state Parties to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the Preambular section and Article 3 on General Principles and Approaches addresses these concerns.
- The Preamble reaffirms the principle of sovereignty of States Parties in addressing public health matters.
- Article 3 affirms that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the general principles of international law, have the sovereign right to legislate and to implement legislation in pursuance of their health policies.
(ii) On protecting members states against extortion by pharmaceutical manufacturers, other companies and member states, Article 10 on “Sustainable Production” and Article 13 on “Global Supply Chain and Logistics” is meant to provide for mechanisms that must be deployed by state parties to prevent extortionary practices by pharmaceutical entities and member states in which they are domiciled. It must however be noted that pharmaceutical companies are not state parties, but that member states in which they are domiciled will be the state parties to the WHO Pandemic Agreement and this is where the challenge of operationalising equity arises as the member states often invoke free market principles and their inability to intervene:
- 1. Article 10 makes provision for state parties to be self-sufficient in providing for health products by ensuring that in the inter-pandemic period, there is achievement of more geographically and equitably distributed global production of pandemic-related products, and that member states increase the timely, fair and equitable access to safe, effective, quality and affordable pandemic-related products, and thereby reducing the gap between potential demand and supply at the time of a pandemic.
- 2. Article 13 (3) makes provision for the establishment of the WHO Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (the WHO SCL Network) which shall work with state parties to the agreement to ensure that it facilitates the negotiation and agreement of advance purchase commitments and procurement contracts for pandemic-related products; promotes transparency in cost, pricing and all other relevant contractual terms along the supply chain; and coordinates to avoid competition for resources among procuring entities, including within member states, regional organizations and/or mechanisms.
- 3. Articles 13 (5) and (6) further provide for each Party to the agreement to, at the earliest reasonable opportunity and in accordance with applicable law, make publicly available online the terms of government-funded purchase agreements for pandemic-related products in those instances in which the Party is directly entering into such purchase agreements and shall to the fullest extent possible and in accordance with applicable laws, exclude confidentiality provisions that serve to limit disclosure of terms and conditions of such purchases.
b) The provision for consequence management, including arbitration, should extortion occur, is described in Article 34 on “Settlement of Disputes” of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. This Article provides for parties to resolve disputes through diplomatic channels by negotiation or any other peaceful means of their own choice, including good offices, mediation or conciliation.
Failure to reach a solution by good offices, mediation or conciliation will not absolve Parties to the dispute from the responsibility of continuing to seek to resolve it. However, the pharmaceutical companies as previously stated are not state parties and will not be signatories to Agreement. This is where the drafting of the negotiating text has stalled as currently there are diverging views from advanced economies and countries of the global north where most of these pharmaceutical companies are domiciled on how to resolve challenges that may arise out of the conduct of these companies. This has resulted in the inability to reach consensus with the representative member states from the developed countries from the global north.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4189
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1)With reference to (a) his reply to question 1642 on 2 June 2023 and (b) the meeting on Tuesday, 14 November 2023 with the interested and affected parties discussing a scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, how is it possible that the Hillside Siding coal wash plant on Elandspruit, Farm 291 JS, in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has been established and operational despite the farm not having records of (i) a water use registration, (ii) an approved EIA, (iii) an approved Basic Assessment Report and (iv) an approved Environmental Management Programme; (2) whether Hill Siding has been authorised to make use of the specified property(ies); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with a copy of the said authorisation; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the further, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
- The Department is not a competent authority to deal with coal siding and wash plant which is outside the mining area. This business operation as it falls outside of the mining area requires authorization from the departments of Forestry, Fisheries and Water and Sanitation.
- Please see (1) above
- Please see (1) above
14 December 2023 - NW4153
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What (a) number of employees of her department have faced disciplinary proceedings in the past year, (b) are the details of each specified employee, (c) are the reasons that each specified person was facing disciplinary proceedings, (d) is the period taken to resolve the disciplinary proceedings in each case, (e) number of employees were suspended, (f) were the charges that led to each suspension, (g) number of employees were dismissed, (h1) were the reasons for each such dismissal, (h2) number of employees were suspended with full pay and (i) for how long were the specified employees suspended with full pay?
