Questions and Replies
29 July 2020 - NW1472
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
In light of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal reinstating Afrikaans as a language of instruction at the University of South Africa, what are the details of engagements that he has had with universities to ensure that language does not continue to be used as a tool of exclusion for many university students?
Reply:
The Department is aware of the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of Appeal reinstating Afrikaans as the medium of instruction at the University of South Africa, alongside the current medium of instruction, which is English. The Department has been closely following many other judgements, notably by the Constitutional Court, rightfully upholding decisions by university Councils at a number of universities, to move away from the use of Afrikaans as a barrier of access to non-Afrikaans language speakers. The Department has welcomed these decisions as they advance government’s transformation agenda and are part of the national effort to create inclusive institutional cultures at institutions of higher learning.
The Department’s approach to languages at universities is a systemic one and it does not convene a meeting with universities every time there is a court judgement in favour of, or setting aside, a particular university Council’s decision on their language plan or strategy. The Department has a generic language policy framework that serves to guide institutional language policies and plans.
The language policy framework has recently been revised and strengthens the previous higher education language policy framework of 2002. At the core of this policy is the affirmation of all official languages as spelled out in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Values of inclusivity, parity of esteem between all our languages and the promotion of multilingualism are central to this policy framework and it is encouraging that a number of universities are already moving in this direction. As indicated previously on a number of occasions, in the post 1994 South Africa, none of our higher education institutions, whether public or private, will exclude any South African on the basis of language as such practices belong to the past.
29 July 2020 - NW1530
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
(1) What was the total amount spent on the 2022 Commonwealth Bid; (2) (a) which specified entities contributed to the costs of the Bid and (b) what amount did each entity contribute? NW1901E
Reply:
The South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC has not been able to access information due to national lockdown restrictions.
29 July 2020 - NW410
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) is the total number of (i)(aa) male and (bb) female persons, who were sentenced to life imprisonment since 10 May 1994, and (ii) persons whose death sentences were converted to life imprisonment and (b) number of the specified persons (i) have died in prison while serving sentence, (ii) have been released due to successful appeals against convictions and/or sentences, (iii) have been released on parole, (iv) have had life sentences converted to correctional supervision and released from prison and (v) are currently still serving sentences of life imprisonment?
Reply:
Question |
Total Number |
(a)(i)(aa) since 10 May 1994 total male (The 16 active + 13 inactive male = Total 29, death sentence converted to life is already included in this number) |
20 167 |
(a)(i)(bb) since 10 May 1994total female (The 2 inactive female death sentence converted to life is already included in this number) |
254 |
Grand Total (The 16 active males + 13 inactive male (29) + 2 inactive female = (Total 31), death sentence converted to life is already included in this number) |
20 421 |
(a)(ii) total death converted to life (Total death converted to life imprisonment is calculated as follows; (16) Active + (15) Inactive = Total 31 |
31 Stand alone |
Active Death sentences converted to life (The16 active death sentence converted to life is already include within the Grand Total of life sentenced after 10 May 1994 it is therefore NOT counted again) |
16 Not counted again |
Inactive Death sentences converted to life (The 15 inactive death sentence converted to life are no longer forming part of the remaining number of those who are still serving life imprisonment and is therefore SUBTRACTED from the Grand Total) |
15 Minus from grand total |
(b)(i) since 10 May 1994 total died whilst serving sentence |
1 268 Minus from grand total |
(b)(ii) since 10 May 1994 released due to successful appeals against sentence or conviction |
0 |
(b)(iii) since 10 May 1994 released on parole |
1 174 Minus from grand total |
(b)(iv) since 10 May 1994 life sentences converted to correctional supervision and released from prison |
0 |
(b)(v) since 10 May 1994 currently still serving sentences of life imprisonment |
16 798 |
Take note: 1166 offenders are reflected as ‘other’, because their statuses fall outside the questions asked. It is however necessary to reflect the number as to ensure the alignment with the current number of offenders who are still serving sentences of life imprisonment.
Other (Inactive, not returned from court, bail pending appeal etc.) |
1 166 Minus from grand total |
END…
29 July 2020 - NW1473
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
What (a) is the number of statues of (i) colonial and (ii) apartheid figures in the Republic, (b) is the exact location of each statue, (c) amount did it cost his department to (aa) maintain and (bb) safeguard the statues in each of the past five financial years and (d) are the formal requirements for removing statues?.
Reply:
There is currently (a) no complete consolidated number of statues of (i) colonial and (ii) apartheid figures in the Republic. The management of monuments, memorials and statues is the responsibility of Provincial Heritage Resources Authorities (PHRAs).
Only when the inventory of these resources is submitted to SAHRA by the PHRAs as heritage registers do they get incorporated into the heritage resources inventory on the South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS).
The table attached as annexure A provides the list of 24 heritage resources that are currently classified as monuments or memorials and listed on SAHRIS. This list is incomplete as PHRAs must still audit and do an inventory of statues in provinces and submit to SAHRA for incorporation into the national inventory.
(d) The formal requirements to remove or relocate a statue or monument are:
- Completion of a permit application form for submission to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority;
- The Heritage Impact Assessment Report prepared by a qualified heritage practitioner or consultant must be attached as supporting documentation.
- Such report should be based on solid research principles, including an assessment of the impact of the proposed removal/relocation, and if necessary, proposed mitigation measures.
- A public consultation process of at least 30-days that may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Public Notices and advertisements that must be placed in National as well as local newspapers, indicating:
- the intention to move or remove the statue/monument; and
- contacting and inviting comments from interested and affected parties.
- preparation of a Conservation Management Plan
- presentation to the PHRA heritage permit committee meeting as may be required.
The committee then makes its findings based on the presentation of the processes above and may require further investigations. In the event that the applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the permit committee, they can appeal to the PHRA Council. Similarly, in the event that they are not satisfied with the decision of the PHRA Council, they can appeal to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) in terms of Section 49 of the National Heritage resources Act, Act No. 25 of 1999. The MEC is by law required to appoint an Independent Tribunal comprising of experts to consider the matter and give a final recommendation.
The cost of this process is all borne by the applicant.
28 July 2020 - NW1237
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether she can intervene in the concerns of a community of Schauderville in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on the complaints of health hazards caused by sewerage water emanating from a vandalised swimming pool at a certain site (name furnished) close to the Frank Joubert Primary School exposing children to the dangers of the health hazard and criminal activities over the past 20 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether her department monitors provincial governments when they appoint the services of local qualified and competent contractors from the communities to fix or replace sewerage lines and stormwater lines; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she has been informed that the soil at the specified site contains items of relics dating back to the 1800s; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1603E
Reply:
(1) Yes. The sewage spillage was not coming from the abandoned swimming pool, but from a leaking bulk sewer line located in the valley nearby. The bulk sewer line has since beenfixed and the spillage cleared.
(2) No. In this regard, provincial governments are not responsible for fixing or replacing sewerage lines and stormwater lines. In this case, sewer blockages are cleared by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, utilizing internal staff. Where external support is required, services are procuredfrom service providers in terms of relevant supply chain management policies.
(3) No. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is also not aware of any old relics items at the specified site. However, it would be appreciated if more information could be provided in this regard for further investigation by the relevant department.
End.
28 July 2020 - NW1411
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) On what date was the first Council of Traditional Leaders established, (b) what number of leaders serve on the council, (c) what are the criteria for the traditional groups and/or leaders represented on the council, (d) on what date was the last election held, (e) what is the term of the council and (f) on what date will the next election take place; (2) whether it is necessary to restructure the council due to the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, Act 3 of 2019, signed by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in December 2019? NW1782E
Reply:
(1)(a) The first Council of Traditional Leaders was established on 18 April 1997 in terms of the Council of Traditional Leaders Act, 1997 (Act 10 of 1997) which was repealed by the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009)(the Act).
(b) Twenty three (23) Senior Traditional Leaders serve in the National House of Traditional Leaders.
(c) Section 3 of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009) provides for the composition of the House. Each of the seven (7) provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders (North West, Limpopo, Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape with the exception of the Western Cape Province since currently there are no recognised traditional leaders in that province) elect three 3 members to the National House of Traditional Leaders. The only two (2) officially recognised Senior Traditional Leaders in the Gauteng province represent the province in the National House. This is because section 3(2)(b) of the Act provides that “where there is no provincial house of traditional leaders but there are three or a lesser number of traditional councils performing the functions of a local house, the chairpersons of such traditional councils must be ex-officio members of the House”.
(d) The last election of members to the House was conducted during 2017 in terms of section 4 of the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act 22 of 2009) which provides for each provincial House to elect three (3) members to the National House. Members elected by the seven (7) provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders and two (2) Senior Traditional Leaders from the Gauteng province were sworn into office on 09 November 2017 in Pretoria for a period of five years.
(e) The term of the National House of Traditional Leaders is five (5) years as provided by section 2 (2) of the Act.
(f) The next election of members to the National House of Traditional Leaders will take place after the expiry of the term of the current members on 30 June 2022 in terms of section 27(2) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No 3 of 2020) (TKLA).
(2) Yes, it is important, and it is a legal mandate that is informed by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, Act 3 of 2019, to restructure the National House of Traditional Leaders to include a number of recognised senior leaders of the Khoi-San. This will result in the National House of Traditional Leaders to be renamed the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in terms of Sections 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the TKLA.
End.
28 July 2020 - NW1466
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
While 3 800 schools in mainly rural areas still rely on pit latrines, over 3500 schools are without adequate infrastructure, no personal protective equipment and without sufficient water, resulting in many of these schools failing to meet her deadline of 8 June 2020 to reopen the schools, (a) by what date will her department ensure that not a single school is without these basic necessities and (b) what is her position with regard to schools that have no access to the specified necessities at this time?
Reply:
It is true that several schools have challenges related to water supply and sanitation. The Department of Basic Education is working with the various Provincial Departments of Education, Rand Water and the water boards to address such challenges.
The Provincial Departments identified about 3 500 schools had water supply challenges. The Department of Basic Education contracted Rand Water to implement an Emergency Water Supply programme. The adopted solution was water delivery to on-site storage tanks at these schools. Some schools had existing on-site storage tanks, while 2 274 schools required such tanks. On 17 July 2020, Rand Water reported that on-site storage tanks have now been installed at these schools that required tanks. Provincial Departments of Education reported on 17 July 2020 that all schools identified with water challenges now have water. The planning and implementation of permanent solutions are part of the ongoing capital programmes of the Provincial Departments of Education. The date for the implementation of the permanent solutions is dependent on the availability of funding.
