Questions and Replies

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05 June 2020 - NW712

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Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Police

(a) What are the reasons he saw the need to apologise to members of the Muslim community who had breached the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 regulations by congregating while such gatherings are prohibited and (b) why did he not see it appropriate to apologise to the households in the Eastern Cape where the SA Police Service officials kicked over drums of mqombothi and mocked the people’s ancestral rituals?

Reply:

  1. The Minister at the time apologised for what sounded on the video clip like derogatory remarks allegedly made by the arresting officers against the Islam Prophet Mohammed. It has however, since been established through departmental investigation (Mpumalanga SAPS) that the members were actually referring to one of the arrested congregants named Mohammed who was pointed out by his fellow congregants as the one who had convened the illegal gathering.

At no point did the Minister apologise for the arrest as in fact those congregants had contravened the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations in relation to the prohibition of gatherings during the lockdown.

  1. In relation to the Eastern Cape question, once a crime is committed, in this instance the contravention of lockdown regulations, the location where such contravention occurs automatically becomes a crime scene. This status then allows police to confiscate or seize that which has been utilised by the alleged offenders during the commission of the crime or the contravention of the regulations, hence the alleged disposal of the traditional beer.

 

Approved/ not approved

GENERAL BH CELE, MP
MINISTER OF POLICE
DATES: 4/06/2020

05 June 2020 - NW608

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

Whether any SA Police Service members applied for certain positions and were appointed to different positions than the ones they applied for; if so, (a) what (i) number of positions and (ii) rank in each case and (b) on what policy is this practice based?

Reply:

There were members who applied for certain positions and who were appointed to different positions than the ones they applied for, in the three post promotion processes, which were concluded in 2019/2020, namely:

(a)(i) Two positions.

(a)(ii) One Colonel and one Lieutenant Colonel.

(b) The administration of promotions in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is, inter a/ia, regulated by National Instruction, 3 of 2015, Promotion and Grade Progression of Employees of the Service, from Post Level 1 to Post Level 12 and from Constable up to Colonel, which requires employees to physically take up and function for a minimum period of two years in the post that he or she was promoted to. This National Instruction provides for a process of withdrawing a promotion, should such requirements not be complied with. However, there is also a provision for the National Commissioner, a Divisional Commissioner or Provincial Commissioner to transfer an employee from the new higher post to another vacant post on the same level, in the interest of service delivery.

2

Reply to question 608 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE SOEG
 

Reply to question 608 approved

GENERAL BH CELE
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date

05 June 2020 - NW634

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

What measures has he put in place to ensure that persons in the custody of the SA Police Service are tested for COVID-19?

Reply:

The South African Police Service (SAPS) does not test persons in custody, for COVID-19. The SAPS has put measures in place, at all police stations, to screen every person in custody.

Reply to question 634 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2020-05-27

Reply to question 634 recommended

MINISTER OFPOLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 04/06/2020

05 June 2020 - NW277

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Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

(a)(i) What total amount in funding was approved by the Small Business and Innovation Fund by the end of December 2019 and (ii) to what number of small and medium enterprises was such funding allocated and (b) what is the (i) provincial and (ii) business sector breakdown of the approved beneficiaries?

Reply:

  1. i) Total SBIF approvals by December 2019 stood at R225 million

ii) This amount was approved under sefa’s SME Wholesale Lending channel, which is executed through intermediaries. The amount disbursed will be available by the end of April 2020 from sefa’s intermediary partners. The abovementioned information will provide developmental statistics relating to the number of SMMEs funded, the provincial spread as well as the amounts disbursed. Once received, this information will be shared accordingly.

 

05 June 2020 - NW633

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

What measures has he put in place to ensure that there is no overcrowding of police cells by arrests conducted by the police during the national lockdown period to fight the spread of the coronavirus?

Reply:

There is no overcrowding in police cells because of arrests conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), during the national lockdown period. Most o1the people who violate the Regulations of the Disaster Management Act, are released on a warning to appear in court (SAPS 496) and issued a J534 (admission of guilt fine) or given a J368 (police bail).

Reply to question 633 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2020-05-27

Reply to question 633 approved/pro e

MINISTER OFPOLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 04/06/2020

05 June 2020 - NW725

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the President of the Republic

(1)With reference to his announcement on 15 March 2020, (a) on which existing Act of Parliament, regulation or provision of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, (a) did he rely to establish the National Command Council (NCC) to lead the Government’s national response to the coronavirus outbreak and (b) from which existing Act of Parliament, regulation or provision of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, does the NCC derive its power, responsibility, functions and duties;

Reply:

  1. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) – originally known as the NCC – was established as a committee of Cabinet by the Cabinet in its meeting of 15 March 2020.
  1. No.
  1. The NCCC coordinates government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The NCCC makes recommendations to Cabinet on measures required in terms of the national state of disaster. Cabinet makes the final decisions.

05 June 2020 - NW726

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the President of the Republic

(1)What are the (a) names, (b) positions and (c) working titles of each member of the National Command Council (NCC) he announced on 15 March 2020;

Reply:

  1. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) – originally known as the National Command Council (NCC) – was initially composed of the following members:
  • President
  • Deputy President
  • Minister of Health
  • Minister in the Presidency
  • Minister of Basic Education
  • Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
  • Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
  • Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
  • Minister of Finance
  • Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
  • Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
  • Minister of Home Affairs
  • Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
  • Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
  • Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
  • Minister of Police
  • Minister of Public Service and Administration
  • Minister of Social Development
  • Minister of State Security
  • Minister of Tourism
  • Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
  • Minister of Transport

Other members of Cabinet were subsequently invited to attend NCCC meetings. It is supported by the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints).

  1. No.

05 June 2020 - NW702

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Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police

Whether, there are sufficient face masks for all the police officers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of face masks does each police officer get for a 12-hour shift?

Reply:

The needs forecast for masks to be utilised by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), is a minimum, but not limited to three masks for a 12 hours shift, dependent on the situation. Up to date, the SAPS has procured a total of 24 356 800 surgical face masks and 260 000 filtering face piece masks. All the provinces and divisions have been issued with sufficient stock and a buffer stock, of five percent, is secured nationally, for contingencies. There is a continuous replenishment of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE’s) by the SAPS Division: Supply Chain Management, with a forecast of PPE requirement, up to 31 March 2021.

Reply to question 702 recommended/not recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2020-05-27

Reply to question 702 approved/not approved

MINISTER OFPOLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: /06/2020

05 June 2020 - NW419

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the President of the Republic

(1)Whether he intends to take disciplinary action against a certain person (name furnished) for allegedly taking a certain person (details furnished) on four international trips without following standard procedure and regulations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Reply:

I have reviewed the media report on which the question from the Honourable Member is based and have received a report from the Deputy Minister on this matter. There are no grounds that I can see for the allegation that a certain person was taken on international trips without following standard procedure and regulations.

If the Honourable Member or any other person has evidence of a violation of the relevant prescripts, they are requested to make such information available.

04 June 2020 - NW919

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether her department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; (2) whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; (3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender;

Reply:

1. The Logistics Division did not award any tenders for procurement connected to COVID-19. The process as stipulated in the National Treasury Instruction No. 8 of 2020/21 para 3.7.6 which states that “Institutions may approach any other supplier to obtain quotes and may procure from such suppliers on condition that-

a. the items are to the specifications as determined by the National Department of Health;

b. the prices are equal or lower than the prices in Annexure A and;

c. the supplier is registered in the Central Supplier Database.

04 June 2020 - NW507

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Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

(1)What are the details of the office furniture ordered and/or purchased for (a) her, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) officials in the Ministry since their appointment; (2) (a) what is the (i) description and (ii) breakdown of the costs of each piece of furniture, (b) where will each piece of furniture be used and (c) who will use each piece of furniture; (3) What are the full relevant details of the furniture that was disposed of (details furnished)?

Reply:

1.(a) No furniture was ordered/or purchased for the Minister.

(b) No furniture was ordered/or purchased for Deputy Minister.

(c) No furniture was ordered/or purchased for Officials in the Ministry.

2. (a) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

3. None

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW864

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies:

1) Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial and/or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) Whether the Covid-19 financial and/or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does she or her department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses? (NW1071E)

Reply:

I have been advised as follows:

1.No, the department does not offer financial assistance and/or other relief to small businesses. The department has not budgeted for such.

2. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa [ICASA], an entity of the department, has written to licensees in an effort to ensure that they make communication services available to all South Africans. ICASA provided concessions or relaxations to enable the sector to meet the demands of business unusual environment brought about by COVID-19.

ICASA has exempted television broadcasting service licensees from compliance with the local television content quotas and specific advertising and programming requirements in terms of licence conditions during the National State of Disaster.

Sound broadcasting service licensees are exempted from compliance with specific programming requirements and promises of performance in terms of licence conditions during the National State of Disaster. However, sound broadcasting service licensees shall comply with the local content music quotas.

These exemptions will automatically cease three months after termination of the National State of Disaster.

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW669

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Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he, his department and/or any entity reporting to him received any donation of personal protection equipment since 1 February 2020; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details of (a) the date on which the donation was received, (b) the name of the donor, (c) the monetary value of the donation, (d) the branding that appeared on the donated equipment, including the branding of any political party, and (e)(i) how and (ii) where was the donated equipment distributed?