Reply:
a) The number of employees of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation that faced disciplinary proceedings was 34.
b) The details of the employees that faced disciplinary hearings were as follows:
(i) Chief Directors: 4;
- Directors: 7;
- Deputy Directors: 3;
- Assistant Directors:15;
- Senior Administrator: 1; and
- Level 7: 4
c) The reasons for the disciplinary proceedings were as follows:
(i) 25 employees were charged with financial misconduct;
(ii) Six (6) employees were charged with Insolence and disgraceful conduct;
(iii) Two (2) employees were charged with late coming and absence without authorisation; and
(iv) One (1) employee was charged with failure to submit a financial disclosure form.
d) The periods taken to resolve the disciplinary proceedings were as follows:
(i) 27 cases finalised in one to three months;
- One (1) case finalised in four months and sixteen (16) days;
- Two (2) cases finalised in nine to 12 months; and
- Two (2) cases are still pending.
e) The number of employees suspended were 4.
f) The charges that led to the suspensions were:
(i) Two (2) employees were suspended for insolence and threatening behaviour; and
(ii) Two (2) employees were suspended for financial misconduct.
g) The number of employees dismissed was 2.
(h1) The reasons for the dismissal of the employees were:
(i) One (1) employee was dismissed for financial misconduct; and
- One (1) employee was dismissed for absence without authorisation.
(h2) The number of employees suspended with full pay was 4.
(i)The periods of suspension with full pay were:
(i) One (1) official was suspended for six months and 9 days;
- One (1) official was suspended for ten months and 19 days;
- One (1) official was suspended for 10 months and 20 days; and
- One (1) official is still on suspension (since 7 September 2022) pending the hearing outcome.
14 December 2023 - NW4179
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What are the full details of all the investments that were made to the public health sector by foreign (i) governments, (ii) private companies and/or corporations and (iii) individuals in each specified financial year since 1 April 2019, (b) what is the total amount of each investment and (c) how was each investment utilised?
Reply:
a) (i),(ii),(iii) Donor funds
b) Total per each investment
a) (i) (ii) (iii) |
||||||
DONOR'S NAME |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
Totals |
b) Total: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention |
492,075,883,56 |
366,677,054,80 |
42,708,867,45 |
20,730,070,29 |
26,843,267,28 |
949,035,143,38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
b) Total: European Union |
4,613,092,16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4,613,092,16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
b) Total: Germany |
5,455,047,89 |
877 636,52 |
- |
- |
- |
6,332,684,41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
b) Total: Global Fund |
616,153,230,05 |
571 301 660,14 |
1,411,879,026,50 |
922 803 142,86 |
930 804 645,72 |
4,452,941,705,27 |
(c) The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) financial and technical support through the existing Cooperative Agreement, assists the NDoH to incorporate results of programme evaluations into operational disease prevention and control programmes.
- In Financial year 2019/2020, The CDC supported Community Services.
- In financial year 2020/2021 CDC supported procurement of HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs and TB Prevention therapy drugs. The drugs were distributed to provincial depots in 2021/2022. To date, in addition to the programmatic supports, the CDC Cooperative Agreement has been supporting the NDoH with key personnel within its directorates. Funded personnel are responsible for their respective areas of expertise, and all efforts contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS and TB in the country. Additional funds were used to support payment of key personnel appointed in the HIV/AIDS and TB as well as Maternal Child and Women Health clusters.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4121
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) With reference to vehicles speeding and resulting in associated animal mortalities in the Kruger National Park (KNP), including unethical behaviour by visitors and/or overcrowding at animal sightings, what (a) total number of (b) kind of species were killed by vehicles in the KNP in (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2023; (2) Whether any regulations have been implemented and/or proposed to (a) control unethical behaviour by visitors to the KNP and (b) limit overcrowding at animal sightings in the KNP, as have recently been introduced in the Serengeti National Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
14 December 2023 - NW4111
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1) Whether, given the persistent challenges of dysfunctional wastewater systems, pollution of rivers, lack of clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities that SA citizens face, he has found that the District Development Model (DDM) has been effective in addressing the specified challenges in both the national and local government sphere of government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What (a) are the specific examples of (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful interventions of the DDM and (b) steps has he put in place to rectify the specified shortcomings to ensure the provision of the specified basic services to all citizens?
