Reply:

It is true that several schools have challenges related to water supply and sanitation.  The Department of Basic Education is working with the various Provincial Departments of Education, Rand Water and the water boards to address such challenges.

The Provincial Departments identified about 3 500 schools had water supply challenges.  The Department of Basic Education contracted Rand Water to implement an Emergency Water Supply programme.  The adopted solution was water delivery to on-site storage tanks at these schools.  Some schools had existing on-site storage tanks, while 2 274 schools required such tanks.  On 17 July 2020, Rand Water reported that on-site storage tanks have now been installed at these schools that required tanks.  Provincial Departments of Education reported on 17 July 2020 that all schools identified with water challenges now have water.  The planning and implementation of permanent solutions are part of the ongoing capital programmes of the Provincial Departments of Education.  The date for the implementation of the permanent solutions is dependent on the availability of funding. 

It is also correct that the Provincial Departments of Education identified more than 3 800 schools that rely on basic pit toilets.  Again, the Department of Basic Education is working with the various Provincial Departments of Education to address such challenges.  Sanitation solutions have been implemented at 68 of these schools under the ASIDI programme.  The Provincial Departments of Education have addressed the needs at a further 834 schools.  Several partnerships contributed to solve the challenge at another 103 schools.  The Department of Basic Education appointed 4 different implementing agents to address a further 1 121 schools.  These implementing agents are in varying stages of completion of the sanitation solutions. The current plan is to eradicate the basic pit toilets by March 2022.  This is however dependent on the availability of funding for this purpose. 

Reply:

The following response was received from Western Cape Education Department: 

1. No. The Western Cape has no plans to delay the return of learners to schools. We also do not have the list of schools mentioned in the petition. 
2. The National Minister has at various platforms spoken broadly to each of the concerns raised by Mr Hendricks. Some of the concerns require Provincial engagement. Neither the office of the Provincial Head of Department, nor the office of Ministry, in the Western Cape, has received any communication from Mr Hendricks to discuss these concerns. 

Reply:

(1) Yes. The sewage spillage was not coming from the abandoned swimming pool, but from a leaking bulk sewer line located in the valley nearby. The bulk sewer line has since beenfixed and the spillage cleared.

(2) No. In this regard, provincial governments are not responsible for fixing or replacing sewerage lines and stormwater lines. In this case, sewer blockages are cleared by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, utilizing internal staff. Where external support is required, services are procuredfrom service providers in terms of relevant supply chain management policies.  

(3) No. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is also not aware of any old relics items at the specified site. However, it would be appreciated if more information could be provided in this regard for further investigation by the relevant department.

End.

Reply:

(1)(a) The first Council of Traditional Leaders was established on 18 April 1997 in terms of the Council of Traditional Leaders Act, 1997 (Act 10 of 1997) which was repealed by the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009)(the Act).

(b) Twenty three (23) Senior Traditional Leaders serve in the National House of Traditional Leaders.

(c) Section 3 of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009) provides for the composition of the House. Each of the seven (7) provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders (North West, Limpopo, Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape with the exception of the Western Cape Province since currently there are no recognised traditional leaders in that province) elect three 3 members to the National House of Traditional Leaders. The only two (2) officially recognised Senior Traditional Leaders in the Gauteng province represent the province in the National House. This is because section 3(2)(b) of the Act provides that “where there is no provincial house of traditional leaders but there are three or a lesser number of traditional councils performing the functions of a local house, the chairpersons of such traditional councils must be ex-officio members of the House”.

(d) The last election of members to the House was conducted during 2017 in terms of section 4 of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009) which provides for each provincial House to elect three (3) members to the National House. Members elected by the seven (7) provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders and two (2) Senior Traditional Leaders from the Gauteng province were sworn into office on 09 November 2017 in Pretoria for a period of five years.

(e) The term of the National House of Traditional Leaders is five (5) years as provided by section 2 (2) of the Act.

(f) The next election of members to the National House of Traditional Leaders will take place after the expiry of the term of the current members on 30 June 2022 in terms of section 27(2) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No 3 of 2020) (TKLA).

(2)​ Yes, it is important, and it is a legal mandate that is informed by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, Act 3 of 2019, to restructure the National House of Traditional Leaders to include a number of recognised senior leaders of the Khoi-San. This will result in the National House of Traditional Leaders to be renamed the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in terms of Sections 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the TKLA.

End.

Reply:

The overall Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) budget reduction in the 2020/21 financial year due to Special Supplementary Budget to address the Covid-19 is in excess of R1.6 billion. This total excludes Western Cape as no data was available by the time of this response.

Details are attached as Annexure A.

Reply:

a) The Department of Cooperative Governance does not own land

b) Not applicable

c) Not applicable

d) Not applicable

End.

Reply:

This Tender was not processed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) so DBE does not have a comment on this. The question should be directed to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies(DCDT) for an accurate response. USASSA is an entity reporting to DCDT.

Reply:

a) No, the Minister of Social Development cannot commit on the date on which she will appoint the members of the new board of the Central Drug Authority (CDA).The Minister will appoint the new members of the CDA board once the Parliamentary Committees: Social Portfolio Committee on Social Development and the Select Committee on Social Services have short-listed, interviewed and recommended the suitable candidates for the new CDA board. Based on the relevant Parliamentary Committees’ recommendations, the Minister will appoint new members of the CDA board. At present, the Minister is awaiting the recommendations from the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and the Select Committee on Social Services.

(b) Yes, the Minister of Social Development commits to submit the outstanding CDA Annual Report for :

(i) 2018 – 2019 financial year in September 2020. Prior developing the CDA Annual Report, the members of the CDA board have to receive the reports from the relevant stake holders outlining their achievements and challenges in implementing the National Drug Master Plan. Normally the commencement of developing the CDA Annual Report starts in April of each year, as it entails reporting the previous year efforts and initiatives relating to combating substance abuse. The delay in the submission of the report was caused by the late submission of stakeholders’ (Government Departments, Provinces and Non- Governmental Organisations) reports. The CDA does not have an electronic system to ensure the submission of reports on time; and

(ii) The 2019 – 2020 financial year in

December 2020. CDA Annual Report is still awaiting reports from Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and the National Departments. The delay in the submission of the reports is caused by competing mandates. Some stakeholders do not see the issue of addressing the scourge of substance abuse as part of their priorities. The current legislation, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act 70 of 2008) does not have consequences for late and non-reporting by stakeholders

(aa) the Department of Social Development has reviewed The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 to address the policy gaps including consequence management. The Draft Policy has been developed and currently being consulted with cluster departments. The Department is also in the process of developing system to ensure timeous reporting to parliament and

(bb) the Substance Abuse Fraternity

 

Reply:

(a) Apart from monitoring statistical trends such as the changes to poverty produced by STATSSA, the department also conducts periodical impact evaluations

The social development sector has institutionalised the results-based management approach in contributing to the desired developmental state as outlined in the National Development Plan vision 2030. The department has been committed to the use of evidence from evaluations to inform decision making by managers, improve policy formulation and programme performance.

The department has conducted a number of evaluation studies to measure the effectiveness, outcomes, sustainability and impacts of the services delivered to communities and especially poor and vulnerable households, as well as gather an understanding of the lessons to be learnt. A brief outline of the evaluations that have been conducted in the last five years is as follows:

• Implementation evaluation of the Older Persons Act (OPA) to understand how the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 is implemented (or how it is working) and how it can be strengthened. Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been completed and are in the process of Cabinet approval through the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation. Some of the findings were used in the review of the Older Persons Act.
• Evaluation of You Only Live Once (YOLO) Programme to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and sustainability of the YOLO programme targeting 15-24 year olds and to determine the improvements to be made. The intention is to determine the immediate outcomes of the programme with regard to the extent to which YOLO contributes to increased knowledge, reduced negative attitudes and norms, reduction in risk behaviors’, and increased testing and adherence, all of which contribute to reducing HIV transmission. Evaluation report and the improvement plan has been completed. The findings were used to strengthen the programme.
• Evaluation of NPO regulatory system to assess how effective the system of NPO delivery is and how it can be strengthened. Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been completed. Some of the findings of the evaluation will be used for the review of the NPO Act Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been approved by Cabinet. The Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation has been monitoring the progress on the implantation of the improvement plan.
• Evaluation of Household Food and Nutrition programme to assess the appropriateness of the design and implementation of the national integrated food security strategy during the first year and to understand whether the strategy is addressing the issues of hunger in South Africa. An improvement plan was developed to ensure that findings and recommendations are used to strengthen the programme.

