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17 November 2023 - NW3371

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether any short-term plans have been implemented to prepare for the 2023 National Senior Certificate exams; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Preparation for the 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations commenced almost 18 months ago so as to ensure that all processes are in place to administer the first examination question on 30th October 2023. The plans that were put in place over this period to prepare for this all important examination involved the following:

(a) Setting, internal moderation, editing, translation and  final approval of the 162 question papers required for this examination.

(b) Registration of the candidates that will be writing this examination on the Examination Computer system. Finally, 717 377 full-time candidates and 181 143 part-time candidates were registered on the examination system.  

(c) Printing, packing, storage and distribution of the question papers to the 6 889 examination centres.

(d) Ensuring that the 6 889 centres where the examination was to be written was ready for this examination.

(e) Appointment and training of markers who were selected to mark the examination candidates scripts.

(f)  Establishment of 190 marking centres where the marking will be conducted.

(g) Management of the 147 Marking Guideline Discussions where the marking guidelines are finalised and markers are trained to accurately to apply this marking guideline.

(h) Preparation for the capture of 9.7 million marks of the candidates   

(i) Readiness of the Examination computer system for the processing and resulting of the marks

(j) Release of the results on the 19 January 2024.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is confident that all these preparatory plans have been efficiently executed and the 2023 NSC examination will be successfully administered.  

17 November 2023 - NW2665

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       Whether there are any schools that use and/or have plain pit and bucket latrines that have not been identified for demolition or improvement in any sanitation programme; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the name of each of the schools and (b) provinces they are in; (2) as of 6 June 2023, what total number of schools, nationally and in each province, do not otherwise have sanitation facilities as required by Regulation 12 of the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure published under GN R920 in GG 37081 of 29 November 2013?

Reply:

(1) all schools that require sanitation intervention are addressed under SAFE, ASIDI and also through the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG)

(2)

Province

No. of Schools

EC

506

FS

0

GT

0

KZN

148

LP

74

MP

0

NW

0

NC

0

WC

0

National

728

All these schools are currently being addressed under the Sanitation Appropriate for Schools (SAFE) Programme.

17 November 2023 - NW3529

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Following his visit to the East London West Bank Correctional Centre on Woman’s Day, which assistance has been provided to the female inmates in the facility, who are often without sanitary pads and no educational programmes?

Reply:

The East London Female Correctional Centre has a total 297 offenders incarcerated and 55 offenders are classified as maximum.

(I) The Standard Operating Procedure (Chapter 02 of the B-Order) stipulates that sanitary towels must be issued as required. DCS ensures that sanitary products are issued as required, minimum one packet of 20 or 12 per female inmate and thereafter, when it is required/as per need.

(ii) The centre has twenty registered Adult Education and Training learners in the current academic year of 2023. Ten out of these twenty offenders are classified as maximum that is 50% of the registered learners as follows:

  • AET level 1: 4
  • AET level 2: 8
  • AET level 3: 8

The centre has three offenders registered for Higher Education and Training as follows:

  • Higher Education and Training: 03 (02 registered with Unisa and 01 registered with Boston College).

The number of female offenders in East London Female CC who participated in skills development programmes during the month of August 2023 was 13. However, this does not mean that the other female offenders did not have access to skills training or were not previously trained. Skills Training programmes can be longer or shorter than one month depending on the skills programme offered.

All female inmates, who register the need for skills development programmes as per their sentence plans and who meet the minimum entry requirements have access to skills development programmes as per available resources.

END.

17 November 2023 - NW3591

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Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

In the aftermath of the alleged attack on Israel by Hamas, what (a) is the formal position of the Government on the conflict in the Middle East and (b) are the details of the actions that the Government has taken in response to the conflict to advance peace and security in the region?

Reply:

a) South Africa’s position continually supports all efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within internationally recognised borders, based on those of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with all relevant UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters. Additionally, a viable and sustainable peace plan for the Middle East must ensure that Palestine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability is guaranteed, with sovereign equality between Palestine and Israel. The Palestinian question remains at the heart of the Middle East situation. The international community has an obligation to find a comprehensive and just resolution to the Palestinian issue. So far, the traditional approach to conflict resolution has failed to achieve peace in Israel – Palestine. It is possible that a different approach, one that uses a human rights perspective on conflict resolution, could produce what the old approach could not. The international community cannot abandon its duty to act together, it must shoulder the responsibility to remove obstacles to peace and any violations of international law. Violence, extra judicial killings, administrative imprisonment, forced removals, illegal settlements in the West Bank, and the continued siege of Gaza, are not conducive to resolving the conflict. Urgent attention must be given to resolving the final status issues such as borders, the status of Jerusalem, the release of political prisoners, and the right of return.

b) South Africa supports all international efforts that seek to ensure lasting and durable peace and works with the international community through various initiatives aimed at establishing a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within the 1967 internationally recognised borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. HE President Ramaphosa was invited amongst a limited number of Heads of State, to participate in the recently held Peace Summit in Cairo. In addition, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr GNM Pandor, was invited to address the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to contribute to finding a resolution of the conflict in Gaza. Unfortunately, three (3) attempts by the UNSC failed to reach a resolution. However, the UN General Assembly (UNGA), by a two-thirds majority, reached a resolution that called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and to allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

17 November 2023 - NW3578

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Newhoudt-Druchen, Ms WS to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Considering the rights of inmates in correctional centres, what steps, beyond confiscation, has his department taken to curb the unlawful possession and/or use of mobile devices by inmates?

Reply:

The total number of cell phones that were confiscated from 01 April 2023 to 31 October 2023 is as follows:

Regions

Total Number of Cell phones confiscated as reported by Regions

KwaZulu-Natal

4 433

Eastern Cape

3 228

Western Cape

2 780

Free State & Northern Cape

1 972

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

3 139

Gauteng

5 381

National Total

20 933

The following measures have been in place to ensure that access to cell phones does not re-occur:

  • Conducting intensive searching (including surprise searches) is done on daily basis at Correctional Facilities and access control points. Searching is conducted on all vehicles, personnel, visitors and service providers. It is conducted as per Section 27 of CSA 111 of 1998 and Security Operating Procedures (SOPs). Searching of Officials, Stakeholders and Inmates when entering and leaving the Centres with hand held metal detectors and walk through metal detectors;
  • The DCS has implemented Policies on of “Bagless Society” and “Cell phone free Society”. These policies reflect that officials are not permitted to enter facilities with bags or packets other than their personal items and meals. Females to utilise clear plastic bags;
  • Regions have embarked on security awareness sessions on the prevention of smuggling of contrabands;
  • Guidelines are in place on how confiscated cell phones must be disposed of to prevent re-circulation;
  • Trained sniffer dogs are utilised for cell phone detection;
  • Disciplinary measures and swift consequence management are applied to all officials, visitors, service providers and inmates involved in any form of smuggling of contraband including amongst others, cellular devices;
  • Ensuring night and day patrol is intensified in the correctional Centres; &
  • Ensuring that all posts including tower posts are manned and ESTs are placed at strategic posts.

Total number of Correctional Officials that were found to have been involved in such cases is as follows:

Region

Number of officials were caught smuggling cell phones as reported by Regions

Total number of unauthorised cell phone cases reported to SAPS

KwaZulu-Natal

01

0

Eastern Cape

0

0

Western Cape

02

02

Free State Northern Cape

0

0

Limpopo Mpumalanga North West

0

0

Gauteng

02

02

National Total

05

04

Actions that have been taken against the specified Correctional Officials are as follows:

Region

Disciplinary steps taken

KwaZulu-Natal

One (01) official dismissed

Western Cape

Two (02) officials - Investigation in progress

Gauteng

One (01) official resigned pending the disciplinary hearing.

Disciplinary hearing of one (01) official still pending.

END.

17 November 2023 - NW3510

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What are the details of any functional interdepartmental partnerships that his department entered into since he assumed office to ensure the fulfilment of its objectives and mandate?

Reply:

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has a functional interdepartmental partnerships with various Departments to ensure the fulfilment of its objects and mandate.

The DCS has an existing partnership with Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the partnership commenced on 10 March 2021 and it will end on 09 March 2024. The aim of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is to guide and manage the relationship between DCS and DPWI in order achieve the following:

  • DCS to manufacture and supply furniture to DPWI as per their requirements.
  • DCS to repair broken office and VIPs residential furniture.

In addition, the Department also has a functional interdepartmental partnership with the Agriculture Research Council (ARC). The partnership commenced on 21 September 2022, and it will end on 20 September 2025. The aim of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) is to guide and manage the relationship between the ARC and DCS to achieve the following:

  • Promote a coherent and effective system on provision of agriculture related services, promote sharing of information, i.e. policies, procedures and technical information;
  • Assist and support each other in respect of the agreed services between the parties and agreement; and
  • Inform each other of and consult each other on matters of common interest.

Furthermore, the Implementation Protocol Agreement for the Provision of Educational Support and Services for Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability was entered into with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for formal Education matters (Educator development, assistance with Learner Teacher Support Material, manufacture, maintenance, refurbishment and supply furniture of schools; establishment of school gardens; access to Grade 12 end of year results datasets of all registered schools.

The DCS has entered into the Implementation Protocol Agreement with the D Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on educator development on administration of examinations policy and curriculum matters on ABET.