Reply:

The Department received donations as follows;

The Department distributed the donations as follows;

The Entities received donations as follows;

Public Entities

(a)

(b) the name of the donor

c) the monetary value of the donation

(d) the branding that appeared on the donated equipment, including the branding of any political party

e)(i) how

e(ii) where was the donated equipment distributed

 

Whether his entity reporting to him received any donation of personal protection equipment since 1 February 2020;

if so, in each case, what are the relevant details of (a) the date on which the donation was received

         

Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)

No donations of personal protection equipment received since 1 February 2020

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

No donations of personal protection equipment received since 1 February 2020

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)

01 April 2020 -

207 Sansure Biotech testing kits

Jack Ma foundation

Price not known

All the items listed had no branding

All items will be distributed across the country

To all NHLS laboratories and offices.

   

200 FFP masks

Gift of the Givers

R 18 380

     
   

36 Dermarub Sanitizers

 

R 4 345,20

     
   

200 Kimberley Clark Masks

 

R 18 380

     
   

200 Curity Gloves

 

R 1 014

     
   

Face Shields – 3 744

Right to Care

R 374 400

     
 

09 April 2020

KN95 - 100 000 masks

Orlando Pirates/Kaizer Chiefs and Multichoice

R 7 883 000

     
   

Surgical masks – 200 000 items

 

R 4 060 000

     
   

Gloves – 100 000 items

 

R 507 000

     
   

Protective overalls – 10 000 items

 

R 1 613 300

     
   

Wipes – 10 000 items

 

R 5 000 000

     
   

Shoe covers – 100 000 items

 

R 579 000

     

Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC)

No donations of personal protection equipment received since 1 February 2020

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)

25 March 2020

3 X 25L hand and surface sanitizer

CSIR (by virtue of being a tenant)

Unknown

None

Utilised by SAHPRA Staff

At SAHPRA Offices

 

14 April 2020

17L hand sanitizer

Mintek

Unknown

Mintek

Utilised by SAHPRA Staff

At SAHPRA Offices

END.

04 June 2020 - NW778

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Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) number of persons are in need of rehabilitation due to an addiction problem and (b) are the top 10 addictions in the Republic?

Reply:

(a) Treatment demand data from the South African Medical Research Council collected through the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) and reported once in six months shows that the number of persons admitted for treatment across 84 treatment centres/programmes between July and December 2018 were 8,486. Between January and June 2019, 9,268 persons were admitted for treatment.

(b) The data from the SACENDU Project shows that the primary substances of use for all persons seeking treatment for substance use problems were the following:

  • Cannabis;
  • Alcohol;
  • Heroin/Nyaope;
  • Methamphetamine;
  • Mandrax;
  • Cocaine;
  • CAT;
  • Over the Counter and Prescription Medication (OCT-PRE);
  • Cannabis/Mandrax (White pipe); and
  • Inhalants.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW771

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Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

(a) Which hospitals (i) are being and (ii) will be upgraded in each province in order to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, (b) what is the cost of each proposed upgrade in each hospital, (c) what budgets are being used to finance the upgrades, (d)(i) have any virements on current budgets been submitted to fund the upgrades and (ii) what is the total thereof and (e) who has the authority to approve such virements?

Reply:

a) The following hospitals are currently being upgraded and repurposed for COVID-19:

Province

District

Facility

Eastern Cape

Alfred Nzo

Planning Field Hospital

 

Amathole

Bhiso Hospital

   

Old Cecilia Makiwane Hospital

   

Frere Hospital

   

Grey Hospital

   

Victoria Hospital

   

Butterworth Hospital

   

Planning Field Hospital

 

Buffalo City Metro

ABSA Stadium

 

Chris Hani

All Saints Hospital

   

Planning Field Hospital

 

Joe Gqabi

Maclear Hospital

   

Aliwal North Hospital

   

Planning Field Hospital

 

Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

Livingstone Hospital

   

Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital

   

PE Stadium

   

PE VW

 

OR Tambo

St Lucy's Hosptial

   

St Patrick's Hospital

   

St Barnabas Hospital

   

Zitulele Hospital

   

Taylor Bequest Hospital

   

Planning Field Hospital

 

Sarah Baartman

Humansdorp Hospital

   

Midland Hospital

   

Planning Field Hospital

Free State

Fezile Dabi

Parys

   

Tokollo

   

Boitumelo

 

Lejweleputswa

Bongani

   

Winburg

 

Mangaung

Pelonomi

   

Botshabelo

   

Univerisitas

   

JS Moroka

   

Pelonomi

   

Univerisitas

 

Thabo Mofutsanyana

Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital

   

Dihlabeng

   

Elizabeth Ross

   

MM Mopeli

   

Phekolong

   

Nketoana

   

Itemoheng

   

Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital

   

Mantsopa Hospital

 

Xhariep

Albert Nzula Hospital

   

Diamant

   

Itumeleng CHC

Gauteng

City of Tshwane

Steve Biko Hospital Cluster

   

Steve Biko Hospital

   

Tshwane District Hospital

   

Dr George Mukhari Cluster

   

Dr George Mukhari

   

Jubilee Hospital

 

Ekurhuleni

Tembisa Hospital

 

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

Charltte Maxeke Hospital Cluster

   

Charltte Maxeke Hospital

   

Bertha Gxowa

   

Chris Hani Baragwanath Cluster

   

Christ Hani Baragwanath

   

Kopanong Hospital

   

Nasrec

   

Ashanti Gold Hospital

KwaZulu-Natal

uMgungundlovu

Grey's Hospital

   

Doris Goodwin TB Hospital

   

Richmond Chest Hospital

   

Edendale Hospital

   

Northdale Hospital

   

Appelsbosch Hospital

   

Townhill Hospital

   

Umngeni Hospital

   

Fort Napier

 

eThekwini

Clairwood Hospital

   

Addington Hospital

   

Prince Mshiyeni Hospital

   

King Edward VIII Hospital

   

Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital

   

Mahatma Gandhi Hospital

   

King Dinuzulu Hospital (District)

   

King Dinuzulu Hospital (EMS & Infr. Hub)

   

King Dinuzulu Hospital (MDR)

   

Hillcrest Hospital

   

Ekuhlengeni Hospital

   

St Marys Hospital

   

Don McKenzie Hospital

   

Charles James

   

Wentworth Hospital

   

RK Khan Hospital

   

Pixely Isaka ka Seme

   

Royal Show Grounds

   

Durban Exhibition Centre

   

Clairwood Field Hospital

 

Ugu

Murchison

   

St Andrews

   

Port Shepstone

   

GJ Crookes

 

iLembe

Umphumulo Hospital

   

Untunjambili Hospital

   

General Justice Gizenga Hospital

   

Montebello Hospital

   

Stanger Hospital field hospital

 

Harry Gwala

EG&Usher Memorial Hospital

   

Rietvlei Hospital

   

Christ the King Hospital

   

St Apollinaris Hospital

   

St Margaret Hospital

 

Harry Gwala

EG&Usher Memorial Hospital

   

Rietvlei Hospital

   

Christ the King Hospital

   

St Apollinaris Hospital

   

St Margaret Hospital

 

King Cetshwayo

Ngwelezana Hospital

   

Ethembeni

   

Queen Nandi Hospital

   

Eshowe Hospital

   

Ntambanana Clinic

   

Nkandla Hospital

   

St Marys Hospital

   

Mbongolwane Hospital

   

Ekhombe Hospital

   

Catherine Booth Hospital

   

Ngwelezana Hospital Field

 

Amajuba

Niemeyer

   

Newcastle

 

uMzinyathi

Greytown Hospital

   

COSH

   

Dundee Hospital

   

CJM Hospital

 

uThukela

Ladysmith Hospital

   

Emmaus Hospital

   

Escourt Hospital

   

St Chad’s CHC

 

Zululand

Siloah Lutheran Mission Hospital

   

Nongoma Private Hospital

   

Phongola Private Hospital

   

St Francis Hospital

Liimpopo

Capricorn

Pietersburg Hospital

   

Mankweng Hospital

 

Mopani

Letaba

 

Sekhukhune

St Ritas

   

Philadelphia

 

Vhembe

Tshilidzini

 

Waterberg

Mokopane

Mpumalanga

Nkangala

Witbank Hospital

   

Greenside CHC

   

Middleburg hospital

   

KwaMhlanga hospital

   

Mmametlhake hospital

   

Impungwe Hospital

   

Impungwe Field Hospital

   

KwaMhlanga Field hospital

 

Gert Sibande

Standerton TB

   

Mbhejeka CHC

   

Bethal hospital

   

Piet Retief hospital

   

Ermelo Hospital

 

Ehlanzeni

Rob Ferreira Hospital

   

Themba Hospital

   

Barberton TB Hospital

   

Tonga hospital

   

Mmametlhake hospital

   

Shongwe hospital

   

Barberton Hospital

   

Matikwane Field Hospital

   

Mmametlhake Field hospital

   

Tonga Field Hospital

Northern Cape

Frances Baard

Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital

   

Prof ZK Matthews Hospital, Barkly West

   

Harstwater Hospital

   

Harmony Home

 

Namakwa

Springbok Hospital

   

Louriesfonteing

 