It is also correct that the Provincial Departments of Education identified more than 3 800 schools that rely on basic pit toilets. Again, the Department of Basic Education is working with the various Provincial Departments of Education to address such challenges. Sanitation solutions have been implemented at 68 of these schools under the ASIDI programme. The Provincial Departments of Education have addressed the needs at a further 834 schools. Several partnerships contributed to solve the challenge at another 103 schools. The Department of Basic Education appointed 4 different implementing agents to address a further 1 121 schools. These implementing agents are in varying stages of completion of the sanitation solutions. The current plan is to eradicate the basic pit toilets by March 2022. This is however dependent on the availability of funding for this purpose.
28 July 2020 - NW1333
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) total number of cases of illegal invasion of land owned by her department was recorded by her department in each (i) province and (ii) of the past five financial years, (b) is the current status of occupation, (c) total number of persons are currently occupying the land and (d) steps has her department taken to remedy the situation in each specified case?
Reply:
a) The Department of Cooperative Governance does not own land
b) Not applicable
c) Not applicable
d) Not applicable
End.
28 July 2020 - NW1458
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, in light of the petition and position of 100 school principals on the Cape Flats, including the principal of Athlone High School (name and details furnished), she will delay returning learners in Grades (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3, (d) 4, (e) 5, (f) 8 and (g) 9 back to school until the next school year; (2) by what date will she respond to each concern raised by the principals (details furnished)?
Reply:
The following response was received from Western Cape Education Department:
- No. The Western Cape has no plans to delay the return of learners to schools. We also do not have the list of schools mentioned in the petition.
- The National Minister has at various platforms spoken broadly to each of the concerns raised by Mr Hendricks. Some of the concerns require Provincial engagement. Neither the office of the Provincial Head of Department, nor the office of Ministry, in the Western Cape, has received any communication from Mr Hendricks to discuss these concerns.
28 July 2020 - NW1621
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What total amount has been cut from the 2020-21 budget for basic education in each province?
Reply:
The overall Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) budget reduction in the 2020/21 financial year due to Special Supplementary Budget to address the Covid-19 is in excess of R1.6 billion. This total excludes Western Cape as no data was available by the time of this response.
Details are attached as Annexure A.
28 July 2020 - NW1510
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With regard to the tender for the appointment of a panel of South African registered suppliers to supply and/or supply and install locally produced 32 inch Integrated Digital Television sets for the 2020 indigent matriculants by the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa, (a) what criteria were used to identify the recipient learners, (b) what total number of matriculants were approved in each province, (c) by what date will the televisions be installed and handed over to each matriculant ready to be used, d) how would this assist matriculants who (i) are already back at school and (ii) will soon write final exams and leave school, (e) what are the reasons that matriculants were not provided with computers and sim cards, free internet and Wi-Fi hotspots and (f) what was the exact involvement of her department in this project?
Reply:
This Tender was not processed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) so DBE does not have a comment on this. The question should be directed to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies(DCDT) for an accurate response. USASSA is an entity reporting to DCDT.
28 July 2020 - NW1647
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What curriculum adjustments will be introduced in the 2021 school year to assist schools to catch up with lost teaching time as a result of Covid-19?
Reply:
The approach that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has adopted in the Curriculum Trimming and Reorganisation, in response to the lost teaching and learning time during 2020 academic year has included a process of identifying fundamental and core content per subject per grade to ensure that learners are adequately prepared for the next grades for 2021, and that curriculum that would not be covered in 2020 is distributed across 2021 and 2022 respectively.
27 July 2020 - NW1040
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) mechanism does her department use to gauge and/or assess the impact of its various programmes on the lives of ordinary South Africans and (b) progress has her department made in implementing the National Drug Master Plan?
Reply:
(a) Apart from monitoring statistical trends such as the changes to poverty produced by STATSSA, the department also conducts periodical impact evaluations
The social development sector has institutionalised the results-based management approach in contributing to the desired developmental state as outlined in the National Development Plan vision 2030. The department has been committed to the use of evidence from evaluations to inform decision making by managers, improve policy formulation and programme performance.
The department has conducted a number of evaluation studies to measure the effectiveness, outcomes, sustainability and impacts of the services delivered to communities and especially poor and vulnerable households, as well as gather an understanding of the lessons to be learnt. A brief outline of the evaluations that have been conducted in the last five years is as follows:
- Implementation evaluation of the Older Persons Act (OPA) to understand how the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 is implemented (or how it is working) and how it can be strengthened. Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been completed and are in the process of Cabinet approval through the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation. Some of the findings were used in the review of the Older Persons Act.
- Evaluation of You Only Live Once (YOLO) Programme to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and sustainability of the YOLO programme targeting 15-24 year olds and to determine the improvements to be made. The intention is to determine the immediate outcomes of the programme with regard to the extent to which YOLO contributes to increased knowledge, reduced negative attitudes and norms, reduction in risk behaviors’, and increased testing and adherence, all of which contribute to reducing HIV transmission. Evaluation report and the improvement plan has been completed. The findings were used to strengthen the programme.
- Evaluation of NPO regulatory system to assess how effective the system of NPO delivery is and how it can be strengthened. Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been completed. Some of the findings of the evaluation will be used for the review of the NPO Act Evaluation report and the improvement plan have been approved by Cabinet. The Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation has been monitoring the progress on the implantation of the improvement plan.
- Evaluation of Household Food and Nutrition programme to assess the appropriateness of the design and implementation of the national integrated food security strategy during the first year and to understand whether the strategy is addressing the issues of hunger in South Africa. An improvement plan was developed to ensure that findings and recommendations are used to strengthen the programme.
(b) The National Drug Master Plan provides a multisectoral blueprint for South Africa’s response to substance abuse. It is aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness and interventions in preventing substance abuse by providing a clear national policy statement, leadership and coordination of activities related to countering the substance abuse problem in South Africa. The implementation of the NDMP 2013 – 2017, ensured that South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem in partnership with every local, national and international stakeholders. NDMP 2013 – 2017 was fully implemented. The implementation evaluation of NDMP 2013 – 2017 was conducted in order to understand whether, and how it has been implemented and how likely it is to facilitate efficient and effective service delivery across different institutions and programmes for reducing substance abuse. Amongst the recommendations provided from the implementation evaluation report were the following: The NDMP needs to be reviewed and harmonise its approaches; the Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and the Local Drug Action Committees be strengthened and it should have an Implementation Plan. The NDMP 2013 – 2017 was reviewed and NDMP 2019 – 2024. The NDMP 2019-2024 was approved by Cabinet in October 2019. Government Departments are currently being capacitated to implement the NDMP guided by the Implementation Plan
27 July 2020 - NW1279
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether she will commit to date by when the (a) new Central Drug Authority board (CDA) will be appointed and (b) outstanding CDA Annual Report for the (i) 2018 – 2019 and (ii) 2019 – 2020 financial years will be published; if not, what interventions is she undertaking to ensure the specified outstanding items are submitted to (aa) Parliament and (bb) the substance abuse fraternity in the Republic; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
a) No, the Minister of Social Development cannot commit on the date on which she will appoint the members of the new board of the Central Drug Authority (CDA).The Minister will appoint the new members of the CDA board once the Parliamentary Committees: Social Portfolio Committee on Social Development and the Select Committee on Social Services have short-listed, interviewed and recommended the suitable candidates for the new CDA board. Based on the relevant Parliamentary Committees’ recommendations, the Minister will appoint new members of the CDA board. At present, the Minister is awaiting the recommendations from the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and the Select Committee on Social Services.
(b) Yes, the Minister of Social Development commits to submit the outstanding CDA Annual Report for :
(i) 2018 – 2019 financial year in September 2020. Prior developing the CDA Annual Report, the members of the CDA board have to receive the reports from the relevant stake holders outlining their achievements and challenges in implementing the National Drug Master Plan. Normally the commencement of developing the CDA Annual Report starts in April of each year, as it entails reporting the previous year efforts and initiatives relating to combating substance abuse. The delay in the submission of the report was caused by the late submission of stakeholders’ (Government Departments, Provinces and Non- Governmental Organisations) reports. The CDA does not have an electronic system to ensure the submission of reports on time; and
(ii) The 2019 – 2020 financial year in
December 2020. CDA Annual Report is still awaiting reports from Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and the National Departments. The delay in the submission of the reports is caused by competing mandates. Some stakeholders do not see the issue of addressing the scourge of substance abuse as part of their priorities. The current legislation, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act 70 of 2008) does not have consequences for late and non-reporting by stakeholders
(aa) the Department of Social Development has reviewed The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 to address the policy gaps including consequence management. The Draft Policy has been developed and currently being consulted with cluster departments. The Department is also in the process of developing system to ensure timeous reporting to parliament and
(bb) the Substance Abuse Fraternity
24 July 2020 - NW1405
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) What number of water usage licences were issued in the period 1 April to 24 June 2020; (2) what number of officials does her department employ who are authorised to issue water usage licenses
Reply:
(1) A total of thirteen (13) water usage licences were issued in the period 1 April to 24 June 2020.
(2) The only authority to issue water usage licenses within the Department of Water and Sanitation lies with the Director-General.
24 July 2020 - NW1469
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether her department has conducted any investigations into the sale of RDP houses by officials of her department to persons who do not qualify for the specified houses; if not, why not; if so, (2) what (a) number of officials have been arrested for selling RDP houses in the past two years and (b) measures has she put in place to prevent this from happening?
Reply:
(1) The Department of Human Settlements is not aware, nor has it received reports of any of its officials that engage in the selling of BNG houses to persons who do not qualify or meet the housing subsidy criteria.
(2) (a) Falls away.
(b) Section 10A of the Housing Act 107 of 1997 contains a specific clause referred to as the Restriction on voluntary sale of state-subsidised housing which restricts beneficiaries of subsidised or RDP houses from selling or alienating their dwellings or serviced sites for a period of eight (8) years. In a case where a beneficiary is relocating to another provinces, they may surrender the property to the relevant Provincial Department of Human Settlements who shall take ownership thereof and the previous owner will be allowed to reapply for a new subsidised housing opportunity on arrival at the preferred province.