DCS also signed interdepartmental partnership agreements with the following Stakeholders in the fulfilment of the rehabilitation objectives and mandate:

  • DHET to support the provisioning of TVET College programmes and AET programmes;
  • The National Skills Fund (NSF) for the provisioning of accredited skills training programmes and learnerships to offenders;
  • SASSETA, Services SETA and MERSETA for the provisioning of skills training, accreditation of offender workplaces and Training Centres

Moreover, DCS also is a beneficiary of the Global Fund Grant (GFG) through the National Department of Health for COVID-19 Response Mechanism 2021 (C19RM 2.0) which commenced on 01 July 2021 – 31 December 2023. The funds are managed by National Department of Health and are specifically earmarked for compensation of the appointed Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Coordinators and Surveillance Officers.

The Department of Correctional Services was awarded Global Funds through the South African National AIDS Council for capacity building of officials on Human Rights matters specifically relating to People Living with HIV, TB including Key and Vulnerable Populations (including inmates). Funding is awarded for the period 01 April 2022 – 31 March 2025. The funds are managed by the South African National AIDS Council and no funds have been provided to the Department of Correctional Services directly.

END.

17 November 2023 - NW3298

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Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Considering that the top exportable products of the Republic are largely perishable items which include grapes, maize, apples, apricots, peaches, sugar and soya beans, according to his records, how does load shedding and the unstable supply of electricity affect products awaiting exportation?

Reply:

Information sourced from Export Councils, who are partially supported by the Department, and which represent exporters of fruit, ostrich and abalone indicates that the two most important factors that affect the quality of perishable products destined for export markets are time and temperature control. For products that are scheduled for export at the Container Depots, load shedding and unstable supply of electricity necessitates that alternative power sources are installed in the form of diesel-powered generators for cold chain maintenance and operations which cannot be halted.

With regards to Cold Stores, time becomes a critical factor for temperature control of perishable products. Several contact points in cold stores that are impacted by electricity supply include the container-truck waiting times; all of which have a knock-on effect on the export load schedules as well as booking times at the ports. Final Inspections by the Perishable Produce Export Control Board (PPECB) at the cold stores may result in reefer rejections if the time and temperature control requirements are not complied with, which can lead to either compromised shelf-life or spoilage of the perishable products.

Between April 2021 and September 2023, R323 million was approved to support more than 50 projects in the agriculture and agro-processing industries. During the same period R260 million was disbursed to just over 45 projects in the agriculture and agro-processing industries.

Products include the following:

  • Fruits such as blue berries, citrus, dried mango and tropical fruits;
  • Meat products such as processed meat, pork carcasses;
  • Dairy products;
  • Alcohol such as wine and gin;
  • Vegetable oils; and
  • Snacks such as sugar-based confectionaries, condiments, popcorn, and cookies.

Given the above, we welcome and support the measures to address electricity supply and stability.

-END-

17 November 2023 - NW3509

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What is the total number of (a) newly functional (i) public and (ii) private correctional facilities and (b) correctional facilities under construction in the current financial year in each province?

Reply:

Note: The Hon member referred to newly functional correctional facilities, without stipulating or providing an explanation regarding the criteria or classification of the term “newly functional”. This response provides a holistic numerical overview related to all correctional facilities.

a) The total number of functional correctional facilities are as follows:

  1. Public - 234
  2. Private - one (01)

b) The total number of correctional facilities under construction in the current financial year in each province are as follows:

Gauteng Province – one (1)

Western Cape Province – nil (0)

Eastern Cape Province – one (1)

KwaZulu Natal Province – one (1)

Limpopo Province – nil (0)

North West Province – two (2)

Mpumalanga Province – nil (0)

Freestate Province – one (1)

Northern Cape Province – nil (0)

END.

17 November 2023 - NW3581

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Mr M

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

In light of the outcomes of the Report of the Investigative Panel into Lady R which exonerated the government and found that no equipment and/or arms were loaded onto the vessel, and noting that the debacle caused a diplomatic rift between South Africa and the United States of America (USA), and also impacted the Rand negatively following utterances by the USA Ambassador Reuben Brigety, what further consequence management steps is her department looking at insofar as the USA Ambassador is concerned?

Reply:

Following allegations made by US Ambassador Reuben Brigety, he was dèmarched by DIRCO and had a meeting with Minister Pandor who expressed deep disappointment and displeasure at the way serious allegations were made in the “wildest and most inappropriate manner” at a media conference. There are prescribed diplomatic protocols which should have been used to convey any grievance/concerns through appropriate diplomatic channels. This message has been clearly conveyed to the US Embassy.

Since the release of the report, DIRCO and the US Government have agreed to continue with work to strengthen the our bilateral relations. This includes cooperating in areas in the multilateral environment where we have common positions.

Our strategic partnership with the US has faced some strain, but like all relationships, we disagree on some issues, but our common objective should be to work towards the upliftment of our people. So, despite our differences, the US remains an important partner for SA, and we appreciate the investments by more than 600 US companies in SA, which are significant and contribute towards employment, skills transfer and improving the standards of living of millions of South Africans. At this point no further action is envisaged with respect to this issue.

17 November 2023 - NW3276

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether his department is overseeing the interim measures to alleviate the current water shortages being experienced by communities in the (a) Capricorn District Municipality, (b) Sekhukhune District Municipality and (c) Polokwane Local Municipality whilst refurbishments are underway; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has he taken in this regard?

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is overseeing interventions to alleviate current water shortages in Sekhukhune District Municipality, Capricorn District Municipality and Polokwane Local Municipality. The interim measures implemented in the areas include emergency relief measures as follows:

  • 20 water tankers which were provided to Sekhukhune District Municipality. 1690 water tanks have been installed in Sekhukhune as a short-term measure to ensure communities are able access water on a daily basis.
  • The Polokwane LM delivers water through water tankers to communities as per notifications received about areas/ households without water.
  • DWS is overseeing groundwater development projects and there are ongoing construction projects to install elevated storage tanks.

The DWS allocated funding through its Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) for implementation of water services reticulation projects in the Sekhukhune, Capricorn and Polokwane Municipalities. The funding was allocated for the 2023/24 financial year for projects to be implemented by the Municipalities to improve access to water. Funding allocated to each municipality is indicated below:

  • Sekhukhune DM - R49 million
  • Capricorn DM - R 158 million
  • Polokwane LM - R 72,7 million

Villages to benefit from the reticulation projects are indicated in the table below:

Municipality

Villages benefiting

Sekhukhune DM

Maebe, Tukakgomo, Nkosini, Moutse, Phokwane, Mabulela, Rutseng and Ga-Marishane

Capricorn DM

Ga-Malokela, Indermark, Senwabarwana, Driekoppies, Mogwadi, Maponto, Bolatjane, Ramatjowe, Dipateng, Sekhwama and Maleka

Polokwane LM

Mashamaite, Makgodu, Mars, Moletijie, Bakone Ga-Ntlolane, Ga-Phofu, Badimong, Segwasi and surrounding areas

The municipalities are required to establish project steering committees and project management teams to ensure effective monitoring of project progress. By overseeing the implementation of these projects and enabling water carting by the Water Services Authorities to communities, the Department supports the municipalities to ensure that water is supplied to the various communities in the three Municipalities until bulk infrastructure projects are completed.

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17 November 2023 - NW3155

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Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether his department has the relevant details of the total number of reported bulk water pipes that had burst and/or were leaking in each province in the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what total (a) number of the specified reports has he followed up on, (b) number of burst and/or leaking bulk water pipes has his department repaired and/or replaced and (c) amount has his department spent in this regard?

Reply:

The table below indicates total number of reported bulk water pipes in terms of infrastructure that is owned and operated by Water Boards that had burst and/or were leaking in the 2022-23 financial year.

Water Board

Total number of reported bulk water pipes that had burst and/or were leaking in the 2022-23 financial year

(a) Total number of the specified reports followed up on

(b) Total number of burst and/or leaking bulk water pipes repaired and/or replaced

(c) Total amount spent

Amatola Water

562

562

562

R10 716 073

Vaal Central Water (former Bloem Water)

325

325

325

R7 534 430

Lepelle Northern Water

158

158

158

R1 310 500

Magalies Water

635

635

635

R2 175 449

Overberg Water

96

96

96

R834 000

Rand Water

236

236

236

R230 000 000

uMngeni-uThukela Water (former Umgeni and Mhlathuze Water)

171

171

171

R500 120 038

 

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17 November 2023 - NW3549

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Of the 334 municipal wastewater treatment works mentioned in the 2022 Green Drop report as being in a critical state and consequently placed under regulatory surveillance and required to submit a detailed corrective plan within 60 days, what (a) total number of municipalities complied and (b) specific actions were taken against noncompliant municipalities?

Reply:

The Department released the Green Drop 2023 Watch Report in June 2023 which is an interim report to keep the public and stakeholders updated and informed on the progress made by municipalities to remedy failing dysfunctional wastewater infrastructure and compliance.

  1. The Department received corrective action plans (CAPS) from municipalities for 189 of the 334 wastewater systems (i.e. 57% response rate). By June 2023, only 84 of the 189 plans submitted to the department were being implemented, with the balance being in planning phase or no progress reported.
  2. For those municipalities which did not submit corrective action plans, DWS has issued directives in terms of the National Water Act compelling them to submit such plans. Criminal charges have been laid against some of the municipalities which have not submitted corrective action plans and are non-compliant to NWA directives previously issued. Further cases are being investigated and the Department is finalising case dockets and will subsequently refer these cases to the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute non-compliant municipalities.

The Department has entered a Plea Sentencing Agreement with three (3) municipalities that were non-compliant with the provisions of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). As a result, fines have been imposed through a Court Order. The Department is continuing to monitor the implementation of the order to ensure compliance. Furthermore, a Court Interdict was obtained against Msukaligwa LM for causing pollution of the water resources.