(b) The National Drug Master Plan provides a multisectoral blueprint for South Africa’s response to substance abuse. It is aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness and interventions in preventing substance abuse by providing a clear national policy statement, leadership and coordination of activities related to countering the substance abuse problem in South Africa. The implementation of the NDMP 2013 – 2017, ensured that South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem in partnership with every local, national and international stakeholders. NDMP 2013 – 2017 was fully implemented. The implementation evaluation of NDMP 2013 – 2017 was conducted in order to understand whether, and how it has been implemented and how likely it is to facilitate efficient and effective service delivery across different institutions and programmes for reducing substance abuse. Amongst the recommendations provided from the implementation evaluation report were the following: The NDMP needs to be reviewed and harmonise its approaches; the Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and the Local Drug Action Committees be strengthened and it should have an Implementation Plan. The NDMP 2013 – 2017 was reviewed and NDMP 2019 – 2024. The NDMP 2019-2024 was approved by Cabinet in October 2019. Government Departments are currently being capacitated to implement the NDMP guided by the Implementation Plan

Reply:

Department of Water and Sanitation:

(1) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has appointed Rand Water as the Implementing Agent (IA) for the implementation of the Department’s Covid-19 intervention regarding the provision of water services. The appointment of the Implementing Agent (Rand Water) followed proper supply chain management processes and was gazetted. The cost estimates for the implementation of the Covid-19 project are as indicated in Annexure A attached hereto.

(2) Rand Water’s emergency processes were applied for the procurement of goods as per the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and the Water and Sanitation Emergency Procurement Covid-19 Disaster Response Directions issued in terms of regulation 10(8) of the Regulations issued under section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). The Government Gazette containing the Directions referred to is attached as Annexure B.

(3) Please refer to Annexure A as indicated in (1) above.

(4) We presented our measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation. However, we will provide an update on this important matter once Parliament, through its Committees, afford us an opportunity to do so.

The Department of Human Settlements:

(1) Yes, the Department of Human Settlements awarded tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic as indicated below:

Bid number	Total Tender amount/Price	(c)Products supplied
VA 50 /351	R 675 700.00	Hand Sanitizers Surgical gloves and Surgical Face Masks
Order No. DH-026961
P No. 2420302	R 77 833.00	Nurses appointed to screen employees and visitors

(2) Yes, there was deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures.

The deviation was done in terms of the emergency procurement procedures of Covid-19, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items as prescribed in sub­ paragraph 4.6 of the National Treasury Instruction, No. 5 of 2020/21: Emergency Procurement in response to National State of Disaster, dated 28 April 2020.

In addition to the above, regarding bid P No. 2420302, there were no service providers/ agencies registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database for the supply of nurses. The Department of Human Settlements identified three agencies Requests for quotations were sent to the three agencies, but only two responded.

(3) The Department received four (4) quotations and evaluated them in terms of the 80/20 Preference Point System. Two companies obtained the highest score of 100 points on Price and Broad- Based Economic Empowerment (B­ BEE) and was therefore, awarded a tender to supply PPEs to the department.

The agency with the lowest acceptable quote was appointed to supply the required number of nurses.

(4) We presented our measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.

Reply:

With regard to the contract granted to the Rand Water Board by the Department of Basic Education to supply water and water tanks to 3 500 schools, the Rand Water Board has received R200 million to date from the Department of Basic Education. The details requested by the Honourable Member are provided in Annexure A attached.

In relation to monitoring and evaluation processes in place to monitor the specified contract, the following measures are in place to monitor the delivery of tankers and quality assure the standard of water delivered to schools:

(i) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) have representatives that verify and quality assure the work that has been done by sub-contractors;

(ii) Both Departments convene regular meetings to engage on project activities;

(iii) The sub-contractors sign for the work completed and the school representatives also sign for acceptance;

(iv) When defects are identified by DBE or the Rand Water Board representatives; the relevant contractors are called immediately to correct them as it is done in all other projects.

(v) In addition, the Rand Water Board has representatives in the provinces that verify that the tanks utilised to deliver water to the schools are in good condition before the tankers are deployed to site. The DWS representatives also verify the condition of the tankers before deployment to the schools.

(vi) Tankers that do not meet the basic requirements and do not have a disinfection certificate are not allowed to operate.

(vii) The water utilised for the schools are acquired from the nearest Water Service Authorities (WSA) which are all certified to provide potable water, guaranteeing the quality of water that is delivered to schools.

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is aware that challenges have been experienced with the quality of effluent quality from the Umbilo Waste Water Treatment Works. There have also been issues of non-compliance and pollution incidents with respect to the Umbilo, Palmiet and Umngeni Rivers. The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality have addressed most of the concerns after my department issued Notices and Directives as follows:

a) Umbilo River - Three (3) Non-Compliance Notices were issued in 2019 on 26 September, 25 November and 13 December. Another notice was issued on 10 June 2020.

b) Palmiet River - Non-Compliance Notice were issued in 2018, related to surcharging manholes

c) Umngeni River - A Non-Compliance Notice was issued on 12 September 2019, related to surcharging manholes and sewer overflow from a pump station

The pollution of the Umbilo River occurred as a result of outstanding mechanical and electrical repairs due to budget challenges. Upon engagement with the DWS, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has indicated that a process is now underway to appoint service providers urgently to undertake the necessary repairs which should be completed in August. The budgets constraints that were experienced towards the end of the last financial year (2019/2020) have been resolved with the beginning of the 2020/21 financial year.

Reply:

(1) I am informed that the Doorindraai Canal in Mokgalakwena is managed and operated by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Operations and Maintenance Chief Directorate and it is aware that the Canal requires rehabilitation.

(2) The Chief Directorate is using its infrastructure for operations and maintenance, and therefore there is no need for a Service Level Agreement (SLA).

(3) The plan is to rehabilitate the canal by reconstructing the concrete slabs and eliminate the water leakages.

(4) The rehabilitation of canals is budgeted for on a yearly basis under the Rehabilitation of Conveyance Systems (ROCS) which falls under the Operations and Maintenance Division in the Department. No funds are budgeted for this canal in 2020/21 because priority for yearly plans is determined by emergencies.

(5) The Department is not considering using a pipe because the water at Doorndraai has a Langelier Saturation Index of -1.31 which means it is corrosive. Therefore, installing a pipeline would not be an alternate solution because the pipeline would collapse without a warning.

Reply:

Goods and services were procured in relation to Covid-19 pandemic and the information is indicated in the table below.

(a) Name of the budiness	(b) Amount	(c) Service/ Product
Biologica Pharmaceuticals	R26 650.00	Mask surgical
Tripple N Medical	R2 044.00	Mask surgical
Ekhaya Investments	R11 500.00	Mask cloth
Evergreen Latex	R2 517.20	Gloves surgical and examination natural rubber
Lechoba Medicals	R15 187.50	Hand Sanitizers
Promed Technologies	R2 700.00	Disinfectant surface
Promed Technologies	R3 600.00	Temperature scanners
Multisurge	R4 600.00	Temperature scanners
Recreative Creativity	R27 950.00	Dispenser wipes
Oks iInvestment 2009	R89 700.00	Fumigation/ Building sanitization
Bizmak Trading	R17 000.00	Hand sanitizer dispensers
	R39 000.00	Hand spray sanitizer
	R6 000.00	Face shield

(2) Whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the specified transactions; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case;

Answer:

There was no deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures.

(3)        What were the reasons that the goods and/or services were purchased from the specified companies;

Answer:

Businesses awarded through request for quotations met the specifications and their prices were the cheapest as compared to other competitors.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) I am informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure that the money was initially earmarked in 2019 for appointment of Legal Counsel to advise on the Expropriation Bill, however due to less claims having been received for work done by Advocates on the Expropriation Bill through the Office of the State Attorney during the period September 2019 to March 2020, and as well as consultation with National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on the Bill, which took about three months starting from 5 December 2019 till 14 March 2020. Consequently, the anticipated legal advice from the NEDLAC outcome was delayed thereof. The funds were then used by the Legal Services to augment the over-spending in the area of legal costs recoverable by the Office of the State Attorney. These are the payments made and recoverable by State Attorney from the DPWI against payments made to advocates and other service providers involved in various litigious and non-litigious matters for and against the (DPWI).

b) No programmes were affected by the virement of funds from Programme 4 to Programme 1, as the adjusted budget was declared after a review of the goods and services during the financial year.

c) There was only one claim received from the Office of the State Attorney with specific reference to legal advice on the Expropriation Bill in the amount of R13 110.00 in respect of legal fees of Senior Counsel during the period September 2019 to March 2020 and it was paid by the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. However, the balance of the amount adjusted was used to defray the claims for legal costs paid by the Office of the State Attorney to advocates and other service providers involved in other litigious and non-litigious matters for and against the DPWI as follows:

BREAKDOWN COSTS OF LEGAL FEES PAID TO OFFICE OF STATE ATTORNEY

Advocate Fees	Sheriff Fees	Printing Services	Taxed Costs Taxed Costs	Professional Technical	Expert Deeds Fees	Witness Fees	Tracing Services
R3 759 527.87	R3 089.05	R11 600.84	R131 190.64	R 945 668.18	R15 842.00	R16 240.06	R4 R400.00

Total of Legal Fees for period October, November 2019 and February 2020: R4 883 558.64

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(a) The Department has employed a total of fifteen (15) professionally registered Quantity Surveyors in its staff establishment with two (2) advertised and in the process of filling.