Reply:
1. The District Development Model (DDM) promotes intergovernmental relations that enhance collaborative planning and implementation of local government programmes. Section 41(1) of the Constitution requires all spheres of government to cooperate with one another, support one another and foster friendly relations. Furthermore, in terms of section 154(1) of the Constitution, national and provincial governments, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions.
The DDM is informed by the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act 13 of 2005), which provides for coordinated and integrated alignment of developmental priorities between the three spheres of government. The DDM is integrated district-based approach to addressing service delivery challenges through, among others, localised procurement and job creation that promotes involvement of local communities. It calls for One District, One Plan, and One Budget. Plans are being developed in 52 districts to set out long term strategic framework that will guide the investment and service delivery. The One Plan being developed in each District captures all the necessary challenges, commitments, and resolutions service delivery challenges.
Water service delivery is classified as a functional area of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence in Schedule 4, Part B of the Constitution, 1996. This means that there are dimensions of water services that fall within the realm of both national and provincial governments. Therefore, co-operative governance on these matters is imperative. The DWS is collaborating with relevant national departments and municipalities towards alignment of projects and avoiding duplication which will maximise the resources available to address water services challenges, in line with the DDM. The advent of the DDM has made collaboration to be more effective and efficient as all the departments are being monitored by DDM Champions.
2. The Department has submitted all the key strategic water projects (under implementation and in planning stages) and budgetary allocations as part of the One Plans. These projects are monitored and reported to Steering Committees at each district. At this stage it is not possible to make a determination whether the DDM interventions have been successful or not but collaboration efforts between different role-players are progressing well.
To fast-track the provision of water and sanitation services, the Department provides financial support to municipalities, through conditional grants to develop infrastructure and address infrastructure backlogs. Approximately R153 billion has been set aside for the infrastructure investment over the next seven years (2030) as part of the SDG 6 drive to provide water to everyone by 2030. This includes the R105 billion which is aimed at ensuring water security for the country. Approximately 60% of national water resource infrastructure projects are funded by private sector as an initiative of the Department through Public Private Collaboration Agreements. The other additional R47,5 billion is earmarked for Water Services. This includes projects that will improve access to reliability of water supply and ultimately the SDG 6 targets by 2030
Fundamental reforms are required to arrest and turn around the decline in municipal water and sanitation services, including the following:
- The Department will soon issue updated and more comprehensive national norms and standards for water and sanitation services for public comment.
- The DWS will also publish a National Regulatory Dashboard showing compliance with national norms and standards as monitored and reported amongst others by Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop Results.
- The DWS has gazetted the Water Services Amendment Bill for public comment. The current Act distinguishes between roles of Water Services Authority (WSA) and Water Services Provider (WSP) in municipalities. The Bill clarifies functions of WSAs and WSPs, including that billing and revenue collection for water is a WSP function.
- The Amendment Bill introduces a compulsory operating license system for WSPs, to be managed by DWS as the national regulator. This will enable WSAs to ensure that WSPs have minimum competency, capability, and performance levels. The Bill will empower the Minister of Water and Sanitation to instruct a WSA to appoint a Water Services Provider that is licensed. The Bill will further provide for Minister to implement regulatory enforcement protocols (non-compliance notices, directives) for water services, and to make gross non-compliance an offence, similarly to the National Water Act.
---00O00---
14 December 2023 - NW4197
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What total number of health inspectors are currently employed in each province, (b) what is the vacancy rate of health inspectors in each province and (c) by what date does his department intend to fill all the vacancies in each case?