Pixley ka Seme

De Aar Hospital

   

Manne Dipico Hospital, Colesberg

   

Prieska Hospital

 

JT Gaetsewe

Kuruman Hospital

   

Tshwaragano Hospital

 

ZF Mgawu

Dr Harry Surtie Hospital, Upington

   

Postmasburg Hospital

   

Keimoes

   

West End Old Mental hospital

North West

Bojanala

Job Shimankana Hospital

   

Moses Kotane

   

Koster Hospital

   

Brits Hospital

   

JST Field Hospital

   

2 Mine Hospital

 

Dr. Kenneth Kaunda

Klerksdorp-Tshepong Tertiary Hospital

   

Nic Bodenstein

   

Westvall Hospital

   

Duff Scott

   

Potchefstroom Hospital

 

Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

Taung Hospital

   

Christiaana Hospital

   

Ganyesa Hospital

   

Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital

 

Ngaka Modiri Molema

Zeerust Hospital

   

Mafikeng Provincial Hospital

   

Lehurutshe Hospital

   

General De La Rey Hospital

Western Cape

Cape Winelands District Municipality

See attached spreadsheet

 

Central Karoo District Municipality

 
 

City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality

 
 

Garden Route District Municipality

 
 

Overberg District Municipality

 
 

West Coast District Municipality

 
   

ICC Convention Centre

   

Bracengate Warehouse

b) We have not received the detailed costing from all the provinces as yet;

c) Budgets available to the Provinces are their Provincial Equitable Share Funds and the Direct Infrastructure Grant;

d) (i) Yes;

(ii) An amount of R1,1 billion could be potentially reprioritised from the Direct Grant to COVID19 projects. Provinces can also request for a change in their Business Plans to accommodate these upgrades;

(e) Virements are allowed between main divisions of the vote of up to 8%. This can be approved by the Accounting Officer and be ratified in the adjustment budget after the adjustment allocation letter has been issued.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW839

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has worked with other departments to ensure that the necessary systems are in place to screen and/or test frontline staff (details furnished) daily to ensure their safety; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Workplaces in different sectors of the economy, other than essential services which have been operating during Level 5, are preparing for return to work in line with the Department of Employment and Labour directive (GN 43257 issued on 29 April 2020) and the Department of Public Service and Administration circular (Circular No. 18 of 2020 issued on 1 May 2020).

Symptom screening interventions and targeted testing of employees are proposed in the different notices. The national Department of Health and the NICD has provided guidelines on symptom screening and testing of all employees. The national Department of Health is not involved in the screening and/or testing of the frontline staff in the other departments and at local government level.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW870

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial and/or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does he or his department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?

Reply:

1. The competence to assist Small Businesses is a constitutional mandate of the Department of Small Businesses. The Department of Health is mandated in terms of the National Health Act to provide a framework for structured uniform health system for South Africa. The Department does therefore not grant financial relief or resources to Small Businesses.

2. The raised question does not fall under the mandate of the Department of Health, but having said that the Department with National Treasury encourage all small businesses to register their details on the Central Supplier Database to be able to be contacted to for supplies of inter alia Personal Protective Equipment. To date more the database contains more than 7,000 registered suppliers.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW494

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Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Which company is contracted to supply bread to the hospitals in Limpopo, (2) what (a) ranges of bread are included in the contract and (b) is the cost of the loaf of each type of bread; (3) what is the surcharge or price increase per loaf in the event of short supply and/or extra supplies being required by a hospital?

Reply:

  1. The following table reflects the details in this regard.

1

MTS CREATIONS PROJECTS (PTY)LTD

2

PHETHEDI CONSTRUCTION

3

SHELA CIVIL

4

CAPS M TRADING & PROJECTS

5

NAKISENI BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

6

MAMPULANE TRADING CC

7

SEROMAKO TRADING ENTERPRISE

8

MAKGABO GENERAL PROJECTS

9

KSR TRADING ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD

10

MJM GROUP (PTY) LTD

11

MADAKALONI TRADING (PTY)LTD

12

HAPPY & HERBAT TRADING 48

13

MPOLOFU GENERAL TRADING 88

14

NARE A NGWATO TRADING ENTERPRISE

15

KAGISHANO TRADING

16

MATSHUKUDU TRADING ENTERPRISE

17

PYROCA 101

18

SENATLA TRADING ENTERPRISE

19

SOMPHETE KE GO FETE TRADING PROJECTS

20

JULY PENCIL TRADING TRADING & PROJECTS (PTY)LTD

21

MAUPA CLEANING SERVICES

22

MAKHUDU OFFICE TECH

23

KEKANA SUPPLIERS

24

TSHINDIPHO TRADING ENTERPRISE

25

SPRING FOREST AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

26

BATSHOROMA DISTRIBUTORS

27

POINTER ABLE TRADING (PTY) LTD

2. The following table reflects the details in this regard.

VHEMBE

SILOAM

DONALD FRASER

LOUIS TRICHARDT

HAYANI

MUSINA

SERVICE PROVIDER

KEKANA SUPPLIERS

TSHINDIPHO TRADING ENTERPRISE

SPRING FOREST AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

BATSHOROMA DISTRIBUTORS

POINTER ABLE TRADING (PTY) LTD

ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

 

 

 

BREAD

 

 

 

 

 

White Bread (700g) sliced

R17.67

R 18.85

R25.13

R22.73

R18.18

Brown Bread (700g) sliced

R13.30

R 13.61

R24.08

R22.73

R20.64

CONFECTIONERY

 

 

 

 

 

White long bread rolls (± 150mm)

R22.80

R 17.80

R29.47

R21.40

R25.98

Whole wheat, round bread buns

R18.85

R 13.61

R29.47

R21.40

R27.84

MOPANI

KGAPANE

DR CN PHATUDI

MAPHUTHA MALATJI

SERVICE PROVIDERS

TOSSEL TRADE 1003

THEPE GENERAL TRADING

VHUTHU TRADING ENTERPRISE & SECURITY SERVICES

ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

 

BREAD

 

 

 

White Bread (700g) sliced

R22.67

R 18.00

R25.85

Brown Bread (700g) sliced

R22.67

R 17.00

R22.48

CONFECTIONERY

 

 

 

White long bread rolls (± 150mm)

R11.87

R 17.00

R28.10

Whole wheat, round bread buns

R12.19

R 20.00

R28.10

WATERBERG

VOORTREKKER

GEORGE MASEBE

THABAZIMBI

WITPOORT

ELLISRAS

FH ODENDAAL

WARMBATH

MOKOPANE

SERVICE PROVIDERS

MTS CREATIONS PROJECTS (PTY)LTD

PHETHEDI CONSTRUCTION

SHELA CIVIL

CAPS M TRADING & PROJECTS

NAKISENI BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

MAMPULANE TRADING CC

SEROMAKO TRADING ENTERPRISE

MAKGABO GENERAL PROJECTS

ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Bread (700g) sliced

R15.71

R 16.88

R18.85

R18.85

R20.07

R19.37

R14.24

R14.13

Brown Bread (700g) sliced

R15.71

R 14.94

R12.56

R18.85

R20.07

R14.45

R12.91

R13.61

CONFECTIONERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White long bread rolls (± 150mm)

R16.75

R 16.51

R19.89

R18.85

R10.78

R19.74

R17.13

R13.93

Whole wheat, round bread buns

R19.89

R 16.66

R24.08

R18.85

R21.57

R20.00

R17.13

R16.80

CAPRICORN

MANKWENG

PIETERSBURG

SESHEGO

FW KNOBEL

HELENE FRANZ

LEBOWAKGOMO

ZEBEDIELA

BOTLOKWA

SERVICE PROVIDERS

KSR TRADING ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD

MJM GROUP (PTY) LTD

MADAKALONI TRADING (PTY)LTD

HAPPY & HERBAT TRADING 48

MPOLOFU GENERAL TRADING 88

NARE A NGWATO TRADING ENTERPRISE

KAGISHANO TRADING

MATSHUKUDU TRADING ENTERPRISE

ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Bread (700g) sliced

R15.67

R 15.69

R12.23

R16.74

R10.84

R14.34

R16.23

R16.75

Brown Bread (700g) sliced

R13.74

R 13.76

R14.00

R15.69

R9.58

R12.75

R14.13

R14.66

CONFECTIONERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White long bread rolls (± 150mm)

R11.08

R 11.13

R12.65

R15.69

R9.58

R14.01

R15.18

R15.71

Whole wheat, round bread buns

R11.08

R 11.13

R25.51

R18.84

R32.04

R18.42

R19.37

R19.89

SEKHUKHUNE

ST RITAS

JANE FURSE

MECKLENBURG

DILOKONG

GROBLERSDAL

MATLALA

SERVICE PROVIDER

PYROCA 101

SENATLA TRADING ENTERPRISE

SOMPHETE KE GO FETE TRADING PROJECTS

JULY PENCIL TRADING TRADING & PROJECTS (PTY)LTD

MAUPA CLEANING SERVICES

MAKHUDU OFFICE TECH

ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

 

 

 

 

BREAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Bread (700g) sliced

R18.78

R 25.63

R21.38

R18.49

R22.20

R21.54

Brown Bread (700g) sliced

R17.74

R 21.19

R16.09

R19.48

R22.20

R20.21

CONFECTIONERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

White long bread rolls (± 150mm)

R19.79

R 16.23

R27.60

R17.08

R24.71

R25.98

Whole wheat, round bread buns

R22.67

R 21.31

R27.60

R30.75

R24.71

R25.53

(3) Since the inception of the contracts, the department never experienced short supply or additional requirements of bread and as such surcharge or price increase has been experienced to date.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW685

Profile picture: Van Damme, Ms PT

Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

(1)What are the relevant details of official credit cards issued to (a) her, (b) her staff and (c) the Deputy Minister; (2) In respect of each specified credit card, (a) what is the (i) name and (ii) organogram position of the user, (b) what is the (i) maximum permissible value of each purchase and (ii) total credit limit of the card, (c) what are the relevant details of permissible purchases for which each credit card may be used and (d) may alcoholic beverages be purchased?