(b) The department does not have specialist posts of property lawyers, however the legal services unit as a shared service supports all line function including the Unit responsible for property management with all legal related matters.

(c) The Department has employed fourteen (14) professionally registered Engineers in its staff establishment with six (6) professional Engineer positions advertised and in the process of filling.

(d) The Department does not have specialist economist positions in the approved organisational structure.

Reply:

a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure prepares reports on monthly basis indicating the progress made to minimise the overdraft, however, the operating model that is being utilized by the PMTE makes provision for the entity to have a revolving overdraft of at least R950m per month. The initiatives that have been implemented to minimise the overdraft include the following:

• A letters were sent to National Treasury requesting ring fencing of all clients budget and for clients to pay in advance, the requests are being considered by Treasury;
• On the 1 September 2019, Archibus system was implemented to make payments to the landlords on the 1st of every month instead of the old system that was making payments before the 1st of each month; the system will be enhanced to bill user departments quarterly in advance for leases; and
• The Department has resolved to devolve the devolution of municipal services to the client departments. In this regard DPWI has advised the departments accordingly.

b)(i) and (ii) In line with established inter-governmental framework principles, below are some of the intervention that the Department has in place to recover the outstanding from client departments and hence minimise the bank overdraft:

• Request to National Treasury to intervene on clients that do not pay within 30 days;
• The Director-General wrote letters to his counterparts requesting them to ensure that departments pay the outstanding amounts to the Department;
• Regular Engagements with user departments regarding their obligations to settle outstanding debts in accordance with prescripts;
• An intergovernmental framework on billing and recovery has been communicated to all user departments, the framework agreement focuses on advance billing, disputes resolution and cutting of services in certain instances where user departments do not comply with payment arrangements;
• I have also written to other Ministers to ask for their intervention.

Reply:

a) I was informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) that the breakdown of costs associated for the repairs and moveable assets are as per table below:

Facility Name	Building Infrastructure – Soft and technical services
Salvokop, Freedom Park	R 3 361 309,10
Grand Total R 3 361 309,10*

*The DPWI informed me these are estimate costs. Final costs are in finalisation stage that entails re-measurement and final account agreement and Sub-Bid sitting before the actual invoice from the supplier can be issued.

b) The names of contractors who undertook the refurbishment are as per below table:

Description	Service Provider
Gardening and cleaning services	Gleamartins Trading Enterprise
Electrical services – Electrical building services	Superfecta
Electrical services – Electric fence	Seamied Electrical
Mechanical services – Fire equipment and heat pumps	Intsikelelo Logistics
Mechanical services – HVAC and extraction fans	Munaca Technologies
Facility perimeter fencing	SA Fencing
Building infrastructure including plumbing	Labstyres

c) The scope of works for the refurbishment is as per table below:

Scope of works for the refurbishment
Soft Services	Regular, Deep cleaning and waste management including bins provision.
	Gardening - Grass cutting, rubble removal and clearing of weeds on paved areas.
Electrical	Electric Fence
	Emergency Power Supply (Generator)
	Cabling for the Generator
	Various Electrical Maintenance
Mechanical	Fire detection and fire hydrant
	Air-conditioning installation and extractor fans
Building infrastructure Services	Provision of water tanks, 1x stand-pipe and connection to municipal mains and crusher on driveway
	Door locks, toilets repairs/ water pressure/ gutters/ storm-water channelling/ main-hole covers/ unblock
	Hire of mobile toilets and ablutions and connection to municipal services
	Galvanized fence, welded mesh panel fence 2100mm(H) including vehicle gates

d) Additional procurement was done in order to meet the standard for a quarantine site,

Facility Name	Movable Assets – Furniture & soft furnishing: procurement of beds, chairs, pillow cases, bath towels etc.
Salvokop, Freedom Park	R 422 863.05
Grand Total R 422 863.05

e) The site has a total of 64 beds. Department of Health has not yet activated the site to host persons under investigation.

f) After the current use, the site shall be used by Department of Social Development to accommodate victims of gender based violence.

Reply:

(1) A total of thirteen (13) water usage licences were issued in the period 1 April to 24 June 2020.

(2) The only authority to issue water usage licenses within the Department of Water and Sanitation lies with the Director-General.

Reply:

1. The total allocated to the National School of Government was:

a) 2015/16 – R 140.4 million of which R47.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The trading Account then raised R 68.4 million of its own revenue.

2016/17 – R 88.6 million there was no allocation for the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R137 million.

2017/18 – R 153.9 million of which R63.6 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R 115 million.

2018/19 – R 168.9 million of which R 72.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R 151.7 million.

2019/20 – R 187.9 million of which R84.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading account generated its own revenue of R154.2 million

(b) from 1 April 2020 – R 190.6 million of which R93.7 million will be transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account budgeted revenue target has been revised downwards to R 75.2 million due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

 

2. In repositioning for the future, the NSG is expanding its mandate in three spheres of government, state owned entities and organs of state and support the outcomes of priority 1 of MTSF (professionalising public administration). In doing so, it is critical for the NSG to intervene DIRECTLY by providing or facilitate ETD programmes; INFLUENCE (content creation of public administration, quality of ETD); and REFER (where the NSG cannot offer ETD interventions, we refer public servants to other recognised training providers esp. HEIs). The five year strategy programmes places emphasis on the quality of our ETD interventions and of those who deliver on behalf of the NSG; as well as to embrace partnerships and collaborations with public and private institutions to support ETD interventions to achieve depth and scale. In this regard, we are co-branding programmes we deliver in partnership with HEIs to grow our visibility, impact and brand value. The NSG has concluded partnerships with the following HEIs:

The NSG Programme	HEI, Geographical Allocation and Programme Recognition
EDP Contract period: Oct 2019 – Oct 2022	University of the Free State (UFS): National Participants who hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) may apply for admission to the Post-Graduate Diploma (Public Administration and Management) and may receive exemption for one of the six modules.
EMDP and AMDP Contract period: 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2023	North West University (NWU): N.West, Mpumalanga & Limpopo EDP: Advanced standing (exemption) in relation to some 1st year modules of the BA Public Governance AMDP: Advanced standing (exemption) in relation to all 1st year modules of the BA Public Governance
	University of the Free State (UFS): Free State & KZN EDP: Exemption from 2 modules of the Higher Cert in Management Development AMDP: Exemption from 4 modules of the Higher Cert in Management Development
	University of Forte Hare through Fort Hare Solutions (FHS): E. Cape EDP: 81 credits toward the Higher Cert in Public Admin AMDP: 85 credits toward the Advanced Cert in Public Admin
	University of the Western Cape (UWC): W.Cape & N.Cape EDP: Exemption from one 1st year module of the B Admin degree AMDP: Exemption from one 3rd year module of the B Admin degree
	Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): National Departments & GP EDP: Exemption from 1st year Nat Diploma Public Management (to become Diploma in Public Affairs) AMDP: Exemption from 1 module of the BTech Public Management (to become Advanced Diploma in Public Affairs)

The National School of Government (the NSG) has been working in partnerships with public universities for more than 10 years for the delivery of training programmes such as Integrated Management Development Programme (IMDP) and for the Legislature programmes. The Universities we have partnered with previously on the IMDP programmes include the University of Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela University, Vaal University of Technology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, University of Pretoria, University of Limpopo, North West University (NWU), University of Forte Hare through Fort Hare Solutions (FHS), University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). On the Legislature programmes we have worked with WITS and University of Johannesburg.

The process of partnering with public universities is done through a tender process. New programmes are being explored with public universities and should bear fruits within two years – these will focus on economic governance, leadership in times of crisis (like Covid-19) and on a variety of 4iR programmes including Cyber Security and data analytics for policy making.

Over the last ten years, the training programmes in partnerships between NSG and Parliament have achieved the following based on successful participation by participants:

1. Certificate in Governance and Leadership - offered by the NSG in partnership with UNISA: Approximately 182 participants successfully completed the Certificate in Governance and Leadership; and
2. Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership - offered in partnership with the Wits University School of Governance as a short learning programme. The Graduate Certificate links to further qualification i.e. as determined by partnerships with HEIs and as determined by HEI admission requirements (PGDip in Governance and Public Leadership; MM in Governance and Public Leadership). Approximately 289 participants successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership.
3. Over the period of the last ten years 178 participants enrolled for the PGDIP in Governance and Public Leadership through WITS. Through the University of Johannesburg 41 participants enrolled in a Continuing Education Programme and 73 participants enrolled to complete a PGDiP at the University of Johannesburg.