Reply:
a) The total number of Environmental Health Practitioners (Health Inspectors) per Province is as outlined in the table below under column 4:
b) The vacancy rate per Province as listed below in the table under column 5.
c) The department is not responsible for filling the vacancies of Environmental Health Practitioners (Health Inspectors) because these officials are working directly under 44 Districts and 8 Metropolitan municipalities. The mandate to appoint EHPs lies with the Districts and Metropolitan municipalities.
Table depicting the total number of EHPs and the vacancy rate:
Province |
Population as per Census 2022 |
Required EHPs (Inspectors) Per Ratio of 1: 10 100 |
Number of EHPs (Inspectors) per Province |
Vacancy Rate per Province (vacant Funded Positions) |
Eastern Cape |
7230204 |
723 |
203 |
8.86% |
Free State |
2964411 |
296 |
71 |
21.13% |
Gauteng |
15099422 |
1510 |
437 |
14.42% |
KwaZulu Natal |
12423908 |
1242 |
287 |
10.45% |
Limpopo |
6572720 |
657 |
129 |
3.1% |
Mpumalanga |
5143324 |
514 |
81 |
3.70% |
North West |
3804546 |
380 |
76 |
28.95% |
Northern Cape |
1355945 |
136 |
55 |
50.9% |
Western Cape |
7433019 |
743 |
373 |
2.42% |
RSA |
62027499 |
6203 |
1712 |
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4112
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether, in light of the ongoing water access challenges in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, there is a realistic prospect of rectifying these longstanding issues and ensure consistent access to water and sanitation for the people in the affected areas of the specified provinces and other areas experiencing water access disruptions, given that these problems have persisted for many years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has a constitutional responsibility to support municipalities to carry out their water and sanitation functions. Secondly, as the regulator of the water sector it is required to set regulatory rules, norms and standards for municipal water and sanitation services in terms of the National Water Act and the Water Services Act.
Whilst the government has made great strides to improve access to water services since 1994, the demand for water has continued to escalate due to economic growth, population growth, urbanization, inefficient use (including increasing physical losses in municipal distribution systems), degradation of wetlands and the impacts of climate change. Another contributing factor to the ongoing water access challenges in the water sector is the fragmented planning and implementation of projects.
The Ministry is in ongoing engagements with municipalities that have severe challenges with the delivery of water services in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. In many of the most challenged municipalities, the DWS and municipal leadership have agreed on improvement plans which include the following:
- DWS financial support in the form of Regional Bulk Infrastructure and Water Services Grants, technical advice and management support from DWS and water boards.
- The development of 5-year reliability plans that seek to ensure that municipalities provide reliable water services 95% of the time. These plans will also assist municipalities in managing their assets coupled with shorter turnaround time to fix breakages.
- Through the District Development Model, the Department is working with municipalities by assisting with integrated planning for water supply projects being funded through the DWS grants and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
- The Blue and Green drop audits are another mechanism that the Department has put in place to ensure reliable water services, and these audits are able to identify plants that need urgent action from the municipalities. Based on the reports from these audits, municipalities are expected to develop action plans and allocate budgets to attend to the issues identified during the audits.
Furthermore, there are Departmental projects that have been completed, are ongoing or still in planning stages in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo as indicated in Annexure A below. These projects will contribute towards improving access to reliable water supply, address water supply backlogs and increase the capacity of water supply systems to meet current and future water demands.