In addition, the Department of Human Settlements has a dedicated Special Investigations Directorate that works with law enforcement agencies and other government departments to deal with all matters related to fraud and corruption. It is therefore suggested that the Honourable Member provides me with the information for further investigation.
24 July 2020 - NW1154
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)Whether his department purchased any goods and/or services below the amount of R500 000 connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the name of each company from which the specified goods and/or services were purchased, (b) is the amount of each transaction and (c) was the service and/or product that each company rendered;
Reply:
Goods and services were procured in relation to Covid-19 pandemic and the information is indicated in the table below.
(a) Name of the budiness |
(b) Amount |
(c) Service/ Product |
Biologica Pharmaceuticals |
R26 650.00 |
Mask surgical |
Tripple N Medical |
R2 044.00 |
Mask surgical |
Ekhaya Investments |
R11 500.00 |
Mask cloth |
Evergreen Latex |
R2 517.20 |
Gloves surgical and examination natural rubber |
Lechoba Medicals |
R15 187.50 |
Hand Sanitizers |
Promed Technologies |
R2 700.00 |
Disinfectant surface |
Promed Technologies |
R3 600.00 |
Temperature scanners |
Multisurge |
R4 600.00 |
Temperature scanners |
Recreative Creativity |
R27 950.00 |
Dispenser wipes |
Oks iInvestment 2009 |
R89 700.00 |
Fumigation/ Building sanitization |
Bizmak Trading |
R17 000.00 |
Hand sanitizer dispensers |
R39 000.00 |
Hand spray sanitizer |
|
R6 000.00 |
Face shield |
(2) Whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the specified transactions; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case;
Answer:
There was no deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures.
(3) What were the reasons that the goods and/or services were purchased from the specified companies;
Answer:
Businesses awarded through request for quotations met the specifications and their prices were the cheapest as compared to other competitors.
24 July 2020 - NW931
Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(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; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Department of Water and Sanitation:
(1) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has appointed Rand Water as the Implementing Agent (IA) for the implementation of the Department’s Covid-19 intervention regarding the provision of water services. The appointment of the Implementing Agent (Rand Water) followed proper supply chain management processes and was gazetted. The cost estimates for the implementation of the Covid-19 project are as indicated in Annexure A attached hereto.
(2) Rand Water’s emergency processes were applied for the procurement of goods as per the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and the Water and Sanitation Emergency Procurement Covid-19 Disaster Response Directions issued in terms of regulation 10(8) of the Regulations issued under section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). The Government Gazette containing the Directions referred to is attached as Annexure B.
(3) Please refer to Annexure A as indicated in (1) above.
(4) We presented our measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation. However, we will provide an update on this important matter once Parliament, through its Committees, afford us an opportunity to do so.
The Department of Human Settlements:
(1) Yes, the Department of Human Settlements awarded tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic as indicated below:
Bid number |
Total Tender amount/Price |
(c)Products supplied |
VA 50 /351 |
R 675 700.00 |
Hand Sanitizers Surgical gloves and Surgical Face Masks |
Order No. DH-026961 |
||
P No. 2420302 |
R 77 833.00 |
Nurses appointed to screen employees and visitors |
(2) Yes, there was deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures.
The deviation was done in terms of the emergency procurement procedures of Covid-19, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items as prescribed in sub paragraph 4.6 of the National Treasury Instruction, No. 5 of 2020/21: Emergency Procurement in response to National State of Disaster, dated 28 April 2020.
In addition to the above, regarding bid P No. 2420302, there were no service providers/ agencies registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database for the supply of nurses. The Department of Human Settlements identified three agencies Requests for quotations were sent to the three agencies, but only two responded.
(3) The Department received four (4) quotations and evaluated them in terms of the 80/20 Preference Point System. Two companies obtained the highest score of 100 points on Price and Broad- Based Economic Empowerment (B BEE) and was therefore, awarded a tender to supply PPEs to the department.
The agency with the lowest acceptable quote was appointed to supply the required number of nurses.
(4) We presented our measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.
24 July 2020 - NW1240
Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
With reference to the recent contract of R600 million granted to the Rand Water Board by the Department of Basic Education to supply water and water tanks to 3 500 schools, (a) which subcontractors did the Board appoint to render the services in each province and (b) what (i) was the scope of the work of each subcontractor, (ii) were the amounts paid to each subcontractor for services rendered, (iii) was the total amount paid to consultants to advise on the project and (iv) monitoring and evaluation processes were put in place to monitor the specified contract, including the quality of the work and the value of the work done?
Reply:
With regard to the contract granted to the Rand Water Board by the Department of Basic Education to supply water and water tanks to 3 500 schools, the Rand Water Board has received R200 million to date from the Department of Basic Education. The details requested by the Honourable Member are provided in Annexure A attached.
In relation to monitoring and evaluation processes in place to monitor the specified contract, the following measures are in place to monitor the delivery of tankers and quality assure the standard of water delivered to schools:
(i) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) have representatives that verify and quality assure the work that has been done by sub-contractors;
(ii) Both Departments convene regular meetings to engage on project activities;
(iii) The sub-contractors sign for the work completed and the school representatives also sign for acceptance;
(iv) When defects are identified by DBE or the Rand Water Board representatives; the relevant contractors are called immediately to correct them as it is done in all other projects.
(v) In addition, the Rand Water Board has representatives in the provinces that verify that the tanks utilised to deliver water to the schools are in good condition before the tankers are deployed to site. The DWS representatives also verify the condition of the tankers before deployment to the schools.
(vi) Tankers that do not meet the basic requirements and do not have a disinfection certificate are not allowed to operate.
(vii) The water utilised for the schools are acquired from the nearest Water Service Authorities (WSA) which are all certified to provide potable water, guaranteeing the quality of water that is delivered to schools.
24 July 2020 - NW1217
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she has been informed that the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has been unable to enforce environmental legislation in terms of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, citing a lack of funding and resources to address the pollution of the Umbilo River, Palmiet River and Umgeni River which is posing serious health risks to residents and decimating river ecosystems; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has she taken to assist the municipality to enforce environmental legislation?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is aware that challenges have been experienced with the quality of effluent quality from the Umbilo Waste Water Treatment Works. There have also been issues of non-compliance and pollution incidents with respect to the Umbilo, Palmiet and Umngeni Rivers. The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality have addressed most of the concerns after my department issued Notices and Directives as follows:
a) Umbilo River - Three (3) Non-Compliance Notices were issued in 2019 on 26 September, 25 November and 13 December. Another notice was issued on 10 June 2020.
b) Palmiet River - Non-Compliance Notice were issued in 2018, related to surcharging manholes
c) Umngeni River - A Non-Compliance Notice was issued on 12 September 2019, related to surcharging manholes and sewer overflow from a pump station
The pollution of the Umbilo River occurred as a result of outstanding mechanical and electrical repairs due to budget challenges. Upon engagement with the DWS, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has indicated that a process is now underway to appoint service providers urgently to undertake the necessary repairs which should be completed in August. The budgets constraints that were experienced towards the end of the last financial year (2019/2020) have been resolved with the beginning of the 2020/21 financial year.
24 July 2020 - NW329
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to the water crisis in the Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo, there is a water board in place for the management of the canal; if so, is the water board aware of the current water loss by the canal; (2) whether there is a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place for servicing and maintaining the canal; if so, (a) which company is responsible for service and maintenance and (b) on what date was the SLA awarded; (3) whether the water board and the service provider have a plan in place to curb the water loss problem; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what budget has been earmarked for the upgrading and servicing and/or maintenance of the canal; (5) whether (a) the water board and/or (b) her department considered installing a pipeline and the benefits thereof, instead of using the canal (details furnished)?
Reply:
(1) I am informed that the Doorindraai Canal in Mokgalakwena is managed and operated by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Operations and Maintenance Chief Directorate and it is aware that the Canal requires rehabilitation.
(2) The Chief Directorate is using its infrastructure for operations and maintenance, and therefore there is no need for a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
(3) The plan is to rehabilitate the canal by reconstructing the concrete slabs and eliminate the water leakages.
(4) The rehabilitation of canals is budgeted for on a yearly basis under the Rehabilitation of Conveyance Systems (ROCS) which falls under the Operations and Maintenance Division in the Department. No funds are budgeted for this canal in 2020/21 because priority for yearly plans is determined by emergencies.
(5) The Department is not considering using a pipe because the water at Doorndraai has a Langelier Saturation Index of -1.31 which means it is corrosive. Therefore, installing a pipeline would not be an alternate solution because the pipeline would collapse without a warning.
24 July 2020 - NW574
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether her department has a plan in place to fix an ageing sewer system that has become a health hazard to the community in Ward 6 in the Mamusa Local Municipality; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The sewer pumping stations of Mamusa Local Municipality (MLM) are under pressure due to the high inorganic composition of the influent. Overflows occur whenever problems such as power or mechanical failures take place. The inability of bulk sewer infrastructure to convey wastewater causes numerous sewer spillages, resulting in pollution of the watercourse. Refurbishment and upgrading of sewer pumping stations in Ipelegeng and Schweizer-Reneke are thus critically important.
To curb the challenges indicated above, the following short-term interventions have been implemented in the Mamusa Local Municipality by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality (DRSMDM):
- Maintenance to address mechanical and electrical backlogs at the Ipelegeng Sewerage Pumping Stations has been attended to.
- Improvement of the capacity of the Mamusa Local Municipality cleaning team with the procurement of a new High-pressure Water Jet Machine to unblock block sewer lines.
Furthermore, long-term interventions are underway to refurbish the sewer system in Mamusa include the upgrading of critical Bulk Water and Sewer Services. The proposed scheme is twofold and will address the persistent spillages occurring at sewer pumping stations and enhance the sustainability of the infrastructure. The refurbishments will entail the following:
- Construction of new inlet chambers and retention dams
- Refurbishments of existing mechanical components
- Refurbishment of external components around pumping stations
- Refurbishments of inlet pipework and manholes
- Installation of new mechanical components
- Upgrading and refurbishment of electrical components.
Funding applications and technical reports were submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation during the first quarter of 2020. The detailed designs, construction drawings and specifications have been completed and the projects are ready for construction to commence once funding approval is confirmed.