3. The majority of facilitated courses offered by the NSG are accredited with a relevant quality assurance authority. These include:

• Higher Education Institutions
• Education and Training Quality Assurance bodies within the relevant Sector Education and Training Authorities, for example the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA); and
• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)

The School also offers non-credit bearing courses. The value of these courses lies in the agile development and up-skilling of public servants by developing knowledge, improving competency and enhancing practice. All courses offered by the School are approved through internal quality assurance processes. The NSG has 129 accredited and non-accredited courses/programmes of which 99 are accredited and 30 non-accredited. The details are as follows:

HEI approved	21
ETQA accredited	69
QCTO accredited	9
Total number of accredited courses/programmes (ETQA & QCTO):	99
Number of non-accredited courses/programmes	30
Grand total number of courses/programmes	129

The curriculum will be reviewed to align to the ETD needs for all salary levels (i.e. entry to exit). The NSG will also undertake the curriculum review using a peer review mechanism. The School is also building internal capacity for quality assurance and accreditation management. Furthermore, there is a process underway of establishing a Curriculum Review and Quality Assurance Committee which will also bring experts as part of continuing improvement of our curriculum and course delivery.

4. The NSG offered 9 self-paced open eLearning courses during the national lock down. Officials are able to self-register and enrol in the course or courses of their choice, which include:

1. Ethics for Internal Auditors
2. Ethics in the Public Service (Compulsory course)
3. Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP)
4. Introduction to Financial Management and Budgeting
5. Introduction to Leading Change
6. Introduction to Strategic Planning and Management
7. Know and live our Constitution
8. Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and Ill-Health Retirement (PILIR)
9. Writing for Government: Basic writing skills for Executive Support

The implementation of the SMS Pre-entry Programme (Nyukela) continued during lockdown. Since the national lock down and up to the end of June 2020 there was a total of 9 156 enrolments on the NSG eLearning platform, 2166 of which were in the SMS Pre-entry Programme (Nyukela). Officials who are new to eLearning are able to self-enrol in Getting Started with eLearning, which prepares them for online learning.

The NSG in partnership with University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) will deliver a two weeks online Seminar on Building Governance Capacity for South Africa through the ZOOM platform starting from the 13th July 2020.

The National School of Government (NSG), in partnership with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) will be launching in August 2020 a five-day gender course Leading Change by Championing Gender Equality. The course will be on the online platform and will cover the Mainstreaming of Gender, Gender Based Violence and Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting.

The NSG is in the process of entering into a MOA with TIPS to develop online courses on COVID-19 and the South African Economy and South Africa’s Industrial policy and action plan. The courses will be rolled out in quarter 3 of 2020/21 financial year.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Human Settlements is not aware, nor has it received reports of any of its officials that engage in the selling of BNG houses to persons who do not qualify or meet the housing subsidy criteria.

(2) (a) Falls away.

(b) Section 10A of the Housing Act 107 of 1997 contains a specific clause referred to as the Restriction on voluntary sale of state-subsidised housing which restricts beneficiaries of subsidised or RDP houses from selling or alienating their dwellings or serviced sites for a period of eight (8) years. In a case where a beneficiary is relocating to another provinces, they may surrender the property to the relevant Provincial Department of Human Settlements who shall take ownership thereof and the previous owner will be allowed to reapply for a new subsidised housing opportunity on arrival at the preferred province.

In addition, the Department of Human Settlements has a dedicated Special Investigations Directorate that works with law enforcement agencies and other government departments to deal with all matters related to fraud and corruption. It is therefore suggested that the Honourable Member provides me with the information for further investigation.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) As at 17 July 2020, a total of 16 417 participants were actively working in COVID-19 response related to the Department of Health Promotion of Hygiene Strategy interventions.

b) A total of R1 906 375 was paid to participants as stipends as at 21 July 2020. Further processing of payments are still underway.

Reply:

(a) The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer (L-BWT) project feasibility study is currently being conducted in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in 2017 between the governments of Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa (Namibia is an observer). The MoA relates solely to the development of a bankable feasibility study and does not constitute an implementation agreement. The study commenced in August 2018 and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2021.

The State parties mandated the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) to act as an implementing agent for the co-ordination, management and administration of the study, as well as to solicit donor funding for the study. In order to enhance the potential for securing donor funding, ORASECOM packaged the L-BWT study to form part of a larger overall basin-wide study titled: Preparation of Climate Resilient Water Resources Investment Strategy and Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Multipurpose Project for the Orange-Senqu River Basin.

As far as the Screening and Pre-Feasibility Studies (Component III of the basin-wide study) for all major infrastructure elements of the L-BWT project, namely: the dam on the Makhaleng River in Lesotho and the water conveyance system are concerned, a professional service provider (PSP) has been appointed. The scope of work for the various parts and phases of the study, the progress status and the likely completion dates for each part are as set out below. This work is divided into the following two phases:

• Phase 1: Screening Study: Work started on 1 August 2018 and was completed on 30 April 2020. Approval of the final study reports is expected by 31 May 2020

• Phase 2: Pre-Feasibility Study: Work planned to start on 1 June 2020 and to be completed by 30 November 2020.

Detailed Feasibility Studies (Component IV of the basin-wide study) for all major elements of the scheme, namely: Part 1: the dam, and Part 2: the water conveyance system. The scope of work includes all engineering and economic studies, as well as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The stakeholder consultations will be undertaken as part of Component V of the basin-wide study. This work is divided into three parts:

• Part 1: Feasibility Study for the Dams: A PSP has been appointed for this part. The work will start after the completion of Pre-Feasibility studies, towards 1 December 2020 and will be completed around 30 September 2021.

• Part 2: Feasibility Study for the Conveyance System: Scope: A PSP for this part has not yet been appointed, but the procurement process is underway. The work is expected to start after 1 December 2020 and to be completed around 30 November 2021.

• Part 3: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Part 1: Dams and Part 2; Conveyance System: A PSP for this part has not yet been appointed, but the procurement process is underway. The work is expected to start towards 1 January 2021 and to be completed towards 31 December 2021.

(b) The planned public/stakeholder participation process will form part of the wider study’s Component V. The work for this component can commence only after at least the basic technical parameters of the potentially favourable competitive options for the dam and for the conveyance system have been defined during the pre-feasibility studies (expected after 30 November 2020).

The public/stakeholder participation activities are expected to commence after 30 November 2020 and to continue until the completion of the study around 31 December 2021. The exact dates for future stakeholder consultations will depend on the progress with the current technical feasibility studies and upon decisions reached by consensus between the State parties. These will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course

However, in preparation for the start of the stakeholder participation process, certain related activities have already commenced. The first basin-wide strategy stakeholder workshop was held in January 2019 in Lesotho. It was attended by the key authorities representing the four ORASECOM member States. The aim of the workshop was to identify the relevant project stakeholders in each country, to lay out the foundations for a Stakeholder Management Plan, as well as to agree on the establishment of a Stakeholders Forum for future engagement. A preliminary list of identified main stakeholder groups has been proposed. This list will be expanded and refined once the PSP for this task is appointed after November 2020.

Reply:

The sewer pumping stations of Mamusa Local Municipality (MLM) are under pressure due to the high inorganic composition of the influent. Overflows occur whenever problems such as power or mechanical failures take place. The inability of bulk sewer infrastructure to convey wastewater causes numerous sewer spillages, resulting in pollution of the watercourse. Refurbishment and upgrading of sewer pumping stations in Ipelegeng and Schweizer-Reneke are thus critically important.

To curb the challenges indicated above, the following short-term interventions have been implemented in the Mamusa Local Municipality by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality (DRSMDM):

1. Maintenance to address mechanical and electrical backlogs at the Ipelegeng Sewerage Pumping Stations has been attended to.
2. Improvement of the capacity of the Mamusa Local Municipality cleaning team with the procurement of a new High-pressure Water Jet Machine to unblock block sewer lines.

Furthermore, long-term interventions are underway to refurbish the sewer system in Mamusa include the upgrading of critical Bulk Water and Sewer Services. The proposed scheme is twofold and will address the persistent spillages occurring at sewer pumping stations and enhance the sustainability of the infrastructure. The refurbishments will entail the following: 

1. Construction of new inlet chambers and retention dams 
2. Refurbishments of existing mechanical components 
3. Refurbishment of external components around pumping stations
4. Refurbishments of inlet pipework and manholes 
5. Installation of new mechanical components 
6. Upgrading and refurbishment of electrical components. 

 

Funding applications and technical reports were submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation during the first quarter of 2020. The detailed designs, construction drawings and specifications have been completed and the projects are ready for construction to commence once funding approval is confirmed.

Reply:

I will refer the Honourable Member to the report of the Portfolio Committee after the visit of the Committee to the Government Printing Works on 17th June 2020. Honourable member is a member of the Portfolio Committee. I believe The Honourable member has access to the report.

END

Reply:

Honourable member, the Portfolio Committee On Home Affairs, which you are a member of, paid a visit to the Government Printing Works on 17th of June 2020, to gather facts about the issues you are enquiring about. As a member of the Committee, I am sure you have access to such a report.

END

Reply:

The Government Printing Works (GPW) currently has no in-house legal services capacity, however, this situation is being addressed through the revision of the organisational structure which envisages establishing such capacity.

(a) The GPW spent a total of R 4 579 563,70 (excl. VAT) in external legal fees over the past 3 financial years, as follows:

1 April 2017 - 31 March 2018	R 1 320 124,48
1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019	R 2 240 836,50
1 April 2019 - 31 March 2020	R 1 018 602,73

(b)(i) The following three firms received the highest total amounts over the 3 years in question:

NT Mchunu Incorporated

Masondo Attorneys

De Swardt Vogel Myambo Attorneys

(b)(ii) The abovementioned three firms received the following amounts (excl. VAT) in total over the 3 years in question:

NT Mchunu Incorporated	R 1 112 299,05
Masondo-Malope Attorneys	R 1 097 285,08
De Swardt Vogel Myambo Attorneys	R 713 682,11

(b)(iii) The legal fees were in respect of the following:

 

Firm	Legal Opinion	Contracting Services	Other *	Total
NT Mchunu Incorporated	R387 920.08	R587 435.97	R136 943.00	R1 112 299,05
Masondo Attorneys	R 24 335.73	-	R150 513.15	R1 097 285,08
De Swardt Vogel Myabo Attorneys	-	R 86 789.63	R626 892.48	R 713 ,682.11

* Other refers mostly to cases where the firms were hired to provide a bouquet of legal services over a particular time. Such services included drafting contracts and service level agreements, development of legal policies, contract vetting, and provision of general legal advice.

END

Reply:

(a-b) The intelligence agencies of the state and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are primarily responsible for national security and protecting the territorial integrity of the country. On the advice and guidance of these organs of state, I will consider undertaking a support role within the legislative mandate of his portfolio.

END

Reply:

1. LZ [Mathobula] Mathobela v Minister of Home Affairs & another (Case no. 98386/18 - Gauteng Division, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 12 June 2019)

1.1 This matter involved the application for citizenship in case of doubt in terms of section 15 of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995. The Court ordered that the applicant is a South African citizen and directed the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) to enter the applicant’s particulars in the population register and issue her with a South African citizen identity number, birth certificate and identity document within 30 days of the order.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

1.2 The Court Order was issued in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. It later transpired that the applicant is ordinarily resident in Cape Town. The applicant approached the Cape Town and officials of DHA were not aware of the Court Order.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

1.3 An instruction has been given to the Cape Town office to assist on urgent basis. The applicant’ attorneys have been duly informed.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

The DHA will fully comply by 31 July 2020.

2. Minister of Home Affairs v Miriam Ali and Others [2018] ZASCA 169 (SCA) (Case no. 1289/17, Supreme Court of Appeal – Court Order Date: 30 November 2018)

2.1 The matter pertains to the interpretation of section 4(3) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 (amendment that came into effect on 1 January 2013) in which the main issue was whether or not the section applies with retrospective effect and further is the respondents (on appeal) satisfy the requirements of citizenship by naturalisation. The question was whether in the absence of Regulations, the High Court was correct in directing the Minister to accept applications on affidavits as the order encroached upon the doctrine of separation of powers.

 

2.2 The Supreme Court of Appeal issued the order that:

 

“The Minister shall –

3.1 Within one year of the date of this order make regulations in terms of s 23(a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 (the Act) in respect of applications for citizenship by naturalisation in terms of s 4(3) of the Act;

3.2 Pending the promulgation of the regulation in 3.1 above, accept applications in terms of s 4(3) South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, on affidavit.”.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

2.3 The DHA was advised to approach the Constitutional Court (“CC”) as the Order of the SCA had the effect of encroaching upon the subordinate legislative powers of the Minister. The CC declined to hear the matter largely because the DHA delayed in launching the appeal proceedings.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

2.3 The draft Amendment Regulations to deal with the procedure and requirements for making an application have been prepared and finalised. However, the draft Amendment Regulations must be published for public comments before they are promulgated and due to the National State of Disaster, especially the period between 26 March 2020 and early July 2020, a decision taken was that the DHA may not be able to obtain the adequate public comments due to lockdown Regulations. The draft Amendment Regulations ha been gazetted for public comments.

2.4 The applicants have been issued with certificates for citizenship by naturalization.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

 

The DHA will fully comply by 15 September 2020.

3. Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town & 4 others v Minister of Home Affairs & 4 Others, (Case no. 5242/2016 - Western Cape Division, Cape Town - Judgment date: 19 June 2019)

 

3.1 This was an application to review the DHA’s failure to take a decision and make a determination regarding the refugees who are entitled to refugee status and asylum in South Africa by virtue of section 3(c) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 because they are dependent spouses and children of the applicants.

3.2 The Court Order dated 19 June 2019 reads:

“The Standard Operating Procedures from the Department satisfies the requirements that entitles the Department to adopt appropriate policies and procedures which facilitate the reception and assessment of claims by dependents of refugees.

Further that such refugee applicants have the right to work, attend school, receive basis and emergency health-care and may not be detained, arrested or deported.”

The Department has conducted training on the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures and the same is being implemented.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

3.3 The DHA has conducted training on the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures and same is being implemented.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

The DHA has fully complied with the Court Order.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

 

The DHA has fully complied with the order.

4. Lawyers for Human Rights v Minister of Home Affairs and Others [2017] ZACC 22 (CC) (Case no. CCT 38/16, Constitutional Court - Judgment date: 29 June 2017)

4.1 This matter concerned the consideration of the conditions under which illegal foreigners are detained before deportation in terms of section 34 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The applicant challenged certain provisions of section 34 relating to detentions . These conditions included a failure to inform foreigners of the rights. The section requires them to be notified of, the inability to exercise these rights owing to lack of resources and legal assistance.

4.2 The court ordered, inter alia, the following:

“2. Section 34(1)(b) and (d) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 is declared to be inconsistent with sections 12(1) and 35(2)(d) of the Constitution and therefore invalid.

3. The declaration of invalidity is suspended for 24 months from the date of this order to enable Parliament to correct the defect.

4. Pending legislation to be enacted within 24 months or upon the expiry of this period, any Illegal foreigner detained under section 34(1) of the Immigration Act shall be brought before a court in person within 48 hours from the time of arrest or not later than the first court day after the expiry of the 48 hours, if 48 hours expired outside ordinary court days.

5. Illegal foreigners who are in detention at the time this order is issued shall be brought before a court within 48 hours from the date of this order or on such later date as may be determined by a court.

6. In the event of Parliament failing to pass corrective legislation within 24 months, the declaration of invalidity shall operate prospectively.

7. The Minister of Home Affairs and the Director-General: Department of Home Affairs shall, within 60 days from the date of this order, file on affidavit a report confirming compliance with paragraph 5, at the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria.”.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order and what steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

4.3 The DHA has filed a report in Court and fully complied with paragraphs 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Court Order. All illegal foreigners who are arrested and detained for deportation are brought before a magistrate within 48 hours for conformation of detention.

4.4 During 2018, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs introduced a Committee Bill to amend the Immigration Amendment Bill to address the defects in section 34(1) the Immigration Act as declared by the court to be invalid. However, at the end of the term of the fifth Parliament, the Bill was not finalised and therefore not saved. In this regard, the order of invalidity is applicable until proper provision is made in the Immigration Act.

4.5 The DHA has embarked on extensive Policy Review in line with international trends of dealing with immigration and refugee protection in one single legislation.

 

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

 

4.6 The DHA has fully complied with the order. The section declared unconstitutional will be dealt in the said Policy Review.

5. Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs [2017] ZASCA 126 (Case no. 1107/2016, Supreme Court of Appeal - Court Order Date: 29 September 2017)

5.1 The matter involved the decision to close refugee reception office under section 18(1) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 challenged on the basis of unreasonableness and rationality. The Court found that decision-maker failed to take into account relevant considerations, comply with the empowering provision and committed errors of law.

5.2 The procurement of infrastructure is made through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (“DPWI”). In this regard, the DHA had identified a site however confirmation was received that the service provider for the identified site will not be continuing with the process. As a result, the signing of lease agreement was not proceeded with.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

5.3 I refer to my answer above.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

5.4 The DHA has engaged DPWI to restart the process for the new tender, and DPWI advised that the Bid Advertisement closed on 25 May 2020 and five (5) bids or responses were received. Due to restrictions on movements due to the National State of Disaster, the process of physical inspections of the five (5) sites as per the bids may be delayed.