---00O00---
WSA |
Project Name |
Implementing Agent |
Area |
|
LIMPOPO |
Lepelle Northern Water Board |
|||
Vhembe DM & Mopani DM |
NANDONI TO NSAMI REGIONAL BULK WATER SCHEME: Provision of Raw water pipeline from Nandoni to Nsami WTW, Provision of Clean Water Pipeline, Giyani Water Services, Upgrading on Nandoni WTW from 60Ml/day to 120Ml/day |
Vhembe DM, Collins Chabane LM, Malamulele East (incl. Muswane & Mphambo). Mopani DM e.g. Giyani, Xikukwani and etc (55 villages_ |
Practical completion Nov 2023 |
|
Mopani DM |
Giyani WTW Refurbishment (Phase 1) Giyani - Reticulation of 24 Villages (Phase 1) |
Giyani, benefiting of 55 villages while Giyani (P1_ 24 Villages) |
Jan 2023 to April 2024 (37 Contractors on-site) |
|
Polokwane City & Capricon |
OLIFANTSPOORT /EBENEZER WATER SUPPLY SCHEME Ebenezer/Olifants Bulk Water Scheme |
Polokwane, Capricorn, |
Aug 2023- Aug 2026 |
|
Masodi LM |
MASODI WWTW - MLM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IVANPLATS PROPRIETARY LIMITED MINE -Masodi WWTW |
Masodi LM |
To complete by Dec 2023 |
|
Polokwane LM |
Polokwane interventions |
Polokwane LM |
Polokwane, Seshego, Bloodriver and Perskebult |
August 2023 - April 2025 |
Vhembe DM |
MUSINA WATER SERVICES AUGMENTATION INTERVENTIONS:
|
DBSA/ DWS/ Lepelle Northern Water Board |
Musina |
Jan 2024-Jul 2026 |
Sekhukhune DM and Mogalakwena LM |
DWS and Lebalelo Partnership Projects: The purpose of the Olifants River Water Resources Development Project Phase 2 (ORWRDP-2) is to develop the infrastructure required in the Middle Olifants River (in the areas of Sekhukhune and Mogalakwena Districts of Limpopo) to meet the water demands in the area. This Includes the building of 2 dams (De Hoop and Flag Bashilo dams), and the construction of bulk pipelines and pump stations as part of the conveyance system.
|
Lebalelo Water Users Association |
Sekhukhune DM and Mogalakwena LM |
Jan 2023- 2030 |
Sekhukhune DM |
Moutse East Water Scheme_ A sub-scheme to receive water from Loskop Bulk water scheme_ through construction of storage and pumpstation |
Sekhukhune DM |
Moutse East Community |
Aug 2022 – Sept 2025 |
EASTERN CAPE |
||||
NMMB |
NOOITGEDAGT COEGA LOW LEVEL SUPPLY SCHEME (NCLLS) phase three entails the construction of a flash mixer, two flocculation channels and settling tanks, six new filters (increasing the capacity of the WTW’s with 70Ml/day to 210Ml/day) |
Amatola Water |
NMBM |
Completed June 2023 |
NMMB |
Lower Sundays River GWS:The works are inclusive of earthworks, canal realignment, servitude rehabilitation, etc. This project is of major importance to the water security of Nelson Mandela Bay |
DWS |
NMBM |
Sep 2023 – Sep 2025 |
Mbizana |
GREATER MBIZANA REGIONAL BULK WATER SCHEME (GMRBWS) & Repair of Ludeke Dam Upgrade Nomlacu Water Treatment Plant from 10 Mℓ/day to 20 Mℓ/day,. |
uMgeni Water Board |
Mbizana |
July 2023- June 2024 |
Mnquma Municipality |
NQAMAKHWE REGIONAL BULK WATER SCHEME; To provide bulk water infrastructure to supply approx 78,000 people in 120 rural villages (wards 13-20 of Mnquma Municipality) with domestic water |
Amatola Water Board |
Ngamakhwe, Butterworth, Centane |
Construction. Completion by April 2024 |
Ndlambe LM |
NDLAMBE BWS PROJECT PROGRESS: The construction and commissioning of the 5 Mℓ/day Port Alfred RO-plant and 16 Mℓ reservoir, including the brine sea outfall pipeline, the construction of 2Mℓ reservoirs in Cannon Rocks |
Ndlambe LM |
Ndlambe |
Construction. Completion Dec 2024 |
Makana LM |
The augmentation of the existing 10 Mℓ/day James Kleynhans WTW by the construction of an additional 10 Mℓ/day WTW to 20Ml/day, along with associated works required to meet the bulk potable water needs for the Bulk Water Supply |
Amatola Water Board |
Grahamstown + Makhanda |
July 2023 - March 2024 (31 August 2023 Practical Completion) |
Makana LM |
Emergency Repair & refurbish pumpstation @ Howlsons Poort Dam and commission water to Waainek WTW. Provision of O + M for Makana LM for Waainek WTW |
Amatola Water Board |
Grahamstown + Makhanda |
Jun 2023 - Dec 2023 |
14 December 2023 - NW4203
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether the Government will support the SA Rugby Union (SARU) in their next bid to host the Rugby World Cup; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how will the Government ensure that SARU drives transformation in rugby in all (a) communities and (b) schools to give every rugby player the same opportunity to play for the Springboks?