24 July 2020 - NW1433
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What total amount did his department allocate to the National School of Government (NSG) (a) in each of the past five financial years and (b) since 1 April 2020; (2) whether his department investigated the possibility of entering into partnerships with public universities to provide the training instead of the NSG; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether all of the courses and modules presented by the NSG are accredited with the relevant higher education qualifications authorities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the NSG has been presenting modules virtually since 26 March 2020; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The total allocated to the National School of Government was:
a) 2015/16 – R 140.4 million of which R47.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The trading Account then raised R 68.4 million of its own revenue.
2016/17 – R 88.6 million there was no allocation for the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R137 million.
2017/18 – R 153.9 million of which R63.6 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R 115 million.
2018/19 – R 168.9 million of which R 72.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account generated its own revenue of R 151.7 million.
2019/20 – R 187.9 million of which R84.8 million was transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading account generated its own revenue of R154.2 million
(b) from 1 April 2020 – R 190.6 million of which R93.7 million will be transferred to the Trading Account. The Trading Account budgeted revenue target has been revised downwards to R 75.2 million due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
2. In repositioning for the future, the NSG is expanding its mandate in three spheres of government, state owned entities and organs of state and support the outcomes of priority 1 of MTSF (professionalising public administration). In doing so, it is critical for the NSG to intervene DIRECTLY by providing or facilitate ETD programmes; INFLUENCE (content creation of public administration, quality of ETD); and REFER (where the NSG cannot offer ETD interventions, we refer public servants to other recognised training providers esp. HEIs). The five year strategy programmes places emphasis on the quality of our ETD interventions and of those who deliver on behalf of the NSG; as well as to embrace partnerships and collaborations with public and private institutions to support ETD interventions to achieve depth and scale. In this regard, we are co-branding programmes we deliver in partnership with HEIs to grow our visibility, impact and brand value. The NSG has concluded partnerships with the following HEIs:
The NSG Programme |
HEI, Geographical Allocation and Programme Recognition |
EDP Contract period: Oct 2019 – Oct 2022 |
University of the Free State (UFS): National Participants who hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) may apply for admission to the Post-Graduate Diploma (Public Administration and Management) and may receive exemption for one of the six modules. |
EMDP and AMDP Contract period: 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2023 |
North West University (NWU): N.West, Mpumalanga & Limpopo EDP: Advanced standing (exemption) in relation to some 1st year modules of the BA Public Governance AMDP: Advanced standing (exemption) in relation to all 1st year modules of the BA Public Governance |
University of the Free State (UFS): Free State & KZN EDP: Exemption from 2 modules of the Higher Cert in Management Development AMDP: Exemption from 4 modules of the Higher Cert in Management Development |
|
University of Forte Hare through Fort Hare Solutions (FHS): E. Cape EDP: 81 credits toward the Higher Cert in Public Admin AMDP: 85 credits toward the Advanced Cert in Public Admin |
|
University of the Western Cape (UWC): W.Cape & N.Cape EDP: Exemption from one 1st year module of the B Admin degree AMDP: Exemption from one 3rd year module of the B Admin degree |
|
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): National Departments & GP EDP: Exemption from 1st year Nat Diploma Public Management (to become Diploma in Public Affairs) AMDP: Exemption from 1 module of the BTech Public Management (to become Advanced Diploma in Public Affairs) |
The National School of Government (the NSG) has been working in partnerships with public universities for more than 10 years for the delivery of training programmes such as Integrated Management Development Programme (IMDP) and for the Legislature programmes. The Universities we have partnered with previously on the IMDP programmes include the University of Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela University, Vaal University of Technology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, University of Pretoria, University of Limpopo, North West University (NWU), University of Forte Hare through Fort Hare Solutions (FHS), University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). On the Legislature programmes we have worked with WITS and University of Johannesburg.
The process of partnering with public universities is done through a tender process. New programmes are being explored with public universities and should bear fruits within two years – these will focus on economic governance, leadership in times of crisis (like Covid-19) and on a variety of 4iR programmes including Cyber Security and data analytics for policy making.
Over the last ten years, the training programmes in partnerships between NSG and Parliament have achieved the following based on successful participation by participants:
- Certificate in Governance and Leadership - offered by the NSG in partnership with UNISA: Approximately 182 participants successfully completed the Certificate in Governance and Leadership; and
- Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership - offered in partnership with the Wits University School of Governance as a short learning programme. The Graduate Certificate links to further qualification i.e. as determined by partnerships with HEIs and as determined by HEI admission requirements (PGDip in Governance and Public Leadership; MM in Governance and Public Leadership). Approximately 289 participants successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership.
- Over the period of the last ten years 178 participants enrolled for the PGDIP in Governance and Public Leadership through WITS. Through the University of Johannesburg 41 participants enrolled in a Continuing Education Programme and 73 participants enrolled to complete a PGDiP at the University of Johannesburg.
3. The majority of facilitated courses offered by the NSG are accredited with a relevant quality assurance authority. These include:
- Higher Education Institutions
- Education and Training Quality Assurance bodies within the relevant Sector Education and Training Authorities, for example the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA); and
- Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
The School also offers non-credit bearing courses. The value of these courses lies in the agile development and up-skilling of public servants by developing knowledge, improving competency and enhancing practice. All courses offered by the School are approved through internal quality assurance processes. The NSG has 129 accredited and non-accredited courses/programmes of which 99 are accredited and 30 non-accredited. The details are as follows:
HEI approved |
21 |
ETQA accredited |
69 |
QCTO accredited |
9 |
Total number of accredited courses/programmes (ETQA & QCTO): |
99 |
Number of non-accredited courses/programmes |
30 |
Grand total number of courses/programmes |
129 |
The curriculum will be reviewed to align to the ETD needs for all salary levels (i.e. entry to exit). The NSG will also undertake the curriculum review using a peer review mechanism. The School is also building internal capacity for quality assurance and accreditation management. Furthermore, there is a process underway of establishing a Curriculum Review and Quality Assurance Committee which will also bring experts as part of continuing improvement of our curriculum and course delivery.
4. The NSG offered 9 self-paced open eLearning courses during the national lock down. Officials are able to self-register and enrol in the course or courses of their choice, which include:
- Ethics for Internal Auditors
- Ethics in the Public Service (Compulsory course)
- Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP)
- Introduction to Financial Management and Budgeting
- Introduction to Leading Change
- Introduction to Strategic Planning and Management
- Know and live our Constitution
- Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and Ill-Health Retirement (PILIR)
- Writing for Government: Basic writing skills for Executive Support
The implementation of the SMS Pre-entry Programme (Nyukela) continued during lockdown. Since the national lock down and up to the end of June 2020 there was a total of 9 156 enrolments on the NSG eLearning platform, 2166 of which were in the SMS Pre-entry Programme (Nyukela). Officials who are new to eLearning are able to self-enrol in Getting Started with eLearning, which prepares them for online learning.
The NSG in partnership with University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) will deliver a two weeks online Seminar on Building Governance Capacity for South Africa through the ZOOM platform starting from the 13th July 2020.
The National School of Government (NSG), in partnership with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) will be launching in August 2020 a five-day gender course Leading Change by Championing Gender Equality. The course will be on the online platform and will cover the Mainstreaming of Gender, Gender Based Violence and Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting.
The NSG is in the process of entering into a MOA with TIPS to develop online courses on COVID-19 and the South African Economy and South Africa’s Industrial policy and action plan. The courses will be rolled out in quarter 3 of 2020/21 financial year.
24 July 2020 - NW1267
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
In view of the fact that a virement of approximately R3 million was transferred from Programme 4: Property and Construction Industry Policy to Programme 1: Administration to be allocated to Legal Services, what are the (a) specific matters to which the money was allocated; (b) programmes that will be impacted by the virement of funds and (c) costs for legal counsel associated with each matter?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
a) I am informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure that the money was initially earmarked in 2019 for appointment of Legal Counsel to advise on the Expropriation Bill, however due to less claims having been received for work done by Advocates on the Expropriation Bill through the Office of the State Attorney during the period September 2019 to March 2020, and as well as consultation with National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on the Bill, which took about three months starting from 5 December 2019 till 14 March 2020. Consequently, the anticipated legal advice from the NEDLAC outcome was delayed thereof. The funds were then used by the Legal Services to augment the over-spending in the area of legal costs recoverable by the Office of the State Attorney. These are the payments made and recoverable by State Attorney from the DPWI against payments made to advocates and other service providers involved in various litigious and non-litigious matters for and against the (DPWI).
b) No programmes were affected by the virement of funds from Programme 4 to Programme 1, as the adjusted budget was declared after a review of the goods and services during the financial year.
c) There was only one claim received from the Office of the State Attorney with specific reference to legal advice on the Expropriation Bill in the amount of R13 110.00 in respect of legal fees of Senior Counsel during the period September 2019 to March 2020 and it was paid by the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. However, the balance of the amount adjusted was used to defray the claims for legal costs paid by the Office of the State Attorney to advocates and other service providers involved in other litigious and non-litigious matters for and against the DPWI as follows:
BREAKDOWN COSTS OF LEGAL FEES PAID TO OFFICE OF STATE ATTORNEY
Advocate Fees |
Sheriff Fees |
Printing Services |
Taxed CostsTaxed Costs |
Professional Technical |
Expert Deeds Fees |
Witness Fees |
Tracing Services |
R3 759 527.87 |
R3 089.05 |
R11 600.84 |
R131 190.64 |
R 945 668.18 |
R15 842.00 |
R16 240.06 |
R4 R400.00 |
Total of Legal Fees for period October, November 2019 and February 2020: R4 883 558.64
24 July 2020 - NW901
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(a) What is the current status of the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer project sponsored by the Orange-Senqu River Commission and (b) by what date will her department conduct public participation meetings regarding the nearly 700 kilometres of conveyance pipelines that would need to be installed through the Republic?
Reply:
(a) The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer (L-BWT) project feasibility study is currently being conducted in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in 2017 between the governments of Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa (Namibia is an observer). The MoA relates solely to the development of a bankable feasibility study and does not constitute an implementation agreement. The study commenced in August 2018 and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2021.
The State parties mandated the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) to act as an implementing agent for the co-ordination, management and administration of the study, as well as to solicit donor funding for the study. In order to enhance the potential for securing donor funding, ORASECOM packaged the L-BWT study to form part of a larger overall basin-wide study titled: Preparation of Climate Resilient Water Resources Investment Strategy and Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Multipurpose Project for the Orange-Senqu River Basin.