 

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17 November 2023 - NW3430

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Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether his department has taken any measures of intervention to repair the aging bulk water and sanitation infrastructure whose weaknesses were exposed in the recent months across all the provinces, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reprioritised the allocated Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and Water Services Infrastructure Grant towards addressing the emergency needs of repair, refurbish and where applicable upgrade water services infrastructure which were failing to perform at optimal levels. The infrastructure is owned and operated by municipalities and refurbishment projects are implemented by these municipalities as Implementing Agents. This is an ongoing intervention which is intended to improve water and sanitation service delivery.

The Department is working together with Municipalities to ensure that the interventions are complemented with functioning and sound Asset Management Policies as well as the required capacity to properly operate and maintain this infrastructure. This will ensure performance of infrastructure to maximum design capacity and curb eliminate failures caused by lack of maintenance and neglect.

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17 November 2023 - NW3585

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Mr M

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

In light of the increase to $2.7 billion in 2021 of the Republic’s exports through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 2000, and noting the Republic’s opposition to international diplomatic positions of the United States of America (USA), especially with regard to the Republic’s neutral stance on the Russia/ Ukraine war that resulted in a scramble to avoid losing the opportunity to host the AGOA Forum in Johannesburg, what are the reasons for these diplomatic positions which threaten the Republic’s relationship with the USA with regard to AGOA, which has a meaningful and positive impact on the economy?

Reply:

South African has exercised its independent and non-aligned foreign policy position which has remained consistent and has advocated for the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and negotiation as demonstrated by South Africa’s efforts to resolve several conflicts on the continent (e.g., DRC, Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan/Sudan). It is unfortunate that the US chooses to interpret this position as a threat to their national security and interests i.e. the rhetoric that “you are either with us, or against us”. South Africa has always opposed violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, which is the very reason why we have supported Palestine so staunchly, in keeping with the UN Charter. We have resisted becoming embroiled in the politics of confrontation and aggression between the traditional Cold War adversaries. This does not mean that we are indifferent to the suffering in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world. On the contrary, we are deeply concerned about the continuing conflict, the loss of lives and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. South Africa has consistently called for the urgent opening of humanitarian corridors and the provision of aid to the civilian population.

In relation to AGOA, it is most unfortunate that South Africa’s continued participation in AGOA has been weaponised by some members of the US Congress. South Africa has on several occasions acknowledged the importance of the United States as our third largest trading partner, China being first, followed by Europe.  The United States remains the largest single source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in South Africa and is an important source of technology transfer, tourism, and skills development. South Africa values our strategic relations with the United States and is committed to strengthening these relations for mutual benefit. As a result of consistent lobbying by South Africa, the US Administration supports the hosting of the AGOA Forum in South Africa.

South Africa, through DIRCO and the DTIC, has been engaging the US Government, Congress, the US private sector and civil society on matters related to AGOA. The Special Envoys appointed by the President have made a strong case in favour of South Africa’s continued participation in AGOA. These discussions will continue at the AGOA Forum in Johannesburg with a view to advancing the African Common Position for the timeous renewal of AGOA and how to strengthen the capacity of African countries to better take advantage of the AGOA preferences. We also continue to emphasise the synergy between AGOA and the AfCFTA in the context of the continental priorities for regional integration, industrialisation, and infrastructure development. In this regard, South Africa, given its level of industrial development,  can play a central role in catalysing regional values chains in the sub-region and beyond, thus contributing to economic recovery, re-industrialisation and addressing our triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. While our continued participation in AGOA is extremely valuable to addressing the goals of our National Development Plan (NDP) and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), we cannot compromise our independent foreign policy stance.

16 November 2023 - NW3601

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Mulder, Mr FJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

(1)With reference to the complaint of Mrs Léanca Louw against Mr Nicolaas Wilhelm Herbst (CAS 25/4/2022 Primrose Police Station) and the latter’s countercharge (CAS 43/4/2022 Germiston Police Station), (a) what are the reasons that the State Prosecutor in the case did not proceed on the charges brought by Mrs Louw and (b) how did the countercharges proceed to trial before the investigations into the main charges were finalised; (2) whether, after Senior State Prosecutors received a complete docket and apparently realised that there was potential tampering with the docket, it requested an investigation into the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) once the Senior State Prosecutor was given the full facts, what are the reasons that the (a) trial proceeded knowing that there was a material dispute of fact and (b) Senior State Prosecutor attempted to mediate the matter on behalf of the suspect on the countercharge; (4) what are the reasons that the Office of the State Prosecutor failed for a year to respond to correspondence from the attorney of Mrs Louw; (5) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

This question involves sensitive information that, in the interests of protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the parties in question, the NPA is willing to make available to Ms Louw’s legal representatives to disclose further (as he or she deems fit). Where this is the case, it has been expressly indicated. With the above in mind, below are the replies to the questions:

1. AD QUESTION 1(a):

  • 1.1 On 07 April 2022 the police presented the Control Prosecutor with one case docket of Primrose CAS 25/04/2022. Having perused the docket content, the Control Prosecutor was of the view that the said docket did not contain sufficient evidence to constitute enrolment as there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. The NPA is willing to provide the reasons for this decision to Ms Louw’s legal representatives.
  • 1.2 The Control Prosecutor requested further investigations.The investigating officer was instructed to re-submit the docket for a final decision as soon as the investigation queries were attended to.
  • 1.3 On 07 April 2022, the police provided the Control Prosecutor with Primrose CAS 25/04/2022. The Control Prosecutor was unaware that there was also a counter charge under Primrose CAS 43/04/2022.

AD QUESTION 1(b):

  • 1.5 On 12 April 2022, the police presented the prosecution with one case docket of Primrose CAS 43/04/2022 (counter charge). This matter was attended to by the Acting Control Prosecutor and not the Control Prosecutor who dealt with the docket of Primrose CAS 25/04/2022.
  • 1.6 The Acting Control Prosecutor, unaware of the other docket, perused CAS 43/04/2022, and decided that there were sufficient grounds to prosecute. The matter was enrolled in the normal course of events and proceeded to trial on 07 November 2022.

2. AD QUESTION 2:

  • 2.1 The legal representative of Ms Louw brought the matter to the attention of the Senior Public Prosecutor (SPP) on 02 December 2022.
  • 2.2 The legal representative alleged that the South African Police Service tampered with police case docket of Primrose CAS 25/04/2022.
  • 2.3 The SPP verbally advised the legal representative to report this allegation to the relevant Commander of the Criminal Investigation Unit.
  • 2.4 The SPP had no personal knowledge of any of the two criminal cases prior to 02 December 2022.
  • 2.5 The SPP took immediate steps and called for the dockets from the police. The SPP promptly attended to the matter as soon as the case dockets were received.

AD QUESTION 3(a):

3.1 The trial in the matter of Primrose CAS 25/04/2022 commenced on 07 November 2022.

3.2 The legal representative of Ms Louw brought the matter to the attention of the SPP only on 02 December 2022.

3.3 The SPP was not aware of the two cases or a material dispute of fact prior to 02 December 2022.

AD QUESTION 3(b):

3.4 The SPP canvassed the possibility of Formal Mediation with the legal representative of Ms Louw based on the facts at the prosecution’s disposal at that time.

3.5 Mediation forms part of the Criminal Justice System as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in terms of the Policy Manual of the National Prosecuting Authority.

4. AD QUESTION 4:

The SPP communicated with the legal representative of Ms Louw on a regular basis spanning the period December 2022 to August 2023. The NPA is willing to make available the details of dates and forms of communication to Ms Louw’s legal representative.

5. AD QUESTION 5:

5.1 See paragraphs 1 – 4 supra.

16 November 2023 - NW3616

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) total number of staff members in the Office of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) have been dismissed for committing fraud and/or corruption, (b) was the nature of each offence and (c) was the total amount of the legal costs to the HPCSA in respect of the specified cases; (2) whether any supply chain management processes have been followed with respect to fraud and/or corruption; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) in which department in the HPCSA did the fraud and/or corruption take place and (b) what was the total amount of wasteful expenditure?

Reply:

According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa:

1. (a) Three (3) officials have been dismissed for committing fraud and/or corruption;

(b) The offences related to firstly accepting compensation in cash or otherwise, from an HPCSA stakeholder in return of assisting applicants with their registration and secondly the commitment of fraud with the HPCSA credit card; and

(c) The legal and disciplinary process costs to the HPCSA concerning these specified cases was R300 680.00.

2. Supply chain management policies were followed with the impugned transactions involving the 3 officials;

(a) Registrations and Finance Department

(b) The total amount of wasteful expenditure is R171 534.

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3569

Profile picture: Makamba-Botya, Ms N

Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department still has COVID-19 vaccines in its storage facilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) in what quantity, (b) what is the monetary value of the vaccines and (c) what is the intended use of such vaccines?

Reply:

a) Yes, on the 6th November 2023, the department still had COVID-19 Vaccine-Janssen in storage at the national level, at Biovac. A total of 192 000 doses are available for distribution.

b) The value of the 192 000 doses of COVID-19 Vaccine-Janssen vaccines, available at the national level is R 31 149 360,00 including VAT (Average ROE for USD R18.81).

c) The COVID-19 vaccine Janssen is currently being distributed and used in the COVID-19 vaccination programme as part of routine health services. Vaccines are accessible in provinces, and vaccination continues to be administered at health facilities. Individuals are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3705

Profile picture: Bilankulu, Ms NK

Bilankulu, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the details of (a) the progress her department has made in assisting persons who were affected by the Eastern Cape and Western Cape floods and (b) her department’s social protection plan to assist persons affected by natural disasters in the future, as the country and world face frequent natural disasters which threaten to reverse the gains her department has achieved in supporting the poor and vulnerable?

Reply:

Eastern and Western Cape

DSD

a)

1. The core mandate of the department is to render psychosocial support services through its cadre of professions to victims of disasters. This service continues to be available to those who need it and its availability was communicated at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre meetings where all Heads of Centres of the respective District Municipal Disaster Management Centres are in attendance.

2 The role of DSD in the response to a disaster is to coordinate own services in the form of psycho-social services and access facilitation to humanitarian relief to the affected communities.

In this regard DSD did the following:

  1. The Red Cross Society of South Africa was identified by DSD as a collection and distribution point for donations due to their experience in responding to disasters.
  2. Vodacom worked with Gift of the Givers to provide relief in areas identified by DSD through the Joint Operations Committee (JOC).
  3. DSD linked Heal Our Land with the Cape Winelands and Overberg District Municipalities to support with the humanitarian relief response. Heal Our Land is still busy with providing relief in some areas within the Overberg Municipal area.
  4. In the Metro, several humanitarian relief organisations provided support to the affected communities in collaboration with the City of Cape Town Disaster and Risk Management Centre.
  5. The WeLoveUFoundation has also come on board and is willing to provide support in any identified area. DSD is working with the City of Cape Town (COCT) to identify an area where support is required. WeLoveUFoundation prefers to work within a metropolitan area oppose to a rural area.
  6. The following Municipalities - Cape Winelands District Municipality, Overberg District Municipality and the City of Cape Town arranged with numerous Humanitarian Relief Organisations to provide hot meals and other nutrition as required to the affected communities within their area of operation.

The department continues to work collaboratively with all strategic partners and stakeholders to mitigate against the social vulnerabilities heaped upon the poorest of the poor resultant from the flood disaster.

b) The Department’s future social protection plan for vulnerable persons affected by disasters is to continue to work collaboratively with municipalities, community representatives and other stakeholders to identify hot spots for disasters. The whole of society and the whole of government approaches need to be engaged to raise awareness and caution vulnerable groups from illegally erecting informal structures in swamp, wetlands and/or low-lying areas. The Department works with all municipalities and stakeholders to development and implement the annual summer/winter readiness plans.

The Department will continue to establish and monitor the existing humanitarian social relief work-streams in the metro and rural municipalities as part of its preparedness and response mitigation plans.

The department will also continue to provide capacity building and education to internal staff and stakeholders on the DSD Social Relief Plan, Protocols and SOP’s that are in place.

The Department will also continue to provide psycho-social support to the vulnerable individuals affected by the disaster and where appropriate, refer affected and vulnerable individual to our sister departments and relevant stakeholders for material support and other needed services.

SASSA

a)

SASSA provides Social Relief of Distress to any person in need of immediate relief, as per Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 (Section 13), together with Regulations 11, 16, 17, 18 and 19

The form of relief can be meals, thick foam sponges, blankets, vanity packs, baby pack, school uniforms, and or cash voucher as prescribed and approved by the Agency provided the affected persons meet the qualifying criteria.

The relief provided is on a short-term basis to persons affected by a disaster, declared or undeclared.

Declared disasters:

  • A person may qualify for Social Relief of Distress if that household has been affected by a disaster as defined in the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002).
  • The value of social relief of distress paid to a person as a result of a disaster may not be recovered from any social grant payment, including an arrear payment.
  • A list of persons or households affected by a disaster as verified by the Provincial or Local Disaster Management Response Unit will be regarded as the final list for the provision of immediate humanitarian relief.

Undeclared disaster:

  • A person may qualify for Social Relief of Distress if that household has been affected by a disaster incident.
  • A list of households affected by a disaster as verified by the provincial or local office of the Agency will be regarded as the final list of those who are affected for the purpose of disbursing Social Relief of Distress.

The below table depicts the number of people affected by floods in the Eastern and Western Cape and related costs dispersed in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Provinces

No. of people affected

Expenditure FY23/24

Eastern Cape

5,317

R2,446,125.00

Western Cape

16,611

R19,075 581.00

TOTAL

21,928

R21, 521,706.00

It must be noted the Social Relief of Disaster (SRD) response depends on the availability of funds. Further to that, assistance is discretionary.

b) DSD is in the process of drafting a National Disaster Framework which will incorporate, Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Rehabilitation processes. DSD is also working with NDMC to finalise the process of Disaster Funding Institutional Arrangement which will assist departments to access funding in the event of a disaster.

This will ensure that DSD has access to the much needed funds during disasters to effectively respond and assist the most vulnerable and poor people in the society.

 

16 November 2023 - NW3689

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

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

What steps has she taken to ensure that she and/or her department protects vulnerable beneficiaries of SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants against the persistent system struggles and challenges at SASSA?

Reply:

The Postbank has confirmed to SASSA that all system glitches have been resolved as demonstrated in the recent payment run that went unhindered. Postbank also communicated the following to SASSA as remedial action they have taken to prevent future glitches:

  • Enhanced monitoring mechanisms to track the payment process in real-time.
  • Strengthened their technical infrastructure to handle higher transaction volumes, ensuring swift and uninterrupted disbursements.
  • Engaged specialists for a comprehensive review of their system and to continuously rectify any vulnerabilities.

16 November 2023 - NW3704

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Stock, Mr D to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) different funding models are being explored to fund the Basic Income Grant that has the potential to reduce the Republic’s poverty, unemployment and inequality scales, despite the concerns about its funding and (b) are the advantages and disadvantages of each funding model that is being explored?

Reply:

The key funding options that have been proposed for funding the basic income grant are through an increase in taxation, reallocation of current budget allocations or through borrowing.

The borrowing option has the advantage that it would provide additional funding without a need for budget reprioritisation or tax increases. However, this would be expensive for the country as it would increase the country’s debt burden and also increase the already very high interest payments which are already one of the biggest spending items in our government expenditure, which could crowd out other important spending priorities of government.

A second alternative would be a reprioritisation of current budget allocations. This would have the advantage of shifting funds from some government expenditures which are less effective and/or efficient, and redirect it to the urgent needs of the poor. However, such a reprioritisation would be very complex and difficult to implement quickly, since some projects would require significant time and careful planning to wind down without negative unintended consequences.

The tax options considered include wealth taxes, removal of tax expenditure subsidies, increases in the Value Added Tax (VAT) or personal income tax. The advantage of the VAT is that it would be a broad-based tax which enables government to collect sufficient revenue to fully fund the grant, which would be fairly easy to introduce and collect. The disadvantage, however, is that this would be regressive in that the poor would pay the same as the rich. Such an approach would negate the motivation for the grant as the poor would in effect pay proportionally more than the rich because VAT is a flat rate for everyone.

The wealth tax, on the other hand has the advantage of being quite progressive as it would target the rich only. The disadvantage however is that it could result in significant tax avoidance and thus result in inconsistent revenue on a year to year basis as the wealthy find ways to avoid it.

The tax expenditure subsidies on retirement savings were also considered as a possibility. The advantage of this is that, in addition to providing new tax revenue, it would create greater equity in the tax system by reducing support which is currently benefitting high income earners. However, the disadvantage is that it is difficult to quantify and would be unreliable as the only source of revenue, and may result in disincentivising retirement savings among some high-income earners.

The Personal Income Tax (PIT)approach has the advantage of being a more progressive tax which would take a greater contribution from the high-income earners than the lower income earners, thus ensuring a more sustainable revenue source. It is also more reliable than the other tax approaches, thus ensuring sustainable funding in the long term. The additional advantage of using the PIT to finance the grant would also improve the income inequality in our country, as the poor would receive an increase in their income while the rich would have a reduction based on the increase in the tax rate that they have to pay.

 

16 November 2023 - NW3568

Profile picture: Makamba-Botya, Ms N

Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether she has any measures in place to curb the over-reliance on consultancy firms to provide basic services such as auditing, accounting and financial planning, amongst other services, that could otherwise be done through establishing internal capacity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The stability of municipal administrations is an important component both in building capacity and in creating the environment for effective functioning of the municipality and provision of sustainable service delivery. To strengthen institutional capacity, the Minister promulgated the Local Government: Municipal Staff Regulations and Guidelines as a response to the commitments of government’s resolve to professionalise local public administration and build a capable local public administration and human resources. The regulations prescribe minimum competency requirements for staff below management echelon, for entry into the municipal administration. The Regulations for staff below senior managers are linked with competency requirements for each individual occupational level.

The Department is currently rolling out programmes through Municipal Systems Improvement Grants (MSIG), which aimed at providing technical support to the municipalities to stabilize administration and improve governance systems. The roll out of these programmes empowers and strengthen capacity within municipalities.

To ensure effective use of consultants, Local Government Municipal Cost Containment Regulations prescribe requirements, and bring consistency and uniformity in application od use of consulatnts. The regulations requires that the municipalities may only appoint consultants if an assessment of the needs and requirements confirms that the affected municipality does not have the requisite skills or resources in its full -time employ to perform the function. Furthermore, the regulations advocate for municipality to develop consultancy reduction plans to reduce the reliance on consultants.

Though, the use of consultants is not prohibited, municipalities are encouraged to channel resource and invest in building internal capacity for sustainability and reduce reliance on consultants.

End.

16 November 2023 - NW2940

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

(1) What (a) total number of cases were rejected by the National Prosecuting Authority (i) over the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 due to inadequate investigation by the SA Police Service and (b) was the total number of complaints in each specified case; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not record cases rejected due to ‘inadequate investigation”. Where the SA Police Service submit case dockets to the NPA for decision where the investigations are “inadequate” the NPA provides the Police with directions for further investigation and the case dockets are returned to the Police.

In the lower courts, all Police case dockets presented to prosecutors for decision are considered and when further investigation is required, such directions as to the further investigation is provided to the investigating officer. In more complex cases dealt with by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit, Organised Crime Component or the Serious Complex Tax Unit a PGI (Prosecutor Guided Investigation) approach is adopted earlier in the process.

The investigation is also monitored and the responsibility of the management within the South African Police Service and questions regarding the quality of investigations may be directed to the SAPS.

 

16 November 2023 - NW3709

Profile picture: Dlamini, Mr SM

Dlamini, Mr SM to ask the Minister of Health

(a) How is his department ensuring that all rural healthcare institutions and areas where the Health Patient Registration Number System has been piloted have access to the necessary infrastructure suitable for the implementation of digital health technologies and (b) what are the long-term plans to support the specified healthcare institutions to ensure that they maintain digital health systems, as digitising the medical records of patients is a critical success factor for the National Health Insurance?

Reply:

a) The facilities are supported by providing Computer Hardware, printers, and barcode scanners. The use of the HPRS is monitored on a weekly basis. A team of roving IT Technicians are providing HPRS implementation support at PHC facilities in 8 of the 9 Provinces.

b) The National Department of Health Digital Health unit continue to work with provincial teams to ensure sustainability on the use of the HPRS. The national department of health is working with the Department of Communication and Digital Technology through the SA Connect project for the provision of appropriate broadband connectivity at Health Facilities over the next 3 years.

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3692

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the reasons that the R 6 billion rand that was underspent by her department and subsequently sent to the Department of Defence was not utilised to appoint unemployed social workers?

Reply:

The National Department of Social Development reflected an underspending of R 6.1 billion for the 2022/23 financial year. The main underspending was reflected in the Social Assistance Programme (Social Grants Budgets). R 4.3 billion of this amount is related to the SRD R 350 grant.

During the 2022 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) in September 2022, an amount of R 755.303 million was approved by Parliament to be shifted from the National Department of Social Development to the Department of Defence for extended deployment as part of Operation Vikela in Mozambique.

The Department has requested the National Treasury to re-utilize any savings from social grants for poverty alleviation strategies in the social sector. This request was however not granted, and Parliament has re-allocated savings on social grants to other government pressures.

16 November 2023 - NW3614

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) percentage and (b) number of public hospitals in the Republic have (i) a psychiatrist, (ii) clinical psychologists, (iii) occupational therapists and (iv) child psychologists; (2) what is the (a) current vacancy rate at all public hospitals in the Republic for the specified healthcare specialists and (b) total cost to fill the specified vacancies in each year; (3) what (a) number and (b) percentage of public health facilities offer mental health services?

Reply:

1. The following information has been received from the Provincial Departments of Health. Information from Eastern Cape and Gauteng is still outstanding:

 

FS

KZN

Limp

Mpu

NW

NC

WC

No Public Hospitals

32

22

40

28

19

14

52

b) i. Psychiatrists

12.5%

64%

40%

14.3%

10%

7.10%

21%

b) ii. Clinical Psychologists

25%

86%

82%

46.4%

36.8%

28.6%

31%

b) iii. Occ. Therapist

40%

95%

100%

92,8%

57.9%

57.1%

44%

b) iv. Child Psych.

31%

0

0

0

0

7.1

2%

Information was not received from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces at the time of submitting this response to Parliament.

It is important to note that Child Psychology is a sub-speciality of Clinical Psychology and most of the provinces do not segregate or sub-classify the appointment information hence the zero reporting specifically on Child Psychology.

(2) The vacancy rates per province are as follows (with Northern Cape providing actual vacancies instead of expressing in percentage).

Vacancy rate

FS

KZN

Limp

Mpu

NW

NC

WC

Psychiatrists

-

18.9%

82.5%

46%

-

13

4.26%

Clinical Psychologists

36%

19.4%

67.7%

 

20.68%

18

8.42%

Occupational Therapist

29%

20.5%

64.3%

 

30.76%

24

9.04%

Child Psychologist

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

4

16.66%

Information was not received from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces at the time of submitting this response to Parliament.

Cost to fill specified vacancies

FS

KZN

Limp

Mpu

NW

NC

WC

Psychiatrists

-

R11m

R10.8m

R43m

-

R15m

R4m

Clinical Psychologists

R5m

R11m

R9.5m

 

-

R19m

R8m

Occupational Therapist

R4m

R11m

R19.2m

 

-

R17m

R9m

Child Psychologist

 

0

0

0

0

-

R1m

(3) (a)-(b) All public health facilities in South Africa offer mental health services at various levels with screening being a standard service even at Primary Health Care level. Depending on the service package at the particular facility, patients may be referred to another level of care for further management including admission in the designated Mental Health Facilities

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3615

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he will furnish Mrs M O Clarke with the most recent and/or updated registers for (a) psycho-technicians, (b) psychometrists, (c) registered counsellors, (d) psychologists and (e) intern psychologists; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each specified case?

Reply:

According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa:

The HPCSA can release information about practitioners but in strict adherence to the Protection of Personal Information Act 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013).

(a)-(e) With that consideration in mind, the HPCSA can indicate the following regarding the registration of practitioners under the Psychology Professional Board:

BRD Code

Register Code

Register Name

Total

PSB

PM

Psycho-technicians

8

 

PMT

Psychometrists

2106

 

PRC

Registered counsellors

2689

 

PS

Psychologists

9528

 

PSIN

Intern psychologists

889

PSB Total

15220

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3674

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What amount of the additional allocation of R68.2 billion to the education  and  health sectors will be received by his department in order to fund the 7,5% public sector wage increase for all persons employed in his department and (b) how will he balance the books with an austerity budget in order to fill the more than 18 000 vacancies and ensure that healthcare services continue to be delivered to overcome the significant challenges of the public health system?

Reply:

a) Medium Term Budget Policy Statement indicates R17,5 billion to be allocation to Health and Education for the wage bill increase. Based on the discussions with National Treasury officials a preliminary allocation of around R6.8 billion might be allocated to health sector. The final budget allocation to cover the public sector wage increase will be confirmed at the later stage.

b) The department will identify the critical post which will be prioritized for recruitment once the allocation has been confirmed. The budget allocation will cover the shortfall resulted by public wage increase not for additional posts. Provinces annually appoint Employment Recruitment Teams lead by Heads of Health Departments or delegated officials at senior positions to develop recruitment plans prioritizing the filling of critical posts with a required skills mix to address the burden of diseases at all our levels of care guarding against overspending on provided/available budgets.

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3646

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Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether her department undertook any research to determine the current rescue capacity in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what the full details of the (a)(i) current rescue capacity and (ii) shortcomings of the rescue capacity of the Republic and (b) current budget set aside for (i) international and/or cross border rescues, (ii) local rescue and (iii) maritime rescue; (2) what (a) is the total number of credited swift water technicians in each province and (b) are the details of the level of accredited qualifications at the disposal of her department?

Reply:

1. (a) The department (COGTA) has initiated fire services capacity assessments which is updated on annual basis with all the Provincial Disaster Management Centres across the Country. (i) The current rescue capacity in the Country is as follows:

Provinces

Number of Firefighters

Number of Fire Appliances (Rescue Vehicles and Fire engines

Western Cape

1 452

657

Free State

481

41

Gauteng

3 538

204

Eastern Cape

938

114

KwaZulu-Natal

1 125

145

North West

650

83

Limpopo

482

86

Mpumalanga

478

69

Northern Cape

88

32

(ii) The NDMC has noted that the provinces i.e. Free State, Northern Cape, and Mpumalanga are without dedicated Fire focal persons in fulltime capacity for the coordination of Fire Services functions. This is recorded as a shortcoming to carry out fire services functions in the above-mentioned Provinces as per proclamation R153 of the Constitution of South Africa.

(b) The department (COGTA) do not maintain dedicated annual deployment budgets set aside for (i) international and/or cross border rescues, but where funds may be required for deployment, such funds may be allocated through reallocation of the unused operational budget of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). (ii) local rescue as such responsibility in terms of Schedule 4, Part B of the South African Constitution Fire Services is the responsibility of local government with national and provincial oversight. The Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 (Act no. 99 of 1987) (FBSA) is the primary piece of legislation regulating fire services and provides for the establishment, maintenance, employment, co-ordination and standardisation of fire brigade services. (iii) The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) do not maintain a dedicated budget for maritime rescue as these functions are administered through the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) operated and maintained in terms of the South African Maritime and Aeronautical search and Rescue Act, 2002 administered by the National Department of Transport. The annual budget allocated by ATNS to resource ARCC is approximately R8,1 million rand annually for Human Resources and R500 000 annually for travel.

(2) (a) Total number of credited swift water technicians in each province

Eastern Cape

10

Free State

27

North West

23

Gauteng

197

Western Cape

69

Limpopo

0

Mpumalanga

37

Northern Cape

Did not submit

KwaZulu-Natal

205

(b) The department (COGTA) do not maintain any details of the level of accredited qualifications, this information is at various institutions of higher learning.

End.

16 November 2023 - NW3690

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

What steps has her department taken to significantly reduce the number of more than 1000 babies that are reportedly abandoned annually?

Reply:

1. (a) In response to steps taken by the department to significantly reduce the number of child abandonment annually, it is important to clarify that there are no records of 1000 babies abandoned annually recorded in the National Child Protection Register (CPR) which is a legislated register to keep records of child abuse cases including abandonment. The Department notes with concern the number of abandoned babies indicated in statistics that are not reported taken to CPR. The discrepancy in reporting could be attributed to low reporting to CPR.