Reply:

1. The Department did not issue any credit card issue to:

(a) Minister

(b) Ministry Staff

(c) Deputy Minister

(2) (a) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(b) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(c) N/A

(d) N/A

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW987

Profile picture: Denner, Ms H

Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(1)Whether his department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business;

Reply:

  1. The Department of Public Service and Administration did not publish any tenders in relation to the COVID 19 pandemic. The Department facilitated the procurement requirements in relation to the COVID 19 pandemic through a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process.

1(a) Not applicable.

1(b) Not applicable.

1(c) Not applicable.

  1. Not applicable.

2(a) Not applicable.

2(b) Not applicable.

  1. Not applicable.
  1. The Minister will make a statement on the matter should the need arise.

04 June 2020 - NW756

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, taking into account the extreme levels of pressure that medical practitioners are working under and will continue to work under as the Covid-19 crisis evolves, he has considered increasing the remuneration of medical practitioners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The remuneration of medical practitioners in the Public Health Sector, together with all health professionals including Nurses and other frontline staff, is determined in accordance with the agreements that both organised labour and the State as the employer negotiate and sign at the Public Service Coordination Bargaining Council (PSCBC) and Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC). The PSCBC agreements determine those matters that are regulated by uniform rules, norms and standards that apply across the public service such as salaries, leaves and benefits. The PHSDSBC agreements determine those matters that are health sector specific and that do not apply in other sectors.

The PHSDSBC signed Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) Resolutions: viz 2 of 2007; 3 of 2009 and 1 of 2010 etc, whereby individual skills and experiences are recognised and acknowledged to place the said health professionals in the relevant bracket of remuneration.

Apart from remuneration, the performance of Health Professionals is incentivised in accordance with the PMDS system in terms of which they may receive an incentive bonus, and an annual increase.

Based on the above deliberation, it needs to be noted that any salary increases is a subject of negotiations at the Bargaining Council, by parties. Currently, there is a process of consultation between the Department of Health and organised labour on a “token of appreciation” for all essential and frontline employees who are working and will continue to work during the Covid-19 crisis. This process will be concluded in due course.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW890

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

Whether the guidelines for quarantine and isolation facilities in relation to Covid-19 exposure and infection in the Republic were only published on 5 May 2020; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) why was the specified document not published sooner and (b) what guidelines did quarantine and isolation facilities follow before the publication of this document on 5 May 2020?

Reply:

It is confirmed that the GUIDELINES FOR QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION IN RELATION TO COVID-19 EXPOSURE AND INFECTION was only approved on the 5th of May 2020.

(a) The guideline was developed by various stakeholders including the National Department of Health, North West University, Nelson Mandela University, Infection Control Africa Network from Stellenbosch University, Western Cape DoH, UCT and Bournemouth University of the UK. The process already started at the beginning of March. This was also informed by the minimum requirements as defined by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO.

These were widely circulated to ensure that it is comprehensive and takes into account the various roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved. This obviously took some time to finalise and get all feedback incorporated.

(b) A guideline produced by the NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) relevant to quarantine was used prior to the guideline approval.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW623

Profile picture: Komane, Ms RN

Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What amount has been spent by her department (a) to build a clinic in Ward 29 of Makolokwe in the Rustenburg Local Municipality and (b) on (i) maintenance and (ii) provision of security; (2) whether the clinic is operational; if not, why not; if so, what number of (a) nurses and (b) administrative staff are employed?

Reply:

(a) It is not true that the clinic in Makolokwe ward 29 is dysfunctional. Makolokwe health post is not a fully-fledged clinic and as such it operates for limited number of days. This health post is visited by a mobile clinic twice per week. It is supported by Bethanie clinic which is about 7km away which provides 24 hour services. Due to the small catchment population and its proximity to Bethanie clinic the facility could not be made a fully-fledged clinic. The structure is a health post that was built in 2004-2005 financial year.

(b) The costs for the structure at the time was approximately R 450 000.

(c) The Department is currently investigating the details of the service provider because this facility was built 15 years ago.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW542

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Has any extensive research been commissioned by his department on fibroids; if not, why not; if so, what are all the relevant details; (2) has any treatment been diagnosed to treat fibroids effectively; if not, why not; if so, what are all the relevant details; (3) does his department have any awareness campaigns on fibroids; if not, why not; if so, what are all the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) No, fibroids are common but do not necessarily pose a health problem unless it is associated with any other underlying condition such as infertility or abnormal vaginal bleeding.

(2) Fibroids do not necessarily need treatment. Women are often diagnosed with fibroids when they are investigated for other gynaecological symptoms they are presenting with. The treatment is therefore symptomatic and will range from management of anaemia, surgical intervention to treat infertility and pain management with antibiotics to treat lower abdominal pains.

(3) No, because fibroids were not counted routinely as one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. They are asymptomatic thus it’s not easy to identify and there is no routine screening and management protocol just for fibroids.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW805

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What are the costs per day for each person who is placed under quarantine by the State; (2) whether he has found that the process of quarantine may be open to corruption; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The State’s position has always been to first utilise state-owned facilities before private facilities are to be utilised and thus, the cost per person per day would differ based on facility availability, type of facility and ownership.

In State-owned facilities the costs per day relate to the operationalisation of these sites. Here costs related to provision of food, clinical services, cleaning and waste management costs. On average the costs for somebody in a state-owned facility is R600 per person per day. This excludes laundry, medical waste removal and testing.

For Private-owned facilities the operational costs are included in the rate negotiated with the facilities and excludes all clinical services. The rate is negotiated by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for each site. The Provincial Department of Health provides the training, PPE and clinical services for these. These costs are carried by the Department of Health.

(2)       The National Department of Health (NDoH) does not tolerate or entertain corruption, and any allegations to this extent need to be reported to the anti-corruption helpline.  It also needs to be noted that the NDoH does not get involved in any contractual or payment arrangements to any private facilities related to quarantine or isolation for COVID-19, unless under exceptional circumstances. The DPWI is solely responsible for that.

State-owned facilities are operationalised by the DoH in order to ensure that we operate quarantine facilities as cost effectively as possible and advocate the use of state-owned facilities prior to using private facilities.

 

 

END.

04 June 2020 - NW838

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with a full report of the shortages of personal protective equipment and hand sanitisers in public health facilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) how does his department intend to reimburse healthcare staff who are exceeding their overtime hours due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

Reply:

1. Yes, of the 1 854 facilities reporting stock availability information, the overall availability at these facilities across all personal protective equipment including hand sanitisers is 62.7%.

There is stock available at all facilities in all provinces. However, there are some facilities that are reporting an out of stock of some items.

2. The Department allocates overtime within the prescribed Public Service Regulation of 2016 as amended, section 49(1)(c). However, should there be proof that there are healthcare workers who are or exceeded their planned overtime hours due to Covid-19, they will be reimbursed through a request for approval from the Department of Public Service and Administration to deviate from the regulation to exceed the 30% threshold of employees’ monthly salary or the limitation determined by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, whichever is the lesser.

The Department is committed in ensuring that all healthcare staff work within the prescribed regulations to avoid such, if occurred.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW912

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; (2) whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; (3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; (4) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. No tenders were awarded related to COVID-19 pandemic, but Goods and Services are acquired following deviation emergency procedure.

a) Not applicable.

b) Not applicable.

c) Not applicable.

2. Yes, deviations were made from standards of supply chain management, not for tenders as there were no tenders awarded, but for Goods and Services acquired;

a) Because goods and services acquired during the Covid-19 pandemic were treated as health emergency hence deviation process was followed.

b) The details in each relevant case are as follows:

(i) Yellow Technical Services at the total cost of R10 521 141.65 for the supply, deliver, installation and commissioning of eight (8) static scanners, and Ninety-one (91) handheld scanners at various port of entry;

(ii) Mr First Aid (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R1 342 952.75 for the supply and delivery of personal protective equipment;

(iii) Protea Hotel Ranch Resort at the total cost of R11 256 000.00 for the provision of accommodation to place all persons repatriated from China as well as the support team involved in the repatriation under quarantine for a period of 14 days;

(iv) Fourth Door Holdings (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R1 447 074.90 to drive a public awareness and engagement campaign on coronavirus campaign using multiple communication platforms;

(v) Equal Edge Trading (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R3 600 000.00 to drive a public awareness and engagement campaign on coronavirus campaign using multiple communication platforms;

(vi) Intelligent Medical Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a Bluebird at the total cost of R18 193 920.00 for the provision of National Covid-19 surveillance and case management system in order to strengthen Covid-19 laboratory and hospital-based reporting for a period of six (6) months;

(vii)  Aurum Innova (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R2 929 000.00 for the expansion of scope of work to include Covid-19 screening;

(viii) Digital Vibes (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R35 906 450.00 for Covid-19 communication strategy;

(ix) Digital Vibes (Pty) Ltd at the total cost of R2 104 500.00 to conduct media interviews.