As far as the Screening and Pre-Feasibility Studies (Component III of the basin-wide study) for all major infrastructure elements of the L-BWT project, namely: the dam on the Makhaleng River in Lesotho and the water conveyance system are concerned, a professional service provider (PSP) has been appointed. The scope of work for the various parts and phases of the study, the progress status and the likely completion dates for each part are as set out below. This work is divided into the following two phases:
- Phase 1: Screening Study: Work started on 1 August 2018 and was completed on 30 April 2020. Approval of the final study reports is expected by 31 May 2020
- Phase 2: Pre-Feasibility Study: Work planned to start on 1 June 2020 and to be completed by 30 November 2020.
Detailed Feasibility Studies (Component IV of the basin-wide study) for all major elements of the scheme, namely: Part 1: the dam, and Part 2: the water conveyance system. The scope of work includes all engineering and economic studies, as well as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The stakeholder consultations will be undertaken as part of Component V of the basin-wide study. This work is divided into three parts:
- Part 1: Feasibility Study for the Dams: A PSP has been appointed for this part. The work will start after the completion of Pre-Feasibility studies, towards 1 December 2020 and will be completed around 30 September 2021.
- Part 2: Feasibility Study for the Conveyance System: Scope: A PSP for this part has not yet been appointed, but the procurement process is underway. The work is expected to start after 1 December 2020 and to be completed around 30 November 2021.
- Part 3: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Part 1: Dams and Part 2; Conveyance System: A PSP for this part has not yet been appointed, but the procurement process is underway. The work is expected to start towards 1 January 2021 and to be completed towards 31 December 2021.
(b) The planned public/stakeholder participation process will form part of the wider study’s Component V. The work for this component can commence only after at least the basic technical parameters of the potentially favourable competitive options for the dam and for the conveyance system have been defined during the pre-feasibility studies (expected after 30 November 2020).
The public/stakeholder participation activities are expected to commence after 30 November 2020 and to continue until the completion of the study around 31 December 2021. The exact dates for future stakeholder consultations will depend on the progress with the current technical feasibility studies and upon decisions reached by consensus between the State parties. These will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course
However, in preparation for the start of the stakeholder participation process, certain related activities have already commenced. The first basin-wide strategy stakeholder workshop was held in January 2019 in Lesotho. It was attended by the key authorities representing the four ORASECOM member States. The aim of the workshop was to identify the relevant project stakeholders in each country, to lay out the foundations for a Stakeholder Management Plan, as well as to agree on the establishment of a Stakeholders Forum for future engagement. A preliminary list of identified main stakeholder groups has been proposed. This list will be expanded and refined once the PSP for this task is appointed after November 2020.
24 July 2020 - NW1262
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What progress has her department made in filling vacant specialist posts such as (a) quantity surveyors, (b) property lawyers, (c) engineers and (d) economists?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(a) The Department has employed a total of fifteen (15) professionally registered Quantity Surveyors in its staff establishment with two (2) advertised and in the process of filling.
(b) The department does not have specialist posts of property lawyers, however the legal services unit as a shared service supports all line function including the Unit responsible for property management with all legal related matters.
(c) The Department has employed fourteen (14) professionally registered Engineers in its staff establishment with six (6) professional Engineer positions advertised and in the process of filling.
(d) The Department does not have specialist economist positions in the approved organisational structure.
24 July 2020 - NW1166
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What (a) reporting and accounting systems are in place in her office to ensure that the growing overdraft of the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) is serviced and minimised and (b) measures has she put in place to ensure that the (i) Director-General and (ii) acting head of the PMTE ensure that the overdraft is serviced and minimised?
Reply:
a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure prepares reports on monthly basis indicating the progress made to minimise the overdraft, however, the operating model that is being utilized by the PMTE makes provision for the entity to have a revolving overdraft of at least R950m per month. The initiatives that have been implemented to minimise the overdraft include the following:
- A letters were sent to National Treasury requesting ring fencing of all clients budget and for clients to pay in advance, the requests are being considered by Treasury;
- On the 1 September 2019, Archibus system was implemented to make payments to the landlords on the 1st of every month instead of the old system that was making payments before the 1st of each month; the system will be enhanced to bill user departments quarterly in advance for leases; and
- The Department has resolved to devolve the devolution of municipal services to the client departments. In this regard DPWI has advised the departments accordingly.
b)(i) and (ii) In line with established inter-governmental framework principles, below are some of the intervention that the Department has in place to recover the outstanding from client departments and hence minimise the bank overdraft:
- Request to National Treasury to intervene on clients that do not pay within 30 days;
- The Director-General wrote letters to his counterparts requesting them to ensure that departments pay the outstanding amounts to the Department;
- Regular Engagements with user departments regarding their obligations to settle outstanding debts in accordance with prescripts;
- An intergovernmental framework on billing and recovery has been communicated to all user departments, the framework agreement focuses on advance billing, disputes resolution and cutting of services in certain instances where user departments do not comply with payment arrangements;
- I have also written to other Ministers to ask for their intervention.
24 July 2020 - NW1235
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What (a) number of participants are currently actively working as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic that she launched on 27 March 2020 and (b) total amount has been paid to date to the specified participants?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
a) As at 17 July 2020, a total of 16 417 participants were actively working in COVID-19 response related to the Department of Health Promotion of Hygiene Strategy interventions.
b) A total of R1 906 375 was paid to participants as stipends as at 21 July 2020. Further processing of payments are still underway.
24 July 2020 - NW1186
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What (a) was the final total cost of refurbishment of Salvokop to render it suitable as a quarantine site, (b) is the name of the contractor who was appointed to undertake the refurbishment, (c) was the scope of works for the refurbishment, (d) additional procurement was done in order to meet the standard for a quarantine site, (e) number of persons have been quarantined at the specified site to date and (f) will the site be used for after its current use as a quarantine site for Covid-19?
Reply:
a) I was informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) that the breakdown of costs associated for the repairs and moveable assets are as per table below:
Facility Name |
|
Salvokop, Freedom Park |
R 3 361 309,10 |
Grand Total R 3 361 309,10* |
*The DPWI informed me these are estimate costs. Final costs are in finalisation stage that entails re-measurement and final account agreement and Sub-Bid sitting before the actual invoice from the supplier can be issued.
b) The names of contractors who undertook the refurbishment are as per below table:
Description |
Service Provider |
Gardening and cleaning services |
Gleamartins Trading Enterprise |
Electrical services – Electrical building services |
Superfecta |
Electrical services – Electric fence |
Seamied Electrical |
Mechanical services – Fire equipment and heat pumps |
Intsikelelo Logistics |
Mechanical services – HVAC and extraction fans |
Munaca Technologies |
Facility perimeter fencing |
SA Fencing |
Building infrastructure including plumbing |
Labstyres |
c) The scope of works for the refurbishment is as per table below:
Scope of works for the refurbishment |
|
Soft Services |
Regular, Deep cleaning and waste management including bins provision. |
Gardening - Grass cutting, rubble removal and clearing of weeds on paved areas. |
|
Electrical |
Electric Fence |
Emergency Power Supply (Generator) |
|
Cabling for the Generator |
|
Various Electrical Maintenance |
|
Mechanical |
Fire detection and fire hydrant |
Air-conditioning installation and extractor fans |
|
Building infrastructure Services |
Provision of water tanks, 1x stand-pipe and connection to municipal mains and crusher on driveway |
Door locks, toilets repairs/ water pressure/ gutters/ storm-water channelling/ main-hole covers/ unblock |
|
Hire of mobile toilets and ablutions and connection to municipal services |
|
Galvanized fence, welded mesh panel fence 2100mm(H) including vehicle gates |
d) Additional procurement was done in order to meet the standard for a quarantine site,
Facility Name |
Movable Assets – Furniture & soft furnishing: procurement of beds, chairs, pillow cases, bath towels etc. |
Salvokop, Freedom Park |
R 422 863.05 |
Grand Total R 422 863.05 |
e) The site has a total of 64 beds. Department of Health has not yet activated the site to host persons under investigation.
f) After the current use, the site shall be used by Department of Social Development to accommodate victims of gender based violence.
23 July 2020 - NW1517
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister Of Home Affairs
What has his findings been of the work environment and culture at the Government Printing Works? NW1888
Reply:
I will refer the Honourable Member to the report of the Portfolio Committee after the visit of the Committee to the Government Printing Works on 17th June 2020. Honourable member is a member of the Portfolio Committee. I believe The Honourable member has access to the report.
END
23 July 2020 - NW1518
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister Of Home Affairs
(1) Whether he and/or his department has been informed of the allegations against a senior official of the Government Printing Works (name furnished) regarding questionable qualifications, intimidation of staff and misuse of taxpayers’ money to fund an overseas trip with friends; if not, what is the position in this regard; (2) Whether an investigation is underway; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so; what are the the further relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable member, the Portfolio Committee On Home Affairs, which you are a member of, paid a visit to the Government Printing Works on 17th of June 2020, to gather facts about the issues you are enquiring about. As a member of the Committee, I am sure you have access to such a report.
END
23 July 2020 - NW1070
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
For each of the cases (details furnished) where his department has not complied or partially complied with the court order, (a) why has his department not fully complied with the court order, (b) what steps have been taken to fully comply with the order and (c) by what date will his department fully comply with the order?
Reply:
1. LZ [Mathobula] Mathobela v Minister of Home Affairs & another (Case no. 98386/18 - Gauteng Division, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 12 June 2019)
1.1 This matter involved the application for citizenship in case of doubt in terms of section 15 of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995. The Court ordered that the applicant is a South African citizen and directed the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) to enter the applicant’s particulars in the population register and issue her with a South African citizen identity number, birth certificate and identity document within 30 days of the order.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
1.2 The Court Order was issued in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. It later transpired that the applicant is ordinarily resident in Cape Town. The applicant approached the Cape Town and officials of DHA were not aware of the Court Order.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
1.3 An instruction has been given to the Cape Town office to assist on urgent basis. The applicant’ attorneys have been duly informed.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
The DHA will fully comply by 31 July 2020.
2. Minister of Home Affairs v Miriam Ali and Others [2018] ZASCA 169 (SCA) (Case no. 1289/17, Supreme Court of Appeal – Court Order Date: 30 November 2018)
2.1 The matter pertains to the interpretation of section 4(3) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 (amendment that came into effect on 1 January 2013) in which the main issue was whether or not the section applies with retrospective effect and further is the respondents (on appeal) satisfy the requirements of citizenship by naturalisation. The question was whether in the absence of Regulations, the High Court was correct in directing the Minister to accept applications on affidavits as the order encroached upon the doctrine of separation of powers.
2.2 The Supreme Court of Appeal issued the order that:
“The Minister shall –
3.1 Within one year of the date of this order make regulations in terms of s 23(a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 (the Act) in respect of applications for citizenship by naturalisation in terms of s 4(3) of the Act;
3.2 Pending the promulgation of the regulation in 3.1 above, accept applications in terms of s 4(3) South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, on affidavit.”.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
2.3 The DHA was advised to approach the Constitutional Court (“CC”) as the Order of the SCA had the effect of encroaching upon the subordinate legislative powers of the Minister. The CC declined to hear the matter largely because the DHA delayed in launching the appeal proceedings.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
2.3 The draft Amendment Regulations to deal with the procedure and requirements for making an application have been prepared and finalised. However, the draft Amendment Regulations must be published for public comments before they are promulgated and due to the National State of Disaster, especially the period between 26 March 2020 and early July 2020, a decision taken was that the DHA may not be able to obtain the adequate public comments due to lockdown Regulations. The draft Amendment Regulations ha been gazetted for public comments.
2.4 The applicants have been issued with certificates for citizenship by naturalization.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
The DHA will fully comply by 15 September 2020.
3. Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town & 4 others v Minister of Home Affairs & 4 Others, (Case no. 5242/2016 - Western Cape Division, Cape Town - Judgment date: 19 June 2019)
3.1 This was an application to review the DHA’s failure to take a decision and make a determination regarding the refugees who are entitled to refugee status and asylum in South Africa by virtue of section 3(c) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 because they are dependent spouses and children of the applicants.
3.2 The Court Order dated 19 June 2019 reads:
“The Standard Operating Procedures from the Department satisfies the requirements that entitles the Department to adopt appropriate policies and procedures which facilitate the reception and assessment of claims by dependents of refugees.
Further that such refugee applicants have the right to work, attend school, receive basis and emergency health-care and may not be detained, arrested or deported.”
The Department has conducted training on the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures and the same is being implemented.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
3.3 The DHA has conducted training on the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures and same is being implemented.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
The DHA has fully complied with the Court Order.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
The DHA has fully complied with the order.
4. Lawyers for Human Rights v Minister of Home Affairs and Others [2017] ZACC 22 (CC) (Case no. CCT 38/16, Constitutional Court - Judgment date: 29 June 2017)
4.1 This matter concerned the consideration of the conditions under which illegal foreigners are detained before deportation in terms of section 34 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The applicant challenged certain provisions of section 34 relating to detentions . These conditions included a failure to inform foreigners of the rights. The section requires them to be notified of, the inability to exercise these rights owing to lack of resources and legal assistance.
4.2 The court ordered, inter alia, the following:
“2. Section 34(1)(b) and (d) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 is declared to be inconsistent with sections 12(1) and 35(2)(d) of the Constitution and therefore invalid.
3. The declaration of invalidity is suspended for 24 months from the date of this order to enable Parliament to correct the defect.
4. Pending legislation to be enacted within 24 months or upon the expiry of this period, any Illegal foreigner detained under section 34(1) of the Immigration Act shall be brought before a court in person within 48 hours from the time of arrest or not later than the first court day after the expiry of the 48 hours, if 48 hours expired outside ordinary court days.
5. Illegal foreigners who are in detention at the time this order is issued shall be brought before a court within 48 hours from the date of this order or on such later date as may be determined by a court.
6. In the event of Parliament failing to pass corrective legislation within 24 months, the declaration of invalidity shall operate prospectively.
7. The Minister of Home Affairs and the Director-General: Department of Home Affairs shall, within 60 days from the date of this order, file on affidavit a report confirming compliance with paragraph 5, at the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria.”.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order and what steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
4.3 The DHA has filed a report in Court and fully complied with paragraphs 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Court Order. All illegal foreigners who are arrested and detained for deportation are brought before a magistrate within 48 hours for conformation of detention.
4.4 During 2018, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs introduced a Committee Bill to amend the Immigration Amendment Bill to address the defects in section 34(1) the Immigration Act as declared by the court to be invalid. However, at the end of the term of the fifth Parliament, the Bill was not finalised and therefore not saved. In this regard, the order of invalidity is applicable until proper provision is made in the Immigration Act.
4.5 The DHA has embarked on extensive Policy Review in line with international trends of dealing with immigration and refugee protection in one single legislation.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
4.6 The DHA has fully complied with the order. The section declared unconstitutional will be dealt in the said Policy Review.
5. Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs [2017] ZASCA 126 (Case no. 1107/2016, Supreme Court of Appeal - Court Order Date: 29 September 2017)
5.1 The matter involved the decision to close refugee reception office under section 18(1) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 challenged on the basis of unreasonableness and rationality. The Court found that decision-maker failed to take into account relevant considerations, comply with the empowering provision and committed errors of law.
5.2 The procurement of infrastructure is made through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (“DPWI”). In this regard, the DHA had identified a site however confirmation was received that the service provider for the identified site will not be continuing with the process. As a result, the signing of lease agreement was not proceeded with.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
5.3 I refer to my answer above.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
5.4 The DHA has engaged DPWI to restart the process for the new tender, and DPWI advised that the Bid Advertisement closed on 25 May 2020 and five (5) bids or responses were received. Due to restrictions on movements due to the National State of Disaster, the process of physical inspections of the five (5) sites as per the bids may be delayed.
5.4 I must add that National Treasury advised the DHA that its budget will be reduced by R562 million in the financial year 2020/2021. This will have a huge negative impact on the DHA’s procurement of infrastructure.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
5.5 Once the above processes are completed, the DHA would have fully complied with the order. The DHA is unable to provide an exact date of compliance as the successful implementation depends on DPWI’s assistance, but monthly reports are furnished to the applicant’s attorneys on progress.
6. Ntumba Guella Nbaya v Director General of Home Affairs (Case No. 6543/15) (Case no. 6534/15, Western Cape Division, Cape Town - Court Order Date: 3 June 2016)
6.1 In this matter, the Court ordered the DHA to extend asylum seeker permit applied for in Refugee Reception Offices other than Cape Town. The permits of all those who presented themselves were extended whilst their files were being transferred to the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
6.2 The DHA has fully complied with the Court Order.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
6.3 None as the DHA has complied with the order.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
See my answers above..
7. Mzalisi NO & others v Ochogwu & another [2019] ZASCA 138 (SCA) (Case no. 630/2018, Supreme Court of Appeal - Court Order Date: 1 October 2019)
7.1 This matter involved the eligibility of asylum seekers whose status has not been determined to marry whilst lawfully residing in South Africa. The validity of particular paragraph [2.1(b)(iii)(dd)] in the DHA circular imposing absolute ban on asylum seekers seeking to marry was found to be inconsistent with the law and invalid.
7.2 The DHA has since amended the circular to deal with the inconsistency and issued an amended circular during January 2020 to all the Offices of the DHA for implementation. Furthermore, an opinion has been sought from external Counsel on the issue of circulars and directives.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
The DHA has fully complied with the Court.
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
The DHA has fully complied with the order.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
See my answer above.
8. OZM v Refugee Appeal Board & Others Case No. 44643/14 (Case no. 44643/14, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 4 June 2018)
8.1 The matter involved a judicial review of the decision of the Refugee Appeal Board (“RAB”) for rejecting the application for refugee status. The Court ordered referral back to the Refugee Status Determination Officer (“RSDO”) for reconsideration within two months.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
8.2 The application is yet to be reheard and contact will be made with the applicant’s attorneys to inform her to avail herself for a rehearing immediately the Refugee Reception Offices resume with their functions. Furthermore, the applicant’s asylum seeker permit has been extended pending the determination of her application.
8.3 The DHA will fully comply with the order within 30 days of the opening of the Refugee Reception Offices, as they are currently closed under Alert Level 3 Lockdown.
9. KN & 3 Others v Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs & 7 Others Case No. 50342/16 (Case no. 50342/16, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order Date: 6 November 2019)
9.1 This matter was for a judicial review of the decision of the Refugee Status Determination Officers for rejecting the applications for asylum and the decision of the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (“SCRA”) for upholding the decisions of the Refugee Status Determination Officers. The Court ordered that the matter be remitted for reconsideration by the Refugee Status Determination Officers.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order?
9.2 See my answer below
What steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
9.3 The application is yet to be reconsidered and contact will be made with the applicant’s attorneys to inform the applicants to avail themselves for a rehearing immediately the Refugee Reception Offices resume with their functions. Furthermore, the applicants’ asylum seeker permits will be extended pending the determination of their application.
9.4 By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
The DHA will fully comply with the order within 30 days of the opening of the Refugee Reception Offices, as they remain closed.
10. Abdi Kadir Khalif vs The Refugee Appeal Board & 5 Others Case No. 32474/2017 (Case no. 32474/2017, North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria - Court Order: 15 May 2018)
10.1 The Court ordered the DHA to release the applicant from Lindela Holding Facility to allow him to apply for asylum and the DHA duly complied.
10.2 The judicial review against the decision of the Refugee Appeals Board is still pending. The DHA has filed the record in terms Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules as the matter is opposed.
Why has his department not fully complied with the court order and what steps have been taken to fully comply with the order?
10.3 See answer above.
By what date will his department fully comply with the order?
The DHA has complied with the order.
END
23 July 2020 - NW1071
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
For each of the past three financial years to date, (a) what total amount did the Government Printing Works spend on external legal services, including contracting services and legal opinion services and (b)(i) which three firms received the highest total amounts, (ii) what total amount did each of the three firms receive and (iii) for what legal services in each case?
Reply:
The Government Printing Works (GPW) currently has no in-house legal services capacity, however, this situation is being addressed through the revision of the organisational structure which envisages establishing such capacity.
(a) The GPW spent a total of R 4 579 563,70 (excl. VAT) in external legal fees over the past 3 financial years, as follows:
1 April 2017 - 31 March 2018 |
R 1 320 124,48 |
1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019 |
R 2 240 836,50 |
1 April 2019 - 31 March 2020 |
R 1 018 602,73 |
(b)(i) The following three firms received the highest total amounts over the 3 years in question:
NT Mchunu Incorporated
Masondo Attorneys
De Swardt Vogel Myambo Attorneys
(b)(ii) The abovementioned three firms received the following amounts (excl. VAT) in total over the 3 years in question:
NT Mchunu Incorporated |
R 1 112 299,05 |
Masondo-Malope Attorneys |
R 1 097 285,08 |
De Swardt Vogel Myambo Attorneys |
R 713 682,11 |
(b)(iii) The legal fees were in respect of the following:
Firm |
Legal Opinion |
Contracting Services |
Other * |
Total |
NT Mchunu Incorporated |
R387 920.08 |
R587 435.97 |
R136 943.00 |
R1 112 299,05 |
Masondo Attorneys |
R 24 335.73 |
- |
R150 513.15 |
R1 097 285,08 |
De Swardt Vogel Myabo Attorneys |
- |
R 86 789.63 |
R626 892.48 |
R 713 ,682.11 |
* Other refers mostly to cases where the firms were hired to provide a bouquet of legal services over a particular time. Such services included drafting contracts and service level agreements, development of legal policies, contract vetting, and provision of general legal advice.
END
23 July 2020 - NW1069
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, given the terrorist organisations allegedly operating in Mozambique, he will (a) strengthen the borders to protect the citizens of the Republic and (b) deploy more security at problematic and illegal points of entry?
Reply:
(a-b) The intelligence agencies of the state and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are primarily responsible for national security and protecting the territorial integrity of the country. On the advice and guidance of these organs of state, I will consider undertaking a support role within the legislative mandate of his portfolio.
END
22 July 2020 - NW1395
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the objectives of the Deeds Registries Transformation Policy; (2) why was the specified policy put on hold by departmental executives; (3) whether her department intends to continue with the specified policy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The objectives of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy are to:
- develop legislation that provides mechanisms and procedures for the registration of rights in land, including but not limited to customary, informal and communal forms of tenure which are recognised by law;
- provide a simplified, cost effective deeds registration system that is widely accessible;
- provide for officials of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to perform certain functions of attorneys, conveyancers and notaries in respect of the preparation and execution of deeds and documents in instances where State land is being dealt with;
- align and incorporate the provisions of the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Act into new deeds registration legislation;
- provide registration capability for other forms of rights in land that the Government may introduce in future;
- establish a legislative and policy framework that will facilitate the development of a comprehensive register in which all rights and interests in land are recorded; and
- repeal the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 and the Electronic Deeds Registration System Act 19 of 2019 and to replace same with new deeds registration legislation.
(2) The Deeds Registration Transformation Policy has not been put on hold. However, the Deeds Institutional Transformation Policy referred to in the Departmental Annual Performance Plan 2019/2020 has been placed on hold due to the fact that the said policy was not responding to the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture with reference to the need for a National Land Tenure Policy.
(3) Yes; DALRRD is continuing with development of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy and is currently developing a business plan for purposes of procuring the services of policy development experts to assist DALRRD with the development of a policy framework and the envisaged deeds registration legislation. Once the policy framework has been endorsed by the Minister, DALRRD will table the final draft of the Deeds Registration Transformation Policy to Cabinet for approval.
22 July 2020 - NW1320
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether the Minister of Finance approved the construction of a new public-private partnership office block for her department; if so, (a) what is the projected cost and (b) by what date will construction start; (2) whether, considering the merger of the two departments, there is still a need for the new office block; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1688E
Reply:
1. The Department registered two separate projects with National Treasury prior to the merger of the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and the Department Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Minister of Finance has approved the construction of a new public-private partnership office block project registered by the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The other project is still at the appointment of Transaction Advisory Team to undertake a Feasibility Study on the project. All follow-up questions will be applicable to the project by the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
(a) Please refer to the table below.
Item |
Amount |
Project Cost |
R2.1 Billion |
Private Party Contribution |
R1.43 Billion |
Government Contribution |
R 0.67 Billion |
(b) The projected construction start date is October 2020.
(2) There is still a need for the continuation of the project due to office space challenges and maintenance issues in the current buildings occupied by the Department. The Department also considered the expenditure already incurred on the project, termination of the project would have resulted in wasteful expenditure and legal costs/litigation from the appointed service provider.
22 July 2020 - NW1593
Brink, Mr C to ask the Deputy President
1. Whether the Eskom Task Team has considered the plight of the communities of Bethal and eMzinoni in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga who have had to endure daily power interruptions of up to 12 hours at a time since the end of March 2020; if not, will the task team consider the plight of these communities at its next meeting; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) discussions it held and (b) solutions it proposed; 2. whether he has been informed that this part of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has a lower maximum demand limit imposed on it by Eskom in comparison to the rest of the municipality; 3. whether he has been informed that Eskom refuses to lift the lower maximum demand limit imposed on this part of the local municipality due to the municipality’s failure to honour a debt repayment arrangement with Eskom; 4. whether he and/or any other member of the Eskom Task Team will meet with Eskom, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and/or the local municipality as a matter of urgency in order to relieve the social and economic plight of the residents of Bethal and eMzinoni? NW1976E
Reply:
As the Eskom Task Team, we have committed to ensuring that we expedite the payment of outstanding debts owed to Eskom while also directing all national and provincial organs of state to settle all outstanding debts to municipalities.
More importantly, we have a responsibility to improve a culture of payment for services such as electricity and water by our communities to avoid unnecessary disruptions in the provision of these services. We also call on all our communities to pay for electricity to enable Eskom and municipalities to provide services continuously and sustainably.
In this regard, government is planning to implement a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness, and encourage communities to pay for electricity and other services they consume.
In addressing the plight of the communities and businesses of Bethal and Emzinoni in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga, we would like to assure the member that the Eskom Task Team is looking into all municipalities that are exceeding the contracted demand and the resultant impact on communities.
Eskom is providing the maximum demand in line with the contract it has with Govan Mbeki Municipality. This is primarily to protect the upstream infrastructure. Govan Mbeki Municipality ensures that the load utilised is in line with this contracted notified demand. In doing so the municipality decides which areas are switched off, and for how long, to ensure that the load is managed within limits.
The municipality has three bulk accounts with Eskom viz. Secunda, Evander and Kinross. The Secunda account has four bulk supply points linked to it, which are Embalenhle, Secunda, Emzinoni and Bethal.
Eskom has enforced contractual Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) on Bethal, Emzinoni and Evander. The municipality initially requested for an interim NMD increase for Bethal, Emzinoni and Evander on 8 April 2020. Eskom did not accede to this request due to the status of the account.
The municipality applied again on 1 June 2020 for an NMD increase for the Bethal and Emzinoni supply points. Eskom responded on
4 June 2020 outlining the conditions for any increase in NMD. The conditions clearly stipulated that the municipality has to sign a Pre- payment / Upfront Payment Agreement, as well as a Repayment Agreement Plan for the arrear debt. The municipality did not respond to the above conditions.
For Eskom to increase the maximum demand limit, assurance must be provided that the payment conditions will be met for such increased electricity provision. As at 13 July 2020, Govan Mbeki Municipality owed Eskom R1.99 billion, the municipality is battling to settle its current accounts, and has also failed to conclude a payment plan for the arrear debt.
Eskom received a letter dated 24 June 2020 from Gert Sibande District Municipality, stating that Council took a special resolution to assist the Govan Mbeki Municipality with electricity challenges at both Bethal and Emzinoni. Eskom has since welcomed the decision by the Gert Sibande District Municipality to assist the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
Eskom clearly stipulated the conditions to be met by the municipality before any increase in NMD for the two supply points which were, signing the Prepayment Agreement and the Repayment Plan for the arrear debt.
In line with this, Eskom has provided the Gert Sibande District Municipality with the cost estimate letter for the increase in NMD for Bethal and Emzinoni with the understanding that this would proceed once all conditions are met.
To this end, the Eskom Task Team has been apprised that on 10 July 2020, the Gert Sibande District Municipality responded to Eskom and has accepted in principle the prepayment for Bethal and Emzinoni. The District Municipality also indicated that a repayment plan for arrear debt by Govan Mbeki Local Municipality will be taken to council which is sitting on the 30th of July 2020. Eskom awaits the outcome of the council resolution and the conclusion of the Prepayment Agreement.
In conclusion, we are pleased to report to the Honourable member that Eskom has been in discussions with the provincial government regarding electricity supply problems, and payment of accounts by municipalities and has undertaken to finalise discussions with the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality as well as the Gert Sibande District Municipality in respect of specific upgrades of the supply points to Bethal and Emzinoni.
Thank you very much.
21 July 2020 - NW1465
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she intends to intervene in the Limpopo Department of Basic Education in order to resolve the scholar transport problem with urgency at the Ramotshabi Secondary School in Limpopo where learners are still walking 14 kilometres to and from school and where a grade 12 learner from the said school was raped on her way from school on 12 June 2020?
Reply:
Information received from the Limpopo Department of Education indicates that, the Limpopo Department of Education appointed a service provider in January 2020 to transport learners to Ramotshabi Secondary School. Unfortunately, the service provider’s contract was terminated due to misrepresentation of facts, such as the submission of fraudulent documents. The replacement Service Provider has been appointed to transport learners with effect from 14 July 2020.
21 July 2020 - NW1386
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(a) In what areas throughout the Republic has there been a backlog in the testing for Covid-19, (b) what has his department identified to be the cause for the specified backlog and (c) what action plan is being implemented to alleviate the backlog?
Reply:
a) The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) had backlogs in the testing for COVID-19 in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces. The Western Cape has cleared the backlog and is currently processing specimens as they receive them. Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have managed to significantly reduce their backlogs. Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape have no backlogs.
b) The backlogs were caused by the global shortage of extraction kits and the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test kits for the high throughput analysers.
c) The NHLS has increased the number of extraction instruments and diversified the testing platforms so that they have multiple suppliers of testing kits. They have implemented alternative methods of extraction e.g. heat deactivation method for extraction and more targeted and focused testing to allow better use of limited resources.
END.
21 July 2020 - NW1400
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the position of her department with regard to Matric camps during lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 and (b) which schools in each province have set up Matric camps since 1 June 2020?
Reply:
(a) Grade 12 camps are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 lock-down regulations and to curb the spread of the virus.
(b) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has not received any report of any school setting up Matric camps since 1 June 2020.