(b) The steps taken by the department to address child abandonment are as follows

(i) The Department of Social Development in partnership with the Department of Health and Education conducts implementing Integrated School Health Programme conducts education and awareness on sexual and reproductive health rights including dealing with unwanted pregnancy.

(ii) Lifeskills programmes are conducted addressing teenage pregnancies.

(iii) Education and awareness also conducted through media campaign and community dialogues educating communities about available alternative care options and support for parents in distress, education about risks and dangers of child abandonment.

(iv) Isiqalo Program directed to vulnerable pregnant girls/women focussing on life skills, improvement of maternal health, baby care information, prevention of child abuse and reduction of child mortality.

(v) Flourish programme, a national network of antenatal and postnatal classes (10 weeks) that support, celebrate and empower mothers through the critical first 1000 days of a child’s life.

(vi) Sinovuyo Teenagers parenting programme as well as prevention and early intervention parenting skills development programmes to build capacity of parents to care for their children.

(vii) Promotion of adoption services and capacity building of social workers in the Department of Health, empowering them to provide the right information about adoption to birth mothers in order to prevent abandonment of children by the mother of a new born baby including cases when mothers are unable to care for their babies.

(viii) Work in partnership with stakeholders such as the South African Police Service, Department of Health, Department of Education, Faith Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations in the awareness campaign on challenges of child abandonment, empowering mothers with information on how they can safely relinquish their children within the child protection system.

(ix) Conduct holiday programmes through funded implementing partners, empowering communities and parents how to keep children and babies in a safe environment.

(x) Deploying Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers at borders over the festive period to ensure that children, inclusive of babies, who may be abandoned during the festive period, are receiving the necessary psychosocial services and are placed in a place of safety accordingly.

16 November 2023 - NW3710

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Moroane, Ms M L to ask the Minister of Health

Considering that the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs: 2023 – 2028 notes the correlation between human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, gender-based violence, human rights violations, inequalities and mental health, what is the status of intergovernmental strategies aimed towards the integration of mental health into the general health services environment, specifically to strengthen and/or improve mental health facilities, access and education?

Reply:

Integration of mental health into the general health services environment is one of the key interventions prescribed by the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 (Act No 17 of 2002) to strengthen delivery of accessible, person centered mental health services by ensuring that mental health services are decentralised and made available nearer to where people live, learn and work.

Intergovernmental Strategies aimed at the integration of mental health into the general services environment are as follows:

  • Section 71 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 was activated to establish the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health by Regulation. This nineteen member Committee comprises of representatives from the stakeholders government departments (Basic Education, Social Development, Higher Education and Training, Correctional Services, SAPS, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities), representatives of mental health care practitioners (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse and occupational therapist), representative from the private sector, representative from the NGOs that provide mental health services, representative from higher education or mental health research institutions, a legal person (magistrate, advocate or attorney), a traditional health practitioner and two mental health care users representatives. The main role of this multistakeholders body is to advise the Department in the area of mental health from an intergovernmental and multisectoral perspective in view of the cross cutting nature of mental health issues.
  • The National Department of Health is working closely with stakeholders including among others civil society, relevant professional associations, partners and other government departments to increase public knowledge and awareness on mental health so as to facilitate prevention, early help seeking behaviour and address the stigma that continues to be associated with mental illness. Mental health intersectoral forums are established at national, provincial and local levels.

Among others, these forums ensure a coordinated effort in educating the public on risk factors and protective factors for mental health, signs of mental illness, where to go for help as well as the importance of seeking help early for mental health symptoms.

  • Health practitioners are trained in Adult Primary Care which capacitate them to diagnose and manage co-morbidities such as mental health, HIV, TB, NCDs, etc in individuals.
  • The Department provides funding to NGOs that are working in the area of mental health to implement mental health education, promotion and advocacy to increase public awareness on mental health. In the 2023/24 financial year the South African Federation for Mental Health was funded with an amount of R490 000.00 to run a mental health information desk that the public access through calling, sms, WhatsApp, Facebook page, by email and through the website.

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3691

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)By what date is it envisaged that the current vacant positions of senior managers in her department will be filled; (2) whether there are any persons acting in the vacant senior positions; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the positions have not been filled with full-time staff immediately when they became vacant?

Reply:

1. The Department envisages to fill these key Management positions by 31 March 2024.

The Department of Social Development has twenty-two (22) vacant posts in the Senior Management Service (SMS) level.

There are six senior management posts that are at various stages of the recruitment and selection processes – advertising, screening, shortlisting, interviews, and appointments.

The remaining sixteen (16) SMS positions are being considered in line with the re-alignment of the organization structure, cost containment measures and availability of budget.

2. The Department of Social Development has appointed officials to act in various vacant and funded SMS posts.

There are various reasons for not filling the posts immediately when they became vacant, and these include the cost containment measures, the continued reduction of the compensation budget, the funding of the wage agreement from departmental budgets, and the recent DPSA directive on the filling of posts.

16 November 2023 - NW3706

Profile picture: Manganye, Ms J

Manganye, Ms J to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) How effective has the Community-Based Prevention and Early Intervention Programme been in identifying and removing children from vulnerable environments and (b) what is the ratio of identified vulnerable children to the number of available professionals providing social services?

Reply:

a) The Community-Based Prevention and Early Intervention Programme is effective as the programme is designed in a manner that facilitates early identification of vulnerable children through home visits conducted by auxiliary child and youth care workers who uses the assessment tool (Ungubani) that has seven domains to identify the level of risk a vulnerable children is exposed to. Upon identification of risks, the child(ren) are referred to drop-in centres where interventions informed by the seven domains of the programme are rendered to children and their families for purposes of building their resilience. Schools also act as referral point to Social Workers and Drop-in centres through the implementation of Integrated School Health Programme. Drop-in centres which are access points for the community-based prevention and early intervention programme provides psychosocial support and educational support to improve academic performance and this has been demonstrated by the improved academic performance including matric results. Children are encouraged to remain in school until matric, and those who continue with tertiary education are also supported. The effectiveness of the programme is also demonstrated in the implementation of prevention and early intervention services directed towards individual family members, improving interpersonal relationship, whilst building resilience of children and families. The programme has reached 222 152 by the end of the second quarter of 2023/2024 Financial Year.

b) According to the Guidelines for Community -Based Prevention and Early Intervention Services to Vulnerable Children, the ratio for identified vulnerable children to number of available professionals is as follows:

1:47 for qualified Auxiliary Child and Youth Care Workers; and

1:24 for learner Child and Youth Care Workers.

 

16 November 2023 - NW3707

Profile picture: Jacobs, Dr KL

Jacobs, Dr KL to ask the Minister of Health

Since the introduction of the Ideal Clinic Programme in 2013, what (a) total number of the assessed clinics have satisfied the criteria of an Ideal Clinic and (b) interventions are being implemented to support the clinics to meet the criteria standards as the Ideal Clinics Programme is one of the critical interventions being piloted and meant to improve infrastructure and services in preparation for the National Health Insurance?

Reply:

a) Total number of the assessed clinics and community health centres that have satisfied the criteria of an Ideal Clinic is 2046 (59%) to date. This is from 0% in 2014.

b) Interventions implemented to support the clinics to meet the standards of Ideal Clinics Programme are as follow:

  • A team of national managers provide technical support for Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance (ICRM) programme. One manager support two or more provinces.
  • The department developed the ICRM framework in the form of ICRM Manuals and Assessment tools for clinics and community health centres which are used as standard operating procedures for reference and guidance.
  • Where budget limitations prevent provinces from meeting Non - Negotiable Vital (NNV) elements which focuses on emergency room equipment and accessories, the NDoH assist where possible, within its own budget constraints, to procure the required equipment.
  • The NDoH, introduced a dedicated program under the Health Facility Revitalisation Grant which aim to respond to infrastructure challenges highlighted by the Ideal Clinic assessment tool.
  • Facilitates orientation sessions for new facility operational managers and to all managers when updates have been done to the ICRM Framework.
  • National Department of Health developed:
  • guidelines and schedules for managing patients waiting times, handling of complaints and compliments
  • health commodity catalogue for ordering supplies
  • guidelines and training manuals for governance structures
  • The NDoH organizes and provide resources for the annual peer reviews

END.

16 November 2023 - NW3574

Profile picture: Groenewald, Mr IM

Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether her department keeps a record of the categories of engineers employed in municipalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the total number of (a) mechanical, (b) electrical, (c) civil and (d) chemical engineers that are employed in each municipality in each province that is supported by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent; (2) whether any of the specified engineers are registered with recognised professional bodies; if not, why not; if so, with which bodies; (3) what is the total number of vacancies in each municipality for the specified positions; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) keeps a record of engineers employed in municipalities that are supported by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). As of December 2022, the total number of (a) mechanical, (b) electrical, (c) civil and (d) chemical engineers employed is provided on Annexure A attached hereto.

2. Yes, some of the engineers are registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and shown on Annexure A as professionally registered. Some of the engineers are not registered as they are still gaining the requisite experience required for professional registration.

3. According to the respective municipalities, the total number of vacancies is provided on Annexure A attached hereto.

4. The vacant posts get advertised in local and national newspapers as well as on the municipalities’ websites in some instances.

5. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will not make a statement on the matter as the vacancies are filled as and when they become available anytime during the year when the incumbent leaves the position. Furthermore, the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) through MISA deploys professionally registered engineers, among other built environment professionals, to provide technical support for infrastructure development to the municipalities.

End.