3. Not applicable as no tenders were awarded. Awards made for Goods and Services were due to emergency procurement responding to the COVID-19 outbreak;

4. There is no statement to be made.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW604

Profile picture: Chabangu, Mr M

Chabangu, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport

What measures has his department put in place to give relief to (a) taxi and (b) bus drivers to ensure that they still have income to feed their families during the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19?

Reply:

a) The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected many small businesses and most of them are struggling to stay afloat because they either cannot operate under the lockdown or the volume of their output has diminished substantially. In this regard, government has established multiple relief funds under the Department of Small Business Development (and its entities) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (and its entities) aimed at providing financial relief and assistance to businesses in distress. The Department of Transport has been encouraging the unsubsidized small bus operators to approach these schemes for relief.

b) As announced by government, employers who cannot pay their employees during the lockdown can apply to access financial assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) through the Covid-19 Temporary Employer Employee Relief Scheme. This will apply to public transport operators who contribute to the UIF.

c) A Relief scheme for taxis is also under consideration and discussions by the National Treasury.

04 June 2020 - NW721

Profile picture: Mackenzie, Mr C

Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Communications

(1)In light of the various initiatives launched to provide online learning to school learners and tertiary students during the national lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, what is the smart phone penetration in rural areas across the Republic; (2) What is the (a) television and (b) radio penetration across the Republic?

Reply:

1. According to the ICASA’s State of ICT Sector in South Africa 2019, the penetration of smartphones countrywide is 81, 72% as at the end of September 2018, compared to 43, 5% in September 2016 and 74, 2% in September 2017.

ICASA recorded smartphones subscriptions at 46, 9 million as at 30 September 2018. According to ICASA that total number of 4G/LTE devices in 2018, was 12 644 364 million countrywide with GP being the highest at 4 304 758; KwaZulu-Natal at 1 859 095; Western Cape at 1 562 239; Limpopo 1 532 666; Mpumalanga at 1 310 633; Eastern Cape at 745 272; North West at 664 362; Free State at 444 639; and Northern Cape at 220 700.

The data does not into account socio-economic factors.

(2) (a) The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC) is a body which commissions and oversees the delivery of radio and television audience measurement research for broadcasters. According to the latest BRC TAMS report for the period July 2018 to June 2019: 14 577 947 television households.

(b) The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC) is a body which commissions and oversees the delivery of radio and television audience measurement research for broadcasters. The BRC RAM™ figures released in February 2020, and covering the period January 2019 to December 2019, reveal that radio reach countrywide is:

  1. 92% weekly with 37.5 million listeners listening at any given time during the week.
  2. 73% daily (Monday to Friday) with 29.9 million listeners, on average each weekday.

The data does not take into account socio-economic factors.

 

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW670

Profile picture: Gwarube, Ms S

Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he, his department and/or any entity reporting to him purchased any personal protection equipment since 1 February 2020; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details of (a) the date on which the equipment was purchased, (b) the name of the supplier where the equipment was purchased, (c) the monetary value of the purchase, (d) the branding that appeared on the purchased equipment, including the branding of any political party, and (e)(i) how and (ii) where was the purchased equipment distributed?

Reply:

Yes, the department purchased personal protective equipment as follows:

 

(b) Name of supplier

(c) Monetary value

(d) Branding that appeared on the equipment

   

(a) Date purchased

     

(e)(i) how was the purchased equipment distributed?

(e) (ii) where was the purchased equipment distributed?

18/03/2020

BARRS Pharmaceutical Industries

99,311.09

none

Supplier delivered to NDoH office in Pretoria

Collected by departmental staff for use in offices, NDoH clinic, entrances, at meetings, etc.

18/03/2020

Unicore Holdings (Pty) Ltd

353,527.82

none

Supplier delivered to NDoH office in Pretoria

Couriered to all ports of entry

30/03/2020

Mr. First Aid (Pty) Ltd

1,342,952.75

none

Supplier delivered directly to the site

The Ranch Hotel

TOTAL

1,795,791.66

     
           

Yes, the Entities purchase personal protective equipment as follows:

Public Entities

(a) the date on which the equipment was purchased

(b) the name of the supplier where the equipment was purchased

(c) the monetary value of the purchase

(d) the branding that appeared on the purchased equipment, including the branding of any political party

(e)(i) how and (ii) where was the purchased equipment distributed

Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)

March 2020

Rentokil Initial

R25196.75

Supplier name

Fixture to all /CMS offices

 

March 2020

Rentokil Initial

R12725.00

None

Still to be distributed to all staff at CMS offices

 

March 2020

House of Clean

R3875.00

None

To cleaning staff at CMS offices

 

March 2020

House of Clean

R450.00

None

To cleaning staff at CMS offices

 

March 2020

Roterteck

R575.00

None

To security guard at CMS offices

 

April 2020

Rentokil Initial

R17250.00

None

CMS offices

 

April 2020

Takealot

R525.00

None

To cleaning staff at CMS offices

South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

07/02/2020

Inqaba Biotechnical Industries

R 8527.71

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

10/02/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R1518.00

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

13/02/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R3167.10

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

13/02/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R577.88

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

14/02/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R143.52

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

19/02/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R683.10

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

26/03/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R1242.00

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

06/04/2020

Inqaba Biotechnical Industries

R14453.58

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

07/04/2020

Promed Technologies

R57856.50

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

09/04/2020

Mzansi Medical And Laboratory Supplies

R12793.75

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

14/04/2020

Laborem Lab Supplies

R1725.00

None

SAMRC Cape Town Office

 

15/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R40664.00

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

15/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R99484.20

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

16/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R31567.50

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

17/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R58885.74

None

All SAMRC Offices

 

20/04/2020

Axiology Labs

R36542.40

None

All SAMRC Offices

 

23/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R90907.50

None

SAMRC KZN Office

 

23/04/2020

Mzansi Medical and Laboratory Supplies

R16882.00

None

All SAMRC Offices

 

24/04/2020

Lasec Sa

R32457.60

None

All SAMRC Offices

National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)

2020/04/17

Abompetha (Pty) Ltd

R17 465 000

None

All items will be distributed across the country, to all NHLS laboratories and offices

 

2020/04/17

Alfonzo Business Enterprise

R44 700 000

None

 
 

2020/04/21

B2P Group (Pty) Ltd

R436 000

None

 
 

2020/04/03

Baitsekago Projects (Pty) Ltd

R56 855 900

None

 
 

2020/04/06

Bitz Medical Supplies

R23 700 000

None

 
 

2020/04/20

Boitumelojwarona Projects (Pty) Ltd

R874 000

None

 
 

2020/04/17

Bugatti Security Projects(Pty) Ltd

R17 832 500

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Dayseven Group

R2 500 000

None

 
 

2020/04/10

Feliham (Pty) Ltd

R14 475 000

None

 
 

2020/04/24

First Garment Rental (Johannesburg)

R150 000

None

 
 

2020/04/08

Harvest Medical Hygiene

R14 750 000

None

 
 

2020/04/20

Hlakabele Trading & Projects (Pty) Ltd

R30 000

None

 
 

2020/04/09

Incapeace Trading & Project 159 cc

R15 299 750

None

 
 

2020/03/27

JD Strategic Investments cc

R33 880 000

None

 
 

2020/03/26

Joritans Logistics

R6 999 000

None

 
 

2020/04/06

Kgodumo Mokone Trading Enterprise

R35 625 000

None

 
 

2020/04/16

KNO Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd

R1 225 000

None

 
 

2020/03/18

Labex (Pty) Ltd

R2 415 000

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Les and Sons (Pty) Ltd

R32 230 000

None

 
 

2020/04/17

Makgale Makgale Developments (Pty) Ltd

R30 000

None

 
 

2020/04/06

Mantso Projects and supplies

R26 520 044

None

 
 

2020/04/24

Medkem

R132 000

None

 
 

2020/04/20

Mok Plus One

R17 850 000

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Mulalo Business Enterprise cc

R13 500 000

None

 
 

2020/04/06

Neneketso Trading (Pty) Ltd

R4 730 000

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Noko Health Care cc

R8 585 355

None

 
 

2020/04/14

Nu-Psyc Market cc

R13 800 000

None

 
 

2020/04/14

Oak Medical And Laboratory Supplies CC

R5 769 000

None

 
 

2020/03/25

Ongumame Medical Solutions

R15 854 000

None

 
 

2020/04/09

Persto (Pty)Ltd

R15 065 000

None

 
 

2020/04/17

Pharmaways Health (Pty) Ltd

R1 771 570

None

 
 

2020/04/17

Phumelele Occupational Health and Medical services (Pty) Ltd

R1 331 484

None

 
 