Reply:
Government decision to support or not support any bid to host major international sport events in country, including a bid by SARU, is based on the merits or demerits and motivating factors of the application as submitted at that time. All applications to host major sporting events in the country must be aligned with the bidding and hosting regulations.
(a). As part of the annual transfer, the Department provides financial support to SARU which is earmarked for programmes aimed at transformation in communities. These programmes include get into rugby, rugby for people for people with disability and the women’s rugby programmes.
(b). Through Club Development Programme, Rugby receives support in rural areas to support the leagues and train coaches and referees.
Each province makes provision through the conditional grant to support priority codes.
Rugby is one of the 16 priority codes that are part of the School Sport Programme. And as result, they receive support from provincial departments, through the Conditional Grant, to:
- Conduct capacity building programmes, which are meant to empower educators to train as coaches and managers of Rugby, with the view to promote participation in Rugby in schools.
- Participate at the district and provincial championships.
- Also receives support to participate at the National School Sport Championships.
- Benefits from the provision of equipment and attire to enable schools to participate.
14 December 2023 - NW4152
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What plans are in place to fill the vacancies in the finance section of her department which stand at 26,8% as at 31 March 2023 according to the most recent Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report on her department, particularly considering the findings of the Auditor-General with regard to R1,44 billion in irregular expenditure?
Reply:
The following posts in the Finance Division were tadvertised to address the high vacancy rate and are in various stages of the recruitment process:
- Chief Financial Officer post was filled with effect from 01 June 2023.
- Director: Financial Accounting post was filled with effect from 04 December 2023.
- Chief Director: Financial Management advertised on 20 August 2023 and is in process.
- Deputy Director: Budget Management advertised on 11 August 2023 and is in process.
- Deputy Director: Cash Flow Management advertised on 11 August 2023 and is in process.
- State Accountant (6 Posts) advertised on 12 September 2023 and is in process.
14 December 2023 - NW4120
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry. Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether, with reference to the proposed introduction of Norms and Standards for the Management of Damage-causing Animals in South Africa and subsequent statements regarding Guidelines for The Management of Damage-causing Animals in South Africa, the Guidelines were issued; if not, by what date(s) will the Guidelines be (a) issued and (b) implemented; if so, on what date was the Guidelines issued; (2) Whether she will furnish Ms T Breedt with a copy of the relevant Guidelines; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What were the reasons that the proposed Norms and Standards were replaced with the Guidelines, of which compliance is not mandatory and which are unenforceable?
Reply:
Find reply here
14 December 2023 - NW4105
Mthethwa, Mr E to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture
Whether there is an entity that is equivalent to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in the creative and cultural sector; if not, what measures has he put in place to establish such an equivalent entity; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) is a committee recognised as a national confederation in terms of the National Sport and Recreation Act 110 of 2007.
No, there is no entity that is equivalent to SASCOC in the Creative and Cultural Sector, as the two are incomparable with SASCOC being a creation of a piece of legislation.
14 December 2023 - NW4064
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of applications have been received for positions of community service physiotherapist in 2024, (b) total number of applicants have already been placed as community service physiotherapists and (c) is the deadline for final placement?
Reply:
The National Department of Health opened the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) application site from 4 October until 23 October 2023. Applicants and all relevant stakeholders including students representatives by the form of Unions and Associations were informed accordingly.
As a result, it is appreciated that a total of 10 495 applicants headed a call and applied for medical internship and community service positions.
a) A total of 470 physiotherapist (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for community service positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
b) 463 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above. Of those 424 have been allocated and notified, with the remaining 39 applicants still confirming their actual commencement dates.
c) The ICSP has two cycles, January and July intake, for allocation designed to accommodate applicants who complete and confirmed eligible at different intervals. As a result the department ensures that those that are eligible to assume duty on 1st January are duly allocated and appointed before commencing duty.