15 November 2023 - NW3310

Profile picture: Seitlholo, Mr IS

Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

With reference to his department’s resolve to intensify its Operation Bring Back campaign, what (a) total number of the more than 1 200 state-owned properties that have been illegally occupied, hijacked and/or sold have been reacquired and (b) are the details of the general state of the properties?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

There is a need for the Department to conduct forensic investigation in order to determine:

  1. The total number of properties that are illegally occupied, hijacked/ or sold.
  2. In addition to the above, the Department shall use the professional services (Structural engineers) to determine the condition and general state of the illegally occupied properties.

The terms of reference and procurement strategy are at “ready to go on the market” to source the assistance of competent service providers on the forensic audit of all hijacked and illegally occupied state owned properties.

The project would enable the Department to quantify with accuracy, the total number of state owned properties which are illegally occupied, hijacked and /or sold.

15 November 2023 - NW3538

Profile picture: Tetyana, Mr Y

Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

In light of the ongoing sewage pollution threatening the Vaal River, a crucial water source for millions of persons, what specific steps is his department taking to (a) safeguard public health, (b) reduce contamination and (c) ensure sustainable water access for affected communities?

Reply:

(a-b)The Department is implementing an intervention in terms of Section 63 of the National Water Services Act through the Sedibeng Sewer Scheme Project and Vaal River System Intervention in the Sedibeng District. Rand Water, the Implementing Agent is making satisfactory progress on the various projects that are currently under implementation.

However, sewer spillages in all municipal areas remain a challenge where repairs or unblocking of lines are delayed or where pumpstations are overloaded. Where sewer spillages occur and are brought to the Department’s attention, these are investigated, and Directives issued to rapidly address such pollution incidents. The Department is continuously monitoring the quality of water resources and effluent discharges. In addition, those with water use authorisation are required to meet the norms and standards. The Blue and Green Drop Certification programmes intensify monitoring of municipal service provision by ensuring that the entire value chain is assessed. These assessments enable the Department to have a targeted approach where diagnosis is done on municipal performance. The risks are identified, and water services authorities are required to address root causes.

Though raw water is drawn from rivers and dams, it is treated in Water Treatment Works and the treated water is required by law to meet drinking water standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards in South African National Standard (SANS) 241.

(c) The Department has a five-year reliability plan which identifies levels of access and other aspects of water services standards where a holistic plan is developed and implemented for each water services authority using the District Development Model and the various grant funding streams are used for water and sanitation infrastructure upgrades and refurbishments.

 

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15 November 2023 - NW3161

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What total amount in revenue has his department acquired in the past six months through the provision of accommodation to provincial departments?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure does not provide accommodation to Provincial Departments. The Provincial Public Works is providing accommodation to Provincial Departments.

15 November 2023 - NW3670

Profile picture: Hicklin, Ms MB

Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has taken any steps to assist the National Health Laboratory Service to recover the more than R1,2 billion owed to it by provincial departments of health; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department of Health has continuously encouraged the provincial DoH’s to pay the NHLS for all services rendered and continue to support the NHLS in this matter and the debt is treated as a priority.

The NHLS CEO has advised that she is in continuous engagement with the provincial Heads of Department (HODs) to follow up on the outstanding debt and to ensure that all payments owed are received in full and timeously. Given the declines in provincial health budgets the debt has unfortunately been increasing. The NHLS is fortunately in a significant positive financial status. The National Department of Health is kept up to date and informed of the debt owed by the provincial Departments of Health.

END.

15 November 2023 - NW3368

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Regarding the process that is underway for South Africans born abroad and naturalised citizens to be able to receive Smart IDs, what (a) is the progress on the verification process of their records, (b) are the full details of the systems and administrative steps required to facilitate Smart ID applications for the citizens, (c) are the target dates by when each of the specified steps is anticipated to be completed and (d) department(s) and/or service provider(s) are responsible for each step; (2) whether there are any steps of the process that rely on third-party departments and/or service providers to be appointed to complete the step; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full relevant details?

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department is in a process of verifying all documents on the database for naturalised citizens.

(1)(b) The current Live Capture system will be used to issue Smart ID Cards for naturalised citizens.

(1)(c) The Department will announce to all naturalised citizens on the issuance of Smart ID Cards.

(1)(d) The same system that is being used in the Live Capture environments country-wide will be used and is capable of processing these Smart ID Cards to the identified categories of citizens.

(2) As indicated in (1) above the same system and delivery model for citizens will apply, to process and produce Smart ID cards for naturalised citizens.

END

15 November 2023 - NW3160

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether he has been informed of the total number of government officials who are currently in arrears due to not paying rent in state-owned properties; if not, why not; if so, what total number of government officials (a) have been evicted in the past three months and (b) will be evicted in the next three months?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

Yes, the Office of the Minister receives monthly reports from the Cape Town Regional Office on all Prestige Debtors.

  1. Two (2) Sessional Officials have been evicted in the past three months.
  2. Fifteen (15) Sessional Officials will be evicted in the next three months.

15 November 2023 - NW3514

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether he has records of the total number of (a) short-term and (b) long-term employees under the Expanded Public Works Programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the statistics in each province?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as the overall coordinator of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has a reporting system which allows the capturing of EPWP work opportunities by implementers across all the spheres of government. The EPWP Reporting System (EPWP-RS) contains information captured during the implementation of the EPWP Phase IV which started in the 2019/20 financial year to date for short term and long term opportunities. The different programmes captured on the system vary in terms of duration with some implemented over a short term period while others are implemented over a long term duration. The duration of participation for the EPWP participants is linked to the duration of the different programmes implemented. Table 1 on the next page shows a summary of EPWP participants on short-term programmes in the different provinces

Table 1: Summary of number of participants reported for short-term duration per province

Province

2019_20

2020_21

2021_22

2022_23

2023_24 Q2 Prelim

 

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Eastern Cape

2,098

103

26,243

72

44,439

60

30,695

97

22,892

65

Free State

2,059

159

1,733

198

1,728

184

1,248

138

747

101

Gauteng

5,641

158

4,612

176

10,776

113

5,751

179

4,749

75

KwaZulu-Natal

5,237

166

15,172

68

5,936

175

5,447

134

3,778

96

Limpopo

3,054

204

3,129

142

1,202

168

661

142

344

52

Mpumalanga

1,523

142

1,641

140

1,878

164

1,482

161

897

70

Northern Cape

938

159

1,266

104

1,452

185

982

200

106

67

North West

695

118

693

85

663

79

468

77

95

47

Western Cape

13,335

66

7,108

80

12,170

81

13,000

60

9,098

49

b) Within the information captured in the EPWP Reporting System (EPWP-RS) during the implementation of the EPWP Phase IV which started in 2019/20 - date, some programmes have had long term duration. Table 2 below shows a summary of EPWP participants in programmes with long-term duration:

Table 2: Summary of programmes with participants reported for long-term duration per province

Programme Name / Province

2019_20

2020_21

2021_22

2022_23

2023_24 Q2 Prelim

 

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Sum of Work Opportunities (year)

Average WO Duration

Eastern Cape

114,639

102

107,249

57

103,618

77

77,680

103

54,471

49

Free State

40,693

110

40,177

61

42,504

78

37,182

97

21,928

45

Gauteng

44,693

125

51,364

66

47,035

89

48,283

106

36,106

50

KwaZulu-Natal

134,120

107

126,456

75

138,063

87

130,156

97

99,902

48

Limpopo

59,522

116

62,279

70

65,077

88

61,412

111

39,446

54

Mpumalanga

49,388

113

44,989

53

51,592

76

48,582

89

30,618

39

Northern Cape

30,674

92

28,660

32

32,380

54

37,427

83

16,805

49

North West

47,195

104

46,026

63

48,331

82

48,145

99

34,464

49

Western Cape

42,767

104

36,173

74

40,178

83

41,437

87

16,285

44

15 November 2023 - NW3584

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

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

With reference to his statements in respect of his department’s Budget Votes in 2022 and 2023 in which he undertook that his department intends to overhaul the immigration system of the Republic and it has completed its work on the Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Protection policy framework respectively, what progress has been made with regard to both the immigration system and the Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Protection policy framework?

Reply:

In September 2023, the Department of Home Affairs produced the Draft White Paper on Citizenship, immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a Complete Overhaul of the Migration System in South Africa. On 29 September 2023, I approved the Draft White Paper for submission to Cabinet to request approval for public consultations. The following progress has been made:

  • On 03 October, the Draft White Paper was approved by the Directors-General JCPS Cluster for submission to Cabinet.
  • On 16-17 October 2023, the Department convened a Workshop on International Migration in which I pronounced that the DHA was in the process of overhauling the migration system.
  • On 24 October 2023, JCPS Cluster Ministers approved the Draft White Paper for submission to Cabinet.
  • On 26 October 2023, JCPS Cabinet Committee approved the Draft White Paper for submission to Cabinet.
  • On 01 November 2023, Cabinet approved the Draft White Paper for public consultation.
  • On Friday, 10 November, the White Paper was gazetted in the Government Gazette No 49661, this will be a period of 2 months.

During this two-month period, the Department will intensify its stakeholder engagement interventions so that all affected persons will be consulted. The Department will further work with GCIS in order to reach as many community members as possible.

END

15 November 2023 - NW3587

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

In view of the increase in the number of undocumented learners in schools in the Republic from 457 917 in 2021 to 796 829 in 2022, with unaffordable DNA tests given as one of the contributing factors, (a) on what date will he introduce free DNA testing for indigent South African parents and (b) what are the reasons for the delay?