5.4 I must add that National Treasury advised the DHA that its budget will be reduced by R562 million in the financial year 2020/2021. This will have a huge negative impact on the DHA’s procurement of infrastructure.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

5.5 Once the above processes are completed, the DHA would have fully complied with the order. The DHA is unable to provide an exact date of compliance as the successful implementation depends on DPWI’s assistance, but monthly reports are furnished to the applicant’s attorneys on progress.

6. Ntumba Guella Nbaya v Director General of Home Affairs (Case No. 6543/15) (Case no. 6534/15, Western Cape Division, Cape Town - Court Order Date: 3 June 2016)

 

6.1 In this matter, the Court ordered the DHA to extend asylum seeker permit applied for in Refugee Reception Offices other than Cape Town. The permits of all those who presented themselves were extended whilst their files were being transferred to the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

6.2 The DHA has fully complied with the Court Order.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

6.3 None as the DHA has complied with the order.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

See my answers above..

7. Mzalisi NO & others v Ochogwu & another [2019] ZASCA 138 (SCA) (Case no. 630/2018, Supreme Court of Appeal - Court Order Date: 1 October 2019)

 

7.1 This matter involved the eligibility of asylum seekers whose status has not been determined to marry whilst lawfully residing in South Africa. The validity of particular paragraph [2.1(b)(iii)(dd)] in the DHA circular imposing absolute ban on asylum seekers seeking to marry was found to be inconsistent with the law and invalid.

7.2 The DHA has since amended the circular to deal with the inconsistency and issued an amended circular during January 2020 to all the Offices of the DHA for implementation. Furthermore, an opinion has been sought from external Counsel on the issue of circulars and directives.

 

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

The DHA has fully complied with the Court.

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

 

The DHA has fully complied with the order.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

 

See my answer above.

8. OZM v Refugee Appeal Board & Others Case No. 44643/14 (Case no. 44643/14, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 4 June 2018)

8.1 The matter involved a judicial review of the decision of the Refugee Appeal Board (“RAB”) for rejecting the application for refugee status. The Court ordered referral back to the Refugee Status Determination Officer (“RSDO”) for reconsideration within two months.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

8.2 The application is yet to be reheard and contact will be made with the applicant’s attorneys to inform her to avail herself for a rehearing immediately the Refugee Reception Offices resume with their functions. Furthermore, the applicant’s asylum seeker permit has been extended pending the determination of her application.

 

8.3 The DHA will fully comply with the order within 30 days of the opening of the Refugee Reception Offices, as they are currently closed under Alert Level 3 Lockdown.

9. KN & 3 Others v Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs & 7 Others Case No. 50342/16 (Case no. 50342/16, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 6 November 2019)

9.1 This matter was for a judicial review of the decision of the Refugee Status Determination Officers for rejecting the applications for asylum and the decision of the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (“SCRA”) for upholding the decisions of the Refugee Status Determination Officers. The Court ordered that the matter be remitted for reconsideration by the Refugee Status Determination Officers.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?

9.2 See my answer below

What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

9.3 The application is yet to be reconsidered and contact will be made with the applicant’s attorneys to inform the applicants to avail themselves for a rehearing immediately the Refugee Reception Offices resume with their functions. Furthermore, the applicants’ asylum seeker permits will be extended pending the determination of their application.

9.4 By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

The DHA will fully comply with the order within 30 days of the opening of the Refugee Reception Offices, as they remain closed.

10. Abdi Kadir Khalif vs The Refugee Appeal Board & 5 Others Case No. 32474/2017 (Case no. 32474/2017, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order: 15 May 2018)

10.1 The Court ordered the DHA to release the applicant from Lindela Holding Facility to allow him to apply for asylum and the DHA duly complied.

10.2 The judicial review against the decision of the Refugee Appeals Board is still pending. The DHA has filed the record in terms Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules as the matter is opposed.

Why has his department not fully complied with the court order and what steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?

10.3 See answer above.

By what date will his department fully comply with the order?

The DHA has complied with the order.

END

Reply:

1. The Department registered two separate projects with National Treasury prior to the merger of the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and the Department Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Minister of Finance has approved the construction of a new public-private partnership office block project registered by the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The other project is still at the appointment of Transaction Advisory Team to undertake a Feasibility Study on the project. All follow-up questions will be applicable to the project by the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

(a) Please refer to the table below.

Item	Amount
Project Cost	R2.1 Billion
Private Party Contribution	R1.43 Billion
Government Contribution	R 0.67 Billion

(b) The projected construction start date is October 2020.

(2) There is still a need for the continuation of the project due to office space challenges and maintenance issues in the current buildings occupied by the Department. The Department also considered the expenditure already incurred on the project, termination of the project would have resulted in wasteful expenditure and legal costs/litigation from the appointed service provider.

Reply:

As the Eskom Task Team, we have committed to ensuring that we expedite the payment of outstanding debts owed to Eskom while also directing all national and provincial organs of state to settle all outstanding debts to municipalities.

More importantly, we have a responsibility to improve a culture of payment for services such as electricity and water by our communities to avoid unnecessary disruptions in the provision of these services. We also call on all our communities to pay for electricity to enable Eskom and municipalities to provide services continuously and sustainably.

In this regard, government is planning to implement a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness, and encourage communities to pay for electricity and other services they consume.

In addressing the plight of the communities and businesses of Bethal and Emzinoni in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga, we would like to assure the member that the Eskom Task Team is looking into all municipalities that are exceeding the contracted demand and the resultant impact on communities.

Eskom is providing the maximum demand in line with the contract it has with Govan Mbeki Municipality. This is primarily to protect the upstream infrastructure. Govan Mbeki Municipality ensures that the load utilised is in line with this contracted notified demand. In doing so the municipality decides which areas are switched off, and for how long, to ensure that the load is managed within limits.

The municipality has three bulk accounts with Eskom viz. Secunda, Evander and Kinross. The Secunda account has four bulk supply points linked to it, which are Embalenhle, Secunda, Emzinoni and Bethal.

Eskom has enforced contractual Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) on Bethal, Emzinoni and Evander. The municipality initially requested for an interim NMD increase for Bethal, Emzinoni and Evander on 8 April 2020. Eskom did not accede to this request due to the status of the account.

The municipality applied again on 1 June 2020 for an NMD increase for the Bethal and Emzinoni supply points. Eskom responded on

4 June 2020 outlining the conditions for any increase in NMD. The conditions clearly stipulated that the municipality has to sign a Pre- payment / Upfront Payment Agreement, as well as a Repayment Agreement Plan for the arrear debt. The municipality did not respond to the above conditions.

For Eskom to increase the maximum demand limit, assurance must be provided that the payment conditions will be met for such increased electricity provision. As at 13 July 2020, Govan Mbeki Municipality owed Eskom R1.99 billion, the municipality is battling to settle its current accounts, and has also failed to conclude a payment plan for the arrear debt.

Eskom received a letter dated 24 June 2020 from Gert Sibande District Municipality, stating that Council took a special resolution to assist the Govan Mbeki Municipality with electricity challenges at both Bethal and Emzinoni. Eskom has since welcomed the decision by the Gert Sibande District Municipality to assist the Govan Mbeki Municipality.

Eskom clearly stipulated the conditions to be met by the municipality before any increase in NMD for the two supply points which were, signing the Prepayment Agreement and the Repayment Plan for the arrear debt.

In line with this, Eskom has provided the Gert Sibande District Municipality with the cost estimate letter for the increase in NMD for Bethal and Emzinoni with the understanding that this would proceed once all conditions are met.

To this end, the Eskom Task Team has been apprised that on 10 July 2020, the Gert Sibande District Municipality responded to Eskom and has accepted in principle the prepayment for Bethal and Emzinoni. The District Municipality also indicated that a repayment plan for arrear debt by Govan Mbeki Local Municipality will be taken to council which is sitting on the 30th of July 2020. Eskom awaits the outcome of the council resolution and the conclusion of the Prepayment Agreement.

In conclusion, we are pleased to report to the Honourable member that Eskom has been in discussions with the provincial government regarding electricity supply problems, and payment of accounts by municipalities and has undertaken to finalise discussions with the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality as well as the Gert Sibande District Municipality in respect of specific upgrades of the supply points to Bethal and Emzinoni.

Thank you very much.

Reply:

(1) The objectives of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy are to:

• develop legislation that provides mechanisms and procedures for the registration of rights in land, including but not limited to customary, informal and communal forms of tenure which are recognised by law;
• provide a simplified, cost effective deeds registration system that is widely accessible;
• provide for officials of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to perform certain functions of attorneys, conveyancers and notaries in respect of the preparation and execution of deeds and documents in instances where State land is being dealt with;
• align and incorporate the provisions of the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Act into new deeds registration legislation;
• provide registration capability for other forms of rights in land that the Government may introduce in future;
• establish a legislative and policy framework that will facilitate the development of a comprehensive register in which all rights and interests in land are recorded; and
• repeal the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 and the Electronic Deeds Registration System Act 19 of 2019 and to replace same with new deeds registration legislation.

(2) The Deeds Registration Transformation Policy has not been put on hold. However, the Deeds Institutional Transformation Policy referred to in the Departmental Annual Performance Plan 2019/2020 has been placed on hold due to the fact that the said policy was not responding to the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture with reference to the need for a National Land Tenure Policy.

(3) Yes; DALRRD is continuing with development of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy and is currently developing a business plan for purposes of procuring the services of policy development experts to assist DALRRD with the development of a policy framework and the envisaged deeds registration legislation. Once the policy framework has been endorsed by the Minister, DALRRD will table the final draft of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy to Cabinet for approval.

Reply:

1. Despite the efforts to increase testing capacity in all provinces, the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) experienced an accumulation of unprocessed specimens (backlogs), since the beginning of May 2020 when provinces embarked on mass testing, due to the global shortage of test kits.

The NHLS initiated mitigation plans to try and reduce the backlog. The strategy the NHLS used was to prioritize the provinces where there was a high positivity rate, and clear the backlogs. The strategy implemented has successfully reduced the backlog in most provinces. The table below shows that currently three provinces have backlogs. The NHLS is working actively with the provinces to address this backlog.

 

The Western Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West currently do not have any backlogs.

Region	09-May-20	14-May-20	21-May-20	25-May-20	28-May-20	04-Jun-20	11-Jun-20	16-Jun-20	07-Jul-20
Eastern Cape	8 350	7 000	23 000	22 802	21 000	21 355	18 254	15 501	9490
Free State	200	4 300	6 000	8 800	1 767	0	0	0	0
Gauteng	15 000	13 000	23 000	24 076	24 000	28 395	20 978	27 000	13091
KwaZulu-Natal	12 000	18 000	28 000	22 802	22 000	20 751	14 802	12 400	3 500
Western Cape	14 000	16 630	21 000	18 000	15 000	10 568	3 000	0	0
Total	49 550	58 930	101 000	96 480	83 767	81 069	57 034	54 901	26 081

 

Reduction of Backlog

The reduction in the backlog has been achieved though the following:

• Re-prioritizing test kits to provinces with high positivity rates.
• A slightly improved supply of extraction kits.
• Utilizing innovative methods for extracting the RNA from the virus through lysis and heat activation, to reduce the dependency on extraction kits.
• Improved workflow in laboratories.
• Most importantly, the commitment and hard work of the staff.

(2) The reduction in the backlogs as well as prioritizations done by the laboratory and health facilities, and the turn-around time has improved in a number of provinces. Western Cape for example is currently processing specimens in less than 48 hours and in many instances in 24 hours.

 

The average turnaround time, in days, is tabulated below 28 June – 04 July 2020:

Province Name	Average turnaround time in days
EASTERN CAPE	5
FREE STATE	2
GAUTENG	5
KWAZULU-NATAL	8
LIMPOPO	3
MPUMALANGA	4
NORTH WEST	4
NORTHERN CAPE	3
WESTERN CAPE	2

A reasonable time to clear a sample through the laboratory, if all reagents (test kits) and resources are available is 48 hours (2days)-72 hours (3 days).

END.

Reply:

(1) and (2) Please refer to Table 1 below for the number of autopsies performed per province since 5 March 2020.

Province	Autopsies done on bodies due to deaths caused by factors other than Covid-19	Autopsies done on bodies due to deaths caused by Covid-19
Eastern Cape	2250	5
Free State	771	0
Gauteng	3033	0
Kwa-Zulu Natal	2386	1
Limpopo	986	0
Mpumalanga	977	0
Northern Cape	373	0
North West	688	1
Western Cape	2239	5

END.

Reply:

Information received from the Limpopo Department of Education indicates that, the Limpopo Department of Education appointed a service provider in January 2020 to transport learners to Ramotshabi Secondary School. Unfortunately, the service provider’s contract was terminated due to misrepresentation of facts, such as the submission of fraudulent documents. The replacement Service Provider has been appointed to transport learners with effect from 14 July 2020.

Reply:

The following are the key interventions that the National Department of Health has implemented:

1. Guidelines issued on Mental Health Interventions during the Covid-19 disaster dated 02 April 2020

The National Department of Health developed and provided guidelines on mental health interventions that should be implemented during the Covid-19 disaster. These were made available for implementation to the Heads of Health Departments in all nine provinces; Facility Managers of designated facilities in terms of the Mental Health Care Act, 2002; Psychiatric Hospitals, Care and Rehabilitation Centres; Residential Mental Health Facilities run by Non-Governmental Organizations; Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Contracted Mental Health Facilities; Health District Chief Directors; Health Care Providers (Public and private); and Mental Health Review Boards (MHRBs).

The objectives of the Guidelines are to:

• 1.1 Provide information to promote and protect the mental well-being of the population, and to raise awareness about mental disorders and mental health problems that may arise due to the Covid-19 outbreak;
• 1.2 Direct Heads of Health Establishments, Mental Health Facility Managers, Health Care Providers, Multi-Disciplinary Specialist Mental Health Teams, and informal caregivers, on actions to be taken to identify and manage mental health problems and mental disorders arising out of the Covid-19 disaster;
• 1.3 Ensure that psychiatric/mental facilities comply with measures that have already being prescribed to manage the Covid-19 outbreak;
• 1.4 Provide directives for Mental Health Review Boards to ensure that there is continuity in their oversight functions with regards to assisted and involuntary mental health care and rehabilitation; and
• 1.5 Provide directives for inpatient mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services, outpatient and primary health care services.

2. Psychosocial support for health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic

Interventions on mental health and emotional support (Psychosocial support) for healthcare workers is a requirement as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993), the Department of Labour Occupational Health Policy of 2005, and the International Instruments underpinning Employee Health and Wellness Management. In the public services environment these interventions are provided according to the Department of Public Service Employee Health and Wellness Strategic Framework for the Public Service (2019).

As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic the following interventions, among others, have been undertaken by the National Department of Health:

• 1. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Work-Stream was established to provide guidance and interventions on “Psychosocial Support for Health Workers” during the Covid-19 pandemic. This work-stream has representation from academic departments of occupational medicine, professional societies, trade unions, and key stakeholder government departments such as the Departments for the Public Service and Administration (DPSA), of Employment and Labour and the National Institute for Occupational Health (NICD);
  2. Similar work-streams were established in all nine provinces to facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety interventions;
  3. Guidelines on Psychosocial Support for Health Workers during the Covid-19 were developed by the mental health sub-group in the OHS work-stream and distributed to health and social service workers. The guide provides evidence-based integrated interventions on prevention of anxiety and stress related problems, management of these problems at the frontline by managers, stress inoculation and psycho-education strategies, mental health support and treatment interventions;
  4. Employees that have been identified to have developed a mental condition are identified and referred to professional mental health practitioners;
  5. Health Professional Associations, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Medical Practitioners and Social Workers have offered psychological support services throughout the Country and have been organized in a Health Workers Network to offer free telephonic and online services across public and private sectors. These services have augmented the existing National Crisis Line that the Department contracted to Lifeline, the professional mental health services available in public facilities as well as Employee Health and Wellness Programmes that were available at each workplace. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has also offered mental health and counseling support to healthcare professionals; and
  6. About 1200 Unemployed Social Workers are being recruited and will be deployed to provinces to augment the Covid-19 response and the Employee Health and Wellness Programmes with funding from the Health and Welfare SETA.

3. Mental Health and well-being for those in quarantine and isolation

The guidelines for quarantine and isolation in relation to Covid-19 exposure and infection that were published on 05 May 2020 provide for the emotional health aspects during isolation or quarantine.

END.

Reply:

(1). In order to address social distancing requirements when schools reopened on  8 June 2020 and the additional cohort on 6 July 2020 and subsequently on 03 August 2020, and ensuring that  each learner will be seated at a desk within the 1,5 meter social distancing requirements; the Department of Basic Education (DBE) released  the Standard Operating Procedures for the Containment and Management of COVID-19 for Childcare Facilities, Schools and School Communities which  provide guidelines for all administrators on the steps that need to be undertaken in order to prevent the spread and manage cases of COVID-19, which include social distancing. Provinces are providing mobile classrooms for additional spaces, which are provided with the requisite furniture/desks, as well  identifying additional spaces inside the school campuses and or around the school  to address any additional needs for space. Also in addressing the shortage of desks and space/classrooms, provinces are also implementing non-infrastructure solutions, which include timetabling models to address these shortages that cannot be addressed in a short pace of time. In implementing these, schools will not need additional space and desks to address social distancing. These are:

• Weekly rotational arrangement (groups/grades attending school on alternate weeks).
• Groups/Grades of learners alternating classes/lessons on different days of the week (e.g. alternate days);
• Platooning/shift arrangement (one group/grades of learners in the morning till midday and the next group/grades in the afternoon)
• Hybrid of the aforementioned (Combination of the above).