21 July 2020 - NW1401
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) number of full-service schools are still waiting for proper school structures to be built in each province and (b) total amount was budgeted for the specified building projects?
Reply:
The question has been referred to all provincial departments of education for a response. The response will be forwarded as soon as it is received and collated.
21 July 2020 - NW1434
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
1. What total number of complaints have been received via the Presidential hotline since the announcement of the lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19; 2.what is the status of the specified complaints; 3. What total number of the specified complaints (a) have been resolved and (b) remains unresolved? NW1805E
Reply:
1. The Presidential Hotline call centre received a total of 2978 cases since the lockdown on the 27th March 2020 to the 8th July 2020. Call Centre agents were classified an essential service during the complete Lockdown 5 so operations continued.
2. Thirty-seven (37) of the cases have been assigned to the relevant government department and are awaiting their attention. Four (4) cases have been acknowledged by the department and in the process of investigation towards resolution.
3. 2937 Cases were resolved and 41 remain unresolved. With the easing of the regulations, the cases are increasingly becoming not Covid-19 specific, requiring intervention from the relevant department.
DRAFTER OF THE REPLY
Name: Dr Neeta Behari
Designation: CD: Frontline Monitoring & Support Contacts: 072 1229696 [email protected]
Recommended /
Mr Robert Nkuna
Director General (DPME)
Date: 12/07/2020
Approved /
Hon Jackson Mthembu, MP
Minister in the Presidency|
Date: ../…/2020
21 July 2020 - NW1538
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) How frequently are the staff at the quarantine sites for repatriated South African citizens tested, (b) how are the staff tested and (c) how are the rooms sanitised between stays; (2) whether (a) the floors of the sites are cleaned and disinfected three times a day in line with the guidelines, (b) rooms are being cleaned every third day in accordance with the guidelines, (c) separate groups within one site are kept separate and allocated separate staff, (d) staff members are quarantined and (e) new arrivals are briefed by the facility manager on arrival regarding the guidelines, number of people and number of positive cases; if not, in each case, what is the sanction for noncompliance; if so, what is the name of the person who monitors (i) each specified activity and (ii) compliance in each case?
Reply:
1. (a) Staff are tested normally during the activation of a quarantine site. Thereafter they are monitored for symptoms daily as per normal workplace protocols. Retesting only occurs when staff exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms.
(b) Staff are tested by the clinical team that forms part of the operationalisation of the site. The staff would be tested separately from the PUI (persons under investigation) testing.
(c) All rooms are deep cleaned and all surfaces disinfected as per the IPC guidelines. All linen, healthcare waste and medical equipment are removed and sent for disinfection or discarded. All spaces are cleaned with water and detergent and wiped with disinfectant.
2. Yes. The items below are monitored by the facility manager on site and implemented through the housekeeping structures of the facility.
(a) the floors of the sites are cleaned and disinfected three times a day in line with the guidelines, and floors to communal spaces are cleaned 2-3 times per day using water and detergent. The daily cleaning of the entire quarantine facility with disinfectants as specified in the IPC Manual is advised including surface mopping of all the floors, communal bathrooms and other shared spaces.
(b) rooms are being cleaned every third day in accordance with the guidelines. Residents should wherever possible be responsible for cleaning their own rooms. The facility however supplements this with cleaning of bathrooms, toilet facilities, undersides of beds and other related items placed in the rooms of quarantined people.
(c) separate groups within one site are kept separate and allocated separate staff. This is done where possible. As people are in quarantine they are limited mostly to their room. A roster is developed to allow people into common areas in small groups. This is done, taking into consideration the group they belong to. Staff however are not normally allocated per group as they have limited contact with residents. Those that do have direct contact would be limited to a certain set of people.
(d) staff members are quarantined.
(e) The adjustments to the approved guidelines no longer call for the clinical team to be on site due to the limitation of resources available. Clinical staff can now be given more than one quarantine site to service and can rotate between those.
Where possible, staff members that have direct access to those quarantined, would be encouraged to quarantine with the group that they service. However, staff members that have no contact, although encouraged to stay on premise, are allowed off site.
It is to be noted that sometimes new arrivals get to quarantine sites late in the evening or early morning after a long and tiring journey. The last thing that they are willing to listen to, is a briefing. Towards these we allow the facility to check them in as quick as possible to allow them some rest without a briefing. Alternative methods of briefing are explored in these cases e.g. through an information sheet in the rooms or briefed by the clinical team the next day during daily monitoring. Briefing normally entails what they can expect to experience during the quarantine period, the rules and protocols and basic questions they might have. It rarely deals with the number of people on site and the number of positive cases.
END.
21 July 2020 - NW1514
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
What total number of persons contracted the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in each suburb in the City of Ekurhuleni since 26 March 2020?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is kindly informed that I have requested this information from the MEC of Gauteng, and will furnish the response as soon as I get it from the Province.
END.
21 July 2020 - NW1362
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether she will provide Mrs N I Tarabella Marchesi with a list of the personal protective equipment (PPEs) and Covid-19 related items that her department procured for each province; if so, (2) whether she will provide Mrs N I Tarabella Marchesi with a table listing the companies from which the specified products were purchased for each province; if so, what criteria were used to agree to the specified suppliers that her department used in each province; (3) whether each supplier delivered the products on time in each province as expected; if not, (a) which supplier(s) did not deliver on time and (b) why; (4) whether her department will still use the defaulting supplier(s); if so, why; (5) what (a) amount was paid by each province for each PPE item and (b) was the Treasury Note Instructions on each item?
Reply:
1 - 5 The procurement of COVID-19 goods including personal protective equipment (PPEs) was done by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The question can best responded to by the respective provinces; and the Hon Member is advised to direct the question to the provinces.
21 July 2020 - NW1416
Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) With regard to her announcement for schools to reopen after the lockdown period, how does her department ensure that on (a) 8 June 2020 and (b) 6 July 2020 (details furnished) each learner will be seated at a desk within the 1,5 meter social distancing requirements; (2) how will the shortage of desks in each province be solved prior to the learners returning on (a) 8 June 2020, (b) 6 July 2020 and (c) 3 August 2020; (3) how will the shortages of classrooms in each province be resolved to accommodate the seating within 1,5 m social distancing requirements?
Reply:
(1). In order to address social distancing requirements when schools reopened on 8 June 2020 and the additional cohort on 6 July 2020 and subsequently on 03 August 2020, and ensuring that each learner will be seated at a desk within the 1,5 meter social distancing requirements; the Department of Basic Education (DBE) released the Standard Operating Procedures for the Containment and Management of COVID-19 for Childcare Facilities, Schools and School Communities which provide guidelines for all administrators on the steps that need to be undertaken in order to prevent the spread and manage cases of COVID-19, which include social distancing. Provinces are providing mobile classrooms for additional spaces, which are provided with the requisite furniture/desks, as well identifying additional spaces inside the school campuses and or around the school to address any additional needs for space. Also in addressing the shortage of desks and space/classrooms, provinces are also implementing non-infrastructure solutions, which include timetabling models to address these shortages that cannot be addressed in a short pace of time. In implementing these, schools will not need additional space and desks to address social distancing. These are:
- Weekly rotational arrangement (groups/grades attending school on alternate weeks).
- Groups/Grades of learners alternating classes/lessons on different days of the week (e.g. alternate days);
- Platooning/shift arrangement (one group/grades of learners in the morning till midday and the next group/grades in the afternoon)
- Hybrid of the aforementioned (Combination of the above).
(2) Provinces, where needed and where possible, procured additional furniture to address the shortages. Schools are also repurposing double combination desks into single desks to address the challenge. However, due to budget cuts and insufficient budgets , the models indicated above are being used to address ameliorate these challenges.
(3) As per (1) and (2) above
21 July 2020 - NW1477
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Given the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on public health facilities with its diminishing supply of oxygen that is becoming a crisis, what plans does his department have and/or will it implement to secure resources that will ensure that the supply of oxygen for Covid-19 patients will not be under stress?
Reply:
The National Department of Health (NDoH) and National Treasury have together estimated the quantity of oxygen required to meet the COVID-19 surge demands based on the SURGE modelling data. National Treasury has thus expanded the existing contracts to cater for the anticipated additional needs. The two Departments have also undertaken a process of engaging the suppliers to ensure that they can supply the demand and have measures in place to keep their skilled drivers safe from COVID-19. The NDOH has undertaken a process to review existing bulk storage capacity at identified hospitals and to review oxygen reticulation circuits by using qualified clinical engineers. Hospitals that do not have adequate reticulation will be fast tracked to improve their reticulation systems to ensure major respiratory support devices can be used effectively. Hospitals that do not have adequate bulk storage tanks will have alternate solutions devised for them as per the recommendations of the clinical and mechanical engineers. National Treasury has increased the capacity of supply by contracting Air Liquide as the second service provider for the supply of oxygen. Both Afrox and Air Liquide have written letters of undertaking to guarantee the sustainable supply of oxygen during the peak.
END.
21 July 2020 - NW1515
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
What total number of healthcare professionals have (a) tested positive and (b)(i) recovered from and (ii) died as a result of contracting Covid-19 in each municipality since his reply to question 661 on 8 June 2020?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is kindly informed that the information being requested by this question is not readily available from the National Department of Health, but we rely on the Provinces to furnish us with such information to enable me to respond to the Question.
I have accordingly requested all the MECs for Health to furnish me with the relevant details and I will provide a full response as soon as I have received such information from the provinces.
END.
21 July 2020 - NW1430
Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 774 on 11 May 2020, (a) why is she unable to provide the information on building plans undertaken and/or commissioned by her department and (b) by what will she provide the requested information?
Reply:
(a) The plans are commissioned and implemented by the Gauteng Department of Education and not by the Department of Basic Education and on receipt of the question, it is referred to the relevant implementing department for a response.
(b) The response received from the Gauteng Department of Education is as follows:
John Orr Technical High School is an existing Technical High School within the Johannesburg South District. The Gauteng Department of Education does not currently have plans to build an additional technical high school in the District.
21 July 2020 - NW1369
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health
What total number of the Covid-19 tests that have been conducted thus far were conducted posthumously in each province?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is kindly informed that the information being requested by this question is not readily available from the National Department of Health, but we rely on the Provinces to furnish us with such information to enable me to respond to the Question.
I have accordingly requested all the MECs for Health to furnish me with the relevant details and I will provide a full response as soon as I have received such information from the provinces.
END.