Reply:

(a)&(b)

The fees and tariffs for DNA tests are administered by the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS). The National Health Laboratory Service is a South African national government institution established in terms of the National Health Laboratory Service Act 2000 (Act 37 of 2000) to provide quality, affordable, and sustainable health laboratory and related public health services to all public healthcare providers and other government institutions. The Department of Home Affairs therefore does not have the mandate to waive DNA test fees. However, the Department is in the process of updating the Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration that it has with the Department of Health, wherein the issue of waiving fees for DNA tests for indigent people is included.

END

15 November 2023 - NW3388

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether he has found that his department is on track to achieve the objectives set out in its 2023 Annual Performance Plan; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of what has been achieved so far?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

Based on verified Quarter 1 report the level of performance per key performance (KPI) is on track at an average of 95% performance. In terms of targets achieved in the quarter under review, a total of 29 targets were reported of which 12 were achieved above the 90% threshold as per the DPWI performance legend. This represents about 41% level of targets achieved. The Quarter 2 performance information is still being verified for accuracy.

The following programme experience challenges:

  • Construction Project Management Programme

The level of KPI performance is at 65%. However, in terms of targets achieved, no targets were reached above the 90% threshold. The challenges experienced include change of project scope from Repair & Renovation to Capital Project due to status of facilities. Secondly, delays experienced in the appointment of the structural engineers. There were also delays in the confirmation of funds by the client Departments thus affecting the procurement process. Of significant impact has been the termination of contracts due to poor performance as well as extension of time being applied for by contractors. The Department has however put initiatives to mitigate these challenges to enhance performance.

  • Real Estate Management Services Programme

The Department is on track on all seven indicators with few challenges where interventions were put in place to improve performance in the second quarter

  • Facilities Management Programme

The Department is progressing well on the utilisation of preventative term contracts geared towards reducing reactive maintenance. However, challenges are still experienced on the area of critical components assessed to determine the conditions of components (lifts, boilers, HVAC and Gensets and Water systems).

15 November 2023 - NW3293

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Mjobo, Ms LN to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

Whether the Expanded Public Works Programme has met its target for the creation of employment in the current financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) in which sectors of the economy were the employment opportunities created?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

The final results for Quarter 2 of the 2023/24 fiscal year will be officially released by the end of October 2023. As of October 13, 2023, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has showcased a commendable performance, with a total of 637 875 work opportunities reported for 2023/24 by 322 public entities. This achievement represents 61.4% of the annual target of 1 038 742 work opportunities, indicating a strong progression towards reaching the 2023/24 target. The performance is above the 50% benchmark expected at the end of the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.

(a) These reported work opportunities had an average duration of 48 person-days, leading to the disbursement of a substantial sum, amounting to R4 814 010 947, which is paid in wages to the EPWP participants. The average wage for the work opportunities created was R156.66. 452 927 of the work opportunities created were filled by women, 238 796 by youth, and 4 624 by persons with disabilities.

(b) The different sectors, namely the Infrastructure, Social, Environment & Culture and Non-State within the EPWP, all contributed to the creation of work opportunities. The Social Sector led the way, having already achieved 80% of its annual work opportunity target. Following closely behind were the Environment and Culture Sector, which achieved 60.9% of its target, and the Non-State Sector, registering at 60.1% of the target. The Infrastructure Sector has also made an important contribution, reaching 53.2% of its annual work opportunity target. All sectors are above the 50% benchmark expected at the end of the 2nd quarter of the financial year.

15 November 2023 - NW3221

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Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)Whether, a certain company (name furnished) was awarded the tender that closed on 26 July 2022 with RFB number LDE/B02/02/2022/23 for the appointment of a panel of contractors for infrastructure building works to all public schools, institutions and offices of her department; if not, what reasons were given for the company not being successful in the bid; if so, what (a) is the value of the tender, (b) amount was the company paid for the delivery of its services and (c) number of points did the company score in the bidding process; (2) (a) what is the name of the official of her department who signed off on the tender award and (b) who normally signs off on tender awards in her department; (3) whether the company declared their potential conflict of interest as politically connected people; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the declaration; (4) what total number of bids for tenders (a) has the company submitted in her department in the past three financial years and (b) did her department award the company in the specified period?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

  1. The tender with RFB number LDE/B02/02/2022/23 was not issued by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
  2. N/A
  3. N/A
  4. N/A

15 November 2023 - NW3515

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether his department has any (a) short-term and (b) long-term plans in place to ensure cooperation with other departments to ensure the longevity of the Expanded Public Works Programme whilst providing sustainable youth employment; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has been mandated by Cabinet to oversee the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Collaboration between the DPWI and other government departments are essential to achieving the creation of work opportunities across the different spheres of government, including targeting 55% participation of youth in the EPWP projects. In this context, a number of mechanisms and partnerships are in place to maintain continued cooperation and collaboration with different public bodies covering the short- to medium-term timeframes, including:

i. Cooperative coordinating mechanisms that enable dialogue on matters impacting the EPWP among all public entities. Amongst these coordination structures is the EPWP National Coordinating Committee (NCC) comprising the EPWP EXCO and Lead Sector Departments (i.e. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Department of Social Development and Department of Public Works) and all Provincial Departments of Public Works. Furthermore, similar coordination structures exist at a provincial and municipal district level.

ii. Additionally, there are short-term partnerships in place which focus on training and enterprise development promoting youth unemployment. Amongst these partnership are the following; the National Skills Fund for funding of training initiatives in the programme, Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) for the training of participants in various trades towards certification as artisans as well as with the Financial Service Conduct Authority (FSCA) for training of participants on basic financial literacy.

iii. Through a partnership with the International Labour Organisation, a partnership for the provision of the Start and Improve Your Business Programme training for participants who want to venture into enterprises post their participation in the EPWP has been put in place.

iv. In addition, the DPWI is in partnership with other departments and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) through the National Pathway Management Network coordinated by the Department of Employment and Labour to optimise the participation of youth in the different EPWP programmes.

b) In terms of long-term plans, the DPWI is currently engaging different stakeholders to finalise EPWP phase V proposals planned to be submitted to Cabinet for approval for implementation from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2029. In addition, the DPWI is engaging the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services (MerSETA) and the AgriSETA to secure additional funding on training initiatives to ensure impactful outcomes. Likewise the DPWI is working with the Department of Defence (DoD) to identify other training areas that the DoD can support. It is anticipated that the present collaboration with the FSCA will continue in providing foundational financial literacy to new recruits in the EPWP. Engaging the private sector to help with finance and job placements for experiential learning for participants in the EPWP for different Learnership programmes is also another area being considered for the long term.

15 November 2023 - NW3535

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What (a) total amount does his department collect as revenue from stateowned properties annually and (b) are the categories of properties from which his department is collecting rental?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) The table below shows the total amount collected as revenue from state-owned properties as at 31 March 2023 and 2022

Category

Revenue (2023)

Amount Collected ( 2023)

Amount Collected ( 2022)

Rental Debtors

84 865 150,26

59 806 906,54

56 524 041,59

Prestige Debtors

2 387 426,29

1 925 178,29

1 847 488,51

Accommodation charges from National Departments and Entities

5 405 759 788,00

5 089 855 877,49

4 861 427 494,06

Total

5 493 012 364,55

5 151 587 962,32

  1. 919 799 024,16

(b) 

  • Revenue from National Departments and Entities is generated from the following categories of properties:-
  1. Office Accommodation
  2. Specialised properties such as police stations, prisons, courts and museums
  • Revenue from houses or residential accommodation is generated from the following categories of properties:-
  1. Prestige debtors that relates to the occupation of state houses by the Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
  2. Rental debtors that relates to the rental of state houses to public officials, private individuals and institutions such MTN, Vodacom etc.

15 November 2023 - NW3313

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

With reference to his department’s plans to partner with and lease out state owned properties to the private sector with the purpose of the private sector being responsible for the maintenance of the property, what total number of (a) state-owned properties have been leased out to the private sector from 1 January 2019 to date and (b) the specified properties have been released back to his department in a well-maintained condition

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has conceptualised a programme called Refurbish, Operate and Transfer Programme (ROTP). In terms of the programme, the Department is planning to lease out state owned properties to the private sector through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the sector to refurbish, lease out and maintain such properties over a period of time and hand them back to the state in a functional state.

Five (5) properties, namely, (Telkom Towers, Cervitas Building, Public Works House, Police Barracks and Department of Defence Flats) have been identified in the City of Tshwane as pilot projects and the procurement process is expected to start at the end of the fourth quarter.

  1. No property has been leased out as yet as the process is still in its conceptual stage.
  2. No property has been released back either.

15 November 2023 - NW3708

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Jacobs, Dr KL to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What are the relevant details of the challenges his department is facing in dealing with provinces that underspend on their allocated budgets and (b) how does his department intend to overcome the specified challenges as the health system and the ability of his department to deliver on its mandate of providing accessible, quality health care is negatively impacted?

Reply:

a) The underspending within infrastructure funding amongst others, are mostly due to unforeseen incidents such as floods, construction interruption by communities, inability of service providers to deliver in time, which result in termination of contracts.

Current antiretroviral (ARVs) contracts within HIV&AIDS program were awarded at much lower rates compared to previous contracts, this has resulted in savings and in underspending while much needed drugs were delivered.

b) The department has started with the mid-year conditional spending reviews to identify the provinces with challenges. The conditional grant spending reviews includes the assessment of grant framework and improvement plans from the provinces.

All provinces are due to submit the revised business plans to shift funds from underperforming activities to ensure improved spending and provision of quality health care. Stopping and reallocation process will be completed before beginning of January 2024 to shift funds from underperforming provinces.

 

END.