2020/04/09

Reitumetse M Trading Projects cc

R34 405 000

None

 
 

2020/04/09

Rombot Labs (Pty) Ltd

R619 200

None

 
 

2020/04/09

Seila Business Enterprise cc

R6 206 500

None

 
 

2020/04/14

Setesign (Pty) Ltd

R16 015 000

None

 
 

2020/03/24

Sinawe Medical and surgical supplies (Pty) Ltd

R 25 000 000

None

 
 

2020/03/24

Splendid Marketing and Communication

R21 250 000

None

 
 

2020/04/08

Stripform Packaging (Pty) Ltd

R381 060

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Therapy on the Go

R6 000 000

None

 
 

2020/04/06

Thula Sizwe Trading cc

R7 500 000

None

 
 

2020/04/14

Tiki Healthcare

R741 500

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Tripharma (Pty)Ltd

R8 212 110

None

 
 

2020/03/24

Tshimologo Omolemo Projects (Pty) Ltd

R8 568 000

None

 
 

2020/04/15

Xopam Services (Pty) Ltd

R400 000,00

None

 
 

2020/04/03

Zanenza holding (Pty) Ltd

R20 755 000,00

None

 
 

2020/03/20

Zans African Medical

R51 492,00

None

 

Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC)

31/03/2020

Libera Management Services

R15 585.92

Branding name called KPRG Cleanquip

The service providers delivered the purchased equipment at the OHSC offices in Pretoria

 

22/04/2020

the ViSS (PTY) LTD

R95 313.96

  • Gloves - Branding name called Triple – D
 
       
  • Thermometer - Branding name called LEPU
 
       
  • Blood pressure monitor - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 
       
  • Disposable sheets - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 
       
  • Medical waste plastics - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 
       
  • Sanitizer holders - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 
       
  • Disposable pillowcases - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 
       
  • Disposable cups – Branding name called Cupmates
 
       
  • Pedal bins - Branding name called Rossmax Monitoring
 

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)

March 2020

Dischem

R600

None

Distributed at SAHPRA Office for use by staff

 

April 2020

City Fashions Manufacturers

R13,800

None

Distributed at SAHPRA Office for use by staff

 

April 2020

South Collection

R960

None

Distributed at SAHPRA Office for use by staff

 

END.

04 June 2020 - NW637

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health

What measures has he put in place to track all persons who were tested positive for COVID-19, but who cannot be located or traced in each province?

Reply:

The scenario of unallocated COVID-19 positive patients was present at the beginning of the epidemic in the country and this was due to the submission of incomplete data by the Laboratories and the information systems processes the data.

The Department has implemented measures to improve the situation and the non-allocation of positive COVID-19 persons is the exception to the rule currently.

Measures include,

  1. The strengthening of the information systems for Notifiable Medical Conditions at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has resulted in the quality of reporting.
  2. The interactions with the Laboratories has improved the quality and completeness of the data submitted by the laboratories to the NICD.
  3. The COVID-19 tracing teams at a district level have been expanded. There are 8446 tracers that follow up with COVID-19 cases, and their contacts.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW945

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department is taking any steps to monitor how the supermarkets, malls and other entities that are accessed by the public are enforcing the Government’s regulations relating to (a) social distancing, (b) sanitising the hands of members of the public when entering and (c) the wearing of masks before allowing entry to such places; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, the Department is responding to the above asked questions through its Environmental Health Practitioners who are appointed by district municipaites and metropolitan municipalities to provide Municipal Health Services. These officials are appointed as law enforcers and they are responsible to monitior all the provisions of the disaster management regualtions as far as they relate to compliance with health requirements. Any health requirements that become regulated in the different alert levels become enforceable automatically because these officials are empowered to enforce these regulations.

(a)–(c) Environmental Health Practitioners monitor compliance on social distancing, sanitasing of hands and wearing of masks at all premises including supermarkets, malls and other public places during their routine inspections on all opened premises based on the alert level. Monitoring is also done at pension pay points, spaza shops and relief application centres. Management of the premises is held accountable for ensuring observation of these control measures as provided for in the Regulations 5(3) and 5(4). The support of owners of such entities to comply is largely positive.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW889

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Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(1)Whether, with reference to the recent advertisement for a director-general by the Department of Small Business Development at a salary of R 1 978 533.00 (Level 16), he has found that it is justifiable to make new appointments at such exorbitant salary levels amidst the fiscal and economic crisis facing the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how is it justifiable;

Reply:

  1. The Public Service as an employer has made a number of interventions to reprioritise funding during the difficult and challenging economic conditions we are currently experiencing as a nation.

All posts in the Public Service are evaluated through the prescribed job grading system. The remuneration for a post is determined on the basis of a number of factors including, but not limited to, the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and the need to recruit and retain employees with appropriate skills and competencies.

All Directors-General in the Public Service are remunerated according to a standard salary structure that consists of a number of elements constituting total cost-to-employer packages (notches). The salary of R1 978 533 that was indicated for the Director-General of the Department of Small Business Development is the minimum notch of the standard salary level applicable to Directors-General.

  1. With regard to vacant senior management service (SMS) posts, it is important to note that once an SMS post becomes vacant, irrespective of the notch the previous incumbent held, the remuneration of the post reverts to the minimum notch of the salary level attached to the post. These salary levels are determined through the job grading system and ad hoc changes or downgrades to levels would severely compromise the job grading and remuneration regimes of the Public Service.

The salaries of public servants are protected in terms of the provisions of the Public Service Act, 1994. Section 34 of the Act provides that the salary of an employee shall not be reduced without his or her consent except in terms of section 38 of the Act (that deals with wrongly granted remuneration), an act of Parliament or a collective agreement. The size of the Public Service wage bill is being managed through a number of initiatives but the reduction of salaries of individual employees is not being considered.

  1. No statement on this matter is considered necessary at this point in time.

04 June 2020 - NW947

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether there are any special considerations and/or arrangements that are in place to allow children and/or close relatives to visit a dying parent or family member who is accommodated in a quarantine site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the officials and/or offices that members of the public can approach for assistance with such cases?

Reply:

Quarantine is for people or groups who are asymptomatic, but who may be infected with COVID-19. They are thus generally healthy. In cases where a patient has become ill, they would either be sent to an isolation facility if found to be positive, and if they are found to be critical would be admitted to a hospital for care. Quarantine facilities are thus utilised for healthy people that are awaiting the incubation period of the virus. As soon as a person becomes ill, they will be moved out of quarantine to obtain appropriate clinical care.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW687

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Samka, Ms P to ask the Minister in The PresidencyWhat total amount has the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) spent on advertising in the past two financial years on (a) community radio stations, (b) community print media entities, (c) community television stations and (d) small commercial publicationsIn the past 2 years the GCIS has been in charge of implementing advertising campaigns for 41 client departments and entities. The GCIS has spent the below listed amounts on behalf of these clients

Total Community Ad spend 2018/2019 & 2019/2020

Reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN QUSSYION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER:

DATE OF PUBLICATIONS: 24 April 2020

687. Ms PT van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister in The Presidency:

  1. What total amount has the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) spent on advertising in the past two financial years on (a) community radio stations, (b) community print media entities, (c) community television stations and (d) small commercial publications:

In the past 2 years the GCIS has been in charge of implementing advertising campaigns for 41 client departments and entities. The GCIS has spent the below listed amounts on behalf of these clients.

Total Community Ad spend 2018/2019 & 2019/2020

  1. Community Print

R 8 220 052,13

  1. Community Radio

R 24 742 178.81

  1. Community TV

R 6 299 219.02

  1. Small Commercial Publications

R 137 747.00

(2) what Individual amounts were spent on each specified (a) community radio station, (b) community print media entity, (c) community televi6ion station and (d) small commercial publication;

  1. The list of the stations is attached as annexure A
  2. It needs to be noted that GCIS has put in place a panel of agencies which represent community publications. This panel was put in place to ensure that the sector is supported and that publications are not left out due to compliance related matters as was the case previously .The below agencies were appointed by the respective publications and GCIS constituted the panel through a tender process. The 6 agencies represent over 200 community newspapers across the country.

COMMUNITY PRINT ENTITIES

R 3 218 500.00

Channelled Energy

R 923 037,34

CNI

R 814 000.00

Eastern Province Community Print Media

R 740 748,00

Gauteng News

R 195 872,16

Mambo

R 1 685 345.00

Spark Media

C) GCIS also books campaign on television stations through intermediaries which the stations have appointed. Below Is the list of the agents.

 

COMMUNITY TV

Mediamark (Cape Town TV)

R 823 408.73

Zallywood (Tshwane and Gau TV)

R 1 455 000.00

Tiso Blackstar (1KZN & Soweto TV)

R 3 920 810.29

Bay TV

R 100 000.00

 

d)

SMALL COMMECIAL PUBLICATIONA

Highbury Safika

R 137 747.00

TOTAL

R 137 747.00

 

(3) On what dates were the specified adverts placed;

The dates for the various placements are attached as annexure B.