(2) Provinces, where needed and where possible, procured additional furniture to address the shortages. Schools are also repurposing double combination desks into single desks to address the challenge.  However, due to budget cuts and insufficient budgets , the models indicated above are being used to address ameliorate these challenges.

(3) As per (1) and (2) above

Reply:

The Honourable Member is kindly informed that the information being requested by this question is not readily available from the National Department of Health, but we rely on the Provinces to furnish us with such information to enable me to respond to the Question.

I have accordingly requested all the MECs for Health to furnish me with the relevant details and I will provide a full response as soon as I have received such information from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is kindly informed that I have requested this information from the MEC of Gauteng, and will furnish the response as soon as I get it from the Province.

END.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is kindly informed that the information being requested by this question is not readily available from the National Department of Health, but we rely on the Provinces to furnish us with such information to enable me to respond to the Question.

I have accordingly requested all the MECs for Health to furnish me with the relevant details and I will provide a full response as soon as I have received such information from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

a) The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) had backlogs in the testing for COVID-19 in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces. The Western Cape has cleared the backlog and is currently processing specimens as they receive them. Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have managed to significantly reduce their backlogs. Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape have no backlogs.

b) The backlogs were caused by the global shortage of extraction kits and the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test kits for the high throughput analysers.

c) The NHLS has increased the number of extraction instruments and diversified the testing platforms so that they have multiple suppliers of testing kits. They have implemented alternative methods of extraction e.g. heat deactivation method for extraction and more targeted and focused testing to allow better use of limited resources.

END.

Reply:

1. (a) Staff are tested normally during the activation of a quarantine site. Thereafter they are monitored for symptoms daily as per normal workplace protocols. Retesting only occurs when staff exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms.

(b) Staff are tested by the clinical team that forms part of the operationalisation of the site. The staff would be tested separately from the PUI (persons under investigation) testing.

(c) All rooms are deep cleaned and all surfaces disinfected as per the IPC guidelines. All linen, healthcare waste and medical equipment are removed and sent for disinfection or discarded. All spaces are cleaned with water and detergent and wiped with disinfectant.

2. Yes. The items below are monitored by the facility manager on site and implemented through the housekeeping structures of the facility.

(a) the floors of the sites are cleaned and disinfected three times a day in line with the guidelines, and floors to communal spaces are cleaned 2-3 times per day using water and detergent. The daily cleaning of the entire quarantine facility with disinfectants as specified in the IPC Manual is advised including surface mopping of all the floors, communal bathrooms and other shared spaces.

(b) rooms are being cleaned every third day in accordance with the guidelines. Residents should wherever possible be responsible for cleaning their own rooms. The facility however supplements this with cleaning of bathrooms, toilet facilities, undersides of beds and other related items placed in the rooms of quarantined people.

(c) separate groups within one site are kept separate and allocated separate staff. This is done where possible. As people are in quarantine they are limited mostly to their room. A roster is developed to allow people into common areas in small groups. This is done, taking into consideration the group they belong to. Staff however are not normally allocated per group as they have limited contact with residents. Those that do have direct contact would be limited to a certain set of people.

(d) staff members are quarantined.

(e) The adjustments to the approved guidelines no longer call for the clinical team to be on site due to the limitation of resources available. Clinical staff can now be given more than one quarantine site to service and can rotate between those.

Where possible, staff members that have direct access to those quarantined, would be encouraged to quarantine with the group that they service. However, staff members that have no contact, although encouraged to stay on premise, are allowed off site.

It is to be noted that sometimes new arrivals get to quarantine sites late in the evening or early morning after a long and tiring journey. The last thing that they are willing to listen to, is a briefing. Towards these we allow the facility to check them in as quick as possible to allow them some rest without a briefing. Alternative methods of briefing are explored in these cases e.g. through an information sheet in the rooms or briefed by the clinical team the next day during daily monitoring. Briefing normally entails what they can expect to experience during the quarantine period, the rules and protocols and basic questions they might have. It rarely deals with the number of people on site and the number of positive cases.

END.

Reply:

1 - 5 The procurement of COVID-19 goods including personal protective equipment (PPEs) was done by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The question can best responded to by the respective provinces; and the Hon Member is advised to direct the question to the provinces. 

Reply:

(a) Grade 12 camps are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 lock-down regulations and to curb the spread of the virus.

(b) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has not received any report of any school setting up Matric camps since 1 June 2020.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is kindly informed that the information being requested by this question is not readily available from the National Department of Health, but we rely on the Provinces to furnish us with such information to enable me to respond to the Question.

I have accordingly requested all the MECs for Health to furnish me with the relevant details and I will provide a full response as soon as I have received such information from the provinces.

END.

Reply:

The National Department of Health (NDoH) and National Treasury have together estimated the quantity of oxygen required to meet the COVID-19 surge demands based on the SURGE modelling data. National Treasury has thus expanded the existing contracts to cater for the anticipated additional needs. The two Departments have also undertaken a process of engaging the suppliers to ensure that they can supply the demand and have measures in place to keep their skilled drivers safe from COVID-19. The NDOH has undertaken a process to review existing bulk storage capacity at identified hospitals and to review oxygen reticulation circuits by using qualified clinical engineers. Hospitals that do not have adequate reticulation will be fast tracked to improve their reticulation systems to ensure major respiratory support devices can be used effectively. Hospitals that do not have adequate bulk storage tanks will have alternate solutions devised for them as per the recommendations of the clinical and mechanical engineers. National Treasury has increased the capacity of supply by contracting Air Liquide as the second service provider for the supply of oxygen. Both Afrox and Air Liquide have written letters of undertaking to guarantee the sustainable supply of oxygen during the peak.

 

END.

Reply:

a) (i)-(ii) A total of 897 persons that had COVID-19, were HIV positive and hospitalised as at 21 June 2020. Of these 757 (85%) made a full recovery, whist 140 (15%) died. Refer to table below for the provincial breakdown.

Province	HIV+ patients who discharged alive/in hospital	HIV+ patients who died	Total HIV+ patients admitted	% deaths among HIV+
Eastern Cape	48	11	59	18,6%
Free State	12	1	13	7,7%
Gauteng	48	3	51	5,9%
KwaZulu-Natal	39	2	41	4,9%
Limpopo	1	0	1	0,0%
Mpumalanga	2	0	2	0,0%
North West	25	2	27	7,4%
Northern Cape	3	0	3	0,0%
Western Cape	579	121	700	17,3%
Total	757	140	897	15,6%

(b) (i)-(ii) The data reported is available only from hospitals. These are patients who are referred to the hospitals due to deterioration of their clinical condition or poor response to TB treatment. There were 240 patients who had TB at the time of Covid-19 diagnosis, of these 44 died (18%) and 196 were discharged alive.

Province	Total admitted	Total discharged alive/in hospital	Total who died	Percentage on deaths
Western Cape	199	162	37	18,6%
Eastern Cape	17	13	4	23,5%
Free State	2	2	0	0,0%
Gauteng	12	11	1	8,3%
KwaZulu-Natal	8	7	1	12,5%
Northern Cape	2	1	1	50,0%
Total	240	196	44	18,3%

END.

Reply:

(a) The plans are commissioned and implemented by the Gauteng Department of Education and not by the Department of Basic Education and on receipt of the question, it is referred to the relevant implementing department for a response. 

(b)  The response received from the Gauteng Department of Education is as follows:

John Orr Technical High School is an existing Technical High School within the Johannesburg South District.  The Gauteng Department of Education does not currently have plans to build an additional technical high school in the District.

Reply:

1. The Presidential Hotline call centre received a total of 2978 cases since the lockdown on the 27th March 2020 to the 8th July 2020. Call Centre agents were classified an essential service during the complete Lockdown 5 so operations continued.
2. Thirty-seven (37) of the cases have been assigned to the relevant government department and are awaiting their attention. Four (4) cases have been acknowledged by the department and in the process of investigation towards resolution.
3. 2937 Cases were resolved and 41 remain unresolved. With the easing of the regulations, the cases are increasingly becoming not Covid-19 specific, requiring intervention from the relevant department.

DRAFTER OF THE REPLY

Name: Dr Neeta Behari

Designation: CD: Frontline Monitoring & Support Contacts: 072 1229696 [email protected]

Recommended /

Mr Robert Nkuna
Director General (DPME)
Date: 12/07/2020

Approved /

Hon Jackson Mthembu, MP
Minister in the Presidency|
Date: ../…/2020

Reply:

The question has been referred to all provincial departments of education for a response. The response will be forwarded as soon as it is received and collated.