The department is considerate and mindful that the applicants need to make necessary arrangements, including travelling, hence ensuring that applicants are notified a month before the intake date.
The deadline to finalize all allocations cannot be specified as the process is not punitive, however it unfolds until all eligible applicants have been allocated to positions, and duly appointed by Provincial Departments of Health.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4126
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the festive season approaching in a couple of weeks, what measures have been put in place to ensure that hospitals across the Republic are prepared for the increase in medical incidents?
Reply:
In preparation for the busy festive season the following measures have been put in place in hospitals:
- Contingency plans for the festive season are in place for all hospitals and Emergency Medical Services as is done annually.
- Contingency plan is in place for extra personnel in Accident and Emergency units, surgical and orthopaedic wards throughout the festive period due to expected increase in the number of patients requiring surgical intervention.
- Elective, non-urgent surgical procedures are not booked during festive period and theatre space is provided on a 24hour basis for emergencies.
- Leave is strictly monitored, senior managers on call on a 24-hour basis to oversee operations in hospitals during this period.
- In case of disasters, all hospitals are in constant alert and the hospital disaster plans will be activated which includes recalling of staff on leave, at any given time.
- Interprovincial collaborations on transfers are arranged in case of disasters to respond appropriately.
- Stable patients on chronic medication have been given 2 months’ supply of medication to decongest the hospitals.
- Stable patients are discharged home to avail beds for acutely ill and emergency cases.
- Stable patients are given Pass-out should they wish so.
- The Medical Depot ordered buffer stock to accommodate any eventuality.
- Hospitals in the same or close geographical areas have a divert operational policy in place as a mechanism to ensure access to emergency medical services.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4162
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has records of the number of doctors who (a) graduated from each medical school in the country during the 2018-2023 period, (b) did not get placed to serve the mandatory community service, (c) entered the public health service upon completion of community service and (d) are unemployed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the records as presented to Parliament responding to a similar parliamentary question number 3511, the table below provides (a) data of graduates from each medical school in the country for the 2018-2023 period.
South African Institutions of Higher Learning |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
TOTAL |
University of Free State |
114 |
130 |
179 |
176 |
167 |
173 |
939 |
University of KwaZulu Natal |
159 |
78 |
229 |
150 |
281 |
130 |
1027 |
University of Limpopo |
|
|
24 |
41 |
89 |
75 |
229 |
University of Pretoria |
225 |
291 |
351 |
366 |
335 |
343 |
1911 |
University of Stellenbosch |
231 |
295 |
294 |
310 |
306 |
295 |
1731 |
University of Witwatersrand |
274 |
277 |
425 |
397 |
436 |
466 |
2275 |
Walter Sisulu University of Science and Technology |
86 |
99 |
195 |
156 |
156 |
151 |
843 |
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine (University of KwaZulu Natal) |
5 |
143 |
77 |
178 |
64 |
200 |
667 |
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University |
201 |
255 |
333 |
254 |
309 |
290 |
1642 |
University of Cape Town |
191 |
237 |
213 |
207 |
231 |
241 |
1320 |
Total |
1486 |
1805 |
2320 |
2235 |
2374 |
2364 |
12584 |
(b) The Department has it on record that all these graduates were placed for the mandatory community service, after completing their medical internship and were declared registerable as community service doctors by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
(c) The table below provide a breakdown of new Medical Officer appointments per province for the period 2018 to 2023. The appointments, includes doctors who post their medical community service applied for appointment in the public service.
Medical Officer's appointed from 2018 - 2019 in the Public Sector |
|||||||
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
*2023 |
Total |
EC |
329 |
323 |
364 |
298 |
275 |
252 |
1841 |
FS |
103 |
109 |
158 |
110 |
196 |
170 |
846 |
GP |
328 |
421 |
587 |
605 |
658 |
568 |
3167 |
KZ |
493 |
511 |
656 |
489 |
514 |
515 |
3178 |
LP |
110 |
224 |
183 |
215 |
261 |
239 |
1232 |
MPY |
62 |
59 |
150 |
55 |
112 |
124 |
562 |
NW |
83 |
88 |
85 |
95 |
48 |
144 |
543 |
NC |
34 |
20 |
167 |
46 |
190 |
54 |
511 |
WC |
249 |
283 |
345 |
275 |
360 |
235 |
1747 |
Total |
1791 |
2038 |
2695 |
2188 |
2614 |
2301 |
13627 |
*2023 Data is only available up to November 2023.
(d) The Department does not keep records of unemployment doctors after completing community service as they register as independent medical doctors and can opt to practice in the public service or the private sector.
END.
14 December 2023 - NW4214
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether her department will furnish Ms H S Winkler with the contact information of all the air quality officers in each municipality in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
14 December 2023 - NW4119
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether her department has been informed of the drinking water shortages for animals in the Molopo Nature Reserve in the North West and the consequential death of game in the specified park; if not, why not; if so, what steps have been taken to assist in resolving the issue; (2) Whether the North West Department of Tourism and/or Environmental Affairs contacted her department for assistance in the matter; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) How will her department ensure accountability for the tragedy that occurred in terms of game dying of thirst in the Limpopo Nature Reserve; (4) How does her department monitor the functioning and/or infrastructural aspects of nature reserves under the custodianship of provincial departments?
Reply:
Find reply here
14 December 2023 - NW4194
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) What total amount has the Africa Renaissance Fund paid out in aid to African countries since 2019 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) which countries benefited from the financial aid and (c) what total amount did each of the countries receive?
Reply:
Since 2019, the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund has provided aid to the following African countries:
a) Total aid provided by the ARF since 2019 to date is R406 439 351,32.
b) and c) The below table provides the information requested.
Name of the Country |
Project Description |
Value of the project |
South Sudan |
Humanitarian Assistance |
R74 750 898,00 |
Republic of Zimbabwe |
Humanitarian Assistance |
R50 000 000,00 |
South Sudan |
Prevention and Resolution of Conflict |
R1 025 820,00 |
The Central African Republic |
Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance |
R18 554 240,00 |
AU Special Fund for COVID-19 |
Humanitarian Assistance |
R72 711 439,04 |
South African contribution towards the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC). |
Humanitarian Assistance |
R36 344 440,13 |
The Kingdom of eSwatini |
Humanitarian Assistance |
R40 000 000,00 |
Central African Republic (CAR) |
Prevention and resolution of conflict |
R8 185 000,00 |
The Kingdom of Lesotho |
Democracy and good governance |
R32 396 231,00 |
Drought Relief in Namibia |
Humanitarian assistance |
R72 471 283,15 |
Total |
R406 439 351,32 |
14 December 2023 - NW4054
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)(a) When was a certain person (name furnished) seconded to her department and (b) what position was the person seconded to; (2) what were the reasons that the person was seconded to her department; (3) whether the position the specified person currently holds was advertised; if not, why not; if so, when was the position advertised; (4) prior to the specified person’s promotion at her department, what position did the person previously occupy in the Gauteng Provincial Government; (5) which person in the Gauteng Provincial Government signed the person’s secondment agreement to her department?
Reply:
(1) (a) The person was seconded to the Department on 1 August 2020;
(b) The person was seconded in terms of section 15 of the Public Service Act to support the Office of the Director-General;
(2) The person was seconded to the Department to provide policy coordination and support in the Office of the Director-General;
(3) The position the specified person currently holds was advertised on 16 October 2020;
(4) The person previously occupied a Director: Policy Advisor and Analyst post in the Gauteng Office of the Premier;
(5) The person’s secondment agreement was signed by the Director-General: Gauteng Office of the Premier.
End
14 December 2023 - NW4216
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether her depadment will furnish Ms H S Winkler with the details of officials in each province tasked with investigating reports of illegal fishing and trawling; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here