(4) What percentage of the GClS’s advertising budget is spent on

(a) Community media – 13% ( R40 399 196.96)

(b) Commercial media – 87% (R399 647 699.76)

DRAFTER OF THE REPLY

Name: Ace Mlisa
Designation: Director: Media Buying
Contacts: 012 473 0287 / 074 8177 927 [email protected]

Recommended / Not recommended

Ms Phumla Williams
Acting Director-General (GCIS)
Date: 21/05/20

Approved/not approved

Hon Jackson Mthembu, MP
Minister in the Presidency
Date: 26/05/2020

04 June 2020 - NW822

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Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What is the strategy to curb new community infections of the coronavirus since the lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 has not manifested in tangible outcomes for reducing new infections in communities?

Reply:

The lockdown has been shown by modeling exercises to have had two impacts on the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown has reduced the peak of infections and shifted the epidemic curve to the right. This means that it is estimated that the number of infections at the peak will be lower and that it will happen later thus enabling the health system to have additional time to prepare for the peak of infections. In his address on 24 May, the President outlined measures to strengthen prevention and to intervene in the hotspot districts.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW946

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, with regard to providing continued support to repatriated citizens at quarantine sites, his department has mechanisms in place to inform persons who are closely involved in repatriating South African citizens about which quarantine sites the repatriated citizens are or will be accommodated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department of Health is not involved in determining which quarantine facility repatriates would be accommodated at. On receipt of request from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) selects the quarantine facility from the Master List, in accordance with pre-determined criteria. Port Health from the Department of Health is informed and would guide the repatriates in alignment with the instruction of DPWI to the facility indicated. This is as per the current Protocol document between the relevant government departments.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW543

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the relevant details of all tenders awarded by his department for psychiatric drugs at each province and (b) measurements are put in place by his department to ensure that there is always a full range of drugs for psychiatric patients at the hospitals?

Reply:

a) Tenders for pharmaceuticals are awarded at a National level. Provinces, as participants to the contract, procure pharmaceuticals using the National contract. The contract information for all pharmaceuticals are available on the Department of Health’s website. The contract details for psychiatric medicines is attached as Annexure A.

b) The medicine selection process is an evidence-based clinical peer review process aimed at determining which medicines are most appropriate for use in South Africa. The Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List available as an application for your cell phone provides guidance to clinical practitioners on the safe and appropriate use of medicines for specific indications. There are chapters that are dedicated to psychiatry in the Standard Treatment Guidelines.

In preparation for the award of tenders, forecasting is done in collaboration with provinces using a defined methodology. The tender forecast is enriched using epidemiological data often in consultation with content experts such as psychiatrists. Furthermore, in accordance with the conditions of contract, suppliers are obliged to maintain two months of buffer. Additionally, there are contract managers who actively manage supplier performance to ensure that medicines are available.

Electronic stock management systems have also been implemented at facilities that provide the necessary information to managers at appropriate levels to intervene should the need arise.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW614

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he and/or his department has considered offers from foreign-trained medical professionals who are willing to offer their assistance to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic; if not, why not; if so, what are the full relevant details?

Reply:

Yes. It is imperative to ensure that as the Country is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are sufficient skilled health professionals to attend to the patient continuum from screening services to hospitalisation. In accordance with the South African Regulations, consideration is first given to South African Citizen health professionals that are available and if numbers are insufficient, foreign nationals are considered in a systematic order.

First is through Government-to-Government Agreements looking at required skills from foreign nationals. In this process the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is engaged to check the quality of training and skills of these foreign nationals.

In the same spirit, individual foreign nationals who wish to practice their medical trade in South Africa are given an opportunity in accordance with the Immigration Act on condition that they fulfil all the requirements as outlined by the HPCSA.

South Africa has since approached China, Cuba and Russia through existing Government-to-Government agreements for assistance.

To date the Republic of Cuba has availed 187 Medical Specialists (i.e. Biostatistics, Epidemiologists, Family Physicians, Health Technologists) where the Country is unable to produce enough, who will be assisting in the response to Covid-19.

In all other cases, foreign health professionals who wish to assist during Covid-19, such health professionals must first meet the HPCSA requirements to be considered.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW620

Profile picture: Mokgotho, Ms SM

Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Health

By what date will he supply the (a) Tweelaagte Clinic and (b) Lonely Park Hospital in Moses Kotane Local Municipality with (i) personal protective equipment and (ii) sanitisers for healthcare workers?

Reply:

a)  (i) The Department supplied the personal protective equipment to Tweelaagte clinic for healthcare workers on the 29th of April 2020 as follows:

  • Thirty-five (35) Masks N95,
  • One hundred and fifty (150) Surgical masks,
  • Two hundred and two (202) boxes of gloves and,
  • One hundred and thirty (130) Plastic aprons.

(ii) Sanitizers supplied to the clinic for healthcare workers are follows;

  • one (1) X 5 Litre of sanitizer,
  • thirty (30) sachets of biocide and,
  • five (5) X 500 ml of hand cleanser.

b) The Department does not have Lonely Park Hospital in Moses Kotane Municipality.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW772

Profile picture: Wilson, Ms ER

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What total amount does the Government pay in annual membership fees to the World Health Organisation (WHO); (2) (a) which countries have been denied membership to the WHO and (b) what are the reasons?

Reply:

1. The WHO Programme Budget is financed through a mix of assessed and voluntary contributions. Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of WHO. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country's wealth and population. However, assessed contributions remain a key source of financing for the Organization. The WHO assessed contributions are due and payable annually as of 1 January from all WHO Member States and Associate Members (currently 194 Member States and 2 Associate Members). Member's contributions are assessed in two currencies - half in United States dollar and half-in Swiss francs.

For 2020, South Africa’s assessed contribution is US$ 650,715 and Swiss Francs (CHf) 664,380 estimated at approximately R12 038 228 and R12 636 508 respectively and totalling of R24 674 736

(2) (a) None

(b) Not applicable

END.

04 June 2020 - NW353

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Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

(1)What is the (a) total number and (b) percentage of employees of the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) who have disclosed their business interests in the past three financial years as required by the SABC's Conflict of Interest Policy. (2) Employees who disclosed business interests, what are the full details of the specified (a) business interests and (b) companies currently doing business with the SABC including the (i) Rand value of the contracts involved and (ii) service delivered in terms of each contract; (3) Whether the specified contracts were put out to tender; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW508E

Reply:

Date

Employee Submissions

Total Number of Employees

% Compliance

28-Mar-18

3045

3578

85.1

31-Mar-19

3402

3,460

98.3

02-Mar-20

1836

3,039

60.4

2. Refer to annexures A and B.

3. Refer to annexures A and B.

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW755

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether he has disregarded the role traditional healers could play to render assistance during the Covid-19 crisis, since a great majority of South Africans consult traditional healers on a regular basis for their health problems; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether he has engaged any of the traditional healers in the Republic for this purpose; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Yes. The Department of Health identified the role that Traditional Health Practitioners could play to render assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Realising the need to have the Traditional Health Practitioners incorporated into the interventions with regards to the Covoid-19 response, the Department developed and approved the guidelines for Traditional Health Practitioners in dealing with the practice of the Traditional Health Practitioners during Covid-19 lockdown. The guidelines were developed in consultation with key representatives of the traditional health practitioners as well the Ministerial Advisory Committee. These guidelines allow Traditional Health Practitioners to continue with the provision of their essential services to the majority of South Africans within this period of Covid-19 and lockdown.

2. Yes. Traditional Health Practitioners were engaged during the development of the guidelines and engagement process is ongoing with regards to related matters. It is through the successful engagement that a product in the form of the guidelines was issued by the Department.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW837

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) number of the Cuban medical personnel who arrived in the Republic around 27 April 2020 to assist the Government in the fight against Covid-19 will be allocated to each province and (b) criteria will be used to determine where in the Republic they will be deployed to render assistance; (2) (a) has the Cuban medical personnel been trained already and (b) will they have to be driven around?

Reply:

1. (a) The number of the Cuban medical personnel as distributed is attached as ANNEXURE A.

(b) The criteria used to determine the deployment of the Cuban Health Professionals across the Country is based on the epidemiological modelling data, current health service capacity as well as capacity required as the number of COVID-19 infections increase in the different provinces and current available skills within each province.

2. (a) Yes, the Cuban Medical personnel have been trained. Training was conducted for Cuban medical personnel prior to their deployment to Provinces. The training included an overview of the South African Health System, the demography and epidemiology of diseases in the 9 provinces, Covid-19.

The history of COVID-19 in South Africa and progress made was provided, more importantly, training focussed on all approved country guidelines for COVID-19, including Clinical Case Management and Infection Prevention and Control. The training materials are all available on the Knowledge Hub of the Department and is accessible to Cuban Health Professionals.

(b) Transportation for Cuban medical personnel to serving stations will be dealt with in accordance with the approved Policy for Travel and Transportation within the relevant Provincial Departments and Public Service Regulations.

END.

ANNEXURE A

CUBAN MEDICAL BRIGADE DISTRIBUTION LIST

 

 

Western Cape

Gauteng

Kwa Zulu Natal

Eastern Cape

Free State

Mpumalanga

Limpopo

North West

Northern Cape

National Department

TOTAL

Family Physician

18

17

17

12

10

8

8

8

7

0

105

Health Technology

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

2

0

30

Epidemiology

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

18

Biostatistics

3

4

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

3

21

Public Health Specialist*

 0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

11

11

Biotechnologist

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

TOTALS

28

28

27

20

17

13

13

13

11

17

187

04 June 2020 - NW506

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Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

What (a) number of judgments and (b) court orders were made against her department in the (i) 2017-18 and (ii) 2018-19 financial years, (b) number of the specified judgments and court orders (i) were implemented and (ii) await implementation by her department and (c) was the nature of each (i) judgment and/or (ii) court orders.

Reply:

(a)(i) One judgement was delivered against the Department during the year 2017/2018.

(b)(i) None

(a)(ii) One judgment was delivered against the Department during the year 2018/2019.

(b)(ii) None

(b) The Department has two judgements, meaning that the matters have been finalised through court proceeding or arbitration, for the financial years 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 and no court orders.

(b)(i) Both judgments, one issued by the Labour Court in Paris (France) and one award issued by the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa, were implemented.

(b)(ii) The Department has no judgment or order that awaits implementation.

(c) Judgment issued against the Department during 2017/20

In the matter between Ms Terry Crawford (“Ms Crawford”) and the Republic of South Africa (Paris Mission), Ms Crawford instituted legal proceeding in the Labour Court (Paris) for compensation for the termination of her employment contract, psychological harassment, the payment of her leave credits and reimbursement of cost incurred for the litigious matter, amounting to 513 416.48 Euro. The Labour Court found that Crawford was not dismissed without actual or serious basis as she claimed.

Crawford was employed as a switchboard operator by the Embassy on 21 January 1991. During 1999 the Embassy opened a new section to represent the Department of Communications and Ms Crawford was employed as an Administrative Assistant to support the official seconded to the Embassy. Subsequently, the Department took a decision to close the Communications Section which resulted in the official seconded to the Embassy returning to South Africa. Ms Crawford’s position became redundant and the Embassy offered her an alternative position as Accounts Clerk. Ms Crawford was dissatisfied with the position offered to her and instituted legal proceedings where she cited, amongst others, unilateral termination of her employment contract on 19 September 2012. During the hearing Crawford disclosed confidential information and was dismissed on 11 August 2014, after she failed to attend a disciplinary enquiry.

On 10 July 2017 the Labour Court (Paris) ordered that Crawford be paid an amount of 16 252.57 Euros as compensation, representing the minimum amount to be paid for the termination of the contract, instead of the 513 416.48 which Crawford claimed.

The judgment was furnished to the Department on 8 March 2018, the date on which Crawford’s’ legal representatives furnished the Department’s legal representative, with same. Payment in the amount of R236 891.77 was made on 28 March 2018.

Judgment issued against the Department during 2018/2019

Following a procurement process, the Department of Communications (DoC) entered into an agreement Draft FCB Africa (FCB), who was the successful bidder to conceptualise, develop and implement a comprehensive three-year public awareness strategy for Broadcasting Digital Migration on 24 February 2009. The effective duration of the agreement was from 1 November 2008 for a period of three years, same to terminate on 31 October 2011. The initial total price tendered for was R399,078,495.84 but the evaluation committee removed certain items not required and brought the tender price down to an amount of R282,500,000.00.

The DoC, terminated the contract on 3 May 2010 and withdrew the termination notice on 30 June 2010, indicating that “the department intends to review the contract for the sake of progress of the matter”. Thereafter FCB stopped rendering services to the former DoC due to payment delays after it failed to submit signed off timesheets of consultants that worked on the project. FCB instituted court proceeding against the DoC during December 2011 and the matter remained dormant for a period of almost three years, whereafter same was subjected to arbitration. On the advice of SC, the Director-General appealed the arbitration award issued on 30 September 2017.

On 4 June 2018, the Office of the State Attorney informed the Department that the Appeals Panel has now concluded the appeal and issued a final arbitration award against the Minister of Communications and the Director-General of DoC ordering them to pay to FCB Africa an amount of R45,064,990.84.

The Department notified National Treasury of the award on 5 June 2018 and on the advice of National Treasury, a meeting was held with FCB Africa on 12 June 2018, wherein the Department explained that it lacked the funding to satisfy the award and requested indulgence to execute the award on or before 31 January 2019, after the budgetary adjustment processes of Government has been concluded. Payment of an amount of R18 940 000.00 was made on 7 February 2019, and the balance of R26 572 515.51 was paid on 3 April 2019.

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW818

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, in light of the fact that the Portfolio Committee on Health and the South African public in general are only being updated on basic statistics of Covid-19 deaths and all hospitals, clinics and laboratories allegedly signed confidentiality clauses to provide test- and death-related information to the Government only, he will furnish Mr P A van Staden with detailed figures of mortality that are not related to Covid-19 since 1 March 2020; if not, why not; (2) whether he will consider providing such figures to the Portfolio Committee on Health on a monthly basis, until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic; if not, why not; (3) whether he will make a statement on this matter?

Reply:

(1) Data on all causes of mortality is collected through death certificates from the Department of Home Affairs. These data are made available to the South African Medical Research Council’s Burden of Disease Unit which has published this data on its website – it is therefore in the public domain and anyone interested in this data can access the data freely. The quote below is from the website for the period 1 January to 12 May 2020 and published on 20 May 2020.

The weekly number of deaths of persons 1+ years of age up till 12 May 2020 are significantly lower than the number that would have been expected based on the historical data, mainly due to the decline in the number of deaths from unnatural causes. The number of deaths from unnatural causes (e.g. road traffic fatalities and homicide) was significantly lower during lockdown than projected on the basis of past trends, but appears to be increasing with the easing of lockdown. • Deaths from natural causes show no unusual sign of increase by 12 May 2020 among people less than 1-59 years nor those 60 years and over, and appear to be tracking consistently below the projected numbers” (Bradshaw et al, 20 May 2020).

(2) The Minister is willing to provide the information obtained from the Department of Home Affairs as noted above, monthly to the Portfolio Committee;

(3) We will make a statement on this matter.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW768

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department will consider to extend the service of health care professionals, who are due to retire on pension at the end of the month, until after the pandemic has subsided; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The current legislative framework (Sub section 16.7 of the Public Service Act of 1994, as amended) provides for the Executive Authority with the discretion to retain an employee beyond the retirement age subject to the employee's consent for the maximum period of two years.

It therefore means each employee case legible for retirement will be dealt with on its merits.

END.

04 June 2020 - NW438

Profile picture: Van Damme, Ms PT

Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

Whether (a) she and (b) the Deputy Minister has each employed ministerial special advisors; if so, in each case, (i) what is the name of the special advisor, (ii) on what date was the advisor appointed, (iii) what are the duties of the advisor, (iv) at what post level was the appointment made, (v) what is the salary level of the advisor, (vi) what is the duration of the employment contract entered into with the advisor and (vii) why was it necessary to appoint the advisor?

Reply:

(a) Yes

(b) No

(a)(i) Mr Thabiso Kenneth Thukani

(a)(ii) 29 August 2019

(a)(iii) The duties of the special adviser are the following:

(i) Provide strategic advice to the Minister in the development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy and regulatory framework, including monitoring implementation as well as its impact on the wellbeing of the citizens of South Africa;

(ii) Provide specialist advice to the Ministry in executing the mandates of Departments of Communications (DoC), Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) and its State-Owned Entities (SOEs);

(iii) Assist with developing appropriate relationships with the sector, academia, caucus, and civil society groups in order to facilitate progress of policy and legislation within the Minister's portfolio of responsibilities;

(iv) Review submissions going to the Minister, drawing attention to any aspect which has policy/political implications, and ensuring that sensitive political issues are addressed accordingly;

(v) Speechwriting, thought leadership and related research, including ensuring that relevant overarching government policies are reflected in material prepared by the Department.

(a)(iv) Compensation level III

(a)(v) Salary level 15

(a)(vi) 12 months

(a)(vii) To advise the Executive Authority on the exercise or performance of the Executive Authority’s powers and duties, and on the development of policy that will promote the Department’s objectives.

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW686

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Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

(1)In respect of purchases made with each official credit card issued to (a) her, (b) her staff and (c) the Deputy Minister during the period 8 May 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (i) what is the (aa) name and (bb) organogram position of the user and (ii)(aa) what is the value of each purchase made, (bb) what are the details of each item purchased and (cc) for what purpose was each purchase made; (2) whether any alcoholic beverages were purchased; if so, (a) what (i) are the relevant details and (ii) is the value of the specified purchases in each case and (b) for what purpose was each purchase made?

Reply:

1. The Department did not issue any credit card issue to:

(a) Minister

(b) Ministry staff

(c) Deputy Minister

(i) (aa) N/A

(bb) N/A

(ii) (aa) N/A

(bb) N/A

(cc) N/A

(2) (a) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(b) N/A

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

04 June 2020 - NW739

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Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications

Whether (a) she and (b) the Deputy Minister have undergone any training on media since she has been appointed to the Cabinet; if so, what (i) is the name of the service provider, (ii) was the total cost of the media training and (iii) number of sessions has completed?

Reply:

(a) Yes, the Minister did attend training on media.

(i) This was an in-house training conducted by the GCIS.

(ii) There were no financial implications.

(iii) One session.

(b) Yes, the Deputy Minister did attend training on media.

(i) This was an in-house training conducted by the GCIS.

(ii) There were no financial implications.

(iii) One session.

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES